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Category Archives: Memoir
Things Are Not the Same
My metaphorical Riyadh retains its character as the years pass, while the actual Riyadh evolves. My friend of many years still goes back and forth. She tells me about the ongoing construction, the ever-increasing concern with security, and the simple conclusion … Continue reading
My Father’s Birthday, Death Day, and a Possibility
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Today is my father’s birthday. He would have been ninety years old. He died three years ago at the age of eighty-seven. He died consciously, albeit full of oxycodone. He died with his eyes open, searching … Continue reading
Friday the Thirteenth
My cousin Dave, coming home for the last time: November 2009 Last November thirteenth fell on a Friday— Friday the Thirteenth. I had never felt superstitious about that day or about anything else, and I still don’t. Friday the … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Memoir, war
5 Comments
WNFIN— Progress Commentary
Excerpt from the WNFIN challenge: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 (http://writenonfictioninnovember.com/about-2/) 597 words Maybe my ambition to write is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to romanticize my life now which is entirely devoid of romance. Maybe my desire to write … Continue reading
Posted in Life Writing, Memoir, Writing, Writing Memoir
6 Comments
The Anniversary
Sunday, September 12, 2010 Yesterday, The Anniversary It’s been nine years.I find myself thinking and writing about it more than I ever did when it actually happened on 9/11/2001. On that day, I went about my daily activities in a … Continue reading
Posted in Depth Psychology, Islam, Life, Memoir, Religion, Saudi Arabia
2 Comments
My Two Riyadhs
July 7, 2010 It’s the metaphorical Riyadh I need to find. It’s the place– more spiritual than physical, more emotional than tangible— that will do for me what the actual Riyadh did for me. This is the message of the … Continue reading
Posted in Depth Psychology, Family, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Writing, Writing Memoir
3 Comments
Serendipity
Serendipity I liked the concept of arranged meetings for the purpose of evaluating potential marriage partners. Even though the meetings were stressful, they cut through a lot of crap that the American system of dating ensures before getting down to business. … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia
Tagged Cross-Cultural Communication, culture, marriage, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
19 Comments
I Looked for a Husband
I Looked for a Husband During my first year in Riyadh, I fell under the charm of an Egyptian man. We got engaged. I converted to Islam and expected him to fulfill his promise to marry me, but he took up … Continue reading
Reverse Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock {Also called “Reentry Shock”} A few days ago, my cousin paid me a compliment. She said,”I think your years in the Middle East have caused you to lose touch with mainstream America.” I had been worried that I had … Continue reading
Posted in Islam, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel
Tagged Arabic Language, covering, Cross-Cultural Communication, culture, customs, language, psychology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, society, Travel
16 Comments
Split Personality, or Double?
Split Personality, or Double? I stayed in Riyadh an entire year before returning to the States for a vacation. As the day of departure approached, time seemed to slow down; I was so eager not only to see my family … Continue reading
Posted in Islam, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel, Writing Memoir
Tagged culture, psychology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, society, Travel
14 Comments
Marahm 