A moment

Last week, I came across this photo, from Siem Reap. I was heading (via tuk tuk) back to the hotel after a stirring day--the sky was beautiful, and so I started snapping, even though we were moving and I couldn't really see what I was capturing. Indeed, most of those pics are blurry, but this one pretty much gets the mood.

Happy New Year!

This is a photo of me with Zoe, who's the two-week old daughter of Karen and Todd, my cousin and her husband. As you can see, Zoe is so precious! I haven't been so regular about blog updates, but wanted to post this, because what could be more joyful than a baby and her brand new life? I'm more grateful than ever to live in the same city as K + T (and now Z).

On another note, I recently came across this old favorite from Martha Graham and thought it very appropriate for the New Year. But, actually, it's always appropriate. Enjoy! And happy New Year!

'"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open..."

Do you see what I see?

Speaking of "unmarked boxes," in the Rumi sense, I wanted to post these amazing pictures, taken by Yemi. His eye is so wonderful, and I'm grateful to share these.

Another shot from Koh Lanta, sans monkeys

This just in

Last week, I had a nice, long catch-up conversation with Mary Ann. (Hi, Mary Ann!) and she mentioned that she has a friend who took a long trip a few years ago--and she's still updating her blog. So I suspect that's what might happen here. I do need to organize photos from Cambodia and Vietnam, but I just received these supremely sweet pictures from Kim, who I met in Koh Lanta. Kim and her husband Drew are hands-down two of the best storytellers I have ever met. We had a lovely few days in Thailand, including a day-long boat trip and lots of fun dinnertime conversations, which were occasionally interrupted by warring cats and questionable fire-shows. (If you are close enough to smell the gasoline, something is probably wrong.) Having been back three weeks now, the glow of the trip is still with me, which is, in part, because I met such wonderful people. In the top photo, we have Drew, Kim, Raina, and Will. Great picture, isn't it?

One more Jungle Beach photo

I just stole this picture from Seamus and Fiona's blog. They are a couple I met while at JB, a small resort just south of Doc Let Beach in Vietnam. Oh, it was great. This was taken just before I was due to catch the overnight train to Hue. It's been so long since I left there--almost two months now--but I still find myself missing the food, which was some of the best I had in VN; the coffee, which I can't seem to replicate here in Brooklyn, try as I might; and of course, the company, which was so so fine.

Last Stop: Thailand

So, I was in Thailand for the last month. Most of it was spent in Koh Lanta, thanks to a super tip from Bonnie in Koh Samui. Here's a picture of the view from my bungalow. I got tons of writing done here and also lots of relaxing. Will and Raina (from Jungle Beach--and don't you love that this is how you're known?) came to meet me for the second week in Koh Lanta. It was lovely to see them and we had lots of adventures, including a boat trip with three other people, out to the islands in the Andaman. (The other beach picture is from this trip.) My time away was wonderful and it's also hard to believe I've been away from New York for two months. I did wake up the morning after I got back to Brooklyn thinking: where am I??

Now, a few days after my arrival, I am starting to get acclimated to the pace of life here. It's been great to catch up with friends, spend time with the kittens, and start to enjoy summer in the city. Last night, I met Christina and Mike on the Brooklyn Bridge and we walked to DUMBO for an outdoor movie. And this afternoon, Stefan is coming over and we're going to the Chocolate Room to have hot fudge sundaes. Yum! I hope that you are all enjoying summer too, wherever you are.