Sleeping in SFO, with the Beatles Emma and I have been spending a lot of time in airports this past year or so. Actually, Emma’s whole life, but we’ve been in a few new airports over the last 12 months. Some of them have been a lot more comfortable than others; some have definitely been … Continue reading Airports, and spending time in them. Or, raising a world traveler
Christmas in Mongolia (and Halloween, too)
Disclaimer: We didn’t actually spend Christmas in Mongolia; we went back to California for the holidays. But we started noticing signs of Christmas here almost as early as we’d see them if we were in the USA: Signs that Christmas has become a global secular consumerfest. Mongolia is only about 2% Christian, but Christmas was … Continue reading Christmas in Mongolia (and Halloween, too)
Beijing: It’s complicated
Me and Emma in Jingshan Park I have a secret. I love Beijing. Love it. We have only been there a total of 61 hours, a bunch of which was spent in the airport. What little we saw of the city was beautiful and fascinating, and I really want to go back. Plus, the food … Continue reading Beijing: It’s complicated
Back in California for a few minutes…
Actually, it was two and a half weeks, but it doesn’t feel very long. We spent one day getting acclimated, and then we hit the ground running: having dinner with friends, getting together with other friends, re-stocking the fridge, putting up the Christmas tree, going to the beach, and doing some much-needed clothes shopping for … Continue reading Back in California for a few minutes…
When the worst thing happens
The worst thing I can imagine happened to a friend of mine this week. I started writing this the morning I found out (Wednesday, December 12, at 4:30 am). Then I had to put it aside to finish up my semester here at MIU, but now I am picking it up again. So it’s a … Continue reading When the worst thing happens
Between worlds: On homesickness, not feeling like an alien, and finding home
What I look like these days The last few days have been really hard for me, and I thought it was mainly just end of semester fatigue; classes wrap up next week, and teaching four new courses at the same time has definitely been challenging. Plus, another friend died—this time the mother of one of … Continue reading Between worlds: On homesickness, not feeling like an alien, and finding home
Learning to live with limits
Hot water pipe in the bathroomI was planning to take a shower this morning, but as I walked in the bathroom, I sensed there was no hot water. No, I’m not psychic. The floor and pipes on the wall are warm when there’s hot water (it is part of the building’s heating system), so I … Continue reading Learning to live with limits
