Issue 003

SKATING IN SYNC

How groove rollerskating transformed the lives of two iconic Madison grads.

Eden Meidl, Deputy Executive Co-Director

Song: WHITE CROCS by Jordan Ward, Ryan Trey

“This summer I got back into working at the University’s art studio, and did a lot of simple fashion DIYs to update my closet.”

Zack Zens, Deputy Executive Co-Director

Song: Ant Pile by Dominic Fike

“I spent the summer traveling to see loved ones, working on poetry, cooking new things, and growing.”

Ian Vailliencourt, Visual Arts Director

Song: #sippinoutthepint - people, renzo, varnish414

“I spent my summer working on an internship, working at a liquor store and cleaning up SOHE. I also was in a peculiar mood for like 60% of the summer.”

Sydney Taylor Collins, Recruitment Director

Song: Girls Just Wanna Have Some by Chromatics

“I spent most of my summer working in a physics lab, seeing friends, and studying in Ecuador!! <3 ”

Lisa Lor, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Co-Director

Song: Foreign Things by Amber Mark

“I spent my summer working, taking a class, traveling to Chicago, Devils Lake and Arrowmont. I also started selling tsuno bags.”

Taylor McCaa, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Co-Director

Song: Marechià by Nu Genea

“This summer I worked at my favorite cafe, explored Wis consin, worked on short films, and explored new creative outlets! ”

Olivia Bote, Finance Director

Song: 17250 by glaive

“I spent this summer working so I can afford all the thrifting, coffee, and yarn for knitting. I also went to Arrowmont and worked on two new sculptures <3”

Olivia Bartman, Social Media Director

Song: Snooze by SZA

“I spent the first month of my summer studying art and architecture in Prague. Since coming back to Madison, I’ve been working and spending time with my loved ones!

Mara Hansen, Makeup Director

Song: Ella Baila Sola by Peso Pluma

“This summer I went to vintage shops in Minnesota. I also worked at a theater internship, coached color guard, and competed in my first ever pageant.

Darwin Herrera, Principal Photographer

Song: House of Balloons by The Weekend

“This summer I have been working becoming a better producer for film! I have been talking to different content creators as well.”

listen to our staff-curated playlist on spotify! :)

Letter from the Editor

How would you spend your time if you didn’t have to worry about money or status? During summer, we’re given a surplus of time, a break from classes and a peer into what post-graduate lift might be like. We get the opportunity to spend more time on our passions and less on obligations. We have the time and space to get to know ourself outside of campus, to determine what our style and our hobbies are like without the influence of this social sphere. This summer I spent time recharging in nature, growing friendships, taking in art and trying out different ways of expressing

Creativity is such an influential and accessible way for people of different interests and backgrounds to digest the world around them. With this issue we want to celebrate the different ways we can express ourselves through creativity, by taking a look at individuals on campus who do so in unique ways.

I hope everyone who reads this had a great summer,

Robyn Marie George Executive Editor

my babies! I propogated so many plants this summer.

watching the sun set at my “seceret spot” with some of my best friends- Ian, Lisa and Lydia :)

this summer I worked as a gallery attendant at the MMoCA and spent so many hours looking at art (and telling people not to touch it).

Issue 003

09.07.2023

Contributors:

Robyn Marie George

Zack Zens

Ian Vailliencourt

Eden Meidl

Chani Danforth

Jada Corona

Isaac Westberg

Pranav Volety

Kai Diore

Taylor McCaa

Olivia Bartman

Darwin Herrera

Sydney Taylor Collins

Lisa Lor

Macy Chen

Makayla Strohmier

Ndenazea Funkham

Filip Jawdosiuk

Gabrielle Watry

Mariko Okazaki

Mara Hansen

Summer Supercut by Mariko Okazaki

Filip Jawdosiuk

Makalya Strohmier

Gabrielle Watry

Sydney Taylor Collins

Ndemazea Funhkam

Macy Chen

Ian’s World by Robyn Marie George

from Arrowmont by Lisa Lor

Break Bread with Me by Zack Zens

Greetings

Green Man by Filip Jawdosiuk

Skating in Sync by Mara Hansen

Summer Supercut.

