Much is said about the diaspora, whether forced political displacements or voluntary transnational mobility. We come in varying forms as first- or second-generation, third-culture children or with mixed heritage. So, here you aretoo foreign for hometoo foreign for here. Never enough for both. Ijeoma Umebinyuo, Questions for Ada For the first generation, being foreign for here is…
I discovered Daylio when it popped up in Google Play Store as I was searching for a totally different app, a city-based social networking app which a friend of mine suggested. Listed as Editor’s Choice with a 4.8 rating, Daylio is a diary, journal, and mood tracker. Interesting. I like journaling. I forgot about the social networking…
I imagine going out during winter like silently going to battle. First you wear a flimsy coat, a little silky scarf and high leather boots in November, acknowledging that it could get chilly but you chill with fashion and dignity. It’s almost December. You decide it’s time for the real winter coat, you know the…
I watched City of Prague Philharmonic orchestra concert and at the part where they played John Williams’s scores, I wanted to write more about Star Wars quickly before the intermission ends. The music that plays when Luke Skywalker got out of his tiny dwelling place and we saw him in the middle of the vastness…
I just got home from my jazz and ballet classes. For a boyish girl who held a male-dominated job for a decade and who is more likely to take up martial arts as in the past, I sometimes ask myself: How did I end up here? There’s never a day when I don’t ask myself,…
Asia. A photo of an office. Purple sweater, ballet flats and stuffed tigers. Cookies in a jar. Forgotten Economist magazines in the lull of 1:01 pm. Maps taped on the wall, how wonderful and telling. How equally beautiful if not more, those old yellowed rolled-up maps. Were these inherited from the giants who stood before…
I read the The Accidental Universe by Alan Lightman last year and it was such an insightful read. It is helpful to read the book slowly, not because of scientific jargon as all the relevant science are explained thoroughly. But read the book slowly to let the thoughts simmer in your head and marvel at the universe and our…
Over sixteen months ago, I would never have imagined my life now. It all started with discontent. But let me be clear that even then I knew I had everything to be grateful for so much that sometimes I ignored that there was a problem. Because despite everything, there was something else lacking, something essential. I guess…
I’m writing this in the train on my way to Traunstein, a charming town in South of Bavaria where you have a nice view of the Alps. It’s my third visit to Traunstein with my husband who is sitting beside me. That’s right, I got married and that’s to the kindest, most patient and supportive,…
Munich. I left my home country and it’s day 50 out of tentatively 730. I left in a rush. With only 2 months notice, I left the life that I’ve known since forever—my family, friends, colleagues in my high paying corporate scientist-project manager job thousands of miles away. I’m technically still employed but on leave….
