Expats

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  Expat Professional & Business Success

• Using Linkedin as a Business Intelligence and Learning Tool

  Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Personal Branding Coach

  4 Feb 2010 | 3:46 am

  I invite you to visit a recent post on my lifestream at posterous to see a great video from the LinkedIn European Business Awards website. It features Reid Hoffman, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Linkedin. Linkedin is one of the most powerful professional networks which I recommend all professionals and business owners join. Its over 50 million members - 50% of which are outside the U.S. - represent over 200 countries and territories and over 200 industries. More than 60% of members are decision makers, so the connections you make here are with people who can really impact change.

• Happy Holidays!

  Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Personal Branding Coach

  23 Dec 2009 | 7:25 am

• Expat Networking: Holidays are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow your Network

  Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Personal Branding Coach

  10 Dec 2009 | 9:22 am

  December and January are usually some of the slowest months of the year for companies hiring across the globe. In some countries, very little business is done at all in December. As a result it is often said that you can't make much progress in a job search during the holiday season. Given that more jobs (and business opportunities) are secured through networking than any other method, I'd have to disagree. The holidays provide numerous opportunities to nurture and grow your network. So whether you are an expat in the midst of a job search, or a career-saavy expatriate who understands that…

• Ongoing Career Management is No Longer Optional for the Expat in Today's New World of Work

  Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Personal Branding Coach

  3 Dec 2009 | 6:33 am

  Recently I was honored to be asked by fellow career and resume specialists Miriam Salpeter and Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter to join a community of career bloggers called "Career Collective". Their brainchild came from their desire to build a strong collective of career expert voices and a sustainable community of career expert bloggers. So once a month I'll be writing about a topic selected by the Career Collective here on my blog. This month's topic is related to taking a "cookie-cutter" approach to the job search. (For those of you not familiar with that expression, it essentially means taking…

• Is an Online Degree a Smart Choice for Expats?

  Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Personal Branding Coach

  2 Oct 2009 | 1:33 pm

  This guest post is by expat Michelle Fabio of BleedingEspresso.com. Michelle also writes about how to choose a master's degree program at MastersDegreeProgram.org. In today's ever-changing, always competitive job market, expats must strive to make themselves as marketable and employable as possible, constantly honing skills and adjusting with the times - and an online degree could provide a great opportunity to do so. Going back to school is usually a smart way to climb the career ladder, but does the same hold true for expats The quick answer? Maybe, depending on your situation.

 But…

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  China Expat

• Maleonn's Kingdom of Illusions

  Ernie

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:20 pm

   from Maleonn's What Love Is       You can still make magic with photography. Of course, you need more than Photoshop. Some hereditary talent never hurts. Maleonn's father was the head of the Shanghai Opera, his mother a famous actress. More importantly, a magician must maintain the imagination of a child. When his parents were sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution, Ma Liang stayed behind, alone, and became Maleonn, child-mage, lord of a private universe. The words accompanying his work are his own.  read more

• The Lost Souls of Amoy

  Ernie

  4 Feb 2010 | 5:42 pm

              From Forty Years in South China, by Reverend John Fagg, an account of the Reverend John Van Nest Talmage, a missionary in Xiamen from 1847 to 1890. "This will account in part for the barbarous custom of infanticide which prevails to so lamentable an extent among these heathen.  Only female infants are destroyed.  While the parents are living the son may be of pecuniary advantage to them, and after their death, he can attend to the rites of their souls, and even after his death, through him the parents may have descendants to perform the…

• Chikan: Two Worlds in One

  Ernie

  3 Feb 2010 | 5:01 am

        "This isn't China," you might well say, should someone lead you off a plane in a blindfold, then remove it after bringing you to Chikan. "A Mediterranean town gone to seed, perhaps." Then you'd sniff the humidity, note a svelte Asian chap rocket by on a scooter. "Vietnam? These buildings could be French colonial." But Chikan is two hours and a world away from Guangzhou, leading to the next question, "Who on earth built this place?" read more

• The Green Hornet: A Pre-Review

  Ernie

  31 Jan 2010 | 11:37 pm

        We get the movies we deserve. Information has replaced imagination, and worldwide Spiderman receipts guarantee we'll get superhero remakes until the archives have been exhausted. But the upcoming remake of The Green Hornet, due out this December, is a double outrage.  That the original show bored in all but one aspect is forgivable; a recycled superhero script is a better bet than an original script, according to obscene Hollywood calculus. That this remake will trample the legacy of Bruce Lee, and his remarkable achievement as Kato, is not. read more

• The Death of a Living Buddha

  Ernie

  27 Jan 2010 | 7:16 pm

          From the banned book Stick Out Your Tongue, by Ma Jian.     The Ceremony of Empowerment was to be conducted as usual by Labrang Chantso. Sangsang Tashi felt short of breath at the thought that tomorrow she would have to perform the Union of the Two Bodies Ritual with him. She sensed that Labrang Chantso disliked her, and that he hated the thought that his elder brother, Tenzin Wangdu, had been reincarnated in her body. But Labrang Chantso was well versed in the secret doctrines. It was he who had instructed her on the Five Major Treatises, and who had…

• 
  Yahoo! News: Expatriate

• UAE issues worker's rights and duties booklet (Central Chronicle)

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:11 am

  Agencies Dubai, Feb 9: Committed to protect and guarantee human rights to its citizens and expatriate residents, UAE has issued a multilingual booklet that would be distributed to all federal government departments, concerned NGOs, labour accommodations, and media outlets.

• Qatar? Be warned (The Age)

  9 Feb 2010 | 5:18 am

  Qatar's gas puts its people among the world's richest, but its contempt for due process shows darkness behind the success.

• Philippines charge clan head over massacre (Guardian Unlimited)

  9 Feb 2010 | 3:44 am

  Prosecutors in the Philippines today filed murder charges against the head of a powerful clan and 195 others, including his three sons, for the massacre of 57 people in November.

• Netanyahu plan for expatriate vote sparks political row in Israel (EARTHtimes.org)

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:49 am

  Tel Aviv - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to introduce legislation to allow expatriates to vote in Israeli elections, in a move expected to strengthen nationalist and hawkish parties in future polls, but condemned by opposition parti...

• UN appeals for $538M in Pakistan humanitarian aid (AP via Yahoo! News)

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:47 am

  Aid groups in Pakistan need nearly $538 million over the next six months to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by army clashes against the Taliban, the U.N. said in an international appeal Tuesday.

• 
  BBC News: Expatriate

• Q&A: Post-war Sri Lanka

  25 Jan 2010 | 7:17 am

  BBC News looks at Sri Lanka after its civil war, one of the longest-running conflicts in the world.

• Country profile: Brunei

  21 Jan 2010 | 8:12 am

  Key facts. figures and dates

• Britons give £23m to Haiti appeal

  18 Jan 2010 | 8:53 am

  Britons donate £23m to the Haiti quake appeal, but concerns about the safety of some British nationals in the country remain.

• British man killed in Haiti quake

  17 Jan 2010 | 10:43 am

  A British UN worker is confirmed dead after the devastating Haiti earthquake that has killed tens of thousands.

• Troubled history: Haiti and US

  16 Jan 2010 | 5:14 am

  US President Barack Obama has pledged one of the biggest relief efforts in recent US history following Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. The BBC's Vanessa Buschschluter looks at the often rocky relationship between the two countries.

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  Expat Focus

• Property abroad: Budget airline 'hotspots'

  9 Feb 2010 | 3:44 am

  Budget airline routes are creating property hotspots for Brits buying abroad. But beware, if the airline pulls out of the route, you could be left stranded in more ways than one... More (This is Money)

• Australia to focus immigration policy on skills

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:13 am

  Australia's immigration minister, Chris Evans, has announced policy changes to attract more highly skilled workers. He criticised the current trend for new arrivals to sign up for cookery or hairdressing courses to gain residency. Mr Evans said Australia would abolish the current list of 106 skills in demand and review a points test used to assess migrants... More (BBC)

• Property abroad: The Balearic Islands

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:18 am

  Spring might seem an awfully long way off in dark and chilly Britain, but in a couple of weeks, it's blossom time in the Balearic Islands, half-way between Spain and North Africa. From late January to March, 5m almond trees in Majorca alone will carpet the land in fragrant clouds of delicate pink blooms... More (This is Money)

• Bach, Building and the Berlin Wall – about Germany and Living There

  5 Feb 2010 | 2:02 am

  House prices here in Germany have been stable for a long time and are beginning to rise, unlike the situation in the UK. I only discovered this some time after I had bought, demolished and rebuilt a small house in a place no-one in Britain has ever heard of. That was in 2004. I can now say definitely that it was the best and most exciting thing I have ever done, and I haven't exactly led a sheltered life. Read more

• Expat Experiences: Portugal - Eric and Diane

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:15 am

  We are Diane and Eric. We are both trying marriage for a second time... so far! We are both former Devonians although my wife was brought up in Cornwall. We met through our work at a local newspaper and after knowing each other for eight years and having both been divorced for ten years we decided that we could make it work. That was back in 1991. So far, so good. I have to say that it was Diane who had been hankering to get out of the U.K. She had been trying, unsuccessfully, to do so since 1960... Read more

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  Expat Women

• Expat Women's Happy 3rd Birthday Blog Shout-Out Competition Winner

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:54 pm

  Hello and big congratulations to Shanie Matthews for winning our Expat Women Happy 3rd Birthday Blog Shout-Out Competition!Last month, we wrote to the 1,100+ women who have listed their blog on our Expat Women Blog Directory and invited them to give us a shout-out for our 3rd birthday (16 January 2010) to enter our Amazon voucher competition.Well, this week, the entries were collated and our friend Expat Expert Robin Pascoe randomly chose the winning number. So, congratulations Shanie, you will receive a US$100 Amazon.com voucher... plus we'll give you a big, unexpected shout-out for your…

• New BMW Award For Intercultural Commitment: Total prize money €25,000

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:39 pm

  Hi Everyone, If you have an idea for an intercultural project that will really 'make a difference', BMW have just launched an exciting new competition and I encourage you to apply."The BMW Group is looking for innovative projects and dedicated, visionary individuals worldwide – to establish a lasting connection between people of different cultural, religious, and language backgrounds. Read on to find out all you need to know about the goal, submission requirements and the schedule as well as background information on the selection process, the individual awards and the central idea of…

• Global Summit Of Women, May 20-22: Beijing, China

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:24 pm

  Hi Everyone, It's only three months now until the annual Global Summit of Women (conference): May 20-22. Each year they hold the Summit in a different part of the world, with a different theme:2010: Beijing, China: Women at the Forefront of Change2009: Santiago, Chile: Setting New Paradigms for Business and Political Leadership2008: Hanoi, Vietnam: Women and Asia: Driving the Global Economy2007: Berlin, Germany: The Global Marketplace: Opportunities and Challenges2006: Cairo, Egypt: Redefining Global Leadership2005: Mexico City, Mexico: Leading the 21st Century Economy2004: Seoul, South…

• Survey for Expat Trailing Partners

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:14 pm

  Hi Everyone, expat coach Louise Wiles is looking for participants for her survey asking trailing partners about the challenges and issues they face when moving abroad and the types of support they would find most helpful."My aim is to achieve over 100 responses as this will help to make the survey results more representative and therefore valid. The survey builds on a piece of research I conducted in 2002 for a dissertation as part of a Masters in Occupational Psychology. This investigated the expectations trailing partners had regarding organisational support and the impact its provision had…

• Conferences, Awards, Scholarships, Competitions & More...

  1 Feb 2010 | 8:16 pm

  Hi Everyone, If you have missed my Twitter shout-outs, here are some upcoming conferences, scholarships/awards/competition deadlines that might interest you:Clements International Offers US$10,000 In Expat Youth ScholarshipsOur Expat Women Silver Sponsor Clements International is again offering Expat Youth Scholarships to expatriate students. US$10,000 will be shared between six winning students, aged 12-18, of any nationality, who have spent the last two consecutive years living outside of their home country. The scholarship contest offers expat students a chance to share their experiences…

• 
  ExpatFinder Blog

• Expat Daily: Lunar New Year, Animals Abroad

  admin

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:03 pm

  The Year of the Tiger Expats in Asia know Chinese New Year is fast approaching. This year is the celebration of the year of the tiger and the New Year will land on February 14th. You yourself might be preparing to celebrate and so are people all around Asia. Check out the images here MSN News Expats Help Animals in Korea Expats in South Korea are trying to help the local animal population in their region. There are a lot of interesting volunteering options for expats. It might help to volunteer if you are wishing to have an animal, but know you can’t have one full time because of your…

• Expat Daily: Saints Take Super Bowl, Expat Working Women

  admin

  7 Feb 2010 | 11:42 pm

  Super Bowl 43: Expat Americans Celebrate American Expats throughout the world gathered today to celebrate what is often deemed as America’s biggest holiday: Super Bowl. Whether your a fan of the New Orleans Saints or not, you have to give the underdog credit. Credit not only for winning the gaming, but for showcasing the city of New Orleans that is still coping with the damage of hurricane Katrina. “Saints fans hugged, kissed, and spilled onto the streets Sunday as a citywide party erupted in New Orleans after their once woebegone NFL franchise defeated the Indianapolis Colts in…

• Expat Daily: Superbowl, Expats In Switzerland

  admin

  4 Feb 2010 | 8:29 pm

  US Expats Get Ready For Some Football It has been almost six years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and some thought football might never come back, but it did. Exciting, the Saints are headed this weekend to the Super Bowl. “Many longtime Saints followers say they’re in disbelief that the formerly downtrodden franchise has reached a Super Bowl. Benson said he doesn’t share that perspective. “I had no doubt at all,” Benson said this week. “This is my 25th year, you know. It couldn’t be any better.” The post-Katrina scorn for Benson was…

• Expat Daily: Expat Ph.D.s, Japan’s Immigration Laws

  admin

  3 Feb 2010 | 10:45 pm

  USA Keeps Expat Ph.D Grads It appears that fears that foreign students would not stay or be allowed into the USA after 9/11 is untrue. A recent survey has found 62% of foreign students who earn the Ph.D.s in the US stay. “Most foreigners who came to the U.S. to earn doctorate degrees in science and engineering stayed on after graduation—at least until the recession began—refuting predictions that post-9/11 restrictions on immigrants or expanding opportunities in China and India would send more of them home. Newly released data revealed that 62% of foreigners holding temporary visas…

• Expat Daily: Arabic for Expat Students, Internet Voting USA

  admin

  2 Feb 2010 | 11:56 pm

  Why Aren’t Expat Kids Learning Arabic? Expats in Dubai may be frustrated that their children are not learning Arabic. A recent study shows that Expat parents what their children to learn Arabic, but students are disinterested.  “Arabic teachers at private schools say the curriculum prescribed by the ministry provides very little scope to effectively teach the language.Head of the Arabic department at the GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai, Lina Wright said the teaching material must change. “The books are outdated and have no relevance to the present, making it very…

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  BritishExpats.com

• Three Reasons To Become An Expatriate

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:13 pm

  Growing up I never had an opportunity to travel and see the world.  I was born in a country that didn’t...

• Marriage Breakdown and Taking Children "Home"

  3 Feb 2010 | 2:42 am

  My marriage has broken down. I can’t live here anymore. Can I go ‘home’ with the children? The...

• Passionate About Portugal

  30 Jan 2010 | 3:50 am

  How often have you wanted to get away from it all and move somewhere completely different? For Stephen and Andrea Hutton,...

