Aleph

I'm reading a book by my favorite author, Paulo Coelho, called "Aleph".  In short, it's a spiritual book about a writer's journey across the Trans-Siberian railroad and his relationship with a seemingly odd woman, who actually is someone he has met 500 years before, and with whom he tries to rectify his past.

Aleph is not only the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet; it also means "the number that contains all numbers".  However, in this story, Aleph represents a voyage where two people experience a spiritual unleashing that has a profound impact on their present lives.

I love Coelho's writing because it is raw.  His words touch all of his readers in the depths of their souls, forcing them to look deep into what they want in life; to forgive and move forward from their pasts; to keep striving for their dreams in this life that is a journey.  Just read "Like the Flowing River", and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Because I am a quote fanatic, here are some from the book that have resonated with me:

• "As always happens when we know what we want, things begin to slot perfectly into place." 
• "A life without cause is a life without effect." 
• "None of us is in a hurry; as we travel on, we are constantly destroying and rebuildilng ourselves and who we are."

And while we're feeling inspired, let's take a look at this week's Brain Pickings post on Neil Gaiman:

• “Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.”
• "The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it ­honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter."

 /////////

In the short few months I've lived here, this magical city has given me freedom - of thought, of expression, of action.  And, in the few months I've lived here, I've listened to the musings of people like Coelho, Gaiman, and finally, of my inner voice. 

Though people have always thought I was older and wiser than my age, I finally feel wise.  Because my heart and mind are congruent.  And because I know what I need to do, how to get there, and most importantly, that I believe in myself 100000%.

I know - mushy gushy, but oh-so-good.

The Day I Fell In Love.

Folks, it has happened.  I have officially fallen in love. 

With San Francisco.

For the few months following my move up here at the end of May this past year, I enjoyed the city as if I were in Orientation Week of college -- of course I loved it.  The public transportation was so convenient!  The people so friendly - new friends, old friends, all the time!  The fun in abundance!  Marina, Polk Street, the Mission!  The food!  The views!  The culture, the smells, the everything!

And then the honeymoon phase ended.

Public transportation took too long and I couldn't figure out logistics of, say, how to pick up and deliver a bed without a car.  I couldn't wear heels because the hills are too steep.  The incessant smells on the streets started to make my head swirl.  My wallet was suffering from all the 'fun in abundance' I was having.  The views compared nothing to my beautiful SoCal beaches.  I missed my family.  I missed my friends.  I missed the sun & fresh air.

And of course, the FOG.  Don't get me started on the fog. 

But in this past week, I could feel the gears slowly turning, turning turning, and today, it clicked: this city ROCKS.

This morning, D & I woke up and contemplated all our weekend plans: should she go to the football game, or to Oktoberfest?  Meanwhile, should I go hiking in the Redwood Forest, or should I go to yoga in the park/Farmer's Market/California Academy of Science?  And then we'd meet up for a movie in the park?  Really, the options were just too much to handle.

After taking a step back from our "first world problems" (but seriously), I stepped back and grinned.  This is a common theme on the weekends here: not being able to decide what to do in the city, because there's so much TO do! 

Though I love, love, love LA, never was there a day there when I could do as much as I did today, all via public transport, all alone - because there is no taboo here - and with an option to ditch out at any time for another activity.  There is always something for someone in this city. 

In that respect, SF reminds me of Las Vegas -- at the end of the day, you will always come back, no matter where you go or what you decide to do - with a story.

