Somehow four weeks have evaporated into thin air. Let’s dive into the 2nd blog of the month!
SONG INSPIRATION
This blog is inspired by a remix to Nina Simone’s My Baby Just Cares for Me by HONNE.
AMSTERDAM
When traveling to a popular place, I’m wary of Paris Syndrome. Yet the hype surrounding Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, is valid. I was so impressed by this beautiful city from its walkability and infrastructure to its architecture and history. Shout out to the Miniature and Van Gogh Museums! I wasn’t well versed in Dutch history, so I learned so much! And the people – although very direct – were friendly. The cyclists were a wee terrifying, but I enjoyed seeing so many people on bikes and trams. And the delicious cuisine was as diverse as the people running the establishments. Thanks to a wonderful spell of weather, I enjoyed a fun tour of the canals and a refreshing day trip to Utrecht, a lovely town half an hour from the city. Not to sound like a cliché American, but experiencing a safe environment is, well, intoxicating. I found myself walking around at a slower pace, taking time to watch the birds and admire the scenery. There’s still so much I want to explore in Amsterdam, so I hope to return.
GLASGOW & THE HIGHLANDS
I really enjoyed Scotland last summer, but I didn’t have a chance to visit its largest city much less explore the acclaimed highlands. As with all places, it comes down to the people. And the Glaswegians are a kind and cheery lot. Glasgow was preparing for the Commonwealth Games so the city buzzed with excitement and tourists. I strolled up Buchanan Street and tried a few well recommended eateries. I joined an all-day tour to the Highlands, which included the lovely towns of Inverary (and its castle) and Oban. In Inverary, we stumbled on a bagpipe marching band and a town center full of onlookers. Oban was a gorgeous coastal town with an exquisite view of the surrounding isles and hills. Our tour guide exposed us to a variety of Scottish music and taught us about the rich history of the highlands, most of which I’d never learned. Of course, the geology impressed me the most, with glacial carved valleys and towering mountains of igneous rock. As a bonus, I hopped over to Edinburgh for a delightful lunch, which felt like returning to someplace special. This second visit to Scotland made me realize how much I appreciate its stunning landscapes, salt of the earth people, and tasty cuisine.
LONDON (AGAIN)
I can’t get enough of my second favorite city (yes, there are still many cities on my list to explore). Like Tokyo and New York, London feels like a city of distinct neighborhoods connected by a mesh of trains and buses. I elected for a day tour to Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor Castle. It wasn’t nearly enough time to savor these beautiful, historic locations (except Stonehenge – 45 minutes was plenty), but it gave me ideas for future trips. I also took a cruise along the River Thames, strolled past a few landmarks hunting for sticky toffee pudding, and visited the Science Museum. Then, I saw the Odyssey in IMAX – whoa!!! Returning to London only made me realize how much I can’t wait to comeback. A dream vacation would involve a visit to London with a few close friends, a weekend trip to Bath, and a few day trips to some historical towns. There’s still so much to do!
TIRED OF FIGHTING
Although the tone of this blog has been cheery, it masks a sobering realization. I’m tired of struggling for respect and defending myself against bullies. I’m sick of watching people with ill-intent wreck the careers of myself and others. When will the “good” people with power do something? I didn’t realize how exhausted I felt until I fucked off across an ocean and sat with my feelings. I’ve worked so hard to earn my position and build a career where I can teach, mentor, learn, and grow. But I’m not sure how much fight I have left in me. I know the world is a hard place. And I don’t want to let the bullies win – but at what cost should you continue to sacrifice your sanity for people with zero respect for you? At what point do you say ‘you know what, I’m better off leaving this behind’? It’s tough giving up what you love. Yet, as one of my best friends reminded me, love isn’t enough.
CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS
Recently finished reading: N/A
Currently reading: New York 2140; Petrology and Plate Tectonics: an Earth Systems Approach
Recently finished watching: Beastars (The Final Season); Paradise (s-21); The Bear (s5)
- The final season of Beastars felt like a natural end to a bizarre, yet intriguing anime.
- Heart racing and addictive, I gobbled Paradise (s1) in 2 days. And season 2 didn’t take much longer. Recommended by a very close friend, I loved the intrigue, use of flashbacks, and the clean cinematography. Not to mention, the masterful portrayal by one of my new favorite villains. The worse part was the CGI, but it was only used in a few cuts.
- The Bear (s5) was the cherry on top of an intense series that I very much enjoyed, but also felt was due for an ending.
Currently watching: The Ghost in the Shell (2026); House of the Dragon (s3); Law and Order (s10); Shameless (s1); The Floor (s5)
Thank you for reading! The next blog is scheduled for Thursday, August 27th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 