• Non-Resident Ownership of Canadian Real Estate 


  28 Jan 2010 | 3:29 am

  This article provides general information concerning the Canadian tax implications of individuals purchasing, renting and selling real estate in Canada.  For this...

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language

  20 Jan 2010 | 3:55 am

  You can find schools teaching English in ever country and many of them employ native English speakers to do the work. There...

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  CanuckAbroud.com

• The Top Surreal Landscape Locations

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:43 am

  Sometimes when you travel you just want to see something that few have seen. There are incredibly surreal landscapes scattered around the globe that give the appearance more of a work of art than an... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Travel Ideas for the Family Bonding Experience

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:41 am

  Most families have schedules that are too packed, and this causes each of its members to run around in many different directions. We’re too busy, too stressed, and far too overbooked. We barely have... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Weird Hotels of the World

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:41 am

  Most of us look for comfort and a few amenities when we’re hotel shopping. But there are a few travelers out there who consistently want to find something memorable and unique about every hotel they... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• 3 Of The Cheapest Places In The World To Travel To

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:43 am

  In spite of the tough economical times we’ve been experiencing over the last year and a half people are starting to set aside some of their finances and planning vacations. Wouldn’t it be great if... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• The Iowa State Fair Is A Blue Ribbon-Winning Fair For Fun

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:43 am

  The Iowa State Fair is one of the biggest and oldest fairs in the United States. It’s also one of the best fairs, and it earns blue ribbons for fun year after year. There are rodeos and rock... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  A Maine Man Abroad

• Second round of questions for the Outreach Pastor position

  28 Jan 2010 | 9:03 am

  Good Morning, Pastor Mark. I hope this letter finds you well.Let me say that I have enjoyed our discussion both as as a challenge to my thoughts and beliefs about my faith but also as an exercise in intellectual debate among friends. Yes it seems that we are of kindred spirit in most things concerning Jesus. And, I feel, the things where we differ are small and I'm sure we could agree to disagree without jeopardizing our effectiveness in spreading the Word.Concerning the Old Testament, I did not effectively state my position. Yes the Old Testament is important and needs to be read, studied…

• Responses to concerns about my Christianity

  13 Jan 2010 | 12:33 pm

  What follows is a response to some concerns a Pastor has while considering me for an unpaid missionary position in Canada. I do not have permission to publish his questions so I won't. But they are directly related to essays and postings on this blog. First, and most important, is the clear understanding that as an academic I separate "belief" and "faith", just as I distinguish between “truth” and “fact”.  What I, and you, and everyone else "believe" is based on our knowledge, experiences, and how we interpret all of this information. Many of us believe in the Father, the Son, and…

• 17 Dec 2009 | 6:45 pm

  17 Dec 2009 | 6:45 pm

  Well I never...!Something occurred tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Curic. Between the “war” this and “Tiger” that was a story that I'll bet you never thought you would see in a million years.“Mexico's public medical/health care system is becoming overburdened by immigrants, U.S. Immigrants.”That's right, Mexico is feeling the pinch from U.S. And Canadian immigrants who have moved to Mexico to retire. As legal immigrants, we are eligible for and many do partake of this excellent benefit.As a “rentista” living in Mexico for the past two years and who has had the IMSS…

• 26 Nov 2009 | 1:11 pm

  26 Nov 2009 | 1:11 pm

  NEWS FROM THE WHINERYBoy, it's hard to be thankful this year. The economy is in the crapper. The weather is changing for the worse. And, most of all, I'm 3000 miles from my Mom and Dad.I don't know why this year is any different than the other forty or so Thanksgivings I've been away from my parents home. It just is, somehow.I think one of the reasons is that I've decided to move back to Maine next year and I'm subconsciously counting the days. I had made this decision earlier this fall after a 'too close for comfort' car accident in San Antonio. This brought into perspective just how…

• I'm on Twitter

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am

  Follow me on Twitter

• 
  Life with our Lads

• Get you off?

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:55 pm

  In America there is a cooking oil called Pam.  Craig's in taking-the-piss heaven at their latest commercial. 

• Any more & we'll eat each other

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:10 pm

  This weekend was a little bit of a washout with Craig and Danny being sick but we've had some fun. Today I was VERY brave and took Jack to Chuck E Cheese - a place so hideous that I vowed never to go again. That's how desperate I've become to get my kids out of the house before we all eat each other.So onto a few snow pictures and who's that geeking in the window?Jack's snowman, wearing my Everton scarf. Yes I know we got beaten by Liverpool. And yes I know Man U won 5-0. Sometimes it's hard living with a Man U fan Here's a few neighbourhood snowmen that I snapped today ...Spongebob and a…

• Snow & Broken Toe!

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:28 pm

  It started snowing at 10 am this morning and it just keeps coming & coming. I was so worried about driving the minivan, it being a 2WD and thinking it would be sliding around like a cake tray, but it did great. And of course I drove like a 110-year old. So we're all home safe and sound and probably holed up for the weekend.  I am nursing a broken toe (stupid door) and Craig came home and went straight to bed with flu. What a pair of old gimmers we are.I took this picture last weekend. Do you think he's trying to tell me something? In England this little gesture would not be a nice thing…

• Morning Madness

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:19 am

  One morning last week I was running late because the kids were playing up. I was flustered and when I finally got in the car to go to work, I pulled the sun visor down and Craig's sunglasses dropped into my coffee cup, splashing my white shirt with coffee. It was just so ludicrous that I burst out laughing and went back inside to change. Then on the way to work I nearly ran out of petrol and nearly got hit by another car. That was a corking morning, wouldn't you agree.This morning as I was just out of the shower with wet hair I heard Danny making peculiar noises so went to investigate and…

• Meet the New Minivan

  2 Feb 2010 | 6:28 pm

  Here's the new minivan (people carrier) that replaces my little Golf TDI. It a 2005 Saturn Relay 3. It seats 7, has fold-down seats, is all leather and has a DVD player. The boys even have their own Bose headphones, so we can listen to music up front and not have to endure Dora the Explorer!  I'm only 1 week in and completely sold on minivans. No more do I worry about looking like a soccer mom, crashing parking it, or about the extra fuel consumption. I just sit back in my leather, heated captain's chair and cruise along wondering why it took me so long to get one. It makes me want to drive…

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  Livin' la Vida Floja

• Russian love songs

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:15 am

  It was another day at the beach at the hotelito on Sac Bajo that Sergio Rodriguez manages. Hi Ni Ha is the name and it is my idea of a true paradise. With flourishing gardens filled with all kinds of plants and his own tomatoes and herbs, getting to the water is great.Boca loves the walk! And when we got to the beach bar, we had it to ourselves at first, Then Inge from Germany and Johanna from Switzerland joined us.We did a little more talking than before and learned that Johanna and I have a love of the Russian language in common. Her mother was of Russian and Ukrainian descent.So as Sergio…

• Salty dogs

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:05 am

  Boca now has two beach days in a row in which she's played with Rishi Sowa's Johnny Boy, aka Joy Boy.Yesterday a Swiss woman staying at Hi Ni Ha, home of my "secret beach club," took Boca into the sea for a swim. Even though Joy Boy plays and swims freely, and self commutes fromSpiral Island, Boca still seems to prefer the sweet water of a cement pond, and we haven't encouraged her to discover the pool at Hi Ni Ha, lest we wear out our welcome.But Boca and Johnny Boy have had two glorious days in the sun, roughhousing, digging holes in the sand, roughhousing someThe couple from Philadelphia…

• Open arms

  30 Jan 2010 | 7:30 am

  A week ago, a couple delightful guests were leaving Zina's Guest House. They are working on Isla Mujeres with Cristina Salas, Dr. Salas's wife, in HIV and pregnancy prevention instruction with Isla Mujeres' youth.Anna Douglas, left, the director of PEACE-Isla Mujeres, had placed Kody and Lena here guest house for a week out of their two month mission on Isla Mujeres.Next to Anna is Dr. Carlos Cabrera, the director of Abrazos Abiertos, Open Arms, from HIV Yucatan, Kody Dobeck and Lena Noecker, teaching interns and me, at a reception Jan. 22 at Casa Sirena.The misson: "An educational program…

• A day in the sun

  29 Jan 2010 | 5:45 am

  Today is my day in the sun, even if it's party cloudy! Sergio's weekly maintenance of the roof top patio of Zina's Guest House has paid off!The plants are lush. In the northwest corner, he's added a little shade roof with curtains. For night time, there is a cloth shaded lamp. The picture below at dawn gives y0u an idea.So after putting on a pot of salmon chowder, I am up and out of here. Up to the roof top!

• Acting out

  28 Jan 2010 | 12:53 pm

  Boca has taken my illness out on her "Brother." They had a nice relationship in which she would depants him and chew his tail. Now this. She has not been able to get much attention from me in my misery. So, like any kid in the same boat, she acted out. Now there is no brother. I am still not with it. In cleaning the table top today, I discovered I had not taken the third dose of the original Z Pack. So, I'll take it tomorrow. I have been moving slowly today. I made a quick meatloaf. It tastes good and will store well. Later today, I will start a Crock Pot yogurt. I have decided to add an…

• 
  Random Thougths Of Me

• long time a go

  30 Jan 2010 | 8:47 pm

  http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

• American girls new doll ...

  25 Sep 2009 | 8:16 am

  Barbie she's not. Meet Gwen Thompson, the newest addition to the American Girl canon of dolls -- the wildly suc cessful, extremely expensive brand of faux children that are sold out of a four-story town house in the heart of Fifth Avenue. Little children as young as 4 are addicted to these pricey little monsters. It's like middle-American crack. You have an African-American doll, an American Indian doll. A Jewish one. A doll who "lived" during the Great Depression, and one from the Roaring '20s. And while you were snoozing, the creators of American Girl, which is sold by Mattel, got bold.

• ramadan kareem

  26 Aug 2009 | 8:09 pm

  http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

• im at moms ( new mexico )

  27 Jul 2009 | 10:52 am

  We decide to come to visit my mom , and it is nice to be at my moms home , but has being a bit stressful, Mom has two poodles and we brought ela with us , ela had a accident 4 days after we arrive to Albuquerque , Sara fall down in one of her legs, so we run to the Animal hospital and yes she had nothing , and i left with 300 us bill .. gr.. they give her some medication that make her sick with diarrhea and vomit , so i had to run again to another Vet and leave her in there for 24 hours with IV .. another 400 us bill , now i go back to Orlando and im going to get the pet insurance.. Vet…

• No words.....

  5 Jul 2009 | 3:11 pm

  "Heal and Forgive II: The Journey from Abuse and Estrangement to Reconciliation."Anyone who has heard the devastating words, "I never want to see you again!" from a parent, sibling, or child, knows the torment of family exile. All one needs to do is search the web for sites dealing with family estrangement to find endless choices for the countless individuals seeking help with family cut-off's. Google lists 776,000. Yahoo lists 890,000! Although there are no formal statistics for family estrangement, the numbers available are alarming. From celebrities, to friends, co-workers, and neighbors…

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  Costa Rica Blog - 365 Reasons I Love Costa Rica

• Reason #276: Where’s Your Ladder Leaning?

  admin

  9 Feb 2010 | 7:39 am

  Saw the movie Up in the Air (here, Amor sin Escalas) the other night.  George Clooney always cracks me up.  Ever since Everett McGill and his Dapper Dan pomade in Oh Brother Where Art Thou, he has been one of my favorite actors.  While his character was as absurd as many of the others he has played, the movie nevertheless took on a more somber and serious tone.  It took me a minute or two of reflection to really understand this guy, Ryan Bingham.  He seemed to have life all figured out.  He knew exactly what he was shooting for, the coveted (by a few) ten million frequent flyer mile…

• Reason #275: Laura, Laura

  admin

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:02 am

  Costa Rica has answered the question posed by my last post with a resounding yes, as Laura Chinchilla was elected decisively yesterday as the first female President to occupy the position in the country’s history.  Sunday was election day and I believe the only thing that can get the ticos more “riled up” is a Liga/Saprissa futbol match.  We (Lily and I) decided to pass the day with a drive north to the Barva volcano.  I have spent the last couple years staring out the window at the towering Barva and its tri-peaked summit (known locally as the “tres…

• Reason #274: Is Costa Rica Ready to Elect a Woman?

  admin

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:53 am

  The answer to that may just be yes, as the latest Unimar poll data shows that Laura Chinchilla, the PLN (or Liberacionista) candidate is showing a strong lead over her closest competitors in the days leading to the election on February 7th, this Sunday. To be declared the winner, Chinchilla would need to muster at least 40% of Sunday’s popular vote, otherwise there will be a second round of voting. This is a constitutional requirement in Costa Rica. Right now Chinchilla stands at 42%, with Guevara at 23% and Solis at 20%. Chinchilla is the PLN candidate and has the full support of…

• Reason #273: Doing it Well

  admin

  3 Feb 2010 | 6:04 am

  Lately we have been engaged in a project with the indigenous of Costa Rica.  We are creating a web site that features indigenous arts and crafts and in the process of creating it we are visiting and shooting video of five tribes known for their art.  Last week we visited Guaitil, where the tradition of the Chorotegas is kept alive in the creation of beautiful pottery.  Previously we had visited the Maleku tribe, who are known for their carved and colorfully painted balsa masks, as well as other items.  One thing that is clear from these visits is that the indigenous really are passionate…

• Reason #272: I’m Going to C-o-s-t-a R-i-c-a!

  admin

  1 Feb 2010 | 6:45 am

  “Costa Rica”  I can remember when that name carried an exotic and mysterious appeal.  Where is that place exactly?  Isn’t it DANGEROUS down there? I mean, do they have roads?  Can you drink the water?  Well, all that has changed in large part now as Costa Rica has become a new house-hold word in the U.S.  Hey were you going on vacation this year? “Think I’ll go down to Costa Rica” is a common reply.  It just isn’t all that mysterious any more.  But, be that as it may, it is still one cool place to visit, even to stay a while….maybe for…

• 
  Rincon, Puerto Rico

• Mayaguez 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games Schedule

  9 Feb 2010 | 7:03 am

      Rincon has BMX and Mountain Bike.  This schedule seems incomplete because the Triathlon will be held the 24th and 25th in Rincon and I don't see it.   Click on... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Saints Win Super Bowl

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:17 pm

  This is a tourist blog, and I  have never written about sports, but I cannot contain my excitement that the Saints won the Super Bowl.  I am from New Orleans and it's one of the reasons we... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Villa Orleans TripAdvisor Review

  5 Feb 2010 | 12:04 pm

  "We are a family of 12 that just came back from 9 days at Villa Orleans, Puerto Rico.  It was difficult to find a place that we thought would fit all of our needs and that we would all be... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Mayaguez Puerto Rico Plaza Colon

  26 Jan 2010 | 5:39 pm

  There was much music on this night. The first lady dancing is 87 years old, and she didn't stop until the music did. This was the last number of the night. Mayaguez is having regular activities at... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Mayaguez 2010 Plaza Colon Bomba Dance

  24 Jan 2010 | 6:46 pm

  Plaza Colon in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is having wonderful events.  On this night, National Yoga Day was being celebrated.  Earlier there was a karate exhibition, and then a yoga exhibition,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• 
  stephanieclayton/artist

• TURQUOISE 14

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:08 pm

  I left Florida on Saturday, arriving home in the BVI to...no internet. It seems to be sorted now, as well as my Photobucket issues. All good and back in order. I'm planning to have a show of The... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

• No post, no photo...

