re:collections

Writes before thinks, changes with every new dress, makes loud sounds with her high heels therefore she is - Viktoriya Gaponski Let's tweet Check out: Two girl show

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Three Thousand Miles Later. Cross-country road trip final days.

Rolling the Honda Civic into Queens was one of the highlights of this trip! The mixed feelings of making it back home yet leaving the adventure behind rolled along with it.  

Before coming home we added one more hour to our 46 hour drive and stopped by Philadelphia for philly cheese steaks at:

Because...

And to rewind further, we ate even more deliciousness in Pittsburgh, in the yelper approved Gaucho.

Lamp chops, steak, seafood, yams with marshmallows and brussel sprouts right from the grill. I would go back again just for this meal! 

Fed and happy not to deal with anymore snow, Alex decided to open the sunroof,

but because it hasn’t been used in about 5 years, it wouldn’t close back. About 300 miles to New York and rain in forecast here we are, stuck with a dysfunctional sunroof. 

It took two triathletes to manhandle it in the next exit. 

Thankfully it was the only hiccup. The road from Chicago to New York is nothing compared to Wyoming. Mostly flat, lots of livestock, and Starbucks at every exit. 

Coming back was a bittersweet end to a mentally and physically difficult journey. I was lucky to share this adventure with the coolest guy I know. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not, especially not in winter. But if you’re crazy enough, do it!

Though guy makes us look like suckers: Crossing America by Bike Share

And so we are onto another adventure as we’re planning a move to San Francisco. 

Read about day 5

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Winding Down in Windy City. Cross-country road trip day 5.

As we were getting out of the car at the World’s Largest Truckstop parking lot, a woman asked us if we were from California. Ahem, Alex’s UC Davis sweatshirt and California license plates gave it away. “Is the car gonna make it to New York?” she asked. 

It got us here thus far, and we don’t know what’s ahead, but we passed so many abandoned new shiny cars that it’s save to say no one is guaranteed to make it. You’ll either be taken by nature or police. 

Passing Brooklyn, Iowa

Besides, I started to like this little old car, as well as waking up and falling asleep in different cities. It’s hard to think about getting back into a routine.

Today we’re spending a night in Chicago, but before falling asleep on a comfy bed in Hyatt Centric, it was time to celebrate Christmas, like real people do.  

Strolling through Chicago Loop and Millennium Park

Since all of the restaurants were closed and Chinese food was nowhere to be found in Chi-town, room service food at the hotel’s bar was our only option. And it was the best form of settling! We had tons of fun with our bartender, Angie, who made New Orleans specialty cocktails and downed festive shots with us.

Chicago, it was good to see you again!

So long for now, as we’re making our way to Pittsburgh for our last stop before home. 

Read about day 4

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Midwest At Its Best. Cross-country road trip day 4.

We woke up to white Christmas in Lincoln, Nebraska. The route there was relatively fast - 8 hours on a smooth road is a piece of candy cane compared to the 1st day. We set the bars high with that first leg, and this is something Alex and I talked about too, how a lot of times in life we are faced with a challenge in the beginning of journey with sweet option to turn around and go back home. If you stick it out, most of the time it gets easier from there, other times you get used to the hardship. It got better for us and we made it even easier by cutting Colorado to Chicago trip in half.

Sinclair gas station somewhere in Nebraska

I grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, have heard of Odessa, Texas, yet was surprised when Alex started yelling “Odessa, Odessa!”

Nebraska, you got it going on!

Odessa sign, at 80 MPH

Besides cows, abandoned cars and whole lot of nothings, we passed this pretty bridge:

We got to Lincoln in a daylight and it was absolutely everything I imaged the city looked like when Alex made a 22 hour drive there from New York for SCCA Solo Nationals this summer.

Ghost town that’s trying.

We stayed downtown, which is the most happening part and had our Christmas dinner at Vincenzo’s among the locals who came to celebrate with their families.

Christmas morning breakfast consisted of Hyatt’s finest oatmeal and we’re back on the road to Chicago, with untouched snow and Christmas trees along the way for miles and miles.

Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, nor time unmake what poets know - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Read about day 3

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Layover in Colorado. Cross-country road trip day 3

There’s more to Denver than legal marijuana, most of which we saw in one day. Since we stayed in the downtown area we were a couple of blocks away from the “must see” places. 

And for longer distances there are FREE MallRide buses that drive along a popular downtown mall strip. These buses run one after another and stop on every block, and are always filled with people.

We jumped on one as well and headed to Larimer Square -- where Denver was pretty much formed.

But before we got to explore a small street filled with boutiques and yelp’s 4.5 star restaurants, we ran into the Christkindl Market and had lunch from a Polish food stand. Carrot and ginger soup, pirogis, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut soup and chestnuts. Denver is consistent in delicious and diverse food.And speaking of diverse, I liked the variety of people too.  

