It's been two months now that I've lived in New York City! It feels like so much longer. Time is weird here...
I'm a month into my internship with New Dramatists, and loving every second working there. "Dream-come-true" doesn't do it justice.
Loving it here, settling into Ridgewood and the busy live of an intern.
And it's snowing. This is new. Temperatures in the TEENS. What?
Walking on a snow feels like a stepping on a marshmallow. I love the squish under my heels. I have never experienced a real "winter," and it's apparently only going to get colder. Although it has been quite shocking for my body, especially coming from a year in extreme, hell-ish Cambodian heat, I am loving the new experience of the cold and snow. Mostly I love wearing boots.
I've been reading about man-eating Siberian tigers, and I realized the tigers of Siberia and New York City have a lot in common. Both most be accommodated and accepted, revered and respected, or they will eat you alive.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Adventure
Stick your foot out,
Adventure clings by footfall.
TOMORROW: Off to New York for a new adventure! Flying JetBlue, trying to (YET AGAIN) cram my life into suitcases. Packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking... it seems like that's all I ever do. Let it be noted that this is NOT complaint!
Catch ya later West Coast!
Adventure clings by footfall.
TOMORROW: Off to New York for a new adventure! Flying JetBlue, trying to (YET AGAIN) cram my life into suitcases. Packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking... it seems like that's all I ever do. Let it be noted that this is NOT complaint!
Catch ya later West Coast!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Risk-Taking
Back in America for over a month now, I can say that a year away has left me without any greater understanding of my own culture. In fact, I feel more confused about America than ever. It has been challenging to adjust to life here, much in the same way it was so challenging to adjust to life in Cambodia. I am trying to remind myself of that 3-month hurdle... after about 3 months in Cambodia, although things still weren't always easy, life began to make some sort of sense--ie, I could get a tuk-tuk from Point A to Point B, had made a few friends, was understanding how to teach a little bit, was settling into life in Phnom Penh. I think adjusting back to being in America, albeit incredibly easier than adjusting to life in Cambodia, will just take a little time. Growing pains, I guess?
In life updates, I'm currently in Long Beach, CA and planning yet another location change! This time it will be on the same continent, don't worry! I am moving to New York City in late November. I have felt for a while that it is the right place for me, at least for right now. Perhaps it is the right time to jump headfirst into a big city.
It is a risk; I don't have a job lined up there (YET!) and it is a whole new weather climate, but the last big risk I took (Cambodia, duh!) turned out well, didn't it? I never realized I was a "risk-taker." But then when I think about it, hmm... maybe that time I went sky-diving counts as "risk-taker" behavior? Or, you know, that time I moved to another country (Cambodia, duh!)? The countless times I've performed on stage or shared my writing, those were risks in a way, too, I suppose. Now that I think about it, I live for and LOVE the risks I've taken! Perhaps risk-taking has too many negative connotations.
More updates to follow soon as I tackle the next country: New York City!
In life updates, I'm currently in Long Beach, CA and planning yet another location change! This time it will be on the same continent, don't worry! I am moving to New York City in late November. I have felt for a while that it is the right place for me, at least for right now. Perhaps it is the right time to jump headfirst into a big city.
It is a risk; I don't have a job lined up there (YET!) and it is a whole new weather climate, but the last big risk I took (Cambodia, duh!) turned out well, didn't it? I never realized I was a "risk-taker." But then when I think about it, hmm... maybe that time I went sky-diving counts as "risk-taker" behavior? Or, you know, that time I moved to another country (Cambodia, duh!)? The countless times I've performed on stage or shared my writing, those were risks in a way, too, I suppose. Now that I think about it, I live for and LOVE the risks I've taken! Perhaps risk-taking has too many negative connotations.
More updates to follow soon as I tackle the next country: New York City!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Bali, Indonesia
An update on my recent trip to Bali. Bali is an island within the country of Indonesia. Indonesia seems to be so vast and rich in interesting cultures. One day, I'll explore all of Indonesia. But for now, it was just the stunning, idyllic island of Bali.
I'm finding it difficult to put Bali into the right words. Bali was like... a breath of fresh air. The sky was just so... blue, and constantly filled with kites. The trees and plants were green and everyone was smiling (including me!).
