Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Findley Market Fun in Cincinnati
An afternoon of lunch & shopping at the historic market with my dear friend, Michael. Fresh, organic, sustainable, local foods of all types. Popped by our friend Jean Francois' Taste of Belgium stand for yummy jambalaya waffles. Then on for a little wine tasting.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Life ... it's a circle
It's been a while since I posted. Life is full of ups and downs but it is always a blessing, even in the downs.
Unfortunately, my father was very ill and has recently passed. It's now a new year, the holidays are over, and it's time to get back to daily life.
With this post, I'd like to share sentiments about life and my father.
Blessing. We were truly blessed as Dad had an extremely successful heart transplant 16 years ago. So while we are saddened to lose him, we are so happy and thankful for the blessing of having those additional years with him.
Here are a few things my father taught me:
My niece's list of things she liked about her grandpa included: when he called her biscuit, that he laughed when she hugged him too tight, that he would tell her stories about his early years, that he would sometimes say 'ah' after he drank something, how he would be picky sometimes, how he brought happiness to her days.
My brother told the grandkids to look to his siblings, their aunt and uncles, and they would still see their grandfather. He described each of us. He described that being with Brien is always Thanksgiving. That I, Aunt Karen, am the crazy one (and I say 'thank you'!)...brave, adventurous, and resilient. James is the strong and steadfast one. Tim is the builder. He skipped himself but I would say that he is the grounded & forward-thinker, with a big does of adventurous!
To be honest, I don't remember everything that was said which is quite natural.
Afterwards, many shared their personal stories about Dad with me. A young woman who wasn't going to graduate from school because she couldn't afford her final classes -- Dad helped pay for them so she could graduate. Many shared that he had been a father to them. Many shared how he helped them as they waited for and then lived with a heart transplant themselves. Friends of Dad's and friends of each member of my family attended ... from our childhood, our early adult years, new friends, those ex-boyfriends, adult children of Dad's best friend from childhood, ... the list goes on.
My father wasn't perfect by any shape of the imagination but he was definitely a whole lot of special.
And we were blessed to know him.
I will always miss him.
Unfortunately, my father was very ill and has recently passed. It's now a new year, the holidays are over, and it's time to get back to daily life.
With this post, I'd like to share sentiments about life and my father.
Blessing. We were truly blessed as Dad had an extremely successful heart transplant 16 years ago. So while we are saddened to lose him, we are so happy and thankful for the blessing of having those additional years with him.
Here are a few things my father taught me:
- how to use a hammer and not leave marks
- to be honest and do the right thing...always, because my integrity and character make up who I am
- to forgive -- forgiveness is a conscious decision and a two-step process: 1) mercy, not giving someone what they deserve; and, 2) grace, giving someone what they don't deserve
- always help others
- remain humble
- true leadership requires getting your hands dirty and making difficult decisions -- it's not leaving the dirty work to others while being more concerned with personal likeability
- prayer is a very powerful thing
- how to drive
- jump in and get it done
- when others decide to take the low road, stay on the high road no matter how difficult it may be to do so
- the power of hugs!
- and oh so many more things!
My niece's list of things she liked about her grandpa included: when he called her biscuit, that he laughed when she hugged him too tight, that he would tell her stories about his early years, that he would sometimes say 'ah' after he drank something, how he would be picky sometimes, how he brought happiness to her days.
My brother told the grandkids to look to his siblings, their aunt and uncles, and they would still see their grandfather. He described each of us. He described that being with Brien is always Thanksgiving. That I, Aunt Karen, am the crazy one (and I say 'thank you'!)...brave, adventurous, and resilient. James is the strong and steadfast one. Tim is the builder. He skipped himself but I would say that he is the grounded & forward-thinker, with a big does of adventurous!
To be honest, I don't remember everything that was said which is quite natural.
Afterwards, many shared their personal stories about Dad with me. A young woman who wasn't going to graduate from school because she couldn't afford her final classes -- Dad helped pay for them so she could graduate. Many shared that he had been a father to them. Many shared how he helped them as they waited for and then lived with a heart transplant themselves. Friends of Dad's and friends of each member of my family attended ... from our childhood, our early adult years, new friends, those ex-boyfriends, adult children of Dad's best friend from childhood, ... the list goes on.
My father wasn't perfect by any shape of the imagination but he was definitely a whole lot of special.
And we were blessed to know him.
I will always miss him.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Stray Light Grey
Last week I enjoyed a lovely lunch and afternoon with my friend, the fabulous Mr. Ulrich Lang of Paris Anvers, Inc. I was honored to have the time with him as he is in the middle of the global launch of his fourth fragrance, LightScape. We spent the afternoon in a few galleries, did a little store-checking, and ran into a few friends along the way.
