Among all that foolishness out there in the world, I was determined to find some good things about the past year. Which is why I’ve made a list of some of my personal bests of 2018.
Category: Writer
Holiday Hate, Holiday Love (and Madrid)
I used to hate Christmas and the holiday season in general. Every time November rolled around and that damn turkey came out, I turned into the Grinch, Grumpy Cat, and Maleficent all rolled into one. Obviously, without the cool outfits. I know the exact reason too. I’m nothing if not aware of my own traumas…
Cuba on the Fly
For me, Havana was an interesting mixture of the vibrant now and haunting remnants of a glorious past.
Namibia was incredible…
There isn’t a lot I can say about the country without gushing except I wish I’d spent more time there. The decision to go was a last minute one after a camping trip in South Africa fell through. A hidden blessing. The Namib Desert was amazing! Such beauty stretched out to make me feel both…
Renewal – A Writing Retreat in Jamaica
Jamaica is where Bliss was born. I don’t mean just the character from my bestselling debut novel of the same name, but also the book itself. Although I wrote Bliss in the United States, the inspiration for its character and places, its emotion and its conflicts, all came from Jamaica. The book isn’t about an…
Who Knew: The Laid Back and Necessary — Renewal: A Retreat for Writers
Once I decided to let the vibe of Jamaica have its way , I found myself experiencing the authenticity of the country. Every sound, every taste reminded me that I was away from home, away from my every day. I loosened up and the simplicity of sky and water, bush and sand, created a connection…
Of Tampon Strings and Phlegm
Today is my last beach day, or at least it should/could be. I’ve been debating whether or not to get up early tomorrow to watch the sunrise then catch a quick dip before heading to the airport. In the last couple of days, I’ve been besieged by a cold and a period, dread enemies of…
Jacuzzi related injuries and other not-quite disasters on the road
Koh Samui has been incredible. Not just because the island is beautiful (which it is) or that the food is delicious (so much yum!) but because of the wonderful people who made me feel SO welcomed. Karen, Max and Kate (Aroonphad), goddesses on earth, made my time on the island absolutely magical. And I’m not…
My Mango Sticky Rice Diet and other excesses
20 baht food items ruined my life in Chiang Mai. If it cost 20 baht and was vaguely edible, I would gleefully shove it into my face. The only exception was the 40 baht mango sticky rice from the delightfully mean lady with the porcupine mole in the morning market. She has my heart still.
Journal of a Bangkok Bus Trip
When the sign at the front of the promised Deluxe bus with cool a/c, wifi, and “toiltel,” read “NO Wifi Now Repair,” it should have been my warning. But even if it had been my warning, how should one heed such a sign in the middle of Thailand with bus, plane, and hostel tickets…
