Since the beginning of 2019, I have been thinking about how I want to spend my summer break—not because I am unhappy and itching to escape Doha—more so because I have 11 weeks off, and I want to make sure I maximize my work and vacation opportunities. Last summer, I had nine weeks off. Because… Continue reading Summer 2019 Travel Plans
Author: Conan Kmiecik
Subject: Safety Tips to Guard against the Dust Storm
Image Source IMPORTANT! The Health Clinic advises faculty members to take the following safety precautions against dust storms which can pose health hazards such as sinus allergies, respiratory infections, and dystopic anxiety. Avoid going outside, especially during high winds or when visibility levels are low. If unavoidable, spend as little time outside as possible and… Continue reading Subject: Safety Tips to Guard against the Dust Storm
Notes from the Liberal Arts International Conference 2019
The following are my notes from the sessions I attended at the Liberal Arts International Conference 2019: “Liberal Arts in the Global Age: Changing Winds and Shifting Sands” hosted by Texas A&M University Qatar (TAMUQ). (Photos of TAMUQ are from the KEO website.) Day 1 – Saturday, March 23 7:50am I arrived at Education City and… Continue reading Notes from the Liberal Arts International Conference 2019
An Expat Lenten Calendar
Over last couple days, I have been thinking about different genres of writing. After the recent mass shooting tragedy in New Zealand, I spent some time exploring the genre and history of the manifesto, which led me to an interesting article in The Atlantic entitled "Manifestos: A Manifesto". Subsequently, I toyed with the idea of… Continue reading An Expat Lenten Calendar
Spring Break Postcards
Doggo Bloggo: a Saluki Tail
Me. You. Oman.
Our paths crossed at work today. This the noon course meeting? Nope. Right time, wrong room. ok. thanks. bye. Your words like three cold electrons. Last year, we spent our spring break swimming together in the green pools of Wadi Shaab. I coaxed you into its submerged cave. We held hands and jumped from a waterfall— After that trip,… Continue reading Me. You. Oman.
11 Things to Do When You Feel an Assignment Is Beneath You
I don’t give a damn, except that I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am - I really do - but people never notice it. People never notice anything. ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye There will be times in your… Continue reading 11 Things to Do When You Feel an Assignment Is Beneath You
10 of My Core Values
The other day at work, I attended a professional development session, which I thought was going to give me explicit instruction in how to design items for my appraisal action plan. Instead, participants at the session were asked to consider the things that brought meaning to their life and to create a vision for the… Continue reading 10 of My Core Values
Death and Taxes While Living Abroad (More about the Latter)
Disclaimer: I am not a tax advisor with advanced training and knowledge of tax law. Do not assume that any information shared in this post constitutes tax advice. Please consult the IRS or a licensed US tax advisor for up-to-date expat tax information and laws.Now that it is nearing the end of January, many Americans… Continue reading Death and Taxes While Living Abroad (More about the Latter)









