Here & Now | February 9, 2018

Happy Friday! I don't much have to report on - this was likely the most routine week ever, but it was bookended by two short getaways so no complaints here. First, I spent a self-made three day weekend in Seattle with my nephew Mr. Chubby Cheeks. By the way - I highly recommend self-made three day weekends where you're not scheduled for any exploring or errands or anything except savoring down time with family. It does much good for the soul! In a couple of hours, I'll be driving up to Lake Tahoe with my friends so looks like there's another fun weekend awaiting me.

Eat & Drink
Is there anything on this planet better than mom's homemade best? And my mother really knocked it out of the ballpark last week. The woman was hand-pulling noodles and getting up early to make naan breakfast sandwiches so that I wouldn't be hungry before my early flight. Will anyone ever love me this much again?!
We also celebrated my kitty nephew Jerry's birthday by ordering in hearty Paseo sandwiches which is much finer than any birthday meal I've ever had but he is superior to me in like a trillion different ways, so I do not object whatsoever.
Monday night, Cassandra and I survived public transportation woes and made a giant pan of lasagna that has sustained us all the way through my lunch today as a survivors' treat for ourselves.

See & Do
I tagged along on my sister's mini family field trip to the Seattle Aquarium mostly so I could see my nephew's puzzled expressions when looking at jellyfish and sea lions. But it quickly became him being 100% unimpressed with Nemo & Co and me completely fascinated by sea life. It's been SO long since I've been in an aquarium... did you guys know how colorful the underwater world is?! All the gorgeous pinks and reds! 

Read & Watch & Listen

This Man Repeller article on loneliness and social networks post-college was a great read. I'm so lucky to get to live with two of my very best friends but I can often go a couple of months without seeing anyone else socially without even realizing it. And that usually springs me into a do I even have other friends?! mood and yadda yadda yadda. It was refreshing to read this and be reminded that most other people aren't constantly living it up with all the friends in the world like it can sometimes seem.

Victoria's post about beginning to learn more about her birth country prompted me to watch Twinsters on Netflix last night. What a crazy story! And to think YouTube started it all... 

Unrelated to their story, but one of the twins mentioned an expression in French (which apparently originates from Voltaire) essentially translates to: best is the enemy of good. I quickly jotted it down because it was a bit of a lightbulb moment. I think it's inherently human to strive for whatever comes next, to want that slightly better version, to pursue what's better, faster, quicker, happier, more. But it's healthy to appreciate what is in your here & now (shoutout!) and to soak it all in as well.

Weekend Forecast
Lake Tahoe! No skiing for me, but hopefully we'll be ambitious enough for a hike before cozying up with all the hot cocoa. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for some snow, but I'll keep you updated!