Of the moment // 2.3.17
One of the reasons why I blog is simply to have the space to write: getting things “on paper” helps me to process my feelings and organize my thoughts. I also love having a record of my life over the past few years: a place that holds all of my stories, my photos, the ups and downs of travel. But sometimes, I also just want to remember and share the little things that brought me day-to-day joy. Every Friday, I’ll give you a peek into the book I currently can’t put down, a great restaurant discovery, a fun new product or an inspiring quote: a few things that I think you might enjoy before we all take off into the glory that is the weekend! 
I’ve been thinking this week about online and offline lives, and how we choose to portray things on the internet. One of the things I’m most grateful for is my non-blog life and the fixed life that I built: having a challenging and rewarding job, a stable and fulfilling partnership, an apartment and a pug and a set of real-life friends. That offline life is where I discuss politics, future plans, the things that maybe aren’t always so easy and photogenic–and I’m glad for that space. It’s a tough, crazy world out there (perhaps now more than ever) and I like having a place online where it still feels like things are in control and where things can be just as light-filled and colorful as I want them to be.
Eats & Drinks
I popped down to Atlanta for a whirlwind day of meetings, and it was the first time that I’ve ever ventured beyond the Atlanta Airport! Squeezed in coffee and a delicious croissant breakfast sandwich at Cafe + Velo, which was SO cute, and then splurged on a spicy chicken sandwich at Empire State South. The trip was far too quick (6am flight there and 5pm flight back), but I loved soaking up a bit of that 70-degree and sunny winter weather and hearing all of the southern accents. It definitely put Atlanta on my list of cities to explore further!
Reads
Currently cannot put down Half of a Yellow Sun (by the same author of Americanah, another book I loved). It tells the story of war in Nigeria through a few different (and somewhat related) perspectives: the Biafran War wasn’t a time period or place that I’m super familiar with, so it’s been eye-opening in that sense. It’s also alarming to read about the roots of genocide and refugee crisis, and to see how it all began and how many innocent people were so terribly affected.
Podcasts
The podcast I’ve been recommending most to friends in the current ridiculous political landscape (after my friend Katelyn recommended it to me!): Reveal, which is produced by the Center for Investigative Reporting. A few episodes that are worth checking out: A welfare check (although I was basically spitting with anger by the end), If you can’t afford a lawyer (a good counterbalance to all of the glossy TV legal shows I watch) and Water wars (a huge environmental crisis no one seems to be discussing).
Words
“Unbeing dead isn’t being alive.” -ee cummings
This weekend, I’m looking forward to catching up with a bunch of friends: a happy hour with all of the Chico-State-in-NYC alums, a museum-and-lunch date with my old roommate, watching the Super Bowl with some Patriots fans and introducing Gertie to a new PUG buddy!
