One of the things about riding a bike is that you somewhat lead a secret life. What I mean by secret is that you don't make the same assumptions about commitments as other people who have cars can make. For example, today I was at Aldi and I forgot my wallet. As I realized this minute detail after the attendant had finished itemizing my bill, I looked at her with mercy, "Please don't make me pedal all the way home to get my wallet and pedal all the way back! I only have 30 minutes to spare before I need to pick up my sons from school, bake the cookies I cannot buy, and go to a St.Patrick's party!" She of course, had no idea of my predicament, and just politely smiled at me, "You are out of luck, lady!" Well, I told her, "Please hold my stuff, I should make it back in 20 or so..." I need to get your last package of Shamrock cookie dough!
Another great example, is talking to other moms and taking a survey of after-school activities. There are so many ways of passing judgement on what the best activities are or who runs the best activities for our overly brilliant children. I on the other hand always ask, "How far is it? Can I fit it into pick-ups, drop-offs, dinner, homework, etc...?" If the answer is not an easy yes, then forget it. You may think of course that we are limiting our children's opportunities to be in the best of the best, but what ever happened with making your best at home? In my son's school and at church we talk a lot about community. I am not about to write a thesis on the meaning of community, but I feel that being part of a community is truly living in it and knowing that your choices are based on how much effort you put in making those choices available.
I am off to do a pick-up...
Mami Riding the Bike
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Making Connections
I don't think I am the only one who thought today was the first day of spring. I think all of us bears came out of our caves to enjoy the first warm rays of sunshine. Today promised what is to come in some very near future...summer. There is nothing better than getting on the cargo bike and taking my smaller son to the lakefront for a ride. After riding through the whole winter (except the one week the blizzard hit), it was completely liberating to ride without gloves, hats, covers, blankets, and yes today I got to wear my sunglasses for the first time in a long time!
Riding along the Lake made me wish I had my older son with us riding his bike along the paths feeling the still frigid air from the water. Riding bicycles, I believe is what invites you to be connected to your surroundings and to your community. We've had more conversations with strangers and have been able to say hello to more people on our cargo bike than we would have if we were in a car or just walking. I know riding a bike and not having a car make you stay closer to home, but in a way this is comforting because you get to know every corner of your immediate neighborhood.
Today, we were all outside. Today we all seemed to have smile on our faces and happy to just be alive, or at least I was and I hope everyone got to taste a bit of it.
Riding along the Lake made me wish I had my older son with us riding his bike along the paths feeling the still frigid air from the water. Riding bicycles, I believe is what invites you to be connected to your surroundings and to your community. We've had more conversations with strangers and have been able to say hello to more people on our cargo bike than we would have if we were in a car or just walking. I know riding a bike and not having a car make you stay closer to home, but in a way this is comforting because you get to know every corner of your immediate neighborhood.
Today, we were all outside. Today we all seemed to have smile on our faces and happy to just be alive, or at least I was and I hope everyone got to taste a bit of it.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Noticing
I want to start a blog because I need to record a transitional phase I am experiencing. I have just moved back to the Chicago after spending three years in Dubai. When we relocated, my husband and I decided that we wanted to live close to downtown and enjoy the perks of city living. What came with this decision was an obvious conclusion: we don't need a car. Our logic seemed to follow a clear path. We live close to grocery stores, our sons's schools, work, play, doctors, etc., so why need a car when we can either walk or ride a bike? And a bike is what we got. Our neighbor recommended we visit The Dutch Bike store and test out their cargo bikes, Bakfiets. We immediately fell in love with the bike and purchased our new mode of transportation and much to my surprise a new way of life.
The transition I am talking about is not about moving from the Middle East back to the States. I want to talk about the transition from living life as we know it with a car and living life without one. When we moved to back to Chicago it was in the middle of the summer. The weather was perfect and so was our neighborhood: the parks, the farmer's markets, Lake Michigan, the Zoo, Lincoln Park, the outdoor cafes, and life in general is grand in the summer. Hence the honeymoon phase to my transition....then came winter and school started for both boys. The transition hit hard.
It is very challenging to describe the visceral changes I have felt, because it is not only the fact that life slows down because you cannot arrive to your destination as quickly--but the fact that some times you no longer go to certain destinations because you cannot mange to get there at all. So what does it mean when you start learning the meaning of what you need vs. what you want?
The transition I am talking about is not about moving from the Middle East back to the States. I want to talk about the transition from living life as we know it with a car and living life without one. When we moved to back to Chicago it was in the middle of the summer. The weather was perfect and so was our neighborhood: the parks, the farmer's markets, Lake Michigan, the Zoo, Lincoln Park, the outdoor cafes, and life in general is grand in the summer. Hence the honeymoon phase to my transition....then came winter and school started for both boys. The transition hit hard.
It is very challenging to describe the visceral changes I have felt, because it is not only the fact that life slows down because you cannot arrive to your destination as quickly--but the fact that some times you no longer go to certain destinations because you cannot mange to get there at all. So what does it mean when you start learning the meaning of what you need vs. what you want?
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