observations, humor, nonsense
In the 6th grade, we took a statewide test that assessed our writing abilities, and I scored high under having a strong opinion. But in college, I received papers back that said “too idiosyncratic”. Looking back, I feel those two moments define the evolution of my writer’s voice. And I like that. I like my voice.…
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There’s a debate regarding what education is for: is it to prepare students for work or is it to stimulate the soul? But one of the key components I feel is missing is that we go to school to learn to get along with others. We, then, continue to play nice when we enter the…
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I had a complicated (and unhealthy) relationship with money and like a lot of issues that need examining, this one starts with childhood. At home My mother is obsessed with it. My father was frugal, but beyond that he hasn’t influenced me like my mother because he died when I was very young. I knew…
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Remember when you were a kid and you’d look up at all the things that adults did and you’d go – WHY? Well, I don’t wonder anymore. // Passing out after work
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As a Taurus, I’m told I don’t like change. Yet, my life-line so far has been a series of interruptions and situations that have forced me to adapt. After college the longest I’ve ever lived in the same town was for about three years, and that’s not counting the times I moved within the town.…
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I might be procrastinating. Or maybe I’m taking my time! I’m definitely trying to avoid rushing the process because that’s what I did last time, and I regretted it. Also, I’ve run into a few problems. It’s nothing that can’t be solved. I’m not worried. Let me explain.
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I was late to social media. An old high school friend convinced me to get on Facebook because “everyone was doing it”. She excitedly talked about how she reconnected with so many friends from school. Funnily, while I enjoyed high school because I was part of the theatre program, I wasn’t popular, didn’t consider myself…
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I wish I could say that this list came easy for me, but alas it did not. I love this idea though! I got it from Gallantly Gal. You must do it, too. Then post it for the world to see! And no, you may not “balance” it out with a follow up post called…
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“Do you ever have dark thoughts?” My best friend from high school looked at me, paused, and then said, “Yes.” I nodded. That’s all I needed to know.
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“Desirable views have a hint of mystery. We like to understand and enjoy what is happening around us, and to imagine that if we traveled from where we are into the unknown we would meet with pleasant surprises…” – Psychology Today When we first arrived back to Thailand, the skies were muddy and grey. They…
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I’ve gotten good at consuming information on the web, of late, and I’m not sure if that is exactly something I should be proud of, but there it is. As a result, I’ve started to gain a clearer picture of what goals and habits mean to me. For months now, I’ve been trying to hone…
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For a long time, I’ve been keeping a morning journal. Originally, I did it as a necessity and it’s been my constant, true friend. Perhaps it’s self-indulging, as some might say, but as far as I can tell, it has helped me throughout my days and provided an anchor when I felt astray. I’ve been…
Read More![Forever 32....[disclaimer, I'm nowhere near 32]](https://lanivcox.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pablo.png?w=690)
As some of you already know, I didn’t take high school very seriously, so I had to go to community college first. At the time, I was embarrassed because my friends went off to major state universities all over the country. Looking back, I’m glad I took the cc route. Community college was a very…
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It started off with shoes, but then it became a bigger question. Does where you live change the way you dress? Yes. A resounding yes.
