teaching, traveling, taking pictures
Morning. Sunlight fills my curtainless bedroom, waking me up at 7am. I begin the day by making my bed. I then head to the kitchen to boil water which I pour into a French press. As my coffee steeps, I water my plants. For the next hour, I drink my coffee and think about the… Continue reading Quarantine Mornings
Gauntlet: "a strong glove with a long, loose wrist."Gantlet: "go through an intimidating or dangerous crowd or experience in order to reach a goal."Google Dictionary These are weird times. Currently, most of the world is some state of quarantine, and many people are practicing social distancing. Being cooped up in my apartment, teaching online several… Continue reading Conan’s Gantlet of Grammar
Hello Conan, I hope you are well. Are you considering returning to the U.S. given the DOS level 4 restrictions? Whatever you do, I hope you are well-connected and keeping up your spirits! Best wishes, Friend ---------- Forwarded message --------- The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the… Continue reading Response to Fwd: Global Health Advisory – Level 4 Do Not Travel, March 19, 2020
I am currently in the last semester of my three-year teaching contract at Qatar University. However, just before winter break, as I was making preparations for my trip to Vietnam, I was notified that I was being renewed for a second three-year teaching position at QU—I will be in Doha for the World Cup 2022.… Continue reading Looking Back, Looking Forward
Inspired by 8- and 10-word stories. Image source for check. PNG created using Canva. Photo by Rita Gomes Oliveira on Unsplash
The Tao of Vietnamese Pedestrian Crossing After spending the past week in Vietnam, I have learned how to cross a busy street in the country. Most Vietnamese just step out and trust in Jesus, Buddha, or their ancestors that everything will work out. I’ve seen old ladies just walk out into traffic without looking, and… Continue reading Anecdotes from Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang
This is the last chapter for my attempt at National Novel Writing Month. So glad that I achieved the writing goal of 50,000 words! Enjoy the end of my first go at novel writing! It was Sunday evening, and Collin had just dropped off the rental car at the university. He was rolling his wheeled… Continue reading Tupelo Honey
Chapter 13 for my attempt at National Novel Writing Month. Enjoy. After Zoee and Collin’s first few dates, they continued to see each other. Zoee was drawn to Collin’s maturity and serious but thoughtful nature. She liked to listen to him tell his stories about growing up multi-racial in a small town and his struggles… Continue reading Halfway Point
This is Chapter 12 for my attempt at National Novel Writing Month. Enjoy. Zoee had dance rehearsal on Friday, so their first date would be on Saturday. Collin picked up his boys Friday night. They spent time with him. Then he took them back to their mother’s the next day. Every time he dropped his… Continue reading First Date
Here is Chapter 11 for my attempt at National Novel Writing Month. Enjoy. The next day Collin and Zoe exchanged text messages. They also friended each other on Facebook. Collin resisted the urge to Facebook stalk her too deeply. He looked through some of her recent pictures and then stopped when he encountered pictures of… Continue reading Zoe with Two E’s
opusculum 