For example, today:

• I made friends with a random man on the bus, who didn't know where he was going, but he wanted brunch.
• A few minutes later, I went to the Farmer's Market in the Ferry Bldg, where I purchased my favorite (but oh-so-expensive) Warren Pears and Plums.  They are to die for.
• After strolling around a bit, I then witnessed a man punch a girl who stole a necklace from his girlfriend.  Police, chaos, etc., ensued.  Huh.
• Then, I went to the Cal Academy of Sciences to meet up with some friends from LA.  Admission was free for Cole Valley Residents today, so I got to see baby ostriches, a killer aquarium, and (almost hold) butterflies today.  I am telling you, this place rocks.
• "Midnight in Paris" was showing in Washington Square Park this evening, so D and I packed up our blankies, a bottle of vino, and some snacks to join hundreds of other Friscans under the starry sky.  The best part of watching this movie were all the other elements going on: I could see the movie, hear sirens from SFPD (mixed with the lovely Parisian soundtrack), smell weed (always), and almost taste the pizza from Tony's, my favorite pizza place in all of SF, right across the street.  
• The night didn't end.  We went to D's friends' place nearby, and finished off the night with great new friends, conversation, and laughs.
• To top it off, on our walk home, Dena and I saw a car pull over to the side of the road, where a girlfriend started beating up her boyfriend.  This city is WILD.
• Did I mention that on Thursday, I went to the Mission with some new friends and went dancing at a North African reggae club?  Too cool.

On that Thursday night, I met Chloe, who I can sense is definitely a "soul sister" and is just a totally cool chick from France.  She has traveled the world, and told me that once she got to San Francisco, her need to travel subsided. 

SF has it all.  And I am SO glad I'm here.

(But I still don't like the fog!)

Houston, TX: Taxi Traveling

I write from a plush bed at the Hilton Americas in Houston, TX. I haven't really stepped outside the hotel much these past few days because I am here on a work trip, not to mention the weather here confuses me (how is it 80 degrees with a chance of showers?!) but I still have experienced a good amount of culture.

And it ain't Texan culture.

The few experiences I've had with people outside the hotel -- that is, outside my coworkers and the hundreds of chipper young girls and full-grown-women-with-pigtails who are here for the National Girl Scout Convention (I can count so many green Girl Scout skirts, but zero Thin Mints in sight. There is something wrong with this picture.) -- have been with taxi drivers. Since my arrival, I've been driven by two men from Ethiopia and one from Nigeria, the two African countries from which a majority of people have emmigrated to Houston.

My drivers have all been exceedingly friendly and affable; quite talkative; and very open about their cultures. They are also into their families. I've learned the following:

- It's very common for men in Ethiopia to have multiple wives as a form of status. My first taxi driver said his brother at home has four wives and spends a week per month with each wife -- and a handful of his 28 children. 28. children.

- Ethiopia is very green. My first driver went as far to say that "There is no difference between Houston and Ethiopia...they are ze same! Ethiopia...just greener!" However, I think I'll need to head over to Ethiopia to validify that claim. ;)

- Somalia is one of the most dangerous African countries, according to one of my drivers. Nigeria is, too, for tourists who don't know their way around (but isn't that true with any and all countries?).

- Music is a huge part of their culture and history. My driver tonight fully blasted Nigerian music all the way back to the Hilton and explained that Nigerian music has good messages. Wholesome messages. Like "be proud of your children" and "be good to your wife" (hm, wives?).

It's incredible how one can travel the world through conversation and interaction. Taxi traveling, as I've dubbed it. Through Houston, I've somewhat traveled Africa.

It's all about cultural diplomacy: people are incredible tools for action, understanding, and change, if we all took the time to listen and engage with each other.

Celebrating Hapa Kids

Zara just released their October Lookbook for kids, and I immediately fell in love with this little boy.

My roommate and I decided he must have a cool, location-based name. Like London or Brooklyn. Because he probably travels around the world with his well-to-do parents. And he probably plays with toy airplanes -- never Nintendo DS. And he grew up speaking three languages, one of them being an Asian language, because he's hapa -- and ADORABLE.


There is no other reason for this this post other than to point out how handsome this little man is, and to celebrate interracial marriages! I come from a family that contains a lot of mixed marriages; it's really beautiful to be able to blend cultures, genetics, accents and languages -- and to be able call everyone 'family'.

Cheers to open mindedness and cute hapa kids!