I've been sifting through Rumi recently and happened upon this poem. It's now in my office, and I've pondered it throughout this week. I thought I'd share it!
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
— Rumi
My reflections: At times I become annoyed that a difficult person/situation interrupts my "normal day." However, Rumi reminds me that such instances are not interruptions but are instead an equally legitimate part of life as the moments that I control and choose. Hence I must calmly embrace those that "violently sweep my house" instead of compartmentalizing and labeling as "part of life" v. a random inconvenient occurrence.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
State Department Reports 2008
Yesterday I heard a whoop of excitement come from a co-worker's office. I peered around the corner to inquire as to the cause of such elation.
"The State Department Reports came out today! And it helps my case immensely!" Which means that the facts of the country in question are so horrific that it corroborates our asylum claims.
Sometimes I can't believe what asylum work does to my person. I react with cheers when the U.S. acknowledges that prison conditions have worsened in Ethiopia.
If you want to know what's happening with human rights in any country, check them out:
State Dept. Reports 2008
I printed out the reports for a handful of countries for my commute. I'm completely enthralled.
"The State Department Reports came out today! And it helps my case immensely!" Which means that the facts of the country in question are so horrific that it corroborates our asylum claims.
Sometimes I can't believe what asylum work does to my person. I react with cheers when the U.S. acknowledges that prison conditions have worsened in Ethiopia.
If you want to know what's happening with human rights in any country, check them out:
State Dept. Reports 2008
I printed out the reports for a handful of countries for my commute. I'm completely enthralled.
Restaurant Shout-out: Tweet
Tweet
5020 N. Sheridan.
*Off the Argyle stop*
I visited this charming breakfast (and now all-day restaurant) spot recently and it is such a gem! Enter and be greeted with pieces of banana chocolate chip bread on your table and your diner coffee mug instantly full and steaming. All organic, locally grown vegetables and environmentally-friendly raised meats. Options for vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers and lovers of sweet breakfasts! A menu of morning cocktails for those in the party who are still in need.
Things to note:
* Massive off-centered portrait of Barack Obama above the host(ess) stand. I’m still not sure if it’s supposed to be a bit sarcastic or if they’re 100% serious and Obama-proud.
* Quirky photos of birds and geese. But then that one photo of a nondescript building’s reception desk backed by plants. It just throws one off a bit.
* Biscuits and gravy. I’m from “the South” as Chicagoans so name So. Ill., therefore, I can judge biscuits and gravy. These were GOOD. There is a vegetarian option, too! All can enjoy.
A lovely find.
5020 N. Sheridan.
*Off the Argyle stop*
I visited this charming breakfast (and now all-day restaurant) spot recently and it is such a gem! Enter and be greeted with pieces of banana chocolate chip bread on your table and your diner coffee mug instantly full and steaming. All organic, locally grown vegetables and environmentally-friendly raised meats. Options for vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers and lovers of sweet breakfasts! A menu of morning cocktails for those in the party who are still in need.
Things to note:
* Massive off-centered portrait of Barack Obama above the host(ess) stand. I’m still not sure if it’s supposed to be a bit sarcastic or if they’re 100% serious and Obama-proud.
* Quirky photos of birds and geese. But then that one photo of a nondescript building’s reception desk backed by plants. It just throws one off a bit.
* Biscuits and gravy. I’m from “the South” as Chicagoans so name So. Ill., therefore, I can judge biscuits and gravy. These were GOOD. There is a vegetarian option, too! All can enjoy.
A lovely find.
Diner Coffee: Invasive
I love love love breakfast-ing with people (tomando el desayuno!!). It may be my favorite thing. Yes, I’m a morning person. There’s just something so wonderful about starting the day at a slow pace enough to relax, enjoy someone’s company, eat good food. After a shared breakfast, the day can only continue in such a magnificent style.
On President’s Day a friend and I headed to Nookie in Lincoln Park. I’m a new fan of coffee and had thus never had the diner-coffee experience. I took two sips of the sub-par tasting liquid and a waiter instantly replaced the deficit. I looked up surprised, “But I haven’t drunk anything!” My friend explained the process. You drink. They pour. But… can’t I just finish my cup?
For those of you who don’t drink black coffee, how do you do diner coffee? It would seem to get exhausting: constantly measuring cream and sugar and adding and taking away… it would spoil the morning’s slowness and goodness.
I continued desayunando (breakfast-ing in Spanish) and was extremely preoccupied by the loads of coffee being added to my mug. I couldn’t focus. For example, when I become really animated or excited, I speak with my hands. At one point, I recounted a moment of disappointment from my week, and – fittingly so – I put my face in my hands in a gesture of desperation and frustration. But I realized that – NO! – the waiter was going to put more thin brown liquid in my cup! My head shot up.
Don't take your eyes off the mug.
I decided I couldn’t desayunar with such anxiety. I resolved to finish the meal holding my mug so the waiter couldn’t catch me off guard.
