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WHAT WE ARE READING:  Palm Oil - The Grease of Empire by Max Haiven 2022 Setting out to use the history of a little-understood commodity to track the movements and spirit of empire, colonialism, and capitalism is no easy task. The far reaching tentacles of palm oil tracked in this book are a perfect place to start exactly the kinds of conversations we are trying to engage in. As I drove a student down the highway along the Central Pacific Coast, we observed the vast palm plantations on either side of the road. When asked what palm oil is even used in, I had to admit that I wasn't totally sure. This book subsequently caught my eye.  Though the history of palm oil is not centralized in Latin America, the far-reaching themes in this book will be of interest to anyone that cares about the seemingly invisible movements behind global capital and power. A short and compelling read for pleasure or educational purposes, I highly recommend picking it up! - BDC

LEAVING LITTLE BIRDS BEHIND
Joanie Fieser, Grinnell College
ICADS 2022 Spring Semester Field Program

During my 5 ½ months in Costa Rica, I got into the habit of leaving little birds behind. When I stayed with a community organization, family, or hostel, I thanked them with a heartfelt note and a small painting of a regionally-specific bird. The flock includes a great green macaw for my host family in Talamanca, a Montezuma oropendola for El Yüe, a keel-billed toucan for Cabinas Palmer Makanda, a resplendent quetzal for my host family in Piedra Alta, a fiery-billed aracari for Doña Patricia at Longo Mai, a white-throated magpie jay for the family I stayed with in Guanacaste, an eastern bluebird (a symbol of my home, Missouri) for my San Jose host mom, among others.

The inspiration that these little birds represent is two-fold. First, Costa Rica inspired me as an artist. Second, Costa Rica inspired me to be just that much more conscious and expressive of my gratitude. Everyday, even on the toughest days when I had dengue fever or panicked because an ATM swallowed my debit card, I felt the warmth of gratitude. Guided by gratefulness, I learned that many of those problems that make me panic, that make me feel stuck and scared and hopeless in the moment really aren’t so terrible after all. With creativity, patience, and the courage to ask for help, a bunch of those seemingly impossible problems can be resolved. I learned that though I am not invincible, I am very capable and very privileged. While I continue to figure out where I fit into the world and how to be the most patient, helpful, sensitive, person that I can be, I aim to start and end every day with gratitude. Thank you to ICADS and all the wonderful people I met in Costa Rica for the inspiration. 

Joanie is currently working on a short documentary film about the community of Cahuita, Costa Rica, which she began after her ICADS experience with the support of Grinnell College. The film is to be released in late August of this year. Contact documentalcahuita@gmail.com if you are interested in watching the film.