2018

Alex and I will be kicking off 2018 on our honeymoon in the land down under.

Looking back, 2017 has been a really eventful year.

• Alex and I have traveled to the snowy mountains of Vermont; across the globe to Seoul; and also to Richmond Virginia; Essex Connecticut; and Los Angeles California. 
• My family and friends threw me a bridal shower and bachelorette party in anticipation of my wedding.
• Alex and I got married, had a beautiful wedding, and went on a mini-moon in the beautiful autumn splendor of the Hudson Valley. 
• My job at the Jewish Museum is going great and I'm still loving the work, the hours, and my colleagues. 
• I was elected Vice President on the Board of Spark Movement Collective and have stepped up my responsibilities as a trustee.
• I've played my French horn in many concerts, read 22 books (and had lovely book club meetings to discuss quite a few of them), and taken on fun side projects like French lessons and joining a professional development group. 

After a hectic and exciting year, I've decided to take a deep breath and assess all the stuff I've got going on in my life.

My resolution for 2018: be mindful in new ways.

Each month I'll be taking on a project themed around mindfulness. I'd like to be kinder and calmer. I'd like to save our planet my own small way. I'd like to be a conscious consumer. I'd like to do things that are smart and healthy.

Cheers to the start of a productive year!

California Dreamin'

What's the perfect excuse for a long weekend in the city of angels? A good friend getting married there! Neither Alex nor I hadn't been to Los Angeles since high school so we were excited to do a bit of exploring while we were in town.

We stayed in downtown LA at the Ace Hotel. It was a hipster's paradise with a huge Chinese lantern as the main source of light in our room, a hopping rooftop bar, and plenty of exposed brick and shiny chrome.

The wedding itself was very LA - super low key. There was no ceremony, just a small reception with a burger truck, cupcakes, and tons of booze with a maybe-too-serious DJ wearing gloves and a scarf. We had a blast celebrating our friends and embracing the LA vibes.

And we did a whole bunch of other LA things too. We devoured some tasty bites at Grand Central Market, explored a multitude of museums (some highlights were a Chagall exhibit at LACMA, the sculpture gardens at the Getty Center, and a room full of Rothkos at MOCA), and took a walk around the La Brea Tar Pits. We rode a 117-year-old funicular, Angel's Flight. We hiked in Griffith's Park then relaxed with breathtaking views and a short stop at the observatory. We sampled tacos washed down with agua fresca and ate incredible sushi. We grabbed brunch with some friends in Silver Lake and I got the chance to catch up with my former boss from Juilliard over coffee. 

It felt great to get away from the grey skies and chilly temperatures of NYC and spend a little time in the sun. We thought for a moment about what it would be like to be a real Los Angeleno. But even with the beautiful weather and the laid back atmosphere, all those cars and traffic made us appreciate just how easy it is to get around NYC. Those sunsets though...they're reason enough for another visit.

Mini-Moon

After our wedding, Alex and I decided to get out of dodge for some much needed relaxation. We took a few days of down time in the mountains of the Hudson Valley and relaxed at Mohonk Mountain House.

As soon as we arrived, we took advantage of the beautiful day. We went for a guided hike through a rock scramble, we snacked on tea and cookies on a picturesque terrace, and Alex paddled me around the lake in a row boat. It was so romantic and we were full of joy. Dinner that evening was spectacular.

Our second day was a bit cloudier but still unseasonably warm. We did a lot more hiking, had cocktails on the porch, lounged a bit in the wooded trails, and ate more delicious meals. One highlight of our second day was lighting the wood burning fireplace as the sun went down.

And we spent our entire third (and sadly last) day at the incredible spa. We sipped tea by the huge fireplace, took a dip in the mineral pool, and got a romantic couples massage.

It was a glorious getaway. The best part about Mohonk, is that we didn't have to plan anything. All meal times are pre-booked. Guided hikes don't require a reservation. They serve cookies and cocktails at designated hours. We just showed up and enjoyed. It felt like summer camp, but for adults. With the fresh mountain air and beautiful fall foliage, it was the perfect place to unwind after an exciting and emotional wedding day.