coffee

My Seven Places

March 2, 2024 First Person Foreigncoffee

There are actually big, sad, tragic events happening concurrently in hospitals inches from my breath, if air moves, and in zip codes I’ve never known except on the faith of my own imagination and the[…]

‘Twas the Flight Before Christmas

February 10, 2024 First Person Foreigncoffee

Trigger Warning about thoughts related to self-harm mentioned at the end. Read with care! Did I mention how hilarious I find it? I am 37 and a thought will attack me as I rush to[…]

The Traverse and the Reunions: Returning to Ketchikan (2)

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 First Person ForeignAlaska

“Alaska lulled me here on some sort of fantasy.” I thought as I ran up and down the hills of the residential streets. I pushed myself to scale them because I am trying to keep[…]

Moving Across the Country (2): Mess with Texas

May 11, 2019May 11, 2019 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

Driving across East Texas mile marker after mile marker and being hosted by friendly strangers

Moving Across the Country (1) | Atlanta to Marshall, Texas

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

Since yesterday I’ve been nervous. A pit in my stomach and a glob of feelings in my throat. On my last official day in Atlanta, I had to get my tires rotated, finish packing my[…]

Ready or not, USA (2)

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

You want to know how I’m doing, right? Well, I’m exactly three weeks back yesterday and I’ll disband the suspense: I’m doing fine. The people who love me have been asking this question, how are[…]

TOURING GUATEMALA: Night Bus to Flores, I’m an RPCV and I’ll cry if I want to

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

NIGHT BUS TO FLORES: When Amanda and I left on the night bus, we grabbed some street beans “amoebeans” we called them, and myself with chao mein on styrofoam plates. Local AF. I couldn’t believe[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Taking My Chances on the Border of Guatemala at the Border of Service (2)

March 15, 2019March 18, 2019 First Person Foreigncoffee

I stepped out onto the patio with a toothbrush and retainers in hand, still in my pajamas at 10am, in a place I am just getting to know: a coffee farm in Huehuetenango. What did[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Taking My Chances on the Border of Guatemala at the Border of Service (1)

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

As of today, I have 18 days left in service. My Peace Corps days are numbered.. ‘son contados’ says my host sister Clara. And many magical things are happening between the moments of uncertainty and[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Tamale Tuesdays and Tradition

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 First Person Foreigncoffee

I told my host family on Monday night: I have a mission, and that is to buy tamales for Abby. They must be a specific tamale, not just any tamale, and they must be in[…]