My life resembles a pendulum.
Two days ago, I was driving down the crazy streets of Newark, rain on my windows, and single tears falling down my face while a faithful friend made a valiant effort to cheer me up. Thanks again :) I was lonely and bored and frustrated. I wanted to go into the City so badly, but the rain (and ridiculous lack of parking at the bus station) prevented by plans. I ended up wandering aimlessly around Ikea for two hours, admiring $6.99 curtains, and eating a burger at Ruby Tuesday's...alone. It was a low point.
Then yesterday, I had one of the best days this month...maybe this summer! I rose early and took the bus to the train station (no need to park), caught the train to the World Trade Center, and hopped on the subway to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was an hour and a half commute yet fully and completely worth it.
I made my way into one of the most extensive Egyptian exhibits I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot). I gazed wide-eyed at mummy after mummy, ran my hand across an actual sarcophagus (with permission, of course), and stood...STOOD...inside the Temple of Dendur. It's dated to around 15 B.C., and the carvings are still very much visible. The MET moved it to the states in the 1960's. It was one of those "wow" moments in life. If I never make it to Egypt, I will be partially okay. :) I hit up the American, European, African, Medieval, and Modern art exhibits too before finding the caf for a bite to eat.
Art stirs great things within me. I see so much of God's beauty and creation in a painting, a sculpture, a piece of woven fabric. He enables normal people to create timeless pieces of beauty from nothing. A simple tube of paint when paired with the master's hand produces such perfection. Even the modern pieces that seem to contain such disorder are, in reality, quite beautiful. Isn't that just like God? What we see as simple or irregular is a masterpiece in another's eye. Wow.
Anyway, after almost 4 hours in the museum, I made my way back to Jersey. More plans. :) I drove to South Jersey to meet up with Ed Pietrowski and Jerry McCarty. I went to Master's with these guys, and it was so amazing to see them. They understand an element within me that only another Master's alum can. They introduced me to an authentic Philly Cheesesteak (yum!). Then we threw knives at a tree...don't ask. haha Later, we hit up the county fair, complete with a petting zoo and full carnival. The tilt-o-whirl was fantastic. :) The evening concluded with a few hilarious rounds of Wii mini-games! Man, I wish I could hang out with them more. It was fun guys. :)
But it's back to reality tomorrow. I have a trip to Austin with another long layover. (If you live in or around Austin, you should hang out with me.) Then I head to Las Vegas on Sunday, ending with a red eye back to Newark. It should be interesting. Ha.
Good night :)
