10 Things To Do in Blönduós, Iceland

“There goes that m-th–f—ing ice cream truck!” Dan, one of our gracious hosts, yells at a passing truck as we’re driving to dinner. Beautiful scenery, small town living, angry kria (artic tern), and missed opportunities with the town ice cream truck…this is everyday life in Blönduós. Blönduós is a small farm town in Northern Iceland,…

Black Boots

The soles of the boots were thick, and they caught my eye. I lifted them off the shelf, and examined the masculine curve of the toe, the shine of the leather, and the light layer of fleece lining on the inside. They were exactly what I was looking for. As I tucked them under my…

Has Ravi Patel Redefined “The One”?

This is a good movie. If you’re looking for a review that tells you whether or not to watch it, here it is. Go watch it. It’s a great movie to watch on a rainy afternoon in bed, or during a flight. If you want my additional flowery insights, check out my full review below. After…

A Month Without Alcohol

A month ago, I gave up alcohol. The most important reason is simple – I felt compelled to. After a bad date, and one too many drinks, I woke up the next day feeling emotionally exhausted and shitty. That afternoon, we had a margarita lunch at work. I decided to pass on it. It was…

“You’re actually going to write and record hundreds of songs.”

A few weeks ago, I came across this quote. “You’re actually going to write and record hundreds of songs.” It was a part of an interview with Frank Ocean, made into an inspirational kind of image, from Pinterest. Or something. Here’s the original picture. Essentially, a fan asked Frank Ocean to explain his current situation…

We’d All Like To Flee To Portland, Randall | Travel Essays

Just two days ago, I appeared at the end of a residential road in Portland. Feeling a bit like Dorothy in Oz, I thought, well, we’re not in North Carolina anymore. Then of course, realized I was talking to myself and using a cliche movie quote. Weird even in Oz. Then, like a mirage (but not really, because…

Girl Talk in Southern Iceland & My Trip to D.C.

It’s nearly midnight, chilly, and I’m running after a bus in four inch heels.  The cobblestone walkways of the Georgetown section of D.C. don’t help. I nearly trip at one point, stumbling briefly, then regaining my footing. My friend Mia – in more sensible footwear – is racing ahead of me to grab the bus…