Summer through the lens of our followers and our Instagram story.

Written and Directed By: Robyn Marie George, Executive Editor

Photographed By Pranav Volety

SHOWING LOVE

When asked what local artists to look out for, Ian shared that “@peopleinmode are some fire producers from Milwaukee. @ maz._.g and @runalongforever both make music. For fashion I like @dasyori. For beats and music also @xaviersobased.”

PRODUCER, micro-influencer and u pcoming fashion designer Ian Vailliencourt is best known for his unequivocal personal style, uninhibited personality and contemporary streetwear designs. The fourth year student is currently studying Textile and Fashion Design in the School of Human Ecology with an apparel focus. With designs influenced by his interests in rap music, archive fashion and the world around him, Ian (@ianvailliencourt) is bringing an innovative edge to the fashion scene in Madison.

Ian, 21, has been designing apparel since 2016 under his brand @vailliencorp, with his most recent collection featuring five distinct looks, each defined by their inventive use of architecture, proportion and texture. Earlier this summer, I sat down with Ian who I admire as a close friend and designer to get a look into his world and discuss his community, design process and outlook on the future.

Ian’s design process reaches beyond a mood board or file folder into every aspect of his life. When out-and-about it is not uncommon for Ian to point out inspiration in many different forms throughout the world. “I gather a lot of images on my phone through various places like Instagram, Pinterest or real life. I’ll take pictures of things, anywhere where I see it. Not just clothing inspiration but like art inspiration or even scenery and landscapes and things that I think look cool. Then I usually make folders on my phone. A look into a live moodboard on Instagram account titled @paincritic will reveal a chaotic collage of Balenciaga, Legos and Fortnite, combining to create a mirage, the essence of Vailiencorp alive in industrial hues of forest green and cardboard beige.

Community and culture are recurring themes in the lexicon of Ian’s inspiration. Gl333m World, a project of the designer, has created a community for the exchange of ideas and projects between others in Ian’s local streetwear scene. “I originally made it almost like a label for me and my friends to release what we were working on separately . . . but then I started signing random people to it . . . I started making so many posts like ‘this person signed’ and it started getting so many views, people were commenting like ‘congratulations’ to random people and everyone thought it was a real accomplishment until they looked at the page and it had like 300 followers... it usually guides itself. It’s not really me that’s GleemWorld, it’s all the people that we post and all the people we show love to.

@enigma.curation

@jakejohnhoward, @jacobmarvinday, @whothefuckaloy are a couple of OG members”.

Ian always keeps his airpods within an arm’s reach, in fact, using the strap of a wii remote they are usually tied around his wrist. Through an airpod or UAL speaker, music is constantly streaming into the consciousness of the designer. “I’ve been listening to Snow Strippers for forever . . a little bit of Maz G and the new Lucki album.” Ian’s most streamed genre, by far, is Milwaukee and Madison local rap. “I feel like part of the reason I really like it is because a lot of my friends are kind of tapped into it as well. Some of my friends make a ton of beats for Milwaukee artists and it’s fun to see how all the songs and music videos are made. What I love about it is that a lot of these rappers make a bunch of songs every day, they’ll just drop like three albums

TOP OF THE LIST

Ian’s top grailed items include Vizvim Cristo’s, Archive Raf Simmons Ready-to-wear, any Vetements hoodie and Junya Wantanabe x Levi’s Poem Pieces from 2003.

