Within 48 hours of returning from Southeast Asia, I packed up my car and drove to DC. I had just returned home yet I wanted to get away and explore some place different. Despite plans for skiing, mother nature had a different idea which resulted in some forced rest and relaxation that I am sure my jet-lagged body appreciated. To somewhat make up for last weekend, I'll run away again this afternoon to a new locale and I am attempting to hatch a plan for the end of this month as well. I’ve already sent out emails to start solidifying some summer excursions - beach, mountains, repeat. The wanderlust bug is real and not to be ignored but the intensity of it as of late (…and my dwindling travel budget) has led to some introspection. What is it exactly that I am escaping from? I mean I live in what some (very biased folk) dub the greatest city on earth.
In a few short months, I will start up school once again and my life will drastically change. I am in an accelerated program which will require 20 credit hours a semester while maintaining my current full-time job. I’ve known about this for quite some time but the reality of the situation has begun to sink in. Add to it that I am another year older in a week or so and the need to be anywhere but here is amplified.
I don’t want to be that person though who is completely focused on the proverbial next best thing while taking for granted what is right in front of my face. In an effort to reclaim the present, I took a break from my computer screen and moseyed outdoors into the snowstorm du jour. Because what better way to regain perspective than to make myself a little uncomfortable and get right in the midst of this place I call home.
With the snow blowing in my face, I made my way down to the waterfront and meandered along the mostly abandoned path. The slipping and sliding of snow beneath my feet forced me to focus on my surroundings enough to quiet my usual nonstop inner dialogue.
I only encountered a handful of people who also wished to tread in the wintry wonderland: a fellow snow marveler/wannabe hermit who shared which paths have not yet been graced with footsteps or plows, a gentleman who persisted on inquiring where a bus was going despite my best efforts to explain that I had absolutely no idea, and a lady with seven of the same dog in varying shades of brown but all thoroughly wet from an afternoon of play. Our brief interactions reminded me that we all have some place we're trying to get to, someone we want to become.
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
--Dust of Snow, Robert Frost
notes:
- brooklyn bridge park is a ghost town during a snowstorm. there were robins flying and chirping about (see the above picture). if you're in nyc and need to get a little away from it all during our next bout of never-ending snow, i highly recommend meandering these paths.
- i also recommend warming yourself up with some tea and sweets at one girl cookie. as i type this i am really regretting that i didn't pick up a whoopie pie.