Cece In The City

Tag: culture

  • A Weekend of Memories, Music & Moments

    Hey y’all!

    This weekend was one for the books — a blend of emotions, culture, family time, and smooth jazz vibes. First, I want to pause and say Happy Heavenly Birthday to my beautiful mom. Although she’s no longer here with us on earth, I still keep our little tradition alive: I grab a bunch of balloons and release them into the sky with love. It’s my way of saying, “I’m thinking of you, always.” She’s the reason I keep going, and moments like these remind me just how much I miss her every single day.

    To celebrate life and keep our spirits lifted, my daughters and I headed out for one of our special weekend adventures. We take turns choosing what we do — and this time, it was one of my daughters’ picks. She chose a unique gem called Gio Am Nhac in Doraville, GA. This little shop was filled with a mix of treasures — music, trinkets, and vibes. Our rule: everyone had to pick one item. I ended up choosing a green bracelet. If you know me, you know I love the color green — it’s calming, vibrant, and reminds me of growth and peace.

    After that, our foodie hearts led us to Paris Mi Banh, where I tried their pâté pork roll croissant. Let me just say — different, but interesting. I’m all about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing different cultures through food, and this spot definitely gave me a new experience!

    But wait — my weekend didn’t stop there.

    On Saturday night, I had the pleasure of seeing the legendary Gerald Albright live at the Fayetteville Amphitheater. If you’re a jazz lover, you already know — he never disappoints. This was my second time seeing him, but my first time at this venue. The atmosphere was beautiful, and the music? Soul-soothing. Yes, it was hot out, but shoutout to my friend who brought neck fans — lifesavers! If you don’t have one yet, check Amazon ASAP and thank me later.

    Click link to get Fan

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    So that was my weekend — filled with love, family, culture, and jazz. What about you? How did you spend your weekend? Tried any new places, caught any good shows, or had a special moment with someone you love?

    Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.

    With love and city adventures,
    Cece

  • A Journey to Serenity: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lilburn GA

    In the heart of Lilburn, GA, I discovered a sanctuary of spirituality and breathtaking artistry – the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. A mandir, a Hindu place of worship, offers a serene escape where peace and spirituality converge. This visit was not just about admiring architecture but about embracing a glimpse of a culture rich in tradition and devotion.

    Though photography wasn’t allowed inside, the experience was nothing short of enchanting. The mandir’s interior radiates tranquility, adorned with intricate carvings that reflect centuries of craftsmanship and faith. Fortunately, the exterior is equally mesmerizing, a true testament to architectural brilliance.

    Constructed from over 34,000 individually hand-carved pieces of Turkish limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone, the mandir is a marvel of engineering and artistry. Each piece was meticulously carved in India and shipped to the U.S., coming together like a giant 3D puzzle to create this magnificent temple.

    Walking its grounds felt like stepping into a timeless work of art. The blend of cultures, the stories etched in every stone, and the sense of peace it exudes make it a must-see destination. If you’re ever in the area, take the time to visit this gem – it’s a humbling reminder of the beauty of diversity and the unity it fosters.

    Have you ever visited a mandir or a similar spiritual haven? Let me know about your experience! 💫

  • Michael C. Carson Museum

    Michael C. Carson Museum

    Atlanta GA

    By: Cece Hymes

    I got a chance to check out this Museum. It was nice. It wasn’t that big but a nice size. You can enjoy the collections. Explore the art and history of world cultures from Africa; The Americas; ancient Greece and Rome: and South Asia.

    They had Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near eastern art. They had the collections of mummies and talks about the Egyptian funerary masks, finely crafted bronze statuettes of deities.

    We saw the Greek Roman Art and it was so unique it had the maps on the floor, they had the Pacific Ocean and more. I thought that was very unique and different. I haven’t seen that in any other Museum.

    I love learning about the different cultures and ancient times. If you are interested check out this museum, it is really nice and very interesting. Make sure to follow me at Cece. Atl.

  • Atlanta History Center

    Place: Atlanta History Center

    Where: Atlanta GA

    By: Cece Hymes

    Got a chance to go to the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta GA. I learned a lot yesterday about the history and culture that took place years ago in Atlanta GA. Great time to go and learn also because it was MLK day. It had a couple of different sections to go and explore.

    Atlanta History Center is a history museum and research center. The Museum was founded in 1926 and consists of at least 9 exhibitions. It talks a lot about the civil war and the history right here in Atlanta. It is so much here in Atlanta to explore. Here was some of the history and exhibitions that’s there to check out:

     

    ·         Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City

    ·         Cyclorama

    ·         Locomotion (Railroads and making of Atlanta)

    ·         Turning Point (The American Civil War)

    ·         Gatheround

    ·         Native Lands

    ·         Fair Play (The Bobby Jones Story)

    ·         Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow

     

    It so much history in this Museum. Glad to learn more about the different cultures and the history. If you are in the Atlanta area, check out the Atlanta History Center. Great place to teach your kids about the history of Atlanta. It’s a lot here that people don’t even know. If you have been here before, what did you think about it? Make sure to follow me @Cece.Atl