I like to celebrate my entire birthday month because life! is so worth celebrating. This year, we kicked off with a weekend trip to Philly to celebrate another friend’s September birthday at Michael Solomonov’s Zahav. We may or may not have ordered everything on the menu except 2 hummus(es) and 1 large plate.
The next weekend Mr. Hungry took me to Kwame Onwauchi’s Kith/Kin (the OXTAIL DISH OMG.). On my actual birthday, we celebrated with kimbap and Nyquil (dang allergies). My Vox friends sent me the most heart-warming happy birthday video that I’ve watched at least 9 times. My PAAC friends surprised me Friday at Screwtop Winebar, which has hands-down the best pulled-pork nachos in the DMV (no surprise, the owner is from Texas). I feel very, very lucky to be loved and cared for by my friends and family. Thank you for all the birthday wishes and making a gal feel so special.
To celebrate 35 revolutions around the SUN, in no particular order, here are 35 fun facts about me, observations, reflections, things-I’ve-learned, etc.
My current favorite way to cook a steak is the reverse sear method. Sous-vide is a close second.
My first car was a 1983 Toyota Cressida my dad drove my mom to the hospital when she was in labor with me. Cars last a looong time in my family.
All of the *new* cars I’ve ever owned were/are blue. (I bought my first new car when I turned 30.)
That being said, I love public transportation!
This is the first food photo I ever took (and posted on Instagram). Practice makes progress, ya’ll.
Cilantro still tastes like minty feet. Even Julia Child hated it.
Embracing #indoorsy.
You can do anything, but not everything.
Thankful for my husband who loves and accepts me fully for who I am and has agreed to do this thing called life with me.
First time flying first class thanks to my husband and his incredible points-wielding, deal-finding skills.
Sometimes you outgrow friendships and that’s ok.
District Taco is an abomination and an insult to tacos.
The clock in my car is set 5 minutes slow, otherwise, I arrive to things too early.
Sometimes behaviors that helped me survive in the past are the same ones preventing me from thriving.
My worth isn’t determined by my productivity.
Asking for help is ok.
Asking for professional help is ok.
“No” is a complete sentence.
The sauce/marinade in this recipe gets the best reception at any meal I’ve served it at. I omit the cilantro and triple the garlic.
Rest is an essential part of growth.
If I want to love and care for others, I have to love and care for myself.
“Striving, like everything else, can be misused when overdone.” - Esme Wang
Imposter syndrome is for real, but it’s important to put yourself out there. Thankful for friends who understand and support this.
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ― Anaïs Nin
“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him.. the people who give you their food give you their heart.” ― Cesar Chavez
You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. –Maya Angelou
“Embrace the uncertainty of being a beginner. A beginner’s mind nurtures humility, curiosity, and of course- hope.” - GG Renee Hill
Perfectionism is a cover for the need for control. Letting go of trying to be perfect is one of the most liberating things I’ve done.
Developing clear physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual boundaries saved the quality of my life.
I cannot be all things to all people and I don’t want to be/shouldn’t have to be.
Emotion is energy in motion. Trying to contain or suppress them will have unintended consequences.
Anger is a necessary emotion, a signal to let you know something’s up.
Impact is just as important, or more, than intention.
Highly recommend a regular mind-body practice (yoga, meditation, tai chi, contemplative prayer, etc.) that allows you to be fully present inside yourself.
The only constant thing in life is change. Be present for it.
PrincessHungry circa 1986-ish