I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your [...]

It takes many inches to make a mile. We can only move by inches, one inch at a time. It’s when we look miles ahead and wonder “how are we going to get so far?” that we fail to move forward at all. The paradox is that we can choose to live [...]

We came, we biked, we pigged out. On almond croissants, eggs, and coffee.

Oh boy, did we pig out. Especially on tasty Japanese food.

Not that I’m complaining or anything. Well, I’m maybe complaining a little about “duck in a can”. Yeah, it sounds as weird as it is. And foie gras [...]

My word, there’s nothing quite as entertaining as reading my journal from 2004. Yes. Two, oh, oh, four. My immediate reaction was to be embarrassed for 2004 Justina. Then I was horrified for 2018 Justina, who will happen upon this post and judge 2011 Justina the same way I’m judging 2004 [...]

Another year gone by, another wish made.
To appreciate and be appreciated.
To love and be loved.
To constantly be in awe of life.
Sometimes wishes do come true.