Thanks Jonathan, I know that dream is just a dream....but is it? 🫤 I know other naturalized citizens have expressed online anxiety about leaving the country.
I appreciate the fragments, Jenna, as everything feels so fragmented right now. This spring, the trees seem to have blossomed more beautifully than ever. It feels like their encouragement to those who listen.
It happened in the last two days! The trees did not have leaves like this over the weekend. And to all the naysayers who dismissed putting away the winter coats, I'm doubling down now and putting my winter boots and heavy sweaters away!
Before all of this I regularly got stopped at security at airports. This will throw you. I am 5.5 in stature, blonde hair blue eyes, boring white woman. One surly guard said if you want we can strip search you. All I had on was panties and the dress with no bra on. Their sensors had a hard time with where I carry my weight, hips, thighs, and belly. I am very close to not flying anymore.
I've had incidents like this. In fact, I was strip searched when I was younger and also held in rooms for over an hour on other occasions. I always get anxious when crossing the border.
Hi Jenna— this post resonated with me so much! I went to the grocery store yesterday and realized I left my phone at home and it was so lovely just wandering the aisles without it. 😊
Yeah, I don’t think we’re alone in that. My camera is the Fuji xt100, but the newer models are really hard to come by as there is less supply for the demand. The waiting list last year was ridiculous. It fits inside a coat or jacket pocket but a little big for any other pocket. I do have a smaller Sony camera if you’re interested in a truly tiny camera. It’s the one that vloggers use, but it takes decent photos too.
So beautiful to see NYC in renewal and bloom, and I love the imagery of putting our thoughts and anxieties in the blossoms and then letting them go as they're shed. It feels especially right with the bigger, heavier petals like magnolias. It strikes me as helpful too to realize that they will still be there when the specific issues worrying us right now have played themselves out.
I am also a naturalized citizen and have the same worries. A local reporter ran a story of a 5 y.o. Asian boy bulled by middle schoolers who recorded the torture, calling him King Kong while he pleaded with them to not hurt him. A neighbor saw the video and cried when she notified the parents. The father said that his son didn't understand why they called him King Kong.
Your photos are beautiful, your writing relatable. Spring is a reminder that everything changes. Spring is hope after a cold winter, the pink blossoms against the wet streets. I cling to hope that there is humanity, that there are good people in the world, like the people who helped my family start our news lives in this country decades ago.
Oh, I feel like I read that same story somewhere? Or maybe it happens enough that it sounds familiar. As I wrote, I know it sounds irrational to be worried, however, nothing with this administration makes sense. Laws, rules, are all bending.
The leaves have just unfurled up here and the sky has gone from nothing to green. I love your note about how spring surges in stages. The choppy writing feels like my mind these days. As usual, I come to read and I end up feeling at home. Thank you.
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing them (and your thoughts and your terrible dream) with us on the internet :)
Thanks Jonathan, I know that dream is just a dream....but is it? 🫤 I know other naturalized citizens have expressed online anxiety about leaving the country.
idk, man, if they are detaining white Canadians then it's probably best to be on the safe side...
yeah. laws and rules seem to keep changing at a whim.
Pure beauty
❤️ Thanks Paolo
I appreciate the fragments, Jenna, as everything feels so fragmented right now. This spring, the trees seem to have blossomed more beautifully than ever. It feels like their encouragement to those who listen.
It happened in the last two days! The trees did not have leaves like this over the weekend. And to all the naysayers who dismissed putting away the winter coats, I'm doubling down now and putting my winter boots and heavy sweaters away!
Before all of this I regularly got stopped at security at airports. This will throw you. I am 5.5 in stature, blonde hair blue eyes, boring white woman. One surly guard said if you want we can strip search you. All I had on was panties and the dress with no bra on. Their sensors had a hard time with where I carry my weight, hips, thighs, and belly. I am very close to not flying anymore.
I've had incidents like this. In fact, I was strip searched when I was younger and also held in rooms for over an hour on other occasions. I always get anxious when crossing the border.
Hi Jenna— this post resonated with me so much! I went to the grocery store yesterday and realized I left my phone at home and it was so lovely just wandering the aisles without it. 😊
Isn’t it strange to be without your phone? The initial panic, then the resignation, and then the delight 😂
I’m nervous about leaving the country too. Relatively new naturalized citizen.
Could you please share what camera you use? I’m curious especially one that you can tuck away 😊. Thank you
Yeah, I don’t think we’re alone in that. My camera is the Fuji xt100, but the newer models are really hard to come by as there is less supply for the demand. The waiting list last year was ridiculous. It fits inside a coat or jacket pocket but a little big for any other pocket. I do have a smaller Sony camera if you’re interested in a truly tiny camera. It’s the one that vloggers use, but it takes decent photos too.
Thank you for the suggestions. I like the look of Fuji cameras. Some of the newer models are so expensive!!
They are, and cameras in general are pricey, but I’ve had mine for ten years and it’s still going strong!
Your photos are absolutely beautiful! I love seeing the white pear tree blossoms in early spring.
Thank you so much, Marcia. Happy Spring!
So beautiful to see NYC in renewal and bloom, and I love the imagery of putting our thoughts and anxieties in the blossoms and then letting them go as they're shed. It feels especially right with the bigger, heavier petals like magnolias. It strikes me as helpful too to realize that they will still be there when the specific issues worrying us right now have played themselves out.
Nature has been the soothing balm these days. It restores faith in the natural order when everything else is in chaos.
Continue to love your writing. I don’t think most of us are seeing clearly ahead at this moment. Please keep writing when you can.
Thank you so much, Meg. Appreciate the encouragement.
I love this talk of trees! I posted a story that I would love for you to read if you get the chance.
https://open.substack.com/pub/iamren/p/living-in-trees?r=5jb6g9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
new substack?
it is. not sure what I’m doing with it yet. I may have deleted the previous one prematurely :)
I assume you saved all the writing though!
I did!
Jenna,
I am also a naturalized citizen and have the same worries. A local reporter ran a story of a 5 y.o. Asian boy bulled by middle schoolers who recorded the torture, calling him King Kong while he pleaded with them to not hurt him. A neighbor saw the video and cried when she notified the parents. The father said that his son didn't understand why they called him King Kong.
Your photos are beautiful, your writing relatable. Spring is a reminder that everything changes. Spring is hope after a cold winter, the pink blossoms against the wet streets. I cling to hope that there is humanity, that there are good people in the world, like the people who helped my family start our news lives in this country decades ago.
Oh, I feel like I read that same story somewhere? Or maybe it happens enough that it sounds familiar. As I wrote, I know it sounds irrational to be worried, however, nothing with this administration makes sense. Laws, rules, are all bending.
The leaves have just unfurled up here and the sky has gone from nothing to green. I love your note about how spring surges in stages. The choppy writing feels like my mind these days. As usual, I come to read and I end up feeling at home. Thank you.
🫶❤️
I love this assortment of thoughts. And photo walks without a phone are dreamy. your images are too :)
🥰