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Rick Lewis's avatar

This is my favorite writing of your's so far Chao. Urban Safari is a perfect description of what this feels like. I was captivated at every step by the detail of the unique urban wildlife all along the way, interspersed with your thoughtful interjections of self reflection. Just delightful.

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Chao Lam's avatar

Thanks Rick! I feel like an Apple gadget “this is the best iPhone we have ever made”, which is definitely high praise for this Apple fanboy. I was trying for a slice of life writing but couldn’t help intersperse with my thoughts- I am glad the format worked for you

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Rick Lewis's avatar

100%

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Kathy Ayers's avatar

Chao, this is quite rich. Your detail is just fabulous. Sounds like an amazing time even for your introverted self. Who organized this outing, and how did you find it and decide to participate in it?

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Chao Lam's avatar

Thanks Kathy! I was at Edge Esmeralda, a pop up village for a month! Esmeralda is attempting to build a new walkable town 15 mins away and I found out only recently that the reason I was there was because I am a numtot https://chatgpt.com/share/6857399d-d958-8006-9cb1-a6accae24340

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Kathy Ayers's avatar

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=edge%20esmerekda&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:9eb6564a,vid:XF_iTyxgxPg,st:0

This? Must’ve been fabulous. Your details, again, were great. Puts it all in perspective now that I have the bigger context.

Nice job with this, Chao.

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Chao Lam's avatar

Yes!

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Linda Kaun's avatar

I love this piece Chao. I felt like I was right along side you on your Urban Safari!

This line: "I still didn’t have the motivation to read and learn from each placard as Elaine would, but I looked intently at a native plant, noticing each crease and fold, and how the outer edges were more burnt but the inner core was green and fresh." Yes to noticing! Immersing ourselves Into Life, not just passing through it.

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Shuya's avatar

Glad you had fun at summer camp! I could really feel the ebb and flow of your writing as you journeyed through the outing. Thanks for the notebook! :P

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Larry Urish's avatar

Chao, I really like how you detail seeing so many things from a fresh perspective. You remind me how reality is indeed rooted in perception.

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Christin Chong, PhD's avatar

let's talk in only present tense from now on

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Chao Lam's avatar

That would be too boring! I love hearing all your plans to put me to work

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Michelle Elisabeth Varghese's avatar

This was so interesting! I like the call back to your listening device. It’s funny it was working this time

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