On the Way to a Smile...

I am terrifying and strange and beautiful. Someone not everyone knows how to love.

[jenjen4280]

Taken in 2000 about a year into our relationship.

Taken in 2024 (last weekend). Didn’t quite get the pose or positioning right, but hey, we’re older and our memory ain’t what it used to be!

[allthingseurope]

Lake Bled, Slovenia by Erin O'Brien

[midnightinthemagicmicagarden]

Chill In the Air

Watercolor On Black Cotton Paper

2023, 12"x 16"

White Cherry Blossoms

Private Collection

[onthewaytoasmile]

Bye 2023

So, here's my tradition of writing something for the year that is about to end.

2023 was not a very good year for me. In particular, work was especially grueling. I love the nature of my work. However, the extreme focus on numbers and quotas and whatnot is something I do not like. Like, at all.

I am still grateful because I love this work and I remember back in 2020 when I was miserable and then this came along. It allowed me to travel and buy the things I love. My two Japan trips are the highlights of this year. But being such, they remind me that I can count the number of times I've been truly happy on the fingers of one hand.

I plan to remedy that this coming year by being more positive and doing more of the things I love - reading, photography, trying new food.

Dear 2023, you might not be one of the best years of my life but I still thank you. For all the challenges, the blessings, the sorrows and the joy.

I hope that when I look back and think of you, I remember you fondly.

[safe-haven-safe-place]

[the-final-sentence]

Because the purpose of memory, I would argue, is to remind us how to live.

Emily X.R. Pan, from The Astonishing Color of After

[oformat]

[taylorswift]

EXCUSE ME HI I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY 🙋‍♀️ I can’t wait to see so many of you on The Eras Tour next year at these new international dates! Visit TaylorSwift.com/tour for more information on your registrations, pre-sales and on-sales!!

[flowerytale]

James Baldwin, from If Beale Street Could Talk Florence and the Machine, from Various Storms & Saints Simone de Beauvoir, from a letter to Jean-Paul Sartre Fernando Pessoa, from The Book of Disquiet

Heart imagery by Andrea Zanatelli Eye with Tear (oil paint and resin tear on canvas) by Nancy Fouts Douleur d'amour (detail) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

[silver-frog]

Comme une envie de prendre l’air.

[onthewaytoasmile]

📍 Bolinao, Pangasinan. 🇵🇭 Welcome break from city and legal life. 😊 #philippines #Bolinao #Pangasinan #summer #summervacation (at Bolinao, Pangasinan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZsT5XOXMg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[maureen2musings]

…

nyotome

[dolerme]

‘scoptophilia‘ photo by alice rosati for carnale room

[onthewaytoasmile]

Finally! 😊 ❤️ (at Shangri-La Plaza Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoOvTWfPkws/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[onthewaytoasmile]

Bon voyage, Anne! 😊 ❤️ Conquer New Zealand! 🇳🇿 #UPLaw #B2013 (at Flossom Kitchen + Cafe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFNsoNPoNh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[onthewaytoasmile]

Always a riot with these two! 😊 ❤️ Love you Pammy and Kitty! 😊 ❤️ International trip naman next! 😊 (at Deo Gracias) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn4MdIAv1-c/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[onthewaytoasmile]

Brunch with the Dubai delegation, Ate Belle and Vana! 😊 ❤️ It was also nice seeing you, Kuya Third! 😊 (at A Mano - Powerplant Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnyokLNuV5k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=