untold time

In light of the birth of my second niece and reflecting on how a sense of time will be passed onto her, I write this poem.

history is a crumble away

from making her debut

its time

to let ideas flow like vines

and solve social problems

like crimes

the way they do on tv

or don't in real life

its time

to open a slammed door

and wear a brandless tee

like mines

time

to let your locks do what they do

the way they would

if you just let them pour

free and wild

natural and pure

like the world depicted through

the eyes of a child

it's time for history to reveal itself

i'm not what you thought

i am what i was

untold yet sought

is crying a sign of weakness?

I raise this question in light of a recent conversation I had with someone close. "Never cry in front of people" was the advice and it hit hard. I knew why and I wanted to change it immediately so as not to have this embarrassing moment repeat itself. But I knew, or at least am coming to know, that there's nothing I can do about this taboo trait. I've attempted several times -at my own leisure and for reasons that seem obvious - to never do it. It worked for a while. I developed a way to warrant off the numbing and slightly tingly feeling that tears can create. The results were simple: increased levels of stress and frustration. Was crying then some sort a release that kept my stress level down? I mean I'm not walking around with a bucket or anything, but those moments when you feel completely overwhelmed with anger, confusion, pain or loss isn't it OK to cry? Why shouldn't it be? If anything, crying seems more like a sign of strength than weakness. When I cry, I'm able to deal with the sorrow -be it anger, pain etc. - and deviate my tension all the while lessening it. I feel fresh afterward and although pain takes time to heel, I do feel closer to completion when I get a good cry out. That's not to say that crying is an intentional remedy, at least for me it's not and for most people, I'd like to say the same is true. I can't speak for everyone but when I cry it's never the plan. It's always the alternative.

So when someone is deeply hit with life's woes and refuge is found in tears, stand back and admire the strength of someone who is able to deal with a setback. Listen closely to the temporary grief where comfort is welcome but not always received. Doubt your urge to assess their moment and instead yearn to understand the journey that each takes when things are not what they used to be.

fall in nyc!

I love autumn. It's by far my favorite season of the four. Maybe it's the back to school rhythm that or changing from fun on the beach to the sound of an alarm clock. Sure the days are getting shorter and shorter and by 7:45 the cars turn on their headlights, but this doesn't have to be a bad transition! Change is good.

I love the summer too and trust me, I'll miss rooftop parties (I mean backyard BBQ's) just as much as the next person. But to be honest, and I know I'm really going out on a limb here, I prefer whistling winds to sizzling hot dogs any day. What's more, I, unlike the vast number of NYer's out there, am quite fond of the rain. What's up with people being depressed when it's raining outside and acting as though there's nothing to do and the day is wasted? Heck, even the news achors on prime time tv discuss their annoyance with the meteorologist's report on drizzle! When did we start hating the rain?

Autumn to me sparks a fresh start for students and non-students alike. The change in weather is the first inkling. Finally, relief from the sauna-like subways and a light jacket to cover up those who dare to show it all! Outdoor activities don't have to end when autumn arrives. There are all types of fruit to pick, markets to visit and cheap tickets to events you couldn't afford during the summer peak months of tourism.

So go out and there and enjoy the leaves crunching below your feet and the smell of a cool morning chill!

life update: it's been a while...

It's been a while since I've posted. So here's a brief update on my summer, shop and life.

For one, I never sold my items at the Hester Street Fair like I planned. Part of the reason was due to the lack of anticipation to find a way to package and tote my items to another location. The other reason was sheer cheapness. I couldn't bring myself to splurge on the $80.00 6' X 5' table I would need to purchase in order to sell. I really enjoy the convenience of selling on Etsy and although the idea of a street fair was appealing at first, I wasn't prepared to negotiate cheap comfort for what could of been an expensive day full of sales.

On that note, my summer is coming to a screeching end! It's not that I wasn't aware of it's end... I mean... I have a calendar and all. My middle of the summer teaching job took me away from the other things I love to do. I guess life is all about balancing the two. I'm still learning...

Since I started teaching, my life has been made up of defining the verb "to be" and finding creative ways to use modals (should, can, may will etc.) for my intermediate esl class. Luckily, my schedule will be shifting soon. I'll still be teaching, but less and school starts on the first of the month. I'll have more time to list items and get lost adding favorites to my shop.

shop update:
Yay new items! Below is a sneak peak of some of the great home finds I'll be posting this week.

Enjoy!

vintage 1950s Samsonite brown leather suitcase (2 available)


vintage set of goblets and pair of silver shot glasses


vintage set of 5 silver goblets- made in spain


vintage wooden folding chair with faux leather seat


vintage set of 6 wide mouthed goblets - made in spain


vintage stovetop sandwich maker with wooden handle


antique wooden children's rocking chair


vintage pair of two large silver goblets - made in spain

hester street fair and shop update

My life has changed a lot in the last two weeks. Suddenly I'm working p/t as an ESL teacher and often consumed with lesson plans and things like that. My other life, I call it. It's almost as fun as biking and shopping at thrift stores but a little more spontaneous. Really.

Anyway, in between it all I've been invited to sell my items at the Hester Street Fair in the Lower East Side! Whoo hoo to that! It has generated a lot of buzz over the past few months since it debuted in April. It's rival to a favorite for some, the Brooklyn Flea, and filled with vintage pieces, local cuisine and quality goods. I'm hoping to meet some great people there. So please, if you're in the NY area, stop on by and say hi, meet other sellers and buy some treasures. I'll be selling on Saturday 8/21 from 10-6.

__________________________

shop update:

I've got some new items and I'm really excited to share them. I'll list them on etsy throughout the week as well as other surprises.

Enjoy.

vintage set of 5 1970s cookbooks - $40.00

vintage red gasoline can - $35.00


vintage copper tea kettle with wooden handle- $26.00

vintage set of two iron shelve brackets/ wall hooks - $28.00

vintage garden watering can/ planter - $26.00

hempstead lake state park

As part of my FREE: things to do in NYC, ($8.00 parking) I visited a great state park not too far into Long Island yesterday. Hempstead Lake State Park is just a about an hour away from the city and engulfs a huge lake, picnic area and bike trails and that span for miles. I stumbled upon a small hideaway on a trail that you have to see for yourself:




I only explored the park for two hours and so I know there's more to see. I do intend to update this with a Part 2 but for more info check out the website. There's a lake (perhaps what the park is named after?) that is as clear as can be. Really, I mean you can see your feet! But you can't swim here.. :( Though there was a man fishing and we all took our shoes off and walked in about knee deep. I don't think anyone would go in here with a suit -so don't pack the bikini- but a pair of flip flops would do good. Some of the scenes were breathtaking and there are a lot of cozy corners for reading and thinking too. Here's a video of the lake:



and some great photos:

etsy's craft night at south street seaport

I attended Etsy's sailor themed craft night at the south street seaport yesterday and it was loads of fun! Well, kind of! Here's the original article on Etsy. I wish it were a little less crowded but hey something free in NYC is hard to come by. It was also hard to start a bond with other crafters since some had come with a friend and sadly didn't talk to their neighbors!

Despite that, the vibe was welcoming and etsy admin were walking around offering assistance. The freebies included yarn, embroidery thread and I love Etsy bumper stickers! The best part though was that I got to meet Julie (the one who puts all these craft nights together) and got on top of that had gourmet ice-cream from a Coach (the brand) truck outside, for free! They were promoting a new line or something...

Whoo hoo to creating something with your hands and walkiing away with more than you came with!