Dearest Clara, I don’t know Philadelphia well, but your father does. He studied for his Master’s degree there. Yet when we visit, we always seem to discover together something that’s still new to him, and this time with you with us, it was an entirely different perspective. I’m so happy that we were able to spend [...]
A group of us out for an all-night downtown street party Aix. If you’re energetic enough to stay out late, this city reveals its international side in its student nightlife; French is mixed in with English, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, German, and various Eastern European languages. In spite of the melting pot, we American women always [...]
My working life over the past year has been anything but simple. Creative, perhaps—especially in terms of scheduling. But simple? Absolutely not. When someone asks the dreaded question about what I do, I usually feel as if I’m being sucked into a vortex in which my mind races backwards over everything I’ve actually done in [...]
I first became acquainted with this historical woman of the day because she was one of the only sources for describing a bunch of historical men. Isn’t that the way the historical cookie always crumbles? Anna Comnena (1080 – c. 1153) was a Byzantine princess, the daughter of Emperor Alexius Comnenus I, and an eyewitness [...]
Five days in Israel don’t seem a long time, and indeed they are not. Nonetheless, Israel State is quite small (barely bigger than New Jersey), so you don’t need weeks to visit the most important sites. The only essentials are a car (a GPS is unnecessary, directions are clear and easy so a good map [...]
I’m a creature of habit. I like to set up structures for myself and work within them. I’ve never had much trouble shifting my routines when things begin to feel stale, but having at least some kind of repetition from day to day helps me to feel productive and centered. In the mornings I walk. [...]
Once, I called my Dad from New York. It was the middle of December, and I’d been living in the city for three months. “Dad,” I said. “I woke up this morning feeling so bummed, and I don’t know why.” “Mmm,” he said. “SAD.” “I know.” I nodded into the phone, and stuck my lower [...]
On April 24th a building housing shops, a bank, and garment factories collapsed in Savar outside of Dhaka. As of the first week of May, the death toll has risen to 650. This first week of May has also seen a resurgence in political and religious unrest as reports indicate that 20 people were killed [...]
