Marathon Sunday

:: in January 28, 2024 :: in Miami :: 0 comments

I take a picture of the sunrise out my window, for Ryan, and for myself. It’s still dark enough outside the street lights are on. I wake up at my alarm—no need to snooze. I’m too excited. Check my phone—Ryan is 26 minutes into his 26.2-mile marathon, his first one….

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Cloudy Sunnyland

:: in August 25, 2023 :: in Vacation :: Comments Off on Cloudy Sunnyland

‘Speaking,’ Caleb answers slowly, confused. I look out over the construction zone in front of me, idly eyeing someone skateboarding across a ramp. Jewel explains, ‘They haven’t figured out what to do with this land. It’s kind of the only waterfront-y area in Bellingham.’ Some silos in the distance seem…

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The Better Beantown

:: in August 18, 2023 :: in Vacation :: Comments Off on The Better Beantown

We fly into Seattle, and from the plane I am taking pictures out the window, trying to capture Emily and Tom’s neighbourhood in anticipation of being able to share these pictures with Glenna and Marlow. We land, text Emmy, and she sets off to pick us up. We wend our…

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Miami Vices

:: in March 12, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on Miami Vices

The first step in taking a trip anywhere with Ryan is overcoming his protestations over how expensive it is. But I am nothing if not a great debater, and well versed in winning these arguments. If needed I can always play the, ‘Hey, do you remember how much plane tickets…

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About Angels

:: in February 6, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on About Angels

‘I’m an angel,’ you state, and it’s true. You are indeed an angel. I can’t think of a more accurate description for ER nurses. ‘I never address myself though,’ you add, ‘I suffer too much for other people.’ Turning the sort of care we give to others inward has been…

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Wynwood Walls

:: in January 28, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on Wynwood Walls

TRAFFIC ALERT: Miami traffic is VERY HEAVY! Please allow yourself or your driver time to navigate traffic and find parking. I can’t take this warning from the silly tour I’ve booked seriously, especially after it ultimately takes only 21 minutes to go the 7.4 miles from my place to Wynwood….

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The Kampong

:: in January 27, 2023 :: in Miami :: 1 comment

It had dawned on me later than it probably should have that this coming weekend would be my last in Miami. Instead of panic and fear of missing out, however, I felt only clarity: I knew what I wanted to do. I started to piece together the various dependencies of…

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‘Go explore, Meg’

:: in January 26, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on ‘Go explore, Meg’

‘Don’t follow her; she’s my neighbour,’ José jokes to another man in the parking lot as I pass. ‘¡Hola José! ¿Qué tal?’ I call back to him, not really waiting to hear his answer. His attempt at a joke belies the fact that he is probably thinking about following me….

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Thanks for being awesome

:: in January 15, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on Thanks for being awesome

‘Hello, you’re beautiful. Are you married?’ he asks me boldly, stepping across the street. ‘I’m not!’ I answer cheerfully, knowing what’s coming next. ‘Is it all right if I get your number? Sorry, I’m on my lunch break,’ he apologises. ‘No thank you,’ I tell him, ‘But enjoy your lunch…

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It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but a good amount of it actually is

:: in January 7, 2023 :: in Miami :: Comments Off on It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but a good amount of it actually is

This print hangs in my office at home, in a gilded frame, reminding me that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but a good amount of it actually is. There was a rainbow in Melrose a few days before Christmas, and when I pull off to the side of the…

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Independentisme català

:: in November 19, 2022 :: in Spain :: Comments Off on Independentisme català

I forget just how pretty Barcelona is. I’ve only been here once before, fifteen years ago, and then just for a day. That day, we wandered down La Rambla and up to the abandoned Olympic park on the hill. We took a night bus back to Zaragoza. I stared at…

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Una vuelta española

:: in November 16, 2022 :: in Spain :: Comments Off on Una vuelta española

‘Welcome to Spain,’ I say to Ryan as we pass the sign that says Comunidad de Aragon, having just emerged from a long tunnel. We emerge into a cloud, the misty fog surrounding us. From the other side of the tunnel, we could stare into the distance at the clouds…

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But we are not Spanish; we are Basque

:: in November 15, 2022 :: in Spain :: Comments Off on But we are not Spanish; we are Basque

After breakfast—and after confirming our stay at Le Clos de Luz in Luz-Saint-Sauvuer, the place I am most looking forward to staying on this trip—I tell Ryan I’m going to call the Barcelona airport Lost and Found, as they had recommended doing after 2-3 days. They don’t pick up. I…

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Etxera

:: in November 14, 2022 :: in Spain :: 1 comment

It starts raining as we pull into the parking lot for Gaztelugatxe. ‘I don’t know how much we’re going to be able to see if it keeps raining like this,’ Ryan remarks.  I want to say something snarky about how it would have been better if we slept in more…

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