Animated poster: a savanna at golden hour with a zebra in a party hat, a hot-air balloon towing a Happy Birthday banner, and a signpost to Kenya, Singapore, Hawaii and 100 years

A birthday card · from Frankie

Happy Birthday, Zebra

To the friend who showed me Kenya, Singapore and Hawaii — and who has never once missed a cue.

Passenger
Zebra
Boarded at
Brown University
Home base
Singapore
Final destination
100+ years

Stamped in my passport

Three places I'd never have seen the same way without her. Each one, her idea.

Kenya · arrived
KenyaWhere a zebra is in her element — and where I first understood why she picked the name.
Singapore · arrived
SingaporeHome base. Pediatric dentist by day, the best tour guide in the city-state the rest of the time.
Hawaii · arrived
HawaiiAloha, reefs and trails worth the climb. Scuba in the morning, hiking by noon — her kind of island.

Field guide to a Zebra

I
Pediatric dentistKeeps Singapore's smallest smiles in top shape. Gold stars for everyone who flosses.
II
Scuba diverAvid. Most at home a few fathoms down, where the only noise is bubbles.
III
Tennis playerAvid on court, too. Love means nothing to her — between the baselines, anyway.
IV
HikerIf there's a ridge, she's on it. If there's a view, she found it first.
V
The 100-year planOptimistic about living past 100. Based on the evidence so far, I'm betting with her.
VI
Best dish: the saladLettuce be honest — it's a masterpiece. Romaine calm, everyone.
VII
Brown UniversityWhere this friendship started. Ever true.
VIII
World guideKenya. Singapore. Hawaii. She's shown me more of the world than any map has.

Dive log

Entry one hundred, give or take
Visibility endless
Buddy the best one there is
Observed one zebra, entirely at home below the surface

Avid scuba diver. Also a tennis player, a hiker and a dentist — but down here, just a diver.

Centre court

Avid tennis player. Fierce first serve. Fiercer second serve.

Game, set, match. Rematch at 100.

The trail to 100

She plans to live past 100. I plan to be around to say I told you so.

🥾
Optimism meter0years, projected

Lettuce celebrate

Her best dish, on any continent, is a salad. Tap the bowl to toss it. The cake can wait — briefly.

ZEBRA'S

Zebra's jukebox

Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd, on request. Press a key.

Now spinning

Streams from Spotify. Signed in, it plays the whole song; otherwise a preview.

A note from Frankie

Dear Zebra,

— Frankie

Make a wish

Tap the candles to blow them out.