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:40 pm

  I can be fairly persistent but in this case, it's time to call it quits. I've been attempting to upload photos to Photobucket off and on since morning, to no avail. So no photo, for which I... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

• TURQUOISE 13

  3 Feb 2010 | 7:48 am

  Another image of that huge jellyfish I saw while anchored at Virgin Gorda... Jellies conjure a mix of sentiments: on one hand, they're fluid, graceful, mysterious; on the other hand, jellies are... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

• DANIELLA WOOLF

  29 Jan 2010 | 12:04 pm

  Lush encaustic paintings by Daniella Woolf...two of my favorites here: "Totem", Daniella Woolf, from Conrad Wilde Gallery Image source Daniella Woolf's work is rich and luminous. See more at her... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

• COGNITIONS inspiration

  27 Jan 2010 | 10:53 am

  A cactus' spiky patterns provide visual input for a new Cognitions pen drawing. See completed works from the series here. Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

• 
  traversbelize.com

• Barefoot Beach Bar

  Drew Travers

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:07 am

  Check out all the news and information on The Barefoot Beach Bar... which will be reopened in a new location.  Great news for us all!  Congratulations Bryce and Cassie!

• Airports of Belize... Placencia

  Drew Travers

  5 Feb 2010 | 12:43 pm

  Continuing on the theme of "airports" it's clear to me that most folks have not had the delightful experience of arriving at a destination in a third world country aboard a Cessna Caravan 12 seat plane. Very quickly you realize that you are in the hands of an experienced "bush pilot" and the runway isn't quite as short and narrow as you thought! These pilots are good. The stories abound. None of the airstrips in Belize (that I know of) are lighted for after dark landings... even PGIA (Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City)... although I suspect some remote locations have had…

• Belize... the International Airport Experience

  Drew Travers

  28 Jan 2010 | 3:35 am

  When I first landed in Belize in the early 1980s, the airport, in the (then) capital of Belize City, was little more than a single small building and airstrip lined with a bunch of British Harrier jump jets. One of those jets remains as a reminder in front of the terminal building of BZEPhilip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA). Thanks to Darren's Page - KG Imagery LLC for the great photo. Does anyone have any older photos of the airport terminal and the jump jets? Daily flight arrivals and departures for BZE can be tracked here. Wikipedia article on BZE…

• Haiti...

  Drew Travers

  23 Jan 2010 | 6:57 pm

  I suspect that lots of folks our age have made comparisons between last night's "Hope For Haiti Now" telethon musical extravaganza and "We Are The World" from many years ago.  I have to admit... Justin Timberlake's name didn't come rolling out of my brain easily. Soap Opera star maybe? If you haven't listened to Hallelujah" then set yourself up for a treat.  If that doesn't get you set up for a donation... then listen to Bruce Springsteen. And if that doesn't get you... listen to this.

• Airfares to Belize...

  Drew Travers

  17 Jan 2010 | 5:06 am

  For those of you thinking about or already planning a trip to Belize... here is a web site that shows fares from many US cities. It's automatically updated after doing searches for you. Pretty slick... Check for better airfares --- Flights to Belize from selected US cities.

• 
  An Expat Life in Nicaragua

• Jicaro Island Ecolodge

  sefahey

  7 Feb 2010 | 11:20 am

  Last weekend, our good friend, Gladis, invited us to spend a weekend at Jicaro Island Ecolodge.  As we both work in the hospitality business, it is helpful to explore how other hotels, inns, and resorts operate.  It keeps us on our toes and constantly thinking about new ideas.  Although, it was also just a wonderful weekend escape.   Jicaro Island Ecolodge is Nicaragua´s most upscale nature resort located on a private island in Lake Nicaragua. The lodge is located just a short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada with spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across the…

• The Biggest Loser – San Juan Style

  sefahey

  6 Feb 2010 | 12:37 pm

  Justin and I have been packing on the pounds lately. Well, actually, Justin has been slimming down while I’ve been, shall we say, expanding. And no, it’s not with a baby. So, the announcement of the Biggest Loser Challenge, at Buena Vida Fitness, our local gym, came at the perfect time.  For two months, beginning February 1, Justin and I are competing to be San Juan’s Biggest Loser (insert joke here).  Follow our progress and our competitors at Buena Vida Fitness, Biggest Loser.

• My Apologies!

  sefahey

  6 Feb 2010 | 11:52 am

  So, I have actually received complaints in the last few weeks regarding my lack of new posts over the last – geez – 6 months or so. My sincerest apologies! I will take it as a compliment that people actually want to hear about our experience here Speaking of “our” experience – I have been trying to convince Justin to write a few posts from the husband’s/man’s perspective. He keeps saying he will, but not much progress so far. So, if you’d like to hear from Justin, let me know! He can be quite funny. In the meantime, expect to see some new posts…

• The difference one month can make…

  sefahey

  28 Jun 2009 | 12:24 pm

  May 28, 2009 June 25, 2009

• Fiestas Patronales – San Juan del Sur

  sefahey

  26 Jun 2009 | 12:04 pm

  Each town in Nicaragua has its own Patron Saint.  Nicaraguans of all ages honor the saint’s birthday annually with celebrations called fiestas patronales.  While the purpose is religious, the focus is on music, dance, games, rodeos, and more – including the occasional cervesa or Nica Libre.  Along with San Juan de Oriente and San Juan de Jinotega, the community of San Juan del Sur celebrated its patron saint, Saint John, with pride this past week. Saturday, June 20th, marked the beginning of San Juan’s 2009 fiesta patronal with a hípica (horse parade) and the coronation of Miss San…

• 
  Gutsy Writer

• My Perfect Sunday and The Kind Diet

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:10 pm

  Here's my favorite place to visit on a sunny Sunday morning.Please click here if you're having trouble viewing this video.Ever done something different just because?Here's what I did last week.Please click here if you're having trouble viewing this video.Please share whatever you're in the mood to share.Hope you're well and enjoying life.

• Getting Results

  31 Jan 2010 | 8:33 pm

  If you're having trouble viewing, please click here.I mentioned the contest for memoir and narrative non-fiction writers in my video and the link is here: (www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog) "Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change." JESSE JACKSON."If I'm tempted to complain and cry when things don't go my way, I can get myself moving instead. Do I need to work harder, try something different, or just change my plans? Chances are, what I need to do is simple and well within my control." (Taken from: The Daily…

• Crack the Whip...Would you please?

  23 Jan 2010 | 8:47 am

  Click here if you can't see my video.The instructions for this award are as follows:1) Thank the person who sent the award. [Thanks so much Louise that was a fantastic prize to receive before my mini-break. a) Copy the award to my blog [Above]b) Link to their blog [Above]2) List seven things people don't know about me:a). I love boysenberry jam on sharp cheddar cheese. Something my mother had for breakfast in Denmark and now my American son likes too.b). I get mad when I cannot lift heavy weights at the gym. I refuse to accept age as an excuse.c). I cover my eyes whenever there is blood and…

• Does practice make you a great writer?

  18 Jan 2010 | 9:32 am

  From reading and sharing our blogs, I realize how many of us are hoping to find answers and structure in something that is an art form.The questions we ask famous authors and screenwriters, always seem to include: Give us an idea of your typical writing day? Where do you get your ideas from? Do you outline? Is plot more important than characters? Do you know the ending before you start? etc. etc.Over the past three years, I've listened to many fiction, memoir, non-fiction and screenwriters, the most recent presentation I heard was Dean Devlin's. He co-wrote and produced Independence Day,…

• Disconnected Families: What is Yours?

  15 Jan 2010 | 12:23 pm

  Our House before we moved to Belize.Our hut in Belize is below. Kids had much less stuff.Flicking through television stations one afternoon--yes I know what you're thinking, but please don't go there-- I came across the Oprah Show, and noticed a family of four facing the audience. The blond mother did not smile, the husband seemed intimidated, the 14-year-old appeared uncomfortable and the five-year-old, bored. Apparently this family had become disconnected and were getting prepped by Peter Walsh, for a week of stripping down, in order to become a reconnected family.I just had to watch the…

• 
  a day in my dominican life...

• Play Time.

  7 Feb 2010 | 2:58 pm

  one of my goal's this new year was (is?) to be more intentional with samil's learning. mainly, spending more time developing some skills he needs, giving him more opportunities to be creative, things like that.neither of our pictures came out good. my camera is broken and with the storm of mess that has been hitting us (broken cars, needing to move), fixing the camera is on the bottom of the list of things to do. samil's working on his sounds and speech with starfall.com and pbs kids and doing some speech activities with me. i'm still not really too concerned with his speech development, but…

• the added bonus.

  6 Feb 2010 | 4:02 pm

  while the eastern seaboard of the US is being beaten down by a snowstorm, i'm sitting here in a skirt and tanktop. my kids are in their underwear. all of our windows are open.we're thinking about maybe, maybe going to the beach tomorrow. and tonight.tonight we're going to sleep with the fan on.

• super allergy?

  4 Feb 2010 | 3:34 am

  last week amely had what we thought were mosquito bites all over her legs. let me tell you. the mosquitoes here right now are fierce. big doesn't describe them and every time you smoosh one in the shower your hand gets covered in the blood it already sucked from you unknowing.gross.so, she had these marks that looked like mosquito bites. didn't itch, didn't bother her. and then they went away. a few days later she got some on her forehead. maybe mosquitoes. maybe an ant got on her. who knew?but now. now, she is covered in these little bumps. They no longer look like mosquito bites. so i took…

• and what makes your life better than mine?

  1 Feb 2010 | 9:55 am

  the haitian police arrested some american "do-gooders" trying to transport haitian children into the dominican republic. from what i've read all around, the idea is to get these kids "out of haiti" and adopted in the "developed" world.it wasn't even certain that these kids were orphaned. just, you know, supposed.something that has been eating at me a lot lately is the idea that just because the USA is "developed" doesn't mean that it's better.like, really, do i want my kids to sit in front of their big, flat screened, plasma t.v. for hours everyday, only to get up to gorge themselves on some…

• overwhelmed.

  28 Jan 2010 | 1:44 pm

  we've been looking to move for awhile. the water situation, the neighbor's association, crazy neighbors... it takes its toll after awhile.but we've got this problem where i work from home and amalio works half way across the city. and if we move further from his work his head might spin around and around until it explodes during rush hour one day. and if we move too far away from where we are now, i lose my work - and my income. we pay an incredibly small rent on our apartment - only 500 pesos more than when we moved in four years ago. it's unheard of. and i guess we should have figured it…

• 
  Clare Says...

• In case you hadn’t heard

  Clare

  6 Feb 2010 | 4:31 pm

  It has been snowing in DC. What a winter! Here we are this morning walking through the freshly falling snow. Both S and Harley are pretty excited about all this weather we have been having— can’t really complain myself.

• Not quite there: Commentary on Communication

  Clare

  31 Jan 2010 | 3:39 pm

  There have been some great posts flying around the Spanish-English blogo sphere community recently. Abby talked about her breast infection. Lydia talked about her husband getting free condoms from a guy on the street. And Margaret coined the phrase “fake false cognates” and gave the examples: Supportar, Regular, Cinico, and Ordinario. You may have noticed from some of these examples that the misunderstand turned out to be sexual in nature. Somehow in Chilean Spanish this is very common.  In fact, even if the word doesn’t mean something sexual, it probably has a second…

• New wheels

  Clare

  30 Jan 2010 | 8:44 am

  It is official.  We bought a car. This is the first car I have bought— and it is new to boot!  So, here are my comments: Definitely test drive.  There were cars that I ended up loving after driving (the Nissan Rouge AWD that we bought) and there were things that I found out that I didn’t realize earlier (RAV4’s back door opens like a real door thus making it hard to open if someone is parked behind you, and the Mitsubishi outlander dashboard was hard to read) We did end up negotiating via email.  This worked better for me.  I could get a quote and then go somewhere…

• A little smile today

  Clare

  23 Jan 2010 | 1:49 pm

  Yes, yes, I know– videos two posts in a row. But when Calliope posted this I really really laughed. I wanted to share that laugher (although I admit it might be a generational thing)

• Little dancing cartoon russians! Ooopa!

  Clare

  21 Jan 2010 | 3:49 pm

  Ah, the things I find in Russian class. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched this video now and I am always excited when I understand another word or phrase. That said, the first million times or so I was watching it with out the rough translation this individual has added.

• 
  todos los dias en buenos aires!

• CasaBar was packed out — but people wer …

  Rick Powell

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:06 pm

  CasaBar was packed out — but people were still, for some reason, waiting in line — and El Alamo was charging a ridiculous $60 AR to get in and watch the game. Standing up. Juan and I made our way to some pirate-themed tourist bar where we drank frosty Brahmas and watched the game pretty much by ourselves. The Argentinians weren’t interested. I guess because the players weren’t rolling around on the field pretending that their shins were broken. I decided before I got there that I would root for the Colts, if only because Indianapolis is my hometown, more or less.

• Ditched the plans to make polenta. Now I …

  Rick Powell

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:36 am

  Ditched the plans to make polenta. Now I’m making potato pizza with pancetta. And beer. “Natch. Then Juan and I are going to CasaBar to watch the superbowl.Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: American football, CasaBar, food, Superbowl

• New Year’s resolutions: 1. Stop smok …

  Rick Powell

  6 Feb 2010 | 12:22 pm

  New Year’s resolutions: 1. Stop smoking at home. Check. Once I start a pack of cigs, I don’t stop until I’ve killed it, which didn’t really take that long. More than a pack per day. It was making me feel awful and not great for the MacBook, either. Now I only smoke when I go out. Like a chimney, but that’s usually only once a week. I didn’t want to give up smoking entirely; I love smoking, and beer and cigs go together. 2. Stop drinking every day. Check. I’m orally fixated, it’s true. But now I’ve drinking Diet Coke instead of beer. Also,…

• I’m destined to hook up with the young …

  Rick Powell

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:31 pm

  I’m destined to hook up with the young guy who works the kiosk near my flat. I knew something was up, weeks ago: Because he came to remember what cigarettes I bought; because his hand trembled when he’d give me my change; because he would ask Juan about me;because the other night he rubbed the top of my hand and asked, “Nos vemos?” “Si!” I answered at the time, although I knew I wouldn’t be seeing him that night, or morning. He works the night shift and gets off at 7. Sometimes I’m up at 7 but if I am, I’m beat or too drunk to fuck.

• Juan Carlos informed that “some fat ol …

  Rick Powell

  3 Feb 2010 | 1:00 pm

  Juan Carlos informed me that “some fat ol’ taxi driver” offered him 300 pesos to have sex with him. Juan’s either lying (I happen to know that the going rate for foreigner johns to be 100 pesos, ahem, and although I love him, Juan ain’t that cute. Plus since when could a taxi driver afford 300 pesos?!) or it’s wishful thinking.Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: taxi boys, taxi drivers

• 
  Brendas Blog from Paraguay

• Do You Jicama?

