A Brief History Of Vivian Chasing Calories My devout love for all things food has been a part of me for as long as I can remember, quite literally. Before I was able to form my first memories, my parents titled me 无底洞 (wú dǐ dòng), or ‘bottomless hole’ in mandarin. Their paradigm example of this hole is infant Vivian in a… Read More
Monthly Mood: Where’s The Love? Turns out February is a 28-day scam and a sixth of 2022 is already defunct and I want my money back. My emotions are rolling and coasting thanks for asking. The country I trusted through the vicissitudes of a pandemic and whose economy I contributed to with my life savings for two years invoices me… Read More
Monthly Mood: Four Years Of Gifts Days soaking in intense growth and pure magic. Being gentle with myself when I feel tender. My trip celebrates her fourth birthday. My unaltered hair turns 15-months-old. Monthly Mood: The Universe Loves Me life is a gift. you have not deserved it in the first place. it is not your right. it has been given… Read More
Monthly Moods: From Lost To Ground i have culture shock when i read my posts even though i lived those events—me, Day 1,378, WhatsApp chat Monthly Moods: From Lost To Ground Yet another month of working on myself and not letting life pass me by becomes two. I present a double monthly update. Cheers to new discoveries in already twice-lived places,… Read More
It’s A Mudde Mood This ball of brown exudes nourishment as it glistens with moisture on the plate (or leaf). Paired with spicy vegetarian broths or rich and meaty sides, the earthy taste of ragi mudde has an advanced level of acquirement that falls somewhere between ceviche and balut. Perhaps what most distinguishes mudde is that it is not… Read More
Monthly Mood: ’Tis The Season To feast at weddings, rub charas, and be festive with the Hindu gods. Monthly Mood: ’Tis The Season New content… new About page old about page made into a post: About Vivian Alive TBT: Diwali Delights Happy 11 11(: After seven shaves last year, my hair turns one today. Not one snip or buzz, just… Read More
TBT: Diwali Delights Celebrating today’s Diwali with ghee lamps floating on the Rishikesh Ganges and old writing from Diwali 2020. Diwali Delights Day 1010 14 November 2020 Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India My first Diwali injects me with an unexpected shot of nostalgia. The Hindu holiday is a blend of the Halloweens and Independence Days of my American… Read More
About Vivian Alive About Vivian Since my first trip abroad in kindergarten, I’ve developed an oversized appetite for adventure, collecting stories, and a lot of fruit. Hunger turned into addiction. I see travel as the best way to use my limited time and energy in this one life that I have. I simply need to be off in… Read More
Monthly Mood: Good Company Comes In All Shapes “Finally,” I thought to myself, “back on track with Monthly Moods out on the 11th.” How foolish I was. October 11th would have me living India instead of writing about it. Life creates the content. I just edit. Monthly Mood: Good Company Comes In All Shapes New content: Falling In Love With India’s Finest Aloo… Read More
Falling In Love With India’s Finest Aloo Parantha Every morning in the quiet, four o’clock murk of a village outside Dharamshala, a humble, slightly balding man begins to stir from his sleep. Potatoes are boiled. The dal of the day, chili chutney, and whole wheat dough are carefully prepared. Everything is loaded onto a scooter and he’s off. At seven o’clock Vikram has… Read More