Sometimes I take my health for granted, but life picked an inopportune time to knock me out for a week with a vicious sinus infection, just when I should be building momentum on writing my thesis. I can't remember the last time I sustained a high fever for several days, or when even standing up or sitting down too quickly would send pulses of pain ( Read more... )

After my delayed Finnair flight arrived at JFK on Saturday, I beat the rush through customs and hurried to the bag check, anxious to make my tight connecting flight. The man from American Airlines took one look at the cities tagged on my luggage and told me, in an oddly comforting New York accent, “Gate 34, and the sooner the better.” I took off ( Read more... )

At the second wedding this weekend, I witnessed my cousin Jennifer marrying her longtime boyfriend Bob. As with my prior experience with weddings, I didn't manage to spend much time with the bride and groom, but instead I caught up with my father's family, whom I hadn't seen since my sister married. I was very glad for the opportunity, since we' ( Read more... )

It's been a long day, but I'm already glad I embarked on this weekend wedding extravaganza. I just returned to my parents' house in northern New Jersey, straight from a reception in Baltimore. I can now say I am a fool for weddings. I enjoy the blend of ceremony and intimacy. I've attended three weddings since I became old enough to appreciate ( Read more... )