We stayed in an apartment in the Kuta beach area. I had heard some negative things about Kuta but found it incredibly beautiful and pleasant, if not a little crowded. I couldn't imagine Bali in high-tourist season; it was crowded everywhere and high-tourist season hadn't even begun yet! We spent most of our time in the Kuta beach area, beaching and shopping and relaxing and eating. They have a crazy nightlife in Kuta, too. We also rented a motorcycle and explored other parts of the island. It isn't really that big so we were able to go and get lost, finding a few less-crowded beaches and coves, as well as seeing many different cities and towns via the (confusing) roads. The traffic--if you'll believe it--was somehow worse there than in Phnom Penh! Phnom Penh traffic, although absolutely insane, has a sort of rhythm. Bali's did not seem to have a rhythm (or at least I wasn't there long enough to learn it's rhythm).
I was in Bali for at least two major holidays. The first was Indonesian Independence Day. There were flags adorning nearly every possible public place in celebration. The second holiday was for several days. I'm not sure the actual name of this holiday, but it was to celebrate the return/visitation of the gods to Earth. There were ornate decorations, again, everywhere for this holiday. It was fun to watch our neighbors working on decorations for the front of our apartment complex's shrine. During the holiday, a lot of performers took to the streets with drums and masks, even dragon costumes.
Bali is incredible slowed down and relaxed. Thus, my trip to Bali allowed me to decompress a lot of what has happened in the last 13 months. A year of living ridiculously far from home, of traveling to places I'd just barely heard of, of meeting people from all over the world, of adapting, of listening and sharing, but most of all, of having fun. I am trying to think of a better or more sophisticated word, but sometimes a word as simple as "fun" is the most accurate. Fun. And as for the word of right now? Tired.
I'm finding it difficult to put Bali into the right words. Bali was like... a breath of fresh air. The sky was just so... blue, and constantly filled with kites. The trees and plants were green and everyone was smiling (including me!).
We stayed in an apartment in the Kuta beach area. I had heard some negative things about Kuta but found it incredibly beautiful and pleasant, if not a little crowded. I couldn't imagine Bali in high-tourist season; it was crowded everywhere and high-tourist season hadn't even begun yet! We spent most of our time in the Kuta beach area, beaching and shopping and relaxing and eating. They have a crazy nightlife in Kuta, too. We also rented a motorcycle and explored other parts of the island. It isn't really that big so we were able to go and get lost, finding a few less-crowded beaches and coves, as well as seeing many different cities and towns via the (confusing) roads. The traffic--if you'll believe it--was somehow worse there than in Phnom Penh! Phnom Penh traffic, although absolutely insane, has a sort of rhythm. Bali's did not seem to have a rhythm (or at least I wasn't there long enough to learn it's rhythm).
I was in Bali for at least two major holidays. The first was Indonesian Independence Day. There were flags adorning nearly every possible public place in celebration. The second holiday was for several days. I'm not sure the actual name of this holiday, but it was to celebrate the return/visitation of the gods to Earth. There were ornate decorations, again, everywhere for this holiday. It was fun to watch our neighbors working on decorations for the front of our apartment complex's shrine. During the holiday, a lot of performers took to the streets with drums and masks, even dragon costumes.
Bali is incredible slowed down and relaxed. Thus, my trip to Bali allowed me to decompress a lot of what has happened in the last 13 months. A year of living ridiculously far from home, of traveling to places I'd just barely heard of, of meeting people from all over the world, of adapting, of listening and sharing, but most of all, of having fun. I am trying to think of a better or more sophisticated word, but sometimes a word as simple as "fun" is the most accurate. Fun. And as for the word of right now? Tired.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Bali Mini-Update
There is so much to say... But the words aren't right yet to say them. I'm in Bali, Indonesia having the greatest time. I literally don't think I've ever been so happy. Being a jobless, worry-free beach bum suits me just fine. There's so much more-- but this is an update for now! Xoxox
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Battambang
Hello everyone!
A quick update, since I think it's been too long since I logged on!
As I type, I keep thinking about one of my writing icons... Nora Ephron, who passed away today. It feels right to write on a day like this.
So, I will. About a recent trip to Battambang, Cambodia during a holiday for the Queen of Cambodia's birthday. Battambang is in the Northwest and is the second biggest province of Cambodia, second only to Phnom Penh. But, it is by no means large! It is famously sleepy and closes down by 7pm. You read those things, but, no! Really. Sleepy and closes by 7pm. No complaints--we got rest most of the time and still managed to make it to the only night club in town. (That in itself was an adventure--the club shuts down at 1am, and at EXACTLY 1am, the entire club, I MEAN EVERY SINGLE PERSON INSIDE THE CLUB, rushed out the doors and within MINUTES the club was empty, right on schedule. For a country that is not rigid or often very organized, this was the most organized, regimented exodus of a nightclub, of all places, I've ever seen). In Battambang, we stayed in a pretty bad Chinese-run hotel, but still managed to enjoy the long weekend!
