After only three days in Liberia, two of which were hiking in the rain forest, I was painfully made aware of my physical unfitness to be an explorative jungle butterfly researcher. My body can’t handle the heat and humidity. It’s like my pale Nordic skin doesn’t know how to deal with this intensity of stimuli,Continue reading “the butterfly expert that never could be”
Tag Archives: reflections
the butterfly expert that never was
There were barely any flowers at all in Sapo National Park, probably because it was in the end of the dry season – but the butterflies were everywhere! Huge, colorful, blue, orange, black, yellow. But so flighty. Not one allowed me to get close. I wish I’d had my telelens. It’s great for photographing skittishContinue reading “the butterfly expert that never was”
when I don’t write
I’ve been home for almost a month now. Today I made rhubarb jam and started to clean the gazebo. I’ve also gotten started with Vivi’s cardigan, finally. It’s been a good Saturday. But I’m tired. It happens a lot now. I think, ever since I started the master’s program almost three years ago. Any timeContinue reading “when I don’t write”
migrations
Between January and March, four people who had become regular occurrences in my everyday life during the last three years packed up their things and left Sweden. Kate, a former classmate and colleague from SRC, was first. In January, she moved back to her native New Zeeland for a prestigious job at the Ministry ofContinue reading “migrations”
glimpses of a fall: the play
In early November, I went to a play together with Hanna and Tora. It was a performance of Athena Farrokhzad’s poem Vitsvit (~ white suite), a monologue of sorts performed by three actors. It was interesting. It explored the immigrant’s experience, being born in another country than your parents, listening to the stories of past timesContinue reading “glimpses of a fall: the play”
a different kind of starvation
The leaves have fallen to the ground now, but until a week ago, we had the most amazing autumn. And maybe it’s from all the staring at spreadsheets, the black and white world of statistics – but it’s like I’m starved for colors. I cannot remember ever being this delighted by the palette of autumn.Continue reading “a different kind of starvation”
autumn has come
All the leaves have fallen to the ground now. And as the season dictates, my body is powering down. I want to do simple things, slowly. I think it might be time to start making Christmas candies. This time last year, I was walking ten kilometers a day in the Sahelian sun, simultaneously conducting walkingContinue reading “autumn has come”
late, as always
I was walking down the stairs from my office the other day, the center was quiet, the sun was shining outside, and it suddenly hit me. I have a master’s degree. I don’t think it has fully sunk in. That first week in June, with thesis deadline, graduation party, presentation and then me diving straightContinue reading “late, as always”
*
I walked down to the lake. The sun was almost painful in the water, the smells of leaves on the ground intoxicating. I sat down on a cliff, read some in the book with Annika Norlin lyrics. She always manages to creep up on me. I think I know my favorite songs, the most potent of herContinue reading “*”
how long does it take
I like listening to the radio. These days, they talk a lot about the “refugee crisis”. I don’t know how to deal, so I carry on with my life. I see photographs of crying children, and I start crying too. And then I pick up my smartphone and play a game of Tetris. The disconnectContinue reading “how long does it take”
Katja Malmborg 