Kintsugi and the Arts Center

There is an ancient Japanese art form called "Kintsugi", which is the process of repairing broken pottery with powdered gold. When a vessel breaks or shatters, it is not considered a waste or irreparable. Instead, Kintsugi treats the breakage and its subsequent golden repair as part of the history of the object, rather than something to disguise. The jagged lines are beautifully unique to each broken vessel, and once mended with the powdered gold, the final piece is stronger than it was before. In fact, the vessel becomes even more valuable due to its imperfections that cannot be replicated. It is not simply "good as new" with Kintsugi; it is "better than new." 

For those who have been following the journey of the performing arts center in Frisco, you may feel that the project has shattered to the ground and come to an end. When I wrote about the performing arts center exactly a year ago, it certainly was a different project than it is today. (You can read that blog here.)

However, though it may appear that the project has broken, I firmly believe in the power of Kintsugi to breathe new life. Rather than looking at the past as a waste of time or viewing the project as irreparable, we can choose to pick up the pieces, embrace the flaws, and artfully mend it into something stronger and more valuable than it was before. 

How?

I have several ideas, and you probably do too. 2023 will be an opportunity to re-envision this project, sharpen our pencils, and get questions answered. I mean, A LOT of questions answered. Here are just a few I have in order to make a data-driven decision on how to move forward:

• WHY: What is our "Why?" Why are we doing this project? What is the reason for its existence in Frisco? What problem are we trying to solve? This should inform everything we do. 

• WHO: Who are the consumers (the audience)? Who are the creators (the performers)? Are they locals only, or can Frisco support regional and national creators? Who are the private partners, and what do they need to get involved? What is the institutional makeup? Who are the proven experts that will help guide us? 

• WHAT: Now that FISD is no longer programming 50% of the calendar year for this project, what does a calendar year look like at the Frisco Performing Arts Center? What art forms can be supported? Is there room for greater advanced technology? Which local, regional, and national groups would be ready to sign on the dotted line to perform if this facility opened tomorrow? A performing arts center with no audience is not a success, so we must have a robust programming calendar. 

• HOW: What is the business plan? What is the M&O (maintenance and operations) plan? What is the real cost to build? What is the shortfall? How do we build for growth? How do we make it a commercially-viable, sustainable facility that will benefit the citizens of Frisco 30 years from now, not just today? We don't want to make the mistake of a building a facility that is obsolete the day it opens. 

These questions just scratch the surface, but in order for this project to be a true success, we must answer them all and more with data, research, and experts. We cannot proceed based on preference, politics, or passion. Instead, I propose we proceed with Kintsugi, learning to embrace flaws, imperfections, and brokenness as part of the process. In the end, we will have a project more beautiful than we ever imagined, and it will be uniquely ours. 

Reflections from a Drill Bit

 "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." - Christopher Reeve

The last time I blogged about the performing arts center project in Frisco, it was December 17th, 2014. I was on the Citizen Bond Committee, advocating for $10 million in bonds towards an arts center. Frisco‘s attitude and enthusiasm for the arts was very different at that time. I honestly had no idea what would happen or whether the bond would pass. Was there a majority of people passionate about the arts and wanting to see something in Frisco? Or was this proposition dead on arrival? Thankfully, the citizens voted in favor, and the arts center project was resurrected. (You can read that blog here: The Arts in Frisco: Why the Controversy?

Between 2014 and 2021, the arts center went through a series of unpredictable roller coaster rides, full of ups and downs, wild twists and turns. It was all I could do to hold on when it felt like it would completely derail. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told this project is impossible for Frisco, and how many players came and went. But when I'm hit with a series of "no's", it only fuels me more to create ways to get to "yes," and find those who believe it as well. 

Finally in June 2021, a public-private partnership was formed with the City of Frisco, the Frisco Independent School District, and Craig Hall, the biggest arts champion for Frisco, to build an arts center. It will be at HALL Park, home to the Texas Sculpture Garden and across from the Dallas Cowboys HQ at the Star. This means that at the very entrance of Frisco, there will now be a visual corridor merging world-class sports and world-class arts. Absolutely incredible!

There’s much to celebrate about this partnership. It shows a strong desire by leadership to support the arts, and it represents a very unique opportunity to do something innovative not just for now, but for the future. It’s what Frisco does best- forge new paths and set the bar for others to follow.

To that end, the last six months have been about raising awareness and gathering hard data by experts to support the big vision. A dedicated team of arts advocates has left no stone unturned. Now that we've received the results of the 2021 Market Assessment and Feasibility Study, it's clear that this project has the potential to be a leader for the arts, not just in our city, but in the region and perhaps even the entire country. Why replicate what other cities have already done? That’s not the Frisco way. 

My interest in this arts center has always been as a resident, a taxpayer, and at the core, an artist. I’m a musician who has lived in Sports City USA for almost 20 years, and though my kids are almost all out of the nest, nothing would make me happier than to have a home for the arts in our city, a place where I can go (and where our kids can come back) to enjoy music, dance, theatre, and visual art from local to national talent.

There is a story in Frisco being written about the arts, and we’re about to enter into a new chapter. From 2014 - 2021, the arts center was the underdog, a lost foster child shuffled back and forth - but it is no longer. The arts center will now have a permanent home in Frisco. Design for the arts center is slated to begin in 2022, and all interested parties will be able to see what their investment could look like. Though I have no idea what the final home will actually be, the dream has moved from impossible, to improbable, to inevitable, thanks to the will of the people, the leadership, and the many supporters along this journey.  

As Larry Stockstill says, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.“ How will this story of the arts center ultimately end? I can’t wait for us to find out, and I look forward to walking into the building together on opening day. 

2022 UPDATE: Read the Frisco Enterprise article on the change in partnerships for the performing arts center here.

Why We Need the Arts During the COVID-19 Crisis (2020)

March 22, 2020 (12:12pm)

Recently, I attended a fascinating Food in Fashion show packed with hundreds of people eating, drinking, and viewing an incredible runway show of models wearing food-inspired clothing. It was a delicious collaboration of local designers and restaurants, featuring cilantro-fringed dresses, pizza dough corsets, gilded pasta necklaces, tortilla-encrusted bikini tops, and more. One model, wearing a stunning evening gown decorated with sparkling chocolate gems, even took a bite out of her milk chocolate clutch at the end! I left inspired, energized, and fully satisfied after feasting on all forms of creative arts.

I had no idea we'd enter into an arts famine just a few days later.