  Brenda

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:05 pm

  We do!Jicama is a root vegetable which you can eat raw.It looks like this:You just peel it and then cut it up into finger sized pieces.We like it best with a little lemon or lime squeezed over the top.Its good grated into a salad as well.Try it! Its delicious.It its not in your grocery store, you can try Asian or Latin markets.More recipes at Lisa's

• No Car/SLAGI

  Brenda

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:25 pm

  They say that we teach our children more by example than we do by words, and while I know this is true, sometimes our children learn things we never intended to teach. One thing our children inadvertently learned to do was to live with out a vehicle.The first time we were car-less was the year we lived in Costa Rica. While I felt sorry for myself waiting for the bus in the rain, five-year-old-Rebecca's thing to be thankful for on the fourth Thursday in November was getting to ride the bus every day. All through the kids growing up years we had episodes of car-less living. Once when we were in…

• Superbowl Sunday

  Brenda

  6 Feb 2010 | 11:12 pm

  I thought I'd post a few football jokes to help all us football widows get through the day. . . Calling the CoachAs a high school football coach, I'm aware that student athletes tend to focus too much on sports. A fellow coach, Bob, was talking about one such player, who called him at home one night. When his wife informed the kid that Bob wasn't home, he became frantic and said he had to speak to the coach right away. "Just calm down, and I'll have him call you as soon as he gets home," the coach's wife told him. "What's your number?"The flustered kid replied, "Three.-- Allan FloydFootball…

• Parking in a Narrow Garage

  Brenda

  6 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

  I have parked in some narrow places, but nothing like this. Very clever.

• Friday's Fave Five

  Brenda

  4 Feb 2010 | 10:32 pm

  1. This gift I got my daughter for Valentines Day. My aging face can't handle all this sparkle, but its fun to have a daughter to buy pink, shiny things for.2. Baby Shower and target shooting. The girls in the family attended my nieces baby shower while the boys went shooting. To the best of my knowledge, this is a first, for the guys to bond together over guns, it was kind of funny and unusual. The girls had a lot of fun and I was amazed at how improved baby equipment is now.3. Shopping with Rebecca. I needed to update my wardrobe a little and pick up a few outfits for speaking and for…

• 
  Expat Chronicles

• South London Gangster in Colombia

  Colin

  28 Jan 2010 | 8:23 am

  If you like this post, see all The Mick’s stories. Alternate Title: Old Prison Pal of The Mick Lives Fast, Dies Young The Mick first heard of John Rowley in his days as a heroin-addicted thief on the streets of London. Both worked among the criminal underworld of petty crime and bank robberies. The Mick had heard of an established gunman named John Rowley but didn’t meet him until their paths crossed in Colombia. In The Mick’s words, John Rowley was a conman and playboy who’d charm anybody he met while relieving them of value, then would turn around and spend everything he stole…

• Recession: An American Experience

  Colin

  21 Jan 2010 | 10:15 pm

  The subprime mortgage meltdown started around 2007, the last year I lived in the States. At the time, newspapers and economists believed the risk was contained to only subprime or the domestic house market. Since then we’ve seen big banks fail, investments plummet, and trillions of public dollars injected into banks around the world. We’ve learned about collaterized debt obligations (CDO), credit-default swaps (CDS), and a slew of other culprits in what amounts to the steepest recession since the Great Depression. I wasn’t around during the Great Depression; I only have the impression I…

• Women from South America in Pictures

  Colin

  12 Jan 2010 | 7:55 pm

  Alternate Title: Stop Asking Me for Pictures of Latinas! I got these pictures of Latinas for you assholes. They’re mostly from Peru; Colombia and Chile are also represented. Note: I haven’t had relations with any of the girls pictured here. Estimadas amiguitas, si prefiera que no publice su foto, mi vida, mándeme un correo a webmaster [arroba] expat-chronicles [punto] com. ¡Gracias, besote!

• Smuggling Contraband from Colombia

  Colin

  8 Jan 2010 | 1:34 pm

  Jump to Marijuana, Cocaine, Steroids, or Sinalgen (Colombian Vicodin). Marijuana I was to arrive in St. Louis just before Thanksgiving, where some of the men in the family always burn one after dinner. It’s usually the same guys who provide the jibber, which I realized as I was staring at a pile of cheap-ass Colombian marijuana on my counter. So I stuffed a fat bud into the pocket of one of the artesania handbags I bought as Christmas presents (which are among the finer products from Colombia, but not this weed). My strategy is generally not to use bags in placing tiny personal amounts in…

• My 1st Time Bribing Cops in Colombia

  Colin

  8 Jan 2010 | 1:05 pm

  I just returned to Bogota after six weeks in the States. This incident happened November 22, my last day before flying out of Colombia. I’ll have other overdue posts about America, mi tierra, after having lived in South America for almost two years. Stay tuned. November 22, around 10am, I ran into The Mick at the bike repair shop in Chapinero on the west side of Avenida Caracas. The west side of Chapinero is a poorer, ghetto section that features 7 de agosto and a drugs-and-prostitution district. The shop’s located on an OK block where there isn’t anything to worry about during the day.

• 
  Still Life in Southeast Asia

• Wat Pho

  Still Life in Southeast Asia

  20 Jan 2010 | 7:01 pm

  Photos of Wat Pho (a temple) in Bangkok, Thailand, known for housing one of the world’s largest Buddhas. See more photos of the wat here. Posted in Thailand

• Beloved Green Bag

  Still Life in Southeast Asia

  18 Jan 2010 | 11:59 pm

  I apologize to the readers whose RSS informed them of a new post and then did not find it when they visited. I didn’t like the post I had scheduled, so I took it down. The post was about the boring topic of paring down one’s wardrobe when traveling. I realized that what I actually wanted to [...]

• Cats of Wat Pho

  Still Life in Southeast Asia

  16 Jan 2010 | 5:41 am

    A wat is a Buddhist temple. You may have heard of the famous Cambodian Angkor Wat. Wat Pho is known in Bangkok for housing the reclining Buddha–one of the largest Buddhas in the world. A tranquil temple seemed like a reasonable place to find a lot of tranquil cats. The cats below were sitting at a [...]

• First Impressions: Bangkok, Thailand

  Still Life in Southeast Asia

  13 Jan 2010 | 4:36 am

  In his collection of essays entitled The Nasty Bits, Anthony Bourdain discussed his Platonic ideal of fast food–his preference over the Chicken McNuggets and Whoppers that most Americans turn to when they want dinner fast. To him, fast food is street food served by vendors around the world. Walking the streets of Bangkok, I can see what he is [...]

• Still Life Year in Review – 2009

  Still Life in Southeast Asia

  7 Jan 2010 | 7:01 pm

  I started this blog in February 2008 in order to journal our travels to South America and keep in touch with family. I had never considered blogging before, but it seemed like the right circumstance to start. In December 2008, we left Buenos Aires for a new excursion, one that kaleidoscoped into other side trips. [...]

• 
  Rantings from Afar

• Research Blog

  annmucc

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:30 am

  Yeps…I posted in there again! This time I gave an update about the research meetings we do in our department.

• Adventures of the Tube Replacement Service

  annmucc

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:00 am

  Ahh! The beauty of the rail replacement service! The Jubilee line, which is the tube line we are on, is closed most weekends for works on the line. The end of these closures has been moved so many times that I have given up keeping track of it. This might sound all doom and gloom. However…there is one good thing that comes out from this…there are free buses that run between stations on a ‘tube replacement service’. We have used this quite a bit to get from home to the centre. However, today was the first time we actually used it for its own sake. Typical Replacement…

• Fleeting Visits

  annmucc

  7 Feb 2010 | 3:51 am

  Another weekend and another visit. This time round however it was quite a short one – Thursday night to Saturday afternoon – by Adrian. Adrian started a PhD at UCL last year at the same time as I did. We met in Malta through a group of people who were all coming up to London to study at the same time. Being at the same university and Maltese we sort of kept in touch, particularly when he started going out with a friend in common. Adrian and I in front of UCL Although Adrian is doing a PhD in London, he is based in Malta this year and is coming up to London every few weeks (he…

• Research Blog

  annmucc

  4 Feb 2010 | 1:17 pm

  Another blog post…no not this one…on my research blog. This time it is about computer courses and certification I have obtained through the graduate school. Check it out!

• Research Blog

  annmucc

  3 Feb 2010 | 5:50 am

  I seem to have started blogging a bit more regularly this last week or so…not sure why or how, so enjoy it while it lasts! I wrote up about a course I attended yesterday in my research blog. Check it out!

• 
  behind the lens

• Where have I been?!

  9 Feb 2010 | 1:40 am

  The past few months seem like they have gone by in about 1 nanosecond. I left for a long trip to the United States on December 15 (my first trip home in the year and half I have lived in Germany) and got sick pretty much the day I was supposed to come home. After long flights and a long recovery from a nasty virus and lots and lots of snow in Berlin, I am finally coming up for air.Before I got

• Istanbul

  2 Dec 2009 | 8:00 am

  This is the reason I haven't posted in awhile...because I was away in a breathtakingly beautiful city. Istanbul is full of friendly people, pretty light, great sites and Turkish Delight (which I could not get enough of). I loved it! I hope someday I can go visit more of Turkey.More pictures here if you are interested.

• Berlin

  11 Nov 2009 | 6:19 am

  Here are a few shots from the official Mauerfall celebration. It was a huge circus with tons of people, most of which weren't speaking German. It was also terrible terrible weather. I got these few shots before it really started pouring and we decided to spend the rest of the evening sitting comfortably inside a restuarant that was overlooking the dominoes. There were lots of speeches, lots

• 20 Years Ago

  9 Nov 2009 | 1:31 am

  I thought this was an especially interesting video of that night 20 years ago. Hard to believe I was 9 and living in a small town in Oklahoma and now I call this amazing city home and those crazy East Berliners my friends. My camera and I are leaving now to go photograph all the celebrations around the city today. I just wish it was better weather! Look for photos and such soon :)

• Vino

  8 Nov 2009 | 4:07 am

  Someday I will visit Napa Valley, California, Bordeaux, France and Tuscany, Italy. I would at least like to visit the Mosel wine regions here in Germany. I love the way vineyards look in the Autumn, the combination of colors is just gorgeous - the browns from the vines, the greens, yellows and reds from the leaves and the deep purple and blue hues from the grapes.These Merlot Grapes were

• 
  NicoleB Photography

• Nabq Nature protectorate, Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt

  NicoleB

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:45 am

  Nabq Nature protectorate entranceNabq Nature protectorate mine fieldNabq Nature protectorate mosqueBeauty in the nature preserveBeauty in the nature preserveCafeteria at Bedouin village in nature preserve park, NabqMangroves under waterMangroves Nabq nature protectorateQuad biking in nature preserve park, NabqCommon KingfisherKentish Plover and some UID birdsKentish PloverSooty gull in flightWestern reef heron, white formWestern reef heron, dark formThe Nabq Nature protectorate is at the North end of Nabq. You take the main road until you get to a big Roundabout and take the dirt road. It…

• Crocodile show in Sharm el Sheikh

  NicoleB

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:47 am

  Something everything a tourist town should have, as well as a dolphin show. Both with tiny places to hold the animals. I will, one of these days, visit both shows. Just for the picture taking and showing what’s going on. Stuff like that makes me pretty angry and sad. All just for the money. Gifts and Cards by NicoleB

• Alf Leila Wa Leila - Cinema

  NicoleB

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:10 am

  A cinema in Sharm el Sheikh? I was thrilled for a second when I saw this. Then I remembered that it most likely is either the one that closed down or the 3D movie about Sharm el Sheikh that they play SOMEWHERE in this place. This is the Alf Leila Wa Leila ‘park’ with Restaurants and entertaining. Haven’t been inside yet, so, can’t tell you how it is. Oh well. It made for a nice picture anyway Gifts and Cards by NicoleB

• Common Redstart, Gartenrotschwanz, Phoenicurus phoenicurus

  NicoleB

  2 Feb 2010 | 10:36 pm

  Saw this Beauty last year in October on our compound. Did I mention that I still have a bunch of birdies left to ID? These fellows are usually pretty shy. This one must have been an exception. He posed for me nicely before he flew off The common Redstart is a small bird. Only about 15cm tall and slim. Watch for the red tail, grey back, white forehead, black face and chestnut underparts in the plumage of a male in summer. More Info & sound Gifts and Cards by NicoleB

• The Lighthouse

  NicoleB

  2 Feb 2010 | 8:46 am

  Not sure if it’s still in use. This is a Lighthouse near the Plane crash memorial and Funar beach. A lovely corner, where I saw my first Osprey last year. ——————- Visit more “My world Tuesday” participants Gifts and Cards by NicoleB

• 
  ON THE MOVE AGAIN

• Only in Switzerland...

  3 Feb 2010 | 11:50 pm

  Yesterday was an unusually sunny, warm day. So, I headed out the door for a long walk with Schlopy complete with a stop at the dog park for the little guy. As we were leaving the park and heading for home, the loudest sirens imaginable started to fill the air. These were not your average emergency vehicle or car alarm sirens. I honestly thought that the city was under attack and expected to soon see men dressed in black and holding guns running through the streets. I looked around for safety and seriously thought about making a run for a nearby maintenance building. However, none of my fellow…

• What's for Dinner?

  20 Jan 2010 | 1:55 am

  With a little time on my hands and restaurants being bloody expensive in Geneva, I have been exploring the art of cooking as of late. Until now, I have always been a very basic cook....pasta and premade sauce, grilled ham and cheese, etc. Since my newly ordered Cooking Light magazine arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, I have discovered a new hobby. Now, don't go crazy and think that I am creating masterpieces. I still have not braised anything and I certaintly have not attempted to caramlize anything. My pantry, however, is slowly starting to fill with ingredients (white wine vinegar, fresh…

• Italy

  16 Jan 2010 | 10:27 am

  Since we stayed in Europe this year for Christmas, we decided to put our newly purchased car to the test and take a driving trip through Italy (the picture to the left is of Vatican Square taken from the top of St. Peter's cupola). So, on Christmas day we (Schlopy included!) loaded the car and headed to Venice. Relying on a borrowed GPS (thanks Hans), we quickly found ourselves passing through France with mountains in the distance. Within an hour of leaving home, we came upon the Mont Blanc Tunnel. After paying the €35 toll and receiving a pair of work gloves (yes, we are still trying to…

• Italy Pictures

  8 Jan 2010 | 9:28 am

  Venice's Grand Canal Italy= Pizza and Wine Venice's Grand Canal at Night Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the Background Amalfi Coast Ancient RomeThe Coliseum

• We have Wheels!

  1 Jan 2010 | 3:06 pm

  In a rather sudden fashion and only days before leaving for our road trip through Italy, we decided to buy a car! Jignesh came home late one night and announced that we (with the help of his friend at work, Hans) were going to look at a few cars the next day. Before I knew it, we were putting a deposit on a small 2001 Daewoo (yes, a Daewoo...the same car company that went belly up in the US in less than 10 years!!!) and only days later, securing Swiss registration (quite a process in and of itself), insurance, and purchasing snow chains (required in most parts of the Alps in the winter). With…

• 
  Northern Natterings

• Happy 101

  27 Jan 2010 | 1:36 am

  I never get awards. I think I'm plugged into the wrong blogging circles...either that or lost in my own orbit of oddness. But I got one, I got one!Emma at Pink Bliss tagged me in an awards meme. What I have to do is list ten things that make me happy, and then tag ten other bloggers. So, here goes:1) These two goobers. Why else would I live in Norway, or be happy if it weren't for them? Even if Sverre has banned Max from the bed (a rule conveniently discarded when he's at work), and from the couch (which Max ignores on his own), they both like me an awful lot, and I kinda feel the same way…

• Dear Frances

  22 Jan 2010 | 12:59 pm

  Dear Frances,You're gone now, and I think that may be a good thing. I think you have finally found peace, but I just wanted to write to you, and let others know, through this letter, how I feel about you.You were my grandmother. Not through any biological lines. My grandparents left too early, and you filled their place for me. My last grandmother left me at seven, so you were the one who went to Grandparent's Day with me at school.I remember sitting next to you at church. I remember your smell, like a warm kitchen and love. I remember the pasta that came out every Easter and Christmas. I…

• Oslo Blog Gathering -- August 2010.

