We had the pleasure of having Adam’s niece Michele in town for a visit this weekend. She is on holiday break from her freshman year of college in California. While Michele was here, Adam and I were constantly trying to get her to expand her horizons… from tasting new foods, to trying out a new haircut, to trying on new styles of clothes, etc. At times she seemed frustrated by the pressure we were putting on her, but by the end of the weekend, she seemed like a new woman… more confident, more open-minded and more happy with herself. (Am I right Michele? I know you’re reading this).
This experience made me think of how much I’ve grown as a person since I was Michele’s age. When I was in college I…
- hated tons of different foods that I love now (sushi, beets, ginger, cilantro, salmon, spinach, blue cheese, olives, sausage, white wine, pork)
- hardly ever cooked – mostly because I was intimidated
- smoked cigarettes
- had a mini identity crisis because I got rejected from my top choice sorority (I really wanted to be one of the “cool” girls and believed that was my way in)…. in retrospect, it was the wrong place for me anyway.
- never had a boyfriend – most likely because I was constantly attracted to the wrong guys
- was lazy and complacent in regards to finding and exploring my passions
Now – after ten years in NYC, I am living a much richer and more fulfilling life than I ever did in my college years and before. The biggest part of that, has been keeping an open mind and trying new things all the time, paying close attention to what makes me happy and what doesn’t (that also includes relationships), changing things when they’re not making me happy (even if its REALLY hard to do so), and no longer trying to be ‘cool’ – instead – just really trying to be me.
It felt good telling Michele that so far… the older I get, the happier I get. It makes me excited for what lies ahead.
Anyway – let’s catch up with the photo project! Here are my photos from the weekend:
Photo 273 out of 365 – “Statue in Tompkins Square Park in Winter”
"Statue in Tompkins Square Park in Winter" - Settings: ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/400 sec, 50mm lens
Photo 274 out of 365 – “Congee Village”
"Congee Village" - Settings: ISO 100, f/1.2, 1/250 sec, , 50mm lens
Photo 275 out of 365 – “Glass Bottles on the Barber Shop Windowsill”
"Glass Bottles on the Barber Shop Windowsill" - Settings: ISO 200, f/5, 1/2000 sec, 50mm lens
nell's dish du'jour 
love the bottles, especially the way the light comes through them. very nice. -Kim
Thanks so much Kim – thanks for visiting the blog! I look forward to seeing your photography too. 🙂
I guess that the key word is “open mind”, it works at every level of life and it´s what makes you encounter marvelous things that go unnoticed for most people.
Your pictures are wonderful!! I specially like the glass bottles!!
Thanks so much Ellen! I was at the barber shop and the barber said that windowsill only gets direct light for about 12 minutes each day. I’m so glad I was there at the right time!
You lucky girl!!! that´s really to be in the right place at the right time!! how wonderful this is, isn´t it??
Hi Nell,
So glad that you and Adam have expanded Michele’s horizons!
Can’t wait to see and hear from her how she viewed it all and what she has embraced as a new woman!
I am a bit jealous that she has come to visit several times while I have not been there in quite some time….
We will have to fix that …!
But it is all good….
Michele has become a NY kinda girl and loves going there so so much.
I believe that she would move there if the opportunity arose!
Thanks for your part in making her so welcome and showing her how much more there is to explore in herself!
Love & hugs,
xoxoxo
Lorene
Thanks Lorene! We had a great time together… it’s fun for me – I’ve never been a big sister… so it kind of feels like that!
just adding MORE praise for the shot of the bottles. so cool. 🙂
Thanks Kate!
You are right…I am reading this…haha
While I will admit to sometimes being frustrated, I am all-around glad I overcame most of that and tried all of those new things! Also, thanks for letting me take over your couch and for letting me cream you both at rummy 500…haha we shall play again so you can attempt to take my champion title if you dare…as if…I love you (and Adam too) and I had a great weekend. See you soon!
PS: I love the photos as usual and they are on my screen already 🙂
so glad you had fun. We love you and are proud of you!!