Like you, I'm reeling from the massive disruption to our daily lives due to the spread of COVID-19. I'm not used to empty grocery shelves, barren streets, working from home, homeschooling, and an encroaching fear of the unknown. The relentless news cycle talks of a situation that is worsening each day. Every industry has been hit hard with this global pandemic, and people's lives and livelihoods are equally threatened. I'm worried about my family, my parents and brothers in Illinois and New York who have gone into full lockdown mode, and I'm stressed about what this means for our future as a country. With people's essentials at stake- food, shelter, clothing, and health, the arts doesn't matter anymore to anyone . . . or does it?

I would submit that now, more than ever, the arts are essential for each of us.

In this new era of social distancing, the power of the arts helps us connect with others. We see videos of quarantined Italians on their balconies singing to each other, playing their instruments, and lifting their spirits through familiar melodies. Renown cellist Yo-Yo Ma is posting videos of performances using #songsofcomfort, asking others to join with him in sharing their musical talent to comfort others. The new Facebook group "Quarantined Cabaret" with 15K members and counting allows the diverse arts community to share their performances to inspire others and be inspired. Though all arts venues have closed, the pandemic has created a global audience, uniting the world through the power of the arts.

Where does that power come from?

Stephen Sondheim, American composer and lyricist, said, "Life is unpredictable. Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos. That's why people love storytelling; there is a beginning, middle and end." The truth is, a the core of every art form is storytelling. When you engage in the arts, whether through movement, melody, monologue, or medium, you tell your story. Art is a direct channel into our thoughts, a lifeline into our hearts, and it is way for us to share the human experience together, not alone.

During this time when we are mandated to be "hunkered down" and self-quarantined, the arts are not an unnecessary luxury. They are in fact critical to our survival, our emotional well-being and mental health. Though it has been extraordinarily difficult for the arts community specifically to be the first to shut down in March 2020, I know we will all look back and see that without the arts, whether books, music, puzzles, games, movies, none of us would have survived quarantine. 

College Countdown: A Mother's Musings

In just a few days, our firstborn daughter Ellie will head to her freshman year at Baylor University in Waco, TX, double majoring in Cello Performance and Entrepreneurship. As we busily prepare for her departure from our home, I find myself going through random bursts of sadness, much like when I was actually pregnant with Ellie! My thoughts and feelings are a jumbled mess, I end up in tears doing the most mundane tasks like grocery shopping, and thus as always, I'm back to blogging as a cathartic way to deal with it all.

There are so many questions running through my mind. Is there a perfect way to say goodbye? Will she know how much she's loved and missed? How do you move from daily conversation to mostly texting and the occasional phone call? (And how did my parents deal with this issue before cell phones?!?!?) When do I cross the line of showing genuine care and concern to being an annoying helicopter mom? Have I done enough to prepare her to face the world? Will she be safe walking around campus? Who will be her new friends?

I still remember my first day of college at Northwestern University in the fall of 1993. Like Ellie, my parents lived relatively close by and from my perspective, it wasn't going to be a huge transition. I was excited to start this new adventure, and I really couldn't wait to redefine myself after my tumultuous high school years. I had written out my goals for college and was determined to fulfill every one. I went shopping for brand new clothes, purchased some fun things for my room, and was thrilled about the new technology called "email" that would allow me to stay in contact with friends. I met my roommate Keisha for the first time, a Jamaican model from Florida, and was relieved when we hit it off immediately. Once I was all moved in (and the ethernet connection was loudly chirping in confirmation), it was time to say goodbye to my parents. They teared up and I did too, but Keisha and I were headed to a dorm social event later that night so I tried not to let myself get too sad. Later that year, my mom told me how much she cried on the way home from dropping me off that day. I remember thinking, "Why? I was coming back to their church every Sunday to play the piano for service. What was there to miss?" Fast forward 26 years later, and here I am, finally able to empathize with my mom.

So why is the college countdown a big deal? Isn't she just 2.5 hours away? Honestly, I do feel a little foolish for being so emotional. But it's the reality that a huge chunk of history, 18 years, is coming to an abrupt close. Like the iconic Friends episode when Rachel moves out of Monica's apartment, simply put: "It's the end of an era." The precious little girl who grew up in our nest is leaving as a beautiful, independent woman. Of course I'm proud of the fine young lady she is, but there is no escaping the empty room when we come back home after dropping her off at Baylor. I'm sure I will sit on her bed and be somewhat pleased that the room is clean (finally!), but I know I'll strangely miss the mess, the sign of activity. No more piles of clay and color from her new accessories business. No more accumulating papers from school, or unfinished sketches on notepads. And the equilibrium will be off; dinner reservations out with the family will now be for 4, not 5. We won't hear Ellie's cello practicing anymore, and she won't be sitting at the kitchen table every day telling me about the things on her mind. I won't see all 3 girls chatting in Ellie's car after a midnight Sonic run for "sister time." Ellie will be forging a new life and new routines without us, and though it's only natural and to be expected, it's painful that I am no longer embedded as a daily part of the next chapter.

As a mother, it's not easy to juggle the extremes of joy and pain, gratitude and grief, laughter and tears, all at once. I'm flooded with memories of Ellie at different ages, from when I was literally the only source of sustenance she had on earth, to the many milestones we've celebrated. Mourning the loss of time is part of the process, and though it does mark the end of an era, it also ushers in a new one. What gives me comfort is that as Ellie has come into young adulthood, she has become a wonderful, sweet, and dear friend. She asks about my day, she wonders how I'm doing, she gets invested in the things I'm working on. We can talk about anything- from current events to politics to personal drama and everything in between. I love that new aspect of our relationship, and I'm hopeful it will only deepen with time. And we've already planned a special mom-daughter date in a few weeks to see John Mayer on tour, so there's something exciting for us to look forward to! (John's album "Room for Squares" came out when Ellie was just born; one of her first words was "Neon", so she's truly been a fan all her life!)

I will definitely miss having this girl at home with us, but I have to accept that it's no longer where she can stay. She needs to move on and venture out into the world, taking all the experiences of growing up in our household, whether good or bad, and making her own way. She's got to create her own mosaic of a life well lived, and it will be her journey to take. She knows I will always be her biggest fan and a safe place to fall when she needs me. So I'll put on a brave face when I say goodbye to her in a few days, and I hope someday she'll understand why I cried all the way home.

 

All Roads Lead To. . . Rockford, IL

Tonight was a difficult night. It was my Uncle John's memorial service, and our entire Suh family gathered from all over the United States to mourn his passing. Many tears were shed as we remembered his life and the impact he had. During the service, my cousin Steven (John's son) shared something that we all know to be true: if Uncle John had not boldly come from South Korea and settled in Rockford, IL, none of us would exist.

