NYC: There and Back

Here's the report of my day trip into NYC. 

It was a really good day.

Busy. But I got a lot done.

My heart is full but also has a pang...

how will NYC be after this winter?

Will Tea and Sympathy still be here? 

Will my favourite stores still be there?

I never knew, just how much I loved it all...

Here's my report on today... 

The PATH train into NYC...

(Christmas stuff at Michael's...)

My favourite diner, RIP :'(

(These are the things at TJ Maxx that I did not buy! to see what I did buy, 

go to end of this long blog post :) )

I was struck with how faded and old the awning was... poor NYC... 

(My dear library!!!)

(because I was going from West to East in Manhattan, the cab drove through

Central Park, the above picture is from that)

I had been wanting a smaller cake stand for years!

Got this + the tray at TJ Maxx!

***

Here's a report of my day...:

Thankfulness list.

1. A year ago I had not realized, to the extent I do now, how normal things are really such glorious adventures. I am thankful for a bunch of these today...the first one being point number

2. I went to NYC today! By PATH train.

First time since late February.

I wrote a KN95 mask with a (clean) fabric mask over it.

And plastic gloves.

And, as always, I had my (what you wear when you mow the lawn) big ear protector headphones on.

Husband laughed at me, finding that I looked so funny.

I get it.

3. The PATH train station, at 9:17 AM, was almost empty. I had 2 seats empty on each side of me. SO VERY different than before.

4. I was in NYC. That alone is huge.

5. I went shopping. Trader Joes, Michael's, Blick Art Supplies, TJ Maxx.

6. Then I took a cab to Tea and Sympathy (a British teashop that's like a British Teashop Pub really) and had a most delicious Cornish Pasty. And a salad. And 1 scone with jam, and of course a pot of tea.

7. Later I went to my library in East Manhattan picked up 10 (!) books for me and 2 for my Hubby! (And returned 3 of the 16 I got last week, LOL!)

8. The PATH train home (I took it at 33rd station, a great choice as my cart was loaded down and there was an elevator) I had 1 seat on either side of me empty. It was about 3:30 or a bit later, so it was a fuller train. I doubled-masked again and wore gloves (the gloves I immediately take off from the wrist and throw away in a nearby garbage can). On the way in, only 1 or 2 at most on my train had their nose showing when wearing a mask. On way back, 2 had 'chin guards' and some noses showing. Most people in NYC while walking around outside are wearing masks.

9. I took a cab home (always having my window open for ventilation) and my Husband met me there and helped me bring in all the goodies! :) It was so wonderful to have a shopping and library day in NYC like I used to do. (Well other than that I cabbed when in NYC instead of taking the subway as my Husband wants and I desire also).

10. I am super stocked up on some favourite things in our freezer and am beyond grateful.

NYC, the cab drivers all were saying (I had 5 today in NYC) how different it is,

how empty NYC is and how the business people are gone.

There were still people, but the cab drivers would know; how driving is easier;

one told me how if you went out at the height of lockdown to try to work

by driving cab you would maybe get ONE person wanting a cab ALL DAY.

That's unheard of.

Pretty much every one working in stores now when you leave they may wish you a good day

but they will for SURE say "Stay safe"...

And elevators, they have 'stand here stickers' or signs 'only 4 at one time'

(like NYC elevators, like to the PATH at 33rd, used to be 'let's get as many in as can possibly fit + 5 more people')

.... This won't be forever, but it is right now.

I just told everyone (esp cab drivers)

we must not give up HOPE and hoping for better.

A lot of the cab drivers are concerned about all those out of jobs.

Lord have mercy.

I made a point to go to Tea and Sympathy

(as I have I think 2x before since August)

BECAUSE I want them to stay in business.

My favourite NYC diner

(Ridgeway on 6th Ave near Trader Joe's but on the other side) is gone.

It was such a sweet little dinner, quiet, kind, blond wood tables and chairs,

green padded seats.

I went there so many times.

I wonder what the workers, who I recognized after

visiting there for the last 8 years;

what are they doing now? do they have a new job? are they OK?

So many to remember. To say a prayer.

