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Category Archives: creative writing
BOUNCE
I bounce: between countries, between days, between states of mind. Write. Travel. Parent. Host. Play. Edit. I don’t know stasis, nor routine. My steady state is lost. There is only movement, change, bounce. If I was a techie, I’d create … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, Iceland, Motherhood, moving
Tagged Algonkian Writers Conference, Ever After Studio, expat, foreign service, Geysir, Gullfoss, Iceland, London
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PANTIES IN A PERIHOD
Moscow is melting. Slush and puddles fill our yard. Everywhere I hear the glorious drip, drip, drip of SPRING! But that also means our time is running out. After two years of exploring, we only have three more months before … Continue reading
Posted in Bucket List, creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, ice, literary, Moscow, Russia, snow, Spring, trailing spouse, Travel, Winter
Tagged Bucket List, bulgokov, Cafe Margarita, CDL, Central House of Writers, expat, expatriate, foreign service, ice, Izmaylovo, Kremlin, Lomonosov, master and margarita, Matryoshka, Moscow, moscow conservatory, moscow river, Perihod, Ragout Restaurant, Russia, snow, Spring, trailing spouse, travel, Tsum, Winter, writing
3 Comments
DENTAL-EVAC
I know my overseas life is crazy. But needing to travel to another country simply to visit the dentist confirms that my situation has entered the realm of the absurd. The back of my mouth is killing me. Pain shoots … Continue reading
Posted in Airport, creative writing, dentistry, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, snow, Teeth, Terrorism, trailing spouse, Winter
Tagged bomb, dentistry, domodedevo, expat, expatriate, foreign service, kids, Russia, snow, teeth, terrorism, travel, Winter
1 Comment
My Life With Monkeys
I am convinced that I live with monkeys. Take today, for example: Me: M, please sit down and eat your breakfast. M: Ooh, oohh. Aahh. Ahh. Seconds later M is standing and jumping and running up the stairs. All the … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, monkeys, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, snow, trailing spouse, Travel, Winter
Tagged expat, expatriate, foreign service, ice, kids, monkeys, morning routine, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, snow, travel, Winter
1 Comment
Ice, Ice Baby
The streets are slick with black ice. A huge chunk of frozen snow hangs precariously above our side door. Yesterday, in Saint Petersburg, a six-year-old was killed by a falling icicle. All I can think of is that thin, wet, … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, ice, Moscow, Russia, snow, st. petersburg, trailing spouse, Travel, Winter
Tagged expat, expatriate, foreign service, holiday, ice, kids, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, saint petersburg, snow, st. petersburg, travel, Vanilla Ice, Winter, writing
3 Comments
HOUSEWIFERY
I’ve spent the last few weeks channeling January Jones. Like the blonde bombshell on Mad Men, I donned attractive frocks, carefully placed the crudités on the coffee table and, drink in hand, presided over receptions for my husband’s colleagues and … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, trailing spouse, Travel, Winter
Tagged career, expat, expatriate, foreign service, holiday, kids, Moscow, Motherhood, Parenting, Russia, trailing spouse, travel, Winter, writing
5 Comments
All About Me
My days begin with pitch-dark, five am wakeups from bright-eyed little people. Stumbling downstairs, I find our living room littered with crayons and Mr. Potato Head parts, headless Barbies, and wooden train tracks. The little people and Mr. G require … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, literary, Motherhood, Parenting, prague, Travel
Tagged career, expat, expatriate, foreign service, kids, Motherhood, Parenting, prague, travel, writing
4 Comments
Master & Margarita
Bulgokov’s famous novel Master & Margarita has thrilled me since we moved to Moscow. A scene in the novel was inspired by his visit to the US ambassador’s residence in Moscow, the historic Spaso House. Last week, the ambassador threw a … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, Foreign Service, Moscow, Russia, Spaso House
Tagged expat, expatriate, foreign service, Moscow, Russia, Spaso House, travel, writing
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Downward Dog and Dobryj Dyen: My Yoga Class In Moscow
She contorts and her shoulders disappear. From where I stand, she looks grossly disfigured. Armless. I imagine she’s from a long line of Russian circus performers: Her babushka wore a red velvet leotard and feathers in her hair while she … Continue reading
Posted in creative writing, expat, expatriate, literary, Moscow, Russia, Travel, yoga
Tagged expat, expatriate, Moscow, Russia, travel, yoga
3 Comments
