Struggles – Page 5

Healing in Alaska: Mourning amidst the Majesty

August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

It is a radiant eruption of sunshine here in Ketchikan. It’s not common that I’ve seen days this bright, this beaming. The sun is undressed and the mountains are pied: green and brown and gray,[…]

Conversations in Alaska: “Everyone hates permanence” 47 of 50

July 28, 2016July 31, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

Under the harvest moon of open mic night at Fat Stan’s, I shared with one of our naturalists that Nana’s passing has me thinking about getting my first tattoo. I’ve never wanted one, not seriously,[…]

Crash and Grab vol. 2 | Returning Home and Coming Back to Un-Home

July 5, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

From: Into the Woods The Musical There are Giants in the sky! There are big tall terrible Giants in the sky! When you’re way up high And you look below At the world you left[…]

My Dad’s Note About His Will | Churches in Dresden

November 24, 2015May 15, 2016 First Person ForeignEuroTrip 2

To the Believer: So I’m in Dresden and it’s a beautiful city and the buildings are old and glorious in their own right and really it’s the layout that’s so perfect. The epic buildings are[…]

Old Darkness That Germany Revisited | Hamburg

November 24, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignGermany

November 15, 2015 1:45am Altona, Hamburg I remember the darkness setting in in Seattle and I am being reminded of that time now. It becomes haunting, chilling, when the sun appears for only willful spurts[…]

Refugees In Germany And My Privileged Response | A Day in Hanover, Germany

November 24, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignRealizations

Written on November 14, 2015 So. I suppose I’ve more or less decided that I am here “hanging out” for 2 more months. Fall in Europe, there are far worse options. I want to ask[…]

Am I Really Moving Here? Should I Stay? | Hamburg

October 20, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignBeauty

So here’s the thing. I’m here. Today it was sunny. Yesterday it was sunny. The four days before that, the sky was the color of an armadillo’s iris and I could. hardly. deal. The thing[…]

Starting Over in Germany and Sunshine | Hamburg

October 20, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignMoving

As a young hamster bred on the West Coast of Florida, I learned early and often to curse the oppressive sun. Not only did it greet you, it stole your joy with it’s glaring beams[…]

Why Do You Think I’m So Lucky? | Hamburg

October 17, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignExploration

I was shopping with a friend in Trader Joe’s. I hate running into acquaintances in public because the conversation is usually forced, engineered or clammy. When do you leave a short chat with someone you[…]

Saying Goodbye to my Sister

September 10, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignStruggles

My family knows I will be back in two months. Last time I told my family I would be back in two months. My sister dropped me off after we ate Mexican today. Last time[…]