They’ll just go crazy and constantly make music, it’s really inspiring . . . But I’ve given clothing items to [them] before. I like to show love to local artists [because I’d like to see the Milwaukee sound blow up]. I’d like to see it happen because it’s not far, I’m able to go to small shows and go and meet people and show love. It’s easy to connect to the scene.“

Between his budding music career, his studies in design and his constant networking, it may seem like Ian is constantly doing everything at once- and he is. Even in his free time, Ian says that he enjoys “sensory overload”. On a normal day, Ian can be found in his room listening to music while watching The Walking Dead and playing rounds of FPS video games. Outside of his campus house Ian can is most likely thrifting or shopping other streetwear drops locally or on SSENSE. Regarding the evolution of his personal style he mentioned: “It’s pretty carefully curated. . .There are things I’m wearing now that I’ve been wearing since high school. I’ve been wearing oversized for forever . . . a lot of vintage I’ve gotten from my dad and I’ve had forever but a lot of it I’ve lost. . . not a lot has changed, the silhouettes have been pretty similar, but I tend to indulge in shoes. Every year around my birthday I’ll buy some really cool sneakers. . . I hope that one day I can have a wall of shoes but it’s all just like weird shoes.”

Ian’s wardrobe is modular and ever-changing and he’s not afraid to take a chance with bold style choices. After this interview Ian stopped into ReThreads and contemplated trading for a pair of bright blue Balenciaga Speed Trainers. This week he picked up a pair of black and white patterned Sherpa Rick Owens Converse. “With friends of mine if I see them wearing something I like I pretty much always ask them if they’d trade for it . . . there’s something better about eliminating things you don’t want and getting something you want more that feels better than just going and buying that thing. . . it feels like I’m in a video game and I’m upgrading. . . and I like seeing things in real life too, I hate buying something I kinda want on Grailed with tax and not knowing if it’s gonna fit, but if I see that thing in real life I start thinking like, ‘how would I style it and what’s it gonna look like?’”

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

If Ian’s apartment was on fire, the four things he would grab would be his cat, Autumn, his OG keepsakes: Baby Fish and Magic Blanket and his Balenciaga jacket.

IN A DREAM WORLD

If Ian could collaborate with any major fashion brand, he would create a signature Nike shoe such as an Air Force One or Nike ID catalogue.

Niche and Nuanced: According to Ian’s Last.fm, his top streamed project this summer has been Papo2oo4, DJ Lucas and Subjxct 5’s Continuous Improvement, a collection of experimental rap tracks.

As Ian enters his fourth and final year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he anticipates lots of big projects and development for both his personal career and GL333M World. “I have my senior runway coming up next year and I want my winter collection to be a preview of the final one. . . I’m making an ‘Ian website’ coming soon that will show my styling work, my collections and my runway and maybe some 1/1s. . . I might drop an album called ‘Ian 3’ on SoundCloud. It’s mostly just some silly stuff I’ve been working on, I’ve got a lot of features on there, and it’s like for fun obviously on bandlab, but I might put it on SoundCloud. . . And I think I want to do a better line of Gl333mWorld merch, like vintage blanks and screen printed by hand using stencils. I’d love to do some footwear or something crazy like that. Some one of ones or something.”

After college, Ian hopes to move to New York or Chicago and plans to attend graduate school or start a career in apparel design.

ONE OF ONE Ian is seen wearing Look One from his SS23 collection, a cloak made from archive Rick Owens fabric.

LOOKING FORWARD

Ian’s goals for the upcoming years are to participate in fashion shows bi-annually and continue creating and selling 1/1 designs.

Every design student’s dream is to have a namesake clothing line. For Ian, the question is not how, but when, Vailiencorp will grow to be his most successful body of work. I asked the designer where he sees himself in 5 years, to which he replied: “I think it’s a tough expectation to put on myself that in 5 years I’d be making money from my own brand. But I hope I’m still doing biannual runways and that more people view it than now, I want to get better and better at it. I feel like the first shows are just getting the hang of

how to do a runway and style everything, but the next ones I want to have a more coherent theme and make it sick, you know?”. It is obvious that for one reason or another, Ian Vailliencourt will become a popular name amongst the media, the exciting part for everyone else will be finding out what avenue makes that happen. Until then, consider supporting Ian’s work by following him on social media so that you, too, can see what is next for this inspired designer.