  21 Jan 2010 | 12:27 pm

  Hey guys, August 2010 is like, this year. And just eight (almost seven since this is the last part of January?) months away! Oslo Blog Gathering: August 18-22!RennyBA’s TerellaOfficial Program SiteTonight I met with Renny and many other Norwegian (and the Writer, our temporary Denmark expat) bloggers for a wonderful meeting conducted over tapas and drinks. Let me just say, this party is starting to look like a lot of fun.We met at the First Hotel Millennium in downtown Oslo. The hotel staff is helpful, and very excited about the prospects of this gathering. Our tour included the rooms…

• Nervous

  17 Jan 2010 | 6:13 am

  So today I'm getting together all my transcripts---okay, the one transcript that I've received from the three schools I've attended--, my nifty little A.A. certificate (Associate of Arts, not the sober crowd), and the evidence I have that the government of Norway is aware that I'm still in their country and they are, in fact, hopefully doing something about that. I'm hoping to take a degree with an agricultural flavor. I'm tired of having my butt stapled to an office chair, and I loved my last job which had me driving up and down the county. Reimbursed gas mileage is awesome. Back on…

• Camera Cord Thingamabobbie: Found

  12 Jan 2010 | 6:29 am

  Aha! Finally found the camera cord in one of the yet-to-be-unpacked boxes labeled "Sverre stuff." Hahahahahaaa!I took these photos after Christmas when we got a meter of snow!Of course, all this cold weather lately means we have to wear more clothes. I call this the "Flying Nun Get Up." As you can see, she (one of our Thoroughbreds on the farm)is absolutely thrilled to wear it!I have turned into the She-Lawrence of Scandinavia, as I tell Sverre, with my ear-warmers, hat, gloves, sweaters, scarves, coats, jeans, long underwear, and polar suit. Sometimes I feel like a burka is sexier than what…

• 
  Happy Adventures

• Last Monday in DK

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:36 pm

  All my lists went in the garbage. Now if I think of something I just have to do it. (except for the floors) The movers are coming tomorrow. 8AM. Which means my kids will go to school early so I can get back here on time... or closer to on time.I think I might have it under control... maybe. I hope it works out okay. I'm kinda impressed with us right now. I'm not frantically running about so that is a good sign. I'm sitting, relaxing, and drinking my chocolate milk. Thanks for helping Michaela and Sierra! I even fed the kids a good dinner with veggies involved. :)A light just fell from the…

• Under Control

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:44 am

  My friends love me! I had some great going away "parties" on Thursday and Friday with my friends... Really, I don't know if I'll ever find a group of moms as fun as these ones. I can't see how it would be possible. If the Hamburg moms are not nice to me my Aarhus moms will come beat them up though... it's been arranged. My friends here are wonderful. You don't get friends like this in the "regular" world... you just don't... and you couldn't explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it. All these families understand what moving away from everything is like, they understand how important…

• Poozie the Red-Nosed Poozler

  3 Feb 2010 | 3:00 am

  Andrea thinks her sisters are hilarious. Especially when they are throwing snow on themselves.Here is our long, long, long sidewalk. I had to shovel it AGAIN (at least this time I wore gloves and did it during the day. But when I looked back to admire my progress I saw it was already covered. Not very encouraging... especially since I was using the little kids' red and yellow plastic snow shovel because I refuse to buy a real one. :)I love that our cat plays with us in the snow. We love Velcro. :)

• Monkey

  2 Feb 2010 | 10:44 am

  See this cute little monkey's arm?The price tag??? 699.75 Danish Kroner! $140.00!!!Not so cute anymore... It's suddenly a very stupid little monkey!I wanted to get one for my new little niece. I had seen them everywhere and thought they must be "Danish". Sorry Audrey, no $140.00 monkey for you.

• You're Fired

  2 Feb 2010 | 10:12 am

  Before my husband fires our moving company and looks for another one... :) Wouldn't that be a super idea six days before we move!!Is it common for a moving company to refuse to pack "wet" things... such as our outside items that are covered with snow? I've taken all our snow covered outside toys into the freezing cold garage to maybe dry off. But what am I supposed to do with our trampoline and outdoor table and chairs? There is no way I can get them, and keep them, dry. I refer you the biggest trampoline in the world picture....

• 
  some guy in lebanon

• Signing Off: Some Guy in the World

  i@williamcurtisdonovan.com (Will Donovan)

  19 Jan 2010 | 8:39 am

  Today I sign off officially from ‘Some Guy in Lebanon,’ as I start work with Theodor Wille Intertrade (TWI) as IT Project Manager. I will be traveling extensively across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for the next year – if you live in Frankfurt, Zurich, Istanbul, Dubai, Kuwait, or Kyrgyzstan, I would love to hear from you, as I will bouncing around that part of the world extensively. For those of you who are wondering, yes, the plan is to be back in Beirut by the fall. The last six months have been a wild ride – Last time I posted it was October 6th and I think I…

• When the ground moves quickly beneath your feet…

  i@williamcurtisdonovan.com (Will Donovan)

  6 Oct 2009 | 9:05 am

  I’ve thought about what I’d say in this post for a long time. In so many ways, it’s probably the most important thing I’ll write on this foolish little blog, but it will also likely be the least conclusive. I’ll recap, quickly, what’s happened over the past month and a half. In late August, I approached the NYC Lebanese Consulate, requesting a proper visa to go back to Beirut on, so that I could arrange for work papers and legalize my status in Beirut. They stamped my passport and sent it back to me. Upon arrival at the airport in Beirut, I was barred from…

• Some Guy in Dubai

  i@williamcurtisdonovan.com (Will Donovan)

  3 Oct 2009 | 6:57 am

  It’s extraordinary how things work out. And as always, I’m in debted to a good friend for his help. It’s time to take my little Middle Eastern sideshow on the road, leaving Amman, Jordan, for Dubai. I’ll be there in two weeks. I can’t even begin to thank everyone who has done their very best to get me out of this jam with the Lebanese General Security. Hopefully, come January or February, I’ll be back in Beirut with flying colors, ready to take on the world again. In the meantime, I must go hibernate, and see what I can see, in that city built on sand they…

• Some Guy in Diaspora

  i@williamcurtisdonovan.com (Will Donovan)

  30 Sep 2009 | 11:36 am

  It seems this is it – A final stand was made, and I cannot thank enough those who have tried their very best for me, and those who are still trying. But it seems that there is no solution to my problem in Lebanon. For reasons I don’t understand, I am not allowed entry, not even to collect my things and empty my bank account. A work permit is the only option, but I cannot make that option work, for now. So now I’m truly in diaspora… and it’s amazing to know what that feels like. Whatever it is that the Lebanese government assumes I’m up to, at least I know…

• Some Guy in Pergatory – Amman, Jordan

  i@williamcurtisdonovan.com (Will Donovan)

  21 Sep 2009 | 10:02 am

  Well well well – It has been an interesting week. For those of you who don’t know, despite having a visa from the Lebanese Consulate in New York, I was refused entry into Lebanon last week, and sent to Amman, Jordan, ostensibly to “think about what I’ve done.” Any city would feel like purgatory under this arrangement, it’s true, but arriving in Amman in the middle of Ramadan, this place feels acutely like the doldrums. Until today, as it is the beginning of Eid and things have returned to normal, there has literally been nothing to do but sleep and eat. At…

• 
  Abu Dhabi Daily Photograph

• The Nest

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:58 am

   The latest structure on the Corniche is this wooden heptagon sculpture comprising of seven pillars representing the 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It was erected on New Year Eve and I'd originally thought they were going to burn it in celebration at 12 midnight, but it seems like it’s going to be a permanent fixture. Not really sure how much I like it. What do you think?

• Abbey Road (AKA Electra Street)

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:21 am

   Mirrored on the world's most famous pedestrian crossing outside the Abbey Road Studios in London.

• Sky red at night - Sailor's delight!

  6 Feb 2010 | 10:20 am

   Abu Dhabi's sailors will be rejoicing with this vista tonight.

• Car Trouble!

  5 Feb 2010 | 10:21 am

   Not mine thank God, but one of the challenges of driving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is avoiding scenes like this. Not a day goes by without seeing a traffic accident and although most are just fender benders, car accidents are the second biggest killer of people in the UAE after heart diseases – Let’s be careful out there!

• Sweet Home Abu Dhabi

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:08 am

   After spending a small fortune at Dubai’s Global Village, it’s time to head back home to Abu Dhabi. For the next excursion, I’m hoping to visit the Northern Emirates and beyond (including the Strait of Hormuz), which offers some spectacular scenery.Today’ s photo is of Abu Dhabi’s first ever mall – The Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Centre, currently being extended to include more shops - not that Abu Dhabi actually needs any more retail outlets.

• 
  OMAN .....Travels into Oman

• Oman Tour Guides

  ynotoman

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:44 pm

  attended a lecture hosted by the Oman Ministry of Tourism

• Cruise from Salalah Oman

  ynotoman

  6 Feb 2010 | 10:42 pm

  on a nice small Cruise Ship

• Jan Gehl talks about People Friendly Cities

  ynotoman

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:33 pm

  and his company's work in Muscat

• Royal Opera House Muscat

  ynotoman

  26 Jan 2010 | 6:55 am

  takes shape

• Oasis of Oman

  ynotoman

  10 Jan 2010 | 8:52 am

  was the focus of a book, launched today

• 
  PALORDINIA

• Outrageous Football, Outrageous Messi

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:08 am

  Those who watched Barcelona's game against Getafe most probably will have noticed two lessons being taught to the whole world about skill and team work. A team that spent most of the game playing with 10 players, after Pique walked off the pitch red carded, managed to stay in control of a match against a highly organized and aggressive team like Getafe. 2-1 was the final result and this is a lesson Barcelona taught to the whole footballing world.  On a more personal level, Lionel Messi have once more proved to the entire world that he is a genius and a star still rising at the age of 22.

• Chapter 1: Jordanians " The Floaters"

  31 Jan 2010 | 2:50 pm

  There are five types of Jordanians. At least 95% of the population belong to one of these types. The rest are just anomalies or simply not Jordanians. These types are identifiable by their way of life. Not by religion or origin, but by social beliefs and codes of social communication. In this Series of 5 posts we will go through the 5 types as an extensive Jordan 101 Course. THE FLOATERS: This group takes pride in being Elite. Not in a financial sense, but more on a moral level. the wrong doing of their own doesn't necessarily undermine their status as they have struck a deal with God to give…

• Algeria, Egypt and the Arabic competition culture

  29 Jan 2010 | 11:58 pm

  To start with, we have to congratulate Egypt for a convincing win over Algeria. It doesn't get clearer than 4-0, and the win is obviously well deserved. Having said that, this game is a living example of everything that is wrong with Arabic football, and this reflects the many flaws we have in other aspects of life. Algeria is probably as good as Egypt, maybe a little better or a bit worse. 4-0 might lead observers to believe there is a huge technical gap between the two teams , but what it really reflects is how bad we are at losing, and how unequiped we are in defeat. 3 red cards for a team…

• Top 11 Nightlife Spots in Dubai

  27 Jan 2010 | 12:28 pm

  Nightlife in Dubai is a brilliant experience. You get to choose from a variety of places and themes. Music ranges from Techno to Trance to House to Hip Hop. People come from different nationalities and backgrounds, and in most cases it's hassle free and your more likely to see a girl in scarf inside a club than witness a fight between too hyper drunk idiots. Here we are laying out the top eleven places in which you can enjoy a wonderful clubbing experience: 11. Zincat Crowne Plaza This place is something of the past. It had its days and glories. That is not to say that it lost all its glamour…

• The Arab National Anthem!

  19 Jan 2010 | 11:49 am

  Well... Not exactly. It's not even in Arabic, but it says exactly what almost 300 Million Arabs give or take think and wish every single day of their lives! Uprising by Muse. A song for the oppressed. for those who had their dreams stolen, their ambitions shattered, their hopes diminished and their life hijacked by fat cats and blood suckers!

• 
  Black Chick in Saudi

• The Portal Was Open

  4 Feb 2010 | 1:24 am

  A few days back I was standing in line in the produce section of LuLu's. There is a area in which you can have your fresh pineapples, peeled and sliced for you. So, while we're standing there, waiting for our turn, the Saudi lady (completely covered, with the exception of her eyes) standing in front of me, just started talking to me. I have NEVER had this happen before. Ever!! She asked me if I was from South Africa. I told her no, that I was American, from California. She said that's nice. She then commented on the price for the pineapple cutting service, blah, blah, blah. But the funniest…

• It's a Small Small World

  2 Feb 2010 | 8:54 am

  In April 2006, Roland, my mother and I went on a 12 day trip to Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Samui). At 1:30am as Roland was handling the bags, I went to the counter to check us into our hotel in Bangkok. While in line I notice a Black lady speaking "American" english to the desk clerk. So, when was finished with her transaction, I asked her where she was from, she stated that she was from Oakland, California, but was currently residing in Saudi Arabia. As I was checking in, she went on to tell me a little about her life in Saudi Arabia. At that point, I think you said she had been there 4 or 5…

• Masalama...

  31 Jan 2010 | 3:22 am

  kinda means...go with peace. This past weekend I attended a party...it was fabulous. Food....DJ....Dancing...the whole nine. That was the up side...the down side, was that it was a Masalama party. These are parties in which the person who the party is for is leaving the Saudi Arabia. I will go to another such party in February. Even though...as I've stated that most people are here for the money (not saying there aren't other benefits, but this is the main one). But, what makes your stay fun, and doable are the great people you meet along the way, and develop friendships with. This is one of…

• On a Mission in San Diego

  27 Jan 2010 | 8:45 am

  During my last trip "home" to San Diego I decided to play tourist. I went to places I hadn't been since I was a child, and saw these places with new eyes. One of those "places" was Mission San Diego de Alcala: aka The San Diego Mission. You can read more about it and see the slideshow here: On a Mission in San Diego Enjoy and... Peace!!

• Arab Rappers? Who Knew...

  22 Jan 2010 | 10:11 am

  My first music genre of choice is, R & B, then Hip Hop, then, Pop (top 40), but I can appreciate a lot of music. I came across this video. Arab Rappers. Arab Hip HopFemale Arab Rappers? Who knew? Well...now I do. Check it out. Listen to the interviews... It's really interesting.

• 
  Simply LeAnne

• Update: White Taxi Deceipt

  4 Feb 2010 | 5:41 am

  Just as you thought have a metered cab was the way to avoid the hassle, it has now been made public that many driving white cabs are tampering with meters.Please read this article title “Highway Robbery” to find out just what’s going on when you’re regular 7LE cab all of the sudden costs 20LE.You may read my prior post from October 24: !!WARNING!! New White Taxis in Cairo

• Letters from Egypt: My Sinai Adventure

  31 Jan 2010 | 1:24 pm

  It has taken me awhile to post this, but since it is such a great story (at least telling it in person always generates some laughter) I decided to locate the email I wrote for friends and family. This happened back in November, and all I can say is when you’re traveling to the Sinai – make sure you have extra sets of spare tires because you will not find a tire shop for hundreds of kilometers!Written November 12, 2009As some of you might know and others have no clue, I have been in the Sinai for work the past week. I went to Sharm el-Sheikh which is a huge resort town on the Red Sea.

