A “Stranger” in a Familiar Land

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Harry Brake

I wanted to start out saying that it is funny how great it is in Mexico with location, discovery, and culture.  You think you know the layout and you never, ever quite do.  Yet, I think the same thing could be said of areas I am familiar with, Takoma Park, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania.  Finding treasures that have been there and you have been unaware about for periods of time, amazing.

The GREAT thing about allowing yourself time to explore what you take for granted and finding the unknown, is having someone help you remember and lead you to such places.  Such was the case this past Saturday, with Azteca Travel.  I had no idea what to meant, where it was, but we were headed to the Delagacion of Iztapalapa,  IMG_1290, the nature and  archaeological site of Cerro de la Estrella, the Fuego Nuevo Museum, and a hike, with a view, that we’d never forget.

Yes, I was still EXHAUSTED from an “snow” flight and escaping the northern storms, however, somehow when I woke up in the middle of the night, and saw the chance to attend this trip, something seemed right about the whole thing despite the state of my sleep deprivation.  I luckily was the last person accepted out of 26 people, and once I found out that morning I was able to go, accepted, I rushed to walk the dogs, ran to the metro, and made my way south on the Green line 2 from the very end, watching my watch the whole time and making it with exactly 5 minutes to spare

(this brought back flashbacks of me in the airport a few days ago).

I was excited to see a colleague from ASF as well as some friends I had been lucky enough to meet along the way, and what a DAY!  I mean, the chilliness we had been subjected to (Mexican style, not northern) was clear, the sun was out, and it was actually HOT!   This was a perfect day for this trip!

We walked about 30 minutes and then came upon the area that no joke, for Easter and the reenactment of the crucifixion and the cross, over a MILLION people came to this spot to see this famous reenactment! IMG_1389 A million!   That is like, me getting on the metro in the morning! (Not really)  To imagine a million people and then the importance of this reenactment was amazing to be able to be there (without the million people of course).

The walk turned into a scenic hike IMG_1293 as we began to see the city of Mexico as we made our way up higher and higher, and I mean HIGHER.  For some odd reason, I was not winded, I made the trek without pause and kept on hauling, until, as we passed a museum IMG_1324 that was a little less than a halfway point, not open yet, we began again, I realized, wow, I am in okay shape!   We kept on going higher, higher, steps then…

Whoa.  A pyramid.  IMG_1311  This is the one thing that never fails to amaze me.  In the middle of Mexico City, you can go into a National Park and be surrounded by so much nature, so much native culture, history, and powerful sites, it is breathtaking.  IMG_1316 Here we were at the top of a pyramid that seriously looked all over Mexico City, and you could see the amazing patches of green the city had to offer, and you just had to sit and take it all in.  Yet, the beauty at the top was not all.  IMG_1333

As we made our way to the museum, we happened on traditional dancers at the door and found out, this was the inauguration of the museum!  IMG_1346  Talk about timing!  We saw a representative of UNUM discussing the importance of this museum, and then we were witnessing the ribbon-cutting ceremony – time was definitely on our side today.  Going in we saw the IMG_1353  commemoration of Jesus and his walk with the cross IMG_1358that was enacted in this area.  Also, the paintings that were exhibited in the other gallery were symbols of the pain and tragedy that had been occurring with the lost 43 students in the past year.  

IMG_1371    IMG_1372     IMG_1373 IMG_1374     IMG_1375         IMG_1377 IMG_1378       IMG_1380         IMG_1381

The paintings certainly held a powerful hold once you took them all in.

Looking back on this amazing day, it is totally true to say Mexico is still only BEGINNING to awe me with so many unseen and powerful geographic locations – culturally charged areas – and breathtaking views in and out of the city.  This happen chance onto the inauguration of the museum, was one of many feelings you felt as you left a day filled with so much heritage to this area.

This also is the fastest growing area in Mexico, and yet many are wary of this area due to crime.  However, it was absolutely a pleasure to see one of many areas in Mexico not even known, let alone aware of its beauty.  Snow might be beautiful where I left from the northern part of the United States on vacation, but, the constant opportunities of historical culture, beautiful surroundings, and priceless people you get to know and learn more about Mexico with is something that lingers with you always no matter where you go within Mexico.