Does this mean I like control? I want my coffee mug to be my coffee mug! I want to decide how much coffee is left in the mug! Diner coffee is such an invasive concept.
On President’s Day a friend and I headed to Nookie in Lincoln Park. I’m a new fan of coffee and had thus never had the diner-coffee experience. I took two sips of the sub-par tasting liquid and a waiter instantly replaced the deficit. I looked up surprised, “But I haven’t drunk anything!” My friend explained the process. You drink. They pour. But… can’t I just finish my cup?
For those of you who don’t drink black coffee, how do you do diner coffee? It would seem to get exhausting: constantly measuring cream and sugar and adding and taking away… it would spoil the morning’s slowness and goodness.
I continued desayunando (breakfast-ing in Spanish) and was extremely preoccupied by the loads of coffee being added to my mug. I couldn’t focus. For example, when I become really animated or excited, I speak with my hands. At one point, I recounted a moment of disappointment from my week, and – fittingly so – I put my face in my hands in a gesture of desperation and frustration. But I realized that – NO! – the waiter was going to put more thin brown liquid in my cup! My head shot up.
Don't take your eyes off the mug.
I decided I couldn’t desayunar with such anxiety. I resolved to finish the meal holding my mug so the waiter couldn’t catch me off guard.
Does this mean I like control? I want my coffee mug to be my coffee mug! I want to decide how much coffee is left in the mug! Diner coffee is such an invasive concept.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Winter List
My friend Sara made a winter list of fun things to do to get her through winter, and she is doing SO well completing it!! I've had my list for a few weeks and have checked things off... but I thought I'd post it. Let me know if you want in on any of it! Or if you have other great ideas...
Winter List:
* Cooking:
Samosas
Tamales
Chai
Pizza dough (*good* pizza dough)
* Lunch concert at Cultural Center
* Art Institute (free in February!)
* Museum of Contemporary Art
* LUMA (Free Tuesdays!)
* Tuesday night bluegrass at Red Line Tap
* Buy tea from Coffee & Tea Exchange
* Snow walk through Grant Park
* Bike in each month at least once
* Listen to live flamenco music
* See an independent film at Landmark & Music Box
* Chicago Symphony Orchestra
* Weekend getaway
* See Rue Royale live - March 20 @ The Hideout
Winter List:
* Cooking:
Samosas
Tamales
Chai
Pizza dough (*good* pizza dough)
* Lunch concert at Cultural Center
* Art Institute (free in February!)
* Museum of Contemporary Art
* LUMA (Free Tuesdays!)
* Tuesday night bluegrass at Red Line Tap
* Buy tea from Coffee & Tea Exchange
* Snow walk through Grant Park
* Bike in each month at least once
* Listen to live flamenco music
* See an independent film at Landmark & Music Box
* Chicago Symphony Orchestra
* Weekend getaway
* See Rue Royale live - March 20 @ The Hideout
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January: things I think are just great
Things I think are just great:
** Year in Review: found here:
A great way to make fun, creative, unique, practical goals for the coming year. From my experience, best when done with a good friend.
** Thai Massage
Last Sunday I attended a free Thai Massage event to kick off the career of a new masseuse. Thai massage is a unique form of massage that employs various Buddhist meditation and yoga principles. The masseuse uses different stretching techniques on the client to release tension and bring a sense of mental and physical peace. As a viewer, this form of massage is graceful and beautiful as the masseuse uses his/her whole body to release tension in the client. I was lucky enough to receive a massage from one of Chicago’s finest masseuses, and I would highly, highly recommend this form of massage if you’d like to treat yourself. Edgewater’s Yoga Now now hosts Blake , who is also a well-respected masseuse.
** NPR Song-a-Day
I am slowly becoming a radio addict. Now, on top of desiring a land line and a New York times delivered each morning to my door, I want to listen to the radio constantly. I found myself sitting drinking tea next to the radio over my Christmas vacation. Furthermore, I was introduced to excellent music through Song-a-Day – check it out!!
** Year in Review: found here:
A great way to make fun, creative, unique, practical goals for the coming year. From my experience, best when done with a good friend.
** Thai Massage
Last Sunday I attended a free Thai Massage event to kick off the career of a new masseuse. Thai massage is a unique form of massage that employs various Buddhist meditation and yoga principles. The masseuse uses different stretching techniques on the client to release tension and bring a sense of mental and physical peace. As a viewer, this form of massage is graceful and beautiful as the masseuse uses his/her whole body to release tension in the client. I was lucky enough to receive a massage from one of Chicago’s finest masseuses, and I would highly, highly recommend this form of massage if you’d like to treat yourself. Edgewater’s Yoga Now now hosts Blake , who is also a well-respected masseuse.
** NPR Song-a-Day
I am slowly becoming a radio addict. Now, on top of desiring a land line and a New York times delivered each morning to my door, I want to listen to the radio constantly. I found myself sitting drinking tea next to the radio over my Christmas vacation. Furthermore, I was introduced to excellent music through Song-a-Day – check it out!!
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