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Me + Mom

Last night, I returned from over a week in California.  It felt good to be home.

"Home" is a concept I struggle with.  I was born outside of the United States, lived a huge chunk of my life in southern California, and lived most of what I consider to be my adult life in Portland, Southeast Asia, and now Washington DC.  I feel like I leave little bits and pieces of myself in the cities I've lived.

For as long as I've lived outside California, every time I've visited, I have always ask myself if I could ever move back.  Could I imagine myself doing the long commute in a car to my workplace in x?  Actually, could I even imagine myself spending that much time, daily, in a car? The whole southern California dependence on a car would probably kill me a little and moreso Ethan, who bikes everywhere.

But: Could I imagine being able to have weekend dinner with my family at the drop of a hat?  And reliable childcare?  Diversity?  Good food?  Constant sunshine?

This internal dialogue has been going on for over ten years.

After weighing every factor, I always come to the same conclusion: "No, I can't. Not right now." That was the answer I came up with last night on the plane back to DC, as my thoughts wandered through the week, to the baby shower that I was foisted on me, to the wedding prep, to my sister's stunning wedding, the driving, the eating, the constant chatter, the warmth of being around people who just know me.  It pains me a little to say goodbye each time.

I wonder if someday that answer will change.

Fall list, continued.

I'm desperate for a decent pair of flats.  My old flats (i.e., pre-Asia) don't fit as well anymore.  

On my way home the other day, I walked past Madewell and, for once, browsed the store.  I am not quite sold on either of these flats, but they were comfortable enough. 

I did, however, purchase and break in a pair of Rachel Comey Mars boots.  Let's hope they work out.

Sale alert: Steven Alan, No. 6, Rachel Comey, Mayle, etc

I don't often post sale alerts, but the consignment shop, The Real Real, is having a 50 percent off everything sale until 11:59 PM PDT tonight.  Use code: august50

On my radar: Thread & Crescent

via Thread & Crescent

Jennifer turned me onto this webshop, which houses handcrafted items.  That belt may be the perfect substitute for my Rachel Comey double-closure belt - a brown leather belt is such a staple in my pre-Cambodia and Cambodia wardrobe.

a smattering of thoughts and images

Life. Right now.

Images 1-2: Homemade tortillas with vegetable fajita filling (random veggies sauteed with a dash of red wine and adobo chipotle peppers imported from Los Angeles)

Image 3: Shoes sitting in my closet. I must remember to wear them.

Image 4: "Cookie" - the feral kitten who has taken over our terrace.  He looks harmless, but he is a terror.

Image 5:  For the past few days, the sky has hung heavy with clouds. Rainy season is here, I suppose: green and flowers everywhere. The trailing vine on our staircase is out of control!
Image 6: I crave dim sum.

Rants, Reward

via Jumelle

I've been working my butt off during the past year on advocacy, field research and a publication on the Project.  The report will launch in Melbourne, Australia in a few weeks.  Yet, even as co-author and lead researcher, I will not be in attendance.  It seems unfair, and I've found myself frustrated with the process on several occasions.  Ethan tries to keep me positive by reminding me that a conference at a certain human rights center will be focused solely on the work, that this work could actually impact Project-affected people both in this Project and other related projects.   Yes, yes, all very rad, but I am a salty curmudgeon.  I suppose all the workings of the world aren't just.  That is one of many lessons I've learned through my experience in Cambodia.

Rant aside, I deserve a treat.  I'm thinking this pair of No. 6 clogs will suffice.  Question is, are they too similar to the previously posted Rachel Comey wedges?  (See last post.)

Today

via Anaise

Yesterday, during the random, mid-week holiday, I actually visited boutiques in Phnom Penh. Very hit or miss. But I walked into a small Euro one, and the overwhelming craving for well-constructed clothes hit me like a gigantic wave. Craving. Bad.

This, from Anaise, would do.

Yes, please.

via Domahoka (spied via Ermie)

I need no excuse to wear this in dusty Phnom Penh. None at all. Via Rachel Comey. Of course.

Craving

via Refinery29

I'm not going to lie -- I miss my pretty dresses and Rachel Comey shoes, though I agree that dusty Phnom Penh is no place for ivory silk Mayle dresses. And yet, the heat and humidity, coupled with constant socializing, has made go through my nearly two suitcases of dresses so very quickly.

I am craving. Big time.

I hunted down those cream RC sandals on Madewell guru Gigi Guerra after spotting them at Impulse years before. But, like many other creature comforts, I left them in Los Angeles.

Madewell is online, huh? Trouble? Perhaps. I will think about it and other things this weekend, while lazing in the countryside town of Kampot. It is the Queen's birthday, which spells my first Cambodian three-day weekend.

Ipswich

via Le Train Bleu

Let's be completely honest. Under absolutely no circumstances, do I need another pair of Rachel Comey brogue-like, wedge, clog things in the perfect brown hue. I have several in my closet.

Stop tempting me, Rachel. Stop it already. Your tassel and fringe magic will not work on me this time!

Still, for sake of argument, could these work in Cambodia?

Monsoons and Muggings

Becki suggested that alternate title for the blog, given my (hopefully ridiculous) preoccupation with potential muggings in Phnom Penh and my fascination with monsoon season. In truth, when considering whether to purchase or pack an item for my move, I now ask the baseline question: "Will this get me mugged?"

Apparently, there is an increase in muggings in Phnom Penh, especially in the BKK area where many expats reside. Women are cautioned not to walk around at night with a purse. (I suppose that answers my question about my Mayle bags.) I was chided for riding on the back of a motorbike with mine. Silly tourist.

Don't wear anything that will elicit too much attention, they say. What exactly does that mean?

Nonetheless, my love of Rachel Comey clog shoes-boots has me looking at this:

via Anthropologie