Writing With Abandon

Reflections and ramblings about life as an educator, writer, reader, knitter, and over-thinker. Trying to do the writing only I can do.

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about

I’m Amy. A born and raised New Yorker, currently living in Miami. Here to reflect on my experiences as an educator and learner, working things out as I write.

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  • New Normal

    Sleeping in past my alarm. Scrolling on my phone. Taking Phoebe for a longer walk than just a quick pee before heading out the door. Do I read for a while on the couch? Do I get some copywriting out of the way? Do I have time to go down to the pool for a…

  • Unexpected Guest

    It’s so peaceful here. That’s what I’m thinking as I paddle left and right in the yellow kayak through the canals of Xochimilco, a water transport system the Aztecs made that are teeming with life. The only other boats on the water at this early hour on a Monday morning are the large barge-like gondolas…

  • In Community at Arc

    James had asked us if we’d be interested in going to a hot-cold contrast therapy class with him and Emerald one day that we were here. He sent Patrick the website to Arc Community and we glanced at it and said sure, not really knowing what we were signing up for.  Mike made a joke…

  • Health Insurance Haikus

    Oh, health insurance Won’t you make it make sense? Bah! This is ridiculous. * Look on marketplace Compare the insurance plans “Twenty-one what?” * Coverage ended. Abrupt! Thanks for the warning… At least I’m healthy. 🤞 * Had no energy today to write anything else. Thankful to my mom for helping me compare all the…

  • Spa Day

    I could get used to this, I think as I melt into the massage table. Kim and I are at the Standard Spa thanks to the fifth grade parents’ generous graduation gift. We spent the morning at the pool, shared a breakfast sandwich followed by some guac and chips, fruit, and fresh coconut water, and…

  • Summer Knits

    Last summer, I recommitted to knitting. Ever since moving to Miami four years ago, the seasonal desire to make sweaters and other accessories disappeared, given that every day here is practically warm enough to wear a t-shirt and shorts. But after making a tank top and finishing a frogged sweater, I have kept up with…

  • Thank You For Your Service

    “Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest.” I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo 9 years ago, and I remember being pretty moved by it. I liked the idea of dumping all of my clothes from every season onto my…

  • Just One More Game

    “I’m nervous,” J said, hugging me. “I’ve never played laser tag before.” “You’ll love it!” I reassured her. We were on our last field trip of the year to a bowling alley, part of the final celebrations for our fifth graders during a week we deemed “Blast Off Week.” After listening to the instructions, we…

  • Exits as Entrances

    Yesterday, Maggie Rogers published an essay entitled “Maggie Rogers: The Truth About Dreams” in the New York Times, which was adapted from her NYU commencement speech. Some lines particularly stuck out to me: “I’d tell her to keep the dreams bigger than the fear.” “Maybe, just maybe, all exits can be entrances, too. Maybe it’s…

  • On Faith

    A few weeks ago, before the conclave that would select the successor to Pope Francis, Patrick and I went on a pope film spree.  First, we watched Conclave. Next, The Two Popes. And finally, at Patrick’s brother’s suggestion, A Man of His Word, the documentary about Pope Francis. Each of the films kept me thinking,…