gritty truths

I'm half-way through All the Light We Cannot See—a dazzling piece of historical fiction by Anthony Doerr; set in WWII-Europe with two protagonists, a blind French girl and an orphaned German boy. I haven't yet gotten to the part at which their stories converge.

As I was reading the other night, I was struck by the tragic familiarity of fear, hate, blame, and cruelty; politicians positing themselves as saviors; thoughtless rhetoric that dehumanizes others based on country of origin, race (our faultiest invention), and religion.

I went to Charleston for the first time this past June. It was humid, teeming with other bachelorette parties, and awfully charming. Over shrimp and grits, (grits, by the way, originating from way the Muskogee tribe's preparation of "Indian corn"), our food tour guide deemed Charleston one of the few colonial cities in which all religious groups were able to freely practice; an impressive privilege, indeed! but all the while legal servitude was booming. 60,000 black slaves outnumbered white colonists in the early 18th century.

It's so necessary (and uncomfortable) to confront our reprehensible histories—how we could possibly reconcile, what we should have learned, where we still need healing—and that's all before considering our current realities. There's so much, and at times, so little.

And then there are moments, moments that make me remember; like those at Courtney and Dani's wedding. I was so deeply touched by the fortitude of (as J.R. Moehringer writes in his praise of All the Light We Cannot See) "the countless facets of the human heart." There is also love. Hope. We continue.

with okies in tahoe

When I accepted a spot in Syracuse's University Class of 2010, I'd yet to see the campus. But within 10 minutes of my visit 3 weeks following, I knew I'd made the right choice. It just felt so college (which, ironically enough, was the way I described it upon graduation 4.5 years later). Fortunately, they'd also given me generous financial aid. By the time I joined the honors program, and thus, as I'd find out, an honors freshman floor, I was feeling optimistic about my impending college experience. Rightfully so.

I was assigned to share a renovated double room in Brockway with a girl named Courtney. By the time we moved in together, I'd triumphed through tearful goodbyes to family and friends from high school and had fully immersed myself in the naive enthusiasm that came with living independently, miles away from everything I'd ever known, for the first time in my young life. Yay, higher education. I couldn't have been more excited to answer the classic "where are you from?" and "what are you studying?" questions.

Karen lived two doors down from us. And once Deirdre (her roommate) and I started Spanish class, I got to know her better. I like to think it would've happened anyway, but I recall two turning points in particular. The first, when I unknowingly went to comfort homesickness on her September birthday. The second, when she spoke about Native American reservations on our way to dinner. Even with my good intentioned Northeastern ignorance, I was impressed by (and friend-crushing on) "the girl from Oklahoma."

As our first semester went on, we established weekly cafeteria lunch dates, drove down to Villanova to visit her friend from home, shared tubes of cookie dough while devouring early seasons of Grey's Anatomy, and shared stories of our young histories (sometimes with vodka tonics in hand, of which she introduced me to). She became an honorary roommate in C and I's 209. After winter break, I was so thrilled to reunite that I broke her laptop screen with the intensity of my "welcome back to 'cuse" hug. I'd missed my friend.

Fast-forward a few months later, and her, C, and I were scheming about how to convince Julia to room with us sophomore year. (Insert more memories of Friendly's sundaes, heart-to-hearts, Grey's Anatomy episodes, studying encouragement, hometown plans, and adventures in finding open parties here). By fall 2007, the four of us--K, C, J, and I--moved into an apartment at 211 Lambreth Lane. This past weekend, we reconvened from near and far in South Lake Tahoe, California. Our one and only Okie is now a Mrs.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to have taken part in their most spectacular day. The woman who ultimately convinced me to rush a sorority, backpack through Central America, take a chance on a dream job, and generally be a better friend, is now married to a man who adores her to the staggering degree she so rightfully deserves. And I had the privilege of witnessing it beautifully take place in the company of her amazing family and friends. And though I'm not yet as acquainted with him as well as I'd like to be, he's already impressed me twice; and really, before my favorite just-about-Drs couple and I know it, we'll be residents of the same city. The love and happiness continues :) congrats, Karen and Andrew! My heart couldn't be more full for you both.

matthew & laura

I'm just going to come out and say it: marriage freaks me out. Even as a self-proclaimed romantic, I can't begin to fathom what it's like to be so sure about spending (and sharing) the rest of your life with another. I imagine it'd be something like this..?

{via pinterest}

Even so, I'm confident the truest and deepest kind of love--one that perhaps I have yet to experience--has the power to bring about this certainty of commitment. I've seen it. Behold, photographic evidence from my beautiful friend's beautiful wedding:

Pure love... in her mother's eyes, in their embrace during the first dance, in the thoughtful words of the maid of honor (my old roommate)'s speech. I felt so privileged to share in such a happy, monumental evening (and with the perfect date, too).

one lucky day

Yesterday, at 4pm, I boarded a bus headed south to Atlantic City.

Why A.C. you ask? Well, I have this new friend that is originally from the area.

And he has a friend, or two of them rather, that became a Mr. and Mrs. last night.

It was such a beautiful wedding. The couple, their friends, and their family are so wonderful. The food was delicious, especially the cake (and I don't even like cake).

 

Beautiful, wonderful, delicious... and fun. I literally danced the night away.

In addition to enjoying a taste of an Atlantic City classy (not trashy) club.

This morning was spent sleeping in, brunching, touring and beaching. I basically had the complete A.C. experience (minus any gambling) in about 24 hours.

I know, pretty impressive ;). It was such a spontaneous trip too. Love those.

y felicidad

I've had the song in my head all day :). Sooo I had a great night with my family, extended family, and muchisimo dancing!

Before we left my mom took full advantage of her dolled up children... we finally got the nearly perfect (my bro's jacket) Christmas card pic!

Following a cocktail hour we all took our places at our tables for the first plate. I ate the kiwi and the strawberry and gave the rest away. Then my cousins pulled me on the dance floor for an intermission. They know how to party ;) but I'm glad I made it back in time for the pasta course, Penne alla Vodka. I wish I could've had more than a few bites but the waitress was very eager and before I knew it... it was gone.

Fortunately she also brought the Ceasar salads out quickly. They were nice and light on the dressing, just the way I like it. And for the main dish, I had the Salmon in a lemon-dill sauce with steamed vegetables and roasted potatoes on the side. Very, very good. I apologize for the lack of pictures though, eating by candlelight is always nice but doesn't make for the best food pictures.

Next the moment we've all been waiting for, lol, the cake! It's funny how excited I was about it... I'm really not a fan of cake, there's been many a birthdays in which I was the only one who passed on my own birthday cake... I'm so weird. This one was classic and pretty and actually not that bad ;). Beautiful bride, huh?

What a night! I'm rather wiped out today because of it so I made sure to have a cup of coffee alongside today's breakfast. I LOVE GRAPEFRUIT. Whew, okay, I needed to get that out of my system. I've had such a good Sunday: breakfast alongside the boy, ridding sleds and making snowmen with the boy, watching Home Alone with the boy, more time with the boy. I was in very good company, lol. Now that he's home safe and sound I have to help my momma make some dinna para nosotros and go eat. Hope that you had a fabulous day, see you tonight!