Navigating new motherhood one cold cup of coffee at a time
I come from a big family scattered across the states. Growing up I was told that I was about one-quarter Italian, Russian, Scottish and English. This knowledge was satisfying enough until I married Sean, and we decided to grow our own family. Then, I began to crave a deeper understanding of my roots so that I would… Continue reading Tracing our roots: my family history
"I just don't think I'm ready." Many of us know this feeling all too well, typically before curveballs or major crossroads in our lives. To some extent, I think we are being groomed to feel this hesitation when we so often hear "You will just know when the timing is right. You'll feel it." I'm guilty of… Continue reading Why we should stop assuming there is a perfect time for everything
Anyone who has moved, regardless of how far, has had to make the same adjustments. It starts with the perils of packing, making travel arrangements and house hunting. Even after signing a lease, the chores continue, from visiting the DMV, updating your address, to meeting the neighbors (maybe), and finding your bearings with the help of Google Maps. But, leaving Hawaii has an additional layer… Continue reading Change is both a loss and a gain: especially when you leave paradise
After 5,559 miles traveled through 5 timezones – 3,001 of which we drove and 2,558 of which were flown over the Pacific – we are finally putting our travels to rest. We explored 15 cities in 13 states, stopping at 9 hotels with 7 pieces of luggage, only encountering 1 police stop and thankfully 0 car troubles.… Continue reading Cross-Country Journey Complete
The final stop of our cross-country trip was my college town of Athens, Ohio. We almost left it off the itinerary in exchange for a city or town unfamiliar to us, but returning to Athens couldn't have been a better way to end our journey. This brick-road collegiate town was my home for four years before moving… Continue reading Going Full Circle – Athens
Moving to Maryland has placed us on the East Coast, but its similarities to the Midwest have me reminiscing on characteristics of this region that don't get praised enough. Surely I'm biased, since these are the surroundings that mark my childhood. I have taken these characteristics for granted after living in paradise for the past few years, but who… Continue reading What I forgot I love about the Midwest
Days 10 and 11 were spent catching up with my brother and his family in Missouri, along our trek through the Midwest as we leave Route 66 behind and divert towards Maryland. This was a first for both of us in the state of Missouri, known as the heart of the country for its location smack… Continue reading Food, family and more food – back in the Midwest!
Our first impression of Oklahoma City was filled with adoration for its beautiful brick roads and inviting blocks of restaurants, shops and cafes, but after further digging up this city's past, such adoration extends way beyond its surface-level beauty. We started the morning playing tourist, stopping at Coffee Slingers Roasters in downtown where Sean tried a fancy "Nitrane" cup of joe,… Continue reading A City of Resilience – Day 9
Today was our biggest driving day yet, hitting the road from Albuquerque at 8:30 a.m. and pushing through until we got to Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. It was a long stretch much less about scenic sites and more about each other's company. Everyone warned us that passing through Texas is the longest part, but I didn't… Continue reading When All We Have is Each Other: Day 8
Today has been one of my favorite days thus far for its simplicity and charm. We have fallen head over heels with Albuquerque's rich culture and inviting community. We've learned so much about this place already thanks to the locals who are so wonderful to converse with. Finally, we've returned to that sense of community and charm that we grew up… Continue reading Southwestern Charm: Day 7
