Dear Kamala, Let’s get this out of the way. That crazy fist pumping woman in the 2020 video when you campaigned in Raleigh was me. Not my most graceful moment, but the passion was earnest. I have a favorite cashmere sweater that has “Representation Matters” stitched across the … [Read more...] about Dear Kamala, On the Eve of Your Election
Dirt and Noise
Non Sequiturs on Turning 56
Oh, hi. It’s been a minute. I almost had a sneezing fit after blowing the dust off this blog. I hate that I have neglected this little corner of the internet that I’ve had since 2008. Maybe I’ll be more prolific this year. A birthday is a fine time to make a resolution, way … [Read more...] about Non Sequiturs on Turning 56
Age Old Advice
I’m on the edge of 55, teetering so close that if I peer forward to see over my toes I’ll tumble. Young Ilina might have felt that I’d be going over the edge by this point in my life. I mean, 55! Is this where they say that more of my life is behind me than ahead of me? That’s a … [Read more...] about Age Old Advice
Class of 2023 – The Real Deal
It was a mistake to watch the last episode of the final season of Never Have I Ever on the eve of my son’s high school graduation as he prepares to move 3000 miles away across the country in his evolution from Enloe Eagle to Oregon Duck. I am left wondering how my own parents … [Read more...] about Class of 2023 – The Real Deal
For the Love of Lark
I am much better at hellos than goodbyes. But he is ready. It matters not that I am not. But are we ever ready to say goodbye? Our Lark was so aptly named when we rescued him. We got him on a lark after our younger son took to playing pet store with his stuffed animals and … [Read more...] about For the Love of Lark
Just Let Me Take the Pictures
Dear Deal, In this season of new beginnings, just let me take the pictures. You squirm with visible impatience while irritation brims over, but understand that as you, forever my baby boy, close doors behind you, I am left in the wake of a new normal. And it’s exactly the … [Read more...] about Just Let Me Take the Pictures
Immigrant Christmas Spirit
I remember the mauve-ish pink knee socks for me and the white tube socks for my brother. We didn’t have stockings so my mother went to our dresser drawers and pulled out those socks. I recall feeling a bit off that we now had socks with no match. Even as a child, I was a … [Read more...] about Immigrant Christmas Spirit