On September 21st, Cambodia starts Pchum Ben, the annual Hungry Ghosts Festival. I remember the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh—incense curling into the air, monks’ chants carrying through the heat. That moment found its way into The Foreigner’s Confession, when Emily McLean steps into the same haunted beauty. The past is never far; it whispers…
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August in the PNW Sun-warmed cedar, crushed pine needles, a trace of salt drifting up from the Sound. This time of year, I find myself listening more closely to the hush beneath the trees, watching the light settle softly on the branches. That fleeting fragrance feels like the forest’s way of reminding us to pause,…
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Anthony Bourdain, one of my heroes, once said: “Travel isn’t always pretty… Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you… You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” 📷 Goteik Viaduct, Myanmar I snapped this photo leaning out the window of the train from Pwin…
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A Historic Gathering: Everett Woman’s Book Club I had the honor of speaking at the Spring Luncheon for the Historic Everett Woman’s Book Club. Founded in 1894, this remarkable group of women not only championed literature, but also helped establish Everett’s very first public library. From the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed—especially…
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A Light Exists in Spring By Emily Dickinson A light exists in Spring not present on the year at any other period—when March is scarcely here. A color stands abroad on solitary fields that science cannot overtake but human nature feels. It waits upon the lawn, it shows the furthest tree upon the furthest slope…
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HBO’s – The White Lotus – Season Three One of the things The White Lotus captures so well this season—set in Thailand—is the quiet but ever-present dissonance between its wealthy American guests and the culture surrounding them. Having lived in Thailand, I recognize the subtleties: the way Western entitlement brushes up against deeply ingrained customs, the moments…
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Why Reviews Are an Author’s Best Valentine Reviews are like valentines for writers—small but heartfelt messages that mean the world. Each one, whether a few words or a paragraph, is a sign that our stories have reached someone, moved them, or lingered in their thoughts. This February, if you’ve loved a book, consider leaving a…
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Happy New Year, Friends! There’s something magical about the turning of a year—a sense of fresh beginnings, new possibilities, and the joy of meeting kindred spirits. To those I met during the holiday season, welcome! This is where I share glimpses of my writing life, reflections on creativity, and stories inspired by the rich tapestry…
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Finding Comfort in Hard Times One of my favorite Leonard Cohen quotes is: “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit “cracked” myself. With global crises and personal health challenges piling up, it’s all too easy to linger in the shadows. But I’m making a…
Read MoreMyanmar continues to face immense challenges as the civil war drags on, with military crackdowns and armed resistance throughout the country. Inflation and power cuts exacerbate the hardship, yet here in Yangon, life seems to continue as usual with bustling shopping malls and full restaurants creating a surreal vibe. I was happy to visit 50th…
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