Our First Anniversary – June 29, 2008

This post is about a month late but what can I say…we’ve been busy. James and I ( Rocky too) went to Savannah for our anniversary. We had a wonderful time. We did all of the things we used to do together, ate at the restaurants we would frequent and walked around having a great time. We went to Belford’s for champagne brunch (something we never did in the 6 years we lived there) and went to Gallery Espresso for coffee and to read the paper (something we did often). We of course had to go to Juarez for Mexican and JUMBO Margaritas and Sakura for sushi. the highlight for Rocky was swimming in the fountain of Orleans square. Which is by the way one of my favorite Savannah squares.

On the Brain…babies & the color of their skin.

Recently James and I hosted a baby shower for dear friends of ours, Leah and Michael. We had so much fun and it was so nice to celebrate the impending arrival of their little one. Leah and Michael are such wonderful people and I can’t wait to hear (on or about August 22) that their little boy has made his appearance.

All of this baby talk has gotten James and I discussing when we should start our family. Typically, when people ask his response is, “We already have one. He is a year old.” Peoples jaws drop and then he explains. “Our first born is our 1 year old golden retriever, Rocky. He is a very hairy, 4 legged baby.”

In all seriousness though, the WHEN is up for discussion. When we were married one year ago I said, “Give me 3-5 years. I need to be established in my career first. I want to be a licensed architect before we go down that road.” Now however I have begun to rethink my position. I have been listening on NPR about how women are waiting too long to have babies that is causing complications. The story also says that the prime gestational age for women is 22. 22! can you believe it. There is no way I would have been ready at 22. In fact I used to tell my mother that I was adopting at 40, so she was going to have to share my aunts’ grandchildren until then. 40 is still 12-13 years away for me….I think I am going to be ready sooner that I thought.

I also have the desire to see what a baby that is 1/2 me and 1/2 James would look like. Someone once told us we were a United Colors of Benetton Advertisement. The one that come to mind had a person very dark and African and very blond and Scandinavian looking. That’s us. I look at so many interracial couples and their children and wonder… will my child look like that?

I am a bit ashamed to say it but I have actually asked James, “What color do you think they will be? Do you think people will be able to tell they are bi-racial? Or will your genes take over so much that they will look like a dark skinned American black person.

When I was still in graduate school and new to the world of Facebook I was invited to join a Facebook group at SCAD called Kurry Karma. It was started by an Indian classmate of mine. I didn’t really know him, I am not Indian but I joined the group….The thing that made me join was this quote by Russell Peters. It was the motto for the group. Russell Peters is a Canadian born Indian comedian.

“tomorrow is the world of brownies ( 300 yrs from now) . There wont be any black or white. The world is mixing. Everyone in the world will be a hybrid version ..so start mixing now” -Russell Peters

Honestly I doesn’t really matter what color they are and each one will probably be a different shade. The important this is that we raise them to be colorblind, multicultural, open, honest and loving.

I say colorblind first because to me it shouldn’t matter what color ones friends or family are. I wouldn’t mind being like the brangelina family . James tells me sometimes that as far as colorblindness is concerned I live in my own little world. (He notices more if people give us looks or have comments.) My view is…the perception of RACE is never going to change if we let the separation continue. We ARE one race the human race. As Lucky Dube would say, ” One people, many colors.”

I am sharing some Benetton ads. Often seen as controversial…they push the boundaries.

An Alley in Savannah, GA

My Husband, James, and I both lived in Savannah, GA for 6 years. We love Savannah. A few weeks ago we went to Savannah for our one year anniversary. I will share more about the trip later but, I wanted to share this photo of the two of us in an alley downtown. I like how you can see the church in the background.

On top of the World…or a Private Helipad in downtown Atlanta

A few weeks ago I went to the Urban Design Commission Awards here in Atlanta.  They were held a at brand new hotel downtown next to Centennial Olympic Park.  The hotel is so new it isn’t even finished.  We were able to tour the very UNFINISHED sky bar and snuck up to the helipad…When will I ever be on  a Private helipad again??? probably NEVER..unless I win the lottery (however I have never even once played the lottery so that is almost impossible)

The Beauty of Michigan

 

I grew up is a tiny town in Northern Michigan.  I think when I lived there Ellsworth, Michigan had a population of about 500 people and one blinking light in the middle of downtown.  I graduated in a class of 24 people.  WE ARE TALKING SMALL PEOPLE.  When I did live there I probably knew almost everyone and they knew me.  I haven’t really lived in Ellsworth since 1999 when I left for college …now I can for the most part be incognito. 

I sometimes forget what a beautiful area I get up in.  I took it for granted because it was so commonplace to me.  Durring the years when I was in college and grad school I would drive home.  I would usually be entering michigan as it was becomming the twilight hours.  Southern Michigan is just flat and boring but as I drove farther north the beauty would take my breath away.

I want to share with you a painting that was given to James and I as a wedding gift.  It was given to us by my dear friend Stephanie.  We have know each other since she was born..just 7 days after me. 

This painting is by another friend Liz Kantzer.  It is of Torch Lake. This photo of it doesn’t really do it any justice…it hangs in our bathroom up stairs.  I look at it every morning and remember the beauty of northern Michigan.

Torch Lake at 18 miles (29 km) long is Michigan’s longest inland lake and at approximately 18,770 acres (76 km²) is Michigan’s second largest inland lake.