Stray Light Grey is a current exhibition at the Marlborough Chelsea gallery (545 West 25th Street, New York City). It is a collaboration between Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe.
"A warren of corridors, chambers and passageways is configured into a spatial collage that gives a fragmented vision of a parallel metropolis. As if the visitor has entered a bizarro New York City simulated in a foreign country where the details have been perverted in translation. The overall conglomeration is a system of architecture that forms a sculpture in its totality, a concept of the city as a clumsy monument whose symbolic identity is never fully materialized."
Climbing out of the bathtub and into the room next door through a hole in the wall ...
Freeman and Lowe have been in collaboration since 2007. Jonah Freeman was born in 1975 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He graduated from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Justin Lowe was born in 1976 in Dayton, Ohio. Lowe received an MFA from Columbia University, New York. The artists currently live and work between New York and Los Angeles.
The exhibit runs through October 27, 2012.
Stray Light Grey is a current exhibition at the Marlborough Chelsea gallery (545 West 25th Street, New York City). It is a collaboration between Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe.
"A warren of corridors, chambers and passageways is configured into a spatial collage that gives a fragmented vision of a parallel metropolis. As if the visitor has entered a bizarro New York City simulated in a foreign country where the details have been perverted in translation. The overall conglomeration is a system of architecture that forms a sculpture in its totality, a concept of the city as a clumsy monument whose symbolic identity is never fully materialized."
Climbing out of the bathtub and into the room next door through a hole in the wall ...
Freeman and Lowe have been in collaboration since 2007. Jonah Freeman was born in 1975 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He graduated from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Justin Lowe was born in 1976 in Dayton, Ohio. Lowe received an MFA from Columbia University, New York. The artists currently live and work between New York and Los Angeles.
The exhibit runs through October 27, 2012.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Laura Termini is Hysterical in "Hombres de Bar en Bar"!
Congratulations to my dear friend Ms. Laura Termini and the cast of "Hombres de Bar en Bar" on their sold out performances! And thank you for an evening of much laughter!
Laura Termini is a special guest of the Teatro Para Todos performing in El Bar in Miami Florida. A performing actress and singer since her childhood in Venezuela, broadcaster and businesswoman, Laura's career includes over 20 soap operas (novellas) and theater plays. Radio personality. Voice for innumerable TV and radio commercials here in the United States. Spanish voice for the Presidential Campaign of President Obama in 2008. Multi-platform Lifestyle Expert. Certified Holistic Nutritionist/Beauty expert. www.LauraTermini.com Check out her very informative blog, Natural Organica y Latina at www.chicanol.com
Hombres de Bar en Bar
A woman in her thirties and five men all share one goal: find love. Quite simple, or simply complicated? This comedy is the journey of a recently divorced woman who decides to find her "Prince Charming" kissing one frog after another. Written by Indira Páez, an award-winning Venezuelan playwright, this steps away from her usual feminist writings and into the shoes and views of men.
Laura is joined by her cast of men Juan David Ferrer, Gabriel Porras, Karlos Anzalotta, Mauricio Renteria, and Ariel Texido. Directed by Leandro Fernandez.
If you haven't caught the performance, do so before the end of the run!
Fridays & Saturdays, 9:30 pm
El Bar
3119 SW 22nd Street (Coral Way), 2nd Floor
786-326-6555
http://teatroparatodos.net
Laura Termini is a special guest of the Teatro Para Todos performing in El Bar in Miami Florida. A performing actress and singer since her childhood in Venezuela, broadcaster and businesswoman, Laura's career includes over 20 soap operas (novellas) and theater plays. Radio personality. Voice for innumerable TV and radio commercials here in the United States. Spanish voice for the Presidential Campaign of President Obama in 2008. Multi-platform Lifestyle Expert. Certified Holistic Nutritionist/Beauty expert. www.LauraTermini.com Check out her very informative blog, Natural Organica y Latina at www.chicanol.com
Hombres de Bar en Bar
A woman in her thirties and five men all share one goal: find love. Quite simple, or simply complicated? This comedy is the journey of a recently divorced woman who decides to find her "Prince Charming" kissing one frog after another. Written by Indira Páez, an award-winning Venezuelan playwright, this steps away from her usual feminist writings and into the shoes and views of men.
Laura is joined by her cast of men Juan David Ferrer, Gabriel Porras, Karlos Anzalotta, Mauricio Renteria, and Ariel Texido. Directed by Leandro Fernandez.
If you haven't caught the performance, do so before the end of the run!
Fridays & Saturdays, 9:30 pm
El Bar
3119 SW 22nd Street (Coral Way), 2nd Floor
786-326-6555
http://teatroparatodos.net
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Things To See In München Germany (Part 3: Italia and Deutschland!)
Note: If you've been following my Munich trip, you may want to go back to my post dated 7/22/12 and watch the video of the Glockenspiel that I've just added. It's not the best visual quality but you'll hear the delightful music clearly.
