I thought this day would never come. I sit here writing on the ferry from Athens to Naxos, having returned, finally, to the country that changed my life. Eleven months ago when I returned from Greece, I felt like part of me was missing. It was if a piece of my soul remained on the … Continue reading Return to Greece
Welcome to 2016! I’m sorry for my delay in posting a New Year’s themed blog. I’d actually written another blog, The Top 15 Dating Stories of 2015, but as you can probably imagine, that took a downward spiral real quick. I’d created the list, mostly out of spite, after someone who’s had nine serious relationships* in the … Continue reading Top 15 Quotes of 2015
I have a story for you. Two days ago I received a gift, an early Christmas present, before I headed home for the holidays. It was a book called Big Magic, and it was written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Now, for those of you who don’t know the history of my blog, it used to be … Continue reading An Encounter With Big Magic
Today is the day designated for giving thanks, and I expect everyone out there to be doing something much more important than reading my blog. I hope you all are stuffing your faces with turkey, delighting in sweet potatoes, and enjoying pies of every kind, while watching football and hugging loved ones and remembering all … Continue reading In the Spirit of Thanksgiving: A Blog
[Note: This essay first appeared published on The International Writer’s Blog at Brown University, which you can find here]
It’s Greek To Me
The day before I flew to Greece for a month-long writing residency program, I called my Greek friend to ask for advice.
“It’s summer, the weather is beautiful, you’ll be on the beach. What’s there to know?” he asked. Continue reading “It’s Greek To Me”
Nikos the shepherd ushers me over, and I kneel beside him in the crowded sheep den, the roof so low that even I — a solid 5’2” — have to hunch over to keep from hitting my head on the ceiling. He pulls the wandering sheep by its udders, positioning her over the white plastic … Continue reading Milking Sheep*
(Or less melodramatically known as, “The Day I Swam Alone Around the Peninsula”) There were three beaches in Alyki that we frequented, when we weren’t studiously working on our writing (ahem), called Beach 1, 2, and 3. Our workshop leader introduced us to the beaches in this way, but it took me nearly three weeks to … Continue reading The Day I Almost Died Swimming
“For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” Luke 22:27 It’s alive Sea urchins have just been split open like sacrifices, their insides pulled out and passed around the table. Our … Continue reading A Day in Thassos
I finally understand poetry. Not literally, in the way that if someone were to hand me a poem, I’d be able to explain what it means. I’m probably the worst at that of anyone who’s ever graduated from a writing program. But I finally understand why poetry exists, and it is like this: Narrative cannot … Continue reading So, Greece Happened
Tomorrow will mark one week since I departed the United States for Greece. I am on the island of Thasos attending a travel and food writing workshop in what could only be considered a love affair between Henry David Thoreau and island life. I had envisioned isolation, relaxation, dedication and focus. And maybe a Greek man offering me a … Continue reading Arriving to Greece
They Call Me Fushilou 