Bits and Pieces

St. Louis

My last trip in the U.S. was to St. Louis, MO. It was one of those cities that I had been meaning to visit, but never got around to. It took around three hours via Greyhound from Champaign.

Overall, I loved the city. It was, of course, significantly bigger than Champaign-Urbana. But it wasn’t nearly as big as Chicago or New York, which made it a lot easier to get around. Overall, the city was clean, well-organized and had a ton of things to do. 

Some memorable things:

1. Forest Park. I think the Forest Park area was my favorite of all. We had such a good time visiting the zoo, the art museum, the history museum, the world’s fair pavilion, and the boathouse (yay waterboats!).

2. Pizza. We went to the Pi Pizzeria in downtown St. Louis to get the ‘St. Louis style pizza.’  The pizza we had was named ‘The Hill,’ and the cornmeal crust had a really interesting taste to it. 

3. The Arch. Of course, the Gateway Arch is all too famous. As far as ‘getting a view of the city from a tall building’ goes, I liked the Arch more than the Sears Tower or even the Empire State Building because it felt like being inside a gigantic piece of artwork. 

4. St. Louis Bread Co. It was interesting to see Panera Bread as ‘St. Louis Bread Co.’ everywhere in St. Louis. 

It was, in every way, a perfect last trip in the U.S. 

F**k It Is My Guiding Philosophy.

—Helena Bonham Carter

(Source: refinery29.com)

"Desiderata," by Max Ehrmann (1927)

(via washingtonpoststyle)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.