Ian hopes to merge his interests in design and music by creating inter disciplinary collaborative experiences through hosting live music alongside fashion shows.

MAKING LASTING CONNECTIONS

I’ve met so many people at Arrowmont, however, I’ve gotten close to two people: Olivia and Geovanni. Olivia attends at UW-Madison and Geovanni attended Tufts University. These two added so much memories and made my time at Arrowmont worth it. Learning about their works and craftsmanship put me in awe because of how different our artworks are. Geovanni’s focus is on painting mixed with sculpture and Olivia’s focus is on fashion design. They are two complete different art forms and design but it’s what connected and bonded us together. My experience in Arrowmont was amazing, but meeting them both, made it incredible.

The Arrowmont School of Craft is located in Gaitlinburg, Tennessee: nestled between the great Smoky Mountains. Staying in the mountains for a week surrounded by the and forest exploring nature was rehabilitating and inspiring.

Patience, steadiness, and concentrationn are vital to monoprinting. The process involves many steps, so it’s important to take your time with each piece.

At Arrowmont, I took a printmaking class, specifically mono-printing, taught by Kaleena Stasiak. I had no prior knowledge of printmaking or its history, but taking this class has broadened my design skills and opened my eyes to using the world as lenses to make something that becomes meaningful to life. In this class, we made stencils, mixed different types of ink, and used different types of paper, such as kozo paper, to print our stencils. I thought it was an interesting process because everything was done by hand, from cutting out the stencils to mixing different colors, and being patient with the process.

To transfer the ink onto the paper, I used an etching press machine that sandwiches the paper and the plexiglass together while applying heavy pressure to create a monoprint, which I found easy to use.

My favorite part of Gatlinburg waswitnessingthewarmyellow sunset, setting in between the tall green mountains, piercing its light through the cracks of the clouds, every day.

I could look at this all day <3

Staying in the mountains for a week, surrounded by forests, exploring and appreciating nature was rehabilitating and inspiring.

Attending Arrowmont School of Craft was a life-changing experience for me as an artist and student. A trip will of many “firsts”, traveling to Gaitlinburg was the first time I had been on a plane, and the first time I had traveled alone. Before this trip, the idea of traveling alone was overwhelming, but now I view solo travel as a thrilling and exciting experience that everyone should try at some point. Upon coming to the school, I had expected to meet students around my age, however, I met students of all ages which surprised me. Among these students, were professors, artists of many years of experience, and college students. Being around artists who were much older than me allowed me to learn from them and grow as an artist because the advice that was given helped me with my design thinking process. To be surrounded by people of different backgrounds expanded my creativity; indulging oneself into the world of art, the meaning of it, and defining one’s individuality.

SKATING

IN SYNC

by Mara Hansen, Makeup Director

Directed by Ian Vailliencourt, Visual Arts Director

Photographed by Eden Meidl, Deputy Executive Co-Director and Isaac Westburg

DROPPING IN

“Explore yourself fully in every way. Indulge in those mindful hobbies like creating art or whatever fills your bucket. Don’t be afraid to try new things and join new communities.”-Chani

CHANI DANFORTH AND JADA CORONA

are the perfect example of twin flames. Despite their differing identities and life experiences, the pair find deep connection through creative expression. After spending time this summer with Chani and Jada it became clear that their lives were meant to be entwined. From meeting at a hospital kitchen in Sauk City, to moving to Madison together and now Las Vegas, Chani and Jada continue to take on the world while skating in sync.

flew in through Vegas and drove the 6 hours to St. George, Utah. We stayed the night, rented a car, and hiked Zion national park when we barely knew each other. It was definitely a big bonding experience. I remember listening to Jack Harlow’s new album. Anytime I play that album I think about that trip. I moved in with her a year and a half ago. Everyone said it wouldn’t work out because best friends shouldn’t move in together. If anything, it just brought us closer. She is the most important person in my life. She’s always there for me. I recently went through a car hassle in Chicago and she dropped everything to come get me. I love her and trust her so much,” shared Jada.

