Je me souviens

In the Canadian province of Quebec, “Je me souviens” appears as a tagline on automobile license plates. Maybe you’ve come across it when driving, and perhaps wondered what does that mean?

“Je me souviens is the official motto of Quebec, a province of Canada. The motto, translated literally into English, means: "I remember." It may be paraphrased as conveying the meaning: "We do not forget, and will never forget, our ancient lineage, traditions, and memories of the past." - Wikipedia

That lineage, those traditions, harken back to France – that is essentially what the Quebecois want to hold on to and never forget. In that same congruence, as a new Michigander, I will always tightly hold my Polish and Portuguese heritage and my memories of living in Brooklyn and Boston.

My time in New England - having lived there for almost two decades - has shaped me in myriad ways. Boston was a remarkable place to live, historic, picturesque, cultural, and after attending Boston University I knew I wanted to stay for my career, my friends, and make my mark.

Boston's harbour at night

Boston’s colonial roots lend a particular charm to its architecture, quaint cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and many parks. Boston is also a convenient gateway to Cape Cod, Ogunquit and the Berkshires. Nothing beats seafood in New England, hands down, I forget how spoiled I was to have access to the best of the best. I took it for granted since it was so easy to come by and the purveyors were numerous. This is not the case in Michigan so I’ve been trying out some online vendors such as Sea To Table for scallops, salmon, lobster, and cod. So far we’ve been pleased with the seafood we’ve received and I’m back to making gumbo, soy-ginger salmon, roasted cod, and scallops Provençal.

It is almost a year that marks us living fulltime in Michigan. I am settling into the rural way of life, slower pace and the peace & quiet that comes with living in the sticks. I’ve traded my favorite fitted trousers from Spoke, and dress shirts for a wardrobe outfitted by Carhartt and Woolrich. Intrinsically, I have not changed, but have adapted to this new lifestyle.

Building our new life here in the Great Lakes region is a new adventure and I will always hold dear my east coast beginnings and the experiences that have shaped the person I am today.

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is our most favorite holiday. The time together with family, the copious amounts of food, and the opportunity to take a step back to relax for a few days is wonderful. The word thanksgiving formed by the two words thanks and giving is at the heart of this holiday for me. It is a day to reflect and take a moment to be thankful, to give thanks, and appreciate the people and things in our life that make it special.

This year has certainly been a test on our own personal resilience and a time when families have been faced with new challenges. With the pandemic, loss of life, economic hardships, elections and all the other compounding elements of the past year it has certainly been a tumultuous time.

Set some time aside to give thanks and be thankful. I am thankful for my husband and the family that has enveloped me. I feel incredibly lucky to be a grandpa to our first grandson. I am thankful for the friends that remain close to my heart where one phone call or text conversation connects us like no time has waned between our last tête-à-tête. In our daily lives, it is so easy to give thanks and say thank you to the people you interact with at the store, at work, or even online. Thanksgiving may be my most favorite holiday but it is also a mindset that guides my daily life.

Leaving Brooklyn

It was a bittersweet decision in the sense that we loved living in NYC and our lives were fast-paced and active. We took advantage of all the things the city had to offer. Broadway theater, amazing restaurants, access to whatever and whenever, and the friends and relationships we developed along the way will be everlasting.

Covid-19 has changed the city so much and not for the best. It pains me to think of NYC not in the way I remember it. Shuttered stores and local restaurants, the theaters are dark, and many of the friends we had have moved out of the city.

Originally constructed as The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower in 1929, One Hanson Place is one of the city's architectural icons and an officially designated a landmark building.

Our neighborhood in Fort Greene, Brooklyn was a colorful, vibrant ‘hood with every convenience a New Yorker could want or need. The rows of brownstones and row fronts were so beautiful and the architecture so classic for the city. Our view from the 12th floor was of brownstone Brooklyn, a view that I will never forget. The morning sun would peer into our oversized windows and the glimmer of the afternoon sun would drench our apartment in a warm glow. We lived in an iconic building built in the late 1920s, a bank headquarters known as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. We were lucky to rent an apartment there where we spent 11 of the most memorable years. The parties, festive dinners, family visits, and quiet cozy evenings will never be forgotten - and always cherished.

The building's marketing always made us laugh but it rang ever so true. “When you live in a landmark, every moment is priceless,” well, every moment at home in Brooklyn was priceless and I’m thrilled I had the chance to live in the best city in the world for over a decade.