teaching, traveling, taking pictures
I. Setting: The scene takes place on the Doha Corniche. A MAN and a WOMAN are about to walk together. [MAN] Ready to do this? [WOMAN] Are YOU ready to do this, old man? [MAN] Show a little respect for your elders. My generation gave the world Nirvana, Friends, Jurassic… Continue reading The Corniche: A Short Screenplay
This week I've been busy teaching and grading; however, I have also been approached and contacted by various people to present on something for the department. Wanting to be a good professional, I have been considering what I might offer my very accomplished cadre of colleagues. Then the idea of 10-minute activities occurred to me.… Continue reading 10 Student Activities for the First 10 Minutes of Class
Younger me? No, you're the wack me, it's funny but so true/ I'd rather be 80-year-old me than 20-year-old you/ 'Til I'm hitting old age/ Still can fill a whole page with a 10-year-old's rage “Killshot” Eminem The other night I was invited to a birthday get-together for the new colleague that I have been… Continue reading Midlife Mullings While Sipping a Mezcal Mule
In a year so much can change. At this time last year, I was living in temporary housing at Al Safa Hotel; needed to catch the shuttle every morning at 7am like a schoolboy, regardless if I taught in the morning (my first course was at noon); and was focused on completing the myriad steps… Continue reading Doha Year Two
Earlier this evening, a colleague invited me over for dinner. His wife was cooking a Korean meal. Wanting to be a good guest, I knew that I should bring with me a small gift of appreciation for their hospitality. However, I was unsure what I should give them. Then I remembered him telling me that… Continue reading Printing and Gifting Photographs Nowadays
After a couple month hiatus from blogging, I am having a difficult time resuming my writing routine—which is too bad because I traveled to three interesting destinations this summer and would like to share my stories and insights from these locales. So, for this post, in order to inch my way back into blogging, I… Continue reading Photo-Essay of Three Summer Trips
On June 29th, I was flying back to the US. It had been 10 months since I had left the Midwest, and I was about to spend 4 weeks in North America (3 weeks in the US, 1 week in Canada). Prior to my return, I wondered, what aspects of American life would seem strange… Continue reading My Days Back in the USA
Dear Grandma Mickey, It’s been some time since we talked. The last time we spoke was when I stopped by Mauston and left an invitation to Zylan’s graduation party on your grave. I believe you were at the party in spirit. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to say goodbye to you before I left… Continue reading To My Grandmother (Who Would Have Been 103 on June 18)
As many teachers know, at the end of the semester, when one has stacks upon stacks of exam or papers to grade, any task besides grading becomes considerable more interesting—cooking meals, shopping online, folding laundry, watering plants, calling distant family members, etc. Currently, I have been distracting myself by listening to a Zayn playlist, experimenting… Continue reading Experimenting with Adobe Lightroom
Friday, for Muslims, is a special prayer day, for this is the day of the Jumu’ah prayer, or the congregational prayer, typically held around noon. In Doha, government offices are closed on this day, and most of the shops will shut down from around 11am to 1pm to allow Muslims to gather for this commitment. Some mosques… Continue reading Friday Morning Cruise through Doha
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