• Letters from Egypt:Football is a Way of Life

  31 Jan 2010 | 6:05 am

  In case you weren’t aware, soccer is a HUGE thing over here. And there’s no bigger game than Egypt vs Algeria. You can view other news sources (BBC’sEgypt's President Mubarak enters Algeria football Row) as to what happened in November when the two countries duked it out to qualify for the World Cup (which Algeria won). Since I can't post the videos anymore because Blogger is a being finicky, you can click on the links that will take you directly to the YouTube videos. Egypt vs Algeria in NovemberEgypt vs Algeria for the African Cup  Next time you’re in Abu Dhabi… …

• Letters from Egypt: Work is Overrated

  27 Jan 2010 | 7:43 am

  I make no quams about my disdain for the typical Egyptian work mentality. I know you’re probably wondering exactly what that entails and I have to say, it is very little. And I mean working VERY LITTLE. Some people might say Cairo is one of the cities “that never sleeps.” FALSE! Cairo sleeps, just not until after 4 am and then many sleep throughout the daylight hours. If you wake up to go to work before 9 am, you’re one of the few (and mostly only foreigners are doing this with a few Egyptian exceptions). Employees stroll into the office after 10 am, but expect to leave at 5 pm (and…

• Letters from Egypt: Dead and Gone

  3 Jan 2010 | 1:29 am

  That part of me left yesterday, the heart of me is strong today. No regrets I’m blessed to say, the old me dead and gone away. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m known for using song lyrics as quotes and while “Dead and Gone” isn’t a song I’d consider a classic or proud to quote, that phrase does describe my feelings toward 2009. I’m not sad to see it go; I’m very excited to get 2010 underway.I kicked off the new year by adopting a dog, Brees (named after my favorite American football team’s quarterback Drew Brees). Someone left him at the Ace Club in poor condition…

• 
  Life in Luanda

• Medical Adventures in South Africa

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:43 am

  Well, I am in Johannesburg on medical leave to try to sort out my right shoulder. It has been troubling me for close to 6 months now, and I’d hoped to be able to delay treatment until the summer holidays. But the last 2 – 3 weeks has seen both the pain and the immobility get significantly worse – to the extent that I had to do something about it.I went to the doctor in the SOS clinic in Luanda, and after 2 x-rays and an examination, he decided that I would need to be diagnosed in South Africa. He had hoped to send me for an MRI in the main SOS hospital in the Ilha, but the machine is…

• Luanda celebrates 434 years

  31 Jan 2010 | 5:53 am

  The city of Luanda celebrated its 434th birthday yesterday afternoon – making it one of Africa’s oldest cities. (The City of Luanda day was on Monday.) The Angola Field Group sent out general invitations to the celebrations downtown in the large square close to the marginal.We arrived about an hour and a half after the festivities started (we wanted to avoid the midday heat) and were just in time to catch the end of a capoeira demonstration. These people are incredibly highly skilled & it is fascinating to watch. We were a little surprised at the small turn out – we saw people from…

• African Cup of Nations: Party Time

  29 Jan 2010 | 12:18 pm

  I am not a football fan – in fact I avoid football (or soccer as I’ve always known it) as much as possible. However, the African Cup of Nations is being hosted by Angola & it is unavoidable. The competition started while we still in Thailand, so we missed the opening ceremony that the other teachers got to see. What we didn’t miss, as it made front-page news, was the shootings at the Togo team in Cabinda. Not good publicity just as the school was trying to hire new teachers. Hard to explain that no sane person would consider going to Cabinda & quite why Angola thought it would be a good…

• A New Year in Bangkok

  16 Jan 2010 | 12:18 pm

  We arrived in the heat and humidity of Bangkok – what a shock after the snow and cold. However we think we were lucky to get out, as the winter UK weather just hasn’t got better. We were also badly jet-lagged (the layovers in Dubai and KL probably didn’t help) so crashed very early in the evening after attending our orientation meeting for the job fair.We had a busy fair with lots of interviews and we also managed to catch the presentations of the schools we were particularly interested in. We also attended the presentation for our school, so people could come and ask us questions about…

• Winter Wow!

  6 Jan 2010 | 5:26 am

  Who would have guessed – in amongst all the global warming hype we arrived in Manchester to a scene covered in snow! In fact, on our flight from Dubai, all we could see from the time the sun came up as we flew over Europe was a sea of snow. Snow everywhere. Luckily our flight wasn’t significantly delayed, by the time we got to Manchester the airport had been open long enough to clear most of the back-log.Although it snowed more the day we arrived, from then on it was really just sub-zero temperatures with frosts & no snow – so the snow didn’t melt & the footpaths became dangerously…

• 
  Ruth's Place

• …in which our heroine knits…

  ruthsplace

  26 Jan 2010 | 8:56 am

  These two items have been finished for a while and I’ve just been lazy about getting them photographed and loaded onto the computer. First, Yet Another Hat for Charity, modelled by my Gorgeous Girl, who, I just realised, has Marmite on her face. (Aside: we have nearly finished the Australian jar and I’m going to have to resort to the British recipie No love to the 12 year old customs agent who confiscated my three jars on our last visit – I forgot that you can’t take gels on board). After trying this one on for me she asked me to make her a hat, so I showed her my…

• More scrapbooking

  ruthsplace

  20 Jan 2010 | 7:53 am

  I promise this isn’t going to turn into a scrapbooking blog This post is mostly for my friend Kerin, who is a wonderful scrap booker and who got me started on the whole process. I was inspired by my class last week to do a few more pages. This is in Gorgeous Girl’s 8 x 8 album. I started with the 8 inch album because I was worried about filling up 12 inches of space. I bought this owl paper in Australia, because I just loved it, but couldn’t work out a way to use it. The teacher at the class had a few ideas that I liked and she drew me a rough sketch that I finished off when…

• Fearless

  ruthsplace

  17 Jan 2010 | 7:01 am

  My child is fearless. On Tuesday Gorgeous Man and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. We went to a lovely restaurant – the food was fabulous. We sat by big open windows and had a stunning view of the sun setting over Table Mountain in the distance. Gorgeous Girl was very impressed with the playground. First, she went on the kiddy slide. And that was fine, until she spotted the “Slide of Doom”. Yes, it is as tall as it looks. Gorgeous Man went up the ladder behind her, but she climbed the whole way by herself. It was fun to see Gorgeous Man sliding down with her. I’ve…

• Popping in to say hello

  ruthsplace

  14 Jan 2010 | 6:28 am

  I’m on leave at present and am enjoying a greatly reduced pace of life. Yesterday I took a scrapbooking class and had a pedicure. Today I took Gorgeous Girl to the library and had a quiet day at home. I do have some finishes to show, some successful and some not so much. We are having MAJOR problems with our email at the moment, and I have lost all email sent to me this year, so if you have emailed me about anything important, please resend it.

• A finish

  ruthsplace

  5 Jan 2010 | 6:59 am

  I have a knitting finish. Morning Surf Scarf in my hand-dyed, handspun yarn. I’m so proud of how this turned out! Gorgeous Girl is a tad scarf obsessed at the moment (she turns clothes and fabric into scarves – shame it’s the height of summer…) and she just had to try it on. I’m giving this to a friend, I hope she likes it. I have enough yarn left over (I hope) to make one for me. I don’t usually make the same project back to back, but I’ve cast on for mine already. The bounty from the garden continues, last night for dinner the only thing on the…

• 
  Trailing Grouse

• An evening by the beach

  trailing grouse

  28 Jan 2010 | 12:00 pm

  We just came back from a little sojourn in Alexandria. It is a wonderful city, with some classical art deco architecture and of course, the famous library. It is a shame that its beauty barely shines through the layers of peeling paint and ill-advised 1970’s monstrosities lining the Corniche. I’m harsh though: it is improving somewhat. On a little night time walk to digest the kilos of seafood we managed to consume, I spotted Abu ‘Abbas’ shami hoummus cart on the beach. What a blonde mermaid and a dolphin have to do with hoummus is beyond me, unless it’s a…

• Open Agony Aunt

  trailing grouse

  22 Jan 2010 | 10:45 pm

  I just came online to blog about something and discovered this had arrived a long time ago and I didn’t see it, so will start with this: Hi all, I am too in the same situation as Maria. I met a lovely egyptian man on the last day of my holiday in sharm in April. We met on a boat trip to tiran Island (divemaster) and met later that evening and spent a number of hours together and I went back to his flat. I did not have sex with him which he did ask for but said he respected me because I didn’t. He has been in contact every day since. I returned in August for 6 days on my own and we…

• Alive

  trailing grouse

  14 Jan 2010 | 7:31 am

  Copyright trailing grouse Cairo is the City Victorious. She is. No matter what happens, she wins. I trundle along in my rather mundane life, ignoring her, ignoring her richness around me and then it happens. Without fail. She chews me up, lacerating me with her sharp teeth, smothering me with her sandpaper tongue and as I fight to gasp a last mouthful of air, she swallows. I find myself deep in the uncertainty of her underbelly. Who to trust, where to go, what to believe? Everything is turned on its head and a black  scream forms inside my gut. It moves up, too loud for my voice, the screams…

• Open Agony Aunt: Egyptian man wanting money

  trailing grouse

  30 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

  I have been involved with an Egyptian man for the last 15 months. I have gone to Egypt twice. The first time for 1 week to meet him, then 3 months later for another 7 days to meet his family, as we have been getting very serious and want to be married. He didn’t tell me until i already had been talking to him for 5 months that he is already married to an american woman for 2 years. She scammed him unto getting married to try and keep herself out of trouble when she came back to the states. She was caught scamming people all over the U.S. on the internet and taking their money. Nevertheless,…

• Open Agony Aunt: too old

  trailing grouse

  29 Nov 2009 | 10:25 pm

  This story just arrived: Hey Girls, just thought I’d let you know that I have been married to an Egyptian man for 7 years. I’ve blonde hair, blue eyes, am slender, etc. Well I just turned 35 and now considered ‘old’. He is 45 and came to me and asked me to send him a young girl from America about 20 years of age. He says I’m too old for him now and needs the young girl for sex but still wants to be married to me. Guess who is leaving Egypt without him????? I don’t know the background to this, where/how the couple met, where they live(d) in Egypt etc. If you are the lady…

• 
  Taiwaneers

• 鄭明哲,祝你生日快樂! (zhèng míng zhé, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè)

  Michael

  23 Jan 2010 | 3:54 am

  For those of you who have never used Google Translator here is your big chance. You should keep in mind that 鄭明哲 is my Chinese name. Once you have figured out this post’s title you can write me a comment about how great Chinese is and how much you enjoy learning it. Before reading on, press the play button of this video and listen to it as you read. It will be a scrumptrulescent experience, I promise. Last week I finished my last final, turned in my last term paper and started winter break! Last Thursday Emily and I hosted a “No More School” party here at our house…

• Taipei Fine Arts Museum Today

  Emily

  16 Jan 2010 | 2:36 am

• Fuerzabruta

  Emily

  9 Jan 2010 | 5:05 am

  A friend from church, Sophie, called on New Year’s Eve wondering if I had any plans. She had bought 2 tickets to see the traveling show www.fuerzabrutanyc.com, which is staying in Taiwan for a bit. I’m so glad she asked me! It was a crazy show, set up in a huge tent with no central stage and no seats. The center of attention traveled around the room, which was genius and a lot of fun. Every one of the five senses was used! They really involved the crowd in everything. I was really impressed and had a great time. I found this short news clip online about the show, be impressed…

• Our Year In Pictures

  Emily

  3 Jan 2010 | 8:40 am

  I got this idea from fellow Americans-in-Taiwan Ben and Stephanie Francis: www.stephbenkinmen.blogspot.com Looking back on the year, it feels like SO MUCH has happened! Which, in reality, is true. Here’s a brief summation. January: 3-day bike trip with our friend Sandy and about 50 orphans in central Taiwan February: A crazy journey in Korea. We saw the bustle of Seoul, heard Buddhist monks chanting in mountain temples, and spent a few days skiing at a world-class resort. March: Lots of hiking. Here we are with our Aussie friend Hannah, taking a rest on the Caoling Trail. April: Road…

• Books of 2009

  Michael

  2 Jan 2010 | 5:31 am

  For the last few years I’ve rediscovered a love for reading books. During the campaign of ‘06 I became a news junkie and it took me a while to  I realize that the news is just the same thing day after day after day. I think 2009 was my first full year of enjoying books on a consistent basis instead of just news. To mark this historic fact I give you a list of the books I read throughout this past year with a few comments about them. If any of you have read these books and want to add your two cents I’d love to hear it. If you have any suggestions for books that should be on…

• 
  Comments on: Dinesh who??

• By: nepalidiot

  nepalidiot

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:07 am

  Needless to say I regularly go through your articles and that I like them a lot. We need more people like you to address us. Infact our generation of youngsters (refering to those born late seventies to early eighties, got educated at prestigious schools either in Darj., Dehradun, Kathmandu, or from Biratnagar, Dharan, Damak, Birtamod, Birgunj, Hetauda, Bharatpur/Narayangarh, Butwal, Pokhara, Bhairahawa,Nepalgunj and Surkhet), are the ones who are feeling left out of everything. Why? 1) We vividly remember “46″. Most of us were kids and thus we grew up with new democratic nepal.

• By: Dinesh

  Dinesh

  3 Feb 2010 | 5:57 am

  Thank you Sanjeev. I will try to do as per your advice. Plz do check my earlier articles about CA students in Laxminagar and Sanskrit students in Varanasi.

• By: Sanjeev Wagle

  Sanjeev Wagle

  30 Jan 2010 | 4:34 am

  Hi Dinesh bro, I keep on checking your posts.. I find them very interesting…may be because i too am a Nepalese student staying in india.. The way you describe india and compare the same in terms of Nepal is so true.. Why dont you visit some Indian colleges where Nepalese students do study and then write about them, what they feel about staying in india, whats their opinion about Nepal… i mean would they love to be back to Nepal or wont mind staying in india only!! Anyways…love to read more of your posts!!

• By: Bijay

  Bijay

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:52 am

  You are doing great Dinesh. I simply love your articles in Koseli and Kathmandu Post. Keep up the good work.

• By: Nandini

  Nandini

  4 Oct 2009 | 10:21 am

  hey been so long….. nothing new.

• 
  THE SUPER SLEUTHS ARE ON THE MOVE!

• Flashback

  8 Feb 2010 | 6:28 am

  Flashback to the days of dating... I have the most amazing husband who loves and supports me unconditionally. I was looking through old pictures and came across this one from Meg's wedding. I love him more each day and I am grateful that God brought us together, then blessed us with an amazing little girl.I just can't wait for him to come home and just in time for Valentine's Day! I know it's not a big deal and we usually don't really celebrate it, but this year feels different and I suppose that's because he will have been away for nearly three weeks. Sometimes distance truly does make the…

• God is working

  6 Feb 2010 | 8:59 am

  I really enjoyed today's devotion and wanted to share, as well as add some of my own comments along the way! I hope this helps some of you that have expressed frustration in your own lives too.God is working, regardless of how you feelby Rick WarrenThat is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. (Hebrews 2:1 TEV)As you grow to spiritual maturity, there are several ways to cooperate with God in the process - Believe God is working in your life even when you don't feel it. Spiritual growth is sometimes tedious work, one small…

• Daddy update and etc.

