Kim Aasland , Official Author Page
Hi, I'm Kim Aasland
I love to write and teach and talk with people.
I have lived all over the United States and the world. I spent the summer camping in the Arctic Circle at age three with my archaeologist father. I went to a different school each year until I was ten and then moved with my mom and step-dad to Istanbul, Turkey for four years. My family then transitioned to Kano, Nigeria. I went to boarding school for a year in Rome, Italy and then completed her high school in Nigeria. I graduated with her BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton College and her MA in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. My husband and children and I then moved to Kazakhstan for sixteen years where I taught history and religion and raised my four children. I now live in California and continue to teach history as well as work as a school administrator. You can read more about me at my blog apart-from-me.com
My writings
Published 2022
2nd edition 2024
White Swan and the Heavenly Lake tell the stories of two Central Asian families, an ancient family in China and a modern family in Kazakhstan, intertwine as they face problems from forces outside of their control. Modern Kazakh woman Gulmira embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery as she deals with wayward children and a difficult husband causing her to question the impact of modernity on her culture. Her quest is interwoven with the story of Karlagash, an ancient Naiman woman, whose family fears the fast approaching Mongol warriors as her son Batirjan heads off to battle. A mysterious white swan appears in their dreams beckoning them to a deeper meaning not yet revealed. The Heavenly Lake allures them, offering her answers.
Stories Old and New
Published 2006 in Kazakhstan
This book was written and published in Kazakhstan in 2006 by me and my husband Erik. It contains Central Asian stories we wrote in folktale style interspersed with traditional Kazakh folktales. It is published in Kazakh language and alphabet and is not currently available in English.
My current project is a new book with the working title Stories from the Steppe. This book will contain the stories we wrote translated into English intersperse with my reflections on what I learned in Kazakhstan about family, community, hospitality, faith, and a number of other topics. I hope to publish it within 2023.
Stories from the Steppe
Published 2024
Stories from the Steppe is a personal memoir and cultural exploration of 16 years spent in Kazakhstan, weaving together the author’s experiences with stories inspired by Kazakh folklore. From the vast, windswept plains to the lively streets of Almaty, the author reflects on life in a country where ancient traditions and modern challenges coexist. Through vivid storytelling and heartfelt reflections, readers are invited into a journey of adaptation and discovery, gaining insights into Kazakh culture, history, and the enduring resilience of its people. This book offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Kazakhstan—perfect for travelers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by Central Asia’s beauty and spirit.
I began my blog in 2021.
This is the site where a post my poetry and reflections.
Apart from Me is a reference to John 15:5 ‘“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This has been my guiding word. I have found no fruit in a frenetic pace, in anxiety, in striving. One good unction birthed of a season of rest is worth thirty acts born of restlessness.
Apart from Me is also an acknowledgement of the deep grief I have felt from losing my 23 year old son. Every day I feel his loss. There has been nothing more agonizing and brutal in my life.
Apart from Me is a nod to all the beautiful places I have lived and people that have done life with that are now far away. I have been part of amazing communities in Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Turkey as well as the US and these have very much shaped who I am today.
Apart from Me is a part from me that I offer to you. I hope that it is a way that my journey connects with yours and together we can offer each other encouragement, hope and support.