I feel a bit like a tomato: it has origins in one place; was raised in another; and now is part of many cultures. So much so, it becomes difficult to remember where it derives from. Similarly, I aim to look beyond national borders, basing my perspectives on how decisions impact our planet, the varied cultures, peoples and systems within. Favourite places that taught me lessons: a year in Haiti working with rural education; research in Thailand; an internship with the United Nations in Kenya & other places that served as ‘home’ – Malmö, Sweden; Seattle, USA & Budapest, Hungary to name a few. Over the last few years, I park my bicycle (and other things) in Amsterdam, working as a PhD candidate in urban climate change policies and governance. I guess that is my biggest problem – attempting to discover where to dig my roots and when is the right time to start ‘reality’? Or scarier yet, when reality finds me; on what strange odyssey will it send me? Either way, I enjoy the journey: living, loving, and hugging a few trees. I love nature, adventure and pursuing my passions. I think we can all contribute to a more fair, just, & better world, if we only realize it. Many challenges remain, but what an opportunity.