I honestly can't imagine what it would have been like to be in your 20's, heading to a foreign country, starting your own business, forging your way through school while having to learn a new language, and trying to convince your 6 brothers back in South Korea to join you. Yet Uncle John was determined, and as Steven shared, though he sometimes fell asleep on his way to work, he tirelessly pioneered a new path for his entire family. His restaurant, called "Uncle John's", was quickly becoming a huge success in Rockford, IL, well-known for its Swedish pancakes and innovative menu items. (Yes, a Korean restaurant owner making famous Swedish pancakes; Uncle John was always breaking conventions!)

You can still visit the restaurant in Rockford today!

My dad came next to the States to help Uncle John in the restaurant business. It was during one of his shifts as the manager that he met my mom,  a nurse who had come from South Korea on her own as well. She was living in Chicago at the time, but had come up to visit a friend who had moved to Rockford, and they chose to eat at the best place in town. The rest, as they say, is history.

My dad in front of Mary's Market, his first job in the States.

One by one, all the brothers came to join Uncle John in Rockford, IL to help with his wildly successful restaurant business, which had changed its name to "Aunt Mary's" and "Mary's Market." Eventually each brother got married and had children, with many of us cousins staying close to each other for years. Though we all started out in Rockford, IL, most everyone has moved to other parts of the country. We now have many Suh cousins, aunts, and uncles in California, Minnesota, Texas, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Arizona, Colorado, and Indiana. And with the 3rd generation entering college (my daughter Ellie is the oldest in the 3rd generation), we will be even more spread out.

All the girl cousins

All the boy cousins

3rd Generation

Before the memorial service began, I had to smile when all the Suh brothers, without speaking a word to anyone, automatically sat in the front row together. The aunts filed into the 2nd row,  giving their husbands the space they needed, and the group of cousins took up the 3rd row. This is just the natural hierarchy of the Suh family; we define ourselves not only by each family unit, but according to the ranking order of the 7 Suh brothers. (Even the brothers refer to themselves as #1, #2, #3, etc. and the wives do as well.) There is a rare comfort that comes from this Asian tradition, one that we all readily accept and even celebrate.

As I sat in the pew during the service tonight, surrounded by my cousins and family, I cried not only tears of sorrow but also of joy and gratitude. I am thankful to Uncle John for the sacrifices he made to create a life in the States, and for the beautiful family that has grown from his American dream. There is so much love in this family, and it stemmed from the ability that John gave us to be together in the land of opportunity. Rest in peace, dear Uncle John. We will miss you.

Suh brothers: (L-R) Uncle Dave, Uncle Glenn, Uncle Tom, and my dad 

All the aunts and uncles

Top 5 Takeaways from #FriscoLEX18

From October 17-19, a group of 42 Frisco representatives traveled to Scottsdale, AZ for the Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Leadership Exchange trip. The goal was to learn best practices from a city of a similar size that has experienced the growth trajectory Frisco has. It was 3 days of learning, discussing, exchanging, breaking barriers, and frankly, a lot of fun.

Watch Frisco Chamber Promo Video

Represented in the inaugural group are the Mayor and city leaders, university representatives from 4 institutions, Bank of America executives (sponsors), FISD Superintendent and School Board President, media, developers, corporate leaders, technology experts, lawyers, and more. I was asked to attend as the representative of Arts and Culture as Executive Director of Frisco Association for the Arts.

Here are my Top 5 Takeaways from #FriscoLEX18.

1. Frisco is doing a lot of things right!

We had 2.5 days of a packed agenda, hearing from the Mayor of Scottsdale, the President/CEO of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Assistant City Manager, traffic engineer, and multiple panels that focused on Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurism, Workforce Development, Business, and more. I have always been impressed with our city's forward-thinking in building a Smart City, and it shows through many of our leading initiatives and unique public-private partnerships in these sectors. The more I heard, the more I appreciated how much our city has already invested in each of these areas by making them priorities.

2. What is our identity?

One of the things that stood out to me was how both Frisco and Scottsdale leaders spoke about the identity of their respective cities. We referred to Frisco as "The Fastest-growing City in America," the "Best Place to Raise an Athlete," and "The #1 Place to Live" according to Money Magazine.

Scottsdale leaders across the board said "Arts and Culture are part of our DNA", they are the "13th Happiest City in the US", and that their identity is based on 4 things: "Arts and Culture, Healthcare and Medical, Technology, and Sonoran Desert," according to the Assistant City Manager.

Can I tell you how refreshing it was to hear that this city of roughly 250,000 proudly states that their core identity is rooted in arts and culture? It is what they are known for and what visitors expect in Scottsdale. The first artist community sprung up in Scottsdale in 1902, and there are now 40 arts galleries in Old Town Scottsdale. In 1985 they passed a percent for arts in their capital improvement projects (Frisco has done the same), but they also require a percent for art from all PRIVATE developments as well, which goes into the Public Art budget (WOW!). This has led to an abundance of public art near roadways, sidewalks, and every development you see.

The way that we speak about our cities reveals our priorities and what we value. I'm committed to helping our city add on the tagline someday, "Best Place to Raise an Artist," or "Sports and Arts City USA." There's no reason we can't aspire to be both as a well-rounded city.

Frisco already has an impressive public art collection of over 70 pieces, and we've just updated the new Public Arts Master Plan. We also have a percent for art, and we have multiple developers who believe in adding art to their developments without a mandate. We may be behind in arts venues, but we are NOT behind in talent, passion, and parents who have children invested in the arts. We have a thriving creative arts community that when mobilized and given a chance to succeed, can positively impact the quality of life for all and become part of the identity of Frisco, just as we saw in Scottsdale.

3. Creative Placemaking drives identity and tourism.

As the Scottsdale leadership spoke about their city, they kept referring to different districts in town: "The Arts District, the Entertainment District, the Museum District, the Fashion Square District, Old Town," and more. It was clear that Scottsdale has intentionally defined areas to tell a story of the community and highlight the strengths of each neighborhood. Their Scottsdale visitor's map outlines each district and describes the history of the place, the beauty of the place, and the culture of the place. This is the essence of creative placemaking, which contributes to their overall identity and drives tourism.

When I asked this question at our final debrief session, Frisco Development Services Director John Lettelleir shared that Frisco has recently adopted 5 distinct placemaking areas, though unnamed, in the new Downtown Master Plan. This can be accessed from the agenda of Tuesday October 16th's Council Meeting. This was one of the many benefits to the structure of the trip: being able to ask a question and having the right people there to answer.

