A. J. Lee
Korean American, near Chicago (she/her)
- Deleting posts... forcing a better mood tonight. Doing something that brings a little joy. Hopefully making a really messy painting if I am up for it. 🎨
- The painting was definitely a mess, but doing it took out all my terrible feelings. A paintbrush to canvas is so calming, even when it doesn't come out right. Mood: improved.
- "In a time of destruction, create something. A poem. A parade. A community. A school. A vow. A moral principle. One peaceful moment." –Maxine Hong Kingston (I have not read the book this quote comes from, but I should... I attended a mindfulness retreat led by Kingston and others. Transformative.)
- Morning listen: Listening to Tessanne Chin this morning. She is a Jamaican singer who won the Voice. I don't watch the Voice anymore (I did at one point)... Her voice is SO beautiful. Her covers of Bridge Over Troubled Water and Redemption Song are songs I return to. Such a beautiful voice. ❤️
- During her audition, she said singing was her "bread and butter." (her words) So much control and experience in her voice. She has opened for Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight I think (acc to Wikipedia).
- if you see this, post your green art.
- This is a 24” x 30” acrylic painting I did sometime last year. A fun one to do.
- I am hoping to read this if I have time (John Lewis's March... the 3-book set) during this month. I have been holding onto it for a while. #BlackHistoryMonth #JohnLewis
- I met an older guy around 6 am who seemed lost, confused. He was looking for an open coffeeshop. I walked him to the closest one opening soon. A retired humantities prof at Harold Washington. It was fine until I sd I had to go. Then he insisted he wanted to follow me. No. I am too nice sometimes.
- We talked about philosophers, teaching, and cochlear implants (he was partially deaf). It was a pleasant conversation on the walk until I had to leave to work. I kept saying, NO do not follow me. He kept saying he would follow me and would not take NO for an answer. I walk fast and kept walking.
- This is who runs this account
- And this...
- My bare feet, lol.
- Morning listen: So Much by Peter Gabriel from his I/O album. "All the warmth inside of you comes from those you love.... Only so much can be done.... So much can be done, only so much can be done...." Good morning.
- Such an honest song. My favorite song on the album. ❤️
- Abt to turn 51 in a couple months. Settling into myself at 50. In my 40s, I learned that my energy is def. finite so I had to be selective abt what I paid attention to. In my 50s, learning to be more assertive abt it. Reaching back to old lessons in life and relearning old truths. Always learning.
- Me at 50 late last yr. (My phone camera distorts my features; I don't know how to correct it!) A couple months post-surgery last yr... at 50, I also was more aware to take care of my health, and to pay attention and focus, esp when my guard is down.
- Morning listen: Her Mercy by Glen Hansard and Friends from the Other Voices album. Other Voices is a festival in Dingle, Ireland, as well as other locations. Going to Dingle is a bucket list item for me. One day. I hope. Good morning.