On the Road Again

I traveled to Philadelphia last weekend for a work trip. We visited some cafes and did an event about the Peru trip I was on last fall (pictured, right). Overall, it was busy and fun. I had a little free time one morning to walk around downtown by myself (and did a little shopping...)

My co-worker and I drove back last Sunday night and we didn't leave Philly until 10pm. Which got us in Boston just before 4am. Luckily I didn't have to go into work on Monday.

This weekend, the St. Patrick's Day activities are under way but I'm trying to avoid the chaos. The sea of green is everywhere though.

It was a really nice weekend in Boston - the sun was out and it was in the mid-50s. I am soooo ready for spring. I can't wait to take walks around town and not be freezing my arse.

I'm also looking forward to San Francisco - I leave one month from today!

I also just booked a flight to Seattle & Portland in July (for work). I'll be helping out at an event in Seattle and then visiting some accounts in Portland. I've never been to either of those places but I hear so many good things.

I also found out I'll be in my friend Corey's wedding as a bridesmaid! My first. Her wedding is August 30 in Michigan.

All about me

Once again, I've been terrible about updating. First thing - a new edition of Equal Exchange's e-newsletter came out last week. I'm all over the issue; besides putting it together, I also wrote a few stories, so check out What's Brewing. Of particular interest might be my story about the vanpool I take to work each day. (If you'd like to receive the e-newsletter in your inbox every other month, sign up here.)

I spent 3 days last week helping out at the Grand Opening of the Equal Exchange Cafe in Boston. While we have lots of cafes in Boston that serve Equal Exchange coffee, this is our first cafe. Equal Exchange has one other tiny cafe in Seattle, connected to a grocery store. I took photos of the Grand Opening events - some of which were posted on our blog.

So basically I've been all over the internet the last week!

In other news, I decided to take a trip to visit the one-and-only Erin Symons in San Francisco in mid-April. I can't wait for that!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day.

Hugs and kisses,
(aks)

change is in the air

Well, it's been an exciting couple of weeks. Last weekend, my friends Steph (the connection to my roommate Vanessa) and Rachel from MSU came to visit. It was very, very cold to be walking around Boston doing touristy things, but we managed to ice skate... probably for about 30 minutes. It was all we could stand. I was nervous and excited to be skating again. If you recall, I took figure skating lessons in my youth, but it's been many years since I've skated. I was shocked to get on the ice and realize that IT IS VERY HARD. I was struggling just to stay balanced, but after a couple rotations around the ice, I finally started to get a feel for it again. I even skated a little backwards, but that was difficult becasue the rink was very busy and I was afraid of crashing into people. I would definitely like to go back when it's not so cold and a little less busy.

I have been cooking more - this week, I made stuffed shells (enough to last me about five meals), filet mignon & beets, and a replication of the pizza I mentioned in the last post: carmelized onion, goat cheese, and butternut squash. It was REALLY good.

Maybe I'll turn this into a foodie blog and start posting recipes and photos of my creations, haha. This weekend has been pretty lazy. I've spent a lot of time laying around watching episodes of "Lost." I am now caught up to the episodes currently airing on Wednesday nights. It is an intense, addictive show!

Last night, Jessica, Rachel (Luke's fiance, who is in Boston for a few weeks), and I went to see "Slumdog Millionaire." It lived up to all the hype - and more. I highly recommend it. The cinematography and music are stunning, and it has a powerful message about power and wealth.

This post wouldn't be complete without a mention of Inaugural Day. At work, we huddled around the biggest-screened computer in the Marketing Department to watch the Inauguration ceremony via the live CNN feed. It was truly inspiring to see all those people gathered - there was such a feeling of hope in the air. I think my dad said it well in his blog post.

Here are some stunning photos from the day that a co-worker passed on to me. They really show what a huge moment this was for the entire world.

Keep believing -
aks

The 4-1-1 on 2-0-0-9

The first full week back to work was a little tough. Fortunately, we spent one day taking a field trip to the new Equal Exchange cafe in Boston's North End. It was fun to get out of the office (even went for a nice Italian dinner with the marketing department) and see the new cafe. It is pretty cool.

There are so many movies out right now that I want so see. The last two weekends, I saw "Revolutionary Road" and "The Wrestler." Rev Road was intense - a very real look at a suburban couple facing the reality of an empty life. The Wrestler was entertaining and thoughtful. I enjoyed both films in different ways. I still want to see Benjamin Buttons, The Reader, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire... all of which I've heard great things about. Especially Slumdog Millionaire.

Yesterday I went to the dentist after a year and a half, and the dental hygienist scraped the crap out of my teeth (literally). Between that and the deep flossing, it was seriously a bloody mess. I need to floss more!! And so do all of you, probably. But no cavities!

