Synchronicity

I was just having a conversation with myself while making a cup of tea.  You see I had a meltdown of sorts at work yesterday and was going over the events again wondering what I could have done differently.  And I was telling myself to let those events go, which is hard for those of us who live under the sign of Cancer because that is what we do.  Then I read my horoscope for today:

"You could be licking your wounds today, but the crucial issue is not about anything that occurs in the present moment. Your obsession with a past event can actually block the flow of feelings. Gently bring your thoughts and fantasies back to where you are now. Keep in mind that you don't want to miss the good stuff that is right in front of you."

Talk about perfect timing....

65. One Flight Up

by Susan Fales-Hill

In the past year I've read a few novels that take place in modern New York City. There were a couple that tried to tackle the topics of the new generation of women struggling with career vs. staying at home, gentrification into whatever is the hot neighborhood of the moment, and celebrities wanting a "normal" life.  One even tried, unsuccessfully, to take on the race question. It was laughable.  The ones that turned me off the most were billed as sort of Sex and The City hybrids, where former party girls were finally settling down and having families.

So I was a bit hesitant when I saw One Flight Up, especially with the picture of the brownstone on the cover.  I hadn't read any reviews and just didn't want to be disappointed again.  But, on the other hand, I'm a sucker for a brownstone on the cover of a book, so I went ahead and picked it up. Glad I did.

One Flight Up follows the lives of four women (it's always four, isn't it?) in Manhattan as they work on their "happily-ever-afters".  India, the mixed-race daughter of a drama queen British actress,  makes her living as a a divorce lawyer.  She is safely ensconced in a relationship with a French chef, but her lack of faith in love as well as unfinished business with an ex, make it difficult for her to commit fully.  The other three women are India's former classmates at an upscale private girls school.  There's Abby, who supports the artistic dreams of her philandering husband, but struggles with her own desires.  Esme is the (almost stereotypical) fiery, Brazilian heiress who finds herself married to a loving husband and living in the suburbs.  But that doesn't stop her from having lots of fun on the side. And then there's Monique, an African-American gynecologist who was India's nemesis in high school.  Monique married for love and security, but now finds herself needing a little more passion.  During the course of the book, each woman is forced to examine and re-examine her life and priorities.

What I Liked:  I liked that although these were obviously women who made lots of money and were successful in their careers, I didn't feel beaten over the head with it. Yes, they can afford lavish vacations, and pricey material objects, but compared to some other books I've read, the label- and name-dropping were pretty much kept to a minimum.  In essence, the problems that these women had weren't just rich people problems, they are universal.  The conversations surrounding race were interesting and sometimes uncomfortable, just as they are in real life.

What I Disliked:  There were a couple passages about India's ex that were a bit redundant.  It was nothing major, just an extra explanation that wasn't needed.

A Busy Month (Hopefully)

If I act like a good girl and honor my commitments to myself, then September should be a busy month for me.  That's because it is National Yoga Month, National Sewing Month, and Monday starts the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine's (PCRM) 21-Day Vegan Challenge. 

Now, ideally, I would like to commit to practicing yoga and sewing everyday, but as I'm notoriously lazy, I doubt that will happen but I will do my best.  The one thing I can commit to doing is reading more about the subjects.  You know I'm always down to read a good book.  So here are my choices to commemorate this busy month:

NATIONAL YOGA MONTH

The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga In America
by Stefanie Syman





NATIONAL SEWING MONTH

 Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face, Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask
by Barbara Weiland Talbert

I have a lot of books on sewing in my library, but I rarely sit down and read them cover to cover. I just reference them when I have a question.  This little book is just full of tips and tricks and I will go through every page.

Because New York Fashion Week is also this month, I will be reading this:

Nina Garcia's Look Book:  What to Wear for Every Occasion






21-DAY VEGAN CHALLENGE
This is the one thing that I will definitely be doing everyday. I get recipes from all over the place but will use a couple of books and cookbooks as well.

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Romero

Quick & Easy Vegan Comfort Food: 65 Everyday Meal Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner With over 150 Great-Tasting, Down-Home Recipes
by Alicia C. Simpson

By Any Greens Necessary:  A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight and Look Phat
by Tracye Lynn McQuirter





Join me if you want. Inspire me if you will. Support me if you can!