Creative Meanderings

So…it’s been a while. I meant to take a few days to reflect and write, but that turned into weeks and now it’s already the middle of February! Time has been passing rather quickly and there is much to write about. For now, I’ll give a quick overview and then will try over to return to writing more regularly and catch up on specifics. Here goes – End of December: *Got blood taken…

I should be more consistent with my writing given that I’ve been on holiday now for four days, but I’m still getting used to the fact that I don’t have to get up to work…. Besides that, I’m not totally relaxed given I also have to work on my dissertation, but that work starts tomorrow. I did actually stick to my schedule of getting work-work done before the weekend, so I guess I…

Unfortunately, there have been two recent shootings in Oregon and Connecticut. Recent posts on Facebook and discussions have centered on the need for more gun control in the US. Some people in other countries, such as Japan post how Japan has no shooting crimes because guns have been outlawed there. These posts and sentiments frustrate me as everyone is missing the bigger picture. In Japan, while there may not be shooting crimes, you…

There’s a lot to write about and a lot I want to write, but at the moment I’m trying to catch up on other things so that I have time to chill and work on my dissertation in the upcoming winter break. So, for now, here are a couple of notables: *This song and video has been in my head for some reason. I really like the artistic aspect of the video and…

I have realized lately that I just might have a great deal of deep seeded anger inside of me. I think when I was too busy trying to get a hold on my own mind I didn’t notice or want to admit to the anger that lies beneath. Lemme ‘splain… The other day on my way to work a white woman in her car came speeding up in the right lane. When the…

As I get older I find myself talking more and needing to be understood. When I was younger I kept everything inside and avoided arguments or the need to express myself until I am understood. Lately, I find that the more I try to talk and share my viewpoint the more I feel as if I will never be truly understood or that no one actually cares what I really think. People seem…

Today is the 41st National Day of the UAE. The celebrations began around the 28th and have continued and will continue until tomorrow. For me, it means time off to relax. For the country, it means showing pride in how far they have come in such a short period of time. For other expats, it’s a weird mix that I can’t quite seem to understand. The students love for teachers and other expats…

This is perhaps my very first year of doing absolutely nothing to celebrate Thanksgiving. I didn’t call home and no one from home called me. We didn’t make plans to cook up a storm nor were we invited to any other parties. In fact, most of our friends now are not even American…. While one might think this is sad, I don’t really feel that way. In fact, I’m pretty ambivalent. Recently, my…