A Different Kind of Passport

In 2020, while U.S. passports became all but meaningless, one card continued to let its holders travel endlessly, across the globe, back and forth in time, and even into the minds of millions of other human beings: the humble library card. 

A library card is arguably more useful for traveling than any other item in your carry-on bag. It’s a passport to unknown worlds, new perspectives, and countless adventures. It’s an unlimited and renewable source of education, inspiration, and connection. Better yet, you travel for free, and your multiple journeys benefit you, your community, and the entire planet. 

Why the paragraphs-long ode to library cards? 1) it’s important to me that you know I could go on much, much longer about how much I love libraries, but I’ve committed myself to a short post, so I wont and 2) I finally picked up my Hawaii state library card after getting my state ID, so the value is fresh and extra resonant today. 

As you may have gleaned from my many blog posts on books, I am truly obsessed with libraries and their value to individuals and societies. They’ve been a critical lifeline to me ever since elementary school, when I needed somewhere safe to go after school while waiting for my mom to get off work. If the above little analogy hasn’t already piqued your interest, here are a number of more concrete reasons to become a regular at your own local library: 

Why is it important to have a library card?

1. Save the planet. Libraries are one of the oldest sustainable institutions in our society. Books are purchased once and recycled between readers until they’ve been fully spent. 

2. Save your money. While I’m a huge proponent of supporting writers and independent bookstores by buying books, it can end up becoming very costly for an avid reader. Your library card and all rentals are free. Some libraries have even completely abolished late fees. 

3. Declutter your home. I personally plan to have a book wall in my home if and when I purchase one, but until then, books take up alot of space and are hard to move. I’m only buying these days if I know and love the book or author. 

4. Access to ebooks and audiobooks. Most library cards afford the holder access to vast libraries of free audiobooks and ebooks, which can be downloaded to your phone or Kindle. 

5. Support underprivileged community members. Libraries provide critical, free resources to underprivileged members of the community, including (but not limited to) internet access, children’s activities, and education for seniors. Your patronage allows libraries to secure more government funding to consistently buy more books, offer programs, and upgrade their technology.  

6. Quietly resist capitalism. Libraries remain one of the last remaining truly free public institutions that give and ask for nothing in return. Consider where you buy most of your books from today; is it a massive online ecommerce site, by chance? If so, you’re propping up capitalism in one of its more challenging forms. Here’s a quote from anthropology student Caitlin Bennett in her 2019 essay, “Libraries Against Capitalism:”

“One could argue that libraries have become a symbol of equal access to knowledge, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. If capitalism flourishes through the production of social classes, public libraries subvert that process by removing some of the barriers preventing people from accessing literature and other resources. By not being profit-driven, these libraries work against a fundamental principle of capitalism.”

Are you ready to take the leap? It’s so easy to get your own library card. Here’s your 4 step plan: 

1. Google “public library near me” 

2. Find out what you need to submit an application (usually an ID and a piece of mail) 

3. Go to the library to fill out an application and get your card

4. Start checking out books! 

Are you a passionate library card holder? What do you love most about your relationship with libraries? 

Up next: How to Read More Books: The 50-Page Rule

Waste Reduction Tips While Moving: How to Get Rid of Things The Sustainable Way

Never in my life have I felt such a strong sense of individual responsibility to protect the planet than when I began the undertaking of cleaning out a house I’d lived in for five years.

Oh, the things left behind in that apartment. Moving in fresh out of college, the back of the closet held boxes and boxes of costumes worn throughout our university days and into our early 20s. The number of “swag” water bottles collected from various companies over the years. The mismatched tupperware, old electronics, random books and art supplies, purchased and quickly abandoned hobbies, bags of clothes that never made it to goodwill…

I decided on a temporary pandemic relocation that would take place 3 weeks after pulling the trigger on the decision, and I got to work that night cleaning out the areas of the apartment most riddled with a half decade of half-possessed wares. I came out on the other side with over 15 waste reduction tips for anyone looking to move the sustainable way during this pandemic (or anytime, really). 

As I started sorting through the items, it became clear that, although much of the contents of my home had little use to me on my new adventure, they were much more than trash. In fact, so much of it would be received ecstatically by either friends or strangers. 

This notion, paired with the pandemic’s forced closure of many donation sites, inspired me to dedicate much of my move to the finding and placing of my household objects in loving new homes, where they would have a second life and make other people as happy to own them as I have been. 

Waste reduction tips: How to get rid of your things before a move

I am proud to report that, upon leaving my apartment this morning, I’d produced only about one large garbage bag of trash. Everything else was either packed, stored, shipped, sold, donated or composted. 

