Legacy of Love

Happy New Year! 2017 has come and gone in a flash–though I feel like I say that about every year. Personally, I’m glad the new year is here. Not because 2017 was terrible–it challenged me in so many different ways and there were many highs and lows to the year, but because with this new year comes new change and new challenges and new opportunities. The end of the year was bittersweet for a few different reasons but the main reason being family.

My last living grandparent, my baa (dad’s mom), passed away. I miss her immensely (as I’m typing this, I’m feeling this burning in my nose and water in my eyes) but am at peace with her passing. 

My Friend’s Parents

As a kid, I would go to India with my parents and we’d be dragged to random people’s houses for chai and a quick visit. Sometimes it would be family members, but from time to time, my parents would go visit the parents of their friends. I never really understood why–they weren’t necessarily close with their friends’ parents, why go visit them? I’m finally understanding why.

Thankful for New Beginnings

Tonight I celebrated Friendsgiving with some friends who I’ve known for almost 15 years. It also marked a huge change for one couple as they were moving to New Mexico after one of them had spent his entire life in Illinois. As someone who’s done the pick-up-and-leave-everything-you’ve-ever-known-behind move, I’m excited for them but can also relate to the boatload of emotions that come with the move. 

My Advice to Parents

A lot of my friends are married and having babies. A lot. How many you ask? Enough that I can tell you about breastfeeding and tongue ties and different sleep training methods and feeding techniques as well as personal parenting styles and bedtime routines. I can change a diaper, I can carry a kid with one hand (leaving the other one free for having a drink), I’m perfecting my raspberries, and I genuinely believe that having a baby/kid fall asleep in your arms or on your chest is one of the best feelings in the world. 

Happy Thanksgiving

While I’m not your typical holiday-loving person where I count down the days until a holiday or transform my home into a holiday haven, I do enjoy the holidays. I never really make plans nor do I have any traditions that I really follow, yet. (I can’t wait to create my own one day when my feet are a little more planted.) To be honest, it’s usually a last minute game-time decision on where to go, what to do, and who to spend it with.

I’m Glad I’m Here

Someone asked me last week, “How is your volunteer trip going?” I’ve been quiet. Not because I have nothing to say, trust me–there’s a lot that’s been happening, but more so because there hasn’t been as much time to sit and write. Or I’m simply too exhausted to. Or more often than not, there’s so much to say and share, I struggle with where to start.

So It Begins

All my bags are packed, (I think) I’m ready to go…Singing that song is how I woke up my roommate this morning at 4:15am to drive me to the airport. (Best roomie ever–for taking me to the airport, and not hitting me for singing.) I, myself, woke up after my second of five alarms went off at 4:05am after an hour of sleep, with the lights on, because I was terrified that I wouldn’t wake up. Anyone else have that fear or just me? Today was the day. I was starting the long journey to Lesvos to volunteer at the refugee camps.