Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Moving on.



I am getting ready to move once again, right after the New Year. It will be my fourth move in less than a year, but I am quite excited for this new space. 

The apartment itself is old, and nothing to brag about. But it is a gated complex, with free parking, pool, and gym; shopping, food, and movie theater nearby in downtown suburbia, and ten-minute walking distance from work. But even better than that, I will be getting the master bedroom, which is bathed in an abundance of bright, natural light, generous closet real estate, and my own bathroom. 

I haven't started to pack my belongings yet, but am already imagining how I will make this new place my own. I went through so, so much this past year, but I am grateful for each and every moment. It made this life mine, and it is with a peaceful heart that I am welcoming the new year.

Cheers to 2012.






Monday, November 7, 2011

Metamorphosis.

Remember your name. Do not lose hope—what you seek will be found. Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn. Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story.

- Neil Gaiman


Lots of change in my life these days - and yet, so much remains the same.


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Suspended in time and space.



I am going to spend the bulk of my time off snuggling in bed with these two.

Lucky and happy that Manfriend has plans of joining us, too.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Where would you go?


I've been with my firm for nearly three years. I now have three days left here.

It still feels surreal that I am, indeed, leaving.

My new boss insisted that I take the next week off before joining my new team and company, and... well...

I am not really sure what I will do, or where I will go during my mini-vacation -- if I had endless financial reserves at my disposal, I would have flown to Greece or Rome.

But some reason, renting a cute little Volkswagen bug, and embarking on a solo roadtrip with no real destination, seems like an attractive (and perhaps likely) option right at this moment.
 
Who knows where I will end up from here on out.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Happy face.



Despite a dismal day in DC today, and even more sad weather reports of 70% chance of rain and snow in New York this pre-Halloween weekend, this gray but absolutely great photo from Ben Heine put on a happy face on mine as well.

Check out the rest here.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Women need real moments.


"Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away."

- Barbara De Angelis

...

I've always known this.

And in addition to knowing it and embracing it, I am infinitely fortunate to have met a man who not only understands this need of mine, but also encourages it and reminds me of it when my life gets a little hectic and I forget about taking care of myself before I take care of others.

Friday, October 21, 2011

May I never be.



May I never be complete.
May I never be content.
May I never be perfect.

- Chuck Palahniuk

May we never become complacent or indifferent to all that surrounds us. Happiest Friday.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mother Nature.


Last Saturday, Manfriend and I went on a six-hour hike with our recently wedded friends on Old Rag Mountain.

The fog and morning air. The fall foliage. The sun. The sky. The view, from way up there. 

It was amazing, and overwhelming, and perfect, and decaying, and dying, and most of all, it was beautiful. It all filled me up with something I can't quite describe; can't quite put into words. 

In the age of social networking, information overload, and endless competition - in my everyday life of noisy commutes, and hustle and bustle of city living, and personal pursuit of knowledge and lofty aspirations - at the very peak of that mountain, in those very moments, I was so relieved and content to simply just be.

Think about it.



"When I was a student at Cambridge I remember an anthropology professor holding up a picture of a bone with 28 incisions carved in it. 'This is often considered to be man’s first attempt at a calendar' she explained. She paused as we dutifully wrote this down. ‘My question to you is this – what man needs to mark 28 days? I would suggest to you that this is woman’s first attempt at a calendar.’ It was a moment that changed my life. In that second I stopped to question almost everything I had been taught about the past. How often had I overlooked women’s contributions?"

- Sandi Toksvig

Friday, October 14, 2011

Perfecting the art of doing nothing.


Thursday night, and I'm starting to realize more and more that I need tons of alone time to make it through my weeks - alone time to think, reflect, write, dream, create, read. 

Except, between work and school these days, those moments spent alone, doing absolutely nothing substantive, have been fewer in between.

One term down. Let's get this 4.0 GPA streak going, shall we? 

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Follow your bliss.

“Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

- Steve Jobs


The beauty of life - my life - is that I have a wide range of possibilities and opportunities at my disposal. Maybe more than some people. Maybe even more than many people.

