Throwback

A cactus asks forgiveness: The Grand Canyon, Sedona and Tucson with a friend

November 24, 2020January 1, 2021 First Person ForeignArizona

“Take a picture of me!” she said and ran close to a Jumping Cholla (which we thought was a Joshua Tree). I didn’t think to shout be super careful; cactus having a way of seeming[…]

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 (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[…]

Terremoto | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

September 4, 2017September 4, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

In Guatemala, temblores/tremors are a part of life. Terremotos son otras cosas, they are earthquakes. Terremotos jumble the earth. My host family asked: “Do you have them in your home?” and la verdad es no,[…]

Camionetas | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

November 15, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

If you live in America Central, you might use camionetas to get around. At 3 quetzales for a short ride, 3 quetzales equaling less than 50 cents, you can take the bus for 20 minutes at this price. To[…]

“Alaska, You’re the Best Kind of Breaking My Heart!”

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I’m going to tell you something about Ketchikan that no one knows: the clouds are drippy faucets in clever marshmallow costumes. A few years ago I fell in love with John Green. He writes Youth[…]

“The Goods Are Odd but the Odds are Good” Conversations in Alaska, 17 of 50

September 14, 2016September 14, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I meet Molly at Fat Stan’s. I don’t really know her that well, but I remember when we first met on the Nona. I got picked up from the airport on a boat. Still a[…]

Strangers with Candy: Conversations in Alaska, 32 of 50

September 8, 2016September 8, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I walked into the hospital room, expecting anything but not really sure. My friend intro’d: “Natalie is here because she’s been in a similar situation before.” I looked at her son. He sat in the[…]

8 Years in 2 Hours: Conversations in Alaska, 31 of 50

September 7, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

We went on a walk along Tongass Avenue, following the water, and chatted about all matter of personal interest from college to family to exes to currents (men) to plans to grief. You see, I[…]

Conversations in Alaska: Waiting for our Pee Test: “It’s changed so much, it makes me sad” 39 of 50

August 20, 2016August 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

John and I saw each other in the lobby. We met during training but haven’t really talked since. He is a naturalist with our company. We won the lottery for drug testing (plus two more[…]