What is exciting is that there are individuals willing to take the time to show you something new, something original, and in our backyard like Azteca Travel, every day CAN be a new adventure and this certainly was.  If you take in the irony of being in the right place, at the right time, the inauguration of the museum, the amazing day, great guides and information full of mystique and beauty, how ELSE could you imagine spending a Saturday morning – Hard to imagine a better way.

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Escaping Blustery Winter to…wait?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Harry Brake

Of course I decided to do the unthinkable, head back to Mexico from a great family Christmas break the night before school.  I never, ever, allowed myself to do this before because yes, the day or so to settle back in was essential, crucial and SANE.  Right?  Yet, making as much time as possible to be with family trumps “planning time”, right?  🙂  The night before, (and having gone all week without seeing snow but feeling dropping temperatures the last two days leading up to January 6th) – rumors of an actual snowfall were seen on the news.  Yet, being involved in the storms while in Pittsburgh, Lake Erie, this was just hearsay, right?

Tuesday morning, waking at 5:00 AM, packing, packing, not bothering to look outside until my cousin stated, “It’s here!”  Looking out – HOLY COW!   SNOW!  I mean SNOW on the ground, (pshshh)  snow coming down,  pu shhhh pu shhhh (this sounds like a rap), SNOW STORM!!!!!  I started packing a little quicker, headed out the door at 5:50 AM, heading to the TakomaTakoma metro station.  Once there, I unloaded my bags, into at least 2 inches of snow and more coming down, donning my gold mohawk hat, ASF scarf, and Seaford jacket, and headed to the metro pronto.  I grabbed the train and mistakenly started heading at 6:10 AM towards what I thought was IAD (But I NEEDED DCA AIRPORT!) lolroute, but ended up in Rossalyn Station and needing to get to the BLUE line to Reagan Airport.  6:20, and the plane leaves at 7:20 – what are my chances.  An awesome security metro helped me get back on track, I jumped on the metro, heading to Reagan, good, on my way.  Seeing everyone come in snow-covered wondering how much heavier of snow this last day of mine was going to bring.

Closer, closer, 7:00 AM and the plane leaves in 20 minutes, waiting at the check in behind a Delta clerk on the phone, doing a nervous dance at this point (similar to the dance you do when you need to go the bathroom) – finally at the desk, wondering how close I am to 50 pounds (the limit), the Delta man looking at me telling me “You’re late for your plane!” and me thinking, um YEAH!  I KNOW!  LOL  but also thinking, snow and the slippery station in waiting for the metro would also slow others down.  At this point, I panicked and looked at the scale for my suitcase rise to 52, 54, 56 pounds!  56 pounds over and costing me an extra 100 dollars?  No way.  I grabbed the suitcase, unzipped like MAD, stuffing, stuffing into my carry on bag, taking out books, books, piling them behind me, and zipping back up, weight….51 pounds ONE POUND OVER.  You have GOT to be kidding me.  Delta man pushing my bag though and telling me to GO GO GO! (one pound thank goodness was NOT a major concern!)

Rushing to the gate, security, taking everything I own it seems out and onto the conveyor, and not going quickly at all.  Finally past security as though I feel I am dressing in front of everyone, (lol)  7:15 – 5 minutes before departure.  NO WAY I am thinking.  Racing to the gate, and giving them my ticket to board and saying before any thoughts surface, “Ma’am, I missed my plane I know…” and the Delta lady replying, “No, you haven’t missed anything!” and I realized, SNOW.  Snow1I look past the desk woman, and yep, no way I am moving anywhere, I look up and the boated says on time and I am thinking, on time?  On time?  What is on time?  My crazy packed, bags on the conveyor belt, my haphazard haggard looking self out of breath?  Laughing because I almost did not make a plane that was not even near our gate, I realized, the snow saved me.  Kind of.

Watching and switching gates roughly three times trying to figure out where our plane would be heading to Atlanta (this taking over a 2 1/2 hour period) no kidding, the sinking feeling hit me as I watched tons of airport crews outside de-icing planes.  How comfortable did I feel getting on a plane that was currently covered in ice and snow, De icingbeing de iced, and going up into the very weather that the snow was coming down from?  I have to say I felt less that slightly uneasy, and well, did not know what to think.

