Abandon your to-do list and go somewhere else. Somewhere new. Somewhere you have wanted to explore. Bring a camera and take a picture to celebrate the moment when you abandoned anxiety and insecurity, embraced imagination and opportunity, and let life unfold.
I attempted to go on an adventure after work yesterday, but soon realized after my face was frozen to my skull that I would book it to the warmth of my home. Here is a recap of adventures I have gone on in the last year.
1. Crossed the Delaware (Lambertville-ish, NJ)
2. Found Hum-z's dream car (Philadelphia Auto Show, PA)
3. Visited my bro and sis-in-law/attended my first baby shower (Greenbelt, MD)
4. Survived Snow-pocalypse and 3 days without power (Princeton, NJ)
5. FINALLY took pictures of my thesis model
6. Participated in the oldest 4th of July celebration in the country (Bristol, RI, see below)
7. Met Landon Donovan..Eek! (Princeton, NJ)
8. Danced the night away with my mom and aunts (Raleigh, NC)
9. Got our own place (Princeton, NJ)10. Made it a home (Princeton, NJ)11. Climbed to new heights (Bear Mountain, NY via car)
12. Got my best friend married and didn't totally fail at maid-of-honor duties despite 2 hours of sleep (Chicopee, MA)
13. Had a great photo shoot with some of my best friends! (Hyde Park, NY)
14. Braved the wilderness (Staatsburg, NY)
15. Celebrated 6 years with my love and realized I need more NYC in my life (New York, NY)
16. Met my brand new niece! (Greenbelt, MD)
225th Bristol, RI Fourth of July Celebration (We're the top right of the curve of the first 2.)
I had the chance to visit the Highline Public Garden Project on the lower west side in Manhattan. Unfortunately, after being on the train from New Jersey for 10 minutes, I realized that I had left my battery in its charger at home and would be without my camera for the day. Severe disappointment. But I went with a friend who took pictures for me.
The first section runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 20th Street in Chelsea. It was designed by Diller Scofidio & Renfro and stands thirty feet in the air. Having just opened on June 9, 2009, great masses have already flocked to the attraction, and for good reason. Even though it was crowded, and most of the benches were already occupied, the project offers different angles of the city that cannot be seen from anywhere else. Not only a means of connection from the Meatpacking district to 34th Street, the park offers a variety of different plantings ranging from a moss-land, to tall meadow, to wetland, and heavy woodland. My favorite aspect of the project was the amphitheater overlooking 10th Avenue. There, the elevated garden crosses the street and one can see the taxis passing underneath through a large picture window. It is also handicap accessible with a ramp zig-zagging through the area. Elevators are also located on 10th and West 16th, and 10th and West 14th.
Overall, the garden gives one a sense of "disconnection" from the city, while still being completely connected to the city. The custom paved areas and exposed train tracks pay tribute to the purpose that the structure held previously. Even if the tracks were moved to create the affect, it gives one the sense that this place is just an overgrown railroad. I highly suggest a visit to the Highline.
For more information, checkout
The Highline: http://www.thehighline.org/
Map of the Highline: http://www.thehighline.org/about/maps
Diller Scofidio & Renfro: http://www.dsrny.com/ 
