My Memorable Week
It’s amazing how the week has changed me as a person. When I registered for a one week playwriting workshop at the Iowa Writers' Summer Festival, I simply wanted to connect with some people I had dearly missed and work on my play that is to be read/performed here in Bloomington this October. I did both… and I did a lot more… I met some amazing people, I fell in love with Iowa City, I fell in love with a cat (for the very first time in my life!), and my memory bag is full. This blogpost, I know, is hardly comparable to the wondrous experience I had. I will try my best to recount, relive, and hopefully, feel the scent once more. I only returned last night, and I already long to go back… It really was an amazing week… A*M*A*Z*I*N*G* J
Chicago
I had to spend one night in Chicago in order to make it on time the next day to Iowa City. It was accidently that I came across the CouchSurfing website. The CouchSurfing experience has completely changed my life and given me fresh hope. It feels like the website is made for people like me. I just cannot wait to travel more and get to know more people.
Upon arriving in Chicago, I met Janice for coffee. It was such a delightful experience to be able to connect again. Chicago is a big city, of course, but the nicest big city as far as I’m concerned. We had coffee at a lovely café (Oh, and I had a delectable fruitopia or something!!!) and talked about old times, present times, and what is to come. An utterly relaxing time it was. I’m EXTREMELY grateful to Janice for walking with me to the subway stations I had to be at in order to go to Michael’s for the night. Thank you, Janice! Before I got off the train, Janice told me that I could call/text her and that she could drive me to Union Station the next day!!!
When I finally arrived at Michael’s place, there was no one at home. I was shocked and had no idea what to do!!! Of course, in a few minutes, Michael came down with a smile and informed me that the door bell was not working. Phew!
What a pleasure it was to get to know Michael. He had only moved to Chicago just a month ago after traveling the world. The apartment had that beautiful feel of a shrine. It emanated the fragrance of incense. The kitchen was lovely… and we cooked (Sri Lankan!). Michael was highly appreciative. I realized how much goodness the world hides. The CouchSurfing experience began in Chicago! Michael was a wonderful, kind, patient, relaxed, host. Oh, and the couch was very comfortable, too!!
I texted Janice and took up that kind offer to get back to the Union Station next day. As we had a bit of time, we had coffee at Panera Bread. I remarked to Janice how much better the Panera Bread in Chicago was. It was beautiful! J So after coffee, Janice Dropped me at the Megabus station for the next trip to Iowa City.
Iowa City, Celia, and Benn
The bus ride was about four hours. It was a comfortable ride, and I listened to music on my iPod the whole way through. I had taken some granola bars with me, so I was munching as well. So after four hours or so, the bus entered Iowa City - a very green city with meticulously planned gardens and beautiful houses. Celia and Benn, my Iowa City hosts, were to meet me at the bus station. I was on the 2nd level of the bus, and the moment I got off the bus, I could see Celia coming towards me. I will never forget the first thing she said as she gave me a hug: “I feel like I have known you a really long time."
Celia took me to their beautiful home and introduced me to Benn who was working in the garden. I was instantly convinced of their goodness. You know how some people can tell you a volume of their character just through their smile? That’s what it was. I feel utterly blessed to have met these amazing people. Through the six days I spent with them, I got very attached to them. I can’t even find the right words, so I will just say they are just amazing people. Every day, they drove me to the place I needed to be at and picked me up and brought me home when I was done. I’m just deeply moved by their thoughtfulness. They inspired me way beyond a mere blogpost, so much so that saying goodbye was not all that easy. I had known them for six days… these six days were like six lifetimes, really. We laughed, cracked jokes, sang jingles, ate yummy food… Oh, what a delightful experience!
Mary Beth and Molly
On Tuesday, I met two extremely special people in my life: Mary Beth who was my host mom when I was at Waldorf, and my beautiful friend, Molly! They drove all the way to Iowa City to spend some time with me. I’m just humbled and honored. What a beautiful time we had together! It was too short, but I feel so amazingly fortunate to have spent some time with them. We reminisced, laughed, looked at pictures, took pictures, and oh, they were able to meet Benn and Celia as well. The house was full of beautiful people. I know I’m being a little sappy as I write this… but alas, that’s who I am!
Playwriting Workshop
The playwriting workshop with Maggie Conroy was wonderful. Maggie is such a sweet, talented, accomplished lady, and I greatly benefitted from the workshop. I also met five other amazing people who were in this workshop: Rosalyn, Johnny, Doug, Meg, and Jim. We were a wonderful group! Seriously!!! Maggie’s reading at the faculty reading was simply PHENOMENAL!!!! Wow!!!
In the morning from 7.30 to 11, we met at Kapanna Coffee to write, critique, socialize, etc. and at 11, we attended various talks by faculty members on different aspects of the writer’s craft. On Friday, it was a faculty reading. It was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!!!!!!
On Wednesday, there was an open mic event at Beadology, agorgeous bead shop downtown, and I got some WONDERFUL comments!!!! I was a little nervous because of MS-related speech issues and anxiety, but the highly supportive audience made me slide into my actor shoes with remarkable ease. Oh, I read a dramatic monologue… a marriage between creative non-fiction and drama, so I ACTED it. What a wonderful experience!
Dr. Wahl’s diet
Benn and Celia told me about Dr. Wahl’s diet for MS, and I’m definitely going to start this as soon as possible. There’s a ray of hope. Dr. Wahl has been in a wheelchair, and through the diet, she is now able to bike to work, so in other words, her symptoms have completely reversed!
Memory Bag
Ah, if I could re-live this week again, I really would. It was the highlight of my life. It’s good to go away… and it’s good to return, too… In my fertile mind, I will relive every moment… often… with gratitude… for this week… for Michael…Janice… Celia… Benn… Iowa City… UI… Nina… Sasha… Prowler… Maggie… Rosalyn… Johnnie… Meg… Mary Beth… Molly… Deborah… Will…
Life is beautiful