The first day we arrived we took the "famous" bamboo train. Bamboo train seems like it would describe something dinky, bumpy, even slow-moving, but NO--this was a fast-paced adventure roller coaster! The train zoomed through the jungle, and at every bump my body sort of flew into the air off of the bamboo mat that was this train. Every time I opened my mouth, huge insects flew into my mouth and I nearly lost my sandals as we sped on the questionable train tracks! It was amazing. I bought a t-shirt.
The next day we saw the Khmer Rouge Killing Caves. Battambang was a Khmer Rouge strong hold until relatively recently, and in the natural caves of the mountains, the Khmer Rouge murdered over 10,000 people. 10,000 in one small area lost their lives by being flung, often still alive, into a rocky pit. There are still human bones, teeth and fingers in the dirt as you walk through the caves. It just reminds me of the horror of the Cambodian genocide, but also of the timing--this all wasn't that long ago (1975-1979). It reminds me of how far Cambodia has come in such a short time.
We also went on some hikes around mountains and caves which I wasn't a huge fan of. I really don't care for caves. I just don't and I don't know why, because everyone else seems to think they're pretty cool. Oh, well.
We also were able to check out some art galleries. Battambang has a really funky, creative side, and is sort of considered the "artist capital" of Cambodia. There are some cool art workshops for kids, too.
Other than that, we pretty much just relaxed and enjoyed being out of busy, loud Phnom Penh!
Back in said Penh, I'm just enjoying the... weather? And good friends and good times before it all ends more quickly than I could have ever imagined! As we head into July, I look forward to a few more small weekend trips around Cambodia to tide me over until my big trip to Indonesia in September and my imminent and epic return to the states!
Love!!!
A quick update, since I think it's been too long since I logged on!
As I type, I keep thinking about one of my writing icons... Nora Ephron, who passed away today. It feels right to write on a day like this.
So, I will. About a recent trip to Battambang, Cambodia during a holiday for the Queen of Cambodia's birthday. Battambang is in the Northwest and is the second biggest province of Cambodia, second only to Phnom Penh. But, it is by no means large! It is famously sleepy and closes down by 7pm. You read those things, but, no! Really. Sleepy and closes by 7pm. No complaints--we got rest most of the time and still managed to make it to the only night club in town. (That in itself was an adventure--the club shuts down at 1am, and at EXACTLY 1am, the entire club, I MEAN EVERY SINGLE PERSON INSIDE THE CLUB, rushed out the doors and within MINUTES the club was empty, right on schedule. For a country that is not rigid or often very organized, this was the most organized, regimented exodus of a nightclub, of all places, I've ever seen). In Battambang, we stayed in a pretty bad Chinese-run hotel, but still managed to enjoy the long weekend!
The first day we arrived we took the "famous" bamboo train. Bamboo train seems like it would describe something dinky, bumpy, even slow-moving, but NO--this was a fast-paced adventure roller coaster! The train zoomed through the jungle, and at every bump my body sort of flew into the air off of the bamboo mat that was this train. Every time I opened my mouth, huge insects flew into my mouth and I nearly lost my sandals as we sped on the questionable train tracks! It was amazing. I bought a t-shirt.
The next day we saw the Khmer Rouge Killing Caves. Battambang was a Khmer Rouge strong hold until relatively recently, and in the natural caves of the mountains, the Khmer Rouge murdered over 10,000 people. 10,000 in one small area lost their lives by being flung, often still alive, into a rocky pit. There are still human bones, teeth and fingers in the dirt as you walk through the caves. It just reminds me of the horror of the Cambodian genocide, but also of the timing--this all wasn't that long ago (1975-1979). It reminds me of how far Cambodia has come in such a short time.
We also went on some hikes around mountains and caves which I wasn't a huge fan of. I really don't care for caves. I just don't and I don't know why, because everyone else seems to think they're pretty cool. Oh, well.
We also were able to check out some art galleries. Battambang has a really funky, creative side, and is sort of considered the "artist capital" of Cambodia. There are some cool art workshops for kids, too.
Other than that, we pretty much just relaxed and enjoyed being out of busy, loud Phnom Penh!
Back in said Penh, I'm just enjoying the... weather? And good friends and good times before it all ends more quickly than I could have ever imagined! As we head into July, I look forward to a few more small weekend trips around Cambodia to tide me over until my big trip to Indonesia in September and my imminent and epic return to the states!
Love!!!
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