Author: Stephwaxpoetic

Moving to Germany: Ich Komme Aus Amerika

“Steph! STEPH! I NEED A NEW TOWEL!!” Mark’s voice jarred me awake. Groggy, I peeked into the bathroom. “There was a BAT in my TOWEL!” Wide awake now, I leaned over the tub, and, sure enough, there was a small black little body on the floor of the tub about the size of my palm. I ran out to put my glasses on and fetch Mark a new towel. Apparently during the night, our winged friend decided to roost in Mark’s bathsheet that was hanging by the bathroom window that was cracked open to luft.

While I rummaged, Mark had tried to wrap the bat in toilet paper to toss the carcass out the window. Only, it wasn’t a carcass. It was very much still alive – it was probably sleeping and fell, stunned, when Mark grabbed his towel. The bat flew away, and we gained a new worry about life in Germany.

Call of the Shofar: An Empathy Experience Assignment

My class on Teaching and Ethics required us to do an “Empathy Experiment.” I chose to attend a service that was completely different from any that I had ever experienced before, one whose pamphlet claimed, “Whatever your heritage, however your history, and whomever you love, you’re welcome here.”

Prepping for a Japan Homegoing and Addressing First Gen Guilt

Japan in the late 90s, early 2000s is what comes to mind most when I think of home. I think I look back often on this time because when we next PCSd to the U.S., I faced some of the most isolating and painful years of my life. Two decades would go by before I felt ready to return.

Crayfish (小龙虾) in China: A Popular Dish with a Corpse-Eating Past?

Everywhere I went, it seemed as if people of all ages were waiting in agonizingly long lines outside popup crayfish-themed restaurants. Advertisements claiming “exclusive new innovative fresh” crayfish dishes plastered shop windows. Limited edition crayfish-flavored snacks replaced the regular Lays, Pretz, and Pringles chips at my grocery store, and even KFC was jumping on the bandwagon with their own roasted chicken and crayfish creations! Why was everyone suddenly so crayfish crazy? I had to know more.

It was while researching crayfish in China that I stumbled upon a surprising truth: what I had been eating is invasive species from the USA! No wonder they seemed so familiar. Yet, how did Louisiana crayfish invade China? How did China become the world’s largest producer of crayfish? Is there a connection between crayfish in China and the dead?!

My post seeks to answer these questions and more! So, let’s grab a beer, put on some cheap disposable gloves, and delve into the saucy, steaming bucket of crayfish history!

The Fake International Taekwondo Tournament, A White Monkey Job Story

Confused, we looked at each other and felt a sense of growing apprehension. Yet, it was only when the first of many children started filing in (and we were told to hand out the medals and certificates and pose for pictures) that it truly dawned on us: we weren’t invited here to be a part of the competition…We had been tricked into doing a White Monkey Job!

A Look Back at 2023

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted an update. To be honest, I hadn’t felt much like writing since losing both my cousin and grandpa. I wasn’t sure about keeping this blog, yet, with life much more stable after a new job and move, I am hoping it’ll help me to pick up writing again. I figure a quick recap of this past year is as good a start as any!

Letting Grandpa Go

On Saturday, the world lost one of its kindest souls. Late that night, I received a text from my mom that my grandfather passed away back home in the Philippines. It’s hard to put into words how much my world has shifted. I thought I’d share a bit about what a special man he was here.

Allergy Tests & Piece of Mind

I’ve had allergies my entire life. Sneezing, wheezing, itchiness from hell – you name it…but I literally couldn’t. For years, I lived with an underlying sense of dread because I could not tell you precisely the things I was allergic to. That is, until now.

Chamomile Tea, An Essay published in You Might Need to Hear This

I write to process, to grieve, and to heal. I write to build bridges across intergenerational conflicts and cultural differences. Whenever someone tells me they empathize with what I’m saying, I get excited because it’s like “Oh! I have community!” But then I realize “Oh…It’s because of our collected trauma.” For much of my life,…

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