After we were told roughly around 10:40 AM we could board our plane to Atlanta, and not sure I wanted to at this point, I did, (realizing I had lost my Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 10.06.09 PMNokia Mexican phone I had held onto with a death grip for four years -NOOOOOOOOOooooooooo), and here we were.  I was sitting beside someone from Chicago (so I could not have any room to talk about SNOW) whose plane also have been maneuvered several times and he managed to get ours, so looks like he would be going first to Atlanta, then to Chicago?, but we talked about the interview he had had with the editing/publishing firm Littleman in D.C., and realized we had been sitting on this plane for over 2 hours, waiting for them to de-ice the plane once, twice and yeah, a third time half way.  The pilots kept apologizing thinking we would be taking off and ready in 10 minutes (which was like squared to the 7th dimension) and no kidding, about 1:00PM maybe?  we started moving to the runway.

No I will be honest, I was not sure initially how I felt about boarding a plane that needed to be de-iced, and being the first plane out of all others to be taking off into the very snow that had kept us delayed, while all other planes were waiting – I felt like we would be the example to other planes whether they would end up leaving or not (If they make it into the air, we’re good, if they come back down with a bang, we’ll wait) – however, it was too late now as we – YES!  In the air towards Mexico!!!!!

I truly cannot tell you how excited I was to be near snowless air as we neared the sun and Atlanta.  In Atlanta, although I had a layover that was not leaving until 7:30, I four myself in Atlanta, about three hours later than expected due to the snow, so 4:00ish was not so bad to wait until 7:30.  Once at the gate for Mexico City from Atlanta, we did find this gate also had been moved to another side of the airport, but with no snow to contend with, I felt I could play musical gates all night if need be.  Switching gates once, all else was smooth boarding, and the movie the neighbor boy was watching turned out to be okay even without headphones (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and MazeRunner!).

Coming into Mexico, I was well, actually a okay!   9:00 PM ish I I actually was ready to tackle school the next day, yeah!  I can do this!  I found a great taxi, the driver raced to my home in record time, and I was in my apartment by 10:30 PM easily – and NO SNOW!  Of course I felt the air much warmer than where I can flown in from, but, still, for Mexico it is chilly I realized the night of January 6th.  The dogs were crazy ecstatic, so were the cats, and artist Andres from Walking Dog had done an amazing job (I was so glad I had cleaned the apartment before I left!!!)

School came the next day, and whoa!  I can do this Yeah, I am not even….then it hit me.  No kidding.  From Wednesday to Friday, I felt like I could not get enough sleep even if I had gone into hibernation.  I found myself rushing home and in bed and not waking a moment until the next morning, and well serves me right.  That whole idea of coming in the day before school, right? 🙂  But, Saturday …well okay, that will have to wait until the next post…I might not have had a white Christmas but whoa, the snow did come just in time  🙂

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Gold beyond the pages of Repentino….

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Harry Brake

Repentino. Achieves Gold! letter from CSPA.

Repentino. period Article from 2014 WINTER Focus magazine,

Common Core and Repentino.,

and Repentino. at Tumblr  to submit your work until February 14, 2015!

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Check out page 35!   AASSA Newsletter!

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Red Lines, Brass lands, and Coincidence in between.

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Harry Brake

Strolling through the Wheaton Library basement book store (amazing if you have never been there, books for $1.00 and TONS of books, new, classics, records, Cd’s, and more, one of Maryland’s gem of a place) and there it was – the CD of Brasslands.  Only the night before had we seen on television, the commercial for the show Raw Travel, that mentioned Serbia and how it is mostly known in error for war, while it has so much more to offer.  I learned this first hand at the Mexico 9th annual Documentary Film Festival watching Syria’s story in  Red Lines and then also Brasslands about Serbia.  There, lying on the top of all the cd’s, in Wheaton, Maryland, was the cd Brasslands from the VERY film I first witnessed in Mexico!  I had to grab it for 25 cents, but there is a connection I think lying on the surface I will expound upon before leaving this post.  Let me dip into the history of the two amazing films I did take to heart at November 2014’s Documentary Film Festival in Mexico City.

