A little over a week has passed since my arrival at the Leonardo@Djerassi Residency. As I began unpacking my eucalyptus forest-like installation, a question that has long intrigued me, even before departing from Australia, continues to resonate in my mind: why and how has the Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus Globulus) become so prevalent in California's landscape? Despite its non-native status, this tree species has deeply ingrained itself within the fabric of both California's culture and its physical environment, while also being associated with the ferocity of the state's bushfires.

On a winter's morning in Lovett Bay, NSW, I find myself preparing my suitcase for the life-changing journey to Leonardo@Djerassi's unforgettable residency. A rush of thoughts, emotions, and memories floods my mind, and the weight of anticipation hangs in the air. Questions about what to pack, what essentials I might need, and what I would truly miss occupy my thoughts, leaving me yearning for a magician's hat.