A Plethora of Memories on Two Continents

Happy June, readers! Apologies for the long silence, it's been a month since my last posting, but it was a busy, busy month! Since mid-May, I have made two cross-Atlantic trips to the US, entertained guests in my apartment in Nice over two weeks, and spent a weekend in and around St. Tropez with friends. With my sunburn still easing from the St. Tropez weekend, I offer up the following memories from the past four weeks, somewhat chronologically (view photos illustrating memories alongside).

Visiting the National Museum of the American Indian down on lower Broadway with David, and receiving a personal tour of the exhibition of paintings in the closing fifteen minutes by a security guard who graciously offered us his observations acquired during the two month show.

Running along the Hudson with Jeff on a chilly Sunday morning (avoiding the rain!) And book shopping at The Corner Bookstore on the Upper East Side later in the afternoon. (Purchased "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk and "Unaccustomed Earth" by Barnard alumna Jhumpa Lahiri)

A birthday party gathering at Henry's on Broadway, with good New Amsterdam Singer friends, including John, Gail, Dennis, Jen, Dana, James and Ellen, also long-time friend and former roommate, Arthur, and after dinner, with my former IBM partner and friend, Michael and his girlfriend Krista.

Sitting on the dais at Barnard College's commencement (on my birthday), and hearing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton deliver the commencement address to the graduating class. It was my first opportunity to see Hillary in person (and that was all I got, as the Secret Service made sure she simply appeared on the dais in time for the ceremony, and then whisked her off again after she spoke). Her address was inspiring, eloquent, and inclusive - she's a very impressive politician and person. The young women of Barnard's Class of 2009 loved her.

Running an NYRRC 3 mile race downtown at the tip of Manhattan, wearing my Nice Cote d'Azur t-shirt, and feeling fast, but not knowing where the finish line was to do my final sprint. But happy with my top 10 finish among women (19:54) and second place in my age division.

The thrill of processing with my fellow award winners and faculty to the dais on the steps of Low Library, in front of all the Columbia University graduating students and their families on May 20th. And the happiness of having my life-long friend, Vi, a former Teacher's College administrator, there with me to celebrate my award, along with friends Philippa and David.

Waving to Barnard graduates on the steps below as they cheered upon the reading of my name and college by President Lee Bollinger as a Columbia Alumni Medal winner (and hearing later that my mom and dad, watching the ceremony by webcast in Norfolk, thought that the cheers from Barnard women were louder than those given to any other awardee).

A beautiful afternoon walk around the cap d'Antibes with Jeff, and a fully refreshing dip in the ocean off the rocks of Anse de Faux Argent (otherwise known as Billionaire's Bay) along the way. (But somehow missing all the famous folks attending an AIDS fundraiser in a nearby hotel, Eden Roc, hosted by Sharon Stone, and featuring Bill Clinton.)

Driving along the Middle Corniche above Monaco on the day of the Grand Prix, and the view from the road of the harbor with the magnificent boats moored there in attendance for the race.

Visiting the Cloister St. Sauveur in Aix-en-Provence, and translating into English for Jeff the stories being told by our French docent. She was quite taken with the two of us, and after guiding us through the cloister, took us on a private tour of the cathedral, showing us the old Roman road that is preserved in one section of the church, as well as some of the artwork, and the magnificent baptistry, with a walk-in baptismal font.

Finding a restaurant, La Manade, in the small Luberon Valley town of Apt, using our Michelin guide. The town was quiet in the late evening, and we sat outside and enjoyed an incredibly well-prepared meal. I kept wondering why the woman at the table next to us kept turning around and smiling; it was either the fact that we were speaking English, or that we were sitting next to each other, speaking in hushed tones, looking like a romantic young couple. Maybe both?

Wandering the streets of Avignon, following a Michelin self-guided tour of "Old Avignon." The old streets and churches and commercial sites were fascinating to read about and see. It was my third visit to Avignon, but each time I learn something new.

Driving back to Oppède from Avignon in the setting sun, and making a last minute decision to visit the perched village of Gordes. We took a back road to Gordes and found ourselves behind a shepherd and his flock of sheep, and sheep dogs, as he was herding them back to their sheepfold. The ensuing delay gave us a chance to watch the sun set across the magical vineyards of the Luberon Valley. But Jeff missed much of it (I took pictures), as he was on his Blackberry, catching up with a lawyer on the court case he was missing in New York City. Priceless.

A birthday lunch in St. Laurent-du-Var, with friends Erick, Priscilla and Jeff. I got to wear the fantastical "birthday hat" provided by Priscilla, and was feted with the birthday song and a flaming torch on my chocolate dessert at the end of the meal.

Wandering the streets of St. Paul-de-Vence with Nicole and Gilbert, who are friends of Jeff's brother and sister-in-law. Nicole and Gilbert lived in Chicago for 30 years, but retired to Nice six years ago. They enjoyed sharing their favorite perched village with us (with its galleries and cemetery with Chagall's grave), and then we drove back to Nice and visited the Cimiez Monastery Gardens, high above the city, filled with blooming roses. Afterwards, Nicole prepared a lovely dinner for us all in their home; it was a fitting farewell for Jeff's visit to the Cote d'Azur.

