That American Girl

Somewhere between New York, NY and Belgrade, Serbia.

  • Flying First Class

    There I was — soaring through the sky, 11 kilometers above the earth — watching 50 Shades of Grey from a bed.  Yes, a bed. And there was a plate of warm nuts. And there was a complimentary bag filled with lotions I can’t pronounce. And there was Chrstian Grey’s contract, and the matter of Ana not…

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    Flying First Class

  • A Love Letter to Malls (in Serbia)

    Gone are the days of walking through a blissful, gorgeous — and mostly empty — Galerija. Now the mall, which used to be my favorite mall among all the Belgrade malls, is packed with people. Tired mothers pushing strollers; teenagers laughing at everything; men taking long drags from smelly cigarettes.  The cafes are busy. The stores…

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    A Love Letter to Malls (in Serbia)

  • I’m Slavic After All

    There’s a fur store in my neighborhood. It’s small — tucked between a cheese shop and a hair salon — and it’s almost always empty. For the last six months, I’ve passed this store on my daily walk. I’ve glanced at the display or occasionally peered into the windows; only fur coats and fur hats. And…

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    I’m Slavic After All

  • Would we consider living in Serbia?

    Recently, Aleksa and I took on the joyous task that is moving apartments in New York City. And after a month of scouring Facebook Marketplace for new furniture and surviving without air conditioning, the place is really starting to come along.  We’re still on the hunt for a bigger bed — and we still haven’t…

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  • The Comeback

    Writing a blog is a tricky business. It’s an informal, casual writing style that seems to invite two perceptions: that you want to be Carrie Bradshaw, or that you’re not much of a writer at all. And if the latter is the case — I’ve been a pretty lousy writer. It’s been a year since…

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  • Back in Belgrade

    “Kasey, I can’t sleep like this,” Aleksa has said, for the past four nights, pointing to the air conditioner in our rental space. “Serbians don’t do well with this cold air.” “Aleksa,” I keep saying back to him, “I can’t sleep with it off.” I’m back in Belgrade. You’d think that the most telling sign…

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  • Where have I been?

    Hi friends. It’s been three chaotic months for That American Girl. Aleksa went back to Serbia and I went back to graduate school. Two dear friends passed away. Grief, like a ghost, took over my home. The winter went on and on and on … even though spring had arrived. We have not had news…

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  • You’ve Reunited With Your LDR Partner … Now What?

    When I touch down in Belgrade, I go through the usual motions of long-haul flight exhaustion: eye dryness, sensitive stomach, sweaty clothes, sore glutes. All I want to do is go to bed. Only I still have to go through customs, collect my luggage, and — oh yeah — reunite with Aleksa after 6+ months.…

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  • How to Make a Long Distance Relationship “Work”

    For months, friends and followers alike have asked me to write a blog on how to successfully make a long-distance relationship “work.” The first attempt at this blog was back in November. All the talk of Thanksgiving travel plans had me reminiscing about my love affair with travel: my packing rituals, my airport stories, even…

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  • I Miss Winter in Belgrade

    Well, friends, it’s January again: that polarizing month that fills us with happiness or dread. For many people, this is the time to start fresh — to join the gym, to learn how to use a crockpot, to cut out those negative people in your life! But if you’re like me, this is a sad…

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