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It seems like everyone wants to be a writer these days, but that isn’t going to stop me from writing. When I started to pitch my first book to agents, let me tell you I got mightily discouraged from the lack of interest. I went through phases of wondering if I should even bother –…
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I’ve been practicing yoga for about 12 years. I say this not to impress you, but because I want to establish how long yoga and I have enjoyed a healthy relationship. Of course, by now, you’d think I’d be really bendy and flexible, but I am not. I’m not “advanced”. On the contrary, I feel…
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Blogging is like becoming an expat, you get to meet folks from all around the world, but you don’t have to go anywhere! It’s brilliant. Of course, just like traveling, you meet some great and not-so-great folks on the road. Sometimes the connection last only the strength of the holiday and other times something more…
Read MoreWhen I was 12, I lived in a townhouse on Anania Circle in the town of Mililani, situated in the center of the island of Oahu. Our neighbor was a grumpy old man who would bang his fists against the wall whenever I practiced the piano. Soon we figured out that I could not, should…
Read MoreThis idea originated from reading an excerpt from Louise Bogan’s autobiography called Journey Around My Room. I had written this post earlier in the month, but with today’s #writing101 challenge (death to adverbs), I thought I’d peruse this piece for those pesky -ly words, and see how I did. Two. I eliminated two. And since…
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I want to fish as deep as down as possible into my own subconscious in the belief that once that far down, everyone will understand because they are somewhat the same that far down. – Jack Kerouac Alright. I’ve signed up for WP’s Writing 101 course. And for our first assignment we had to…
Read MoreWhat were you like in college was such a fun and inspiring post, I thought I’d tackle the next obvious question: What were you like in high school?
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September is finally here! I’ve been waiting for this month because I will have a lot of time off. Serendipitously, I saw Jodie’s post on “What are your goals for September?” and it really got me thinking about what I need to focus on this month. It’s a big month, too.
Read MoreWhen Kiersten from She is Fierce started exploring this idea, I became inspired to write about it. I began to think about what it is and what it means to me. What do you think? To me, being inspired is about paying attention. Looking up from your phone. Taking in the surroundings. Noticing a spider…
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I wrote this question in my journal some time ago. It originated from moving again. I move a lot. I don’t mean to, necessarily, it just happens. Sometimes I’m envious of those who have normal stable lives. I’d like to try on that lifestyle and be content (could I be content?). What’s interesting about this…
Read MoreI remember in the sixth grade when this new kid came to class. He was one of the few black kids at our school, and on his first day he answered Mrs. K’s questions as best as he could. “Your name is Filet Mingon?” “Yes.” She said it louder and slower, “Your name is Filet…
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It’s like the magical mystery tour, but different. The writing process tour involves answering questions about your writing style and practice, and then choosing three other bloggers to participate. Marielle from This Flooded Sky invited me because: a) she has good taste, b) she’s cool like that, and c) she loves my writing. Woo-hoo!
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(And are there free cookies and punch involved?) Feminism is such a LOADED word jammed-packed with wholesome cynicism, abuse, and misunderstanding. But the good girls at The Lady Errant and She is Fierce have started a link-up on feminism, so before I knew it, I was contemplating, “Am I a feminist? What does that word…
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What were you like in college? Usually high school gets all the attention, but what about those years when you were out of the house and “out on your own”? When all you really had to worry about was beer and noodle money?
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My friend M and I were looking at new places to live when she whispered how she didn’t like the bars on windows. Many Thai homes have bars on the windows for security reasons.
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Update: as of today, 19th of November, 2014, Random Post is no longer an option. My favorite WordPress feature is the Random Post option. It’s the equivalent of flipping through a book and landing your finger on a page to find a quote you like or today’s meaning of life.
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dripping wet red sparkling orange yellow pollen for the bees
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Does beauty need to be defended? Yeah, well, if those spectacular concrete jungles are any indication of the direction we are heading, then yes, I believe beauty does need to be defended. I like to joke that in another life, I would have been a city planner because I think we have lost some of…
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I am participating in Diane DeBella’s #iamsubject project http://www.iamsubject.com/the-iamsubject-project/. Here is my #iamsubject story. When did I claim my self? Have I claimed my self? What is claiming your self anyway? In the beginning, there was nothing to reclaim. I was happy, bouncing along in a safe and protected childhood. But when my father died,…
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I know why people are afraid of change. It takes them out of their grassy zone of comfort. Hey, it’s comfortable in comfort land, eating at the ground, chewing the cud! Friends and kind folks who write to me about my blog (aka my life) think I’m real good at moving frequently, taking risks, but…
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Life, the Universe, and Lani 
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