Hide and Seek Fish
Do I hide or do I eat?
Not too long ago, as I was reading an article about coral reefs, I saw a photo of what I thought was a coral reef. Yet, at the same time, it didn’t look like any coral reef I’d seen in pictures and that got my curiosity going. After all, I'd never seen a coral reef 'move'!
I read the article which didn’t identify the reef and the picture sparked my imagination. “Ah, I feel a somewhat whimsical story here”, I thought. But I wanted to know more about the reef so I wouldn’t mislead anyone or make myself look more ignorant that I actually was.
What I did before I began writing, was text my granddaughter. Ever since she was about nine years old, all she wanted to do was study the oceans and whatever was in them. She was determined to become a marine biologist. Thirteen years later, she graduated from college with a degree in Marine Science. She followed her dream and never looked back.
I found it difficult to describe the “reef” I thought I saw in the picture, so I sent it to her via text.
She texted back, “Oh Grandma, that’s not exactly a reef. It’s a fish.”
“What?” I asked.
Then her text began.
I had to read her text about three or four times because I had no idea what in heaven’s name she was talking about, nor could I pronounce half of the words she used. Finally giving up, I texted her back and said, “Steph, please explain this in English so I can understand what you’re saying.”
She texted back, “Oops, sorry, Grandma. My bad!”
As she began her first explanation, she’d forgotten she was texting her grandmother who couldn’t even swim never mind know what might be in the water with her. As her brain kicked in with all she’d learned, she’d gotten on a roll using all the knowledge she absorbed as a student.
Then she began again.
“Okay, Grandma, first of all, you pronounce the fish as an A-nam-o-ne. The correct name is a Sea Anemone and spelling is just how you pronounce it: a-NAM-0-ne.”
Then she explained further: a sea anemone lives on coral reefs and sea grasses that are in the tropical Indo-Pacific, the area where the warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet.
While Corals are another special of anemones, the corals secrete an external amount of calcium carbonate while the sea anemones do not. Also, the calcium carbonate creates a hard surface on the corals, while the sea anemones remain soft and can move around.
Anemones also get the majority of their energy from symbiotic algae that lives in their cells which they use to photo synthesize into oxygen and sugar for other marine life.
I read her humanized explanation and laughed. “Oh, Steph, why didn’t you say this in the first place?” She laughed back, “Grandma, I did .. sort of!”
I finally understood why many of the smaller fish swim in and out of the anemones. Here all this time, I thought they were playing hide and seek with the larger fish that use them as a snack as they swam by. Heck, if I saw a big fish swimming near me, I would hide, too. But this wasn’t the case. These little fish weren’t hiding; they were eating as were the many other smaller fish I saw weaving their way through the stalks of this incredible piece of living marine life.
While I still think it looks like a plant or a piece of coral, I have a better understanding of what it is and how it works to keep our marine life alive and healthy.
Just the other day, I called my son for his birthday, and we began talking about my writing: what sparks my imagination, where do my idea come from, how can I find the words, put them together, and make a story.
I told him about the time, not long ago, when I wanted to write about the little fish that seemed as though they were playing hide and seek. I said I had the story brewing in my head but wanted to know what kind of coral I saw in the picture. He laughed when I told him I had no choice but to call Steph, his daughter who first went into scientific language but then had to simplify it for her non-scientific grandma.
Once he stopped laughing, he said, “That’s my girl! If you want to know anything about fish, just ask her.”
Which reminded me that while I learned a lot about corals and anemones, I completely forgot to ask her the name of the little fish that swam in and out of the ANEMONE!
Guess that’s for another time and another text.
About the Creator
Margaret Brennan
I am a 78-year old grandmother who loves to write, fish, and grab my camera to capture the beautiful scenery I see around me.
My husband and I found our paradise in Punta Gorda Florida where the weather always keeps us guessing.