In accepting this realization with graciousness and gratefulness, I am also reminding myself to listen to my own voice. The past two months have been challenging - balancing work, grad school, interviews, extracurriculars, family matters, while also trying to keep sane, and looking for that "next step". Moving forward, I need to, once again, redefine my priorities. 

I know I'll have the courage to follow my bliss. Right now, I just need to focus on what that is, exactly. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Utterly angry.

I am so angry; angry at someone so close to me.

I have long seen this person as a victim, but clearly, you have made your decision.

Time and time again, you choose to remain where you are - flailing helplessly, when you already know how to swim.

I should give up on you; cut all ties, and say goodbye. But I can't.

I can't because you've always been a part of me.

For better or worse, you will always be a part of me.

Monday, September 26, 2011

30-Day Letter Writing Challenge

Starting today.

(Although, definitely not for the next consecutive 30 days.)


•Day 1 — Your Best Friend

•Day 2 — Your Crush

•Day 3 — Your parents

•Day 4 — Your sibling (or closest relative)

•Day 5 — Your dreams

•Day 6 — A stranger

•Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush

•Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

•Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

•Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

•Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to

•Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain

•Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you

•Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from

•Day 15 — The person you miss the most

•Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country

•Day 17 — Someone from your childhood

•Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be

•Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad

•Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest

•Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression

•Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to

•Day 23 — The last person you kissed

•Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory

•Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times

•Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to

•Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day

•Day 28 — Someone that changed your life

•Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to

•Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Labor of love.

I haven't had much time for leisure writing these days.

Part of me knows that this is bullshit. That it takes 10 seconds to log in, and another ten minutes to type out something - anything. But part of me also feels perfectly justified in my neglect of this blog as of late.

As of late, in between working and volunteering, I have been busy preparing for interviews and class presentations, dealing with some unfortunate family matters, as well as doing an insane amount of reading and studying for school. There's probably more in there somewhere, but drafting a laundry list of complaints isn't my intention here.

My intention here, with this blog entry, comes from the fact that I've been at my absolute happiest in a very long time. I celebrated my birthday last week, and have realized just how much I have changed -- how many challenges I've braved, and how much beauty I have seen -- in a matter of a year.

Year after year, I realize more and more that each of our lives, is a labor of love.

Inject your life with love -- for yourself, for those you care most around you, for your dreams and goals and those of others. Love first, and happiness will then follow.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

10 steps to becoming a better writer.

Five of which are outlined below:
  1. Write.
  2. Write more.
  3. Write even more.
  4. Write even more than that.
  5. Write when you don’t want to.
The rest can be found here.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Inspiration and collaboration.


Karl Lagerfeld's designs are coming to Macy's nationwide on August 31 for a fraction of the luxury brand's price. His sketches above aren't exactly what I expected from him, but they're making my head turn with ideas and inspiration.

I've selectively shared my vision and goals with two more friends whom I admire and respect deeply. I think with any venture, big or small, you need to build support for it while also being open for constructive criticism. Too often, we are so focused on what we are trying to achieve, we get tunnel vision, or become caught in the unrealistic expectations we've built for ourselves.

As I move forward, I am finding people who will not only listen to what I have to say, but will also share their concerns/advice that will come from a well-meaning, well-intentioned place, versus stemming from jealousy or competitiveness. That's the very worst.

Monday, August 8, 2011

The wheels are in motion.


“The world is changing and it’s up to us to play an active role in it. If we passively live our lives, the universe will act accordingly.”

Jessica Krewson, FIDM Graphic Design Alumna and Art Director of Yogi Times

I've had an idea for a very long time now. The first person whom I first shared it with is someone who loves me and supports me greatly. The first stranger I recently let in on my secret told me she strongly believed in me.

The wheels are now in motion. I have been doing my research, attending workshops, reaching out to my network, asking questions, observing and learning from those who have been down this road before me.

These days, I wake up feeling excited again.

The seed has been planted. Now it's up to me to nurture it and let it grow.

Friday, August 5, 2011

I have so much to say. But too lazy to say them.



It's been a long week. I should probably head back to my parents' house tonight, but after a long (but fun!) week with friends and coworkers, I am in dire need of "me" time to recharge and reflect before a weekend filled with activity after activity with family and relatives. 

