Singin' in the Rain

Sorry for the long gap, everyone!
I went to the jungle. The real jungle. With subterranean metal eels, black, glinting, mile-high trees and rivers with honking yellow fish.
New York.

One of the coolest things about New York was that I could be completely invisible. Among the 8 million inhabitants on that 12 mile island, (almost) nothing you can do would surprise anybody. I walked down the streets on my last night there, belting out Amy Winehouse, getting a couple smiles and one holler, "Where's the PARTY?!" and that was it. Imagine me doing that in Moraga?! A S.W.A.T. team would have soundlessly and successfully removed my inappropriate imposition on polite society. But not in New York.
It was immensely freeing.
I loved the feeling of being able to walk anywhere and find exotic and unusual experiences available from all over the world. I loved the proximity of art. I loved the way people "walk" the streets there. More like carve the streets. Each person's private audition as a shark cutting through minnows (that they didn't feel like devouring at the moment).
I loved that just an hour away there is lush greenery and untamed forest.
I found that I like New York much more than I ever would have imagined liking a big city.
My generous hosts, Nilufer and Kaika, invited me to their lovely home in the country (just a 1:40 hr. train ride from Manhattan). I had a sumptuous and cozy time in their loving company, enjoying oodles of Nilufer's delicious cooking and the bubbly company of their two delightful mini poodle mixes, Bella and Romeo.


Some highlights of my adventures in NY:
I got to see the MOMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (twice), I went to the posh and spa-like 24 Hour Fitness in Manhattan for free (thank you, Tatiana!!), saw the most incredible performance by the 20 piece orchestra Alarm Will Sound covering Aphex Twin in the most original and intelligent manner, spent time (and money) in Manhattans juicy Little India, lounged in Washington Square with my good friend Michael, listening to some fellas with guitars and mandalins playing The Beatles, had my 5 minutes of being lost in the Bronx (uneventfully), ate fresh canolli made in a 90 year-old Italian Bakery in Hoboken, N.J., got to run around in the NY rain (happily), took myself out to dinner on a romantic date (with...myself) on my last night to a cozy restaurant in Little Italy, and finally, on my ride out of Manhattan to the airport, was seen off by a great Mariachi band on the subway.

But really, it wasn't about all these things I got to do or see...it was about a new understanding about who I am and what I have to bring. That I really, above all, just want to serve my higher purpose. This may include a grand level of exposure in the Art World...or it may not. I'm coming to feel that if I simply work to fulfill the talents I was given with integrity, the rest will fall into place. And coming to a deeper understanding of that was the best ride of all.

I'm currently in Portland, OR after spending four days with a wonderful human being I met through Couch Surfing -- Candice. Complete and beautiful universal serendipity. She's such a soul sister, and it feels so completely, fully wonderful to know her! I'll post about the extreme level of fun I had with her and her friends in Salt Lake City when I have more photos to include (she's emailing them to me).

Looking forward to being with the Redwoods soon!

May peace be with you,

Shivani