A Virgo origin story
The funny thing about me leaning so hard into my Virgo-ness is that I may not be a Virgo at all.
My origin story doesn’t have a beginning. The details of my first few months on Earth are fuzzy.
Abandoned baby in South Korea. Cross-country bus station. And an eventual trip around the globe to Kansas.
But what happened before all of that?
The key pieces of who, when, where, and why are missing. Over the years, I’ve filled in the blanks.
For the longest time, I imagined I was the product of an illicit affair and possibly an heir to some kind of throne as a result.
As I’ve gotten older, reality says the story is more likely my biologicals were a young, poor couple who could no longer manage to care for their kid and had to make a tough decision.
The fact that there’s a significant chunk of time unaccounted for, my actual birth date and given name is anyone’s guess.
Yet, someone, somewhere, decided I would be a Virgo, though I could be a Libra or even a Leo.
And as someone who believes in magic, doesn’t it make sense that my origin story essentially begins with me appearing out of thin air?
Reading
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
For so long, I thought this was the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me.
It isn’t.
That one is coming out next year.
This one though has the same family drama and emotional vibes with some mystery woven in.
Dave knows how to tug at the heartstrings with her writing without it feeling corny or contrived, and is masterful at revealing a secret at just the right time.
Upworthy Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity
NetGalley | Pub Date: 9.3.24
I love following Upworthy on Instagram for their inspiring, heartfelt stories. Having a collection of them feels like a gift I can pick up whenever I need a boost of serotonin.
It kind of reminds me of a modern, more detailed version of a book I loved reading as a kid - Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul. Both give all the warm and fuzzy feelings and hope for humanity you need to keep going.
Group Living and Other Recipes by Lola Milholland
NetGalley | Pub Date: 8.6.24
This was an interesting read but felt a little scattered – I had a hard time following at points or staying connected to the story.
The common thread was recipes from all the different people and living situations that affected her life, which was a creative way to break up the sections.
I liked the author’s reflection on unconventional types of families and homes, but felt like the timeline was too disjointed at times and some sections like the time during 2020 felt longer than necessary (though this could very well be a personal reaction to anything written during the pandemic).
Overall, it was a cool approach to writing a memoir, but I wasn’t as invested in it as I thought I’d be.
Watching
I may have already done this, but it’s time for a refresher of movie recommendations that make it feel like fall. In no particular order:
You’ve Got Mail
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks at their finest and funniest. It’s an enemies-turned-lovers trope set in New York City with an ode to the indie bookstore (and AOL, RIP).
When Harry Met Sally
A classic. The Central Park autumn scenes and fall outfits alone do it for me. Again with Meg Ryan, this time paired with Billy Crystal. It has the infamous Katz’s Deli scene, but one of my favorites is when they’re singing Surrey with a Fringe on Top “in front of Ira”!
Stepmom
Swoon over the fall colors. What can I say? Autumn in New York gives me all the feels. New stepmom Julia Roberts goes toe-to-toe with the ex-wife, Susan Sarandon, with more than she bargained for since Sarandon’s character is dying of cancer.
Beaches
Not exactly summer, but still has the cozy vibes that embrace the season. Spanning a decades-old friendship that begins on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, to the Broadway scene in Manhattan, to Hollywood Bowl and the beaches of LA. It is the wind beneath my wings.
Mermaids
Two words: Jake. Ryan. Jake Ryan is actually a high school character in Sixteen Candles, but the actor plays an equally dreamy bus driver in this movie. Cher is an unconventional mother who makes only hors d’oeuvres for dinner, which doesn’t sound half-bad, as she raises two daughters — older boy-crazy, nun enthusiast, Winona Ryder, and a younger, swim-obsessed little sister, Christina Ricci.
Good Will Hunting
Top to bottom, this is one of the best movies there is. Set in my beloved Boston with falling leaves surrounding a “Folgers moment” between Robin Williams and Matt Damon in Boston Common, it delivers emotionally driven monologues and a story about friendship, trauma, healing, and that perfect hopeful ending.
Sabrina
When you’re in the mood for old-school romance, it’s this version with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond for me. Set on the north shore of Long Island as well as scenes from Paris, what’s not to fall in love with? Just remember Sabrina Fairchild is the savior of the story.
Listening
Brand Carlile, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado
I finally made it to Red Rocks for an epic, starry night performance from one of the greatest voices of our time – Brandi Carlile - singing along with the Colorado Symphony.
I was in heaven.
Getting there by rideshare was simple. It was trying to find the end of the line that was a bitch.
But we made it well in time before she hit the stage, and I teared up more than once taking in the moment.
Eating
Buckets of seafood
Crab Hut and Rockin’ Baja in the same week means me and crab claws, lobster tails, and shrimp.
A little melted butter, and some homemade tortillas to wrap things up - few meals make me happier.
Also, spiny lobster season is right around the corner, so a stop at Mitch’s is in the cards soon. Lucky me!
Exploring
SDNHM Canyoneer Hiking
Every fall to early summer, the National History Museum’s Canyoneers host a series of hikes throughout San Diego County (and beyond!).
The new schedule has been posted and I’m excited for the season’s lineup.
If you’ve never been, the hikes range from easy to challenging with the guides providing interesting information about the land, wildlife, and vegetation along the trail.
There are several guides on each scheduled hike, so you can pick whether you want to meander or walk at a more steady pace.
As for my origin story, by the time you read this, I’ll have already been to the place where it all began, so it’ll be interesting to see what life looks like when I return.
Until then.