Tales of an Introvert Living in an Extravert’s World

I am an introvert. That doesn't mean that I'm shy, exactly. It's more that I require lots of time on my own, getting lost in the world of my imagination. That's part of what I love so much about traveling solo—it's a perfect excuse to interact when and how I wish and then retract, replenishing my...

It’s Always Sunny Above the Clouds

It's always sunny above the clouds. That's my first thought when taking off through the fog and gray, at the moment when blinding light bursts through the haze into the infinitely blue sky above. I love that it works both literally and figuratively, and it sets my travel mood to introspection. Perspective is a wonderful and...

Who Am I?

The other day while I was reading Harry Potter to my son I got a text from a friend I haven't spoken to in years. It occurred to me that while my life has been a linear series of adventures and experiences to me, to my son, I am an entity that began seven years...

Rock Like a Girl

Being a woman can be tough. It often feels like a bunch of conflicting ideals: be desirable, but not needy; be hot but approachable; be intelligent but not intimidating; be confident in everything you do, but with a hint of wounded bird fragility that suggests you really do need saving; be a martyr caretaker and an adventurous free-spirit....

Hypocrisy and (In)Tolerance

In my wanderlusting life I've spent a lot of time in various countries and cultures, always taking it upon myself to be as aware and sensitive to whatever norms are typical and acceptable there. As the outsider I have always felt it is my responsibility to blend in and not offend. Inevitably, there have been...

Because I Can

I have this friend. She’s one of my favorite people on the planet. And I’m lucky enough to say that we’ve been friends for half my life. We met at the American University of Paris, where we were living on our own for the first time in our newly adult lives. In French class one...

A Turn Toward the Unexpected

In taking the advice of Brené Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert I find myself in unusual territory—following my muse and learning to be kind to myself. I accidentally started writing two (very different) novels at the same time. It may seem a strange thing to do, but it just happened. Having ideas for multiple novels at a...

The Flow

"Once I sat down the story just sort of wrote itself." I was minding my own business, waiting for my latte when I overheard a woman make this statement. I almost laughed out loud. Almost. I have some self control. Sometimes. Although I may have had to remind myself that punching someone in the throat is...

A Love Letter to Addicts

In my life I have been significantly impacted by addiction. Sitting idly by, watching someone you love wrestle the beast is the most helpless and soul-crushing part. I don't want to enable, but when I see someone in pain, it hurts to say the things I know they least want to hear. So here is...

Harry Potter and the Love of Reading

For this blog I'm making a point of acknowledging a parenting win. I struggled to figure out what to write about this week, between the Stanford rape case and the powerful letter written by the victim that sparked a much needed national conversation, and Hillary Clinton making history as the first female presumptive presidential nominee...