Town Musicians of Bremen statue - one of my favorite cartoons growing up

One thing about them though is they haven’t heard of stockings. It was a cold day and even a colder evening (~30 F), but it didn’t stop Denverites from walking around in ballet flats, t-shirts, and my favorite - winter boots and cotton dress over bare legs combo. 

Bear with me... 

We did do some touristy activities and went to a Denver Recreational Dispensary. Upon entering the store we waited for a “budtender” in front of a locked door and once carded we were led to a small room with few shelves of edibles, prerolled blunts and a display of different kinds of marijuana which you can smell. 

Even though it’s legal to buy weed, it’s illegal to smoke it almost everywhere, which still makes you feel like you have to be sneaky about it. So we found a pretty isolated place by the Performing Art Center and enjoyed the view ;)

The evening ended with hot teas and steamed milk on Larimer Square, arcades, and a dinner at Vesta Dipping Grill. The restaurant focuses on dipping sauces, which I thought didn’t stand a chance next to venison dish we had. 

The layover in this crazy city surrounded by mountains was fun and much needed, but it feels good to get back on the road!  

Next stop: Lincoln, NE

Read about day 2 

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Rolling Through Wyoming. Cross-country roadtrip day 2

We haven’t seen sun in 3 days, but today was the brightest drive along snow covered mountains. The first couple of hours were pretty smooth until we hit a snowstorm and chains had to go back on for the next 30 miles. 

Passing the snowplow 

Not a biggie. Chains on in 5 minutes because this guy is a pro now

A little stretch and a few jumping jacks and off we go to Denver, Colorado

The rest of the ride through Wyoming was absolutely beautiful! Mostly mountains, the longest trains and skies clearing up. 

We made it to Denver at 8:30pm, quickly changed and went to Larimer Square for a well deserved dinner at Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen. Pickled veggies, duck poutine, bone marrow and beef tongue were well worth those 520 miles on the road!

Because...

Read about day 1 here 

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It Was Supposed To Be Fun! Cross-country road trip day 1

After 5 days, 30 new friends (half of which are dogs), many nourishing meals, the best wine tasting of my life (Burgess Cellars), and some breathtaking views in San Francisco, Alex and I are New York bound!

Only it will take us 5 more days to get there. In a Honda Civic that’s few years younger than me. A car that had to be converted from race car spec to “drivable.”

With 241,258 miles already on it, we are about to put 3K more.

Because...

The first day was forecasted to be the toughest one as we’re taking route i80 to Salt Lake City, an estimated 10 hour drive. Other reasons: strong wind advisory over the Yolo Causeway and mandatory car chains along Lake Tahoe.

We came prepared to attack with the chains, jumper cable and a plan B to take Southern route through Vegas.

All 3 came into play when the car started sliding on wet snow. We pulled over to put the chains on and because of the high altitude the small race battery couldn’t handle the cold weather.

sign: Chains Installed $30

After a nice gentleman helped Alex jumpstart the car and the chains were on we joined the traffic that led to a check point. And despite an exit sign 1/2  miles away we decided to keep going.

The next 9 miles were a winter wonderland!

The rest of the journey was in dark, among what seemed to be mountains and bodies of water. With barely any cars in sight, we passed some eerie parts where deer frequent and signs prohibit you to pick up hitchhikers because of a nearby prison. 

Because of Lake Tahoe traffic, a couple of pit stops, and 1 hour loss, we got to the hotel at 1:30am. One incredible view of Salt Lake City at night though!

We’re now en route to Denver, Colorado where we will stay for an extra day tomorrow. 

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Keepup

We go our own ways Through darkest alleys Through bluest bays We go our way out Sometimes to turn around To give our hand For those who can’t For they who willing to keep up But some are not Some pull us down Until we crawl It’s never late to let them go And turn away To go our own way.

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Haiku to Mars

With Earth in our palms Mars, time to hold yours Discovering new veins of mysteries

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Human

Some people say I fight like a girl They say my punches are soft And my aim is off I cry after each hit Can’t stand steady on two feet

Some people say I love like a boy I’m too aggressive with anything impressive And never talk about marriage with two kids  I forget quickly about a heartbreak And never lay at night awake

Some people say I act like a kid And live to my off-tuned, unrhymed, forgotten beat That my posture can be better And my arms a little fatter

So, me, I hear them, I can’t help not to when I’m near them And let my smile tell them That there’s so much more to me than a label Of a child, woman or a man I am human

Photo by me  Listening to For Today I Am a Boy by Anthony and the Johnsons

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Toss

When I was your age, they’ll say After a speech about how Joan of Arc led French knights And Rosa Parks sat down for social rights As if standing up for an elderly on the train doesn’t earn you a high five As if tossing ball back to a child didn’t save a life.

