This year was not an unusually dark winter. However, I still struggled with it. The first week of the year started with a big disappointment, and from there I curled back into my little den to …
On Feeling Reborn and Revived in Spring
90’s feminist songs That Make Me Feel Powerful
I remember the first time I saw Alanis Morissette. It was her music video for You Oughta Know. Her hair was long and black, the image was blurry, but most of all, she was angry. You …
The Best Day at Kyoto’s Fox Shrine
Where do I even begin with the magical location that is Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine… It is, of course, a tourist trap – though one that despite my reservations about being neck-deep in crowds, completely merits …
A Scandalous Dress, Green DIYS, and The World’s Most Colorful Places
It may be spring, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way yet. It was my birthday the other week, and I always go through the same emotions each year: annoyance, impatience, and then resignation. I have …
I Liked Rocks Before They Were Cool
Growing up, being into rocks meant you were just another kid perusing the spiritual outdoorsy store in the mall called Natural Wonders. Remember that place? It was like a combination of The Sharper Image and a …
The Overwhelming Task of Learning a New Language
Well, I finally did it. I signed up for French classes, and it only took me ten years! After all this time, knowing I was to become a French citizen sometime after my marriage, I put …
Meet Juliana, the Brilliant Artist Spreading Good Juju!
I know some amazing women. Maybe I’m biased, but when I think of all the ladies who have graced my life, many of them are the most inspiring, beautiful people I can think of. These women …
Scenes from a Tokyo Cat Cafe
I love cats. My little tuxedo baddie, Ernie, is enough proof of that. But when we went to Japan, I was a bit hesitant about visiting a cat cafe, mostly because I had read a few …
The Finicky Reality of Inspiration
I’m convinced every creative person experiences inspiration differently. Some people’s imagination is sparked by visual stimulation that gets them reacting and making things in response, while others can take a walk outside and find the answers …
The New Chapeau I Want For Spring
It’s the first time in as long as I can remember that the groundhog didn’t see his shadow. So to prepare for an early spring, I’ve started a seasonal purge of all the things I don’t …