Sunday, September 27, 2009

Infinity Wellness Center :)

I can no longer go without writing about my job at Infinity Wellness Center. :)
I work there 3 days, roughly 20 hours a week. And I've been there for 2.5 years! My first day was Dec 5th, 2006. Almost as long as I've been in NYC--fantastique. I remember the first time I stepped foot into the office space, it felt like I was a snowman whose snow slowly and finally started to melt off and drop away. I remember taking a deep breath and smiling in my insides. There was an embracing glow about the place. I distinctly remember the plants by the huge window and a certain stillness I was desperately seeking from the moment I arrived to the city. I met the doctor and the office manager who immediately felt like my new family and knew that not only would I work there but that the job itself would be a gift.

For the most part I assist. I ensure the two are comfortable and supported in their daily tasks and for our 'clients' I smile a lot and give LOTS of hugs! A few days ago, I bumped into one of our clients on the street. She's 81 years old and could have been one of my neighbors in Augusta Georgia where I grew up. She's sweet and southern and amazing. She travels an hour by subway to make it into our office twice a week. So we bump into each other and she starts congratulating me about the wedding. I thank her and ask how she is and she begins to talk about one of her most recent Buddhist retreats. She practices Zen buddhism and loves the quiet meditation and the philosophical enquiry. So I listen to her experiences and realizations, at 81, and am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the simple fact that I can stand on a street corner in New York City sharing in a moment of truth with this exquisite being. We hug tightly and then go on our ways. Simply spectacular and then this is my job 3 days a week.

In the office, clients come in not really to share their life so much but to journey somewhere within themselves and then ultimately give back to their world. They go into a beautiful room (the one with the plants and huge windows!) position themselves tummy down on a chiropractic table, community style with 5 other people doing the same thing, then depending on each person's timing, dive into their own abyss. Personally speaking, I once experienced myself dancing on a beach right at the ocean's edge. Happy and joyful being in my body and dancing! My interpretation of this session was that I need to bring my dancing spirit to my everyday activities like going to the post office and buying groceries. Instead of just saving it for a dance class, when leading a presentation, or basically when I know I'm in front of 'an audience'.

The technique is called Network Spinal Analysis and the doctor serves as a guide to help each person treat their own symptoms, be they headaches, back pain, muscle tension and even cancer, depression and spiritual unrest. The idea is that symptoms arise when daily actions do not coincide with the body's needs. For me, I go into a depressive state when I cop out of an opportunity to fully express myself, vocally and through my actions. Somehow, when I was little I learned self-expression was not always socially acceptable and that I should always censor myself. Yikes!--and my body says "girl u betta get it OUT or Ima mess u up--" haha, but seriously in my body there's an old black woman who sits on the porch and TELLS me things. Her name is Agatha. Always letting me know what's up. Oh yeah, I'm from the SOUF. Thanks for everything Miss Aggie!

But seriously, again, I'm grateful to work at a place that's purposefully dedicated to healing individuals and communities, a mission very much in line with my SGI activities!

Infinity Wellness and beyond! Yay!
(I would add our website link, but after almost 3 years, it's still not finished! haha, Go fig. But you can go here to learn more about Network Spinal Analysis: www.wiseworldseminars.com or come in for a looksee. We are located 27 W 20th St. 10011)


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Dancing in the Fun


Wow, our California Wedding Extravaganza is over and what a fantastic time we all had! I could write about the past 10 days forever but I think it's better and easier to just show pictures and write only a little!


We were all able to put a wedding together for Rann and I in just 1 week. We arrived last Saturday and were out and about almost immediately meeting vendors, making decisions, not making decisions then finally making them. Everyone we met was so helpful and sweet and ready to do business.




Being back on the campus brought back the safety and freedom I first experienced about 7 years ago when I was a freshman.

(wow!) The sun was as kind and warm as ever and the wind was gentle and caressing and life felt expansive again. I once told a friend years ago that there was no other place on earth like SUA. My friend reproached me that my limited worldwide travels didn’t permit me to make such a statement. I just ignored such cynicism. I dare anyone to disagree with me! I'll always be a part of this place and a part of it is with me.



