patriotic oomph

July 4th is a confusing day for me. After all, I spent my first two decades in Indonesia, travel on an American passport, and now am stretching taproots down into Dutch soil. Having… Continue reading →

following the flare

I walked home from work in one continuous stripe of sunlight past the canal-side patios crowded with burnt shoulders.  Past the old slanted houses with their dimpled windows squinting in this improbable burst… Continue reading →

grand life lessons

When flying off a bike and onto a snowy street,  position your hips so as to bruise both your legs equally. Enjoy a week of dancing to “Single Ladies” with epic Beyonce-sized thighs.… Continue reading →

bubble-wrapped lovers

I have a new beau! Truth be told, we’ve known each other since I was 10. But if you peeled back the bark and cut a cross-section of our relationship, it would be… Continue reading →

the globe is at it again

A little prickle of melancholy poked me this morning because it was all too lovely — the sunny window seat. The glass of milky cold-brewed coffee, glistening with condensation diamonds. The thick weekend paper.… Continue reading →

the blood I lose in translation

My identity lost a lot of blood when I was transplanted to Holland. Three years on, it still looks anemic. Some days I don’t care that I’m not myself in Dutch yet, and… Continue reading →

of the tip of my tongue

After the last two bookish blips, I thought I’d keep it matchy-matchy and say three words about writing. Only three though, because I reserve rambling for academic papers. I’m an introvert — every… Continue reading →

of more evil habits

Get ready for another round of confession — it was simply too therapeutic to admit to you yesterday that I have a roving literary eye. Here it goes: I always skim the last few… Continue reading →

of neighbour antics

Dear manling in #17, Dude. I know that certain challenges are attached to your situation, and we are totally sympathetic. It must be very grueling as a privileged young male student living alone… Continue reading →

of sheer madness

It’s Monday, I missed my mum something fierce this weekend, and it’s time for another totally self-indulgent whine, because I’m mad. Let me break it down for you. I’m mad that I’m the… Continue reading →