Hyphenated-Homestead

I thought I’d start this post with a bold declaration: I just hit 50.

No, not my age—though I’m not exactly decades away from that milestone either. But today, I’m celebrating something just as personal and, in many ways, even more symbolic: my 50th blog post.

What started as a quiet corner of the internet—a little digital homestead to house my thoughts—has become a living, breathing journal of growth, laughter, and connection. And as I sit here typing this, I can’t help but take a quick walk down memory lane.

It all began with Coming to America—my first-ever series, where I dusted off old suitcases of memory and unpacked the bewildering, hilarious, and heartfelt moments of arriving in the U.S. as an international student. I shared stories of adjusting to cultural quirks, surviving the graduate studies and my initial years in the US.

Then came the middle phase of the blog—describing times when I was juggling full-time work and full-time life, which often felt like a performance art piece called “How Many Tabs Can One Human Have Open?” I wrote about navigating work culture, friendships that feel like chosen family to surviving Midwest winters (yes, St. Louis, I’m looking at you) 😂

There were quirky one-offs: deep dives into phrases I overuse, my struggles with a ‘proper hobby’ and sometimes my wonderings about keeping up with the blog writing itself. Life happens, right?

Recently, I spun a 10-part India series, which honestly could’ve turned into a 20-part Netflix docuseries if I’d had the time. That series reconnected me to my roots while still keeping a foot planted in my present.

And now, here I am, kicking off a new chapter with mPath Services – a soul venture, and a test of what happens when you actually take your own advice into practice. Walk the talk as they say! (which, by the way, was the theme of my surprise post this week, see below).

This #AprilWritingChallenge has added a fresh kind of fuel. With 15 posts planned (three a week!), I feel like I’ve tapped into something that brings together the full spectrum of who I am—storyteller, coach, strategist, and lifelong learner.

So yeah—50 posts.

Fifty glimpses into my mind, heart, and home. Fifty chances to connect, laugh, think, and grow. And if you’ve read even one, commented once, or quietly nodded from the other side of the screen—thank you.

Here’s to the next 50—and all the beautifully hyphenated chapters to come.

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“This post is another surprise addition to my April Writing Challenge, where I’m sharing reflections, insights, and personal stories three times a week. If you’re new here, check out my intro post to learn more about why I’m doing this and what you can expect throughout the month!”

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