But I am thankful - I can say a prayer to Christ.... ❤

The beauty of today and the hope we have

I am still wishing at times to burn more than one candle!

It is wonderful to be back home.

Yesterday was a busy day of 

unpacking, laundry and the like.

Today is slower, with Mr. Husband working at home...

Martha had asked me 

how I keep my icon lamps burning bright over night.

By God's mercy at times my lampadas can burn 

for a few days.

I merely keep oil in them and top them up throughout the day.

The wicks often dim over the days that they are burning,

when topped with oil frequently

(I would say I do them 4-5x day).

This is how they look at present today,

they were relit last night.

See here to see how I use my wicks for these lampadas.

*

It is a fasting Friday 

and we had a simple lunch of toast with peanut butter,

nuts, salad and bananas.

I got our coconut milk out but when I realized we had not opened it yet,

we agreed to just save it for Great Lent.

I used my Grandmother's everyday dishes for plates

as all our everyday dishes are in the dishwasher!

*

Had an interesting discussion on tea on FB ~

based on this article.

About pesticides and tea.

I looked up my Bridgehead tea ~ it is fairtrade and organic 

It seems that Ginny uses Mountian Rose Organics and they also have 

organic fair-traded tea. 

*

On another, more serious topic...

*

I often think of the phrase,

no matter how deep the pit, Christ's love is deeper still

based on the understanding that Christ 

harrowed hell and broke hell's gates.

When searching for this idea I found these quotations by 

Corrie TenBoom:

“There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

“There is no pit so deep, but God is deeper Still.”

*

Right now my life is fairly stable, 

Thank God,

but I have lived enough to know that 

life has some real challenges for us.

*

In all things, Christ is with us.

Doing Fine, I think

All seems well at the moment. Have chosen a muted green and a light pale blue for wall colours. Am planning on a trip to Halifax for a dear sister's wedding in October - am excited. My first 'vacation' in years, other than home for Christmas, which cannot be underrated!

My job is going okay - I am getting used to it and have had some good days.

I feel like this is a special time in my life - first permanent job, soon to have DV first apartment with living room, a weekend in Halifax DV - I am blessed.

However, I am also aware of the importance of this quotation:

"Life is a precious and unique gift, and we squander it foolishly and carelessly, forgetful of its brevity.

Either we look back with yearning on the past or else we live in the expectation of a future in which, it seems to us, life will really begin; whereas the present-that is, our lief as it actually is-is wasted in these fruitless dreams and regrets."

pg 28, The Diary of a Russian Priest by Alexander Elchaninov

It is significant spiritual struggle for me to learn to live in the present and not only to live in it, but savour it, be aware of it, be thankful in it, no matter what the present brings or reveals.

Lord have mercy.

tired but peaceful

This morning when I was busing to work, and passing over a bridge, the bus stopped. I got to look out on to a river, with apartments, green grass and sunshine. I thought today I need to enjoy the present. i.e. not be thinking only of the future (job etc). I had a fast walk over lunch with colleagues. I had ice cream when I got home. Chapman's Premium French Vanilla. I decided I like it better plain than with cheapy chocolate sauce.

I got a cute pink summer blouse on sale. I got another black shirt at another store (than the one yesterday) discounted and with a sale coupon. I listened to Bach. Held my cat, called my Mom (twice), got a hold of a reference, and researched for my second round interview.

Tomorrow DV I am going to vespers after a meal with a friend who got engaged over Pasca in a small white Greek church in Athens (where the fiance is from). Talk about romantic. ! I will get to see pictures.

Today is St. George Day old calendar!!!! Happy St. George Day!!!! I have a beautiful Icon of him newly placed on my icon prayer wall and I was happy today because it is his day.

Now it is time to rest for the night...

books

i discovered Eusebius' _the history of the church_ today. am half way through reading the introduction. am reading a book on prayer. re-read _herb of grace_ by Elizabeth Goudge.

i have so much to read, i have dreams of someday understanding a bit more about things.

i ordered some books online (eight day books, yea!) and feel happy about this.

i had moved so much and changed directions so much that only now do i feel like parts of me are coming back - we will see where this leads.

meanwhile i am a lot happier, letting things come in, swirl and then settle around me.

one moment at a time

I read various blogs that I do not have on my blog roll; keeping up the 'look' of my blog is a very low priority. One of these blogs is RW's blog - http://anacceptabletime.blogspot.com/ - and I wrote a comment this morning that I think summarizes the state of things for me... (will put this comment on the end of this post).

