Stories – Page 6 – Irene North

Who needs deodorant anyway?

On 2018-07-23

Sunset, somewhere between Denver and Scottsbluff.

After stuffing ourselves on the free dinner buffet, Paul and I returned to our room. We were tired. We wanted to go home. We needed to get ready for the next day, just in case our flight was canceled again.

Since I wasn’t going to be eating again tonight, I went into the hotel bathroom to brush my teeth. “Damn it,” I yelled. “I don’t have any toothpaste.” That audible thought was quickly followed by another. I didn’t have any deodorant left either.

I had carefully planned my trip, as I do all trips, so that I don’t have to carry toothpaste or deodorant back home with me. That least space for more chocolate, which is more important. Fortunately, the hotel had free toothbrushes and toothpaste. They did not have deodorant.

“It’s okay,” I thought to myself. “I’ll just be sitting on a plane for most of the next day. What could go wrong?”

What it’s like inside my brain

By Irene

On 2018-07-15

In Stories

Not our plane, but another United plane being pulled somewhere. It’s probably broken, too.

Paul and I arrived at the Hong Kong airport three hours ahead of time for our flight home. We waited forty-five minutes for the United check-in desk to open to get our boarding passes. For whatever reason, the self-serve kiosks were not working. The last fifteen minutes of our wait I tried to calm myself.

One by one, United employees came out to their desks, but didn’t open. Logically, I know there is plenty of time to get the passes, pass through security and get to our gate, but my heart rate is already increasing. I bow my head and stare at my shoes, tracing the lines that make up the shoe’s design. I close my eyes and take several deep breaths to calm myself.

The deep breaths don’t really calm me. They are a distraction to keep me from screaming. I really only start to feel better when Paul says, “Okay, now I’m starting to get annoyed.”

Many come for the gambling. We came for the history.

By Irene

On 2018-06-26

In Stories

Part of the Macau skyline.

The most densely populated area in the world also wagers more dollars in a single year than all of Las Vegas. Casinos are everywhere. It is the pre-eminent gambling capital of the world. We came for the history.

Until 1999, Macau was a Portuguese colony. Portuguese traders began settling in Macau in the 1550s. It eventually became a colony before it was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999.

Most people who come here visit to try their hand with lady luck. We came for the scenery.

A lively and diverse affair

By Irene

On 2018-06-21

In Stories

The entrance to the Temple Street Market.

The Temple Street Market in Kowloon is a few subway stops away from our hotel, but it is not a place where I would normally go. It is one of the busiest flea markets around.

A place for quiet and thoughtful contemplation

By Irene

On 2018-06-20

In Stories

A candid shot of a dad walking with his daughter in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong. She kept trying to dance away from him, so he had to take her hand and play along.

One of the most profound things I have ever heard has no words. It is the father holding his daughter’s hand while walking through Kowloon Park. It is the elderly husband and wife walking arm-in-arm along the promenade. It is the friend pushing his friend in wheelchair. It is the mother and father playing a silly, made up game with their child on the MTR. It is the man who gives the homeless man four takeaway packages outside the 7-Eleven. It is the mother holding her son’s hand to help him up the stairs to Big Buddha. It is the sound of love and it is there if you take the time to look..

A short update with many photos

By Irene

On 2018-06-16

In Stories

Paul just chilling out in the Sky100 observation deck in Hong Kong.

Still recovering from the humidity the day before, Paul and I decided to start the day off with a trip to Sky100 at the International Commerce Centre.

In about 60 seconds, the elevator took us up 100 floors, 393 meters above sea level, to the 360-degree indoor observation deck. The building stands 1,588 feet, or 484 meters, tall. From here, you can see the famous skyline of Victoria Harbour.

Of primates, towers, and Blade Runner

By Irene

On 2018-06-15

In Stories

A foggy, overcast day in Hong Kong.

I hate the projects. They are where we place the poor so we don’t have to look at them. They are a symbol of how easy it is for us to ignore some of the most vulnerable in our society.

The little lady who brought me joy

By Irene

On 2018-05-18

In Stories

On December 16, 2017, Sarah sat and posed for me. This was the result.

I walked into the zoo well before it was open to cover a story for the Star-Herald. When I was done, I decided to walk around and take some pictures before the zoo opened for the day. I strolled past Cyrano, a Lynx rufus at the zoo, and hung out there for a while. I always enjoy paying him a visit even if he sleeps the entire time I’m there. That’s what cats do.

Eventually, I made my way past the bison, zebras, Eurasian Lynx and tigers and walked into the indoor enclosure for the chimpanzees. It was a cool morning and I wasn’t sure if Scooter and Sarah would be outside that day. Sarah was in the right indoor enclosure. She was sitting down and as soon as she saw me, she got up and started to walk toward me.

There is no shame in asking for help

By Irene

On 2018-05-17

In Stories

I was sitting in the staff break room at the Star-Herald trying to keep it together. I had just sat down to eat my lunch, but wasn’t being successful. I was shaking. My heart was racing.

Up until that point, my day was the kind where thoughts are fleeting, including ones that make you wonder what it would really be like to drive your car off the Scotts Bluff National Monument. When that thought came to the front of my brain, I picked up my phone and texted my friend, Amber.

“I can’t do this anymore,” I typed. Before she could reply, I sent a series of rapid fire messages to her. When she responded her texts were ones of concern, reassurance, and messages that she was there for me. We texted for several minutes before I told her I needed to go sit in my car. I was about to break down completely and didn’t want to do so at work.

The Well-Mannered Balloon by nine year old me

By Irene

On 2018-05-12

In Stories

I am working on a piece for the Star-Herald about why I am a journalist. Honestly, I didn’t pay close enough attention, but I think it’s going to be used in ads or internally. I just listened to the topic, said I’d do it and stopped listening. Not a good trait for a journalist.

However, it got me to thinking about something I wrote when I was nine years old.

Writings

Category: Stories Page 6 of 7

Who needs deodorant anyway?

What it’s like inside my brain

Many come for the gambling. We came for the history.

A lively and diverse affair

A place for quiet and thoughtful contemplation

A short update with many photos

Of primates, towers, and Blade Runner

The little lady who brought me joy

There is no shame in asking for help

The Well-Mannered Balloon by nine year old me