Regression's almost over. About to return to my life as an adult.

In honor of Aimee (or I guess in memory of her, since she's gone for two weeks) I decided to copy her photo and post one of the fish in our family room. Lovely, right? There's some story my dad would love to tell about catching this fish but I can't remember it. I know our friend the fish moved all over Florida with us and originated in Minnesota.

I'm finished with the Schulman book, and working on writing a fair review. Now I'm reading my last fluff novel for the semester, Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood. So sad to know my days of learning about the Traveling Pants are numbered.

For fun, which of the sisters are you (Bee, Lena, Carmen, or Tibby)? I'll start things off. I'm a combo of Carmen and Tibby with a little Bee in the mix. Ultimately, I think I'm most like Tibby.

Fascination! Tonight I found out that my mom sleeps with a bar of soap underneath the sheet at the foot of her bed in order to prevent foot cramps. It's worked for months. (She used to get a lot of cramps. Apparently this was published in the local paper. Breda, any medical thoughts?)

Tonight we played our last round of Scrabble before I return to New York. For most of the game, mom was in the lead, though even dad was ahead at times. Then I used all my letters to make the word "suction," and I soared forward. In the end, Mom had 203, Dad had 230, and I won with 243. I can go back to New York as the champion (although technically Mom won 50 percent of the games and I won the other half).

All in all, a good visit. Helped me get over my post-residency depression. Thanks, parents.

The Heat Is On: Scrabble Tourney Journey

Dad and I saw a dolphin jumping in the ocean today. We also spotted a yellow crab peeking out of its hole and a beautiful blue heron. (Check out dad's cool clip-on shades. This guy's got style.) Later, Dad got really excited when he witnessed a lizard catching and then consuming a moth. Ah, nature.

It's so hot here that my legs were covered in little beads of sweat like condensation on a glass. I swam in the ocean, which was calm and warm.

Mom and I took on the mall and went to Nordstrom (YEA! I miss you, Nordstrom!) for some serious bra shopping. We had a no-nonsense woman named Robin measure us and we were both lovingly schooled about not knowing our correct sizes. As far as I can tell, sizing is a science. I ended up choosing two bras in a different size than the one Robin suggested, and I ran away from the counter while mom was paying for our things because I was afraid Robin might strangle me with her pink measuring tape. But she should be happy for me, because these bras feel better than any that I've ever had.

Who will religiously comment on my blog while Aimee's trekking through the monsoons of Mexico? I promise to try to stay out of trouble while you're gone. Come back in one piece please.

I know you all care a lot about our family Scrabble games. Here's the latest: Mom kicked things off with a 78 point word, "beeping" (50 points for using all her letters and 28 for the actual letter values) and I spent the rest of the game unsuccessfully trying to catch up. Mom won with 282 points and I trailed far behind with 211. Oy vey.

I Never Want To Not Be On Vacation

This is the life!

Woke up and went running. Packed the car and drove to the beach (my first time in a car since Thanksgiving), but before I got there, the rain started, so I turned around and came home.

Spent most of the day reading, napping, and tanning in the backyard in between thunderstorms. I forgot about lizards and jumped out of my pants when I saw a giant reptile run by.

As promised, I won Scrabble tonight with 228 points. Mom came in second with 204. Dad said there are two sides to every story, but look, I'm not publishing his score, so what's he complaining about? I told him that I'm preparing the family for my tell-all memoir that will someday expose our secrets to the world.

Stopped by the library to pick up some DVDs. I will be viewing:
*I Am Sam
*Taxi Driver
De-Lovely
*Enemies, A Love Story
*Motel (which I am particularly excited about since I've never heard of it).

This week's reads:
*Mary Gaitskill's Bad Behavior (As dull as I suspected, but I had no choice in the matter.)
*Ian McEwan's The Comfort of Strangers (This book is haunting! I never thought I would enjoy reading McEwan. A beautiful and terrifying novella.)
*Robert Olen Butler's A Good Scent From A Strange Mountain (As with any short story collection, some of the stories are amazing and brilliant. Some are just so-so.)
*Next up: Sarah Schulman's The Child

Help! I can't stop playing with my template. Suggestions?

one and a half years after my last visit, I realize it's time to come home.

Nothing ever gets thrown out at our home in Florida, not even the forever torn welcome mat.

Somehow I grew up here.

She birthed me. And she's amazing.

My old room. I was obsessed with pop art.

When I was in high school, I used to go to bookstores and spend hours looking through photography books. There was one that stuck with me all about bored couples. I never saw the book again, but when I walk by cafes and see two people eating together, staring out at nothing, I wish I had purchased it. (The link to Martin Parr's pictures is the closest I could come to finding the book.) Here's my own series:



This one of my parents is not staged. (Beautiful, right?)

Warm Florida rain.


Dad loves to play Scrabble with mom and me.


ye olde beloved dictionary.


Almost three hours playing one game of Scrabble. Mom wins (as always) with 213. I came in with 192. Dad trailed behind. (For his dignity, I won't report the score.) Tomorrow night, victory is mine!

At Graduation, Wayne Brown Said, "In The End, All We Really Want Is To Belong."

Jess and I walked to Harvard Square and had Italian Ice Therapy.

Sunny summer skies.

I asked Kate (Cate?) how she could stand being Billy's mentor since she's probably on constant cute overload. She refused to comment.

Because Jen and I are the same person (I'm the louder version of us), we must own the same clothes. She bought our new favorite tank top and my red skirt (but I copied Aimee with the skirt, so Jen can't be blamed). How will I live without my other me by my side?









Dear Joan Didion, Please speak at our graduation for free next semester. You changed my life. Also, can I move in with you? Thanks. Love, Jen

First time I ever took a picture that looks like a book cover. Couldn't you see this on the front of Virgin Suicides?

Looks sweet and cute, right?

A little over-stimulation goes a long way. Rachel Manley went to town mothering me and lecturing me about cat scratch fever. She insisted I use antiseptic and she wanted me to pour white rum over the cut. The extremes we go to in order to get our mentors to pay attention to us!

Abbey/Abby take over camera duties. Who knew they were genius photographers?

I adore these two chickadees.

Sepia Sunday.

I was trying to get Abbey to take pictures of Elaine Mar. She's so fierce. An amazing writer and the only mentor that saw my scratched hand and said, "I told you so!" and insisted that she didn't care. It's love.

I guess I'm a harsh critic.

Abby, an enigmatic angel.

Last supper.







Buki and Michael bestowed advice on us, "Finding a supportive friend in this program is the most important thing you can get in your time here." (Or something like that.) Plus, Michael told me I'm adorable! And he's adorable! Such a love fest.

Endings.




I was a prisoner because the night before I went home early. What you're witnessing is utter exhaustion. And perhaps fear of closure.

Until...