“Best. Day. Ever.” I sent those three words and a picture of Mitch Albom’s book, “The Next Person You Meet In Heaven” to my best friend, just two days after the novel arrived on bookshelves. We exchanged words of giddy elation, sent a few dozen exclamation points back and forth before I put my phone… Continue reading | Checked Out: October Book Review |
| Writer’s Rebellion Workshop Day 1: A Will To Dig Deeper |
A stretch of time alone, with no agenda… A vocal rain, tapping on the windows, filling an otherwise sleepy room… Norah Jones on the record player and a warm beverage by my side… Tonight seemed like an opportune time to begin my online writing course, mentioned in my last blog post. I logged into the… Continue reading | Writer’s Rebellion Workshop Day 1: A Will To Dig Deeper |
| Another Year, Another Goal List |
Last week, I turned 31 years old. It was an incredible day filled with family, friends, delightful gifts and delectable sweets. I got the royal treatment at work and the festivities continued after I returned home- homemade pasta served inside of a whole steamed lobster, wine, a mouth-watering dessert with “Happy Birthday” scripted on the… Continue reading | Another Year, Another Goal List |
| Checked Out: September Book Review |
After I fell in love with “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho at the beginning of the year, his name caught my eye while scanning library shelves on my last visit. I picked up “Brida” and the back cover sounded interesting enough to check the book out: It foreshadowed, according to the summary, “a tale of… Continue reading | Checked Out: September Book Review |
| The Canadian Rockies Called, And I Had To Go: Alberta Exploration, Part II |
Fall is officially here: I can’t believe that another season is already in the rearview. While I am quite ready for throw blankets and backyard fires, butternut squash soup and hazelnut coffee, tree transformations and all of the apple-picking, pumpkin picking, Halloween candy distribution and Thanksgiving food comas that this time of year brings, I… Continue reading | The Canadian Rockies Called, And I Had To Go: Alberta Exploration, Part II |
| A NoVa Weekend Itinerary, In The Spirit Of Friendship |
One of my first adult trips abroad was to London, England, when I was just 22 years old. I booked a single roundtrip ticket and had no intention of inviting anyone along- the goal was to find a three-star accommodation downtown and nestle inside a cozy coffee shop for a week, people watch and write.… Continue reading | A NoVa Weekend Itinerary, In The Spirit Of Friendship |
| Checked Out: August Book Review |
Confession: I haven’t read too many self-help books in my thirty-year lifetime. In the past three years, however, my personal outlook has moved from “ignorance is bliss” to “holy sh*t, who/ what/ where am I?” Things have changed quite a bit. I wake up married, blissfully bound by “till death, do us part.” When the… Continue reading | Checked Out: August Book Review |
| Checked Out: July Book Review |
As mentioned previously, one of my favorite books of all time is “The Aviator’s Wife,” by Melanie Benjamin, a historical, imaginative account of one of the world’s most well-known couples: Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I knew a little about Charles Lindbergh from elementary school days and my current close proximity to the Smithsonian… Continue reading | Checked Out: July Book Review |
| Putting Meaning Into The Mailbox |
Did You Know… “That according to a survey done by the post office, last year the typical home received a personal letter about every seven weeks; in 1987 it was once every two weeks. Increasingly, most of us are emailing the things we used to send through traditional mail like bills, cards, notes and invitations.”… Continue reading | Putting Meaning Into The Mailbox |
| Strolling Down Memory Lane, Past Rome, Florence, & Chianti, Italy |
Imagine this: You are embarking on a twelve-day journey to Italy with your own “famiglia” by your side. As you board the aircraft, soon departing for Rome, you smile knowing that your dream apartment in a foreign paradise awaits you. An apartment with six bedrooms, a well-appointed kitchen, and a modern, minimalistic living room dressed… Continue reading | Strolling Down Memory Lane, Past Rome, Florence, & Chianti, Italy |
| Checked Out: June Book Review |
“The Great Gatsby” is one of my all-time favorite books, so F. Scott Fitzgerald has long been a legendary name in my mind. I knew little of his character, however, and the life he led; was only well acquainted with Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, and Nick Carraway from his most acclaimed novel. So when scrolling… Continue reading | Checked Out: June Book Review |