One definite thing on the to-do list, though: After reading Lisa Bloom's eye-opening article earlier this week on "How To Talk to Little Girls" (via A Cup of Jo), I am really looking forward to seeing my little girl cousins and all the conversations we will have about which books currently intrigue them, what subjects fascinate them most at school, and what country/city they'd love to visit some day. 

Happiest Friday.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Traveling Thursdays: Our time at Waka Shorea Resort, by the Balinese shore.


Manfriend and I spent a total of ten days in Bali, two of which we stayed at the Waka Shorea Resort.

An environmental sanctuary located on the shore of West Bali's National Park, the natural and aquatic surroundings made for an incredibly unique and memorable experience (heightened by the fact that we got ferried over by moonlight the first night we checked in). Secluded and isolated, guests can go hiking, diving, biking, or simply laze about by the beach or pool.

For a (slightly prissy) girl who has never been camping (yet), I surprisingly had an amazing time. The bungalows were rustic and charming - and I loved sighting various wild animals freely roaming about during various times of the day. This place isn't for everyone, I'm sure, but it's all about adjusting your expectations and having a sense of adventure: the resort is in the middle of the forest, after all!

But the moments that I have come to cherish the most, are now some of the most peaceful, wonderful memories I have taken back home with me from that beautiful island nation. From watching the sun slowly paint the skies and ocean water together, and eating all of our meals while we eavesdropped on the waves' conversations with the shore -- it is small little things like these that make any trip truly and entirely our own.






Thursday, July 28, 2011

Traveling Thursdays: India, you are on my mind.


While in Singapore earlier this month, the Gentleman Lover, his cousin, friend and I ended up in Little India where we wandered aimlessly around the stalls and hole-in-the-wall stores of the loudest, most chaotic part in the city.

But God did I feel so alive steering my way through that crowd and those small and cramped alleyways; my spirit taking in all of the sounds, sights, and smells, before we spilled onto the main streets, which were filled with even more people, more noise, more color, more life.

India, you are on my mind. One day, I'm sure, you will be part of my heart as well.






{gorgeous photos via National Geographic}

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The "big" plan, on a napkin.


Those doodles? That napkin? Andrew Mason's "business plan" for his first collective action website, The Point, which then later lead to superstar start-up Groupon
Amazing, isn't it? 

Yet another reminder to myself (and others) that everything big, once started somewhere very small.

I always feel.


"I always feel like I’m struggling to become someone else. Like I’m trying to find a new place, grab hold of a new life, a new personality. I guess it’s part of growing up, yet it’s also an attempt to reinvent myself. By becoming a different me, I could free myself of everything.

I seriously believed I could escape myself- as long as I made the effort. But I always hit a dead end. No matter where I go, I still end up me. What’s missing never changes. The scenery may change, but I’m still the same old incomplete person. The same missing elements torture me with a hunger that I can never satisfy. I guess that lack itself is as close as I’ll come to define myself.

For your sake, I’d like to become a new person. It may not be easy, but if I give it my best shot, perhaps I can manage to change. The truth is, though, if put in the same situation again, I might very well do the same thing all over. I might very well hurt you all over again.

I can’t promise anything. That’s what I meant when I said I had no right. I just don’t have the confidence to win over that force in me."

- From one of my most favorite authors, Haruki Murakami

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Moving in a different direction.


I received some disappointing news recently about a job I had applied to nearly two months ago.

It was a process that took much longer than both sides anticipated (punctuated by my being out of the country for two weeks, I'm sure) as we went through several interviews and conversations. In the end, the Senior Vice-President sent me a letter, with two complimentary tickets to the organization's (amazing) museum, with no formal offer for me to accept.

Maybe this last act served to soften up the blow, but I highly appreciated the generosity. I honestly never knew a rejection letter could sound so gracious -- which made it mildly more sad that I will not be joining the department. Everyone was genuinely nice and personable, and it was probably one, if not the, most enjoyable "interviews" I have ever had. We all shared quite a few laughs, and the same sense of dry, sarcastic humor. My could-have-been boss and I talked about various topics like fashion, travel, and books, and he even emailed me an incredibly flattering note regarding my accomplishments and abilities the day after we met.

