Seeking to understand—before we fear
My opinion of Muslims changed the day I met some. Just as my view of blue-collar, white, evangelicals is shaped by the fact that I grew up as one. And they are my family members. Just as my thoughts on moderate and liberal leaning, white-collar professionals has...
Baby Steps: Reflections on “going” and “returning” as a newbie expat
It was a crisp, fall morning as I settled down with my laptop to do a bit of work at a nearby outdoor café. When the waiter stopped by to take my order, I decided to practice my rudimentary language skills by asking for a macchiato and a mineral water: “Një makiato...
3 weeks to schedule a coffee? Time orientation & returning to America
It’s Monday. I’m in Kosovo—a tiny country in Southeastern Europe in an area known as the Balkans. Here’s a text I received: Hi dawn. Too far out for weekend plans. Don’t stress…text me and we can see what works. Too far out for weekend plans? Does she know it’s MONDAY...
Painting the Muslim world with a single brush: Reflections on living in a Muslim majority country
Recent events in Europe, the U.S. and around the world have been horrific and difficult to process. I’ve been watching the news reports from my apartment in Europe and noticing the proliferation of comments on social media. The other morning as I checked my Facebook...
Being American in a Post-Conflict Country on Veteran’s Day
When you live abroad for an extended period, it’s easy to lose track of time. Holidays are celebrated differently – or not at all – and so the national celebrations that often shape your family observances, traditions and calendars also change. The rhythms you’ve been...
10 things you’ll never see on my Facebook page
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I use social media. In part it’s because I’m making an effort to keep up with family and friends while I’m living overseas, so I'm posting to my Facebook & Instagram feeds more than normal. I’ve also been doing a lot of...
A letter to my younger, introverted self
For a long time, I was embarrassed to be called an introvert. I felt like it was a trait to be ashamed of. An acknowledgement that I was hopelessly boring. Or that I’d never be real leadership material. And it meant I had little to contribute in a group because I...
Hello, I’m a task-driven workaholic living abroad
I knew as I was getting ready to move overseas for 5 months that balancing my work and life would likely prove difficult. My husband had been awarded a sabbatical to teach overseas at a university in Kosovo, and due to the nature of my business, I could run it just...
The Not-So-Loud American
My first introduction to the “loud American” was while studying abroad in college. I learned quickly that you could easily pick an American out from the crowd: Khakis? Check. T-shirt and tennis shoes? Check. A camera. A fanny pack — and almost always a backpack. The...