Red Lines was enough to cut to your heart.  Seeing the activist’s energy against a outnumbered stack of odds, from Senator McCain, to trailing to the U.K., to the U.S., and behind the scenes, and over and over, the activity behind the scenes in Syria, you realize the media, the political, and the terror that reigns on both sides of the fence of the world.

The same occurs with the documentary titled Brasslands, and also the amazing culture, and not war, that occurs in Serbia through music.  Seeing the producers of the is film after this film was amazing as well, and what hit him is how much is so unknown excepts through news casts, which often twists the truth about areas to such a degree.

Even with this ironic chance of seeing the Brasslands cd lying right on top worlds away, in Maryland, one thing is so strong and important.  I personally would not have known anything about the cd Brasslands had I not discovered the documentary about Serbia, changing my mind about what Serbia really is like, triggering the interest in what it is like half way around the world.

With the conversation on Common Core, the not thing Common Core as well as educators need to do, is have those connections as well in and out of the classroom.  By bringing in non-fiction and videos, cultural speakers, and making connections on our own as educators, alongside the students, the Common Core ideals of making connections, here, there, around the world and back, can happen.  It just needs to be fun rather than formulaic.  Being able to have a lightbulb turn on later on down the road, based on something that was viewed, discussed, or brought up is the true meaning of Common Core, taking common knowledge needed to be learned and having the freedom, creativity, and ability to connect ideas together and see the similarities, discrepancies in media, as well as the differences is truly what learning is about.

No doubt the chance encounter of a cd found in Maryland that mirrored my recollection of a documentary I saw in Mexico, is a statement that no matter what country we are in, be it Mexico, the United States, or in the Eastern Asian Continent, a true common core and learning experience is finding creative and interesting connections in the world around us and bringing them to the class for discussion, and challenging students to test the boundaries of the world with these lessons to see how they can be fulfilled.

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A History of Connectivity…

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Harry Brake

So, most recently, there was 2014 :

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Then there was 2013…

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and then 2012…

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and believe it or not, 2011…

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and at the top AND the bottom of it all, is you, all of you have made this blog experience an amazing AMAZING adventure that is going into 2015, and even more important, holding yourself to be selfless in the information that you cover and provide, and for that, you as participants allow this blog to be successful  Thank you so incredibly much  😉

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Despite What Country You Are In, Country was the Hit List While in Delaware!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Harry Brake

Here is the hit list of when I was in Delaware in the 2014!!!!

(and I LOVED connecting with my country roots and self!)

Take it on back

Blink

Sunshine and whisky

Felt good on my lips

Life is a highway

Couldn’t you

When the sun goes down

In My Car 

Cruise

Lonely Eyes

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2014 What do you remember? MY top hits of 2014!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Harry Brake

I am giving into temptation and listing the most memorable aspects of 2014 (NOT in ORDER):

-Taking a record number of amazing students from Repentino. to New York City and taking the first ever New York Cruise – and EVERYTHING about New York City this year!

-Finishing a seven year trek into my second Master’s from Mansfield University – FINISHING!

-Presenting with  an all star-studded cast at COLUMBIA University!

-Doubling the number of views on my blog.

-Meeting Tony from Egypt.

-Participating in National Novel Writing Month.

-Winning the 2014 Halloween contest as one of the Blue Man Group members.

-Eating an authentic Thanksgiving Dinner at Pinche Gringo.

-Being the winner of La Liga Fantasy Football and trophy until the 2014 season.

-Going home for Christmas.

-Reading 60 books in 2014.

-Seeing the Bears Football win the Championship and go undefeated!

-Fully engaged in the World Cup and collecting stamps of players this year.

-Receiving the Advocacy class one could hope for in 2014!

-Watching the Pittsburgh Steelers with Pittsburgers in Mexico and coming back!

-Being asked to be a part of the Les Miserables dedication ceremony – whoa and wow.

