So Much Resistance

We're only three months into this brave, new world and sometimes it feels like all the hoopla of the initial few weeks is settling into a quiet storm. The need to resist is growing stronger. And in order to do so, it's important to find new ways to engage. With that in mind, I took the girls to a charter school symposium organized by Amanda at the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights last weekend. It was a good opportunity to support their cause and also teach the kids about community and coming together peacefully. Mr. Alan, the music teacher from AOC, lead us in rewriting the lyrics to John Lennon's "Imagine," and I think it was cool to see how the kids could find some creative ways to communicate their fears and hopes for the future of our country. Unfortunately, I had to skate off to help retool the park's shed shortly thereafter, but it was a productive morning all the same. Nacho and I had enjoyed a nice meal in the city together after his return from abroad. We ended up having lunch at Momofuko Ssam Bar which was a total accident, but a tasty one nonetheless. It was one of those meandering walks through the East Village where you don't realize a plan is developing until you are on your way home with a full belly and a happy heart. I need more of those days. The rest of the week was about park meetings for events, shuttling kids around in the still chilly weather and hoping for a good turn out on Sunday for the St. Pat's for All parade which always sneaks up on me. It turned out to be a clear, if windy afternoon and our plans to hang out all sort of melted with Carolina's resistance to us not buying toys at the parade. Yes, resistance comes in ALL forms around here and the thought is not lost on me that I am raising strong willed, independent girls with opinions. Oh the joy. 

But it was in their honor that I celebrated International Women's Day on March 8th this year which coincided with the Women's March on Washington's initiative Day Without Women. The idea was to wear red, not join in any paid or unpaid work, support local woman-owned or minority-owned businesses, and to basically disrupt the status quo. For me, that all sounded great except I really figured I could do whatever the fuck I wanted as long as it empowered the women I surrounded myself with. I didn't have work to stay home from, so why not make it a day about celebrating everything I love? So I recruited a friend to tuck into some amazing doughnuts at the Doughnut Project on Morton Street in the West Village and that kicked off a brilliant day of eating and cruising the city, living large. And why not? We made it towards Madison Square Park by lunch time and then the thought of having a lighter lunch at Eataly's veggie stand came to mind. Let's do it. It was a tasty day and one that made me happy to have such companionship and support for going off the beaten path.