Indonesian lifestyle and culture is beautiful. Each member clearly contributes to society as a whole and deeply cares about those around them. I never go a day without a complete stranger offering a quick smile and bow. I love being a part of that for just a little while. There are many things I have … [Read more…]
At 10 years old I learned to surf at the Ocean Experience Surf Camp in Oceanside San Diego. I got my first board at 13 – a 6’2” thruster with a drawing of Winnie the Pooh on the bottom. I was so cool. In high school I started the Westview Surf Team, the only organization … [Read more…]
Before departing my mentor asked me, “What are your goals for this trip?” An innocuous question uttered with piercing intent, or at least from the lips of a man whom I know to value every word. He is a poet. At the time I was embarrassed and surprised to find I couldn’t answer the question. … [Read more…]
My introduction to the study of linguistics came from my friend and fellow Cal lacrosse player, Kevin, who also happens to be the most intelligent man I know. Four years ago we were sitting in front of the Golden Bear Café eating sandwiches from Cheese & Stuff, “turkey, no cheese, everything, no pickles, no mustard, … [Read more…]
Living on a farm in New Berlin, Pennsylvania this summer building the manufacturing facility for our startup, Gilson Boards, the founding team discussed purchasing livestock on a few occasions. I was the strongest proponent of acquiring an animal, a pig my general organism of fancy. We would go to the auction once every two weeks … [Read more…]
Culture shock is a picnic idea. It is the stark beauty of an open field beneath a majestic temple primed and begging for the blanket and wicker box filled with goodies. It is the excited planning of a crisp white wine, veggie platter hors d’oeuvres, deli sandwiches, with a chance of sundresses. It is the … [Read more…]
**I apologize to those following along and noting the absence of recent updates. Updating a website without internet access proved beyond my wizardly abilities. Thank you for your patience and support. And comments always make my day.** ________________________________________________________________ A two-hour bus ride away fellow ETA and friend, Max B., lives in a little village … [Read more…]
Gunung Merapi (Mount Merapi) is an active volcano hovering over the town of Kaliurang. The town is about 25 minutes north of Yogyakarta, a lush and beautiful drive up to the base of the mountain. I was invited to attend a conference with some of the other teachers in the town, but found myself … [Read more…]
I hoped the plane rides would draw on painfully like a Padres baseball game. I hoped the jet-lag would prepare me for the undead lifestyle for when the apocalypse comes. I hoped the culture shock would leave me feeling like Wilson – deflated, bloody, wearing a smirk of indecipherable emotion. There is something to … [Read more…]
With only five days 24 hours until I depart for Indonesia, the race is on to boil, synthesize and pare my life down into two suitcases. This process is surreal and curious as I comb through collections of items from the last 6 years of “where I live”: San Diego, Berkeley, Nashville. Soon, Yogyakarta can claim … [Read more…]