The beauty of functionality

I have never been one to carry a purse. If it is an event I'd rather not bring a backpack to, I rely on pockets, boots, bras, belts, and other's pockets and purses to carry my belongings.  This usually isn't much of an challenge, since my belongings are generally just keys, cards and a phone.

These belongings, however, have started to grow. Maybe I want a snack? Or a decent camera to capture something? Maybe I should actually put an effort into my face and bring makeup for touch ups?Could all of these fit in my makeshift storage areas?

There have been a few inconvenient nights due to my stubbornness of refusing a purse. This refusal spawns from a deep resolve not to be constrained to a bag all night, not to dance around it on the ground of a dance floor, and not to be constantly hitching it back on my shoulder the way I have seen countless ladies do before.

The solution? Why, I'd like to say I found it, but it found me, browsing the aisles of Value Village. Priced at $2.99, I could't say no:

Before there's talk of the 90's, your great uncle, hipsters, or any other stigma that's attached to them, let me get right to it: fanny packs are so practical. They are hands-free, well sized, easy access, comfortable, and not nearly as unflattering as I once suspected. Maybe I'm in denial of their lameness due to finding such an awesome solution to my outing predicament, but damn: I am totally OK with people wearing fanny packs. In fact, I will high-five anyone who does.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

With the end of summer fast approaching, I feel it is only appropriate for me to share with you one of my favorite books from my summer reads. Behold! Behind the Beautiful Forevers.

This book talks about the everyday struggles faced by people living in a Mumbia slum. The author, Katherine Boo, spent two years living among these people in order to document every detail in their everyday lives and to listen to their stories. What she created with her two years of hard work is a masterpiece. The stories, described in vivid details, are truly touching and inspiring.

My mother grew up in a small,underprivileged village in China and she takes me back whenever we can. With every visit, I am reminded of how privileged I am to live the life I live and it makes me value everything I have just a little bit more. The stories told in this book, no matter how outrageous they seem, are true and it reminds me of similar stories told by my mom and grandparents.

This book is an eye opener and I finished it in three days. I was so emotionally connected to these characters that I felt their anger, fear, sadness and hope.