4. It's time to focus on Arts in Frisco.

To my delight, we spent an entire half day focused on Downtown Revitalization and Arts and Culture. After visiting the Museum of the West, the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center, the Contemporary Art Museum, and hearing from Scottsdale Arts President/CEO, the Public Art coordinator, and the story of how Canal Convergence came together, one thing was crystal clear: Scottsdale has made an investment in the arts and they have no regrets.

Friends, this is the missing piece of the puzzle in Frisco. We've got to up our game for the arts, plain and simple. And it's not about the buildings themselves; it's about the mindset that the arts are valuable, that artists are important, and that "investing in the arts is not an either/or thing," as Gerd Wuestemann, President/CEO of Scottsdale Arts shared.

Also, the fact that we spent time touring the Performing Arts Center (PAC) as a group- not just select individuals, but with everyone, really shows how important this project is to our Frisco Chamber and city leadership. There was a time in Frisco (read previous blogs) where the discussion of a PAC would have resulted in further division and generating more ill-will than creative conversation. Now, the arts and an arts center project are embraced as a focus for our city, and though we have a lot of work to do before we get to the destination, it was an encouragement to see how far we've come.

5. Relationships are the secret sauce to everything.

It's one thing to know a person in their role and title; it's entirely another to interact outside of work and discover new things together. I had already met about 75% of the group through previous work-related meetings, but this trip created opportunities to connect, discuss, and relate with each other at a whole new level.

For instance, I learned that a rugby-playing lawyer is actually an arts advocate, who loves to sing country music and has children in the arts. After chatting at length with the Scottsdale leadership and discussing ideas on the bus ride back, we are exploring a project together that emulates one of Scottsdale's signature events, Canal Convergence. This is the kind of collaboration that may never have happened without this trip.

But most importantly, the biggest takeaway I learned that trumps all others is:

Brush up on your karaoke skills before you take a trip with the Chamber!! 

I may or may not have debuted as an Asian rapper at some point on this trip. (Sorry, no photos or videos. . . available to the public, that is.) #blackmail #please #culturalappropriation #poison #gangstaparadise  (#LEX18 is the Best Trip Ever!)

In all seriousness though, thanks to all at the Frisco and Scottsdale Chamber that made this trip happen. It was an honor to represent Frisco Arts and Culture, and I left with new friends, deeper relationships, and fresh ideas for Frisco's future.

A Creative Revolution in Frisco!

Something magical happened on Saturday, March 18th, 2017 in Frisco, TX. 

It was a beautiful, 75-degree evening, and about 4,000 people congregated outdoors at a football facility's outdoor pavilion on a Saturday evening. . . to watch the Dallas Opera's LIVE Simulcast of Madame Butterfly.

They started arriving around 5pm and brought lawn chairs, blankets, strollers, and my goodness, LOTS of kids!  Before the opera started, the children enjoyed face painting, butterfly crafts, games, behind-the-scenes interviews with KLUV's Jody Dean.  

As the sun began to set, the excitement and anticipation for the opening of the Opera was palpable.  Not a square inch was available on the football turf, and people were spilling onto the concrete to find a spot to sit.  

Then suddenly, projected on the big jumbotron, was the stunning, massive chandelier inside the Winspear Opera House in Dallas.  It truly felt like we were right there with our arts friends in Dallas.  We could hear the audience's chatter inside the Opera House, and the orchestra's instruments warming up.  

The announcer began speaking, and the chandelier slowly disappeared into the ceiling, as it does before every performance.  After the National Anthem was performed beautifully by the orchestra, the crowd cheered, and then everyone settled back into their blanketed seats and lawn chairs.  A hush came over the crowd; we were ready to step into another world, told through the art of musical storytelling.

As the opera began, I wondered, "Would people stay for at least the first act?  Would they be fidgety and bored?  Would they decide after 10 minutes they had tried enough?"  To my amazement, almost everyone sat in rapt attention.  The videography brought you close up on stage, so you could see every expression, emotion, and nuance of color.  The audience was quiet, respectful, and engaged.  And it was a vastly diverse crowd- young, old, single, married with kids, all walks of life and all cultures.  But this group came with a singular purpose; they had all chosen to give up their entire Saturday night to attend the Opera, and that's exactly what they did.  Almost all 4,000 people stayed for the entire 3 hours. 

What this event showed so clearly is the NEED, not just a want, for greater performing arts programming in Frisco.  I'm not talking Jimmy Buffett concerts, which are still great to have.  But entertainment is different from performing arts, which includes opera, symphony, choir, Broadway, and more.  The size of the audience at the Opera Simulcast in Frisco was the first tangible proof that if you build it, they will come.  Actually, they are already here!!

Frisco is known for its hotels, office parks, malls, sports facilities, and great schools.  But we CAN have more and expand the pie, bringing balance and something for everyone.  Someday, Frisco will be a destination for the ARTS, and I won't stop until we get there!

Opera at a Football Facility. . . Why Not?

When I was 4 years old, my parents took me to my first orchestra concert.  The Chicago Symphony was performing at Orchestra Hall downtown, and we sat near the front.  My parents are not proficient at any musical instruments, but they wanted to expose me to the world of music and orchestra.  I was completely mesmerized by the violins, the sweet vibrato, the flying fingers, the experience of being engulfed in the incredible ranges of emotion and sound.  

I told my parents that night I had to learn the violin, and they didn't believe I was serious.  So what did I do?  I created a violin from a Kleenex box, ruler, rubber bands, and a chopstick bow.  I was determined to play the violin!  Eventually my parents realized I wasn't going to give up, and they found a great violin teacher for me.  With her guidance, I performed my first concert at age 5 with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra at the Metro Center, and at that young age, I realized that the violin was my voice.  It was how people could know the real Tammy.  I went on to study music at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and I can honestly say that my involvement in music has completely changed my life.  It set me on a course to where I am today, still performing both piano and violin, and now advocating for the arts in my new hometown of Frisco, TX.

All that started from a spark at one concert, on one night, at age 4.

Exposing children to the vast, powerful, and engaging world of the arts is a passion of mine, and it's something that I believe every child should experience.  We never know the full impact of a child's first taste of music, dance, theater, and visual art, but I can attest, it plants a seed that can take deep roots with time.  There is great potential to birth inspiration as you open young minds to something they've never heard or seen before.

So why not give the opera a try on March 18th at the Star in Frisco?  Who knows- it could be the start of something new and exciting, for you and your kids!  And what do you have to lose- this event is completely FREE!  All the typical barriers that might have kept you from attending are gone: paying for tickets, driving to downtown Dallas, getting a sitter, or having to wrangle the kids to be quiet for a few hours.  

