About Me

The title of this blog is an small excerpt from one of the many e-mails I received from Mongolian poet G. Ayurzana when I was preparing my application to the Fulbright Foundation. At the end of this particular e-mail, Ayur wrote, "Hope we will be great friends under Mongolian blue sky."

Now, many months later, I am in Mongolia to translate Mongolian poety into English and to carry out the other goals expected of Fulbrighters. Thanks to the Fulbright Program for making this possible.

I have met Ayur and his wife Olzii, the two poets with whom I will collaborate on the translations. I live in a one bedroom apartment in Ulaanbaatar with a Mongolian family of four.

My name is Lisa Fink. I am a poet and writer. My poems have been published in Spout, Forklift, Ohio and Spinning Jenny. I am also a teacher. I have taught creative writing to people of all ages and abilities. I hope to include here some of my own work as well as translations of Mongolian poetry by myself and others.

My educational background lies in the sciences. I have a degree, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in Zoology with an emphasis on animal behavior. I am a naturalist and ethologist with interest particularly in diving birds, such as loons and coots. No doubt you will read here about the urban and country wildlife I encounter, as well as other aspects of the natural world in Mongolia.

Enjoy!