Two weeks ago, I returned to this country. I returned to my country. It was a leap-year, so I was outside of the U.S. for 366 days. Upon return, I went home to Davis, CA for three days. Then, I was flown to Maine for the Watson Fellows Conference. Processing and understanding what this past … Continue reading Some Summary
Less than three weeks remain in my yearlong investigation into baseball on islands outside of the U.S. After 11 months, the end of June brought a visit from my brother. His visit immersed the two of us into a friendship with Omar and Kelvin—our kiteboarding instructors. As soon as I saw kiteboarding on … Continue reading On Maps: who reads them & who draws them
This week marked my 23rd year of life. I therefore began to wonder what marks a year? How does one measure such a long time? Yes, exactly like the fantastic Rent song. What marked my 23rd year of life? 365 days 12 months Allergies: 365 pills of Zyrtec (I currently have four left in my 365 pack from … Continue reading A year wiser
I am swimming in stories. I am going to try to take you along for the ride while offering an explicit update on my where-and-what-abouts. Where am I? I am in a northern province of the Dominican Republic. It’s called Puerto Plata, and I am currently in a small town called Cabarete. This peculiar town … Continue reading Cabarete, Puerto Plata, DR
I said goodbye to Fuchu Little League last weekend. The Tokyo Little League empire with two Little League World Series Championships, current Nippon Professional League (NPB) players, and rigid gender roles welcomed me, allowed me to defy their gender roles, and looked out for me for two months. I’ve entered the final two months of … Continue reading さようなら, Japan
On Sunday evening, as soon as I walked out of the gates of Fuchu Little League, slow, cold tears dripped from eyes. Part of me wanted to suppress them. The large negotiation that ensued when I stated I would walk home, rather than be driven, meant a fear nestled within me—at any moment, a Fuchu … Continue reading A bona fide update as month 9 comes to a close
I arrived in Japan 11 days ago, just in time to catch a bus from Narita International Airport to Kichijoji Station. At Kichijoji, Karen Noll, my host picked me up. From there, we drove to her lovely home, in time for miso soup and rice before baseball practice. Karen and her husband Steve have lived … Continue reading In Tokyo Coaching Little League
Checking in! All is well down in Geelong, Australia. Actually, not everything is going well. It all depends how I look at it. If I look through the peep-hole, I’m in the midst of the worst hitting slump of my life. I’m 0-7 career in the southern hemisphere. It feels disgraceful. Then, if I take … Continue reading Ups and Downs
My three room tent-estate was transformed into one room tent when I left 50% of the tent poles in Sydney. My Canberra tent boasted a peculiar resemblance to a famous Sydney Opera House. I believe my subconscious left tent poles behind to both pay homage to the Jørn Utzon performing arts center as well as to live … Continue reading My hodge-podge tent and travels to Victoria, Australia
My apology for the radio silence. I’ve entered a new world, so it’s time to check-in. I write from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. I came from the Caribbean and Latin America where the first quarter of my Watson Fellowship immersed me into the economic aspects of international baseball. On a daily basis, I interacted … Continue reading Migraines and culture shock in the Pacific Rim
Reconciling with the Diamond (A Girl's Best Friend) 