Month: December 2013

Getting Lost in NYC

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Travel, US Travel

Quickly and uneventfully the turn style clicked me thru.  In an instant the little one and I were on one side and Rick now trapped back on the other.  An empty subway card, hoards of people, and massive recharge lines for Metro Cards.  Normally a battle plan could be put into place, not on this day or time, forget it no time.  Grand Central Station, the night before the night before Christmas, the beginning of rush hour.  Holding a three-year old incommunicado in the bowels of NYC waiting for the site of Rick come shooting through the turn style.   Good thing we are strategist, keen and attentive trackers………

Rick and I made a decision many years ago to forgo the material torment of Christmas for the experiential.  Each festive holiday season we transplant ourselves on a jaunt to enjoy each other’s company somewhat removed.  When we became parents we kept our pledge to remain devoted to preserving our love for holiday travel.  Our cherished tradition continued these past three years traveling to Cali, NYC, and Asheville, NC as a threesome.  The difference these most current years has been that, to avoid traffic and crowds, we actually traveled home ON Christmas Day.  Sounds crazy but the airports are desolate and the roads are stark, in addition, those who are coerced into representing the commercial sector are actually warm and the holiday spirit exudes, maybe from drinking eggnog on the job or the double time pay

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

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Our decision thisyear was to go away, yet again, to New York City but the difference this year, that we decided to return home on Christmas Eve.  Ironically and contradictory to this coming year where we will spend time everywhere but.  So New York City for the holidays?  The masses, the chaos!  Well, yes, at some of the touristy stops but the city itself is a living entity that can absorb you immediately.   You can get lost in the feeling of its magnitude while at the same time feel the intimacy of it.  

Overall, as we have encountered for past frequent trips, New Yorkers are very friendly and there is always such a grander sense of community.   People are very aware of each other physically as well as energetically.  Maybe it is because people live in such a close proximity to each other and must interact so often?  Whatever the reason the culture, the diversity, and the people make NY such a memorable place, one that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Everywhere we went this trip people spoke directly to and even more often smiled and commented to us as well as our little one.  This does not happen nearly as much in the greater Princeton Area.

Some sights and stops were planned – a trip to the Parker Meridian to see the City Harvest Gingerbread Competition.  A fundraiser for the city’s hungry men, women, and children.  Unexpected moments of the 70 degree and sunny weather our first day included, the Green Market on the Upper West side equipped with a pop up Opera company that stopped playing some refined classical holiday favorites to share Rudolf with us so we could sing along and an organic baker that gifted a gingerbread girl to our girl.  The hit of the jaunt?  An excursion to the Swedish Cottage in Central Park for a marionette show – the Three Bears Holiday Bash.  Such an intimate event where we sat on benches and the crowd sang along and interacted to this unique event.  In the dark, one row ahead, and I don’t think our child turned around once unprompted to see if we were still there.  Transfixed by the magic and mystery!

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One day was took a short subway to the MTA museum to see the miniature train that they have set up for the season, something so simple and quaint in an unexpected place, great for a rainy afternoon.  And well, yes, we did lose each other on the subway that crowded day at Grand Central and have to  rendezvous at our hotel.  No worries, when I got onto the overflowing subway carrying an almost 40 lbs body on my hip immediately a gentleman rose to let me sit.  The city always seems to welcome us back – Lost but not alone.

Merry Christmas to All!
Christmas in NYC

Watching the Wheels Go Round and Round

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Martial Arts

   I wish I could say that now that the business has been sold we are relaxing with nothing to do and nowhere to be.  That day will come soon enough.  In the meantime, still purging and organizing some final things for storage and the very time consuming task of transitioning various accounts to the new owner as well as changing contact info on others.  Have you ever had your wallet stolen or lost better yet, gotten divorced?  Then you have a small idea of what work goes into setting your accounts in order.   Most like to think that the online age has allowed us the freedom to supersede human interaction but, in reality, with numerous passwords and accounts it is exponentially more tiresome.

Fond farewell!
Fond farewell!

We did take time to have an intimate gathering of our closest people to bid a farewell to 14 Faber Road.  You can tell by the picture Rick and I are torn up.  Actually, it was a night of laughs and shared memories. Rick took time late in the evening to explain some of the history of the rooms and artwork that has adorned the walls for so many years. Both of us have such fond memories, with Rick spending almost ½ his life there and myself starting when I was a nieve 23 year old.  We have grown and transformed into the people that we have become both individually and as a couple.  It has not only been a location but an anchor for our spirits to reside and feel safe to express ourselves through movement, meditation, training, and teaching.

