an itinerant observer

I recently revisited One Hundred Years of Solitude —this time through Netflix’s lush adaptation. The series swept me into García Márquez's Macondo with its breathtaking cinematography and meticulous attention to detail. Though decades had passed since I first read the novel, its spirit of magical realism, woven into Colombia's historical fabric, felt familiar. The cycles of time, the endless loop of beginnings and endings, reminded me of Nietzsche’s eternal recurrence, the whirling dance of Sufi mystics, and Taoism's tranquil acceptance of life's flow. But the truth is, like the insomnia plague in Márquez's Macondo, the story had faded from my memory over the years. I don’t know if my first reading of One Hundred Years of Solitude in high school truly shaped me. Perhaps it was that novel, alongside The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende and even The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, that collectively left their mark. It wasn’t until last week, while watching th...

Prologue: Grounded in Houston – A City of My Many Lives The delay begins in Houston—a city etched into my identity. It’s where my kids were born, where I spent fifteen formative years, and where every return feels like both homecoming and farewell. Today, it’s a five-hour layover that stretches into an eternity. “Why this flight? Why me?” I mutter. The minutes bleed into hours. Airports have a peculiar way of amplifying existential questions, as if the pause in transit reflects a broader pause in life. When I finally reboard, it feels less like travel and more like drifting—an uneasy sense of being uprooted and untethered. In-Flight Double Feature: Cinema at 30,000 Feet Somewhere above the clouds, I scroll through the in-flight entertainment and land on Mother, Couch —a bizarre, dystopian family drama. A mother anchors herself to a couch in a furniture store, refusing to budge. Her children orbit around her, paralyzed by her immobility, tangled in invisible threads of expecta...

[Doodle credit: ChatGPT-4] In a small, friendly town, there lived a lively girl named Ada. Her ninth birthday was coming up, and her parents planned a big celebration with balloons, cake, and lots of decorations. Ada was super excited, especially when she received a special stuffed toy from her best friend, Nunu. After the fun party, everyone helped clean up. Chike and Mama were busy tidying up, while Baba played games with Ada’s little brother, Kunle. Ada and her kitten, Biloongra, played outside, laughing and having a great time. “Fetch the toy, Biloongra!” Ada shouted, throwing the toy. It flew up and got stuck in a tree. Ada loved climbing trees, so she decided to climb up and get it. But as she reached for the toy, the branch snapped, and Ada fell to the ground. Nunu heard Ada’s cry and quickly got Mama. Mama came running and gave Ada a big hug. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asked. “My leg hurts,” Ada replied, tears in her eyes. Mama called for an ambulance, and soon,...

[Doodle credit: ChatGPT-4] In a lively city, there lived a cheerful eight-year-old girl named Ada. Ada loved playing outside with her family: her loving Mama, strong Baba, her ten-year-old brother Chike, and their playful kitten, Biloongra. They were a happy bunch, always laughing and having fun together. One sunny day, while playing tag with Chike and Biloongra in the backyard, Ada tripped and hurt her leg. Baba quickly carried her to the hospital, where the doctors discovered she had sprained her ankle. Ada needed to stay in the hospital to get better. Although Ada was brave, she felt scared and lonely without her family. Nurse Joy, who was always kind and smiling, noticed Ada's sadness. "Can my Mama, Baba, Chike, and Biloongra stay with me while I'm here?" Ada asked with hopeful eyes. Nurse Joy knelt beside Ada’s bed. "I understand how you feel, Ada, but the hospital has rules to keep everyone safe. Visitors can't stay for too long, and pets like Bi...

[Doodle credit: ChatGPT-4] In a cozy little house at the end of the street, lived a happy family: Mama, Baba, Chike, Ada, Kunle, and their playful kitten, Biloongra. Biloongra had a special secret—he could talk, but only the children knew this. One bright Saturday morning, Ada was excited because her best friend, Ella, was coming over to play. However, there was one thing that worried Ada: Ella was allergic to cat fur, and Biloongra loved to be where the fun was. Mama made sure everything was ready for Ella’s visit. They cleaned the living room and set up a cozy spot for Biloongra in Chike’s room.  When Ella arrived, Ada greeted her with a big hug.  “Come on, Ella! Let’s play in the garden!” she exclaimed. They quickly went outside, far from Biloongra. Chike joined in, and they all played hide and seek, blew bubbles for Kunle to chase, and even had a mini relay race. Everything was perfect until they decided to go inside for some lemonade. As soon as they walked in, Bilo...