instant relax

Posted on May 7, 2013 by bridgems

As Bay Area girls, there is nothing like rolling hills and a little fog to set in a perfect, middle of the day respite session. So, here is to a Tuesday afternoon deep breath. As the NYC hospital hustle starts to infiltrate it’s way back into my body – and the miles on concrete into my feet and calves – it does a girl right to think about the wet foggy air, dirt packed hiking, and endless sight seeing, view taking spots that our homeland provides.

Thank god for magic! power of our imaginations, so able to sweep us up for a moment, leaving us in the perfect spot. I’m okay with a little fantasy today.

Hi.

Posted on May 6, 2013 by bridgems

Well, hello.

I know, it’s been a minute. But for now, I’m back, with a new resolution to visit this little internet place of sharing a bit more often. The past few months have been one heck of a birth canal (literally, the frequency of birthing babies dreams was out of control) and I find myself sitting at my desk, post vacation, more present and grounded than I have felt in some time.

This was no usual trip to the Bay. No daily circles through SF-OAK-Marin. No excessive bridge tolls, gas costs, multiple dates a day. Instead this trip involved a lot of respite, few plans, a bit of anxiety about disappointing people, and ultimately, my own ability to let go of what I think I should be doing when I am home.

I rested. I ate more steak than I have in a year. I layed in the sun. And, I let myself be in the place that I try to avoid missing.

For the first time since I moved, I asked myself why I don’t live in the bay area. I mean, that place is heaven, and minus a few people in NYC and a certain someone in Seattle, my people are there. It was nice to tap into the place I love. To slow down enough to ask some questions about what I want and what the plans, er really dreams are, over the next few years.

A theme that wove itself through many a conversation was the moments in our lives that show up and invite us to new places in ourselves. Sometimes we miss the moments. Sometimes, if we are so very lucky, they find us, with our eyes open and hearts a beating for an adventure, and we step through a threshold. This can be towards a smaller thing – simple changes in food or exercise or other habits that keep us feeling good. Or, they can be a bigger thing – like clarity about our roles, work, loves.

A door opened up on this trip. And, I am happily dancing through the threshold.

Report from the road

Posted on March 11, 2013 by bridgems

Things are well in New Orleans. Day 1 of the conference down. My poster presentation went well and I was able to have a number of interesting conversations about my work and endless opportunities for networking. I started the day listening to my teacher and mentor at BI receive a lifetime a achievement award and wrapped it up eating BBQ with some of my favorite professors and peers from NYU. Being here will end up being a really good thing… It already has.

It’s hard for me to imagine that I am just making my way to re year mark of graduating. Often while talking, I have to remind myself and humble myself to the fact that I am so young in my career. Something about my passions and my height allows me to deliver information with NIH more authority than is warranted by my short time in the world (rap in the face of folks who STARTED the field). So, while I eat humble pie before jumping into bed, I also feel, as per usual, just so blown away and fortunate that the world of work has opened to me in this way. And that I have had the capacity and commitment to walk through the doors.

Saturday sleep in

Posted on March 2, 2013 by bridgems

Definitely stayed in bed until 1 today. This is the first day with no house guest, no looming project, no packing, no nothing, in what feels like eons. Maybe since before Christmas.

Morning in bed led to slow walk around the city, coffee in hand as little snow flurries by the ground. I was reminded in every moment how much I love this place.

I’ve got a week before New Orleans, and I am so excited to soak up a new neighborhood. A dear friend from grad school has offered her room in cobble hill as she stays with her boyfriend almost entirely. I am so lucky. It’s a treat to not be surrounded by my stuff. Brings psychic space to have a little vacation in my home town.

Now, I’m off to yoga then some dancing. It’s time to move this week out of my system.