Benefits of reducing waste during a move

Although it requires a lot more effort than simply hulking your unwanted items into the trash, I found there were a number of unexpectedly awesome perks to actively reducing my waste throughout my move: 

• You can make some serious cash. I made over $1K by selling items in my apartment on Facebook Marketplace. I’d never done it before, but the platform was so easy to learn and use and extremely well optimized to get your items out the door. I can’t recommend it enough to those trying to re-sell their household items. Some items that sold easily were my desk, plants, TV stand, TVs, dresser, nightstands, lamps, and small sofas. 

• Makes you more mindful of your own consumerism. One of the most important learnings for me has been that we 1) buy or take home so many low-quality items that we don’t intend to keep long term and 2) so many items that we only think to buy new can be bought for like-new condition through your local community. I will definitely be checking FB Marketplace, NextDoor and Craigslist before making any major furniture or household purchases in the future, and I plan to be more thoughtful about each new online purchase I make, as I tend to be most flippant in that setting. 

• You’ll meet so many lovely people. At first, I was a bit nervous to have a revolving door of strangers coming to my house to pick up different items. But every single interaction I had, with people of all different backgrounds and profiles, were pleasant. I loved chatting with newlyweds about how they’d be looking for that one piece of furniture for weeks now, or young 20-somethings who’d just moved into the city or graduated college, or parents who were picking up items for their teenage children, who would be conducting their whole first half of the school year online. It was such a beautiful exercise in human connection and a reminder that we are far more kind, similar, and united than we often feel with absolute strangers. 

• Good for the planet. This one is (hopefully) the most obvious. The US Environmental Protection agency writes: “The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy - raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.” 

Tips for making money while reducing waste

1. Sell your items on Facebook Marketplace. I made over $1,000 doing this. Start a few weeks earlier than your move, set prices aspirationally, and then slowly lower as you get closer to your move in order to “move your product” more quickly.

2. Sell your clothes to local consignment shops. I made $100 doing this and was able to donate the clothes I couldn’t sell. Call first to see what items the shop is currently buying, and their preferred process for receiving your items. 

3. Sell your books to local bookstores. I made $30 doing this and was able to donate the books I couldn’t sell. 

4. Host a “virtual garage sale” on your Instagram or Facebook Stories. I got rid of a plant basket, foot rub machine, and some tools that way. Plus, I got to see the friends who stopped by to pick them up! 

My room near the end of my waste reduction journey!

Tips for donating during the pandemic 

Little do many of us know, but donating is only a step above tossing your items in the trash. The fact is, there is still a ton of energy, resources and waste involved in the upcycling and redistribution process. One of the best ways to donate is to find individuals who are in need of specific items, and coordinate getting your items to that person or community directly. 

1. Ask your community who’s accepting donations. If you’re having trouble donating items, post to your Nextdoor community to see where others are having luck. I got over 30 helpful responses when I did this. 

2. Seek out individuals in your community who may be part of smaller donation collection agencies. For example, I sold some silverware and a backpack to a woman who buys used items cheap and sends them back to El Salvador, where most clothes and household items can have a full second life. I ended up contacting her the day before my move to donate all the final items I couldn’t or didn’t try to sell. 

3. Gift your friends “personal brand packages.” Compile items that you know your friends would love & create goodie bags for those sticking around. I had so much fun creating themed bags for my friends around their particular interests. 

Tips for reducing food waste before a move

1. Eat or compost any open/perishable food before you leave. I was feeling so stressed about eating all of my food before leaving, and then someone suggested composting! This felt like the perfect way to ensure the food ultimately turned back into a productive resource for our planet. I did also try to eat as much of my food as possible, and only ended up needing to compost a bin or two’s worth of open fridge, freezer and pantry items. 

2. Take what you can with you. I ended up taking small baggies of tea, coffee, vitamins, protein powder, snacks, and almond butter with me on my move. This helped ensure I had some essential and/or high cost items on hand, as well as reduced waste. 

3. Donate or give away any sealed, less perishable items. Food insecurity is a huge issue within the pandemic, so there is always a local place willing to take your unopened food items and redistribute to the hungry.    

This is all we ended up bringing on our temporary move to Hawaii - between the two of us!

All in all, I started my move feeling so much lighter and more fulfilled than had I dumped my life in the trash. Yes, it was time-consuming and stressful in certain moments, but worth it for so many reasons. I’ll leave you with some parting tips: 

1. Start early. At least 2-3 weeks before your move. 

2. Seek to resell. Even if only for a few dollars; this helps ensure there’s a legitimate need!

3. Match items to individual needs. Remember, the best way to get rid of an item is to match it with someone who needs it. 

4. Donate what you can’t sell or match. Just make sure it’s in good, sellable condition, or you risk created more resource strain. 

5. Store or pack items you know you’ll continue to use. When taken out of their original packaging, many items can pack way down to fit in suitcases or moving boxes.

6. Track your total waste to stay mindful. I used one garbage bag throughout the move, which kept me motivated not to exceed it. 

