Let me just say, it was unreal. My mom, dad, brother, and I approach a tall building with an escalator traveling into its middle. We wander to the third floor, quietly, because the corridors are silent. (I don’t know why. This is apparently a mall. The hair salons, micro-gyms, and clothes shops must be sealed … Continue reading Meeting My Korean Relatives
A Proposal in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Part One: Asian Food The plan was to meet at HOMES Brewery. Saturday late afternoon, my parents pick me up from the Detroit airport in their rental car and we speed towards Ann Arbor. I shiver in the backseat and check my brother’s girlfriend’s Instagram story. More images of cacti with puns. I’m glad I … Continue reading A Proposal in Ann Arbor, Michigan
My Problem With Guy Friends
“Whoa, Rachel. You hang out with a lot of guys.” I snap my head around and glare at this person I just met. Who does he think he is? He doesn’t know me. I hang out with a lot of guys. He makes me sound like I’m weird. Girls who only hang out with guys … Continue reading My Problem With Guy Friends
What Living in England Taught Me
“If you want to show your English friends that you’re trying to embrace the culture, here’s what you do…” The speaker at international students’ orientation pauses for dramatic effect. We lean forward and she says: “Have a drink in your hand.” When I moved to England, I wanted to acclimate to the culture. Looking back, … Continue reading What Living in England Taught Me
Why God Lets Me Feel Lonely
If on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you happen to be at a wine cellar in suburban Florida, sharing a cheese platter with your friends on the open-air patio, you may see a twentysomething girl hunkered in the corner by herself, slurping on bottomless mimosas and scribbling things down in her OfficeMax notebook. Psst…that’s me. For … Continue reading Why God Lets Me Feel Lonely
Love in the Air at Palate Coffee Brewery
There are two important things I need to share with you. The first is that there was another proposal at Palate Coffee Brewery. The second is that we’ve got our Valentine’s Day drink specials in. I don’t know which thing I’m more excited about. No, we already told you about Yahia & Bréanne. (Which, by … Continue reading Love in the Air at Palate Coffee Brewery
We Need to Talk About Our Friendship
Why did I move to Florida? I’m sitting in the parking lot outside my friend’s apartment, browning under the sun’s hot breath. My fingers pick at Publix sushi that’s gone slimy. Orlando is wet, sticky, violent. It’s the place where you learn the contours of your body through sweaty shorts and tank tops.* Except, I’m … Continue reading We Need to Talk About Our Friendship
Why I Can’t Be By Myself
I’m at a pizza place by myself, sweating through my coffeeshop T-shirt and chewing on a slice of pepperoni. As I scroll through the contacts on my phone, my fingers leave greasy smudges on the screen. I call the leasing office at my apartment complex and, when a lady answers, I say: “Hi. So, erm, … Continue reading Why I Can’t Be By Myself
