Return Ticket

Going back to a book is like returning to the cities we believe to be our own, but which, in reality, we've forgotten and been forgotten by.

What to say about Sydney

Musings on missing out.

Temples and Tourists

I always saw pictures of Westerners in Thailand at temples with their hands folded--what to me seemed like a hokey pose that didn't seem particularly respectful. That is, until I found myself there getting suckered into the very same things.

That which we call a mountain by any other word would be just as steep

Some lessons on enjoying nature in China

Trying not to be That Foreigner in China

You know THAT foreigner. The one you don't want to be, right? Getting real honest with myself about who I want to be versus who I am.

Those still living should bring umbrellas

Last October, a journalist in Malta was killed by car bomb. Last December, I went to Malta and took too many selfies. Oh, and did you hear about this election?

To all the places I’ve lived before

Some love letters as novelty wears off and culture shock sets in. (Inspired by that very good Netflix movie that you should definitely watch.)

On bad habits, and breaking them

You're never too old to learn some new tricks.

So I moved to China!!

I didn't really know what to expect coming into China. People will tell you so many different contradictory things--half of them vague observations, half of them lazy racist stereotypes. I've been here for almost a month now, and I'm still not quite sure what to make of it. 

Two countries separated by a common language

Nothing makes you realize the weird quirks of your own culture quite like a country where you all speak the same language, yet somehow don't.