Meeting a New Family Member

I remember the day well. I was 7 years old. My dad and I drove to the airport to pick up my mom, who had been in Romania for a very long three weeks. She came through the gate, beaming. She walked up to us and introduced me to my new little brother– a tiny, […]

Continue reading...

Magic Days in Santa Cruz

I was all ready to sit down at a cafe and write about confidence, or following your dreams, or something. But then I met someone and everything changed. Imagine jangling crystal jewelery, curly silver hair, a maternal energy. She turned to me in line and asked how my day was going. I mentioned that this […]

Continue reading...

The Common Languages of Blogging, Music and Multipotentiality

Every day I wake up and give thanks for the fact that I’m here. Not just here, as in alive (though I do that too), but thanks for the fact that I’m in Portland, Oregon. Sometimes I’ll express my gratitude on a jog or bike ride to whatever coffee shop will be making up my […]

Continue reading...

My Tumultuous Relationship with the Violin, and Why Some Interests Deserve a Second Chance

I started begging for violin lessons when I was three. My mom played the violin (when she wasn’t painting or being a psychology professor). Dad played the piano (when he wasn’t studying his Scrabble words or being a music education professor). (Does that about explain me?) The violin was a no-brainer. To me, it was […]

Continue reading...

A Love Letter to Portland

The bus pulled over to the curb. Outside, a woman with bright pink hair was securing a large black pug in its carrier purse. I smiled. The spot beside me was free. They’re going to sit next to me and when they do, I’m going to strike up a conversation, I willed to the universe. […]

Continue reading...

What Matters

I was in the kitchen the other day, making apple-cinnamon cookies and listening to Joni Mitchell. My mom came in and cocked her head, perplexed and amused.

Continue reading...