Skip to main content

Finding Happiness, Kinky Boots on Broadway and the Princeton Club


“Mom, come sit with us.”  

“In 5 minutes, kids.”

However, sometimes 5 minutes actually means 30 minutes or more.

When was the last time you sat down on the couch with your children, and just that – sit?

With everyone’s hectic schedule, it is so nice to take time to just sit next to each other – under a warm blanket.

You will be surprised by the conversation that results from a simple act of snuggling with your kids.


“Are you happy?” is the question I frequently ask my kids, and they reply with questions.

 “Mom, how do you know that what you’re doing in life is making you happy?”

“How old were you when you found happiness?”

“Do you know what makes you happy?”

“Mom, I am not sure if my job or career choice makes me happy. I can pay my bills, and buy "things" that make me happy. But, am I happy?




Honesty.  Being true to yourself is the first step in finding happiness. What kind of person do YOU want to be? True, parents explore different opportunities for their children, but, in the end, only YOU know what makes you happy. Not what society expects you to have or want, but what YOU need, and want, to accomplish. The worst thing you can do is pretend that you are happy, because you are only fooling yourself.

However, at the same time, you can’t live life half-empty. Not everything we do in life is fun. Being happy does not mean a 24 hour cycle of fun. You go to school not only to have fun, but to learn. You learn to analyze, you learn acceptance, you grow in character, you learn to embrace knowledge and life. You learn to be grateful for the opportunity to learn. As time goes by, you also learn that all of this knowledge prepares you for the journey that is your life after school.  You will get a job, and find that the things that make you the happiest are possible to obtain. You are multifaceted, there is so much to look forward to and accomplish. Your life, like a good book, has many chapters. Write your book, one chapter at a time. Remember, most of all, to enjoy the journey.

Show someone that you care. Life is short and unpredictable. It is important to focus on what makes us happy. Being with family is the most important aspect of our life.  If you are blessed with a loving and supportive family, spending time and showing them how much you love them only results in pure joy and happiness.

A tight hug, saying “I love you” or showing affection does not come easy for some people (cultural or generational), but we need to try to overcome such barriers. Spending a few minutes listening, making time to catch up, picking up the phone to ask how their day is going – all these gestures can make people we love feel special and loved.

So what does “Kinky Boots” have to do with finding happiness?

For 18 months, my sister(in-law) and I had  been planning to see “Kinky Boots” on Broadway.  Our plan was to meet in New York on a Wednesday afternoon and purchase the tickets on that day.

Last Sunday, while I was shopping for groceries in preparation for the Blizzard of 2015, my sister was excited to tell me that she got tickets – front row seats for Wednesday, January 28th.  

I had mixed emotions because there I was planning a whole week’s Snowmageddon, while my sister probably didn’t realize a snow storm of epic proportions was on its way to the New York area.

Needless to say, when the NJ Transit suspended service until Thursday, excitement turned into disappointment. Luckily, the snowstorm wasn’t as bad as predicted, and the train schedule resumed on Tuesday.

Going back to making time for people we love…

Winter is not my favorite season.  If possible, I prefer to stay at home. But to maintain and grow relationships, we need to make time.  Luckily I did.

My sister and I had a few hours before the play. We shared Chicken Caesar salad and Bloody Mary at Iron Bar and Lounge on 8th Avenue, and talked about life. Salad was delicious and plenty for both of us, the Bloody Mary had a perfect combination of ingredients and didn’t taste like tomato juice, and our conversation was engaging, funny and exciting.

The only thing I knew about the play “Kinky Boots” was that the music and lyrics were composed by Cindy Lauper. I was a fan of Cindy Lauper. I must have listened (over and over) to her song, “Time After Time” when I first migrated to America 30 years ago. 

So I figured, Punk rock and Kinky  - totally unconventional, right? So the play has got to be rambunctious, risqué, loud and shocking.  Well, it wasn’t. (Except, perhaps, if you haven’t seen a drag queen, or haven’t heard the word “sex”.)



The main story is about Charlie Price (Andy Kelso), the heir to the shoe factory, “Price & Son” and how and why he chose to face his destiny on saving the 4th generation family factory from closing.

Who would have thought that there are quite a few life lessons emphasized in the play? It is not a story of sequins and 6-inch heels, but a story about compassion, acceptance, relationships and new beginnings.

There is something about the play that makes you think behind the obvious. Lola (Timothy Ware), when being who she really is - the drag queen and performer, exudes confidence larger than life. However, when she tries to be someone she isn’t, such as dressing up as a man, her personality comes across timid, suppressed and restrained.

Just like in real life, there are people who are mostly in the background, but can surprise you by their sincerity, passion and silliness. Lauren (Jeanna De Waal), one of the factory workers, was that person.  The line that touched me the most was when she was relaying the story about her father’s funeral. Lesson emphasized: It’s not about the material things left behind by our loved ones – it’s "US" - that’s what matters most.

The story is about accepting who you are, valuing friendships and relationships, what being a man truly means, father and son relationship – or lack of, accepting other people for who they are, realizing what makes life worth living – finding happiness.




Here are a few memorable lyrics from the play:

Take What You Got

You can't move on if you're still in the past
         You've gotta take what you've got
         Even when your life is in knots
         You take aim, take your shot
         Sometimes, you've got to re-write the plot

Step One.
I may be facing the impossible,
I may be chasing after miracles.
And there may be the steepest mountain to overcome.
         But this is step one.


Raise You Up/Just Be.

Change the world when you change your mind!
         Just be. Who you wanna be.
         Never let them tell you who you ought to be.
         Just be. With dignity.
         Celebrate your life triumphantly.

Needless to say, amid my sister’s warning, I shed a few tears on top of laughter, giddiness and joy.

My sister and I left the Al Hirschfeld Theatre filled with emotions. Being seated in the first row was a special treat. The performers winked, blew kisses, waved and made contact with us. We even got to chat with the Musical Team during intermission.

After the play, we walked to the Princeton Club.




Who knew? Sisters from two continents: One from a Third World Country and the other from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn would be celebrating life at the Woodrow Wilson Dining Room at the Princeton Club. My husband joined us as we celebrated a wonderful day and the fulfillment of nice milestone. We talked and laughed about our growing family, the trips we've taken together as the “Furer Nine”, new business ventures, the prospect of writing a screenplay about our hilarious parents, my “Good Wife” obsession, and the deflated balls of the Super Bowl, all while enjoying a scrumptious dinner and dessert of bread and rice pudding – something that even our gourmet chef of a Mom would approve.

Cheers to family! ( Thank you sis)



You see, in our day-to-day hectic life, we can always find ways to be happy. Making time to be with the people we love is unparalleled happiness.

So…


Are you happy?


Comments

  1. You can watch live events from the best artists when you purchase the right tickets here.Kinky Boots Tickets!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gratitude is the key to a happy life, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how we have, we are not going to be happy - because we always want something else or something more steadily."
    - David Steindl Rast -


    Read More here

    How to Find Happiness in 5 minutes?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo