Philadelphia is My Home

17
Sep

Starting Some New Routines

Author: Momish, Category: General, Local Charity, Resources, Something to Do, Volunteer

Now that summer is over and school has begun, I am sure you are settling back into your usual routines.

There is just something about the fall, with the change in the air, that makes me become reflective and serene.  Maybe its the fact that you can sit outside comfortably without sweating to death or swatting away a million bugs.  In any case, these past few nights have been great for chilling in the back yard and thinking, thinking, thinking.

I like to give myself fresh starts come fall.  Maybe pick up new projects, begin a new task, kick start a lingering idea or project…

One of the things I definitely want to do this year is to volunteer my time.  I want to get my daughter involved in volunteer work too.  She is old enough to be of some help for a few hours a week, I think. 

So I have been researching volunteer opportunities around the area.  With the toddler I am fairly limited, but still managed to find a few options.  And just in case you too were sitting around these past few nights reflecting on ways to bring more enrichment into your lives, I am passing along some of the volunteer opportunities I stumbled upon.  It’s never too late to start a new routine and fall is the best time to do it.

Volunteering is like buying a pair of shoes though. It has to be a good fit.  For your personality, your schedule and your passions.  Otherwise it becomes a second job, instead of means of personal fulfillment and growth.

I think the kid and I are gonna put in some hard physical labor over at Philabundance a few hours a week (still waiting to hear if they need us so wish me luck!).

Center for Literacy - Adult Tutoring (3 hours per week)

The Career Wardrobe - Boutique Assistants (1 hour per week)

Philabundance - Food drives, packaging, etc. (not sure of hours and days)

Check out Greater Philadelphia Cares for many more opportunities available.  And if you have an organization that needs helping hands, please feel free to give us a shout out!

13
Sep

Bloody Good Ballet

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Entertainment, Family Friendly, Nightlife, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

The Pennsylvania Ballet is performing Dracula again this year.  And indeed, it is a bloody good ballet!

The costumes and set design of this ballet are magnificent.  I have seen it twice and each time was mesmerized by the contrast between the graceful and beautiful dances against the gloomy and sinister settings.

 Kids too would like this ballet due to it’s special effects and easy-to-follow well known story line.  Lots of beautiful fairy tale like costumes paired with dancers flying around stage (literally). 

 Performances begin October 26th, just in time to jump start that Halloween feeling.  They even have a performance on Halloween, if you aren’t bogged down with taking your little ones trick or treating that is.

I will probably skip it this year, seeing as I have already seen it.  But, you never know.   This kind of stuff never gets old.

If the full priced tickets are too steep for you, remember you can always show up an hour before performance time and try your luck at scoring half priced tickets.  Considering this is the third year they are doing this ballet, chances are good that most regulars and die-hards have already seen it.

Here’s a tip: Go in pairs for the half priced tickets.  Last time we went to the ballet an hour before show time, there were three of us.  The best seats they could give us were in the nose bleed section.  Meanwhile, we saw plenty of empty seats much closer, but only with two seats together at the most.  Therefore, I suggest going in even numbers so you can break up into pairs and get the best seats available!

Visit the PA Ballet website for more details about Dracula and other upcoming performances.  Dracula runs from 10/26-11/03.

10
Sep

Philly Parents Under A Microscope

Author: Momish, Category: General, Just Ranting, Kids, Local News

Have you had a chance to read the article in this month’s Philadelphia Magazine about Bad Parents, written by Tom McGrath? If you haven’t, then I suggest you take a moment and read it.  It’s that good.  And necessary, I might add.

I am so excited about this article and similar articles I have recently read that finally are speaking up and lashing out at the ridiculous parenting trends of today.  You know what I am talking about, where the child is the center of the universe and all that stuff.   Where parents are too emeshed and involved in their kids lives, to the point of overlooking their own lives as valuable.

My favorite passage was the author recalling how his parents never got involved in his childhood endeavors, yet alone managing and controlling them like today’s parents do:

“The only time I remember either of them getting involved was the day my mother casually suggested that rather than making 67 phone calls, we simply agree to meet every morning at a particular time. It was a great idea that I completely ignored, but to my mother’s unending credit, she never mentioned it again. Perhaps because she had a life.”

That last line had me cheering in my seat.  What is wrong with having a life? Why is it that parents suddenly forgo their own existence the minute they have a kid.  Suddenly, the kid’s soccer and ballet schedules override the parent’s social life.  Suddenly, the kid’s school achievements override the parent’s career advancement.

I don’t get it.  I don’t want to get. But I am glad other people are finally speaking out and doing valuable research that shows such over coddling only hurts and hinders in the end.

As the author keenly points out:

“Unfortunately, evidence is steadily mounting that The Way We Parent Now — roughly defined as giving your child as much opportunity and attention as possible, while requiring little from him or her in return — is turning out to be something of a disaster, at least in terms of producing, you know, well-adjusted, contributing human beings.”

