Zhanara R
In this, the final of my Deleted Scenes this month, we meet Zhanara R, a young mother with a full-time job who was eager to practice her English with me. In one of those serendipitous meetings where the initial idea … Read More
There Are No Kazakhstanis in Kazakhstan, Yet
I wanted to understand Kazakhstan, but it wasn’t easy. More to the point, I wanted to understand the people who now called Kazakhstan home. I learned enough early on to know Kazakhstan and America were similar in many ways: … Read More
More Deleted Scenes
And So It Goes I’m particularly interested in those cultural differences that make me shudder, make me yell out , “Oh, no.” The multi-colored costumes and exotic dances, music, and food of foreign lands is entertaining, of course. But … Read More
Conquering Homophobia Through Vegetarianism
This deleted scene is one of my favorites. It highlights the lighthearted relationship I had with my four closest colleagues and friends: Gulzhahan, Assem, Gulzhan, and Tolganay. Here we are at Tolganay’s apartment for dinner in early June. … Read More
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller (1880-1968)
How do you live your life? Do you see signs of danger all around? Or, do you perch on the precipice, enjoying the spectacular view? How much control do you have over your life? … Read More
Finding Serenity
Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks all over it. … Read More