Article first published as Adventure Around the Corner: New York City Style on Technorati. In New York City for Bar Mitzvah Dos, we met Agnes, an event painter, working at the incredible party planned to celebrate the Jewish ritual to bring my nephew to adulthood. Watching her create an oil painting of our family and … Continued
Article first published as The Secrets of Happy Marriages on Technorati. This recent sunset in Brentwood, California reminded me of the one a year ago when we got married at Casa Del Mar, December 19, 2009. I thought, “We made it! One year of marriage! Thank goodness we both showed up for the first blind … Continued
Rich Text Article first published as Race to Nowhere: do we have a map? on Technorati. The movie, Race to Nowhere, has brought new attention to education and student motivation. I hope that this film inspires dialogue about what school could become. As Seth Godin says in his 2010 book, Linchpin, Are you Indispensible?, the … Continued
Article first published as Race to Nowhere on Technorati. Race to Nowhere is a new movie about our schools, our students and ourselves. The issue of homework causes family arguments, feelings of stress, suicide and illness and some students take drugs to stay up late and finish their work. We seem to have forgotten that children’s play is … Continued
At this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for all the people who traveled to be with us and to celebrate with us! We were lucky to spend Thanksgiving with our family and celebrate Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah together. I read this poem which my sister found for me at the Bar Mitzvah, and was reminded … Continued
Article first published as A Meaningful Life on Technorati. Last Sunday on a beautiful sunny day in Simi Valley at Marsha Wachtell’s funeral, her spirit and connections were evident as many of the over 500 people present commented on her positive outlook and how she never complained or focused on having an incurable disease. She continued to … Continued
Article first published as Spirit of Adventure on Technorati. Last Sunday, I woke up and wanted an adventure. When I am in another country, “Adventure” with a capital A is always right around the corner. I knew if I tried I could find an adventure in the big city of Los Angeles. In the movie, Up, … Continued
George and I in Ha Long Bay in Viet Nam “Travel’s power is two fold: it is both a vehicle for enlightenment and a powerful agent of global change. Together we can make a difference.” Klara Glowczewska, Editor in Chief, Conde Nast Traveler I love the quote about the power of travel. Do you think … Continued
Peace Corps and the Princess Four Seasons Kuda Hura, MaldivesPhoto by Tim Yeung George was in the Peace Corps, lived in Paraguay, dug his own latrine and was the only one in his village who could wash dishes inside since he created the only “sink” in “town.” During the same time, I lived onboard a … Continued
Sri Lanka has really been full of adventures! When we were in Sigiria at the Flower Inn, the owner said, ” Don’t wander far because of the wild elephants!” In all the countries and continents I have been to, this is the first time I have been told that…the elephants walk on the road and … Continued