14 days until I reach the promised land

It's finals week at Drexel, and between studying for Art History and Microeconomics, writing a proposal to reform Philadelphia's public school system, and saying my goodbyes to friends and California-bound boyfriend, I've had a lot to think about lately. Israel seems so far away, and not just geographically. I hope these next two weeks build up to an amazing experience that I can't possibly imagine.

I want to float in the salty Dead Sea, climb Mt. Masada, bargain at the Shuk, sleep under the stars in the Negev, dine in a Bedouin tent, and press a prayer deep into a nook in the Western Wall. I want to see the sun shine off of the golden Dome of the Rock, walk through the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem, and swim in the Mediterranean.

It still hasn't hit me yet, that I'll be going to a place I've been longing to visit. It might not happen until I'm packing, or when I'm on the plane, or when I finally set foot on Israeli soil. Until then, I'll be happily awaiting my adventure.

Live, from Lincoln Center

I'm currently blogging from Teen Vogue's "Haute Spot," a teenage dream for fashion lovers, located in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Everything is a shade of Betsey Johnson pink, with life-size Look Books on the walls, and curtesy Figi water. About to get a Maybelline NY make over with my best friend before hitting up central park.

What a day it has been. The air is buzzing with fashion frenzy, with Michael Kohrs and Rachel Roy having their runway shows today. Needless to say, I feel especially short compared to the models strutting around in post-show make up, towering a good foot over my 5'3" frame.

The most exciting, fulfilling part of my day? Meeting Bryce Black, a finalist of Project Runway Season 9. I'm so glad I decided to take a 12:25 train from Summit, NJ, otherwise, our paths never would have crossed. I spotted him on the train platform and recognized his signature Ray Bans, hair cut, and neon tank top. I shook his hand, said I was a fashion student and fan of the show, and wished him luck. He was so sincere and sweet, and gave me hope that maybe, reality stars could be, well...real.

Peace out, NY fashion week.
Love,
A Philly Girl

the jersey shore will not be swept away

...but it will sweep you off your feet.

After spending the past nine summers living, working, painting, and documenting at the central/north section of the Jersey Shore (my particular town is only one square mile, so I've done some wandering throughout the coast), I'm glad to see the community effort and teamwork in the wake of a hurricane.

Yesterday, the beach cleanup was in full motion, and it was open to the public by 2 o'clock E.S.T. The water was frigid, the pier was shifted to the south and is therefor unsteady, and the sand was packed down by rain and tractors. The jetty was bolstered with more boulders, the lifeguards set up shop, and everyone was so appreciative.

I value the high value of ocean front beauty, and I fully appreciate the appreciation of families, tourists, residents, and community leaders of the Jersey shoreline. Thanks everyone, for keeping our slim ribbon of sand intact.

Sunset in Summer 2011 

 the day after Hurricane Irene

 the beach in January

 the dog days of winter

 "Hands in the Sand" offshore drilling protest, 2010

the sun, it rises.

returning from a great escape

I'm choosing "Helvetic" as my font because I watched a documentary about this type face and apparently, it's top-notch.

St. Louis...what a blur. Between the 60 colleges, mass of people, and whirlwind of "stimulations" and downtime, I think it's safe to say that I made the most out of every opportunity. It was like college Welcome Week all over again, and I knew in my heart I would probably never see some of the great people I met ever again. (sad, but true) Some great conversations were had beneath some rough stars and cotton candy clouds. And the bugs just...didn't bother me. (Although my legs and ankles got attacked)

Detroit's Airport...is probably the best 5+ hours of tlc I ever was surprised to land upon (pun intended). The fast walks, the underground light up tunnel between Delta's terminals, the book shops, the Mediterranean restaurant, the beautiful fountatin, and finally buying my dad the perfect tie (orange, with tiny sheep interspersed with circles) all added up to a great layover, round trip.

Philadelphia...I miss those streets. The train rides, humidity, suitcase wheels rolling in the shallow sidewalk concrete. Everything about our first capitol rings true to me.

I think this sums up my jam-packed traveling experience. Thank you for listening.

Philly, Detroit, St. Louis, and back again.

How many flights does it take to get to Missouri and back? The answer, my friends, is four.

Thank goodness and Dave Matthews (and Bruce, Death Cab, & Ingrid) for providing some awesome tunes along the way. I had some good conversations with my fellow travelers, flight attendants, and an awesome lady dressed fabulously while freshening up in the Detroit airpot. 


Detroit, without a doubt....is the BEST four hour layover experience I can hope to have. The had everything, even a water fountain that made water hop and dance like Martha Graham...


This journey, and the destinations along the way, was incredibly memorable. Highlights include the hammocks on Wash U's campus (despite being bitten up by mosquitoes) and the City Museum. Everything else: the people, conversation, and food, is just commentary.


Photos to come soon.

having a destination

I have an e-ticket, a not gently used wheelie carry-on, and an ipod that needs charging. I have called a car service (for the first time!) to arrange to be picked up early Wednesday morning. I have a layover in Detroit, Michigan. I have a destination: St. Louis, Missouri.

And I couldn't be more thrilled.

This is my first time flying without an adult...oh wait, I guess I'm considered an adult. I'm a little nervous, but I'm pretty psyched for the freedom and altitude-induced high that moving over multiple states brings.

I'm flying with a boy who incidentally, is very awkward. But maybe our traveling together will make him more amiable. If conversation fails us, I'll be bringing The Perks of Being A Wallflower, and another book, which I'll find tomorrow at the library. And there's always music. Lots and lots of music.

I'm not too keen on bringing my macbook with me, since I'll be staying in a dorm room at Washington University, so I'll post pictures and comments when I return in a week. Until then, you can bet that I'll be having an adventure.

hard work in the big easy

amidst the "Brad Pitt homes," this photograph gave me context

despite the songs of mourning, New Orleans gave me plenty of reasons to sing

on the 4th work day, I found a wallet that survived the flooding in the Lower 9th Ward. it had no ID or coins, rather, a tiny sprout growing from it's folds of soil. this just proves that beauty can bloom from destruction.

here's the whole group posing in front of the new levee

the journey's almost over

So. The whole freshmen year experience is just 6 weeks shy of fading into "what happened" instead of it's current "what's happening" status. Oh boy. I've barely documented this year, aside from the numerous photos and scattered journal entries. And the whole point of this here blog is to have an obscure internet home to ramble about what's going on in my life.

St. Paul's Cathedral in Jackson Square, home of art vendors and hip hop dance crews

a mandala-street art made from chalk dust and leaves. it blows away, so only the lucky few get to see it.

New Orleans (sorry for the lack of logical transition). That was what made me start this travel blog to begin with. And aside from the typical "It was amazing!" reaction that people use to exclaim how impacting a trip can be on their life, I have little more to say. Nothing I can say can possible sum up the week long journey that helped me feel a little more settled as a young Jewish woman in a very unjust world. So I'll show you, instead.

a trip to design class

 This vibrating color scheme has been my life for the past week. The corners are lighter and less saturated, and there's a chroma shift from the center on outwards. I got an A.

This charcoal drawing has been my life for the past 2 hours. Inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson's photograph.I wish I could be jumping into the waves with them...

travels thus far

 Montemarte, Paris

 French graffiti, anyone?

 Spitalfield Market, London

For a blog dedicated to travels, near, far, strange, and uncharted, I thought I'd kick things off with a short log of my summer trip to Paris and London. Crossing Abbey Road, figuring out the subway in France, and finding a new adventure (or Harakrishna dance party) around every corner reminded me of the beauty in the world. I can only hope that my future travels can compare.