Forty-four

even-keeled for an even-numbered birthday

I turned forty-four the other day and my son told everyone on planet Earth about it. It’s fine, I don’t feel weird about people knowing my age, I am not a woman from 1955. But I will say—I am finding myself doing all sorts of wild shit I never thought I’d be doing:

• Face massages - to “drain my lymphatic system.” Does massaging my face in weird circles really do this? Who knows!

• Salmon semen skincare - Ok I have yet to start but my friend got this for me from Korea and I am so willing to do it because…why? Who cares!

• Moisturizing literally all hours of the day - How much lotion can one human put on their bod? Ask me, because it is truly “the limit does not exist” level.

• Regular massages - My back is a war zone and I have convinced myself that having someone rub it vigorously is the key to solving the problem rather than not spending hours sitting in front of a computer.

• Buying overpriced stuff - Because I *earned* it am I right, ladies? I’m middle-aged and this means I have to buy this fancy shampoo. Right? Right?

• Walking in place - I remember when my best friend’s mom did this in the living room when we had sleepovers at her house and I thought, adults are so weird. And now I do this when I watch TV.

• Eating less red meat - I just have high cholesterol :(

My big deadline was MET this week and I spent my birth week in pools, eating good food, reading Sarah MacLean’s latest, and buying clothes on sale. May you all have relaxing weekends and summers as well, as much as you can. Because if I can impart any wisdom after living for forty-four years, it’s that life is short and it only gets more clear with every passing year. So take care of yourselves and those around you.

x M A U X

x x My husband’s movie, Kpop Demon Hunters, has reached epic levels of virality and a fandom that seriously makes my jaw drop. Some of my favorite social media moments:
- BTS KNOWS THIS MOVIE EXISTS! SCREAMING UNTIL I DIE!

• This DJ dropping “Golden” at a club in Paris and the REACTION! Tears.

• The cosplay is next level.

• Why are people so damn funny

x x x Shopping coup of the week was a suede shirt I’ve been coveting foreeeever and getting it for half off.

x x x x Hey if you wanna give me a birthday present, please consider donating to these organizations:

• CHIRLA - '“Founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees. CHIRLA became a place for organizations and people who support human rights to work together for policies that advance justice and full inclusion for all immigrants.”

• Altadena Girls - “What began as a grassroots effort by a 14-year-old girl to provide essentials to her friends grew overnight (literally!) into Altadena Girls—an organic movement to empower young women through community and care.”

• World Central Kitchen - “WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.”