I love traveling. Like really love it. If I could become a full-time traveler, with no agenda other than to make it to every single country in the world, I would so do it! Besides the sights, the languages, the sounds, the smells, the food, it's the people that I love the most. And one … Continue reading connection

Camelbak-check!Spinal rolls-check!Eyelash curler-check!iPod-check!TOMS-check!Vaseline-check!Canon-check!Almonds-check!Passport-check!Enough clothes to last two weeks months-check!It's nearly impossible to pack a suitcase with clothes, 'necessities', and birthday gifts without going over the 50 pound weight limit. It's also nearly impossible to pack a suitcase without packing in expectations. Because packing is about planning and preparing for something in the future. And expectations … Continue reading expectations

I love the feeling of being alive. So many people live their entire lives without ever really living. Their heart beats, they breathe air and move around, but are never really alive.They buy fancy cars. They build large houses. They invest, they save, they even pay off debt. The white picket fence holds in the dog … Continue reading alive

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, I decided to read one of my favorite writings of his: Oh, The Places You'll Go. To a girl who just quit her job, moved to a new city, and started a new job...this book is quite perfect. It's light and funny, and yet so depressingly honest. It's kind … Continue reading Theodor Seuss Geisel

Remember in elementary school when two people would simultaneously say the same word or phrase? What ensued was a race to yell "Jinx!" first to be the Jinxer and not the Jinxee. This silly game was very popular in our school cafeteria back in the day. There are a bajillion rules, variations, and penalties, but … Continue reading jinx

I believe insomnia can be cured by youtubing videos of baby animals. I discovered the abundance of happiness that comes from baby animals during a 3 hour pharmacology lecture several years ago. A fellow classmate had her laptop opened and instead of typing her notes, she was watching videos of baby animals: puppies, otters, seals, … Continue reading baby pandas

I am coming to believe that God did a good job making me. I believe I am lovely. Sounds boastful and self-centered, no?We, as a collective group of humans, are real good at tearing others down. But we're even better at tearing ourselves down. We are professionals at nit-picking, critiquing, and finding faults. We are … Continue reading lovely

I have a compulsion that keeps my feet shackled together as I try to go about my day-to-day business. It's a compulsion that stems from innocence, wanting to simply try things and be good at them. But in my case, this desire has grown into an unhealthy expectation that leads to disappointment. I want to do … Continue reading two lists

I have a love-hate relationship with questions. Everything I hate about questions: the uncertainty, the waiting, the grayness, I love about questions.Questions propose something is missing or unknown. Questions yearn for an answer, a solution, some certainty. Questions can challenge, convict, or cast doubt. But no question, according to my high school science teacher, is … Continue reading questions