Blog
Hidden Wonders
Written for Nour de la Garza
by Paulina Pena
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Sometimes, you just need to get away. But not exactly a full-on vacation, because you have that presentation at work approaching. There are places to clear your head without breaking the bank or completely avoiding your responsibilities. And they’re all right here, in Houston.
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I present to you the Hidden Wonders of Houston:
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1. James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace at Rice University. If you’re sunset or sunrise lover, this space is for you. James Turrell is an artist known for his manipulation of light and space through constructing outdoor architecture to boast pieces of the sky. He does this through a sequence of light shows that only play during the sunrise and sunset. Each sequence lasts about an hour, and cause the viewers to ooh and aah over the dancing colors meant to compliment the changing atmosphere. The experience is perfect for a date, a best friend, or even your designated “me time.” You won’t regret this one.
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2. Dan Flavin’s Installation at Richmond Hall. Dan Flavin was a man studying to a priest in seminary when he realized he could connect better to god though his art work: what more radical a way than through neon lights? Like the Twilight Skyspace, this collection of lights is a separate experience at night than it is during the day. As the space is owned by the Menil family, it is free and open to the public.
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3. The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. Perfect if you’re looking for a piece of hidden history, the Buffalo Bayou Cistern is located underground Houston. With eerie echos and uniform pillars, this place is perfect for some photography! Though tickets for the tour are required, anyone can visit it.
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4. The Fabiola Project in Museum District. Hidden in the pocket amongst the Menil buildings, this hidden gem is also free and open to the public. This brutalist modern building is dark and dimly lit, with one wall of differently painted portraits of “Fabiola,” a charitable woman of her time. There are seats to sit and quietly take in the vastness of the collection, and the dark space will put you in a tranquil state of mind.
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5. The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston. Located on the outer edges of Greater Houston, this gem is begging to be photographed. An architectural masterpiece meant to pay tribute to Hindu ethics and culture, this place of worship was built in accordance with the Shilpa Shastra buildings in India. Whether you’re looking for a serene place to spur your spirituality, or need more pics for the gram- this place is worth your while.
Tips on how to reduce stress
Written for Nour de la Garza
By Paulina Pena
You’ve probably read tons of different articles on how to reduce stress saying the same thing: work out in the morning, have a morning routine, drink more water and just be a better human being overall- thank you every other article on the internet. But some forget that changing your actions and putting in so much extra effort is not getting to the root of the problem.
There are ways to reduce stress without getting up while the moon is still out and adding tons of sweaty gym clothes to your laundry pile.
Incorporate the Classics: There’s a reason Mozart and Beethoven play such a significant role in the artistic community. Even if you are not a regular listener to classical music, you know who they are.
Their works are mathematically rhythmic, which means listening to their pieces can have many helpful benefits:
• They can improve your memory
• Synchronize your heartbeat
• Decrease high blood pressure
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My go to is Johann Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, played beautifully by YoYo Ma. There are endless Spotify playlists of classical and symphonic music for the beginners- I know because I was one too.
Make time for activities that don’t involve a screen: Computers and other electronic devices are very stimulating for the brain and constant notifications can build like flutter in your headspace. Instead of resorting to Netflix for your next chill out session, let your eyes rest.
Read a book! For those who don’t know where to start check out “The Illustrated Man” By Ray Bradbury. It’s full of wildly imaginative short stories, perfect for a bedtime read.
Go for a walk in a neighborhood you find charming. A stroll can be relaxing, and what isn’t more motivating than walking beside houses you one day hope to live in.
Take a bath. Pour in some bath salts with herbal scents and light a candle. You deserve it!
Shake up your routine: Don’t feel tied down to your schedule. Believe it or not, there is life outside your Monday through Friday job. Take control of your free time after work and wander about. Some of the best events in Houston take place on a Thursday.
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• Did you know the MFAH is open until 9:00pm every Thursday, with happy hour and food trucks?
• Depending on the season, Discovery Green hosts festivals that last through the week and the weekend.
• Lots of coffee shops around Houston have happy hours- Black Hole is one of them!
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Mindfulness: Everyone has their own version of this. The objective is to find a place where your mind can rest from the noise of the outside world. You can try the go-to route and do a fifteen-minute meditation guided by YouTube or….
• Yoga. This helps you focus on breathing and connecting the mind to the body. Black Swan in Houston runs on donations and offers late classes during the week!
• Coloring books. Head into any arts and crafts store, and there are tons of pages pretty patterns sold solely for therapeutic purposes.
• Spend time with a loved one. Family members and best friends know you inside and out, so their company can be one of the best ways to feel at ease and have a good laugh.
How do you manage stress?