While Maike and her daughter tended to other things, I spent the day with Morad and their son. I simply love hanging out with Morad. Not only is he super cool, interesting, kind, and a great chef, but he's a walking encyclopedia. I've always admired this about him and on this day, it was especially nice as I had my own walking tour guide of Munich!
Residenz Museum
This is the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. Today, we stroll past it. But I'll visit and share with you a little later.
Feldherrenhalle
The side arch of the Feldherrenhalle (Field Marshals' Hall). Notice the architecture of the building on the left.
Viscardigasse is a small road that runs behind the Feldherrnhalle and was nicknamed Drückebergergasse (Dodger's Alley) during the Third Reich. Hitler added a guarded memorial along Residenzstrasse to commemorate the 16 Nazis who died during the Beer Hall Putsch (see below), and required all who passed by must give the Hitler salute. The only way to 'dodge' having to give the salute was by sneaking down Viscardigasse instead. An act of civic defiance which may have gone unnoticed to Hitler, but was most definitely noticed and empowering to the citizens of Munich.
The Feldherrnhalle is a very interesting monument. It was a honorary symbol of the Bavarian Army, and it features statutes of famous military leaders.
On the morning of November 3, 1923, a confrontation took place here between the Bavarian police and an illegally organized march by Adolf Hitler's followers. The police order the march to stop but when it did not, they opened fire. Four policemen and many marchers were killed and wounded. Hitler was arrested and sentenced to a prison term. Referred to as Beer Hall Putsch, this was one effort by the Nazis to take over the Bavarian State.
Then, on April 25, 1995, Reinhold Elstner, a veteran of World War II veteran committed an act of self-immolation here in protest of "the ongoing official slander and demonization of the German people and German soldiers".
Moving on to something a bit more pleasant, here's a view of Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan through an arch of the Feldherrnhalle:
Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan (Theatine Church of St. Cajetan)
This is probably my favorite church of all time! I love the elegance of the all white interior. St. Kajetan was built in the late 1600's by Ferdinand Maria to his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy as a thank you for the birth of their much awaited heir of the Bavarian crown: Prince Max Emanuel. It is one of two burial places for the family Wittelsbach who ruled Bavaria from 1180-1918. In 1945 it was much destroyed by bombing from the war but restored to its splendor as you can see below.
Hofgarten
Hofgarten (Court Garden) is a lovely and peaceful garden just across the straβe from St. Kajetan and behind the Residenz.
(Note all of the taxis. They're all BMW and Mercedes, of course. I love that they're all a soft shade of yellow...very pretty & orderly. Although, it does make me chuckle a bit because it is so uniform and orderly!)
Sorry...I thought I had taken more photos of this incredibly lovely garden, but I guess not. Google Images should have something for you to view.
We were getting a bit hungry and the garden cafe only offered beer and sweets, so we decided to continue walking to the Englischer Garten (English Garden) where there is a Biergarten.
Continuing our walk up Ludwigstraβe
I was taken with the beauty and cleanliness of the streets and the architecture. All beautiful shades of yellow. A far cry from the streets of New York City. While I enjoyed the beauty, it was a bit too perfect for my taste...a bit of texture would be more interesting.
Englischer Garten
Created in 1789, this is one of the world's largest urban public parks ... larger than Central Park in NYC but smaller than Richmond Park in London. The name refers to the style of gardening; the term refers to the informal style of landscape gardening popular in the UK from the mid 18th century to the early 19th century.
But, what-e-ver!
I was really hungry at this point. Where's that Biergarten??
Biergarten in the Englischer Garten
I loved this biergarten! The design and music playing reminded me of ... I apologize in advance for this ... Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati. Don't laugh. It's a very Bavarian amusement park!
Actually, this was my first official visit to a Biergarten. I tend to be more of a wine drinker than beer. But I will say, I absolutely loved the Biergarten! The brat, sauerkraut, yellow mustard, pretzel, and beer ... yummy!! I'm actually craving Oktoberfest now.
After this long day, we opted to take the U-Bahn home.
Still to come:
While Maike and her daughter tended to other things, I spent the day with Morad and their son. I simply love hanging out with Morad. Not only is he super cool, interesting, kind, and a great chef, but he's a walking encyclopedia. I've always admired this about him and on this day, it was especially nice as I had my own walking tour guide of Munich!
Strolling from Old Town along Residenzstraβe towards Ludwigstraβe, we approach Odeonsplatz (a square with a major U-Bahn, subway, station on the northern side of Old Town).
