On essay on how my immigrant self became obsessed with Japanese cuisine.  Appeared in the now defunct Gourmet, 2006. These days I travel to Japan almost once a year.  I’m not alone; there’s a whole tribe of gaijin who do the same.  Most go because of their love for manga or … [Read more...]

This is a little one I wrote about my first trip back to the DR after a long long absence.   There was a page limit so I couldn’t get into the whole madness.  Appeared in The New Yorker, June 14, 2004. That summer! Eleven years ago, and I still remember every bit of it. Me and … [Read more...]

I used to date this wonderful gal in Amsterdam.  A little tale about how we broke-up.  Appeared in GQ as “Summer Love, Overheated” in August 2008. Of course I loved her—isn’t that how all these stories are supposed to begin? She was from Amsterdam, a black Dominican mother, a … [Read more...]

I wrote this about the 2008 Superbowl but I can’t for the life of me remember where it appeared. EXPATRIOT GAMES Rome, February 3rd, 2008.  It was a night when titans were set to clash, when history would be made, one way or another.  It was the night of Superbowl XLII, which … [Read more...]

My take on President Obama’s narrative problem.  Appeared in The New Yorker Online, January 10, 2010 It has always seemed to me that one of a president’s primary responsibilities is first and foremost to be a storyteller.  We all know the importance of narratives, of stories; … [Read more...]