Category Archives: creative writing

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY: How Iceland Writers Retreat Began

The way I remember it, I stood leaning against a cocktail table at the US Ambassador’s residence in Reykjavik. I’d come for a reception in honor of something creative. I can’t remember what it was for anymore, but I do … Continue reading

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ICELAND WRITERS RETREAT

As a freelance writer and editor, I’m always working on a number of projects under the umbrella of publishing. One new, big, exciting project is (drum roll): THE ICELAND WRITERS RETREAT! The excellent Eliza Reid and I have founded this … Continue reading

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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

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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

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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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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

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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

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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

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