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:32 am

  We have started some new art classes at a different location and I'm hoping that Juliana enjoys it just as much, if not more, than the other ones she was taking. She has become so much more creative and made a beautiful arrangement of flowers yesterday! It's now hanging on the kitchen door so she can show it off to visitors. Here she is while working hard on it...Juliana just got spoiled again with some boxes from the U.S. that included some toys, coloring books, and lots of clothes! She seems to be outgrowing her clothes fast lately...growth spurt coming? Think so. She got this Hello Kitty…

• What if......

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:10 am

  So, things have been ridiculously busy this week, with Jacob away, a new job for me and LOTS of changes in my adorable little daughter. I often feel like the whole world is caving in on me and then I just need to remind myself that God has a plan and He will see me through all of the trials, tribulations and chaos of life. This poses me with the "What if" questions that I think we all face.I challenge you to come up with your own "What ifs?" Don't be afraid to make them unrealistic, because isn't that the point? Sometimes we need to dream in life, take a step away from reality and just dream.

• Just a crazy week

  3 Feb 2010 | 3:32 am

  This has been a week full of changes! Daddy was away in Sydney (due back this weekend, yay!) and I started a new job on Monday, so Juliana had to adjust to a lot of changes all at once. Fortunately, we are blessed with an amazing helper and through the grace of God, we will make it all work out. Somehow, God manages to take care of us and I continue to bring my prayers to Him with trust that he will answer all of them when the time is right and in His own way.I don't have a whole lot to report about my job just yet since it's only been three days, but it's not quite what I was expecting. I'm…

• 
  Clark Nielsen for the Win

• Don’t Give Up on Chinese!

  Clark

  7 Feb 2010 | 2:39 pm

  Every few months, I go through my old bedroom in my parents’ house and find new things to give or throw away. On returning from China, it was apparent I don’t do this enough. Man, I have a lot of junk. So I went through everything again and ditched even more stuff. Then the garbage man hauled the trash away, and I wheeled the garbage can back around the house. Curious, I glanced inside the can and saw that one thing didn’t make it into the garbage truck. It was my little case of character flashcards from my Chinese 1010 class. I guess that’s a sign that I…

• Flying a Long-Distance Relationship

  Clark

  4 Feb 2010 | 10:51 am

  A few days before I left China, my girlfriend and I went to the park to fly kites. We had two, one for her and one for me. When the wind picked up, I got a little too excited and let all of the string on my kite unravel. The end of the string wasn’t tied to the handle, though, so the kite flew away, crashed into the lake, and disappeared forever. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere. But I didn’t leave China with the intent to disappear forever. We are still together and are willing to brave a long-distance relationship. My friends and family have been supportive of this…

• Chinese Snack: Suan La Fen

  Clark

  2 Feb 2010 | 8:27 am

  Now that I’ve overindulged on Mexican food, it’s time to reminisce about Chinese cuisines again. Another favorite place of mine to eat in China was at the Ba Jie snack shops. They are most famous for “suan la fen,” an ass-kickingly spicy bowl of noodles with meat balls. It only costs five yuan, and there’s usually a huge line crowd of people waiting to buy it. But Ba Jie has more than just suan la fen. Their chicken wings (ji chi) are the best chicken wings in China. They’re cheap, too! You’d pay twice as much for the same amount of wings in a…

• Initial Differences Between China and the US

  Clark

  31 Jan 2010 | 11:33 am

  It’s always strange to return from a foreign country, because, on one hand, it feels like you never left. Everything you did on the other side of the world never happened, and the only reminder you have that you went anywhere is that shelf full of useless souvenirs. But I have been away for a long time, and there are many things about life here that are definitely different from life in China. Immediately out of the airport, I noticed how much cleaner and quieter the US (or at least Utah) is. That could be because Utah isn’t “big city” like China, but then cars also…

• TV Roundup: Volume 10

  Clark

  29 Jan 2010 | 2:47 pm

  Community (Season 1) Having been to a community college, I was looking forward to a new show that poked fun of those unfortunate bastards who couldn’t (or refused to) get accepted by a better university. Mid-season, though, it became apparent the “community college” theme was only an excuse to allow what are your basic high school characters to drink past curfew. True, community college is kind of like an extension of high school, but many of the characters are old. Hey, Chevy Chase is in it, and he’s aged well past the point when he was ever funny. Then there’s…

• 
  French Sydneysider

• Et c'est le temps qui court

  19 Jan 2010 | 2:28 am

  Ouais je sais toujours la meme rengaine Alliagesque - d'ailleurs j'ai pas deja utilise ce titre pour une bafouille??C'est comment votre debut d'annee?? Le mien ca donne ca: je suis allee au cricket 2 fois - le 3 janvier pour la premiere journee du 2eme test match entre l'Australie et le Pakistan et mercredi dernier c'etait NSW contre Queensland, les Bleus neo-gallois se se font laminer par les Taureaux (sobriquet de l'equipe) queenslandais, voir Emiliana Torrini et Joanna Newsom (a l'Opera!!) en concert, demain soir c'est Kasabian, dimanche dernier c'etait journee au zoo, cadeau de Noel de la…

• Happy New Year!!!

  31 Dec 2009 | 6:41 pm

  Certaines resolutions ne sont pas malheureusement pas faites pour qu'on s'y tienne et a mon grand regret j'en suis la preuve, puisque silence blog depuis debut decembre! C'est en grande partie la faute du boulot et notamment un audit interne et tout un tas de choses a regler avant le depart en vacances des 3/4 du personnel et avant qu'on ait le temps de dire "Je me demande ce que Papa Noel va m'amener cette annee" on se retrouve en 2010. Pour ceux d'entre vous qui n'ont rien contre les voeux de bonne annee, je vous souhaite plein de bonnes choses pour 2010, evitez de cotoyer le monde medical…

• Tout ce que vous avez toujours voulu savoir sur moi sans jamais oser le demander

  9 Dec 2009 | 12:19 am

  Tout est peut etre un bien grand mot.. on va dire 7 choses, dont une n'est meme pas vraie! Merci qui? Merci Dame Twin Peaks qui a eu la grandiose idee de me taguer, donc je m'incline:1. Je tape 78 mots a la minute2. Il y a quelques annees je pesais 20 kilos de plus3. Incroyable mais vrai, si, si.. je n'ai pas le permis de conduire, je n'ai meme jamais eu une seule lecon de code ni de conduite4. Au cours de ma premiere annee de fac, j'ai suivi des cours de suedois pour debutants5. Je deteste le cricket, vous savez ce sport qui ressemble au base-ball, et le pire c'est que les Aussies en sont…

• Musique maestro

  26 Nov 2009 | 12:47 am

  La semaine n'a pas ete tres palpitante tant professionnellement que socialement, donc pas grand chose a raconter, alors pour varier les plaisirs: un peu de musique! Ca faisait longtemps ..Ecoutez un peu cette pepite..Moi je dis merci Air New Zealand, non seulement les victuailles servies a bord sont de grande qualite (surtout quand elles sont accompagnees de vinasse :)), mais leur in flight entertainment (c'est quoi l'equivalent francais???) c'est du 5 etoiles! Anna Coddington faisait partie de leur selection musicale et une fois arrivee a Auckland je me suis precipitee chez un disquaire pour…

• Que calor

  21 Nov 2009 | 10:45 pm

  Je vais peut etre me mettre mon lectorat europeen a dos, mais tant pis.. le weekend a ete chaud, tres chaud... scorchio, muy caliente los amigos!! Hier le thermometre chatouillait les 30 degres pour les depasser aujourd'hui et atteindre 40.Hier je me suis aventuree a Avalon avec le Caribou#2 et mon ancienne collegue Manouche pour la traditionnelle braderie et suis revenue relativement bredouille. L'annee derniere j'avais achete de tres beaux colliers, mais cette annee j'ai ete moins chanceuse: une robe portefeuille d'ete ($70), une bague ($6) et un pendentif ($2). Ce qui n'est pas plus mal…

• 
  calledmadeleine: live the questions, now.

• On my 3 pound past...

  4 Feb 2010 | 2:08 am

  I'm about 27 weeks pregnant, now - give or take a few days - and in the past week a quiet, creeping worry has snuck up on me. It has taken the form of terrible dreams, dull throbbing headaches, and long stints of being unnecessarily moody at my dear husband.You see, my mother gave birth to me on her 28th week of pregnancy. I was about 3 pounds, couldn't suck, with skin like a pink see-through jelly-fish. They put tubes in me to feed me, water me. They laid me in an incubator to keep me warm, and dressed me in doll clothes because nothing else fit. I spent months in the hospital, and they only…

• For those of my family members not on Facebook

  19 Jan 2010 | 6:20 pm

  I give you: my ever-expanding belly. See how it grows...Week 19:Week 22:Week 23:Week 24:

• In, like, forever.

  14 Jan 2010 | 1:47 pm

  Not sure if I have any blog readers anymore, as I haven't posted in, like, forever.Normally during one of these dry spells, I'd say something about promising to post something marvelous soon, and how guilty I feel, etc etc.But as I've had this blog longer than I've been an adult, longer even than I've been with my husband - essentially, it's one of my longest relationships - we all know I'll be back soon, with bells on.

• Meanwhile, backstage

  23 Nov 2009 | 11:24 pm

  I was stopped short by this gorgeous photo exhibition, called “Please step quietly, everyone can hear you,” by Magnum photographer Trent Parke, while out for a jog past the Opera House on my lunch break today.It's a lovely Alice-in-Wonderland view of the Opera House: tiny doors, strange statues, otherwordly lighting. Very inspiring.

• A few [more] words on food.

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:32 pm

  Forget about developing a spare tire, barfing in the bathroom at work, or having gas worse than a certain lactose intolerant dog we know, the absolute hardest thing about being pregnant so far, is being unable to eat lots of the food I love.See, the Australian government is quite strict in terms of what they advise pregnant women to ingest. No booze, of course. Limit the coffee. No food from delis. No salad bars. No soft cheeses or smoked meats, and careful about the red meats. No ham (I can hear Bettina gasping from Colorado). No pre-made sandwiches. No sushi, and keep to only those types of…

• 
  From America to Australia

• Interview with my mom:

  dsduffy

  4 Feb 2010 | 3:02 am

  MB (Melbournebound): What are you most surprised about here in Australia? Mom: How safe I feel. Safety as far as personally and I don’t have to worry about my stuff being taken, and the kids can run around freely. I don’t have to hold my pocketbook tight on my shoulder or watch it in the shopping cart (trolley, she means) MB: Is Melbourne what you expected? Mom: It is more than I ever could have imagined. I have seen pictures and have heard all about it, but being here it is a whole different feeling. MB: What things about Australia do you wish America had? Mom: The feeling of…

• Firsts.

  dsduffy

  3 Feb 2010 | 1:54 am

  My 5 year old starting prep (kindergarten) Travelling with my mom to a city neither of us have been to (Sydney) Jake spending a whole day at daycare and not losing his glasses My mom trying Vegemite (she thinks it tastes like tar and dirt, not sure how she knows?) Having these 3 weeks with my mom: uninterrupted quality time with the one person who knows me better than I even know myself.

• Home.

  dsduffy

  27 Jan 2010 | 1:15 pm

  We survived the forever-long flight. Barely. Our luggage didn’t make it passed LAX, but after 3 days, it arrived as well. It is so nice to be back here, the sun is shining and we are all back in our own beds. Seeing family and friends is great. Flying with children across to planet to see them is rough.

• And then the Big Visit ended….

  dsduffy

  21 Jan 2010 | 5:38 pm

  Just like most Big Things in life, we circle a date on the calendar a few pages ahead, look forward to this date with such anticipation, plan for, sometimes agonized over details about, and have such excitement for…just for it to be over. Sometimes our expectations are met, other times they were too high. Or maybe even we are totally off base with what we envisioned. I mean, really – how can you be so sure of what will happen? All in all, the visit was a success. Yes I would have done some things different, but that is just life. I might have stayed only 3 weeks like Craig did,…

• Some things, they never change

  dsduffy

  12 Jan 2010 | 9:59 am

  I’m not sure what I expected when I came back to the US after being away for 15 months. I had heard so many businesses closed up, things were just not the same, don’t be shocked.  So that made me think of boarded up stores, with falling-off signs, maybe even a tumbleweed rolling down the upper level of the Cherry Hill Mall. But this is not so. At least not where I am. Some stores have changed,  even entire shopping centers have been built. But it looks and feels pretty much the same to me, only colder. — It is hard to live out of a suitcase, especially with 2 little boys.

• 
  Aussie Erin the American

• 1095 Days and Counting...

  18 Jan 2010 | 6:05 pm

  Six and a half years ago I met a man that would forever change my life.I met Gregg. Back then I don't think I could have ever known what would be in store for me in the years to come. I would never have imagined the love I would feel. I would never have believed how one person could change my life in such a complete way, or how complete I would feel with him in my life. I could never have known the sacrifices I would make, or how worth it they would be. He was like no one I'd ever met before. I used to think he was too good to be true. He loves me so completely and makes me laugh like no…

• Ole Ole Ole Ole

  12 Jan 2010 | 4:17 am

  12/365: Ole Ole Ole OleOriginally uploaded by AussieErinSee people rockin' yeah people chantin'Feelin' hot hot hotKeep up the spirit come on let's do itFeelin' hot hot hotHot! Hot! Hot! - Buster PoindexterI'm hot, you're hot, he's hot, she's hot. We're all bloody hot. I'm so tired of the heat. Anyone else with me?As of 10:00pm the temperature outside AND inside my house was still hovering at 34C or about 93F.I'm not cut out for this. I was born in December, in a blizzard, in upstate New York. I was born to be a cold-climate girl! Right now my friends and family in the US are digging out…

• 101 Update: Photos, phone calls, friend & favourite bands

  11 Jan 2010 | 6:18 am

  Happy New Year! Okay, I'm 10 days late, please forgive me.So I've already begun working on my 101 in 1001. Here is what I'm working on so far.3. Begin my 365 photo project again as of January 1, 2010 and stick with it for the entire year 11. Take at least one creative (non-self-portrait) photo every week for one year I've still got 354 days of photos to go, but I'm making tracks. Some of you may recall that I started a 365 project back in July. I only lasted about three months. Basically, I got tired of looking at my face. Plus, I ran out of self-portrait ideas. So, what I've…

• Hi, my name is Erin, and I'm a blogger

  11 Jan 2010 | 4:43 am

  I'm baaaack. Okay, so I was never really gone. But from a blog point of view it would appear that way. Despite appearances, I love blogging. There are various reasons why I'd fallen away from it, but I can be sure it isn't because I don't want to blog. I still think like a blogger. Everything that happens in my life is committed to the archives of my brain to be used for a future blog post or blog title.I'm always thinking, I have to write about that! I've been busy. I know, I know, aren't we all? In my case I would get busy for a couple of days and I think when I get a chance I have to…

• 101 in 1001

  31 Dec 2009 | 10:38 pm

  I'm a list person. I always have been. Go to a grocery store with a list I'm in and out in 15-20 minutes. Go to a grocery store without a list I'm there for an hour. I even had a "To Do" stamp made for me at work. I get it done that way. Long before a so-called "Bucket List" was popular, I had my "Do Before You Die List". I don't know where that list is right now. I have it, probably stuffed in the pages of one of dozens of journals on my bookshelf. But if i were to re-read that list I could probably estimate that I haven't accomplished much on it. Although being a bartender no longer really…

• 
  BRAMPA

• Tween saves her own life in violent dawn brawl!

