CantaloupeAlone

Hi. Long time I know. This is a cultural/lifestyle-type post. If you're missing out on my food opinions you can read some on my Instagram account  where you'll also see a little bit of life in Taipei, too. 2020, who saw this coming? Apparently a lot of doctors and scientists. I was already an obsessive hand washer but 2020 has pushed the limits of my skin. So dry, so scratchy. It's just August and Taiwan is bracing for a possible second wave of Coronavirus after absolutely crushing the first wave . I've been free to live my life in public for the last 7 months (thank you, thank you Taiwan) but internally it's still a roller coaster. Here is a list of things that have brought me moments of joy or at least made me feel something while watching a pandemic, democracy be destroyed, and social upheaval. Andy & Naomi's Couple's Therapy Podcast : Just hearing another Naomi correctly pronounce "Nay-oh-me" is already soothing but during the qua...

Chillaxia Aquaponic bones  Taipei is a pretty green place. Figuratively, literally the mid-century ugly style Japanese buildings are softened by lush greenery sprouting in and around every crevice and surface. Its common to see patches of dirt cultivated into vegetable gardens. Until recently there was small farm across the street from Taipei 101 the world's second largest building in the smack center of Taipei's commercial area. Recently I've been seeking the stories behind these gardens. I don't have a space to garden, but I thought I'd draw some inspiration from what is happening and share it for everyone to see. Facebook has been a remarkable resource in Taipei for locating groups. A post in Green Taiwan  led me to learn about a woman named Tammy Turner with permaculture garden in Xindian, a large Aquaponic garden called Avata , and a gentleman named John building his own aquaponic system on his rooftop dubbed Chillaxia . I immediately requested a tou...