“Tell me, Legolas, why did I come on this Quest? Little did I know where the chief peril lay! Truly Elrond spoke, saying that we could not foresee what we might meet upon our road. Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not … Continue reading
I’ve resigned to the fact that 27 months is an insufficient amount of time to know any place well. I know I’m still in the dark about a lot of things that make Indonesia special and beautiful. In an effort to quickly learn about things I may be missing –and to get an insider’s perspective— … Continue reading
This year has been interesting for music. Major artists like Daft Punk, Kanye West, Eminem and Drake released their heavily anticipated albums—none of which make this list, by the way. Amidst that hype, certain female artists, most notably Miley Cyrus and Sinéad O’Connor, have been stirring drama and drawing attention to gender in the music … Continue reading
Have you ever been in a room, usually at night, when everything is so quiet that you can hear a watch or, worse, a clock ticking? This used to happen to me often. When I lived in a place with actual prolonged silences, the strokes would magnify, and I would lie awake, unable to sleep, … Continue reading
The music that characterized the events and cities I passed through in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. (Title links to song.) 1. “The Veldt (feat. Chris James)” – deadmau5 Album Title Goes Here was my album of choice during a sleepless overnight journey from Bangkok to South Thailand. 2. “Save the World (feat. John Martin)” – … Continue reading
1. “Postcards from Italy” by Beirut – Ellen was brilliant and brought along her ukulele and she and Tim often graced us with this and other Beirut songs. 2. I’m counting the entire Jack Johnson In Between Dreams album as one, but particularly the songs “Better Together” and “Breakdown.” 3. “A Whole … Continue reading
I got the idea to do this from Tim, a PCV friend, who does his own top 10 albums of the ending year. His taste in music is much mellower—but way cooler—than mine. He explores more indie, folk-y and classic albums, where as I listen to more pop, dance-y and electronic albums. Collectively, we cover … Continue reading
Teacher Problem: Moderately liking a sugary pop song because your students overplay it…and then the next thing you know, you’re hoarding three entire Taylor Swift albums* and THEN, listening to these for your personal enjoyment and finding a song that actually relates to your life. The sum of my life as a PCV: “We’re happy, … Continue reading
November 15th marked the first day of the Islamic year: Muharram 1, 1434. To celebrate this, all the students and teachers from my school take a motorcycle drive around Bondowoso every year. As a Peace Corps volunteer, I am not allowed to ride a motorcycle (which is the reason why I was feeling left out … Continue reading
(If you’re interested in what Indonesia naturally sounds like, you can read this.) These are a few songs that have characterized Indonesia for me. The songs that have salvaged my sanity by helping drown out the incessant Katy Perry and Bruno Mars* played by my host siblings. The highlight tracks to a lot of writing, … Continue reading
Silence is a sound in Indonesia. It’s so rare that you hear it. The first thing that whispers is the wind. It whistles through the trees, strumming blades of grass and scraping dry leaves across dirt roads and crisp ceramic floors. Birds hoot, chime, sing at different volumes and frequencies from varying distances and directions. … Continue reading
No hay que llorar, porque la vida es un carnaval y es mas bello vivir cantando. –Celia Cruz Música bailable para cuando extraño mi cultura, mi gente y mi país. 1. La Vida Es Un Carnaval – Celia Cruz 2. Tu Cariñito– Puerto Rican Power 3. Vale la Pena– Juan Luis Guerra 4. Pasos de … Continue reading
While this playlist could be more appropriately titled Angkots, Buses and Walking now that I am in Indonesia, I compiled this list of 14 songs as I prepared to make the epic journey to the other side of the world. I am posting this a little late, but it still applies…and it may be useful … Continue reading
Just as one shouldn’t listen to songs that remind us of ex-lovers, one shouldn’t listen to songs that remind us of an ex-life. It could make one homesick. 1. Youth – Foxes 2. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris 3. Don’t Stop the Levels (Project 46 MashUp) – Avicii vs. Journey 4. Charlie Brown (Dave … Continue reading
in the land of dragons 