The first international airport I ever landed in was Athens Hellinikon. I was 18, desperate to hear, touch, taste, smell, and see life outside my middle-class, Christian, white, American bubble….
giving thanks – for madagascar
I just got back from Madagascar. And at the moment, I’m feeling like my life is pretty amazing because I just got back from Madagascar. Honestly, I feel like I…
Feeling lost in fallen empires
I’ve always found it helpful to have a sense of direction. Going from high school to college to grad school to a post doc to an academic faculty position, there…
Traveling Identity
I have a weird relationship with my birthday. It falls right at the end of the school year, so rather than celebrating me, it tends to call attention to goodbyes…
Spring Break! (There won’t be snow in Africa)
Growing up, I was a finicky eater. In trying to get me to finish dinner my mother reminded me nightly that “there are starving children in Ethiopia.” The attention granted…
Going home again (kind of sucks)
I don’t know about you, but I never really miss a place when I’m not there. Of course I miss people, but the place – no. I’m pretty adaptable. Put…
Diversity in the sun and sand
It’s Christmas Eve. I’m sitting on a hotel terrace overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It’s 25 degrees (77 F) and sunny, but the breeze makes it feel pretty cold. I’m…
Climbing for Change
Life is malleable. We have the power to improve our abilities, our health, our lives. At least maybe. In fact, research shows that only some of us believe this. Such…
Seeking happiness in the land of the thunder dragon
It’s not that I’ve been depressed. Not really. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and unrecognized are all probably more appropriate descriptions. My stress is brought on by concern for deadlines, slow progress toward…
Climbing for a Cause
I arrived in Kilimanjaro under less than auspicious circumstances. 18 hours before we were to depart for the mountain, my bag hadn’t arrived and I was still administering ear drops…