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From Sanctions to Sunsets: Russians Find Refuge on China’s Southern Shores
As fireworks lit up the South China Sea on New Year’s Eve, an unusual group of revelers gathered along the palm-lined beaches of Sanya, a tropical resort city on China’s Hainan Island. Champagne glasses clinked, Russian pop music played softly from beachfront cafés, and families posed for photos under lantern-lit skies. Just beyond the horizon, however, lay one of China’s most sensitive military assets — a nuclear submarine base. For thousands of Russians, Sanya has become more than a holiday destination. It is a refuge from sanctions, political tension, and the unspoken judgment they say follows them across much of the world. A Tropical Escape From a Cold Political Climate Since the imposition of sweeping Western sanctions following Russia’s war in Ukraine, international travel has become increasingly complicated for Russian citizens. Visa restrictions, flight bans, frozen bank cards, and social stigma have reshaped how — and where — Russians can travel. Many say they have grown tired of what they describe as “sideways looks” in Europe and parts of Southeast Asia — subtle signals that they are no longer welcome, regardless of personal political views. China, by contrast, has maintained diplomatic ties with Moscow and imposed no sanctions on Russian citizens. Sanya, often called “China’s Hawaii,” has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations. With direct flights from Russia, visa-friendly policies, warm weather, and luxury resorts priced far below European equivalents, the city offers something many Russians feel they have lost elsewhere: normalcy. Why Sanya? Sun, Safety, and Silent Acceptance For decades, Sanya has marketed itself as a paradise of white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and high-end resorts. What sets it apart today is not just its climate, but its political positioning. China’s stance of neutrality — or strategic ambiguity — on the Ukraine conflict has made destinations like Sanya appealing to Russians seeking to escape geopolitics altogether. Visitors report feeling largely invisible as Russians, treated simply as tourists rather than symbols of a global conflict. Local businesses have adapted quickly. Russian-language menus are common, hotel staff speak basic Russian phrases, and travel agencies cater specifically to long-stay visitors from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Siberia. For many, Sanya represents a rare space where politics recede into the background. New Year’s Celebrations Beside Strategic Silence The symbolism of celebrating the New Year next to a Chinese nuclear submarine base is not lost on observers. Hainan Island hosts one of China’s most important naval facilities, home to submarines that form a key pillar of Beijing’s nuclear deterrence. The base is heavily guarded and officially invisible to tourists, yet its presence looms quietly over the region. That Russians are toasting champagne nearby highlights the strange intersections of modern geopolitics. While Western capitals isolate Moscow, China offers both strategic partnership at the state level and personal refuge at the civilian level. For Russian visitors, the proximity to military infrastructure feels incidental rather than alarming. Many say they feel safer in China than in destinations where political tensions are openly discussed. Economic Migration Disguised as Tourism Although many Russians arrive as tourists, a growing number stay for months at a time. Some work remotely, paid in roubles or cryptocurrency. Others have relocated small businesses, IT services, or online consulting operations to Asia-friendly time zones. Sanctions have restricted access to international banking, but China’s alternative financial systems — and the acceptance of cash and regional payment platforms — make daily life easier. Sanya’s relatively low cost of living compared to Moscow or European cities further sweetens the deal. For middle-class Russians, beachfront apartments and resort amenities are suddenly attainable. What looks like leisure tourism increasingly resembles soft economic migration. A City Caught Between Tourism and Strategy Sanya’s transformation into a haven for Russians also raises questions for China. On one hand, Russian tourists bring much-needed revenue to a region hit hard by pandemic-era travel restrictions. On the other, the city’s proximity to sensitive military installations means authorities monitor foreign presence carefully. So far, Beijing appears comfortable with the arrangement. Russian visitors are seen as politically aligned, economically beneficial, and unlikely to raise security concerns. This quiet acceptance reflects the broader China–Russia relationship: pragmatic, mutually beneficial, and grounded in shared opposition to Western dominance rather than deep cultural integration. Mixed Reactions From Locals and the World Local residents in Sanya largely view Russian tourists positively, seeing them as polite, family-oriented, and generous spenders. Unlike mass tourism from some regions, Russians tend to stay longer and integrate more smoothly into daily life. Internationally, reactions are more complex. Critics argue that destinations like Sanya enable Russians to sidestep the social consequences of their country’s actions. Supporters counter that punishing individuals for state policy only deepens global divisions. For the Russians on the beach, such debates feel distant. Many insist they did not choose the war, nor do they control their government’s decisions. A Glimpse Into a Fragmenting World The sight of Russians celebrating the New Year beside a Chinese nuclear submarine base captures a defining reality of the 21st century: the world is fragmenting into parallel systems. As Western sanctions reshape travel, finance, and social acceptance, alternative hubs are emerging — places where geopolitics bend rather than break everyday life. Sanya is one such place, where palm trees and military submarines coexist, and where global fault lines are felt more subtly than elsewhere. Final Thoughts For Russians seeking warmth — both literal and social — Sanya offers a temporary sanctuary. It is a place where sanctions fade into sunsets, and judgment gives way to quiet coexistence. Yet the beaches of Hainan also remind us that no escape is entirely apolitical. Even paradise sits in the shadow of power. As champagne corks pop and waves lap the shore, the New Year in Sanya reflects a world where refuge, strategy, and survival are increasingly intertwined.
