December 2022 (a day late!)
I don’t know about you, but I feel like the end of 2022 came at me fast and furious! It was largely a great year for me – a heavy and high-stakes role at work which was ultimately an amazing journey, a reconnection with my creative core (expressed in writing poetry and creating this newsletter!) and many great wins for my son. But I won’t lie - the year was also filled with disappointment, fear, pain and loss. I suspect that most of us have probably experienced similar ups and downs. It is, after all, the very essence of living! In any case, I’m closing out December feeling relaxed after a lovely 10 days spent in my wonderful Treasure Beach, Jamaica (this time with Rohan in tow!) and rejuvenated from the holiday festivities prior to that. I welcome 2023 and wish that we all experience more joy, good health, ease, abundance and peace!
10 Things to Check Out
I’ve been loving seeing people’s Spotify Wrapped/Apple Replay lists. Mine are below, in case you’re curious! I particularly liked reading about my Spotify personality type, the Adventurer. It seems pretty spot on, considering how I curate my seasonal playlists (songs I hear during my travels, Uber rides, at dinner – you name it!). Speaking of Spotify specifically (which is the service I use), did you know that you can discover what people in different countries are listening at present? Simply go to ‘Browse’ and then ‘Charts’ and there you will find the weekly and monthly song and viral charts by country. So you can be in the know on what’s hot in Argentina, Cyprus, India, you name it!
As mentioned, my son Rohan and I spent 10 days in Treasure Beach, a community of fishing villages on the south coast of Jamaica which I fell in love with last year. It was my third visit but his first, and it was such a pleasure to witness the kindness and generosity that the lovely community there showed Rohan. He learned to fish, to catch and clean bait, to spot dolphins, to enjoy ackee and festival and fried fish (and also - Ting, spiced buns and Snackitos!), to climb over the buttonwood tree, to play dominoes, to pick sweetsop and mangoes, to know that Santa should always arrive by boat and to make new friends. For a peek into our lovely visit, please check out my Instagram feed! And if you ever think you might want to make a visit, please get in touch for tips, recommendations and connections!
When I was briefly in Chicago this summer, at the Logan Square Farmer’s Market I ran into the Typewriter Tarts, a lovely duo who were set up with a typewriter right in the middle of the market, offering to write a unique poem for anyone who gave them a word, theme or mood (and a suggested donation of $25). I gave them the words JOY, EASE, LIGHT, SUMMER and EVOLUTION, and Typewritualist penned this beauty, which she then did a reading of for me. I just loved it – both the poem and this way of making poetry accessible and personal for people. Have you ever come across anything like this?
Thanks to my friend Ilda, I made a connection with Maos Dadas Maputo, a group that works with disadvantaged women in Mozambique (a country which I’ve had the good fortune of visiting a couple of times). As part of this effort, the women make beautiful jewelry such at this necklace below, as a means of skill development and income generation. Please consider buying one of their beautiful pieces and giving them your support!
Was I the only one that was bawling during Trevor Noah’s last episode as host of The Daily Show, after an amazing 7-year run? Particularly his moving tribute to Black women! Trevor’s intelligence, wit and unique “outsider’s” perspective on the USA (Born a Crime, his autobiography, is one of my favorite books ever!) will be very much missed. Though I suspect that he may have bigger and better things in store…
One of the things that I decided to invest in over the last year? A proper skin care routine. I’m 44, and taking care of my skin seems to be more important than ever. This is why I was so happy to discover The Works bundle by Dime Beauty. It comes with a gentle cleanser, toner (I never realized how important and helpful toning is!), two serums (hyaluronic acid for night, a glow serum for day) and lotions (also for night and day). After a few months of using Dime (whose products are all clean and cruelty-free) twice a day, I definitely started seeing a noticeable difference in my skin. It ain’t cheap (currently $153 for the bundle), but taking better care of my skin seems worth it to me, and a little goes a long way! Use promo code AUTUMN20 for 20% off your first order.
I was thrilled when I learned that Harvard University has appointed Claudine Gay as the university’s 30th president. Dr. Gay is an eminent political scientist and scholar, has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 2018 and is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. This marks the first time that Harvard will be helmed by a woman and by a Black woman at that. As an alumni (it’s where I got my master’s in international education policy), this makes me very happy!
