Articles by Kristi Rendahl

It was late one evening last week when I e-mailed a friend seeking inspiration for something to write about. “E-mail me the first three things that come to mind,” I said. “Don’t worry about what they mean or don’t mean, it’s a creative exercise.” He …

There have been days when I wonder whether I’ve become desensitized to the chaos and suffering in the world. I’ve witnessed the poverty of West Africa, the political turmoil of the Balkans, and the trans-generational trauma of Cambodia, and each is worthy of a thousand …

Within an hour of talking to me—nay, 15 minutes—people know something of my history with Armenia and Armenians. “Are you Armenian?” they ask with reasonable skepticism. I watch the credits roll more times than I’d care to admit, waiting to see the tell-all sign of …

Before facilitating strategic planning meetings, I pass around a bowl of maple syrup candies made in the town of Lutsen, home to some of the few mountains that Minnesota can claim. The candies are quickly consumed as I describe how maple syrup is harvested. When …

I’d heard about historic Armenia for years.  I learned about it from the stories of friends whose grandparents were born there. I saw it in the paintings of Saryan. I sang about it in songs like “Giligia” and “Akh Vaspurakan.” I peered into it from …

I met him randomly. He was my taxi driver from some place to another. Oh, that’s right, it was from my friend’s place to Lover’s Park. No, I didn’t visit Lover’s Park withmy taxi driver; he just dropped me off there. “When a great moment …

“Is Armenia getting any better?” I’m asked on a regular basis. Few people hide their skepticism when they ask, but I also hear a hint of desperation in the question. After watching Armenia change over the past 15 years, I’m always happy to respond with …

Special Issue: Celebrating 500 Years of Armenian Printing The Armenian Weekly, Sept. 1, 2012 (Download article in PDF)  There are people more qualified than I to write on the momentous occasion of the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing. Nonetheless, I’ve been given the honor of …

The view changes from moment to moment on this mountaintop in Dilijan, Armenia. Clouds float by to reveal a peak, and shadows fall on yet another. Walnut tree in Dilijan (Photo by Kristi Rendahl) It’s been 15 years since I moved to Armenia just out …

There comes a time in your life when you remember where you’re from. Fillmore, North Dakota is that place for me, and last week was the time. The former railroad town of Fillmore turned 100 this year, you see, so we had a week-long celebration of a …