I've never been an auntie before.

Dear Reader,

The last time I wrote to you, I was fresh off the high of watching a favourite band live in concert, and included a little playlist of some favourite songs. This time however, my special treat has been ordering myself laksa for lunch, while trying to grapple with the knowledge that it’s already June, and this is week ten of barely leaving the house.

And since it’s already June, that means it’s been a whole two months since I became an auntie to the new baby at Ethos. Her name is Eating Chilli Crab in the Anthropocene, and once you get to read what she has to say, she’s a really lovely book to know. I’ve learned a lot in helping to rear her. Both in a professional and personal sense.

I really can’t wait for people to get to know her, and without getting too corny, I think it’s safe to say she’s changed me for the better!! For one, I no longer think that the Javan mynah bird is a blight to our skies. And my animosity towards the long-tailed macaque has reduced - which is something I never thought possible, because I still hold a grudge against them for the time a pack of them tried to attack my family. Do not underestimate the power of junk mail friends - the macaques changed their tune once my dad started throwing paper envelopes at them.

And like the last time I did one of these, I shared a playlist. The playlist I’m sharing this time isn’t so much a mixtape of my favourites, but a mixtape of songs that represent the thoughts I’ve had since working on this book and will continue to have.

Music helps me process my thoughts and emotions, and provides comfort when I stress over things I can’t seem to change. Hopefully these songs do the same for you when you are up at night thinking about what you can do as an individual to make the world a better place for the future.

Big socially distanced hugs,
Tamara

(From June 13, 2020)