The Aquarium and the Marine Biologist

My brother and I have always had a good relationship. We've been friends since I can remember. Sure, we fought. Sure, he pushed me into the flower pot in grandma's backyard. Sure, we did all the usual stuff that siblings do. But Kevin holds a very special place in my heart, and there's nothing he can do to change that.

I'm going down to California tonight to spend the weekend in Monterey with my mom and brother. My family has a lot of memories in Monterey. Growing up, we lived about an hour away - so we were fortunate enough to get yearly memberships to the aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most amazing places! Rich with color and texture, this is where Kevin taught me about marine life. Where I followed him around when we were little asking questions about how fish breathe and where they sleep (some wrap themselves in kelp to stay put). I have so many special memories of climbing rocks along the ocean, poking starfish and sea anemone in the tide pools, and strolling along cannery row. We haven’t been back in years, and because we've always lived near by we've never actually stayed in the night in Monterey. So I'm glad to go back this weekend. Looking forward to the break from this crazy Portland heat wave, and some more Marine Biology 101 with Professor Shiraz, and maybe a quick stop at Dennis the Menace Park if we're lucky.

when everything lines up

you know those moments when everything seems to be in slow motion? when things line up just enough that you dont have a care in the world. those beautiful moments where you can be present. not thinking about your grocery list or all the emails you have to send when you get to your desk. moments where you can just be. i had one of those this morning. as i stepped off the bus, my ipod started playing hoppipolla as if it knew the exact moment my foot would hit the ground. the sun was shining, it hadnt gotten too hot yet and as i walked the couple of blocks to my building i was engrossed in the beauty of that moment. eyes still heavy from sleep, a soundtrack that compliments downtown, and a moment to meander. ahhh.

MoMA

another reason i wish i lived in New York. Right now i'm watching a concert that Sigur Ros played at MoMA. it's at night. there's a wall of windows behind them and a huge bronze statue in the middle of their stage. ahhh.

not that the schnitz was bad.

treasures

treasures from the first night walking around nyc.

oh mary!

my favorite part of new york city? tie between the museums and broadway. there is something to be said for getting all dolled up and feeling like you own the town. broadway was amazing. there is a reason those tickets cost a small fortuen. the production quality is unlike anything i've ever seen. from the time the curtain went up, i was mesmerized. i felt like a little kid, leaning forward in my chair in anticipation, my eyes wide with excitement, and a huge grin on my face the entire time. we saw mary poppins. spectacular. the sets, the costumes, the coreography and the orchestra. enchanting. the show started at 7, and we didnt leave until after 11 o'clock, but those four hours went by so quickly. ms. poppins flew a couple of times, flying through the crowd for the grand finale. bert had a song where he walked around the frame of the stage. walking up one side of the stage, then upsidedown on the top of the frame, and coming down the other side - all while singing a song - but what else would you expect from broadway?

here's laura and i after a long night of drinking:
or actually, we were just waiting for the subway on the way to the show. hee hee.

we couldnt get a picture of me all wide-eyed, but here's the next best thing:


bravo mary poppins, bravo.