You should be playing ball with your own son, they’ll say But you’re not even settled down, that’s a shame They’ll suggest to quit playing games with grown up men And make them scotch on rocks instead

Life, they’ll say, is a school of hard knocks So I knocked few times And all I heard was an echo of hardening outer shells Some unhatched bones and souls Some of rotten faults

Neither settling nor rebelling wins you a popularity contest in an ego centric world full of noise Where the loudest woman is thrown on a barbwire fence  And the silent one is rarely acknowledged with a glance  

Does one saves the world from men who are bound to ruin it? Or cleans up after the mess is done?

Think of helping yourself first So there is one less tear, one less unsatisfied glance in the mirror and one less reason to fear Whether it’s failure or greatness

I forgive them and myself too For high expectations, unwarranted promises and make beliefs And ask of us not to bother When we’re shaking our heads in disapproval of another, it’s our own necks we’re straining.

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YO!

Hey world, What more have you got for me? How many ahas! How many alas Will I grasp you whole at last? Must I revolve along with you Round and round Revising the past? Or run against the wheel of wonder Setting off sparks Creating a thunder. Dear world, Would you be so kind to give me insight And a beautiful mind of a child To keep To enjoy the rain and not join the army of rats who run away To a hiding place where the flowers don't bloom World, I'm asking to please keep me full With what I am And rise above grudgy old men Who too once were ten And wanted to be astronauts because the earth wasn't big enough But now the universe feels claustrophobic For self proclaimed heroics Oh world, You put many wonders, hungry eyes and a big soul in a small girl Giving her constant lessons to learn So when they ask who's responsible for this unsettled thing I point to you And mother. The town where she was born is shredded to last stone She may have died along with it If it wasn't for the storm in her The house where I grew up is tumbling apart The art of leaving safety nest is planted in my heart. World, I ask of you one thing To keep me on my toes And stir of those who have you figured out Because you are a chaos As soon as one is standing on two feet You shake the ground.

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Falling Off A Horse

Oh, mighty animal that stands on strong and steady feet No matter how much they feed you From their bare hands You won't allow to scratch the top of your proud nose Your philosophy is strange to those Who give to get Who will climb on your shoulders to pet your head Throw over you a saddle On your back to settle. For every man who tries to take you with a force Ends up falling off a horse.

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Twenty Years From Now

Tell me, will you be where you say you will in twenty years from now because Your word is concrete Even if you meet a girl of your dreams but she flies along with the wind and invites you on a journey Will you take her hand and follow Or stand on your ground, marked with CAUTION yellow paint and dance inside instead? Tell me, am I not enough To shake the ground beneath you To take my hand that may not lead to a pit of gold But with me you won't be bored And with me you will never grow old Am I not enough to hold for one night and to never let go out of your sight?

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To The Seagull Who Stole My Fig

When you wave your hands in delirious motions Be cautious There's a seagull behind you, alert Waiting quietly Not seen nor heard With a practiced routine that's clever and quick He'll fly from the back and steal your fig

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The Coldest Morning

Almond eyes, one said Jasmine scent, another whispered So many things to each And none able to reach I'm going too fast Clasping tight to aeros Becoming my own hero Reddest knees ever And not from pleasing a man Nor from the coldest morning But from sunrise reflection at the shore Sure, I strive for more Than this sore body can deliver. But then up the hill I saw a deer Racing at same speed, in fear I told him - dear it will be alright Taking harder way may suck But look at beauty of this sight Is that not enough to swallow? As an energy infusion Mind nutrition substitution Run along with me wild soul Where the finish line is not conclusion Where there's neither to or fro.

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Why

Why is our hearing selective? Why are our hearts destructive? Why are thoughts impure? Why is faith the only cure? Why does our vision do us wrong? Why do we feel we don't belong? Why must our emotions be disciplined when we are promised the unlimited? Why is there a set pace for us to follow when we're overwhelmed with sorrow? Why is kindness mistaken for weakness? Why is shyness mistaken for sweetness? Why do we compromise to get nothing in return? Why do we feel that there is nothing left to learn? Why do sinners bathe in the Greek temples of the immortals when saints suffer the fiery pits of the infernal 9th circle? Why are our actions driven by lethal instincts? Why can sins be repented within certain precincts? Why are our complaints endless? Why do we accept being left breathless? Why do we have these questions? Why did I head in this direction? Why is this my perception? Maybe I'll leave an impression. Could be a cry for affection? Freedom of self expression? A simple, yet life changing confession? Don't mistake this for depression. Just a morning of decompression. But why is the question. - by Lara Atalie Hoff Smith

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Spring fling

He'll come around when circus comes to town He'll come around when clowns come out He'll come around to have some fun He'll come around but I'll be gone