Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dear Fellow White People

Posted on June 2, 2020 by abroadintheusa

TL;DR “Fellow white people: sit down, shut up, and open your eyes and ears to what’s happening around you.” I first arrived in the USA in 1985, a naïve grad student who thought years of watching TV shows like Hill … Continue reading →

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Graduation Covid-style

Posted on May 29, 2020 by abroadintheusa

May and June are graduation season in America; everywhere, students mark their high school and university graduations with all-important rites of passage including the senior prom, a walk across a stage wearing a cap and gown, and lots and lots … Continue reading →

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This Lousy Pandemic Script

Posted on May 7, 2020 by abroadintheusa

A few days ago I watched an online talk featuring two of my favorite writers, Neil Gaiman and Nora K. Jemisin (you can find it here  here). At one point they note that this pandemic is not the apocalypse that … Continue reading →

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Life Under Lockdown

Posted on April 1, 2020 by abroadintheusa

So, on the surface the leafy-suburbia version of the apocalypse turns out to be a rather mundane affair involving furious debate on the community Facebook page over whether it’s still OK to use the school playing fields (hint: it isn’t) … Continue reading →

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How our world has changed

Posted on March 23, 2020 by abroadintheusa

When I posted on March 13, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (aka Montco) had just started a supposed two-week shutdown of all non-essential businesses to try to “flatten the infection rate curve.” Within days it was clear that few businesses were willing … Continue reading →

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And so it begins

Posted on March 13, 2020 by abroadintheusa

Three weeks ago, a family member laughed at me when I admitted I was starting to quietly stock up on essentials (like soap, pasta, and canned goods). Two weeks ago, many people I know were still dismissing the headlines (“It’s … Continue reading →

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The Cost of Healthcare in America

Posted on December 6, 2019 by abroadintheusa

As the US presidential election race grinds onward, the issue of the nation’s healthcare system—or, rather, the lack of it—has been getting some airplay. I recently saw a video of people in the UK being asked what they think health … Continue reading →

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About Florida

Posted on April 5, 2019 by abroadintheusa

In the 34 years I’ve lived in the USA, I’ve visited (i.e., spent at least one overnight) in about 30 of the 50 states, and my least favorite by far is Florida. Admittedly, I’ve only been there twice, most recently … Continue reading →

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Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Posted on February 18, 2019 by abroadintheusa

This is the second of two posts on our trip to New Orleans (you can find the first one here). This one is about food, Mardi Gras, and cemeteries. After five days in New Orleans, I came to the conclusion … Continue reading →

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The Big Easy

Posted on February 15, 2019 by abroadintheusa

So last week I had the great good fortune to accompany Spouse on a business trip to New Orleans. While he spent time in conference meetings and ‘networking lunches’ I got to play tourist in a city that is like … Continue reading →

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