Possibility and self expression
As I mentioned in my last post, I’m trying to be better about documenting my life and work epiphanies as I go. This was partly inspired by Wanda Gág who wrote everything in her journals and learned so much more from life as a result.
So what did I learn from part two of my trip to D.C. and Virginia? I’ll tell you.
Anything is possible, because mushrooms can taste like sushi.
After an emotional day touring the National Mall, Thursday’s adventures were so rejuvenating. Aaron went to his first day of the pharmacy conference, and I took the metro to meet up with my friend Abi Newhouse for lunch (check out her work here!).
We hadn’t seen each other for years (we worked at the same writing center in college), but it felt like no time had passed. Dining with her at PLANTA reminded me that anything was possible because guys, they somehow figured out how to make mushrooms taste like sushi!
And also because seeing someone else pursue their dreams always makes me feel like anything is possible (even though it is really really hard sometimes).
Art museums are best explored alone.
I spent the rest of Thursday at the Phillips Collection, immersed in the world of Mucha, the Czech painter who forever changed the world of graphic design and inspired French Art Nouveau.
First of all, I want this print in my art studio.
Alphonse Mucha, Salon des Cent from The Phillips Collection
And second of all, I realized that my favorite way to do art galleries is by myself, because I don’t have to talk, and my hyper-vigilant brain can calm down to let me just look and feel.
When we have a safe space to express ourselves, we all shine.
My culturing continued in the morning as Aaron and I had the honor of attending one of my uncle’s lectures on Ancient Greece. Aaron asked great questions. I took a full page of notes.
What struck me the most was how important it is for humankind to have a safe space for expression. When we do, we invent incredible things and produce incredible works and connect with each other in big ways.
Speaking of big connection, after the lecture when Aaron went back to his conference and my uncle rested, I got to hang out with my aunt all day. We went to a French bakery and talked about life, politics, religion, and art over tea.
As I think about eating sushi mushrooms with a friend, solo venturing at an art gallery, attending my uncle’s lecture, hearing Aaron’s great questions, and having tea with my aunt, I still feel the warmth of their brilliance. When we have a safe space to express ourselves, we all shine.
What a gift.