Residenz Museum
This is the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. Today, we stroll past it. But I'll visit and share with you a little later.
 |
| Notice the faux monarchs gazing out the windows. |
 |
| No, that's not me. Just a random stranger. |
 |
| We pass the side of Residenz Museum. |
 |
| Odeonsplatz |
Odeonsplatz is full of things to do. The Feldherrenhalle, St. Kajetan, Hofgarten, cafes, shopping. One of my favorite stores is the Nymphenburg porcelain shop. My father is an antique dealer. Growing up, the family business was in antiques -- antique shops, appraisal service, and auction service. My brothers and I all began working in this business at a very early age in our childhood, and we loved it! It was very exciting to us and taught us a great deal about antiques, dealing with customers, and business. We worked extremely hard and our father paid us well. So I was quite familiar with the design and markings of both the Nymphenburg and Meissen porcelain brands and recognized them while touring a palace. That put me on a mission to find an affordable piece of Meissen porcelain (no luck on affordability) or Nymphenburg porcelain. I had shopping karma on the latter! I purchased three necklace charms ... a porcelain heart for my mother, and both a porcelain and a silver wing for me.
Feldherrenhalle
Viscardigasse is a small road that runs behind the Feldherrnhalle and was nicknamed Drückebergergasse (Dodger's Alley) during the Third Reich. Hitler added a guarded memorial along Residenzstrasse to commemorate the 16 Nazis who died during the Beer Hall Putsch (see below), and required all who passed by must give the Hitler salute. The only way to 'dodge' having to give the salute was by sneaking down Viscardigasse instead. An act of civic defiance which may have gone unnoticed to Hitler, but was most definitely noticed and empowering to the citizens of Munich.
 |
| Kids riding a statute on the Feldherrenhalle. |
 |
| Feldherrenhalle. |
On the morning of November 3, 1923, a confrontation took place here between the Bavarian police and an illegally organized march by Adolf Hitler's followers. The police order the march to stop but when it did not, they opened fire. Four policemen and many marchers were killed and wounded. Hitler was arrested and sentenced to a prison term. Referred to as Beer Hall Putsch, this was one effort by the Nazis to take over the Bavarian State.
Then, on April 25, 1995, Reinhold Elstner, a veteran of World War II veteran committed an act of self-immolation here in protest of "the ongoing official slander and demonization of the German people and German soldiers".
Moving on to something a bit more pleasant, here's a view of Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan through an arch of the Feldherrnhalle:
Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan (Theatine Church of St. Cajetan)
This is probably my favorite church of all time! I love the elegance of the all white interior. St. Kajetan was built in the late 1600's by Ferdinand Maria to his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy as a thank you for the birth of their much awaited heir of the Bavarian crown: Prince Max Emanuel. It is one of two burial places for the family Wittelsbach who ruled Bavaria from 1180-1918. In 1945 it was much destroyed by bombing from the war but restored to its splendor as you can see below.
Hofgarten
Hofgarten (Court Garden) is a lovely and peaceful garden just across the straβe from St. Kajetan and behind the Residenz.
 |
| Garden entrance is through the arch. |
(Note all of the taxis. They're all BMW and Mercedes, of course. I love that they're all a soft shade of yellow...very pretty & orderly. Although, it does make me chuckle a bit because it is so uniform and orderly!)
 |
| Guys playing Bocce in the Garden -- their steins of beer are in the shade of a tree. |
Sorry...I thought I had taken more photos of this incredibly lovely garden, but I guess not. Google Images should have something for you to view.
We were getting a bit hungry and the garden cafe only offered beer and sweets, so we decided to continue walking to the Englischer Garten (English Garden) where there is a Biergarten.
Continuing our walk up Ludwigstraβe
I was taken with the beauty and cleanliness of the streets and the architecture. All beautiful shades of yellow. A far cry from the streets of New York City. While I enjoyed the beauty, it was a bit too perfect for my taste...a bit of texture would be more interesting.
Englischer Garten
Created in 1789, this is one of the world's largest urban public parks ... larger than Central Park in NYC but smaller than Richmond Park in London. The name refers to the style of gardening; the term refers to the informal style of landscape gardening popular in the UK from the mid 18th century to the early 19th century.
But, what-e-ver!
I was really hungry at this point. Where's that Biergarten??
Actually, this was my first official visit to a Biergarten. I tend to be more of a wine drinker than beer. But I will say, I absolutely loved the Biergarten! The brat, sauerkraut, yellow mustard, pretzel, and beer ... yummy!! I'm actually craving Oktoberfest now.
After this long day, we opted to take the U-Bahn home.
- Residenz Palace
- Herrenchiemsee Palace
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Cuban delish on a hot day!
Cafe con leche con hielo from Puerto Segua Restaurant. Collins Avenue & 7th Street on Miami Beach.
Pair it with their famous guava pastry For a delicious treat. But get there early as this pastry sells out quickly each day.
Pair it with their famous guava pastry For a delicious treat. But get there early as this pastry sells out quickly each day.
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