Me and Calder
I met Calder last week, and he is like nothing and everything I’d imagined. His eyes change from blue to gray and his skin from pink to brown. He has a million facial expressions. He is tiny and adorable and precious. And he seemed to change and grow so much in the five [...]

I am sitting on our new comfy chair in the corner of the living room, doing some research for a few design projects. Rama is napping on the sofa beside me. I’m tempted to take a nap, too. I’ve developed a habit for afternoon naps while nursing a cold this past week, and I’m wondering [...]

On the way to Comic-Con this weekend, Rama read me a story. He often reads to me while I’m driving, and I love it. He’ll read a piece from Esquire magazine or he’ll share a funny part in a comic, something fun that keeps our mood light. This time, he read The Life of God [...]

Rama and I are the proud uncle and auntie to a little boy named Calder. He was born early this morning, and news has already reached the Philippines.
“It’s a red letter day for the Castros!” my brother Tom said. Yes, I agreed. One for the books.
Needless to say there has been much rejoicing, [...]

I’m having one of those “I have no idea what I’m doing, who am I trying to kid?” weeks, and I have had enough of these to know that it’s natural, it’s ridiculous and, best of all, it’s temporary.
So I just keep on keepin’ on and tell myself I’m good at what I do [...]

Brooke is having the baby soon — she’s due tomorrow! — and I am beside myself with giddy anticipation.
This will be the first grandchild for my mom and dad, much to their joy and relief, and my very first nephew or niece.
“I’m gonna be an auntie!” I keep squealing. I already have a deep (and [...]

The last time I wrote, I was a giddy and panicky mess, launching True*Stories, tying up loose work ends and packing for a week in Miami. It was exciting and exhausting, and the next day was spent on airplanes and in airports.
And then vacation happened.
Rama and I went to Miami to visit Barbara, his (and [...]

On the menu this morning: fresh blueberry pancakes, apple-smoked bacon and strawberries.
Wherever we do end up, I vow to have more brunches and dinner parties and people over for no reason at all. I love setting the table just right, turning up the tunes and making a meal that makes me proud. I love looking [...]

I’ve got writer’s block.
It’s not so much that I don’t have anything to write. No, a quick conversation with Rama reminded me that a lot is going on in our lives right now–in my life right now–and that I could write novels about it all. I could, but I just don’t feel like it. Not [...]

Today’s our 2nd anniversary!
Our second year of marriage had more bumps and twists and turns than we’d expected (and probably would have liked). But a little bit of faith, a whole lotta laughter and an endless supply of googly-eyed love has pulled us through.
I know our marriage is just a toddler, but like any [...]