Henna cones from Pakistan are fresh; they smell different and leave a much longer lasting stain compared with any that I have found here. I was lucky enough to visit Pakistan again and in the markets of Karachi I ordered some awesome mendhi cones. I used a cone and now await the color.
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The flu, by far it has been the worst thing I have ever felt in my life. The fever, aches and pains, the coughing, it was quite unpleasant. However, those three days at home did lead to some blinged out, henna inspired iPhone cases using metallic markers, nail polish, and rhinestones from Michaels. I now have four different cases to use, its like giving my iPhone a choice of what it wants to wear for the day! 
 There has been this persistent grey color to the sky, the ground, and the very air we breathe in New York City. The lack of sun and this endless winter has turned this city into a page out of a Dostoevsky novel, cold, snowy, miserable, and grey. I was lucky enough to escape for a few days in January; we went to San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I felt that warm sun on my skin I completely understood why people used to worship this majestic, celestial body. It is rejuvenating and magnificent in its splendor; it is life. 
View from the fort at San Cristobal
 Cobblestone streets in Old San Juan Old San Juan was particularly inviting, a 500+ year old city surrounded by forts built by the Spanish in the 1500's. The two forts, El Morro and San Cristobal, were high and mighty and must have been quite a sight in the days of colonial trade routes in the Caribbean Sea. San Juan was fantastic however the best things to do were outside of the city. El Yunque rainforest, a national rainforest about an hour away from the city, had fantastic trails and interesting plants to discover and kayaking at night in the bioluminescent bay was one of the best experiences of my life. I was frightened a bit by the dark and the water however once we reached the lagoon we saw nothing but the green lights of the phytoplankton in the water below us and the bright stars above. I lived the entire trip in that one moment. 
Former barracks for the Spanish army- now a museum. The archways reminded me of archways from the mosque at Cordoba in Spain.
Candles - hopes, dreams, and prayers at the Notre Dame Cathedral
 Old buildings line the River Seine. Several years ago on a cold day in February, I was lucky enough to spend a single day in Paris, France. While I hated the time constraints we had, in retrospect that single day left memories that have idealized the city for me. Everything I remember about Paris is beautiful because my time there was so short. That philosophy should be applied to life in general- it is short, therefore make it as beautiful as you possibly can. 
Iconic bookstore - many a film has been set near here.
 Eiffel Tower by night I can go on and on and repeat what the world has said about Paris, about its beauty, the architecture, the monuments, the people, the river Seine and its idealism even in the cold, dead of winter; however, I will let my pictures reflect it. That cold day in Paris is one that I will never forget. 
Musee du Louvre- sadly, it was closed on that day. I found the cold sunlight alluring. This picture reflects it well.
Sunset on the River Seine - at the top of the Eiffel Tower
 The City If I seem angry or aggressive, it is because I am passionate and I care about something and it is not moving forward. If I seem sad, it is because there is an injustice that hurts me and that I am struggling to find answers. If I seem annoyed or irritated, it is because I am frustrated with myself for not having achieved enough or done enough (or possibly because I did not have coffee or because the MTA sucks). If I seem withdrawn, it is because I am pensive and searching deeply within myself to rectify my faults. If I seem happy, it is because I have learned how to balance everything above and accepted this range as a part of life. 
Majestic Hudson River Valley- I can just see the glaciers that used to occupy these lands!
I have a job that allows me to travel to some cool places from time to time. Back in October we went up to West Point in the town of HIghland Falls, NY. It was the best time of year to visit, autumn, and the leaves were just beginning to change. Some of the most impressive and inspiring views of the Hudson River valley are in this area. This picture above really takes my breath away; I could hardly believe it when I was standing there to take the picture. It reminded me of the scene in the Fellowship of the Ring, where the companions are traveling by boat through the river with enormous mountains on either side of them. Just beautiful. 
The Corps castle in the dining hall in West Point.
Ski slope - no snow!
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On Instagram:Why Blog?I'll be adding pictures and commentary of the things I love. I am an ordinary person in an extraordinary place. There is no special purpose to this blog other than to project what I am thinking of at any given moment. Archives
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All the photos are mine (unless stated otherwise). Please do not use without permission. To learn more about me, check out my linked in profile below.
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