Now that we’ve had a full year of some kind of normalcy in the Covid context, I relished going out to some great restaurants over the course of 2022. One of my top finds has been Sura here in DC’s Dupont Circle, a Thai spot featuring small plates and inventive cocktails, inspired by the izakayas in Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat). I love both the delicious dishes that transport me back to the five years that I lived in Bangkok as well as the funky decor (neon red sign, going down an old newspaper-lined stairwell, water in Mekhong whisky bottles). If you live in or are visiting the DC area, check it out and try the spicy belly rice and laap, both of which can be made vegan with tofu.
I’m a sucker for the year’s end top 10 lists and retrospectives on books, movies, music, you name it! This round-up from Cup of Jo (which – by the way – is my absolute favorite blog) is particularly great! I’m bookmarking several of the recommendations, including the All There Is podcast on grief by Anderson Cooper and Mo, the Netflix comedy-drama about Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer’s upbringing in Houston.
I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions – probably because I’m not great at sticking to them! I prefer the idea of setting some broader intentions for the year (e.g. prioritizing health, striving to be more present). And even more than that, I like the idea of a Word of the Year. A word which – if chosen carefully – can be used as an overall framework and guiding light to bear in mind in the different realms of life. In 2022, my word was Ease, which I think I certainly bore in mind and applied on some different levels. For 2023, my word is going to be Evolution. In some ways, the last few years have come to feel increasingly steady-state. There’s nothing wrong with that (it’s actually pretty great!), but I know that I would like to make more active progress in some areas of my life and do some of the “hard things” that I’m always telling Rohan that we can do in life. Wish me luck! And if you’re interested in doing the same, check out these 5 steps to help you choose your Word of the Year!
What I Read
I set a goal for the number of books I aim to read each year and will admit that I fell woefully short of my target for 2022. Nonetheless, I did read some great books over the course of the year! Here are my top 10 books I read in 2022 (in no particular order). I’d be curious to know…what were your favorites? There’s nothing I appreciate more than a great book recommendation!
What I Watched
I enjoyed From Scratch, the Netflix limited series adapted from the novel by Tembi Locke. It’s a story of love, loss, family, food, based on the real-life story of Locke and the charming Sicilian chef with whom she falls in love. The landscapes, food and actors in the series are gorgeous, and the tale of loss, grief and redemption is both heart-wrenchingly sad and beautifully hopeful.
What I Listened To
I adored Belgian singer/rapper Stromae’s Tiny Desk concert! His amazing voice, musicality, unique aesthetic and stage presentation (accompanied by his wonderful band) were on full display in this one. I spent several cold December evenings with this on YouTube while making dinner!
What I Cooked
With the heavy year I had in 2022, I must admit that I lost a bit of my cooking mojo. It’s a pity, but something had to give! In 2023 though, I intend to reconnect with my love for being in the kitchen and to embark on a few ambitious cooking projects every now and then.
In the decidedly NOT ambitious but delicious category of meals is this Pasta with Classic Pesto and Candied Tomatoes that I whipped up yesterday (my last meal cooked in 2022!). I tossed a mix of penne and farfalle with this classic basil pesto from Gimme Some Oven and the candied tomatoes. To make these beauties, preheat your oven to 350 F/180 C. Toss 2 pints (4 cups) of grape tomatoes with 2 tablespoons good olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon sugar. Spread out in a foil-lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for about an hour (rotating the plan halfway through), or until the tomatoes start to shrivel up nicely and take on a nice color. Top with freshly grated Parmesan, freshly ground black pepper and/or crushed red chili flakes.
And a poem to sign off…
RISE In your vast, I am minuscule. In your infinity, I am voyaging. In your caress of other shores, I am connected. In your glory, I am soft and slow. In your goodbye, I shed no tears. For you rise. And in your rise, I feel my own. - Ramya Vivekanandan, December 22, 2022
Thank you for reading and for being here! Please feel free to leave a comment, let me know what has inspired YOU this month or share this newsletter with anyone who you think would enjoy it. All my very best for the new year, and see you at the end of January!