Fall and Winter 2012

Some interesting big stories in the last few months. President Obama got re-elected. The most interesting part of that was realizing many of my closest friends are republicans. I am not sure why that is, but I still love them. 

Another big story is Hurricane Sandy. Just a few days before Halloween, Hurricane Sandy hit the tristate area really hard. It was the worst natural disaster to hit New York in maybe 100 years. We are very lucky that we only lost our internet connection for a few hours. We stayed home with the news on. Schools were closed for 4 days. No subway for about a week since most were flooded and damaged. Chris worked from home and we got some extra family time together, but we didn't realize how bad it was until we walked to the neighborhood we usually hang out on the weekends. The flood had destroyed many businesses and left many people homeless. 

Weeks after the hurricane the city is still recovering. Elaine, my landlady and friend, invited me to go volunteer with her. I am so glad I was able to help out. It was heartwarming to see so many people there too, giving their time and energy. It's hard to really understand the devastation unless you see it. And we only saw what's on the surface...I am also glad we got to do a few different things. Elaine and I drove 3 nurses, Tracy, Jasmin, and Shannon, along with some supplies to Staten Island. We were assigned to an Occupy Sandy relief center to help sort and distribute food and supplies. Hot meals were prepared and a Christmas tree was decorated for families to have a place to celebrate the holidays. Elaine and I took a detour to visit 2 residents in the neighborhood.  Onna and Anna's home really left a strong impression. When asked "how are you doing?" The answer was just a shrug and little nod. they are just hanging in there and taking it one day at a time. On the positive side you see how strong people are and they seem to have accepted what Mother Nature has given them and can only move forward. The negative side is I feel helpless in their situation. Hopefully they have friends and family who can help them get back on their feet.

After getting home I think being tired made me feel sad about everthing I saw. I cried just to release it. Oliver comforted me. I also wanted him to appreciate what we have. And maybe part of the sadness comes from the fear of the future of our planet. However I am hopeful little geniuses like Oliver will come up with brilliant ideas.

Oliver's school friend's mom organized a bake sale to help raise funds to restore a carousel. Here's an eerie yet beautiful image of it partly underwater. (Jane's Carousel  is right next to the east river with a view of lower Manhattan in the back and set between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge)

The bake sale was something for the children so they can offer some help. Amazingly we raised over $800 just from some cookies and lemon bars. And a friend of the Jane's who owns the carousel stopped by with her grand kids for a visit, and I got to have my photo taken with her. Yup! That's Martha Stewart, my idol. Here adorable french bull dogs and chow chows were there too!

On to other news...

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About a month ago I volunteered at Oliver's school to help make some crafts cutting and gluing felt to make an advent calendar to sell at the school fair. It was a lot of work and I end up injuring my shoulder and arms to the point where I couldn't even hold a spoon. I made an appointment at a chiropractor, but she was in lower manhattan and her building closed from the flooding and power outage. Finally this week I had it treated and I'm feeling so much better.

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For Thanksgiving, we are going to the Bouchon Bakery at Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle for brunch. The restaurant is on the 3rd floor facing glass windows that you can see the Thanksgiving Parade. It'll be a real treat for the eyes and tummy. Len's daughter Megan and her family, Dimitry, Natalie, and Amelia, will join us as well as Oliver's Grandma.

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We are flying Chris's dad and his wife to Brooklyn for Christmas. It will be nice for Oliver to spend some time with them and hopefully some night off for Chris and I to go out while they babysit. I haven't been out of the house at night in months! We had to postpone our 10 year anniversary dinner because Chris got really sick. And sadly the restaurant we wanted to go to, the River Cafe, was completely flooded and no longer in business. : (  

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Oliver, now 4 year 3 months old, is doing great in school. He's doing more writing and can read 20+ words, even some simple math. He's got mad LEGO skills, building his own car/robot that can transform. And drawing very well. He often writes his name in alternating colors, a sign of a future logo designer.