…on Redemption

My high school was a great place to grow up. The new buildings differed from the old in brick color and smell. Every creed, race, and religion grew up together - the strong defended the weak rather than abused them. We had almost every academic opportunity presented to us, as well as extracurriculars. I managed …

Floating

I visited an American Bavaria this past weekend. After a post-hike feast, some friends and I shuffled satisfied toward the restaurant's double door. At the table beside the door was a woman with her husband. She had a matcha-green fishing hat fitted as if about to slide down the back of her head. Greyish-blonde hair …

…on Seeing the US

I covered my ears between bites of pancakes, bacon, and drip coffee. Understanding everything, from the TV in the background to the Ray Ramano impression four tables away, was overwhelming. Background noise brings funny moments though. The barista who has "totally got [me] if you're hungry, bro" or the jock telling his airport pickup "just …

On Fate

One of my favorite students is a dreamer, an artist. He began last class by telling a story about something that recently changed his life. The story ended with him finding a new community of friends, shifting his outlook on life, and a newfound sense of spirituality. He believes the entire experience was fated to …

My Degree

Most life long decisions seem to happen in coffee shops. The first tattoo I got took me 15 minutes after an Americano, moving to Peru took an hour. The largest shift in my life happened because of a chance encounter with an ASU alum at a Starbucks. Someone who, if sitting right in front of …

Learning Tiers

Quickly, this idea has been gestating for a week now! Some people have cocaine and hookers, others horse racing and poker. For me, my vice lies in a single, lame, oddly capitalized word: YouTube. My excuse for watching is consistent no matter the situation. I'm learning something new, being exposed to new ideas, using my …