#8: Activism (and Romania)

For my final prompt, I was writing my notes from my grandma’s house in rural Romania. It was so beautiful, and we were picking cherries. I smelled warm dirt and grass, saw green leaves, and felt hot, humid air. I heard birds and my great-aunt’s dog. I wrote this sitting on the porch, and I […]

Adaptation

Right now it’s late evening, but despite that, as always in Singapore, it is hot. Though it’s started to finally cool off a bit, cooling off only means it’s now 85 and humid instead of 95 and humid. I’ve gotten adjusted to it now, but it’s made me think of the way natural life has […]

Finale :(

I realize that this is my last time by my tree, my sit-spot, and it has been a place where I’ve been able to debrief. More importantly, it’s the perfect place to remember that we need to always take care of nature, as it is the reason why we are alive. It becomes so easy […]

Blog #5: Le mistral

As I retuned to my sit spot today and paid close attention to the sound around me, I heard the sound wind striking the tree. “The mistral” is a phenomenon here in Aix, which is a strong wind that comes from North Africa that usually lasts for a few days. It could be very strong […]

#3: Water and Energy

I am posting this blog about a month after I wrote it (and so these observations are from March), as well as the photos! I am excited to show the changes as we are finally getting through April, and into May. As I’m sitting, my “roots” encounter dry earth, pigeons, cigarette butts, and fresh daises […]

Water and Energy

In South Africa, approximately 85 percent, or 42,000 MW, of the nation’s electricity is generated via coal-fired power stations. Burning coal is harmful to the environment in many ways. Burning coal in power plants emits hazardous outdoor air pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, mercury, arsenic, and various other heavy metals. Despite […]

#2: Market Day

The sights, smells, and sounds were very different in the park today than when I last went. Fridays and Saturdays there tends to be a big market in the piazza adjourning, which also stretches up along the park. Closing my eyes, I hear viral Tik Tok songs, smell fried food, car exhaust, and rain, and […]

Gatinhos in Brazil #2

As I find myself in a place foreign to me, I ponder the many versions of me that could have existed. My sit spot in front of the tangled tree is home to a black cat whose meow is high-pitched and scratchy. I find it silly that, more than likely, this cat is more fluent […]