“Make sure that you can always come back to your home base, whatever that may be for you.”-Chani

A BUDDING FRIENDSHIP

It’s not surprising to find that such a dynamic friendship started with an adventure: “We were both travelers. One of our first few times hanging out was taking a trip to Utah. We flew in through Vegas and drove the 6 hours to St. George, Utah. We

My conversation with Chani showed that the love was clearly mutual. She told me: “I’m really inspired by Jada. She has put in the most work that I’ve seen anyone put in. She… [gives her all] always in everything she does but especially in skating. It’s so beautiful to see her connecting with her culture and her roots as someone who was raised in a white family. I’m so happy that I’ve found this pod of people who are very passionate and supportive of each other to go out there and skate.”

DANCING ON WHEELS

Chani was inspired by Jada to begin her skating journey a year and a half ago. She described to me her first skating experience in California by saying “We went to a rink

and saw this huge culture there. Especially in the black community there was such an abundance of support and growth for those individuals. I definitely felt out of place as a white person. Of course they were very welcoming. Skating is definitely a cultural thing and some of that has been taken away now that it has become mainstream. Skating is so crucial to the culture and the story of the black community.”

I became curious about the cultural origins of skating and its importance to the black community. I asked Jada about their experience and they revealed: “In skating I meet people that I know have the same struggles. I can just talk about my experience freely in a safe space. They don’t necessarily have the answers but they know what to say from going through the same experience. Skating has become that community for a lot of black people to go and not have to think about the real world. That’s how it feels for me too. It’s a place for me to go and know it’s a safe space. Being a minority in Sauk was difficult. There wasn’t anyone I could really talk to or relate to as a mixed person. My high school was very racist. I would be called the N word and be pulled out of class by cops for no reason. I was battered by my classmates because I was mixed and they didn’t like what I had to say or what I stood for. There was nobody around to feel my struggle or my pain. My friends didn’t understand. Not that I don’t appreciate their support. They know they’ll

know they’ll never feel that on my level.”

Jada was first exposed to the world of skating while visiting their family in California. After their third time skating, they bought their first pair of skates:

‘Moxie Rainbow Riders’. They remarked: “The Cali skate scene goes crazy, the community is very inviting. You can skate outside on Venice Beach. There was a couple week trip where I skated for 10 hours straight on Venice plaza in the sun. There are speakers playing and people set tables with snacks and hammocks in the trees. That was where I fell in love with skating was Venice Beach. In January I was invited to a skate party in Vegas by some friends. It’s broadcasted in the media and people from all over the country come to skate. That took it to another level. Meeting so many people all having love for one thing was amazing. I’ll be going to the last Skate-AThon at the end of this month. It’s been a skate festival since 1970-something and they’re about to have the last one.”

The type of skating that Chani and Jada take part in is called jam skating. Chani was kind enough to explain the artform to me in her own words: “To me, jam skating is dance skating. It’s skating to the beat, focusing on 2 and 4. I have a dance background and was super excited to find out about it. I didn’t even know it existed. I thought skating was just going around in circles in a rink or roller derby. This whole other aspect is just hidden. It’s a very beginner friendly

EMPATHY INSPIRES ADVOCACY

Jada decided to go into the medical field after their negative experiences with the healthcare system. “I’ve gone through it myself . . . I think it strengthens my connection deeper to people who are struggling.”

GIRL GEAR

Jada is wearing Reidell 120 skates with Avanti Magnesium Plates and Crush wheels. Chani skates in stock Perriwinkle sunset colored Moxi Beach Bunny roller skates with beads added.

HONING HER CRAFT

Chani loves to invest time in her creative hobbies, she believes that “you don’t have to be the best at everything you do…enjoying what you’re doing and having purpose to you is the most important thing.”

environment. Jam skating is feel-good body movement.”