I am currently enjoying my work; I have felt that I have not been crushed with unreasonable demands (and I do not work late, which is why I do not feel crushed). I am going home for Christmas, which I think is a good thing. Trying to keep up with my own life I find hard.

Like eating balanced meals, keeping a clean house, doing all things in an appropriate balance (i.e. prayer, social times, reading good books to learn or to gain a better sense of the English language, reading mystery books, time to call friends, church services, cooking, apartment upkeep). Really my life is one of the better ones, by which I mean I have: a job, an apartment, friends, family, a church home. it is not that my life has been smooth or straightforward. but right now, at this hour, in this moment, my life is okay.

I go home soon for Christmas. I have library books for the plane. I have dreams of my Mother's cooking. I am going DV to a monastery for a day or so. My sister's birthday is this week and mine is a bit after New Calendar Christmas. I am holding on to the individual moments of peace, anticipation and quiet. I live always knowing that these moments can be tragically changed in the next moment...

the summary is that I am grateful that my life right now can be summarized in this comment:

I hear you! I admit that my desk at work is often messy but the work is contained to one cubical, one computer. Home is not so contained, which is the challenge. Home has all different demands (and I only live with my Cat) - spiritual, physical, emotional needs of myself as a person is only one dimension; taking care of my apartment, another; keeping up with my family and friends another; it all gets melded together with the days that pass so quickly. You have 3 others in your house plus you and a house to keep up! Perhaps we should be encouraged for just showing up for the daily battle to keep our lives in a state of organizable chaos, with lots of God's grace asked for...

four years ago, two years ago

four years ago i went to liturgy at St. Herman's for the second time and went to the picnic at Kurt (now Dn Kurt) and Victoria's house, with Phil and Shannon. That began it all and by early October, when i went home for my sister's wedding, i was full of stories about this new church i was going to...

two years ago i came the first time to Ottawa and asked the priest there if i should come to confession. and so i came, after vespers, and soon realized that i had met my spiritual father. and i love my church and the routine and that today, on this lovely two year anniversary, i could go to vespers again...

i thank God for St. Herman's for bring me to the church and that four years later i am still here, in the Orthodox church that is now my home.

3 years ago

i was christmated 3 years ago today. so what do i have to say about this:

Glory to God for His long-suffering!

(and that i feel happy today)

Yea vacation!

well. i vacationed all while staying in my city and apartment.

but my friend came (my Cat Cleo's first owner) and she and i had a wonderful time. We browsed through fun bookshops, fancy home stores with all one could dream of for a kitchen, went to IKEA, had high tea, and wonderful meals and times at church and with close friends. we walked by the Parliament buildings and talked.

i love the ordinary days, with sunshine, my church, and everything being normal.

my friend took me shopping, put up my curtains and i put up my lampada that another dear friend of mine had given me for Christmas.

it was so special for me to show her my life, many of the people i love here, my church, those who comprise of my family here, the places i go to and the apartment i live in.

my apartment is almost done! it has taken nearly ten months but i am really getting there! this is the first place i have lived in as a working adult (instead of being a undergraduate and then graduate student).

i am so thankful to God for the many things He has blessed me with!

putting off dishes

my friend is DV coming tomorrow!

one of my co-workers from my small group is leaving! we were shocked... change is always happening...

i bought books to learn French, including collins french grammar.

yep. nerd! :)

but i have to learn! i wanted to live in a bilingual city, so i have to seek to learn.

i joined orthodox circle - you know, i think it is really cool. i really appreciate that it seeks to be a family-friendly, Orthodox site, with specific guidelines.

even better is that i got a book on St. Seraphim of Sarov

will be reading this slowly - with thankfulness and with Lord Have Mercy prayers

i had a short dinner with a close friend, with my best veg. soup tonight and this weekend is DV to be full of things.

God has been so good to me, and i deserve none of it.

so i must learn to say thank you more every day...