The ceremony was held in the garden at Soka University of America on September 12th, 2009 -the always magical Athenaeum garden!

Many lofty memories are still held there. Too many to recall at the moment but a few poignant ones: embarking on a hike to the ocean from the garden’s lookout point on my 21st birthday, dancing healing waves with Tali and Mals, moon viewing, peeling oranges on the grass and talking, being with the mist that gathers in the canyon at dusk, tears, laughter, all the seasons in the garden.

Being there on this new occasion, in ceremony with Rann, my new partner in life (and crime—haha) our families and friends, those memories seemed to bear witness to something new and exciting. The winding presence of butterflies and rainbow-colored paper cranes seemed to highlight a joy found in all things uniting~ creatively! The garden is a symbol of peace, a renewed addition to my own inner landscape that is constantly expanding from east to west and back again. I’m so grateful to SUA's founder Daisaku Ikeda for building a place for people to gather and celebrate each other.



Friends and family traveled from all over to be present for the wedding. We had a rehearsal the night before to prepare for the dancing portion of the ceremony. I felt happy again teaching dance. It was thrilling to see everyone come together in dance! There’s nothing more joyous than dancing. I decided not to perform but I wanted to make sure my dancing spirit was there throughout. My mom was doing the little dance I taught her all weekend!! Priceless.


Some of us girls went out after the rehearsal for a little rite of passage ceremony at the beach before the big day. I won't write much about it except for that we threw grapes into the night Pacific, ate tiramisu and

acknowledged our feminine selves through each other. I love connecting with my girlfriends, a truly a beautiful feat that I miss doing very much. And then we went out for sushi!!!



When I think about it, our families combine the cultures of the Chinese, Spanish, Filipino,

Japanese and Russian-Jewish Americans! That only means one thing: Koooosen-Rufu all the way--hai!












Now it’s time to return to NYC. To our apartment in Brooklyn, subways, narrow sky scapes, hard sidewalks, jobs, SGI activities, dinner dates, performances, shoe sales...
Next stop, a new apartment accessible to nice breezes, near trees and chirpy birds! (fingers crossed) ***

But I can honestly say I feel so refreshed from the whole experience.

Brava!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Eat Kielbasas, smile, cry and Be MARRIED!: CHECK!!








what can i say?

After a long week of intense planning and decoration-making and being super stressed because my to-do list
never ended and and and...
everything flowed beautifully! I will be forever grateful to the
beautiful women who rallied behind me and
Rann to make sure this rite of passage was a smooth and joyous one. And also there's nothing truly more wonderful than to be surrounded by family and friends. :)

Here's a tiny sampler of the sweetnesses from the week...

Marriage Rocks!!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Make it to CALI: Check









We made it to the OC! yipyip! It feels like we're working on a major production project and the final wrap is right around the corner. The days are counting down.


Today Rann's dad met with Gang NYC and ended up driving us around A LOT. Thank you Dad! First off, we visited the SUA campus to check out the venue. The first thing I noticed was that it was h o t. Too hot for comfort I'm afraid :( but the landscape was breathtaking (as usual).










Followed that with Asian Buffet.


Afterwards Nati met us at Janae's bakery: Charmed Cupcakes in Long Beach--Her shop was so cute and lovely--for one final...cake tasting! Janae was so thorough with us, I really loved and appreciated this about her. She set up two long tables and chairs for the 7 of us to sit at, bottles of water and 2 dozen cupcakes to try!
They looked gorgeous and tasted even better than the mailed batch. We then talked details details details. LOVED being there! And I got to see Nati!!! Yumminess all around!! ;)

There's a long week of planning and such ahead of us. Looking forward overall excited :).
One more of me and Nats (love this one of us):


(I think she seriously thinks of everything! Thank you beyond)


Rann and his Papa:





The ladies:




Vinny and purple flowers.


Saturday, September 5, 2009

NYC --> Orange County







Packing, planning,
emailing,
calling.