Despite the sore mouth, I went out for a yummy pizza in Harvard Square: roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, sage and creamy goat cheese

Quote me on that

The State News, MSU's student newspaper, interviewed me after my Peru trip. Here's the article.

It was weird being the one answering the questions and not asking them.

Another time, another place, another year

I haven’t updated in a while, and it’s the end of the year, so consider this a long entry.

I spent last week in Michigan for Christmas. I arrived to Richland after 14+ hours of traveling - which included flight delays, missed flights, and standby lists. I once again learned it pays to be polite but persistent, and that if you get the right people on your side (the ones who know what they’re doing), results come faster. I was very fortunate to get on a flight to Flint. (As the flight attendant said to a full flight, “Are you sure you’re on the right plane? Who goes to Flint?”)

After all the aggravation, it was good to finally set foot in Michigan. The cold, cold air welcomed me home. I rode in the backseat with Mom and Dad from Flint to Richland, as Dad drove through the late night snow. It was nice having some alone time with them, and most of the trip was spent chattering.

It’s always weird coming home. I’m not quite sure I’ve processed it all yet, but the most obvious feeling is one of change. I have my own life in Boston, separate from anything I left behind in my former life. It’s almost like having two selves, and I just have to find the best way to make the two selves meet and be at peace. As Aunt Jeanne jokingly said to me, “Man, there’s so much I don’t know about you!” And she’s right.

Over the week, I was lucky to see friends and lovers from high school and college, if even for a few minutes (thanks, Molly, for meeting me in a Delton parking lot to exchange gifts and hugs). My own ghosts of Christmases passed …

After Richland, it was on to Detroit and the various Symons-family gatherings. I had a lot of good laughs and enjoyed seeing my cousins – even Erin flew in from San Francisco. Sadly, I didn’t get to see Luke (and his girlfriend Rachel). That was quite disappointing, since I haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving weekend in 2007. I believe it’s the longest we’ve ever gone without seeing each other our whole lives.

It all went by very fast and before I knew it, I was back at the airport. I was feeling ready to be leaving, and to get back home to my Boston routine and my loved ones here. But amidst the hugging and goodbyes, there were suddenly tears (Dad started it), and I was saying goodbye with a quivering chin. Goodbye to them, and to my other self.

--

Here are a few things I’ve learned (or relearned) in 2008, in no particular order:

-Ask for help when you need it, even if it means trusting a stranger.

-I have more possessions and wealth than most of the world will ever own.

-Despite the November election results, there is still much to be desired in terms of social justice for all people.

-Big risks are often worth taking, even when they are scary.

-I am still quite young.

-I am lucky to be employed (and at a job I enjoy).

-The world is messy.

-People are essentially good.

-However, people often act out of selfishness.

-Mice are resilient bitches.

In the spirit of rebirth and renewal, and all the other things the New Year stands for, here are some of my goals for 2009, in no particular order:

-Cook multiple times a week; learn more techniques (and conquer my fear of baking) and research food & recipes.

-Get back into yoga, at least 3 times a week.

-Spend less time on the internet.

-Buy a sketchpad and start drawing again.

-Make a dent in my debt (student loans & credit card).

-Donate more clothes & cut back on my possessions.

-Travel to Montreal, NYC and San Francisco.

-Use my SLR camera again – take photos of people & places around the city (and world).

-Practice Spanish.

-Do some freelance writing & more personal writing.

-Keep in touch better with those far away.

-Find additional sources of revenue (i.e. babysitting).

-Keep the apartment cleaner (i.e. buy a mop).

-Learn to knit.

It’s going to be a busy year, but I’m up for it. I better got off the internet.

The Windy City, Turkey Day, and everything in between

I've been delinquent again. My apologies.

Last week I was in Chicago for an event. I was fortunate enough to stay with my best friend, Molly, in her little studio apartment on the north side of Chicago. It was wonderful to spend time with her (she even worked the event with me), but unfortunately, I came down with a cold and wasn't feeling well most of the trip. My parents made the drive to Chicago on Monday (my last full day there), and we were able to spend a few hours shopping/walking around Michigan Ave. It was much too short, but I said goodybe knowing I would see them again soon when I'm home for Christmas.

I had a lovely, lowkey Thanksgiving with Tif, Jess, and a few of Tif's friends/bandmates. We had far too much food, which is good because that means I won't have to go grocery shopping for a week. It all went quite well, except that my finished sweet potatoes went up in flames (not my fault) so that was a bit traumatic.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I have officially started my holiday music-listening. I tried to wait until Dec. 1, but just didn't have the strength to hold out until then.

Well, sorry for the short post, but I'm off to babysit. This will be my second time babysitting for this particular family in JP. We got connected on Craig's List - where else?

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, thank you for reading this blog and for thinking about me. If I haven't seen you recentlly, I hope to see you very soon.

Love to you and yours,
Ashley