Although he mentions many scenarios and tidbits regarding mostly Philly parents, it actually describes this budding generation of elite professional parents, regardless of where they live. 

Go read it, then tell me what you think.

06
Sep

Victorian, Victorian

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Current Events, History, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Now here is a tour I could totally get into.  The Victorian Philadelphia West of Broad, happening this weekend at 10:00.  Tour starts at the gorgeous Bellevue Hotel, which makes perfect sense.

 A leisurely walk throughout the west side of center city while learning all about the Victorian architecture.  All those hidden nooks and crannies, marvulous buildings you walk past so often and barely notice.   But when you go in them, they take your breath away and transform you to another time.

I love the Victorian era, there is something so romantic and idealistic about it.  Sometimes I think that is was the last golden age, if not the last innocent age.

Hosted by Landmarks, so check out their website for more information.

05
Sep

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Free Events, Local News, Something to Do

Well, river actually.

Anyway, tomorrow night you can check out the new dock along the river in Manayunk.  The dedication ceremony is at 5:00 PM.  Plus you get to meet the Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing team that will be heading to the World Championships in Sydney this year.

Or if you prefer, here’s just another excuse to hang out in Manayunk! Yeah!

Check out Manayunk’s website for more details!

04
Sep

Eat, Pray, Love In Philly

Author: Momish, Category: General, Local News, People

I recently finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I devoured this book and totally admire this woman.

So, I did a little research on the net to learn more about her and what else she has written.  And sure enough, right there on her official website, she says she currently lives in Philadelphia with her honey.

Now, if you read the book, you know she has traveled to at least three continents, if not more.  And she certainly has the means to travel to other exotic and romantic places.  Yet, she chose to settle right here in Philly, at least for now.

Kinda cool, huh?

Another claim to fame, people.

31
Aug

The 80’s Are Coming Back

Author: Momish, Category: Local News, Sports

Ah, the 80’s!  Who would have thought the era of my formative years would one day be considered “retro”?

But here it is.  The wide belts are back in style.  The long shirts and skinny jeans are back in style.  The pointy stilettos are back in style. 

And maybe, just maybe winning sport teams might be coming back in style.

Four game sweep! Just two games behind in the National League East standings.  Somebody pinch me!

OK, I may be getting ahead of myself.  But, with skinny jeans popping up everywhere, nothing (and I mean nothing) will surprise me now.

29
Aug

Fringe Benefits

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Current Events, Entertainment, Philly Tourist, Resources, Something to Do

Are you gonna be stuck in the city this weekend like me?

Still looking for something to do? 

Well, check out the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival schedule and see if anything tickles your fancy.

Be prepared to have your mind blown away.  There is so much going on!  Reading through that schedule is like scroll, scroll, scroll, still scrolling, holy high water still scrolling, mega more and still scrolling, my wrist hurts, still scrolling…

If you can’t find something to do with all that, then I am so sorry, but I can’t help ya! I don’t think anybody can.

27
Aug

American Idol In Philly

Author: Momish, Category: Entertainment, General, Local News, People

So, the American Idol try outs were today at the Wachovia Center. Oh man, how I would have loved to have seen that!

I am sure we have a TON of talented young people here, but I am even more sure of the fact that we have plenty of wackos too.

Whenever I watch the try outs, I just have a hard time really believing that half the people are serious. That they really have no clue just how awful they are. So, it would have been interesting to see if part of the try outs are a set up or paid actors to make the show more interesting. Or, if some people are just there intentionally making fools of themselves, adopting the philosophy that any attention is attention.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone of you were there or know someone who went and tried out.

Any sightings of Simon, Paula or Randy??? How ’bout Ryan?

Now I’m gonna have to watch this season’s show just to see our Philly folks.

24
Aug

The Squeeze

Author: Momish, Category: Just Ranting, Randomness

Well, we are off the shore tonight in hopes of squeezing in one more beach day before the summer ends.

I can’t believe summer is almost over. Why does it seem to go by so quickly.  I am sure all the teachers out there suffer this same anxiety and sorrow whenever September draws near.

Anyway, we are not the type to brave the shore traffic during the holiday weekends, so this weekend is our only hope for a last hurrah.  I hear it is suppose to be warm tomorrow, warm enough for the beach even.

But speaking of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, does anybody know of anything interesting going on?  Care to pass it along to all of us traffic chickens who will be stuck in the city?  I will try to do some research this week and see if I find anything worth mentioning.

I’m not promising much though.  It’s hard to muster up the spirit for celebrating on the last weekend of summer. Bwwwaaaaaaaaaaa!

No, please don’t worry about me.  I’ll be fine. Really, I will.

{sniff, sniff}