5th Grade State Report Dreams Realized

In 5th grade under duress I chose New Mexico as my state to report on (full disclosure this is because California, Hawaii, & Florida were already taken and I had a miniature license plate from honeycombs of New Mexico). 

I recall my state report as one of the greatest presentations ever given (this is surely true). 

Possibly the pinnacle of my speaking career (ask those who saw me present on pseudohypoaldosteronism and urinary tract infection last fall. It was almost as riveting. Are you still reading? I understand if not). Anyways my state report was awesome. And since then I have always wanted to visit New Mexico, so after singing the score of Oklahoma! through the state of Oklahoma (Oklahoma! Where the winds go rushing down the plains! The waiving wheat it sure smells sweet... If that is not enough to make you wish you were with me I don't know what is?) I flew through Texas (75 mph speed limits really get you there) and arrived in New Mexico! 

Let's back track:

So far my westward journey has taken me from the capital city to wild wonderful West Virginia (refueling on smoked chicken at the Polo Club) to Miami Oklahoma (that is a place. Oklahoma  is a place where they are super conscious about using your blinker by the way) to Santa Fe (yes I moved it on out). 

New Mexico and actually the drive in general has been really beautiful. Upon arrival to Santa Fe I checked into my hotel and then hurried to the Georgia O'Keefe (GOK) museum which was great and reportedly the only museum dedicated to a woman in the United States. 

GOK is really interesting. Canyons? Flowers? 

Something else The museum really focuses on the fact that her husband portrayed her via portrait in a very sensual way which led her paintings to be perceived that way as well much to her dislike. Therefore she started painting inanimate objects that could not be confused with anything sexual (although I think in the 21st century almost anything can be twisted in some way or another). All of that aside, her art is beautiful especially her use of color. The lines she used are captivating. 

"The meaning of a word to me is not as definite as the meaning of a color. Colors and shapes make a more definite statement than words." GOK

After GOK I went to the Square and explored finding some amazing art galleries and and shops in addition to 

San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in the U.S. Santa Fe is just really beautiful. 

Dinner this evening was at Tomasitas a locally owned restaurant serving northern Mexican cuisine. The waitress suggested the sampler and wow talk about a lot of food. The meal came with a sopapilla and I realized I have never had one of those before. It was a fluffy puff of gluten-clad deliciousness (the table beside me ordered six to go). 

I ended the evening in spectacular fashion by locking my keys in the trunk (thank you mom for the AAA membership that continues to get me out of hot water and the super friendly man who came to help me get my keys.) followed by a "track" workout in a mall parking lot and a beautiful sunset.