But, to be completely frank, the disappointment was incredibly shortlived. Because the words that stayed with me the longest -- long after I had heard and read them and folded the letter and its contents away -- were "moving in a different direction". Because it was in that rejection that a realization also came to light; that even though I greatly admired the organization and its mission, the bulk of the position itself did not align with my strengths and interests. And so, to be completely frank once again, I am mostly just more relieved that I can now move on.

Because that's what it all it comes down to, no? We keep on moving, moving, moving in a new direction. Everything happens for a reason.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Painting smiles.



There is a partner at my firm, whose office is a few doors down the hallway from me.

He has been with us for about a year, and not a day goes by that he comes into work without whistling or singing a tune -- loudly, and slightly off-key, but always without any apology.

Although I have heard other people complain, his humming always leaves me incredibly amused. In fact, it is from this small and simple act of his that I have since been inspired to implement three daily goals:

To act, speak, and think authentically without letting anyone else's opinions affect me.

To always remember that it is the little things that make the bigger differences.

To never let a day go by without painting a smile on another's face.

Friday, July 22, 2011

It's Friday, and I miss speaking French.


It's Friday. I am sitting here, reviewing this past week's events in my head, while I (try to) wait very patiently for an important call that could either transport me to the next chapter of my life, or be stored away as a great experience.

Either way, I am grateful for the consideration and opportunity.

Either or, I am at peace, and am ready to move on.

Isn't it funny that, the more experiences, skills, and abilities you accumulate through life, you sometimes forget about the basic talents that you excelled so greatly at, and enjoyed so much, as a child? People often compliment me on my writing, and although I am undoubtedly flattered, this always makes me a little sad afterwards, as their nice words and praises remind me of a time growing up when I used to pen silly poems that rhymed, and short stories that didn't make any sense in Vietnamese; a time when the idea and dream of becoming a writer and author was such a powerful one, that I aspiringly started on first chapters of future novels in both English and French whenever I had a free moment on my hands.

Oh, French. Today, I miss my command of the language I was immersed in from the age of four through thirteen, where the only time we were allowed to speak English was during English class. Our teachers kept telling us, Vous allez oublier le francais si vous ne parlez pas francais a chaque heure, de chaque jour.

Of course, we didn't listen. And of course, after many years of being educated in english in highschool and college -- after many years of not practicing it, shelving it away, not having any time or energy for it -- I did forget.

Oh, but I miss it. I really do. So, so much. Not because French is a love language, or because it is romantic, or sexy (even though it is all of those things, and more), but moreso because it was the first language other than the one I was born into that allowed me to capture the breadth and depth of my emotions and imagination -- the first language I could call mine, and not my parents', nor my parents' parents.

C'est vrai. My accent is (absolutely) terrible now. I (probably) write at a very elementary level. I (definitely) struggle to find words to express myself, and I fumble (way too often) to even spend time finding the right words.

Mais c'est vraiment pas une excuse. Je peux toujous commencer -- maintenant, aujourd'hui, cette fin de semaine.

I will be in New York this weekend, and I am giggling at all the opportunities I will get to pretend that I am visiting the city with my American friends, not understanding a lick of English when pesky men approach me at the bar. S'il-vous-plait, laissez-moi tranquille. Merci!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Living your strongest and happiest life.

I've found that the universe always has an uncanny way of leaving you little hints of what's to come; always showing you that you are on the right (or wrong!) path, with small signs here and there to guide you along the way.

All you have to do, is take notice, and listen; to be prepared and armed with a plan, ready for action.

Not too long after I wrote about my resolve to be (and become, still) a happier person a few days ago, I received in my inbox an interesting newletter article from SUCCESS Magazine titled, "Come on and get happy."

*looks around*.

*points to self*.

Wait. Who should be getting (more) happy, me?

Oh, yeah. Me.

The article referred to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research, where research suggested that life satisfaction, particularly among women, is declining. Data pulled from the study, which involved over 45,000 women over a period of 40 years, pointed to two things: that not only are we less happy than our male counterparts, but that we are also gradually becoming less and less happy, period.

