Salty observations about life, love, and living abroad
When I was a girl, I used to collect bunches of dandelions. It didn’t matter to me that everyone else was trying to get rid of them--out, out, damned weed!--I thought they were pretty. Together, they looked like a fist full of sunshine. More than just a schoolgirl fancy though, I was convinced that a... Continue Reading →
Unless you're living under a rock (superb social distancing points), navigating this virus is affecting most aspects of our lives. It's upended economies. It's uprooted nations, plans, and traditions. The damn virus is upskirting us all--exposing fault lines within countries, within governments, institutions, and families. I feel a bit like a menopausal monkey, swinging wildly... Continue Reading →
Here’s where my story starts. Almost twelve years ago, my husband and I were sitting up in bed on a sunny, Sunday morning. The kids were blissfully and, unusually, asleep; it was a rare moment of quiet. And as we lay there, this man I loved with all my heart told me about a job.... Continue Reading →
To Mazu, goddess of the seas, hear my plea for calm waters because I'm not 100% sure I filled out the insurance claim properly and we are all desperately sick of wearing the same clothes we've been wearing for the past twelve weeks. To St. Maersk of the Shipping, hear my prayer: May our shipment... Continue Reading →
What's that you say? You're moving? It's going to be ok. No, no, really, you have to trust me. I know, I know--it's an upheaval, an emotional train-wreck, a logistical, never-ending list of things to get done, each one dependent upon the one above. It's ok. You're going to be just fine. Even if the... Continue Reading →
Most of us have danced to this goodbye song before. Maybe your dancing shoes are so worn the heel is loose. Or maybe you’re still learning the choreography, trying not to step on any toes. Don’t worry, we all stumble, even the ones who’ve have the steps down pat. Perhaps you’re expat-ing or repat-ing, or... Continue Reading →
At the risk of sounding like a meme or a break room poster quote, let me explain. When you move around, you spend an awful lot of time focusing on the where. Where are you going? Where did you come from? Where will you end up? As another season of goodbyes rolls in, I'm watching... Continue Reading →
There are expats who bounce around like global jumping beans, serial movers, making home sweet homes wherever they go. There are one-shot Wandas who live abroad for the turn of an Earthly axis or two before they replant themselves, a year or two of fond (or dismal) anecdotes and lots of holiday photos to share... Continue Reading →
At a Q&A session at the launch for There's Some Place Like Home, I was in the hot seat. Luckily the menopausal flashes didn't make an appearance so that heat was more figurative than literal, but still. I had quasi-prepped for the type of questions I thought people might ask, questions I may have asked... Continue Reading →
Writer, Feminist, Expat
I'm a mom. I'm political. Give me coffee or give me death.
Reviews, news, features and all things books for passionate readers
Become A Better Writer
THIS IS US… a colorful, collaborative, collection of truth-tellers, soul-sharers, magic makers and game shakers. All that have a unique story to tell, angle to take and position they stand strongly behind.
Writer, Blogger, Book Addict
What you need to know about roofing
a performative documentary project based on letters to the editor of Ms., 1972-1980
Predominately Books But Other Stuff Too
Seeking to read the pages of Earth's Book.