THINKING INK

Chani began her tattoo journey with a “girl power” lip tattoo which she described as “kind of a ‘fuck you’ to my family who I felt was very misogynistic towards me.” She expressed that: “from there, my relationship with tattoos has changed from choosing super meaningful ones to just getting tattoos as an appreciation of the artform. Now this art piece that I have up my back is just art. I went through a traumatic experience with my body a little over a year ago. I didn’t really feel healed until I took the time to plan this tattoo and take ownership of my body again. Tattoos have allowed me to treat my body like a temple by adorning it with beauty. I definitely see more of myself every time I get a tattoo. That’s not the same for everyone, I’m sure people have had regrets. There are some tattoos that I loved so much when I got them and I still like them but I could see myself adding to them or putting something over them. It’s a very fluid thing. Tattoos are art to the canvas. You can always paint over. Each and every time I get a tattoo I discover a new depth to myself. It excites me.”

WHO WEARS WHAT

Chani is styled in a UO puckered orange button up crop top and darkwash embroidered jeans by Needles. Jada is wearing a cropped Linen shirt by Lisa Lor (@lisaa_baabyy) with thrifted cargo pants.

ACCESSORIZE WITH INTENTION

Jada is wearing waistbeads made by Chani. The meaning of waistbeads is spiritually and culturally rich, and the process of making them has allowed the pair to learn more about themsleves while celebrating Jada’s heritage.

ADVICE ON FRIENDSHIP

“Connection and community are the most important. People are scared to reach out because their energy might not be reciprocated. The truth is that people are just waiting for you to reach out. Take a chance. Take a risk.”

BEYOND SKATES

Chani and Jada’s love of travel and skating seamlessly combined to make for countless adventures. Jada described for me the beginning of their love of traveling as an escape from their normal life. During Covid, they worked over 100 hours a week and used their time off to travel. They reflected that: “now it’s grown into me wanting to see the world. I want to see everything there is to see before it’s too late. Skating especially has brought a lot of travel opportunities for me. I know so many people all over the country because of skating. I know I’ll always have a friendly face no matter what state I travel to.”

Chani similarly explained how “in every major city you can find a rink and meet new people who are all there to teach each other and skate together. We have traveled to four or five different states to skate and connect with new people. There’s all different variations of skating. It’s very regional. If you go to Chicago, they’re JB skating. That means they’re weaving in and their wheels barely come off the floor. If you go to St. Louis, they’re hopping and stomping in their own style. You can tell where people are from or what style they prefer based on their movement. It brings people together.”

So, what is next for the pair? Las Vegas! Chani stated

“I want to travel to get to know who I am and learn from others. I think we’re all fluid, growing beings and I want to give myself the grace of allowing plans to change. I want to grow and be the person I know I can be so that I can reach out to others and share abundance.” Jada said about their plans: “I want to pursue my passions and be happy. I don’t want to question anything that comes my way. I’ll just go with the flow and see what life has to offer.”

Styled and Directed by: Ian Vailliencourt, Visual Arts Director. Photographed by: Eden Meidl, Deputy Executive Editor and Isaac Westberg. Graphics and Layout by: Robyn George, Executive Editor and Ian Vailliencourt, Visual Arts Director.

Break Bread with Me

How a few short journeys illuminate the ways in which meals bring us together.

By Zack Zens, Deputy Executive Editor

For some, family is close, living between states or cities; others, however, feel the weight of oceans or continents between them and those they love. Having experienced this particular challenge, with half of my family living in Poland, in a steady-river town called Tourn, there is a central theme that seems to bond families stretched across distance: food. It is not just the food itself or the kind of cuisine that makes those finite moments seem slow or tender, but the almost apotheotic care given to the act of sharing a meal, in being present and savoring each second as though it were the last.

