Author Archives: lornaofarabia

Unknown's avatar

About lornaofarabia

I am a teacher from Medford, Oregon. I currently live and work in Bangkok, Thailand.

Lunch in the country

Posted on 30 Apr 2012 by lornaofarabia

Andreas is feeling a little under the weather today. I’m afraid he’s fallen victim to Bosnian hospitality. Our landlady, the vivacious Valida, and her husband Momar have a weekend house out in the country.  It’s the long Labor Day weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Walking tour #1

Posted on 25 Apr 2012 by lornaofarabia

This morning I updated my Facebook status: Coffee, scones and kaymak breakfast consumed. Now on to the real business of the day: compose blog post, edit DCS yearbook pages, score grade 5 science test, walk downtown for batteries and notebook, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia | Tagged , | Leave a comment

In medias res

Posted on 21 Apr 2012 by lornaofarabia

Long time no see! My fault, I know. We left the Middle East’s no-post zone at the end of January and have been settled in one place with excellent connectivity since the beginning of March. But the thing is, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia, Syria | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A new chapter

Posted on 27 Feb 2012 by lornaofarabia

It’s a long way from Paris to Sarajevo.  Or at least it’s a long time. Our flight from Paris to Zagreb was delayed but Croatia Air appeased us with croque monsieurs at the airport.  We were expecting a 7 hour … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia, Food, Sarajevo | Tagged | Leave a comment

Weight loss

Posted on 10 Aug 2011 by lornaofarabia

I feel so much lighter today.  Like, about 1,000 pounds lighter. The shipping company picked up our things yesterday.  As I described in an earlier post, we were weighing the boxes on the bathroom scale as we went along, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience | 1 Comment

Kitchen decisions

Posted on 9 Aug 2011 by lornaofarabia

Once I went on a weekend campout training session for Girl Scout leaders at Lake of the Woods. Camp Low Echo is wonderfully old-fashioned camp in a gorgeous lakeside setting. I met a woman there, another Girl Scout leader, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Things fall apart

Posted on 8 Aug 2011 by lornaofarabia

I once read an article that explained why appliances always seem to give up the ghost when a new owner moves into a house.  This article said not to blame the seller for foisting off defective items; it’s the change … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience | Tagged | 1 Comment

Formalities

Posted on 7 Aug 2011 by lornaofarabia

One interesting aspect of our new school is its association with the American Embassy in Damascus. It’s not technically an embassy school (I’m not sure if there even is such a thing), but the American diplomats are on the school’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience, Syria | Leave a comment

Flying high

Posted on 6 Aug 2011 by lornaofarabia

Revolutions don’t scare me.  Airplanes do. I can date my fear of flying to a rough landing in 1983.  Ever since then I’ve avoided airplanes whenever possible.  On those rare occasions when it is not possible, I get by with … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience | Tagged | 2 Comments

Expatzilla

Posted on 19 Jul 2011 by lornaofarabia

I recognize this feeling. It’s been 25 years but it’s all coming back to me.  That scene where you’re planning a wedding (your own) and at some critical juncture the florist, the baker, the dress, the bridesmaids, the tuxedos, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience, Syria | Tagged , | Leave a comment