-Breathing Delaware beach air and reuniting with Delaware-ean favorites and heart throbs 🙂

-Winning the GOLD Crown Award at Columbia with an all studded cast in New York City!

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MX to ATL, to D.C, to DE :)

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Harry Brake

Looking back at the trip back to Delaware, without driving, was exciting to say the least.

Initially planning on staying in Mexico due to several issues, but then being resolved, I was excited to say the least to be heading back home in almost what had been a year and a half and it was the holiday season.

Finding a flight, round trip for under $750.00 through Kayak was reassuring, and I knew despite missing Kinah, Wriggley, and Amaya, as well as Hangover, Dewey, and Suzy, thanks to the amazing care and service of Andres with Walking Dog, I knew I would be on my way.

For the first time, I was able to spend a few days before the 21st, to totally organize and clean the apartment to make reentry back to Mexico easier.  Seeing an amazing concert on the 20th, I knew the holiday season was on.  Being lucky enough to see Larry Tharp’s guitar, choir, and bell concert,  changed paces to see an amazing, AMAZING concert at Casa Lamm with the Mexico City Chamber Music Group led by Sarah Villarreal – the most amazing thing – the music was so crisp and amazingly clear – it surely was surreal to see the passion of the performers but the music was almost impossible to believe was coming for the performers, it was one of the most amazing performances I have ever seen, heard, or felt.

This was amazing that this occurred just around the block from my house, quite difficult to believe.  The days leading up to my departure were relaxed, while my anticipation rose each hour.  On the day leaving to the airport from Mexico, I ran into a friend who sat with me with her dog at the park, and it was utterly amazing I would be leaving on such an incredibly warm, sunny day in Mexico.  It seemed surreal and I couldn’t believe I would be going to somewhere that invites cold and snow lol.

As I went into the taxi towards the airport, I still didn’t fail to recognize the very corners of my neighborhood that I had come to love.  From the delis to the walks around corners with my dogs, as well as various shops, I realized this truly was a place that I could never put into words how this neighborhood makes you feel and it truly was home.

Delta was in fact great.  I boarded, first bag checked for free, but since I carried a huge amount of items from Mexico, of course I paid an overweight fee, but was to anxious to get home to care  🙂

In arriving in Atlanta, and as I waited for my bags to transfer them to my plane from Atlanta to Washington D.C., I met a fellow teacher from Cuernevaca who teaches at the Swiss School that was headed to Ohio, and we laughed as we patiently waited to make our connections.  I also realized that the world is a lot smaller when you spend time to get tho help and know those around you!

As we boarded the plane to D.C., a young girl that sat to my left kept falling asleep, sometimes on my shoulder, sometimes falling forward, however, when we circled into D.C. at the Reagan import, it was amazing to see the individual houses from the air, with the specific lights, then before you realized it, the White House, Washington Monument, and wow, I was actually home!  That night, I met face to face with the airport Christmas tree, awesome holiday lights, and as I took the metro, the last one at that, and my cousin Roger met me, and I made it to Takoma Park, and stayed up for a few house talking and catching up and then just relaxing into a deep deep sleep.

In going to DE to pick up my Mom who did NOT know I was coming, and yes she was shocked  🙂  , and bringing my Mom back to Takoma Park the same day with my cousin Lois was great to do.  On the way back, hitting Cracker Barrel was DELICIOUS.  Between the pie, the biscuits and gravy, okay you get the idea.  We spent the next three days that included Christmas with my cousins from Tennessee, and together as a family was pretty phenomenal.  Some of my favorite gifts received were Steelers gear in the form of earbuds, cinch stacks, an umbrella, as well as a host of cool items for my dogs and cats!  I was able to pick up clothes and books that had been waiting, as well as a basket full of mail that helped me go back and check on via retirement financial records, past reminders and more.

Heading back to Delaware for a few days, I was excited to see familiar sites that had not been seen and made me feel like home. Over the course of several days, I was able to see former colleagues and coaches, freinds dear and clear to my heart from the past and the present, that had been with me as a teacher, amazing and talented athletes that were growing up in front of me, inspiring views of the beaches, Chapel Branch plans, as well as individual moments of taking in the success of my friends that struggled and are finding their way.  I think there could be nothing better.

