Because January Is For Lists

I want to:

do something relevant.

do something challenging.

volunteer more often.

carve out writing time for myself daily.

I want to think:

that I am capable enough to accomplish any task, no matter how challenging.

seriously about what I want to do career-wise, and what it’s going to take to get there.

about everything I say before I say it.

I want to learn:

how to love better.

how to love myself better.

how to live greener.

more about politics, and less about the b.s. surrounding it.

to think globally.

I want to see:

how far I can push myself, physically.

Africa, Egypt, and Paris in the spring-time.

the way my hair looks blonde, someday.

I want to try:

being a vegetarian, at least where red meat and pork are concerned.

eating healthier, regardless of if I’m able to let go of red meat forever.

I want to tell:

more jokes.

my family and friends how important they are to me, better and more often.

Chris that he makes me so happy, daily.

I want to touch:

coral along an underwater reef.

a paintbrush to canvas.

the hands of a newborn.

I want to smell:

a huckleberry pie straight from the oven, that I baked from scratch.

food and festivities and all of my family in one room next Thanksgiving.

grass underneath my bare feet.

I want to feel:

confident about my own abilities and natural talents.

that what I do for most of the day, at work, matters.

fit enough to run a 5k, easily.

I want to stop:

worrying about everything resting out of my control.

pretending that I feel guilty about being happy.

drop, and roll.

living in the past.

I want to let go of:

my fears of failing.

my fears of being successful.

people and places that were never good for me, not ever.

wondering what might have been.

doubt.

———–

What do you want?

Do A Big Sister A Favor?

Today is babycarrot sister’s 26th! Day of Cake. Being that my sister happens to be (awesome, yes! and) one of my favorite people on the planet, I think instead of being here, you should go here, and read all about what made her day great. (Seeing as how we’re all very visual learners around these parts, I will tell you that there are most definitely pictures. Of cake, even!)

You could even wish her a happy! birthday. You know, if you → Read more...

My Heart Is A Nautical-Themed Pashmina Afghan

We interrupt copious amounts of Asia recapping this broadcast for a maritime digression of sorts.

You see, I’ve been a lover of the ocean, and of all things aquatic and nautical-inspired, ever since I can remember.

My love for sea-faring-everything might very well have been fostered during the myriad spring breaks spent exploring quaint coastal communities in and around Port Ludlow, Washington. Some of my fondest childhood memories spring forth from days spent poking my curious face into every trinket shop in → Read more...

Paint By Numbers

Or, My Asian Adventure, Numerically Speaking.

1: Raw Ginseng root eaten after being offered by a kindly man with wrinkles showcasing his eyes at the Yangyang market. Also the number of photos I was asked to be in with total strangers (at the Forbidden City in Beijing).

6: Times I was asked to take pictures for total strangers.

2: Cups of mineral water I drank directly from a spring in the ground (in Osaek).

3: Flights (out of 5) wherein I had two (or → Read more...

Eggers-How We Are Hungry

I knew the Red Pyramid had just been reopened, or was about to be reopened, though I didn’t know why they called it Red. I wanted to ride on a horse through the desert. I wanted to see if this man–slight, with brown teeth, wide-set eyes, a cop mustache–would try to kill me. There were plenty of Egyptians who would love to kill me, I was sure, and I was ready to engage in any way with someone who wanted → Read more...