Clanging, concurrent chatter of European feasts serves to elevate ambiance where chaos breeds perfection. Americans are widely prone to quiet, reserved dinners, but taking just a small step beyond this country’s shores will show that these experiences are often quite the opposite elsewhere, and in that difference comes an invaluable lesson for humanity.

I have had the great fortune to travel, and although the distance between grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends has been great, it has given

me a true education in the appreciation of all intriguing and irresistible cuisines and culinary experiences the world has to offer. I am still learning, and there is no doubt that to even fully understand a nation’s history, foodways, politics, pain and love may take decades. However, at this moment, I hope to illuminate just a few of the wonderful foods, drinks and lessons I’ve learned this year, traveling through Europe.

The cuisine in Athens, Greece, embraces the many millennia of cultural progress and epicurean development of its past with the strong forward glance of a hopeful country in the midst of grave uncertainty and strife. Arriving in the hallmark city offered a host of compelling restaurant options, from a cramped, budget-friendly Kebab shop named Elvis (regarded as one of the best in the city and situated just a few streets over from the Panathenaic Theater) to the Michelin-starred Varoulko, overlooking the port of Mikrolimano sprawling out just underneath its windows and serving a seven or nine-course tasting menu of assorted seafood carpaccios, tartars, poached fish, roasted octopus or crab meat showered

in truffle accompanied by Domestic wines. Each of these restaurants uncovers the very best of what Athens has to offer; some are modest, simple, and steadfast in tradition yet ripe with flavors and ambiance and others push the boundaries of gastronomic science to compose rare,unexpected renditions ; nevertheless, the true beauty in all of these restaurants is that, aside from both being delicious and awe-inspiring, each of these options come with an excellence of service and warmth. Traveling abroad this summer has revealed to me the root of my undying interest in cooking. Tasting the bounty and tradition of Athens allowed me an unparalleled physical connection to the country, activating all of my senses. The social atmosphere of America is currently defined by personal bubbles that humanity is bound to outgrow.

Given the opportunity, the more one chooses to step outside of their own sphere, even from one community to another, the greater empathy, understanding and richness one can posses.

We traveled south from Athens to the island of Mykonos, known for its parties and flocks of summer tourists overwhelming its narrow painted streets.But the Mykonos was decidedly unoccupied at this time of year. There is something special about being on an island in its off-season, where the locals remain and tourists are few and far between. When cobblestone streets, with white painted mortar and stucco houses of the same hue, each hurriedly receive fresh coats of paint, revealing the ephemerality of the island.

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In the absence of a usually demanding party scene, sought-after restaurants, and fashionable clothing stores, a more authentic, grounded atmosphere gives the island a much-needed moment to pause and reflect and to capture the slowness of life (a concept that Americans often feel unnerved by). Even then, the quiet observer could take in the tedious drone of the daily struggle, the fishmonger and his son back from sea, the shopkeeper tidying up, the barman chatting to the delivery driver, all intermingled with the radiant incomprehensible beauty that is people living life, unbothered yet intent on savoring the every moment. The boutique Semeli Hotel, nestled on the island, provided immense charm, offering the opportunity to get to know the bartenders, staff, and concierge, as so few guests were staying there then.

and I struck up a friendship on the art of mixology, him often suggesting Greek classics and riffs while also just as eagerly asking for my input and suggestions for new cocktail combinations. Over that week, several new drinks entered a steady stream of notepads, concluding nights with barely a leg to stand on and giant plates of octopus carpaccio, grilled zucchini, Greek salad, mushroom risotto, and lobster linguini to ease intoxication.

Even if you will never see them again, those connections, even in what comes as brief friendship, allows a richness of understanding to emerge not only for those you have brought in, but for yourself as well.

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The head bartender and I

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A plate of homemade Polish pierogi made with cheese and potatoes. A family sacred reciple.

Out of everything, the newly developed sour apple and pear spritz was aptly declared the best drink of the week, along with a riff on the Negroni with Greek ouzo substituted for Campari. Yet again, stepping just beyond one’s bubble, opened up a world in itself, allowing for even just a moment, to get to know another person, share a drink and engage in the creation of meaningful connections.

