Abstract Art

Last night, Laura took me to the best happy hour in Dallas- $2 sushi rolls and 50 cent beers. We sat on the patio right next to a world aquarium, and exotic birds provided our ambiance. Pretty cool. One of the administrators from Wesley-Rankin community center (where I've been working) joined us. Shellie knew an abstract artist, Michelle, who was part of a show we were going to see, joined the table. And Laura's co-worker and humanities teacher Geoff ate with us. That moment, surrounded by so many fascinating, passionate, creative people I realizes this is what I have come to love about this trip. I could never plan these moments, these conversations and hilarious times if I had tried to.

A few days ago, I was working at the community center. I was in an office with an incredible activist names Auggie. In came a gang specialist and profiler to sit with us. As we were talking, in came a fascinating girl who has been studying dance and religion in Turkey and India. We sat together the 4 of us, and talked about religious warfare, Indian food, how community centers "contradict kids' attraction to gang life," and at one point Auggie and the young girl Rachel danced mamba together. It was such a beautiful and spontaneous convergence at that table that none of us planned - but all of us left inspired and joyful. I love it!

And so yesterday our group of teachers and artists made our way to the abstract art show. It was so fun! Every wall was a whiteboard you could draw on and express yourself. In one room we all created an abstract art piece of Laura, which she proudly walked around with and spoke about like she was one of the artists. We drank wine, interpreted some amazing and crazy artwork, and people watched to our hearts content. It was so fun getting the inside scoop on abstract art from Michelle, whose work I loved! It was one of my favorite nights so far on this journey. Food, friends and creative energy are the perfect combination. Oh, and good drinks too.