Seeing Chapel Branch, seeing Soroptomist Park, and seeing Seaford, all I could see is potential and possibility, and hoped that many that lived in Seaford could also see this legacy too.  Being able to see Into the Woods was a highlight as well, and seeing what the Main Streets of Hight Street brought back memories of running with the XC team in training on those very hot, hot days, yet ones I would never trade for the world.

Seeing Sal’s, Applebee’s, Pizza Hut, and Davelli’s brought back memories as well of the places where we gathered as friends on countless times to just enjoy the highlights of events.  What I love is that I can come back to DE and enjoy the very places I never was able to enjoy before, telling me, no matter what profession we are in, we need to find ways to enjoy those moments as if seeing them from afar.  Seeing Bethany and visiting with so many people that we have invested those moments with, is truly priceless, and to continue to do only increases the value of our life now and in the future, as well as looking in our past.

As I find myself in Takoma Park, Maryland, I look forward to seeing some specific exhibits that appear in various museums and spending time to catch up with much to be ahead when 2015 rolls around.  However, looking back, the main reason Delaware is considered home is due to the special family and friends that make up that very family.  I know Delaware is one of the smallest states in the United States, however, there are treasures, similar to Mexico, that reveal themselves that you finding others should know about 🙂

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2014 Closing Out Many Chances to Capitalize on in 2015!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Harry Brake

I have heard many say it around me, and it does mean something, 2014 FLEW like I can never remember.  In looking back, there is so much to remember, so much to reflect on, and so much to be thankful for.

Yes, I did skip my traditional on Thanksgiving Day blog post of thanks because I knew there would be so much more to be thankful for in the days to come and yes, that was certainly true.

Based on the many personal achievements from gaining a new Master’s Degree, to working through the previous and current adventures of an artistic magazine known as Repentino., to learning through positive and negative experiences, feedback, and enlightening, disappointing, and light bulb moments, I did realize some of the most important things…

“Weather” the hard times despite the initial urge to lash out. In simply lashing out, you create a dead end, no other choices.  In riding out the bad times, they lead to future chances to make it better, or to simply allow yourself an opportunity.  I learned this on personal, academic and professional level.

DO indeed, despite it being more difficult, give attention to the details.  The more time I spent going over the details, sending out the thanks to individuals rather than to as a group when I could, the more thankful I was and will be later on as well.

Reconnect and continue to connect with the amazing friends/family you once had, patch up disagreements, and strengthen communication, this lasts longer than any phone network, agreement, internet connection, or technology innovation, and it lasts a lifetime without regret.

Open up more opportunities for nothing but reading, reflecting, or last minute plans to head somewhere, even if sometimes they do not happen.  Those lull moments I am still getting used to, but never had, and relish them now more than ever!

Use your education, skills, and expertise in creative and different ways at least once a month. Diving into unknown areas has been the most rewarding aspect of 2014 for me, and I have learned so much due to that revelation.

Others think they know you, but you know you.  Stick with what your heart says is true.  So often negative attitudes, words, or thoughts can stop you in your tracks from moving forward anywhere.  Some mistake confidence for cockiness.  As long as you move forward, are confident and do not let anyone, anything, stop you, ad you include others in your plans along the way, as well as yourself, do not fret.  It all works out for the better.

Distance is always compromised by good intentions.  Never let the distance in miles cut off relationships with those that can support you, and you them.  Truly, it is easy to connect with someone across the world today, but doing so with a purpose to help others and delve into your creative side is more than a connection, more than uniting the miles when you put heart into that connection.

As 2014 turns into 2015, the above and many more resolutions realized, that are achievable, will strengthen not only our countries, but the connections we maintain to keep each of us going.  It could be through the written word, the stage, the sounds and music we hear, the families we belong to and create, as well as the word we read and are told, but what it comes down to is, be true to yourself and those around you.  I am now 100% this is true after seeing how amazing 2014 was and how lucky I was to be surrounded by the individuals that made 2014 that way  🙂

Have a well deserved 2014 closing and a 2015 that starts off with areas to be fulfilled!

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2014 in review

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Harry Brake

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,800 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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