There's even a Family Fun Zone of free butterfly-themed activities from 5-7pm before the show starts at 7:30pm.  Even if you don't know the first thing about opera, just come.  Give it a chance.  If you don't like it, no one will judge you for leaving, but if you are intrigued, stay.  Opera is essentially beautiful, musical storytelling, and what better way to try the opera than relaxing under the stars with your loved ones?  So pack up your picnic blankets and chairs, bring your friends and family . . . and feed your soul in ways you never knew possible.  

The Arts in Frisco, TX- Why the Controversy?

When I ask people about the arts in Frisco, TX, I am shocked when I see a visceral reaction of negativity and fear.  It is palpable.  I'll get a terse smile, a deep breath, and I can tell words are being carefully crafted before daring to be spoken.

I grew up near Chicago, IL, a city that deeply understands the great public value of arts and culture.  It's not questioned, it doesn't need to be justified; it's simply part of the daily conversation, intentionally woven into the very fabric of the city.  I have to say, I miss it.  I miss it terribly.

What has caused this black eye in Frisco's history with the arts?  What happened that has turned something so innately beautiful and unifying as the arts into fractured, broken pieces?

Let me pull back the curtain to reveal what I've learned about this complex history.

2000
In 2000, a nationally award-winning Millenium plan was put in place for the city of Frisco.  It included a vision for the arts that states, "The City of Frisco should develop a community center for all ages, and/or cultural facilities (museum, performing arts center, etc)."  That was the vision for the arts in Frisco, 14 years ago.

2002
In 2002, a project came to the table called the Arts of Collin County, or later renamed the Arts of North Texas.  It was a joint effort of neighboring cities to create a 2,100-seat performing arts venue as a regional cultural arts magnet.  There was a bond election at the time, and Frisco voters approved $19M towards creating this facility.

2006
In 2006, a Comprehensive Plan was formed for Frisco created by citizens who had a vision for Frisco's future.  One of the objectives was, "Establish Frisco as a center for arts, education, and entertainment."  Other points included: "Increase cultural opportunities and choices through initiatives including more public art venues," and "Enhance the role of downtown as the cultural and social center of the city; reinforce and strengthen downtown as the heart of Frisco."

With this Comprehensive Plan in place, a new bond election occurred in 2006, and voters approved $5M towards Frisco's own "science and cultural arts facility," a separate bond from the larger Arts of Collin County project located in Allen, TX, right on the outskirts of Frisco.

2010
In 2010, the Frisco Discovery Center was born.  It was created by converting the former aerospace building on Cotton Gin Road and the Dallas North Tollway into the Sci-Tech Discovery Center (a children's science museum), a 120-seat Black Box Theater, an "Art Gallery" (one hallway and central lobby space in the building), and a back-of-house space that could be used for special events.  Frisco Association for the Arts, the city's official arts agency, was chosen to be the managers of the entire space.

2011
In 2011, all hell broke loose.

I can't pinpoint how it all started, but I can say, it was BIG.  Big enough to recall the 2002 bond measure for $19M that was already approved, big enough to have so much campaigning and politicking for or against the bond measure that it caused irrevocable damage to the community's understanding of the arts.  Friends became foes, lines were drawn in the sand, and the city became divided. . . over the arts.  Being pro-arts was considered fiscally irresponsible, rhetoric like "needs vs. wants" or "arts is a hobby" became pervasive, and there was no middle ground.  You either supported Frisco's infrastructure and safety, or you were a crazy arts person.  You couldn't be both.

Essentially, Frisco voters were given an opportunity to change a bond measure that had already been approved in 2002.  How did that happen?  Why was it targeted?  That in itself is disturbing.  But what's just as disheartening is that the project was less than $300,000 away from getting the shovel to the ground, and had it started before 2011, there would have been no turning back.

The end result was that in 2011, Frisco voters revoked the city's authority to issue the remaining $16.4M from the original $19M.  The City Council members stated that they couldn't support a performing arts center that was not in Frisco.  If it were located in Frisco, some councilmen assured, they would have voted for it.

Once Frisco pulled out of the 3-city project, it died.  There was no recovery.  Frisco was blamed for ruining the project and having no vision, but on the flip side, Frisco was also called a hero by those who believed it was the most fiscally responsible thing to do in an economic downturn.  And again, it wasn't in Frisco.

2014
It's 2014.  Suddenly, a perfect storm has arrived.  A judge ruled that the 3 cities involved in the Arts of Collin County project will receive a small portion of funds back from their initial investment.  A week later, I gave a presentation with 2 other volunteers/arts advocates and the Community Development Corporation president to the 2015 Citizen Bond Committee in favor of a Cultural and Performing Arts Center IN Frisco and BY Frisco, asking for $20M in bonds to show the city's commitment to the arts and to attract a quality, dedicated partner.

The very next day, there were 4 forms of media asking our team's input on this issue: KRLD News Radio, Dallas Morning News, Community Impact News, and Channel 11.  The number one question?  What do you say about Frisco voting down the Arts of Collin County project in 2011?  Is it too early to be asking for an arts venue in Frisco given the history?

Is it too EARLY?  I submit it is 14 years TOO LATE!

2015
As we get close to entering the new year, we must change the conversation about the arts in Frisco.  Art is the most beautiful form of human expression, a universal form of communication.  Art unites, it does not divide.  Art inspires, it does not create enmity.  We must remove the fear and negativity that surround the arts in Frisco.  No one likes a nagging wife who can't let go of an issue and keeps bringing up what didn't work, especially after it has been resolved.  That's how this 2011 issue is treated; we have to LET IT GO.  If we just keep looking back at this dark history, we will never move forward.

I believe that this 2015 Bond election is a litmus test in time.  Future generations are going to point to this moment, this particular bond election, and make a determination about what we value.  The character of the city is on the line.  What is Frisco all about?  Are we designing a well-rounded city?  Are we preserving our culture and creating sustainability for the remaining 40% left to build?  Or will we continue to be known as the best place to raise a professional athlete because of our public commitment to world-class sports facilities?  Will we only focus on the bones of the city (infrastructure), and neglect the heart and soul (arts), which is what gives every city its unique identity?  Will we decide a facility for the arts can wait another 5-7 years until the next bond election in 2020?  Or can we finally fulfill a 14-year vision for the arts to create a balanced face for Frisco?

These are all questions that I will be bringing to the table at our Citizen Bond Committee meetings in January 2015.  I expect opposition, but I know I am in the right place at the right time for this issue in Frisco.  And I hope that someday, the arts will become part of the very fabric of Frisco as it is in all great cities, and that we will be known as the place to be for the arts, not in spite of it.

