Go back in time to an event you think could have played out differently for you. Let alternate history have its moment: tell us what could, would or should have happened? When I was twelve I got lost in Vienna’s Prater gardens. We were in the amusement park area. I went alone to get cotton … More Day 11: Revisionist History

Take a line from a song that you love or connect with. Turn that line into the title of your post. In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep… “River of Dreams” – Billy Joel If night gets redefined as the time between sunrise and sunset, call me a sleepwalker. If … More NaBloPoMo Day 10: This is Your Song

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world? The world is a big place. My blog is a very small place. It’s a very small place where I started out by recording my experiences of being in a very big part of the big place: China, the farthest … More NaBloPoMo Day 9: Be the Change

Create a new word and explain its meaning and etymology. dermaddisizereg verb 1. The act of visually scrutinizing an individual with the intent of discovering whether he/she originates from Ethiopia. Origin: derma of or relating to the skin, Addis of or relating to the city of Addis Ababa as synonymous with Ethiopia, ize origin unknown … More NaBloPoMo Day 8: Play Lexicographer

Think of something that truly repulses you. Hold that thought until your skin squirms. Now, write a glowing puff piece about its amazing merits. If you’ve seen Ratatouille you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s that scene when the uber-snobbish food critic takes one bite of ratatouille and, in a flash, he is transported to … More NaBloPoMo Day 7: Embrace the Ick

Tell us about something you’ve done that you would advise a friend never to do. Friend, never use Nair to shape your eyebrows.

Take a subject you’re familiar with and imagine it as three photos in a sequence. Tackle the subject by describing those three shots. Photo 1 There she sits at a work desk. Laptop open on Word document, blank screen. Fingers poised over keyboard. Gazing out windows opposite, curtains drawn to either side. Spots of grime … More NaBloPoMo Day 5

Write a letter to yourself in 20 years. Didn’t I tell you to stop eating meat? Now look at you. And what did we agree about all that salt? You’ve turned into a walking talking piece of jerky. At least you’ve finally learned how to dress, you stylishly-short-haired cougar you. And all your kids love … More NaBloPoMo Day 3

Write a letter to your 14-year old self. Tomorrow, write a letter to yourself in 20 years. Dear 14 year old Rebka, You don’t realize it now, but you have just gotten plunged into a world that is so much more than the R.Kelly and SWV and Beavis and Butthead that you’re so obsessed with … More NaBloPoMo Day 2