Wandering Reflections

So here's a story about how eye surgery taught me I've been relaxing wrong my whole life.

I decided to get cataract surgery a few months ago (that's a whole other story). The catch? No alcohol for two months while my eyes healed. Now, I'm not a heavy, heavy drinker, but I have always liked a drink after a stressful day at work or on the weekend with friends. That was my signal to relax. Suddenly, I had to figure out how to unwind without it.

Fast forward to after my recovery. I'd been working ...

Throughout my lifetime, I've struggled with asking for help. It's been one of my biggest challenges – whether it was advice, money, resources, or anything else, the guilt that washed over me whenever I had to reach out was overwhelming. Even when the people I asked seemed happy to help, treating my requests as no big deal, I couldn't shake that uncomfortable feeling.

Solo travel changed everything for me.

When you're navigating unfamiliar places alone, asking for help isn't just useful – it's ...

 First, I have to apologize - this post is about a week late! I've been really excited to share my Mid-Autumn Festival experience in Suzhou and wanted to take time to write it properly.

One of my favorite things about traveling solo is discovering local activities organized by community groups. Wherever I go, I've found these cheap or free events that give you authentic insights into the local culture and history.

My Mid-Autumn Festival Adventure

I found a lantern-making workshop in Suzhou fo...

Living in China, you learn to mark the seasons not just by the weather, but by the sights and smells on the street. And as the sticky, humid summer begins to fade, the lotus vendors appear. It’s a sight I’ve come to love. On my way home, or even just heading to the mall, there they are: men and women with buckets, holding up gorgeous, plate-sized lotus flowers and their strange, shower-head-like seed pods.

For the longest time, this beautiful, everyday sight confused me.

You see, I grew up wit...

One of the great gifts of living abroad is the chance to touch local traditions. Last week, here in Suzhou, I attended a Gongbi painting class (工笔)—one of China’s three classic styles, known for its microscopic detail and layered translucence.

What made it special was our teacher: a Chinese artist who teaches in Spain but returned home briefly. Generously, she shared this heritage with us—a true gift.

We painted Suzhou’s own flower—the jasmine, symbol of Jiangsu Province. Fitting, I thought, t...

• Part 1: My Vision Quest: Correcting Astigmatism in China
• Part 2: My Eye Surgery: An Overnight Stay in a Chinese Hospital
• Part 3: My Cataract Surgery Journey: Recovery, a Second Procedure, and a World in High Definition

Hello again! When I left off on my last post, I was just heading home from the hospital after having cataract surgery on my left eye. The first chapter of my journey was complete, but the story of my recovery and the second procedure on my right eye was just beginning. I’m ...