L. Kris Gowen's Blog

Five feminists sat down for lunch, each with differing levels of proficiency in English ranging from native (me) to barely able to follow along, and differing levels of proficiency Korean ranging from native (three women) to non-existent (me). Talk shifted quickly but smoothly from “How was your flight?” to ““What do you mean the United … Continue reading Sated

Note: I took a break from this blog in order to document my journey across the US where I sang in all 48 lower states. You can read about my MelOdyssey here.  I easily could have worked from home, but the call for structure and a desire for a warm, isolated cubicle brought me in. … Continue reading Awareness

Tomorrow, I’m off to follow my dream. Tomorrow, I will be getting in my car to start a four-month road trip in which I karaoke in the 48 contiguous states. Tomorrow, I will begin my MelOdyssey. I’ll be taking time away from this blog for a few months so I can focus on my new […]

Last day in the office. Even though I stroll in a few minutes later than usual, no one is there to notice. It’s completely quiet. My boss is out of town, and others will slowly trickle in as the morning wears on. It rained today for the first time in ages — strange for Oregon […]

I got bumped to first class. I didn’t ask for it, pay for it, or do anything to deserve it, but it happened anyway. So I got to board early, and was served orange juice (no ice) before take off while others got on the plane. I stretched my feet out and had some room […]

Saw a giant Buddha and giant pandas.   Visited a Catholic Church and several Buddhist temples. Ate bugs, yak meat, and the most delicious eggplant; Bought the yak meat to share with friends. Bargained with an old lady to get a bronze teapot, decorated with dragons. Got a massage from a blind Chinese man. Watched […]

During midafternoon, the teahouse here is extremely peaceful. It’s off the beaten path, though there’s not much hustle to this small town in the first place. We sit outside, and I imagine writing here for hours on end, sipping a purple sweet potato latte, or buckwheat tea. I wonder if and when the place gets more […]

The uphill. Light rain – enough to keep the air cool and the gorge hidden. We begin to climb and start counting the infamous 28 bends, only to realize the teahouse stop is not only closed but also the signal to start the real ascent of the bends. More heavy breathing, and many short stops […]

I’ve been back from my three-week trip to China for almost a week. The lack of internet access prevented me from posting while I was there, but I hope to share some of my experiences now, unfiltered, transferring my scribbled notes here. This is the first post. I’ve let my body down. Pleasure, laziness, and […]

I woke up to answer a text. A friend wishing me a great time on my journey to China. I responded: “Thanks! Things are starting to fall into place. Or become unraveled. One of those two.” I put the phone down, continued to lie in bed, and thought: Or both. I think that’s closer to […]