I was both relieved, yet appalled when I read this. Relieved because it feels good not to be alone in my discontent, but completely appalled because we aren't the helpless, passive, or reactive sex that society seems to (still) make us out to be. We can totally do something about this. We can actively and fully regain and embrace our power to be happy.

But perhaps the bigger question on everyone's mind is, how?

I then found out about Marcus Buckingham, a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and all-around personal strengths expert, who tackled the subject of women's happiness in his book, Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently. According to him, the happiest and most successful women of our time exhibited certain similarities, such as:
  • focusing their lives on their best moments;
  • letting go of what doesn't strengthen them;
  • and, perhaps the most important one of all to me, accepting who they are.
More specifically, he urges women to explore the role they were born to play -- and then play it well.

(To find out your role, you can take his quiz at StrongLifeTest.com, which gives you a number of different hypothetical situations, with a variety of possible decision choices for each. The choice you make in each situation then indicates your interests, strengths, and the corresponding role that's likely to be most fulfilling for you.)

"Knowing your role is like having a compass providing direction on where to find happiness," he says. "The test provides a clear distinction of your biggest strength and suggests career moves that match those strengths."

Now, as we all know, women play a multitude of roles these days, from mothers, daughters, and sisters, to executives, consultants, or assistants. But I think Buckingham's on to something here, and I'm just mad he jumped on it before I (or anyone else) did.

After taking the quiz a few times over the past few days, and consistently scoring the "Creator" role each and every time, I've realized that I am at my best -- and, ultimately, happiest -- when I am developing new content, writing or blogging, brainstorming ideas or implementing new systems, or even just randomly doodling on the side of my notebook during meetings.

And although this realization was more of a reaffirmation of my existing strengths versus a more epic A-HA! moment of utter clarity, I took this as a good sign that I am doing something right; that even though my current job is nowhere near what I envision myself doing down the line, "for the rest of my life", at least I am creating, and finding, opportunities for myself to get to that point, one day.

And, you better believe I will appreciate it so much more when I do.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Yugen.

It is never a crime to feel too much -- but I have to admit that it can be a little inconvenient to do so, sometimes.

What's a girl to do with all these feelings and thoughts swirling about in her head and heart? Someone please tell me, because I'd sure like to know.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

There are the happy people of Bali. And then there's me.

One of the things that left such a deep impression on me during my time in Bali, was the strong, omnipresent sense of spirituality that guide the Balinese people in their everyday lives. Over 90% of the Balinese are Hindu, and their devotion to their religion is greatly apparent, no matter where you are on the island.

Temples with beautiful, spacious courtyards, and intricate sculptures were at every turn. The smell of incense permeated the air at every other hour, past every other corner. You could not take more than a few steps before you risked walking on some small offerings -- flowers, fruits, candy, and sometimes even cigarettes, tucked in little woven, leaf boxes on the ground or random sidewalk nooks.


It was all so wonderful to behold, and being able to witness the peaceful, gentle manner in which these people went about their daily, simple routines was truly a blessing. Despite their troubles, everyone I met seemed so content; so at ease, and at peace, with their place and role in the world.

This got me thinking about my own daily life back home, in the States, and how unhappy I've been for a very long time now. I was never really sure how, nor when, this chronic dissatisfaction started, exactly. I just knew that no matter how often I smiled or laughed out loud -- no matter how genuinely happy I was in that moment -- there was always the tiniest sense of emptiness; a hollowness that would echo back within me when the silence settled back down again deep down inside my core.


Reading a friend's recent blog entry made me realize that I, too, was an incredibly happy child who learned to create her own happy moments when times were less than ideal or sad. As I grew up, I never relied on anyone else to entertain me or comfort me when I was upset or frustrated. Now that I am an adult, I am sometimes accused of being "too independent", or "emotionally distant and cold", not allowing anyone to support me or help me when I need it the most. Sometimes, however, being strong is merely a cover up for weakness underneath. In my case, I let the stress and anxiety build up inside, and then it all comes out at the most inopportune moments. Misdirected anger. Uncontrollable crying, shaking, sobbing. In the past year or so, I started becoming someone I don't really recognize anymore.

