Untitled

Hold On To Jesus
Erin O'Donnell

You're a little piece of heaven 

You're a golden ray of light 

And I wish I could protect you 

From the worries of this life
But if there's one thing I could tell you
It's no matter what you do
Hold to Jesus
He's holding on to you

The world will try to tell you 

That might is more than right 

That beauty's on the outside 

And being good's a losing fight 

But remember what I've told you 

Because the world will make you choose
Hold to Jesus

He's holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus
Cling to His love 
Rest deep in His mercy 

Whenever things get rough
Don't lose sight of His goodness 

And don't ever doubt this truth
That when you hold on to Jesus 

He's holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus
Rock this little one to sleep
Keep her close when she's scared 

And give her grace when she is weak
I know she'll stumble
But I know she'll make it through
If you hold to her just like 

You said You'd do
Hold her Jesus
And she'll hold on tight to you

St. Bart's

About a few years ago, when I was working at my former agency, I felt that I reached the end of my rope. I felt stuck, abused, exhausted, lost and hopeless. I didn't know what to do. So I wandered into a nearby church in midtown to attend an evening service, hoping to gain back some kind of sanity. A priest walked into the chapel, and started a service. I was the only person attending it. As I was not familiar with an Episcopalian liturgy at that point yet, I could not quite follow him at the pace he was going. Then at the end of the service, he said to me, "I'm done, OK?" and walked away. Instead of feeling whatever I was hoping to feel, I felt worse. From then on, I avoided this church.

Fast forward to now, I work even closer to St. Bart's. I also have had a chance to consciously live my life as a Christian. Every time I feel the need to ground myself in prayers or to remind myself what it is that's important or just be in silence, I find myself here again. And I'm able to feel at peace this time. I also now have a friend who is a priest here. All of this makes me reflect on my journey in faith, then and now and wherever I'm going. For now, I'm grateful that my heart is open and I get to appreciate what this quietly powerful house of worship offers.


Saint Bartholomew's Church
http://www.stbarts.org/

325 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022

My faith

“Loving can cost a lot but not loving always costs more, and those who fear to love often find that want of love is an emptiness that robs the joy from life.” –Merle Shain

Promise

I promise myself to look after my heart as I would my dear friend's. I will focus on me and discerning God's voice and calling. I will get to know myself better, my strength, my weakness, my needs and my desires. I will learn to trust my gut feelings and act on it without fear of feeling what ifs. I will let go of all the expectations and just be. I will work on myself to be a better person, to God, to others, and to myself.

As a daily reminder, I will wear a bracelet with the Lord's Prayer. So that even in my solitude, I know I'm holding hands with Jesus.


Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Dreaming of the prettiest and yummiest soup

I went to Chicago on the business trip and found this restaurant called C-House by Marcus Samuelsson. The soup I ordered was simply amazing! It was sweet corn soup with crab meat, blueberries and polenta. I loved it so much that I went back the next day and ordered it again.

www.c-houserestaurant.com

Inside Affinia Hotel
166 E Superior St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 523-0923

Reflection

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Kahlil Gibran

Perfect night

The air was kind and warm, the Manhattan lights were lustrous as the crescent moon watched over us. It felt just right and just right is hard to come around. Welcome back spring, how I longed for you.

Prayer

Prayer

夕暮れの光が溶けて消えないうちに
あなたの名前を呼んでみる
ゆれうごく街　ひとりたたずんでいる時
あなたのことを　思ってる

時を越え　空を越え　たどりつくから
降りつもる悲しみに　負けることなく

私の目が閉じられてゆく時が来ても
あなたの声も　指先も　心も
愛に包まれているように

時を越え　空を越え　たどりつくから
降りつもる悲しみに　負けることなく

祈ることだけ
今　強く願うことだけ
あなたが　今日も　明日も　いつまでも
愛に包まれているように

矢野顕子

WD50

With a dear friend of mine, I visited a restaurant called WD50. I don't really consider myself a foodie, but have always been adventurous and loved experiencing all sorts of food. This certainly was an experience, and an exciting, exquisite new one at that. I'm grateful to live in the city where artistry, craft and passion are not difficult to find. It's a constant reminder for me to live passionately with love.

Aerated foie, pickled beet, mashad plum, brioche

Duck breast, apple, cheddar, kimchee-cous cous

Licorice custard, sake sorbet, bartlett pear

Soft chocolate, peppermint ice cream, black cardamom, toffee



WD50
http://www.wd-50.com/


50 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002-2401
(212) 477-2900

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

 

 

Boston Favorite Spots, Part 1

There was a time in my life when I considered myself a Bostonian. I lived there for 5 years and had my spots I liked going. I still return to enjoy the beautiful city on the regular basis, and am glad to see these places surviving when every other lovely local gems seem to be taken over by major stores or banks.


The Fairy Shop on Newbury Street
http://www.thefairyshop.com/

The Other Side Cafe
http://www.theothersidecafe.com/

J.P. Licks
http://www.jplicks.com/
My all time favorite since college has been sweet cream and it's still yummy!

Yes, I do live in NYC, but Finagle-a-Bagel is where I love getting my bagels. I lived on them when I was a poor student back in the days, I still can't get enough of it!
http://www.finagleabagel.com/

Trident Cafe
I used to spend a lot of time here.
http://www.tridentbookscafe.com/

NYC Holiday 2009

Yes, yes, it's already February 2010 and I still haven't uploaded my pictures from the holiday season in 2009!  I have a lot of catching up to do, but figured better late than never! I need to get better at keeping up with organizing my photos on time...

  

Cartier Store on 5th Avenue

 

Saks Fifth Avenue illumination and holiday windows

 

Rockefeller Center Angels

 

The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

 

Bryant Park holiday skating rink 

  

Whimsical Coca-Cola track

My trio jewel cookies...they were yummy!