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The final stop was in the Greek Isle of Santorini, also in its off-season and therefore uncharacteristically quiet yet retaining its warm charm. We enjoyed its breathtaking views, remarkable wine and cuisine., perched on the cliffside of the island’s caldera. Katikis Santroni is a hotel like no other, alabaster white and piqued with unique azure roofs, allowing the cuisine and atmosphere to seemingly meld into harmony with the cliff-farmed horizon. As I stepped out of my own sphere and into the culturally rich atmosphere of Europe I gained a greater appreciation for the Santorini’s focus on the art of meals and accompanying wine. Santorini with its native grape, Assyrtiko, provided a bold punch of fruit and floral bouquet on the palette with a tart sizzle on the finish, lingering like a cool spring evening. These rituals of community and of appreciation in the art of a meal join all of my homes, making Greece no different.

Just weeks following this unforgettable tour of Greece, I received the stomachchurning news that my grandfather had fallen even more ill, and his long battle against gastric cancer was coming to a solemn

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Here will be a caption that we can put later on in the

and devastating close. Once again, I began my journey, this time, to Poland, Trourn.where A Three-hour drive from the nation’s capital concluded at my grandparents’ towering cement apartment block, built under the auspices of the USSR and smaller than many American one-bedrooms apartments. As I entered the home I couldn’t help but wonder what life looked like decades ago for my grandparents, who raised five children here.. Upon entering the apartment, a familiar aroma of dilled potatoes, Bigos stew, and beets washed over me, wrapping me up in a hearty, familiar embrace and transporting me to childhood. My grandfather, a man known for his billowing voice, piercing eyes, and never-ending work ethic, lay in the adjoining room, almost motionless and gaunt. He had never looked that small, and even as all the rush of nostalgia, culture, and family enveloped me, I felt lost for words, unable to even whisper a phrase. Even though I could not fashion my words into anything, I could eat with him, and while cancer allowed only a few sips of stew on his part, I knew he had waited for that very moment, held on against the disease to share some final meal with my sister and me.

That week was one of the hardest I have had to endure, and the dance of gastric cancer was all too familiar, having lost a dear friend to it some years before. Polish people are not known for their outward shows of affection or

words of affirmation, instead its expression is most often felt uniquely through meals shared with one another. While full of many tearful moments, that week saw a steady flow of every Polish dish known to the nation, from aunts, uncles, cousins, or family friends eager to show their reverence for our collective loss and to offer a modicum of comfort in those dark days. My aunt Wiesława, spent some ten hours preparing perogies

full of sweets, it felt different that time, more like a tender goodbye and while I was able to fashion my own words that day, it was the sweets that served as a constant reminder of their love and steadfast dedication to family. While the moments of this summer provided many beautiful and fulfilling memories, the common thread that binds them together was the meals and time spent with those close and those just acquainted.

of every kind, taking extra special care to make the Russian version with potatoes and cheese (a personal favorite) just for us to laugh and drink wine in the deep hours of the night. Just before we left, my grandparents left us with more candy, chocolates, tatranky, and pryaniki than any one person could consume in a lifetime, and while it was customary to travel home with half a luggage

Greece was absolutely one of the best trips I had the pleasure of taking, and the vast new culinary knowledge acquired there will continue in my memory for the rest of my life. The second journey to Poland also illuminated the great hold food has on capturing cultural moments and sharing them with those you love. The most important thing I’ve learned this summer is that time is invaluable and finite, so take stock to appreciate the little things, call that one friend out to dinner, invite your family to drinks, and remain present through it all because there is not an alarm to notify you that time is running out. Life is always unexpected, and we as Americans especially often take far too much time to focus on large goals and milestones while letting the small, often thought of as trivial things, pass by unappreciated.

My sister, Nicole, making traditional Polish noodles with my aunt in my grandparent’s apartment.