First comes the awareness that the problem exists. Now comes the time for some major changes to take place.

It is so easy to forget that we are the only ones responsible for our own happiness. It is even easier to rely on other people or external factors as our primary source of joy. I may have just returned from an amazing trip abroad, but another journey is ahead of me now, one that needs to start from within.

Because happiness is a daily habit. And I intend to make it one of my best ones from now on.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Cherish your solitude.

Cherish your solitude.

Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars.

Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back.

Say no when you don't want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees.

Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here.

Believe in kissing.


- Eve Ensler, best known for creating the ground-breaking "Vagina Monologues".

Monday, July 11, 2011

A taste of paradise.

Second to last night in Bali and I never want to leave.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Millions of years.

Millions and millions of years

would still not give me half enough time

to describe that tiny instant of all eternity

when you put your arms around me

and I put my arms around you.

Jacques Prevert

(Anyone else read that guy's name as "Pervert"? Because I definitely did. Whoops.)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Traveling Thursdays: Travel and life.

NOT ONLY do I love Diane von Furstenberg for the iconic designer that she is, but I also admire her for her strength, wisdom, and free spirit.

I look at her curly, frizzy mane; I openly stare at her wrinkles that she doesn't attempt to hide nor alter; and then I think, wow, this is what I aspire to be like when I grow older; gracefully, and completely comfortable in my own skin, free to be me and no one else.

I remember reading an article once, and her secret to doing it all was to, just simply, love life, and keep on moving.

Love life. Keep on moving. That will be my motto, not only for my two weeks in Singapore and Bali, but for my own individual journey moving forward.

Which reminds me, I have exactly one week left to figure out what to pack for Asia, and I have been lusting after DVF's line of stylishly sturdy luggage for the longest time. In any case, I am definitely keeping some of the designer's (free!) jetsetting tips and other traveling tidbits in mind for now.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

There are no wrong turns.

Things have not been easy. And my heart doesn't realize it's still hurting so deeply until I am alone, in the dark.

In the darkness, the silence whispers to me stories of memories and moments with you. In the darkness, I can't pretend to forget; the sobs escaping my chest are reminders that I will always remember.

It's painful, when you realize that some journeys are meant to be traveled on your own; that in order to go forward, you must leave certain things, people, or places behind. There's always the tendency and desire to hold on, but I've learned time and time again that you cannot move on without letting go. Otherwise, you risk betraying your own soul; your own potential to grow.

But there has always been something freeing in getting lost. For oftentimes, it is while getting lost that we usually find our own way again.

I'm finding my own way again. And up ahead, where I am heading, there are no wrong turns.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.


Thursday night. I'm in this little nook of a bedroom of mine, listening to my heart missing you.

It's pouring in my city right now. Is the sky crying and sobbing over where you are, too?

Dream, dream, dream.


"Many of us stockpile dreams for years, cataloging and filing them away for later. Some of our heads are so full of them that it is hard to believe there is enough room for them all. If space does become a concern, one of the best places to store a dream is in reality. Once your dream has been realized, it is technically no longer your dream, but it may serve as inspiration for other peoples' dreams, in which case, it is still something of a dream. There is something of a dream in almost everything around us."

- Sam Grawe, Editor-in-Chief of Dwell Magazine

Dreams, like birds, should never be caged.

Traveling Thursdays: Stunning Sky Park in Singapore


As you look at these pictures of Sky Park in Singapore, remember that the U.S. hasn't upgraded its major infrastructure in over 50 years. Roads, bridges, the electrical grid, and mass transit have been put on hold for so long nobody even talks about them anymore. And decades ago we began shipping our manufacturing jobs overseas because they were only low-paying, menial, low-tech jobs, which didn't warrant our attention. Does this look like what a low-paying, low tech economy can do?

- Forwarded email and all accompanying photos from one of T's contacts in Singapore to some of the conference attendees. We'll be staying there from July 1st - July 4th, before hopping over to Bali for another ten days.






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