Conducting my Choeur Gospel for the final time on Pentecost Sunday at the Église Réformée. We had a small group that morning, two on a part, and we sang four songs; three of them were great. The church was packed, as there were baptisms, confirmations, and communion all happening that morning. After the service, I was told by several people how much they appreciated the vocal music, and how it positively affected their worship. I was touched.

Receving a bottle of wine from Chateauneuf du Pape from my guests, Chuck and Janie. A week earlier, Jeff and I had contemplated visiting the town during our Provence trip, at my request, but had bypassed it on the road to Avignon, deciding to spend more time in that city. It was a lovely surprise to end up with a bottle of wine from the town after all!

A visit to the town of Vence with Chuck and Janie, via a local bus. We had a wonderful lunch outside in the town square, and then wandered through the old city, and finally walked a kilometer or two to the Matisse Chapel, outside of town. It was my second visit to the chapel, and I would go again. One cannot take pictures inside, but the green, blue and yellow stained glass windows are beautiful against the white walls of the chapel (which are painted in simple black lines with pictures of the Madonna, and the stages of the cross). The wooden benches are austere but fit in the simple chapel. It is an easy place to pray.

Arriving at Dulles Airport on Air France flight 24 after a briefly nerve-wracking delay at Paris's Charles DeGaulle Airport, during which a defective meteorological radar was identified and then replaced. Thunderstorms on the East Coast were a continuing theme during my flights between Washington, NYC and France in June.

Playing tennis with my sister, Dad and brother, and afterward swimming in the rain at the Ghent pool - before I was told I had to get out, as it was raining too hard for them to see to supervise me!

Another exhibition of Brose family talent in celebration of my Dad's birthday. Dad has asked his grandchildren for gifts of music, rather than things, on his birthday. This year he heard his grandsons Nathan and Ned perform a cello duet, and granddaughter Chelsea perform "Summer" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons on her violin. I told my dad that I was planning to prepare something for him on my clarinet for Christmas - and he encouraged me to get my siblings to do the same!

The enthusiasm of the graduating seniors of the Governor's School of the Arts in Norfolk, VA, and the pride of watching nephew Nathan both perform with the orchestra and then cross the stage to get his diploma.

Being at my 25th Barnard Reunion for a day and an evening, and catching up with classmates, and getting to know classmates and alums for the first time. Every Barnard woman I have ever met is interesting and has something to say, and this time was no exception. I even made a few potential business contacts.

Catching up with Glee Club friends Beth, Charles, Jon and Eric at Le Monde on Broadway and afterwards going to Alma Mater on the Low Library steps to sing "Sans Souci" and "Stand Up and Cheer" - with me finally remembering the first tenor part (it's been 25 years!).

Hearing from the Brigham Young University International Law and Management Review that they wanted to publish my co-authored article addressing the financial crisis: "Toxic Assets: Untangling the Web." Bill and I had been trying to get our paper published for some time (we finished it on March 1), so this news encouraged us to keep writing. (The next paper is on systemic risk.)

A perfect afternoon in Central Park with thousands of New Yorkers enjoying the sunshine (after weeks of rain!) on a June day.

Running with Clara and Jay in Central Park the next morning, and then completing the run on my own, racing along in the light rain and finishing my run just before the downpour arrived.

Catching up with freshman college roommate Andrea over dinner on the East Side. She's still the funny, attractive and intelligent woman I remember meeting for the first time 25 years ago on the 8th floor of Brooks Hall.

Biking on the W&OD Trail from Arlington to Vienna (and then back) for a needed visit to Rose at the Hair Cuttery in Vienna Plaza. She's been cutting my hair for 14 years, and as she said on this visit, she knows that wherever I live, I will always come back to her! (No one else has cut my hair during my time here in France.)

Curling up with Reuben on Becky's bed at 11 p.m. after the two four-year-olds (almost five!) were frightened by June thunderstorms (Gabriel was curled up with Becky). Catching up with Becky, another Barnard roommate, was, as always, a good time.

Anxiety, confusion and then relief after my Delta flight from Dulles to JFK was delayed. I was rebooked from Washington to Paris on Air France, to my delight (I prefer Air France), and then from Paris to Nice. My arrival in Nice would be just in time to make it home before my train to Aix to meet my friends for my weekend in St. Tropez. The question was whether my luggage would make it - it did not.

An open air ride through the countryside of Provence in a rented convertible with Olivier and Jean-Yves. It was a magnificent starlit night and we could smell deeply the earth, thyme, lavender and many other flowers as we left the A8 highway and drove toward the sea.

The absolute relaxation of being at the beach, laying flat on a chaise lounge in the full sun, with a parasol nearby, listening to the sea lap against the shore, and knowing that you have nothing to do but lie there until someone tells you it is time for lunch. An excellent way to get over jetlag.

A jellyfish bite (and tender loving care and a little cortisone from the lady at the Aqua Club) after a beautiful swim in the sea on the Pampelonne coast. And a wonderful lunch afterward with JY and Olivier, as we enjoyed another bottle of the refreshing Provencal rose wine and finished up with the delicious chocolate Aqua Club "Saba" dessert (moelleux au chocolat).

A full month of experiences, for sure!