Ma Vie en Violet

Friday, March 5, 2010

One More Check

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Ever since we started going to live shows and concerts, we've been wanting to see Boys II Men. We've been fans forever. I remember singing along to I'll Make Love to You as wee one and not knowing what it meant at all. What an eye opener when I learned what it meant. Oh middle school. We've missed a couple of their concerts because the timing wasn't quite right. Finally, they had a show close enough to us that we wouldn't have to deal with all of that LA traffic.

We went last night. Unfortunately, we totally had mixed feelings. Their harmonies were as tight as always. The Motown song and dance bit was adorable and lively. Shawn did a great job filling in the time between songs. He's now my favorite group member. There was just something off. Not quite sure what it was. Michael no longer performs with them due to medical reasons. I would wait for his speaking parts, and they weren't there. It made some of the songs feel a little empty. Part of me feels bad that they have to perform at a casino (not an awesome one like the ones in Vegas). Watching their old music videos flicker behind them makes you really realize how old they are now. Despite all of this, I'm still really happy that we went to see them. It's one more check off of our bucket list.

Dreaming Of...

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On this dreary Friday, I'm dreaming of a bacon and grilled cheese sandwich. Doesn't that sound positively decadent? A first grader told me about it yesterday while we were making a detailed food-related sentence. Too bad it's a Friday during Lent. Otherwise, I would be having it for dinner tonight. I wonder what cheese would be perfect for this sandwich. Pepper jack? Provolone? Sharp cheddar? Mmm....bacon. It makes everything tasty.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

A Sign

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Ever since I read The Alchemist, I have been trying to read the signs in my life. Mmm...I haven't been all that successful. I started to doubt if I even knew what the signs looked like after awhile. With that said, I think I finally got an in-your-face-without-a-doubt sign.

Yesterday, I was uber stressed about our trip to New York City. We were waiting for my hubster's friend to get back to us. I was looking at hostels. Contemplating if I really could share a room with 4 or 8 other strangers and sleep on a bunk bed. Looking at maps of New York just felt so overwhelming. How would we ever get around? Would we even have enough money to go if we needed to stay in a hostel? Did I even want to go anymore?

Back to the sign. Today, a kiddo asked me what the Olympic sign looked like. I could totally visualize the shape, but I had a few doubts about the number of rings. I decided to look in the encyclopedia (archaic, I know) to see if there was a picture to show him. The encyclopedias was a N-O one. When I opened it, I immediately landed in the New York City section. Central Park was staring at me. In that moment, my heart fluttered. All I could think of is, "This has to be a sign, right? It just has to. What are the chances I would instantly flip to the section?" I really hope our trip happens, and I hope we enjoy it. *Fingers crossed*

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Traveler vs. Tourist

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I've been having this internal struggle between being a traveler or a tourist. I'll be honest. On most of our most recent trips, we have fully embraced being and looking like a tourist. Shameful, no? It was just so convenient, those cruises and those tours. But the silver lining is I feel like I've learned so much from the tour guides that I wouldn't have learned otherwise, because I'm too lazy to read those travel books.

I'm surprised I have become such a tourist. When I hear "tourist," I usually cringe a bit. I think of the people who ask us to take their photos for them then frown at us afterward. The people who wear cheesy t-shirts and say inappropriate things to the locals. As I read Tales of a Female Nomad, my embarrassment grows.

Then, I do a quick check. I don't have the luxury of traveling for weeks or months at a time. I do want to see all the amazing sites that I have seen on TV. Yes, I carry my camera (even multiple cameras discreetly hidden in my giant purse) around with me at all times. Yes, I feel naked without a camera. For the record, I do this at home too. I just like taking photos.

So, that's my dilemma. We possibly have a trip to New York on the horizon. I'm trying to decide if I want to be a tourist or a traveler. Maybe, a tourist just one more time?

p.s.
Isn't the shirt adorable? I think I just may ask for it for my birthday. :)