“You can’t create fate because then it’s not fate, it’s Voodoo.”

I have so much I’m thinking about, words swirling around in my head that aren’t quite ready to be transported to any sort of page, online or otherwise, and did I mention I’m flying to Asia in t-minus THREE DAYS and counting?

If you’re thinking I’m ridiculously excited (you’re right! and), add a dollop of sheer GLEE (I get to see my SISTER, and WILL, and HUG them both), and a dash of apprehension (because hi, I have no idea what to expect, or how I’m going to read anything, and one of my co-workers recently told me to bring anti-poo pills with me, and did I ever anticipate I would be talking to said co-worker about bowel movements while traveling abroad? No, no I did not) to the emotional mix, and you will have my emotional state in a nutshell. Or in a mixing bowl, as it were.

No doubt I’m going to have endless pictures to share from upcoming weeks to be spent in China and South Korea (and I’m beyond excited to take those pictures, and to share them), but for now, here’s how this past week looked in pictures:

Exhibit A: An empty fortune cookie on Monday, which, while causing me a brief existential crisis, also made me realize that yeah, I really do make my own luck. Take that, Cheap Chinese Restaurant Who Shall Not Be Named (cough…August Moon…cough).

Exhibit B: We like to rain it, rain it.

Exhibit C: A new necklace, which I’m (amusing myself by) calling The Precious. The Precious is so precious, in fact, that it can’t bother to be photographed in focus.

Exhibit D: A lovely gift from Sizz! Inside the adorable box was an even more adorable pair of turquoise earrings.

Exhibit E: Or, what happens when you try to take a picture of a beautifully colored sky while you’re walking out to your car after work. I actually love the way this shot turned out, even if it is all epileptic-looking.

Exhibit F: This is what me choosing books to be stowed in my one and only carry-on looks like. The stack below represents the main contenders, which I am now evaluating based on 1) weight; 2) general interest in the story/stories; 3) probability of the book encouraging strangers to strike up conversations with me while I’m attempting to read on the plane. Antisocial air travelers, UNITE.

Exhibit G: I (basically) finished packing a full week before I’m scheduled to fly. That’s a personal record in anal-retentive travel for me.

Exhibit H: Running office-related errands and thinking these window decals walked right out of Where The Wild Things Are.

Exhibit I: Work-related fun in our Creepy Storage Unit. (That’s Erin! at the window.)

Exhibit J: I spent the bulk of Saturday shopping, lunching and movie-watching with Kali! at Bridgeport Village. It was my second visit to the shopping oasis and my first ever trip to Anthropologie. I managed to finish the majority of my pre-travel errands while enjoying terrific company. It was, in a word: awesome. Also awesome: Kali’s adorable flower hair clip.

Exhibit K: Want to donate to Haiti relief efforts and get an awesome t-shirt at the same time? Threadless is offering a new shirt with 100% of proceeds going to the American Red Cross. The mustached rabbits want you to donate. Listen to the mustached rabbits.

*Post title is from a super random episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Weekend Update, Leprechaun Edition

I haven’t run a 5k since 2005, when my sister and I signed up to “trot” a Race for the Cure in Portland and then on race day, about twenty minutes before we were set to briskly walk with the rest of the meanders, she asked if we could run. We have different memories of this day, but I remember knowing we would run even though we had said we were going to walk. I also remember that while she → Read more...

Things I’m Contemplating As I Enter This, My Superhero(ine) Phase

This post inspired by my friend and Patron Saint of Divorce Redemption.

We’ve all heard about the five (or seven) stages of grief, the designated personal places you must traipse within and for yourself to be able to stand tall on the other side of whatever loss you are suffering. Stages you need to fight your way through surviving, and really processing, to be able to find yourself again.

In my head I liken the five stages of divorce to a wily → Read more...

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...