The Multicultural Minute

This year I started something at our elementary school called the "Multicultural Minute", celebrating the cultural diversity within our own school.  I've had a lot of people ask me what it is and how it works, so here are the answers to some frequently asked questions!

1.  What is the Multicultural Minute?

It is a short segment during our Friday morning school assembly where we feature a child whose parents were born in another country or whose family speaks another language at home.  The child comes on stage, says "Good Morning Bledsoe (Elementary), my name is ____" in their language, counts to 10, and teaches us how to say "hello" and "goodbye".  The child and his family are also featured on the bulletin board in the main hallway which includes a large map of the world; this helps the student body learn their geography as well as get to know their multicultural peers.

To get a quick overview of how we implemented the Multicultural Minute at Bledsoe Elementary in Frisco, TX this year, here's a video featured by Frisco ISD-TV: Multicultural Minute

2.  How did the Multicultural Minute get started?

It literally came from a lunch conversation I had during a PTA conference in Austin last summer.  After attending a few Diversity/Inclusiveness breakout sessions, I heard a lot of interesting facts about the changing demographic of our schools in TX, and I realized that we didn't have a consistent way to highlight these different cultures.  I shared with our PTA president my idea about featuring a student/family during the morning assembly and calling it the "Multicultural Minute."  She loved it and we shared it with our principal, who was also totally on board.  I wasn't sure if we would have a lot of participation in our first year, but we ended up having 21 countries represented, 24 languages, and 43 student speakers!

3.  What is the purpose of the Multicultural Minute?

The mission and purpose of the Multicultural Minute is to celebrate the diversity at our school, help kids feel proud of their heritage, and open the minds of the entire student body to the value of each person regardless of racial differences.  Personally, this is such a stark contrast from how I felt growing up as a 2nd-generation Korean-American; I was embarrassed by my race, hated speaking a different language at home, and was ridiculed by others for being different.  The Multicultural Minute does the opposite and allows kids to see that being different is not bad- it's actually special and should be celebrated!

4.  What's the process to implement this at my school?

I recommend the first thing to do is talk with your PTA president and your principal to make sure you have their support.  After that, you can follow some of these processes I used this year.  Feel free to change and modify anything to best fit your school!

A.  FLYER

Create a flyer describing the Multicultural Minute and ask people to sign up if they are interested in participating in the program.  Ask for the child's name, grade, teacher, parents' email, country of origin, and language to be spoken.  We sent out the flyer during the first 2 weeks of school and I collected them throughout the year.  I also passed out the flyers during Meet-the-Teacher Night later in the fall.

B.  SCHEDULE

Based on your responses from the flyer, organize a schedule of speakers.  We started out with a speaker every other week at the morning assembly and that worked well.

C.  BULLETIN BOARD

Using a map of the world (I purchased one at the local teacher's store), create a bulletin board that displays the following:

- Continents and Countries

- Speaker's family picture

- Name and grade of speaker

- Name of Country and Language featured

- "Hello" and "Goodbye" written phonetically in their language

-  Arrow pointing to the country featured

- Gold star placed on the country featured

Having a bulletin board displayed through the week helps the student body (as well as visitors) learn about the program, speak a new language, and get to know the participating students and their families.

D. QUESTIONNAIRE

Send out an email questionnaire to the speaker's parents 2 weeks before they are up for the Multicultural Minute.  Ask for the following information:

- Birthplace of the parents

- Birthplace of children

- When the family moved to the US

- Name of the country and language featured

- Written words for "hello" and "goodbye" in their language

- 1-2 interesting facts about their country

- Ask for a family picture (or an email with an attachment which I then printed out for the bulletin board)

- Ask students to wear any traditional clothing for the assembly. (One little girl wanted to keep wearing her traditional outfit from Pakistan all day long!)

- Ask students to practice saying "Good Morning, my name is _____", counting from 1-10, and saying "hello" and "goodbye" in their language.

Note: Some of the families did not use email.  In those cases, I sent a hard copy home with the teacher.  Also, there were times throughout the year where I had 2-3 different speakers for the same language, so I would combine and have them come on stage together.

E.  SCRIPT

Once you obtain the information from the questionnaire, write out a complete script of what you will say during the assembly and who will say what.  This should include everything in the questionnaire that you think is relevant and can fit within 1-2 minutes.  Send this to the parents a week before their turn so they can practice it with their children before the kids come up on stage.  In some cases, parents also wanted to come on stage and participate with their children, which was really special.  (We had a mom from Ghana sing their national anthem, and a mom from Australia help teach the Aussie war cry!)

Note: Our first few times, I did not write out a script and several of the kids froze once they got on stage.  It's difficult to get up and speak when you have 500 eyes staring at you!  I found that once I wrote out a script and asked parents to practice it with their kids at home, the stage fright greatly decreased and kids were more prepared for what was going to happen.

F.  PRESENTATION

The most visible part of the Multicultural Minute is coming up on stage with your speakers and presenting them to the assembly.  In my script, I wrote out exactly what I'd say so that I could memorize the interesting facts about each country, introduce the student by name/grade/teacher, and make the "interview" feel really personal.  I don't think it's necessary to memorize the script, but it certainly made it easier for me to be more comfortable on stage.  It also helped to practice saying "hello" and "goodbye" in all the different languages beforehand!

G.  FOLDER

After the Multicultural Minute was complete, I would put everything back into a folder that had a file for each country.  The file includes the printed words for "hello" and "goodbye" in their language that I used for the bulletin board, name of country/language, and the script used for the presentation.  This helped organize the countries/languages we featured this year in order to prevent overlap and repetition.  I would ideally like to see new countries and new speakers in the next year!

5.  Is there anything you would change for next year?

Yes.  I need help!!  It was a lot of work to undertake this on my own, and I would recommend having a team of people to help you with the flyers, the bulletin board, gathering information from parents, printing pictures, writing the script, and presenting at the assembly.  I am hoping to divide up the responsibilities next year so we can have a rotation of people who will present at the assembly.  Right now I have one other volunteer to present, but I could definitely use more!

______________________________________________________

Hope that helps!  If you have any other questions, feel free to comment and let me know how I can assist you.  I think you will find that this program will bring your school's community together and create a very welcoming and inviting culture!

Does playing metal mean I'm losing my religion?

I've recently purchased an electric violin.  It's something I never thought I'd play, but I borrowed one over Christmas break, and the sounds that came through my amplifier made me feel like I was playing an electric guitar!  It has catapulted me into wanting to hear and play the craziest guitar-driven songs, primarily. . . metal.

