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Dream Accomplished: Vienna

October 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

When people inevitably ask where I want to travel, my standard answer is, “Everywhere—I want to see the world.”

After a while, I began to think I should actually have some sort of goal list to help me actually go places. Vienna was not on that short list; actually, I can’t remember what cities were because I’ve misplaced that list.

But within the past year, I’ve been to Vienna, Austria, twice. One time with my mother for a week and a half, and the second time I went alone for three months.

Vienna, or Wein as the locals call it, surprised me with its warmth, history, culture, and so much more. It’s shocking that I didn’t swallow any flies for the many times that my mouth hung open in awe over this ancient and yet modern city.

The blend of people allowed me to fit into the pulse of the city, and the sheer beauty available to find created soul songs within me that I didn’t even know existed.

If Vienna isn’t on your travel list, it’s time to erase that top entry and replace it with Vienna. In my opinion, you won’t regret it.

What About You?

Is there a city that you didn’t originally want to visit, but then you did and you’re glad for it? Tell me in the comments so I can add it to my new travel list!

Touring Pittsburgh with Barbara

October 27, 2014 Leave a Comment

If I were to take you around Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers and more bridges than Venice, I would tell you, “This is a tour according to Barbara. It will lack substantial facts of the city, but it will be filled with giggles, heart-to-hearts, and silly voices.”

First, you and I would ditch whatever mode of transportation we entered the city in, whether car, train, or bus. To really see a city, you must take to the streets. Shoes tied snuggly, and purse wedged full of essentials (water bottle, apple, a book to read).

And it’s off to my favorite haunts (because isn’t that Pittsburgh, according to me?).

We’d stroll around the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, enjoying the diversity of age and student. We might duck into the Carnegie Library of Oakland where we can peek in at the dinosaurs of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and gawk at the people filing through the museum. Then, if you’re in the mood for a good view, up to the top of the Cathedral of Learning we’d go by elevator, pretending to be students but failing miserably.

I took my friend Marianne from Fresh Words through some of my favorite spots of Pittsburgh when she came into town for a writer’s conference. We had such fun, if I do say so myself!

But back to what you and I would do!

Then, we’d amble down South Craig Street, bopping in and out of shops on whatever whim we so fancy whether it be noodles, old books, harem pants, or frozen yogurt. I think a part of me believes that this little street secretly opens to another world.

And then, if you’re still up for adventure, we could kayak on the river to see the city from a whole other perspective. If wet isn’t something you like, then to the Strip District (don’t get any ideas, friend) we would allow our feet to wander—a modern day market district of a sort with quaint shops of all kinds, some beautiful and others solely practical. An experience for all your senses. And if you don’t mind a sidewalk trek, we would turn away from the main section and head into the quietness of the Strip District, looking for an ice cream parlor of yesterday. Just when we’d wonder if we would ever find it, we’d see it’s glowing window: Klavon’s.

These are a few of my favorite parts of Pittsburgh, but there are so many other things I could share. Fireworks on the 4th of July on top of Mt. Washington or from Schenley Park where you can see the fireworks of at least five communities. Shows in Heinz Hall. Baseball games at PNC Park. Smiley cookies from Eat ‘N Park.

What About You?

Have you ever visited Pittsburgh? Did you have a favorite sight or activity? Tell me in the comments below so I can check it out next time I’m there!

The Healing Pain

October 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

Healing is pain first.

If the wound is fresh, soap and water. If it is old, you must seek it and reopen it. It doesn’t feel like healing. It’s like pine prickles wedged into your skin with tear crinkles in your eyes.

Maybe I don’t really want healing. I’d rather limp, achey step after achey step.

There are moments when you know that you’re only standing because of crutches, but then there are years, where you didn’t even know that you had a wound—it was such a normal part of life. You stopped noticing the limp.

And maybe, you said no to healing.

A soul-wound or heart-sore so deep that ignoring it eased the already chaotic life mess that defines human existence.

The physical body heals faster than the unseen life-scrapes, unless we chafe at the healing lump of scab, never permitting total recovery because the skin-binding itches; our flesh will heal. When the bandage is lifted and air rushes in, allowing an ugly scab to raise above the skin surface, healing begins. Don’t scratch. Tight, dry skin surrounding itchy scab.

Sometimes you need help to heal correctly. Someone to set the bone or weave your skin back together. Not all healing can happen alone, but it starts with you—desiring to be whole again.

It hurts—healing.

Face to face with the core of your hurt. Choosing graciousness towards your weakness and self-gentleness with your core-wound.

Is pain ever good? Maybe pain is the birthing of healing. It wails your need for a return to wholeness, instigating awareness and proclaiming that something is, in fact, not quite right with you. Pain sirens attention to your wound.

Tears bind soul-gashes with slivered hope and kneaded forgiveness, worked over with strong even if quivery hands.

Skin-scouring tears, leaving trails that you fear will callous on silk cheeks. Caress-soft tears that hint at soul agony and heart brokenness. Tears, not even reaching the eyes, but gushing strong in the caverns of your heart.

When will the pain be so much that it stirs the desire to no longer ache through life’s journey? What will it take to open to healing?