An April recap

A solo trip, book progress, and a good pantsuit

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I’m writing to you from a marginally comfortable seat at Albany International Airport, where I’ve just paid $5.33 for a bottle of water. A flight delay has given me an extra hour at my gate. I hate being early, which is probably one of my most annoying faults, so I’m not exactly excited about this development. I’d rather cut it close than have idle time — I know! If I ever miss a flight, know that I probably deserve it.

If you’re new here, welcome! April was fun. Turning in the first draft of my book and a trip to New York were my highlights. The vacation idea emerged when I was deep in the throes of postpartum last year. My pregnancy was difficult. While having the baby eased the physical symptoms, my anxiety skyrocketed after giving birth. I never received an official postpartum anxiety diagnosis, but in retrospect, I suspect that I met the criteria. On top of that, I had a book deadline looming.

I had a hard day last year and said to no one in particular, “When this all feels easier, I’m doing something for myself.” I didn’t know what that’d be, but a couple of months later, I felt ready. I had enough credit card points to cover a roundtrip flight and started to brainstorm where to go for a weekend adventure. I landed on two days in New York City, followed by a trip upstate to visit my good friend

Olivia Muenter

. And it was blissful. My feet are sore because I packed for fashion instead of comfort, and I’m a bit behind on sleep, but it was a great time.

The Beauty Of A Solo Trip

Of all the things I’ve shared on the Internet in the last decade, the most controversial is when I divulged that my husband Vagner and I don’t always eat at the same restaurants on vacation. If he’s craving a burger and I want sushi, why should one of us make a sacrifice? (Some may argue that compromise is a pillar of a relationship, but I’m serious about food.)

I love doing things alone, and being by myself in the city felt particularly indulgent. A king bed to stretch in and an itinerary that needed no one else’s approval — pure joy. I landed early Thursday morning and started my personal food tour, drooling over the burrata and prosciutto sandwich at Radio Bakery, treating myself to a 12-course omakase meal at Sushi Blossoms, and trekking to Brooklyn for a slice of fig jam & bacon pizza from L’Industrie. I also grabbed lunch with an old coworker turned friend, and I met my literary agent in person for the first time. On Saturday, I took an early morning train upstate and ended the trip by shopping, eating, and exploring with Olivia.