I wasn't allowed to listen to pop music growing up, let alone metal!  My days were filled with Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as some Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Debussy.  I was trained classically on the piano and violin, and with all of the practicing required of me, I didn't have a chance to explore any other types of music unless I stealthily changed the channel on my radio while I was studying late at night.  That's when I was introduced to bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order, and also Chicago,  Cheap Trick, U2, and of course, George Michael.  "Got to have faith. . . yeah, yeah. . . got to have faith, faith, faith!"

Interesting point George.  I do have faith in God and a personal relationship with Jesus, but now that I am listening to Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Baroness, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Guns 'n Roses, etc., does that mean I've lost the faith?  Can I listen to some of their dark lyrics yet still call myself a Christian?

Here's my answer: Yes.

Why?  Well first, I'm actually not listening to any lyrics, so I'm not looking to change my life philosophy.  I'm only interested in the music, and can I say, these metal guitarists are mad talented!!  It's not easy to play their riffs, and they have created some very innovative melodies that when stripped from high-octane lyrics and performance antics, are incredibly beautiful and technically challenging.  Dare I say that some riffs are practically on par with Paganini and Mendelssohn as far as level of difficulty?

I'm also finding that when I take the skeleton of the song and put flesh on it with the electric violin, it becomes a completely different animal.  Is there a name for it?  Violinist David Garrett calls it "Rock Symphony," pianist Scott Davis refers to it as "Rockfluence," my name for it is. . . "Metalin."  I never dreamed I'd listen to metal and then want to play it on the violin, but it is my newest hobby and has completely taken over the hours of 10:30pm-1:00am almost every night.  I just plug in my headset on the electric violin, and my family doesn't have to be bothered while they sleep and I practice!

But the other thing about my faith is this: I believe that God loves me, and because He loves me, He takes joy in my joy.  Just as I take great delight in my children's delight of something I've given them, I believe He delights in my love of music.  He's the Creator of music, and when I play, I play for Him, regardless of what genre the song comes from.  Colossians 3:17a says, "And whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."  That means that everything counts; everything I do can be an opportunity to give God glory, whether it's washing the dishes, making a meal, teaching lessons, or practicing metal on the electric violin!  God desires to be at the center of everything I'm doing, and when I give Him the best in every aspect of my life, it's all about Him and not about me.

So no, I don't think playing metal means that I'm losing my religion.  In fact, I lost my "religion" a long time ago- I don't like that word anyway!  Playing "metalin" allows me to spend time enjoying the gift of music that God created, and there's nothing I love more than being in His presence, playing for Him.

The Trip out of Frankenstorm: Part 6 (The Amazing Race Home!)

When I walked into the Philadelphia Airport at about 5:15am after being dropped off by Gabby, I saw on the screen that the 2 flights before me heading from Philly to Dallas were canceled.  I went to the ticket counter and asked if they knew why those previous flights were canceled and if my 11:20am flight was at risk.  They said they didn't know why and that it was possible my flight would be canceled, especially since planes were not coming in that were necessary for the connecting flights.  I felt a wave of panic, wondering if I might be now stranded in Philly, but it subsided a little when I received a boarding pass in my hand.  The flight wasn't canceled. . . yet.

I had 5 hours to kill and probably should have slept since I was running on a total of about 3 hours of sleep in 2 days, but all I could think about was whether or not I would be boarding that plane.  I was now so close to getting home that I could almost taste it.  If the flight remained intact, I'd land in Dallas at 2pm, drive to my house by 2:30 (my car was in the airport parking garage), and surprise the kids when they got home from school at 2:50pm.  Then I'd have a little time to settle in, change, and get ready for our Halloween Block party starting at 4pm in my yard.

I sat myself down at an airport restaurant where I could plug in my phone and get some breakfast.  I ordered food but couldn't eat because my stomach was in knots, waiting to see if my flight would be canceled.  I just drank hot tea and checked the computer screens every half hour to see the status of my flight.  There were still some lingering dark clouds outside, so I asked people to pray that God would clear up the skies.

At about 10:30am, the sun began to shine, and I had hope that I was really going to be getting on that plane.  When they announced we were boarding, I almost cried.  I took a picture of the plane and posted it on FB so people could rejoice with me that I was going home!!

I slept the whole way, and when I awoke, we were in Dallas- earlier than expected, at 1:45pm!  I felt an incredible amount of relief and thanked God for the safe journey.  However, I knew I wouldn't fully rejoice until I actually pulled up into my driveway; this trip had already shown me that every leg of traveling was up for grabs.

Boy, was I right.  I got off the plane, walked to baggage claim, and waited, and waited, and waited.  After about 30 minutes with no bags appearing on the conveyor belt, a lady walks in and announces, "Sorry ladies and gentlemen, there is a jam on the conveyor belt.  We are working on it.  Thanks for your patience."  I laughed.  "Patience" was the operative word this week!

While I waited, I was able to secure communication to my girls through friends that I was really coming home but was running late, I enlisted help in getting some extra Halloween candy since I had forgotten to purchase it, and a friend was going to pick up some Korean food for me to eat so I'd have energy for the party!  Things were coming together; I just needed to get home!!

I finally got my luggage and was racing to my car.  I was SO ready to rip out of the airport!  I tried to unlock the car with my remote, but nothing happened.  I pressed it again- no beep.  I then manually unlocked the car and got in.  I thought it was strange that no lights turned on; what was going on?  I tried to start the car- nothing.  No engine, no sound, nothing.  I froze; this couldn't actually be happening. . . my car won't start?  What??  God, really, is there some reason you don't want me to go home??

I called Todd; no answer.  I then decided, "You know what?  I need to get home.  I am leaving my car here and getting in a cab right now."  So I posted my dilemma on FB because it was too crazy not to report, and then got in a cab headed out of the airport.  About a minute later, I got a message from my friend John who was 3 miles from the airport and said he could jumpstart my car.  I couldn't believe it!  I immediately told the cab to turn around and take me straight to my car in the parking garage.  I paid him for his time, and then waited for John.

He was there within minutes and had everything he needed to get my car started!  The only weird thing was that my car would not stop honking.  John was trying to figure out how to stop it, but I said I didn't care if it honked all the way home; I was driving it ASAP!  He turned the car off and started it again several times, and finally the honking stopped.  I thanked him profusely and he made sure I drove out safely to the exit.

It was now about 3:15pm.  I was going to make it to the party!!  I just prayed nonstop that I would not get into an accident on my way home. . .

