Published in Beloved·PinnedMember-onlyWhat I’d Say to My Future Partner, if I Knew Who He WasSending my undeliverable love letter — I am not a hopeless romantic. I don’t subscribe to the notions of fate or destiny; I believe in preparedness and recognizing opportunity. So when it comes to partnership, I don’t believe there’s one person out there, designed just for me. That said, I am still very much “a romantic.”…Relationships14 min readRelationships14 min read
PinnedMember-onlyThis is How I’ll Know You’re My PersonQualities I’m looking for in a man, so I’ll recognize him when we meet — How do you think you’ll know when you’ve met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? Maybe there’s a singular “aha” moment, or something you interpret as a sign. …Relationships15 min readRelationships15 min read
PinnedMember-onlyI’m being evicted from my floating homeMy experience as a crew member on an empty, quarantined cruise ship while my industry suffocates from the virus — There are approximately 390 of us floating out here on a ship built for 1,100 people. For 17 days now, the ship has been empty, except for us crew. My cruise line announced its temporary cease of all operations on March 13. At the time, they said it would only…Cruise Ships29 min readCruise Ships29 min read
PinnedMember-onlyIs my job worth dying for?Sobering thoughts on my first Sept. 11 as a Manhattan resident — I’ve lived in New York City for six months now. A lot of people in my hometown would tell you that I am a “New Yorker,” and a lot of people here would tell you that I’m nothing like one and never will be. …September 1120 min readSeptember 1120 min read
Published in Away with Words·PinnedMember-onlyWhat it’s Like to Trek by TrainCrossing the U.S. on the railroad — There’s something romantic about riding on trains, more so than there is about flying. The station is almost always old and cavernous, and full of architectural relics that inspire awe. One moment, it’s silent, except for the occasional echoing footsteps or cough. …Travel6 min readTravel6 min read
Published in The Riff·5 days agoMember-onlyWhat to Do When Your Ex Writes Songs About YouStep 1: Don’t listen — I’m guessing you’re here because you failed at Step 1. That’s okay; me too. I was trying to save you some heartache. But don’t worry; I have several more tips for navigating the discovery that you’re the subject of a song (or two) by that musician you dated. Be flattered. No matter…Music5 min readMusic5 min read
Jan 10Falling for you felt more like soaringMy love letter to “The One Who Got Away” — It was June 14, 2017; a month into my second cruise ship contract, aboard Riviera. It had been a long Turnaround Day onboard; everyone struggling to weather the tempest that comes with switching from one voyage to the next. I was still getting my sea legs and learning the ropes…Love38 min readLove38 min read
Published in Away with Words·Feb 9, 2019Manhattan in the morning rainIt’s dawn. Although, to use the word “dawn” probably implies that there is a sun to be seen, so perhaps it’s more appropriate for me to say that it’s first light. I’m in New York City—Midtown Manhattan. I can see the Empire State Building from the window in my hall…Snapshot2 min readSnapshot2 min read
Oct 25, 2018You owe it to the world to share your mindWe want your ideas no matter how crazy — Maybe you feel like all those interesting thoughts and ideas floating around in that cerebral oven of yours are only half-baked. Maybe that’s why you have let them sit for so long, not even cracking open the door to take a peek. But the world is hungry for your ideas. Starving, even. Pretty sure they’d settle for half-baked concoctions, not quite perfect or admittedly still being formed.Life Lessons1 min readLife Lessons1 min read
Apr 20, 2018You Can’t See Stars from SkyscrapersA different kind of stargazing in the lab-created diamond sky — The world inside my head suffers from overpopulation. Thoughts multiply by the multitudes, and sometimes I just have to escape. I need a vacation from my own consciousness. The first place my headphones and I run is the stars. Music and the Cosmos are two of my dearest friends. When…Stargazing11 min readStargazing11 min read
