Meet where I live. With Ali. In Brooklyn.
Also, the best part is when Ali tries to sing along with the music for a hot second…

As long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed a good challenge. I’d like to say it’s because I’m motivated and hard-working (lets be real, I’m just really stubborn), but nonetheless, I thrive off of pushing myself. Being the underdog. Choosing the road less traveled (#sorry).

An early example of this is me strapping on skis at the age of five and refusing help down the mountain. I wanted to figure it out myself, which resulted in zooming straight down the trail. I had no idea how to stop, so I just counted to five and… fell. (Mind you, this whole scenario was way more intense in my toddler mind).

I always root for the underdog in sports, because it’s way more exciting (and surprising) when they win. And out of all the sports I dabbled in as a kid, I’ve stuck with the one that (to me) is the most mentally and physically challenging: running. When going abroad, I chose Ghana. Why? Because Ghana is hard. I wanted to carry my own bathing water, rely on unreliable transportation, and learn to enjoy blobs of mashed plantain doused in oily fish stew for dinner (mmm).

But I thrive off that. I genuinely would rather sleep in a tent in the middle of the woods than in a 7-star hotel room. I’ll take four trains to a friends apartment instead of a cab. I’ll work overtime for a company I believe in over getting out at 5pm with the rest of the Suit-and-Tie world.

And I’m quickly realizing that working for a startup fits the way I function. Work can be hard— really really hard. But the challenges we face everyday make it all the more worthwhile. The beauty of pushing yourself and setting high limits is that you actually see your progress. Every single thing you do (or don’t do) affects a much larger goal, which in turn creates meaning for every action. And meaning is so, so beautiful.  

So yeah, embracing challenges often means fucking up and failing. But it’s been mulled over time and time again that failing is essential to learning and growing and eventually figuring it out. And had I been less curious as a kid, I probably would be leading a very safe, easy life.

And I wouldn’t be happy… like I am now. 

Homes

These keys are with me,

as I sit on subway stairways.

They fit in this house,

tight walls that gather

possessions, emotions.

A man sits by me, on these

stairs that no one sits on.

He paints people, sleeps

next to stencils—his home

wherever brushes stroke.

Perhaps these keys will fit

in his frames. He’ll draft

deadbolts and doors.

I’ll see where I feel safe.

Right now, I can’t seem to write poems or semi-witty things. No ideas, musings, or stupid stories are popping in my head.

So instead, read an updated version of Greatist’s manifesto. Much more interesting:

More must-read health & fitness news and information at Greatist.

Despite the fact that yesterday felt like September and one month ago looked like February, it is, indeed…December . And while I’m not one to set “monthly goals” or try and “start fresh” once my bird calendar flips (December just so happens to be a Snowgirl White Chicken) I do enjoy thinking about what I’m looking forward to in the coming 31 days. Ya dig?

December just so happens to celebrate many important birthdays (mom, best friend, nearly sister-in-law). And you know what the best part about birthdays is? You’re simply told where to go to have tons of fun. No stress! I already know I’m venturing to the les saturday night, getting kick-ass mexican on Long Island Sunday evening, and going here for some classy cocktails next weekend. Thanks for being born in December, mom nic kati. I’m looking forward to it!

I’m also, well, going to Chicago. Last Sunday Ali asked me if I wanted to go—round trip tickets were $113— and I immediately said no. Then I said I’d think about it, then convinced myself I shouldn’t think about it, then thought about how I could put that money towards going somewhere BETTER (colorado, peru, seattle), and then said fuck it, then booked my flight. I’ve only been to Chicago long enough to eat a slice of deep dish and continue driving west, so I’m excited to re-explore the city and see whats up.

I am also going to a new opening at the Rubin—  a collection of comic books that depict Tibet, both real and imagined. I’m stoked… cause comics are awesome.  And for some reason, I get to go to the VIP part. It includes a free glass of wine! AAAND I get a plus one… come with me!

It’s also almost Christmas, so that means holiday presents and parties. Now, I love buying gifts for people! Spending money on myself puts me in a panic, but dishing out the dough for my beloved loves aint no thang. Our holiday grotluck at work will also be sick, since it’ll include a secret santa and SNACKS and really nice conversations and probs christmas music and Beyonce aaand tinsel. Hopefully tinsel.

Last few looking-forward things: Christmas day. And new years eve. And going on a sticker stampede around nyc. And running outside. And hopefully seeing snow. And being cold. And hunching over my space heater. And coffee. And mornings in Brooklyn. And friends. And work. And work friends. Family. Pretty lights. More pie. That’s it.

Then we’ll deal with 2012.

PS) Whoever searched “sri lankan girls get fun with tourists” to get to this blog (you’ve done it twice), please let me know. I’d like to chat.