The Year My Life Got Stranger Than Fiction

My 7-Year Pursuit of How To Live A near-death experience, an improbable disorder, and a global quest for answers Dakar, Saly, Kedougou. Marrakech, Fez, Cairo. Chicago, Aspen, Los Angeles. Beijing, Langfang, Hangzhou. And finally, Springfield, Kambah, Ballengarra, and Fassifern Valley… a good whirl around the world… I write from Brisbane International Airport. In one day, I’ll be home. In one week, I’ll be 22. This … Continue reading The Year My Life Got Stranger Than Fiction

Angela MaDecember 19, 2018December 30, 20183 Comments

Gigs

When I Became an Archaeologist

When I Became a WHAT? To be precise, what I actually became was one member of a herd of semi-indentured servants under the direct supervision of some archaeologists. But I was rolling the exact rocks, scrubbing the exact pottery, and digging the exact dirt that Charles, my supervisor, directed me to, so by the transitive property, I guess I could say I was Charles. And … Continue reading When I Became an Archaeologist

Angela MaJuly 6, 2020September 17, 20203 Comments

Opinions

How To Travel

And it was one. Grand. F*ckin. Adventure. These past months, some readers have emailed to ask about getting out and about. Let’s start with the umbrella question of the lot. How can you make the most out of your trip? Go not because you want to travel, but because you need to travel. Everything is in the mindset of the beholder. This is what we learn in … Continue reading How To Travel

Angela MaJune 28, 2019November 9, 20192 Comments

Gigs

When I Became An Australian Farmer

As I write, I am crying a little, because today my only waterbottle got shat on by a cow. If you have never worked with cow poo—which, by the way, means you’ve never worked with cows—let me explain to you why getting shat on by a cow can be aptly summarized as “the end of innocence,” “the end of life as we know it,” or … Continue reading When I Became An Australian Farmer

Angela MaNovember 11, 2018September 17, 20205 Comments

Tiny Tales

Tiny Tales #3: I Crossed the River Nile on a Motorcycle Scooter

Frankly, I could replace this entire post with a single screencap: Back in March, I spent a week bumpin’ around Cairo: eating twelve-cent meals, chugging fruit smoothies, haggling felucca fares with a guy who added me on WhatsApp and now sends me, at random, snippets of radio talk shows entirely in Arabic. I was thrilled to see Cairo for one reason: Uber.* *Not a paid … Continue reading Tiny Tales #3: I Crossed the River Nile on a Motorcycle Scooter

Angela MaAugust 21, 2018August 22, 2018Leave a comment