PAMA has been the first and only place in NJ to host a long list of incredible instructors, Guro Dan Inosanto, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Diony Canete, all the Machado brothers, and a list of now deceased masters –  Pak Herman Suwanda, Punon Guro Edgar Sulite,  Sifu Larry Hartsell,  Pendekar Paul DeThouars, to name just a few. These were not just typical seminars but, in every case, involved long hours of private lessons with Rick including lots of sweat, bloody hands from Kali stroking, injured backs & body parts, and so much more. PAMA has not just been about the base level of martial arts but, also, the spiritual philosophical path with several wonderful guides and mentors such as our close friend Khempo Tenzin Darje Rinpoche, and Shamans of Peru as well as Chi Gung instructors.

Ilaria has literally grown up with PAMA as her home, her first trip being when she was a mere 2 weeks old.  She knows Uncle Mikey bought PAMA and she has visited the new PAMA but, we are awaiting the visceral response and protests when we lock the doors one last time.  Although, maybe, that is just projection of our own fears leaving the building behind.  Interesting though, she has grown up understanding non-attachment more then anyone I know.  Especially, as a child, she freely gives up clothes and toys that are no longer suited for her age or size.   Once when I lost a piece of jewelry I was very attached to she said, “It is OK mommy, things come and things go”.  At that point I had to stop grinding my teeth and let it go.  NOTE:  If you are a parent you must get the book Pete the Cat and his Groovy Buttons.

Big girl bikes – helmets required!
Doe a Deer a female Deer!
Winter PAMA Wonderland!
In the interim, as always, we make a conscious choice to spend quality, unfiltered time with Ilaria.  We had a bit of snow the other day but, at Club PAMA, it makes no matter.  On the day of the storm, Ilaria and I spent an hour riding our bikes in the 2000 sq. ft. “green room” for fun and fitness.  Of course, then she needed to ride on the children’s bike seat on the back of mine to reenact the Sound of Music.    In typical snow day fashion, the quintessential activity consisted of Rick making an authentic hand rolled snowman.  Too bad Max is no longer an employee, Rick could have had him prep the pieces like in a cooking show and Rick could have been just the finisher for the glory!  I joke of course. Rick would never deny Ilaria the experience or have a handy craft with his name/stamp on it that was not his own work.  Rick forever the artist and craftsman!

Selling the Baby

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Martial Arts
    When Rick and I first spoke of selling Princeton Academy of Martial Arts (PAMA) there were many thoughts about how do you really sell your baby.  The one that Rick birthed and raised for almost 27 years and I have known and loved for almost 16 years and have adopted.  These many years Rick has crafted EVERY detail of the Academy just so.  The attention to detail, care, and love he has poured into creating this Martial Arts Mecca, growing it from a mere seed to a World Renowned Institution.  All this was done purely for love of the Martial Arts and a passion for how the Martial Arts process can transform an individual. As other personal business owners know, we eat, sleep, and breathe PAMA.  Just like a child it was given lots of love and care.  If we sold it to someone just for a big payout, I can imagine us waking to nightmares just as one would if your daughter marries a deviant.  Whhooo, glad that has not been the case.
    I still remember the look on Mike Lee’s face when I approached him about his interest in taking over PAMA.  First it took him quite a few days to process that Rick and I would be moving on, after all, for years he has been my Chinese brother/training partner and Rick’s dedicated student for 20 years.   When I say that the three of us are close – He has traveled with us all over the world – Peru, Switzerland (2x), Sweden (5x), Paris (2x), Belgium (2x), not to mention all of the US trips, the thousand upon thousand hours of training, meals, drinks, and many, many laughs. Mike had a picture of us in his wedding slideshow as his Italian family.  We even spent Thanksgiving together this year!
The Signing
The Signing
    The closing went smoothly because leading up to it there was no infighting or no harsh negotiations between Rick, Mike, and their lawyers.  During the past few weeks before the transition Rick and I keep giving Mike additional things to help him and Rick has even decided to loan some of his more exclusive artwork to the new Princeton Academy.  Mike wants to become a successful entrepreneur and professional Martial Artist and we want nothing but success for him and for the future of PAMA.  Most closing, I imagine, are harsh, clear chop, and hand over the keys.  We are and will always be willing advisors for Mike, his extended family here for support and encouragement.
Obligatory handshake picture
Obligatory handshake picture
    Mike is moving the Academy to the new location in a few weeks and we are co-habitating 14 Farber Road but we are more then used to hanging together in close quarters.   That’s what family is about, someone who will treat your baby with the same care and intention.