I’m new to the sustainable / conscious consumer lifestyle, but this process has kickstarted a desire to learn and practice more. If you’re new like me, and feeling inspired, share a comment with one tip you plan to try to implement! If you’re a seasoned sustainability pro, I’d love to know any additional waste reduction tips you can share! 

Up Next: From Conflicted to Conscious Consumer: How To Build & Enjoy a Mindful Shopping Habit

Final Days in Amsterdam

With only ten days left in Amsterdam, my abroad experience is coming to a close. I have spent the last month here, reveling in every experience that this city has to offer. Allow me to recap on a few of my best memories and subsequent musings.

Liberation Day

Pregaming Lib Day in the sun on the houseboat in front of my dorm!

Westerpark Lib Day Festival! Classic bike shot.

Another one of those underrated Dutch holidays, Liberation Day is celebrated every year on the 5th of May in the Netherlands, commemorating the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during WWII. Unlike Kingsday, I hadn't heard about this holiday before coming abroad, most likely due to the fact that students take advantage of the long weekend to travel. Well, I was here, and I recommend everyone stay for this lively Dutch day. 

The city comes alive with multiple open-air festivals, both free and priced, catering to just about every musical preference you can think of. I personally attended two festivals, both free. The first part of the day, my friends and I spent at Westerpark, a huge park in the upper western corner just outside of city center. Here, there were 7-8 different little stages throughout the park playing an eclectic mix of music. We hit the park's famous food truck alley, people watched and then chilled on the grass, listening to some cool tunes in the sun.

Endless love for tourist groups that dress up in matching outfits <3

After leaving the Westerpark, we headed south to the Amstel River, where a massive concert was set to take place on the water. The Royal Family and various Netherlands officials were there, so you know it was a big deal. The musical menu took a turn for the classical, featuring mainly symphony and a cappella performances. Although not my genres of choice, it was cool to participate in the mainly Dutch audience and feel the strong sense of patriotism they share. All throughout the performance, little Dutch flags and red, blue and white balloons were passed throughout the crowd. It was tough to get a good picture from my (short) position in the crowd, but my blurry attempts give you the idea.

Crowd at the Concert on the Amstel.

Amazing floating stage and light setup for the Concert on the Amstel.

Liberation Day was a fun and lighthearted day in the Netherlands, but its deeper implications resonated with me on a different level. Living in Europe for a semester has truly opened my eyes to the scar that World War II left on the face of Europe, affecting especially those countries whose citizens were persecuted. I haven't had one class this semester that hasn't drawn on the second World War as a source of influence as to how our world is today, both in Europe and in America. Obviously, because the war physically took place in Europe, it is remembered more vividly and holds a more relevant position in every day life here. However, it's eye-opening and a bit shocking how little I, and probably most people in the U.S., think about this world-altering tragedy that occurred truly not that long ago and the implications that has for our society.

Culinary Adventures

Yummy tasting at de Kas ("The Greenhouse").

On a lighter note, I have been taking advantage of my dwindling days here to check out more of the cuisine Amsterdam has to offer! One experience, sponsored by CIEE, involved biking out to the eastern side of town to check out a restaurant called de Kas (Dutch for "the greenhouse"). I am so picking up what this place is putting down; they are the picture of sustainable eating in that they grow the majority of their produce in the nursery/garden attached to their restaurant and their farm 20 minutes away.

Brunch with Mama at the #1 Yelped place in Amsterdam, Gartine.

They firmly support the "slow food movement" that is picking up speed in Amsterdam, which is, in short, a response to the "fast food boom" that most Millennials have grown up in. Fresh produce, sustainable animal products, fair trade and the utmost care in preparing food are the cornerstones of this movement, and I am just so into it.

Beer Biking!

Hell yeah, we rented a beer bike.

The Rage Crew: "Like, We Rage"

Among other ridiculous things my friends and I have done in Amsterdam, this is certainly among the top five. Yes, people, we rented a beer bike! And it was epic. We are not the self-proclaimed "Rage Crew" for no reason; our group of 13 outdrank the group of Germans that proceeded us. GERMANS!

Basically, we rode this bad boy around town for two hours, consuming over 30 liters of beer and four bottles of champagne. The general public loved us, with strangers on the street pushing our bike up hills when necessary and clapping and cheering for us as we rode past. It may have had something to do with the spontaneous, but constant, stream of drinking justifications being shouted from our bike. For instance, "There's a huge dog in that window, DRIIIIINNNKKKK!!!!!" or when passing our favorite doner kebab place, "We love you Sefa, DRIIIINNKKKK!!!!" Pretty much everything about this city merits a celebratory drink.

For all intents and purposes, my brother and sister #family

These three experiences certainly don't encompass all of my recent shenanigans. Sometimes, what happens in Amsterdam has to stay in Amsterdam. But what they do illustrate are a few of my very favorite things about my time abroad: cultural-historic understanding, mindfulness, and my little CIEE family. These are the things that Amsterdam gave me, and for them, I will look back on this city with the biggest heart full of love.