Desert Destination - Joshua Tree National Park

Credit: Hermosa Journal

   The awe-inspiring Joshua Tree National Park is brimming with natural beauty and adventure.   Located approximately two and half hours east of Los Angeles, this majestic park sits on nearly 800,000 acres of preserved land where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet.  The landscape varies from amazing rock formations, to miles upon miles of Joshua tree filled terrain, to areas bursting with spring wildflowers.  Although the environment might seem otherworldly at times, this magical location is very much an earthly wonder and attracts over a million visitors per year.

Credit: Hermosa Journal

   Adventure lovers of all ages and types can find many opportunities to be challenged and inspired at Joshua Tree.  The park boasts over 8,000 climbing routes and 190 miles of hiking trails, of varying difficulty, to be explored.  Those looking for less physical activities can go on a scenic drive through the park, compose Instagram worthy photos or sketch the day away.  A visitor can easily lose track of the hours with so much to see and experience in the park.

Credit: Hermosa Journal

   While time seems to slip away in the desert, the sun is a constant companion and visitors should take precautionary measures to stay safe.  Joshua tree is open year round, but the peak visiting season is during the Spring and Fall when the temperature is more moderate.

Credit: Hermosa Journal

   After spending the past weekend in Joshua Tree, we can happily report that the wildflower blooms are going strong at the southern end of the park near the Bajada Nature Trail.  If you take a trip out soon, you might just see the amazing blooms.  But, no need to fret, even without blooms Joshua Tree National Park is sure enchant.

A Whitney Weekend - The 2017 Whitney Biennial

Credit: Raúl De Nieves, beginning & the end neither & the otherwise betwixt & between the end is the beginning & the end, 2017. Matthew Carasella/The Whitney Museum

   Although it’s only Thursday, the weekend will be here in no time.  If you are looking for a fun activity and live near New York City, we recommend you visit the Whitney Museum’s 2017 Biennial (March 17 - June 11, 2017).  Co-curators Christopher Y. Lew and Mia Locks have gathered sixty-three artists, ranging from emerging to established, for this exhibition.  Among the key themes explored in the Biennial are the formation of self and the individual’s place in a turbulent society.  Hello, how relevant is this examination given today’s environment?  Don’t miss the opportunity to witness how cutting edge artists examine and interpret these topics.

Credit: Larry Bell, Pacific Red II. Photography by Julian Cassady

Credit: PostCommodity, still from A Very Long Line, 2016. Via Whitney Museum

Spring Thoughts

Credit: Hermosa Journal

   As the first day of spring rolls in, we are reminded of how special this time of year is for many people around the world.  The Persian New Year festival, Norooz, is in full swing and several other spring celebrations are quickly approaching.  In the spirit of celebration, growth and renewal, we want to share some inspiring words:

stay strong through your pain

grow flowers from it

you have helped me

grow flowers out of mine so

bloom beautifully

dangerously

loudly

bloom softly

however you need

just bloom

- rupi kaur

Huh Interior Designs

Credit: Young Huh Interior Design

   Recently, we were swooning over Young Huh’s timeless interior designs.  The New York City based designer creates rooms that exude a harmonious and welcoming vibe, in part, because the decor is not engaged in any distracting battles for attention.  When we see her work, all we want to do is jump right in and start enjoying the room.

Credit: Young Huh Interior Design

   While Huh clearly has a discerning eye for design, pinpointing her creative influences is not so straightforward.  Prior to pursuing her passion for interiors, Huh studied English at Smith College and graduated from Fordham Law School.  Perhaps the skills that help her design beautiful rooms are the same ones that initially drew her to law.  If her legal background does not impact her designs maybe it’s her self described life long love of art and beauty.  Although we might never understand exactly how Huh arrives at her magical creations, one thing is certain, this multifaceted mother of three has many interests from which to draw upon.

   A life well lived could just be Huh’s ultimate weapon in dreaming up amazing interiors.  All we know for sure is that we look forward to seeing more of her work in years to come.

Credit: Young Huh Interior Design

The Science of Support - Anjelica L. Gonzalez

Credit: Hartwell Foundation

   Support.  Everyone needs it, regardless of what you do for a living.  When it comes to academia and science there is now a much needed voice that seeks to help others by sharing insight and knowledge.  This narrative comes from Anjelica L. Gonzalez who is a scientist and a Yale University professor. She is also an African-American and Mexican-American woman, raised by a single mom who worked as a blackjack dealer in Vegas.  Curious to know why she is talking about her journey and how she ended up as a scientist?  

   Gonzalez is sharing her story in an attempt to answer questions she routinely gets asked: how she got to where she is now and why there aren’t more people like her in the science world.  In answering the first question, some of the factors she cites for her achievements in the field are humor, ingenuity, tenacity and wit (skills she learned from her mother).  Another important factor has been the presence of advocates who encouraged and endorsed Gonzalez at critical times in her career.  As it turns out, support is also key in answering the second question she is commonly asked.  

   By articulating her experience, Gonzalez also highlights why there is a dearth of women and people of color in the sciences.  While established obstacles like cultural norms and implicit biases persist, Gonzalez exposes the lack of institutional support as yet another hurdle in the path to success.  One way Gonzalez is trying to change this situation is by suggesting professors and peers be taught how to become better mentors.

   Advocacy and mentorship have been vital to Gonzalez’s trajectory.  Perhaps reading about her will remind us to lend a helping hand when the time is right, because ultimately, we all rise together.