Author
One of the unsung gifts of cultural difference is that we begin to see our own culture anew. So it was with me in the Kazakhstani classroom. In case you’re just joining us and haven’t read my book … Read More
There are two positions on International Woman’s Day, which will be coming up this Sunday, March 8. And (fortunately for me) there’s an absurd aspect to why we do not celebrate it here in the U.S.A. Given my newly … Read More
As I collect the various Deleted Scenes to create a small eBook, I’m finding a few I’d like to recirculate. And rewrite! Here’s one from April, 2013, called Finding Serenity. This time around, I’m calling it: Flexibility, patience, and a sense of … Read More
In honor of New Year’s Eve, here’s a Deleted Scene of my first New Year’s Eve in Kazakhstan. But this version is from my very first draft, it’s in present tense, and it’s actually from one of the many emails … Read More
Culture is an iceberg. Art, food, tools, language, music, holiday, styles of dress, those aspects of culture we can see — those that show above the metaphorical water line — are important parts of any cultural puzzle and good … Read More
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s Christmas without the need for presents. Good food, good friends, and family. I’ve traveled many miles over the years to be together with my family at Thanksgiving. This year is no exception; I’ll be … Read More
first posted in 2014 Step One: 2000 years of Kazakh History in 200 words Like most countries, Kazakhstan’s geography has colored its history. Sitting between two of the largest powers in the world — China to the east … Read More
Once we got our medical clearance, the pace quickened. Here’s another deleted scene from our Pre-departure days. The phone call telling me I had cleared the final medical hurdle came in February 2004 while I was visiting my … Read More