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
Author: Conan Kmiecik
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)
My Days in Doha (with My Sons)
A log of the two weeks my boys spent with me in Doha, Qatar over the 2018-19 winter break. 25 December – Christmas Day 5 minutes into the start of Christmas Day, my sons were scheduled to arrive at Hamad International Airport in Qatar. About 30-40 minutes after their plane touched down, they both emerged… Continue reading My Days in Doha (with My Sons)
Travel Photos and the Deep Dream Generator
For over a week, I have been busy with my sons who are visiting me in Doha. Still, during the downtime that I have had, in the morning before they both wake up and get ready or after coming home at the end of the day, I have been playing around with the Deep Dream… Continue reading Travel Photos and the Deep Dream Generator
Three Christmases
Christmas Past After my sons’ mother and I separated, she became a Jevohah’s Witness, which meant it would be entirely up to me to celebrate all future birthdays and Christmases with them. That first Christmas I took my boys to my hometown of Ironwood, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. My plan was to take them… Continue reading Three Christmases