I drove into my driveway at 3:45pm, and as soon as I got there, the doors flew open and my girls were ready for hugs!  I held them tightly and told them how much I loved them and missed them, and they said the same through tears.  They were so excited I was home for the Halloween party, so we got changed quickly and started setting everything up outside.  People started to trickle in around 4, and it was a great party with lots of celebrating!  Several friends came up and told me that they had been stalking me on Facebook for updates, or that I was the topic of conversation at work, or that they considered themselves weather experts on Superstorm Sandy now, just because I was there.  A few admitted that they really were scared that I wasn't coming back, but they didn't want to say anything to me at the time.  It was so interesting to hear others' perspectives on my trip and how they handled the stress;  I was touched by all their stories and glad to have a happy ending to the madness!

At the end of the night, I practically fell over from exhaustion, but I gave thanks to God for my family, friends, and even Facebook for getting me home, supporting me through the scariest night of my life, and being part of a story that I'll never forget as long as I live!  Each kind stranger, every text, phone call, FB note, or private prayer for me during those few days was critical and sustained me, truly.  I may never know how many people prayed for my safety, but I can tell you I'm here because of it.  This whole blog series has been a way for me to process what happened, but also to thank everyone in my life who cared so much and showered me with love!

The Trip out of Frankenstorm: Part 5 (Gabby saves the day!)

So, how would I get from NYC to Philly?  No planes were flying out of La Guardia, the subways were flooded and no buses were traveling, but Amtrak was selling tickets.  I purchased a ticket that left at 7am which would leave me plenty of time to get there for the 11:20am flight to Dallas.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

We got a call from Ken and Angie saying that they could barely find a taxi to drive them back to Battery Park City since the roads were flooded, so we should just stay where we were in Midtown for dinner.

Peter and I decided to go out to dinner- to Korean BBQ of course!  We left around 7:30pm, hoping the lines might be shorter, and they were a little.  We enjoyed an awesome meal and he introduced me to soju (Korean vodka).  I had never had it before, and Peter said if I wanted to remain his sibling, I must enjoy some with him.  I was getting to know all sorts of things about Peter that I hadn't before this trip!

When we got home, I got a phone call; Amtrak was canceling all trains due to flooding in the tunnels.  I freaked out again; I was desperate to get home.  I called every airline to see who was getting to Philly; at one point I was going to rent a car to drive 2 hours to Scranton (yes, the Office hub) to fly out to Philly.  When I told Peter my plan, he looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Tam, stop and think!  The roads are flooded, it's dangerous, you could get stuck somewhere out there all by yourself.  Just stay here another day and be safe."  I shook my head adamantly and said, "I can't!!  It's unacceptable!!  I WILL find a way to Philly!!"

After about 2 hours of researching and calling around for options, I finally admitted defeat.  It was about 12:30am, and I called my neighbor Stephanie (who is a night owl too) and told her that I wasn't going to make it to the Halloween block party after all.  We went over some details of what time things were being set up at the house, where my girls costumes were in their rooms so she could help change them, other odds and ends.  Since all the flyers had said the party was held at my address (and there was no way to inform the whole subdivision that it was changing locations on the day of), we decided to keep everything stationed there, but she would come over and help set up, letting everyone know I was stuck in NY.  I remember saying, "I can't believe I won't be there after all this planning.  I can't believe I have to tell my kids I'm not coming home again.  I just need to get to Philly; there MUST be a way!" when I got a text from my college friend Gabby who lives in Philly.  I shrieked a little and told Stephanie I'd call her back once I talked with Gabby.  My heart was racing; I knew this wasn't coincidence.

And it wasn't!  Gabby was working at the hospital, and her charge nurse had almost sent her home at 7pm.  Gabby's power was out at home, so had she gone home then, she would have missed my Facebook post pleading for help to get to Philly!  Instead, she was there at the hospital and finished around 1am, checked her email and Facebook to find out how things were going with the storm.  She saw my post and immediately texted me, asking if I was still awake.  I texted back "YES!" and then called her.  She said, "I'll come get you and bring you to the airport right now."  My mouth dropped open; I couldn't believe it!  I hesitated and asked, "Gabby, that's a 2-hour drive, and it's in the middle of the night.  Are you sure?"  She said, "I'm already driving and on my way!  Where can we meet?  Just find a place that's not in Manhattan so we don't get stuck there."  

I had tears of joy and gratitude; I couldn't believe God had arranged a personal ride from a good friend that I hadn't seen in 15 years to be my way out to Philly.  He had shut all the other doors of transportation so I could ride in a car and catch up with Gabby Brinton!!  I laughed when I visualized myself like a child throwing a tantrum screaming, "I need it NOW!" and God holding me tightly saying, "Just wait a little longer and trust me- I've got it all figured out for you."

Peter was in shock too and said, "Now that is a good friend."  Poor guy was so exhausted but waited up for me as I took a shower, got my stuff ready to go, and was trying to figure out where we could meet up that would be a safe place.  I certainly didn't want to be standing around somewhere in NYC in the dark!  We were looking for 24-hour CVS Pharmacy locations across the Lincoln Tunnel (the only dry tunnel) into New Jersey, but none of them were answering the phones.  Finally I chose a parking lot of a supermarket in Weehawken, NJ as our meeting place and called Gabby with the location.

I gave Peter a big hug and said thanks for everything during this whole time, and he went to bed; it was about 3am.  I got a cab on my own outside the building and prayed for the best.  We drove through the tunnel and on the other side into New Jersey, it was pitch black.  There were no lights on anywhere, and the only way we could see was through the help of a few police car sirens lighting the way.  We wouldn't be able to find this supermarket, so I called Gabby and she said there was a McDonalds that was open by the JFK turnpike in Weehawken.  We got there safely and I had the cab driver take our picture; it was a HUGE blessing to see her!

What we didn't know until later was that most of lower Manhattan, Hoboken, and Staten Island had flooded and there were no cabs driving out of NY to NJ.  There were even some reports of flooding in Weehawken the next day, but somehow, by God's grace, He made a way for me to get a cab and drive out on dry land to NJ in the dark.

Gabby and I picked up some coffee at McDonald's and then started on the road.  We laughed that we were both pulling an all-nighter like we used to in college!  We chatted about what we did after college, talked a bit about our mutual friend Gloria who had passed away in August, and told each other what life was like now being married with kids; we picked up naturally like we had just seen each other yesterday.  Friendships like that are so rare!  2 hours went flying by, and we arrived at the Philadelphia Airport at about 5am.  I gave her a huge hug and told her I would never, ever forget what she did for me.  She said it was exciting for her to be part of the adventure, and that she knew how much I wanted to get home so she was glad to help.  I still couldn't believe that she was willing to drive for 4 hours in the middle of the night, after work, and not even hesitate about it for a second.  If you know her, you know how special she is.  And if you don't, I hope that you will have the honor of meeting her someday.  I am blessed to have a friend like Gabby!