So one of the best things about being part of the 'Dragonfruit' anthology is getting to know the work of other expatriate women writers. Women such as award-winning author, Suzanne Kamata, who lives in Japan. Her anthology essay, 'Love and Polka Dots', tells of a museum trip with her daughter, who is a budding artist herself but disabled,... Continue Reading →
Monday Morning Music – YAZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdV-5ivltkc You do realize that the '80s are to our children what the '60s were to us? A fascinating period of ancient history that produced a lot of good music, and fashion that was both embarrassing and strangely inspiring. I don't know how many Hong Kong boys I see around town these days dressed in their porkpie hats,... Continue Reading →
We Need To Have A Talk… About Jesus
Does your child deserve a relationship with God, even if you don’t have one? Since I gave up social media for Lent, I’ve had a lot of time to ponder this question. (I’ve also found myself wondering: What Would Jesus Tweet? But that’s another story.) My quandary has been inspired by EO’s recent interest in... Continue Reading →
Notes From Another Land
He sits on the back porch to smoke, because he's not allowed to smoke inside. He has a comfortable chair and a radio out there - tuned to news talk - and a glass of ice water. His dogs like to sit in his lap. The smell from his cigarette sneaks by the back door,... Continue Reading →
Contains One Teenager – Xanax Not Included
One day last month, EO awoke with horns and fangs. She growled at her little sister, rolled over in bed and went back to sleep. Then, at about midday, she burrowed through her bedroom wall in to the bathroom and built a nest there out of cotton pads, PE kit, mild astringent, and OPI nail... Continue Reading →
Monday Morning Music: Emmylou!
Here's the everlasting and awesome Emmylou Harris singing 'Luxury Liner'. This comes courtesy of a band called White Denim who curated a video music set on the Gorilla vs Bear website last week. If you don't know any of these guys, you should. White Denim are an Austin-based rock band, hard but groovy with psychedelic... Continue Reading →
Attention All Campers!
Autumn is SCHOOL CAMP season in Hong Kong. The weather’s fine and dry, slightly cooler. It's the perfect time for our upper primary and secondary school students to kayak, rappel, gorge walk, team build, stay up late, eat white bread and mystery meats, and of course wear the same t-shirt for four days straight! But... Continue Reading →
Embrace the Dance
Let's begin with a little lyrical inspiration, courtesy of a short-lived but lovely television show called ‘Bunheads’. Watch this with your child, it’s beautiful. Then keep reading, then watch this again, because you'll want to. I think I’m back. Well, the kids are in school, I’m writing, editing, organizing carpools, meal planning, all the stuff... Continue Reading →
In The Land Of The Gun
Yesterday we flew in to Texas for our annual visit with family and friends. It's a trip I look forward to every year: reconnecting with everyone, shopping, eating Mexican food and barbecue, showing off the kids, the usual proud mom / dutiful daughter scenario. Yet within a few hours of landing I had to have... Continue Reading →
Is Bad Parenting the New Adultery?
Hey Anna! Yeah you, Anna Karenina, lying pale and stricken on the train tracks. You think you’ve got it bad? You think it’s difficult being a woman without honor in Imperial Russia? So they call you improper, scandalous, an insult to decency. So they kick you out of your home, prevent you from seeing your... Continue Reading →
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