Magic Carpet Ride

The Indian and his American bride are about to embark on a new adventure! We bid farewell...no...see-you-later, to our beloved New York that has been our home for many years. We'll be back, don't worry (and I say that mostly to myself as I have a bit of a love affair with this city).

We'll board an eastward (very far eastward) bound magic carpet which will fly us over the North Pole (quite a sight from above). Then heading south we'll glide like eagles above the majestic mountains of Mongolia.

We will eventually land (after about 16 hours...eek...you really start to feel it around hour 12) in a distant exotic land in the Orient: the glittering city of Hong Kong.

And they say New York is the city that never sleeps - they obviously haven't been to HK. When it comes to speed, if New York City is a BMW, then Hong Kong is a Ferrari.

Upon landing, we'll automatically be transported into a time machine to the year 2050 to the ubermodern Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong's International Airport. HKIA spent $70 billion on airport related infrastructure like major reclamation of land and also boasts an impressive suspension bridge that funnels people to and from this busy hub. Go shove it, La Guardia! I will not miss you.

Like most airports outside of the US, HKIA offers free--yes free, my American readers--baggage trolleys.

We will then be transported into town to the magical land of Hong Kong Island on a little quiet hill away from the hustle and bustle where the handsome and wonderful father of my Indian husband dwells with his lovely wife. Here we will stay until we hop on our magic vessel again for the next leg of our adventure. I will be doing much exploring of the city and surrounding areas during this extended holiday. First on my list: find the perfect yoga studio. I have my priorities.

Many more adventures to come in Singapore, Kaula Lumpur, Pulau Pangkor, Penang, and more. Of course how could any adventure be complete without INDIA! That country hasn't seen the last of me.

Stay tuned...

Yoga & Candy Corn

The past several months of getting ready for an "extended holiday" to explore various parts of Asia have been more than intense. Deciding on a shipping company, negotiating, packing, storing, planning, giving, selling, craigslisting, tossing, goodbyeing, address changing, organizing...it's madness! When will it end??

"It has actually been quite a liberating experience as we're getting organized by getting rid of things we really don't need and learning the value of detachment and the powerful lesson that minimalism is the ideal way to live", says my optimistic self who is always trying to chime in at any chance she gets. However, organizing every.....single.....item we own in my Virgo-husband's numerous highly methodical categories and meticulous flowcharts is "annoying!", complains my not so optimistic self also fighting to get a word in.

Two lifesavers that have kept me sane these last couple months: Yoga & Candy Corn.

Yoga to stay grounded as I un-ground and contort my body to maintain a fresh and clear perspective on life, and Candy Corn for mental stability when I'm not practicing yoga. I can't hold my downward facing dog all day, right? True, chowing down on sweets is probably not the best coping mechanism, but for now it works wonders.

One of the things I've always loved about New York City is that you can find anything, and I mean anything, here at anytime of the day or night. Anything that is, except fresh Candy Corns. During the month of October (and part of November if you're lucky), candy stores across this nation are graced with this scrumptious little triangular-shaped tricolored treat. You can probably find the wanna-be's year round, but those are old and hard and not worth the trouble. Trust me, they are freshest during this time of the year.

Candy Corns are simply one of the most fabulous candies ever invented. Born in 1880, these remarkable little creations have been blessing American lives ever since. They're cheap and far from nutritious being choc full of corn syrup and artificial coloring. "But they are sweetened with real honey!" I plead in their defense. Ahhh, who am I kidding. Sugar is sugar. I can't help but love them.

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Just a little tidbit: According to Brach's Confections, Inc., the top branded maker of candy corn, each year Americans eat enough Brach's candy corn that if the kernels were laid end to end, they would circle the Earth 4.25 times. Yikes! And what's more Yikes is that I am to blame for at least once around the globe.

These trinkets of honey sweet yummyness have an amazing texture that makes you want to keep on popping these delightful precious pieces, allowing you to regress to childhood where worries and work were less and play was more. Something happens along the way to adulthood that throws off this ideal balance. Eating candy corns is one of the ways I am trying to regain that balance. Yea, I know I'm really reaching. :)

I just bought our local candy store's (who know me by first name at this point) last supply of these sweet little addictive bites. They only had the brown ones which are not as good as the yellow ones, but I'll take anything at this point. I couldn't unwrap the "plastic seal to preserve freshness" fast enough. Ironically, my beloved candies were far from fresh which their seal had promised, and nearly cracked my teeth! "Uh oh, too old, take 'em back!" Alas, these rare last bites are too far gone to be enjoyed. I grudgingly part with them, leaving empty-handed and head hanging low. And of course they candy chef gods only make these wondrous treats only during these two short months because that is when they're freshest. If I'm mistaken on this, please correct me! I guess I'll just have to wait until next October for savor my favorite candy. Oooh ;(

Must...find...another...candy to replace my addiction and satisfy my sweet tooth in the meantime. Any suggestions?? It's for my mental stability after all.

At least yoga doesn't have an expiration date. My daily meditation and asana practice fulfills me and recharges my patience while I wait for next October.

Om...

America Just Rebooted!!

Never before has a smile crossed my face so many times after having been woken up by New York City street noise than last night. The energy here is joyous and uplifting and that was clearly evident all night long. Just when you thought the last group of jubilant New Yorkers passed by on the street below loudly expressing their glee, another group of eager nightowls came charging through with just as much momentum as if they were students returning from the pub after having just finished their finals x100.

After many years of negativity, divisiveness, cynicism and intolerance which seems to have clouded this country's greatness, I literally feel a tremendous weight lifted with this awesome change. In one day, our country has completely rebooted and there is a new focus and the world can look at us in a different light.

Obama has a hell of a job ahead of him with all the many issues that confront us. However, I have never felt so safe, so secure and so confident that he'll take good care of us and the world for that matter, for he is realistic, grounded, even-tempered, positive, and refreshingly wise as he inspires and attempts to unite this divided country.

I could go on...as could my Indian husband who wished he could have voted as he is very passionate and knowledgeable about politics, but I think you get the message.

I'm so inspired, overjoyed and proud! It's been a long time since I've felt this way.

Yes We Can!