Because of the jetlag, I wake early. 4 AM. I read the paper and have a cup of strong black tea as the sun rises. Patrick Watson in my earbuds. Nibbling leftover sushi. BT is sleeping in one room. My sister and her husband in the other. I open my computer and slowly get drawn into work - organizing my notes from Tanzania, ideas are taking shape. I have to get it done but also I want to get it done. Shannon asked: am I passionate about it? I am. I give up a lot to do this and I do it because i want to. I am uncomfortable with my own tendency towards earnestness but slowly I am remembering what it feels like to be passionate about work. To own it.

Two nights ago, my sister and I sat in the backseat of a car with the 5-year-old son of one of my oldest and closest friends. We told stories as we drove home from the beach. Yesterday as soon as I got in the car he asked me for the next story about the pirate, the crocodile, and the sssssssssea sssssssssssnake. We ate ice cream. I had a hot fudge sundae. BT spent an hour throwing pinecones and running around with the 5 yr old so my friend and I could catch up. I don't know if I've ever seen BT spend so much time with a child and I was charmed.

My heart is full - all this love in one place.

7:44 a.m. - 2017-07-01