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in Earth
Myanmar Junta Holds Second Phase of Election Widely Decried as a ‘Sham Exercise’
If you’ve been following Myanmar’s political turmoil, you probably heard the news: the military junta just held the second phase of its general election, and once again, critics are calling it a “sham exercise.” From the United Nations to human rights organizations, almost everyone outside the junta is dismissing this vote as a carefully orchestrated performance rather than a genuine democratic process. Let’s take a closer look at what happened, why it’s being condemned, and what this means for Myanmar’s future. A Military-Run Election in a Nation at War On 11 January 2026, voters in certain parts of Myanmar lined up at polling stations to cast their ballots in the second phase of the election. This phase covered roughly 100 townships across 12 states and regions, part of a three-phase plan that began in December 2025 and will conclude in late January. Sounds orderly enough—but here’s the catch: large areas of Myanmar are still controlled by armed opposition groups or trapped in active conflict zones. In many townships, voting didn’t even happen because it was too dangerous. For millions of citizens, the idea of participating in this election isn’t about choice—it’s about survival. So, while the junta presents this as a return to political normalcy, the reality is much messier. This vote is happening amid ongoing civil war, instability, and widespread human suffering. Who’s on the Ballot? And Who Isn’t One of the biggest issues with this election is who is allowed to run. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD)—the party that won a landslide in the 2020 election—is banned. Suu Kyi herself remains detained on politically motivated charges. Many smaller opposition parties have also been barred from participating. Rebel groups and youth movements have refused to take part, calling the vote illegitimate. This has left the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as the clear front-runner. In the first phase of voting in December, the USDP already secured nearly 90 of 102 contested seats, which is a strong indicator that the outcome of the overall election is practically predetermined. In short, this is less an election and more a political tool for the junta to cement power. The Junta’s Playbook For the military, these elections serve multiple purposes: Legitimacy: By holding elections, the junta hopes to claim that it has public support. Control: With opposition parties banned, the military ensures it dominates Parliament. International Image: They want the world to see a functioning democratic process—even if it’s staged. But the global community isn’t buying it. The United Nations, human rights organizations, and most Western governments have condemned the elections as neither free nor fair. Key issues include: Widespread political repression Absence of meaningful opposition Election laws that stifle dissent Unsafe conditions for voters UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews even warned that the elections “cannot and should not be recognized” internationally. Voices from the Ground: Fear, Frustration, and Exclusion For everyday citizens, voting is complicated. Many are intimidated or fear retribution if they don’t comply. Others live in conflict zones or have been displaced, making voting physically impossible. Ethnic groups and youth activists are particularly vocal about rejecting the elections. For them, the vote is a tool to marginalize minority communities and entrench military rule. Meanwhile, ordinary voters express mixed feelings—some participate out of hope for peace, others because they feel they have no choice. The reality? The election process is fragmented, forced, and disconnected from the lives of most Burmese citizens. International Reactions: Mostly Negative Around the world, reaction to Myanmar’s elections has been overwhelmingly critical. The UN, Western governments, and human rights organizations argue that the polls are designed to prop up an authoritarian regime, not reflect the will of the people. Civil society groups in Asia have also condemned the election, urging countries not to recognize the results. The junta’s international supporters, however—countries like China and Russia—may continue diplomatic engagement, making it harder to isolate the regime completely. The key takeaway? While the junta may claim legitimacy, global acceptance is far from guaranteed. Looking Ahead: What Happens Next? The final phase of voting is scheduled for 25 January 2026, and it’s expected to follow the same patterns: military dominance, restricted opposition, and contested legitimacy. If the junta consolidates power through this election, it will likely form a government that appears “elected” on paper but remains authoritarian in practice. Yet the ongoing civil war, international criticism, and domestic opposition suggest that Myanmar’s road to stability is still far away. For observers inside and outside the country, these elections are less about democracy and more about power. The military hopes to create a façade of legitimacy, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story: one of fear, division, and a population yearning for genuine representation.This blog version is more readable, flows naturally, and keeps the key facts intact, while meeting Vocal Media’s style of a narrative, accessible, and conversational article. If you want, I can also add a sidebar timeline showing all three phases of Myanmar’s 2025–26 elections to make it extra engaging for readers. It would fit perfectly for a blog format. Do you want me to do that? Conclusion Myanmar’s second-phase election may look like a step toward democracy on paper, but in reality, it’s a highly controlled, military-managed process with limited participation and credibility. With opposition voices silenced, ongoing conflict, and millions of citizens excluded, the so-called vote is widely regarded as a sham exercise. For the people of Myanmar, the future remains uncertain. While the junta may claim victory, the country’s deep political, social, and ethnic fractures mean that true democracy and stability are still a long way off. This election is a reminder that sometimes, the act of voting alone doesn’t equal democracy—especially when freedom, fairness, and choice are nowhere to be found.
By Muhammad Hassan3 days ago in Earth
Comments (2)
I never would have known that was a fish. I knew it wasn't coral. I thought coral was a rock. anyway, I'm glad to know it's a plant.
I really enjoy how you made the name of the fish easy to pronounce. Your granddaughter sounds amazing. Bravo for both of you