  A

  3 Feb 2010 | 1:34 am

  A sneak attack on a local tween was thwarted Sunday with quick reflexes!Perseverance BrAmPa climbed out of her bed Sunday morning then woke her father by imitating a car alarm before sitting down to enjoy her breakfast with a book."Not five seconds later I heard a squeal and then the whole room was filled with flying arms and legs and debris" her mother reported after the incident that left the household of three mildly disturbed, but also amused. "I was just about to bite into my Ricies when I saw it moving on my bathrobe. That's when I freaked out." Perseverance remembers yelling and…

• night race to Mahurangi

  A

  2 Feb 2010 | 12:25 pm

  Over the weekend we were invited to join the night race to Mahurangi. This was my view for a good portion of the race: These boats were also in the race. I think. If you look really hard (opening the picture in another window helps as well) you might be able to see the moon over this boat. We arrived at 10:38pm, and celebrated with a drink in the moonlight! Overall a great way to start Anniversary weekend!

• Trial run, Year 8

  A

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:03 am

  The school year is about to begin, in fact tomorrow is P's first day of Year 8! Too bad I thought today was her first day and sent her to school!

• Boxing Day 2009 continued

  A

  26 Dec 2009 | 3:11 pm

• Boxing Day 2009

  A

  26 Dec 2009 | 3:10 pm

  Boxing Day in New Zealand is typically a shopping day similar to the day after Thanksgiving in the US. Instead of shopping we went sailing to Motuihe island. Here are some photos from our day trip.

• 
  wasapnin jordan?

• Jordan police recover bodies of two Asian women

  wasapnin

  25 Jan 2010 | 9:06 am

  I know the following is a cut and paste job from ‘AFP’ but it’s scary thought that this horrific act has happened in Amman, Jordan. It’s not something that I have heard of in the past two years or so that I had been in Jordan. I really hope this does not become the normal way of dealing with problems, as it has become in some other parts of the world. AMMAN — Jordanian police said on Saturday that they had recovered the bodies of two Asian women which had been dumped in plastic bags in a public waste bin north of the capital. “Police recovered the bodies of two…

• Ramadhan Kareem

  wasapnin

  21 Aug 2009 | 9:53 am

  There was no credible sighting of the new moon yesterday, hence tomorrow will be the first of Ramadhan. I hope Muslims will make the most of this blessed month and view it more than just refraining from food. Let’s break free. Ramadhan Kareem wasapninjordan

• Click-Jordan

  wasapnin

  15 Aug 2009 | 11:14 am

  In the recent past my wasapninjordan[at]gmail dot com has recevied so many emails from click-jordan, a web based company which offers internet related solutions. I never signed up to receive the emails. Are they allowed to do this? I do not mind asking before they add me to their mailing list. I just find it rude that I am receving somthing which I did not opt for. They are making money from offering adding my email to thier list. Can they do this? Has anyone else received the emails from click-jordan? wasapninjordan

• Jordanian currency is the Dinar

  wasapnin

  22 Jun 2009 | 10:45 pm

  When ever I visit to a new place, whether it’s for a holiday or work, it takes me a while to get used to the currency. I thought it might be helpful for some to know the currency in Jordan.  The Jordanian currency is the Dinar, JD or JOD. It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh or piasters. It appears in paper notes of 20, 10, 5, 1, and 0.5 JD denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1 JD, 500 fils, 250 fils, 100 fils, 50 fils, 25 fils, 10 and 5 fils. I use www.xe.com/ucc for daily up-to-date conversion rates. Here are the pics of the Jordanian Dinar note pics. However I…

• (Poll) Which Mansaf do you prefer?

  wasapnin

  23 Mar 2009 | 1:18 pm

  This is my first poll and I think what a way to start. The question is simple and hopefully, the answer should be also, as it was for me. Q:Which Mansaf do you prefer? A: You choose. View This Pollanswers wasapninjordan

• 
  Woman On A JouRney

• Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice, Anyone?

  MsRay

  9 Feb 2010 | 3:27 am

  Florida produces about 75% of the oranges in the U.S. and 40% of the world's orange juice supply. It is the second largest producer of oranges in the world after Brazil. If you hold a Florida orange in one hand, and a non-Florida orange in the other, the Florida orange feels heavier. They have thin rinds, and as a result of Florida sunshine and rainfall, they are juicier on the inside compared to non-Florida oranges.When you travel towards north of the state, you will see plenty of orange groves. In fact, on my first visit to my cousins in Polk County for the Christmas holidays, I had my…

• Job-Hunting

  MsRay

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:47 am

  This term, I only enrolled in two subjects (Criminal Litigation and Real Estate Law) because I have decided to look for a job. I got my driver's license on January 5 and I am still acclimating myself to driving around Florida so that my job prospects are limited within the areas near Coconut Creek where I live. I have sent out resumes to a couple of parelegal job openings advertised online and I also joined job websites. I have received a couple of responses but the jobs are either in law firms located in Ft. Lauderdale which is quite a distance from where I am, or jobs which are not in the…

• Weekend at Avon Park

  MsRay

  7 Feb 2010 | 3:43 pm

  I spent the Christmas holidays with my cousins at Avon Park in Central Florida. They live right across the Avon Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church at West Avon Boulevard. A few meters away from their house is Walker Memorial Academy, an Adventist school. There are a lot of Filipino Adventists who live at Avon Park. Most of them work at the nearby Florida Hospital, an Adventist-run hospital. Avon Park reminds me of Taculing, in Bacolod City which is a little Adventist "community". Last weekend, I visited my cousins again. I always look forward being with them. The parents and sister of my…

• Shopping Wisely

  MsRay

  6 Feb 2010 | 7:42 am

  Shopping is fun. I can spend hours browsing around a store looking for stuff to buy. When I want to purchase a particular item, the first thing I do is to see what is on sale. If I am patient or lucky enough, I am able to find a really good deal. What I usually do is look around in two or three different stores, compare the items and the prices, before deciding which to buy. I also try to avoid impulse buying. Oftentimes, items bought on a whim end up lying around the house or kept inside the closet after just one use. Sometimes, they even end up not being used at all.Before buying an item,…

• Friday Photo Flashback

  MsRay

  5 Feb 2010 | 1:28 pm

  1970That's me at 5 years old dancing the hula at a program at the public plaza of Talaban to celebrate their town fiesta. Talaban is a barangay of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, my mother's hometown. My late grandfather was Himamaylan's vice-mayor for many years until his death in 1974.

• 
  CheeseWeb

• InterNations – The Community for Expats, by Expats

  Alison

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:12 am

  I wouldn’t be able to be an expat without the internet. Not only does it allow me to easily connect with friends and family back home, but it allows me to network with other expats who have experienced similar situations and set-backs while dealing with life in a foreign country. One incredible resource that became available to expats in September of 2007 is InterNations – “The international social networking service for expats and global minds worldwide.” The members range from diplomats to foreign correspondents; from employees of multinational corporations to NGOs and everyone in…

• New ACM Photography Website

  Alison

  4 Feb 2010 | 6:47 am

  I just wanted to make a quick post to let you all know that I have finally completed the overhaul of my ACM Photography website. It has been a few months in the making (even more in the planninng) and I’m very pleased with the results. A big thank you goes to The Web Guy for all of his hard work making my ‘artsy fartsy ideas’ become reality. I’d love to hear any feedback or comments you may have and I’m always looking for article and tutorial ideas for the future! Related posts:ACM Photography has been Updated! New Website Launch! ACM Photography Photoblog

• World Heritage Sites in Belgium and Abroad

  Alison

  2 Feb 2010 | 7:19 am

  The historic centre of Bruges - not a surprise to see on the UNESCO list. As I was reading through my Twitter list this morning, one of the travellers I follow mentioned visiting over 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites. I found that pretty impressive, even if it is someone who travels full-time. As someone whose bucket list includes visiting every continent, I was curious about how many of the UNESCO sites I’ve visited and decided to create my own list, which you can see here. It turns out, I’ve seen 54 sites which sounds pretty good until you learn that the entire UNESCO World…

• Is Kindle the Choice for Expats and Environmentalists?

  Alison

  28 Jan 2010 | 4:24 am

  The Amazon Kindle 2 Over the past few months, a number of expat blogs have been extolling the virtues of the Amazon Kindle and other similar e-book readers. Before our trip to Vegas, I was actually planning a blog post on why I would never own a Kindle. The lesson I learned – Never say Never. Andrew and several of his team members gave the top presentation at his conference. Their prize – Kindles for all. Since we now own one, I decided to give it a fair review. The two things I was interested in: Is Kindle really a good choice for expats? Is Kindle better for the environment than a book?

• Leaving Las Vegas

  Alison

  26 Jan 2010 | 4:29 am

  MGM Grand Hotel The last half of our Vegas visit was as good as the first half and included just as much good food. On Thursday night, I tagged along with Andrew and some of his work colleagues for supper at Shibuya, a Japanese restaurant at the MGM Grand. Although, not quite as good as Okada, it was one of the better meals we had at the Grand. Still on the topic of food (of course), since I was left to my own devices for lunch most days, I explored a few of the other options on offer at the Grand, and there are many. I was never far from a cup of coffee, with at least three Starbuck’s in…

• 
  Blogitse

• This is pure sh***** part 2.

  BLOGitse

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:52 pm

  This is pure sh***** part 2. Here's part 1. Sorry if you're new here and wanted something more sexier or naughty or ugly... No, this is pure SH*****! = = = > S H A R I N G! This is PURE BEAUTY! and something very special...Enjoy!  The video is about 8 minutes but you do not see this kind of documentary every day, right?  Voices of Cairo is a short film intended to act as a  preview of Voices and

• EDITED version: your WOrds & my IMAges = WO*IMA, #54

  BLOGitse

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:05 am

  your WOrds of this IMAge #54: mythopolis  In the words Bob Dylan  spoke to his band when he went electric..... "Get F...ing Loud!" JAWhite  Rock turns me on! Yaelian  My guitarra usually gently weeps but this rocks! SusuPetal  Please, play with me.... WhiteSockGirl aka The Fabulous Bitch  Stroke me baby, and I will rock your world! Susan Higgins  Like the strings of

• you give me WOrds and I give you an IMAge = WO*IMA #54

  BLOGitse

  5 Feb 2010 | 1:21 pm

  my IMAge #54: as usual you have time till Sunday 6 pm Cairo time Here's a link to world clock :)  kuten ennenkin aikaa on sunnuntaihin asti klo 18 Kairon aikaa Don’t know what WO*IMA is about? Every Saturday I give you an IMAge. You give me YOUR OWN WOrds: thoughts, a quote, a poem etc. however the IMAge i n s p i r e s you by leaving a comment with a title: 'my WOrds'.  On 

• piano stairs - people love WALKING UP too!

  BLOGitse

  4 Feb 2010 | 7:01 am

  It's time to have fun! Enjoy! Let's walk and play!

• UPDATED!!! what women want...how to punish a rapist?

  BLOGitse

  2 Feb 2010 | 4:05 am

  December 2009 issue of the What women want magazine  includes an article 'If I were Queen of Egypt'  by Amany Eid   This chapter is about rape. "As Queen of Egypt, it means I am female, so this means, I will not tolerate rape. So any rape incident that happens - the rapist, will get one of two choices, either he gets castrated or gets executed. This will make everyone think a million times

• 
  Vie Au Maroc

• Goodbye Maroc, Hello East Africa

  Jacqueline Powers

  24 Jan 2010 | 12:44 pm

  Although my vie au maroc has come to a close since the end of my Fulbright grant in December, Andrew and I will be heading out on a new adventure in just a few days. Before we settle back in the U.S. this spring, we'll spend three months traveling through East Africa... first stop: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! Check out my new photography site (http://www.jacquelinepowers.com/) in the coming months to

• Molto Beautiful!

  Jacqueline Powers

  24 Nov 2009 | 3:41 am

  In between mozzarella eating, gelato licking and wine drinking, Liv showed me around her neighborhood and took me to Roma's most famous sights!We decided to climb all 551 steps (!) to the top of St. Peter's Basilica... here we are, only half way there!Once we did get there, the view was absolutely beautiful!On Friday, we toured the art gallery at the Borghese villa and walked around the gardens.

• Molto Yummy!

  Jacqueline Powers

  24 Nov 2009 | 3:27 am

  Words cannot describe the deliciousness of my trip this past weekend to visit my baby sister Olivia in Roma... I may have gained five kilos in five days, but it was worth it!Fresh pasta with meat and truffle ragu alongside prosciutto and melted cheese tartines on our first evening at the hostaria down the street from Liv's apartment.Enjoying my first 'suppli', a deep fried rectangle filled with

• Two Cooks in the Kitchen

  Jacqueline Powers

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am

  Since our trip to Essaouira, Andrew and I have made more of a concerted effort to cook at home. Too many nights out equals just too many dirhams, and how nice is it to curl up on the couch in your pjs? We've been busy making all sorts of dishes...Red beans and rice with pork sausage (thank you, pork lady, I love you)Homemade pasta sauce to last a week (or a few days for A) with tomatoes,

• Living the Good Life

  Jacqueline Powers

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:39 am

  Yet again, I find it's been a month since I posted. Just last night Andrew was bumbling around on his blog, and reminded me that once upon a time my own blog received an average of 200 visitors per week! That number is now down to a measly 70. Shame on me.So what have I been up to over the past few weeks? Aside from obsessively and compulsively (and likely annoyingly to Andrew) checking my law

• 
  Gweipo

• motivation point ...

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:25 pm

  I'm struggling with motivation right now. The kids have school vacation and I've determined to just let them be and play and do what the heck they like as long as we have the daily music practise at some point. We're also, thank god, having a staycation as it's now so chicly referred to. I'm still at school though and I'm finding it hard to leave a half sleepy content household in the morning to drag myself through classes where I feel I'm on a long endless boring plateau. Whereas things were going lickity spit in the beginning and I was beginning to see some lofty views and a feeling of…

• At what cost?

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:43 pm

  Despite a monsoon like downpour yesterday, we at chez Gweipo decided it was the ideal day for a BBQ. Well, we'd decided that last week when it was 25 degrees, and haplessly projected the blissful weather into the next week. Fools. And I'd be darned if each of our guest didn't phone or text or mail us during the course of the day (the BBQ was to be at 4pm) saying that they'd completely understand if we decided to cancel on them. Cancel? For a spot of rain? My god, if the Dutch canceled for a spot of rain YEARS would go by before anyone could do anything. Each of the couples represented had…

• If he were a client ...

  6 Feb 2010 | 8:09 pm

  The family went to listen to some Beethoven last night. We particularly went to see Beethoven's 9th - Ode to Joy. The problem with taking young children who are used to an early night to a concert is that you don't get your desert (the main feature) until you've eaten your veggies - whatever else the power's that be would like you to hear. In this case it was the 1st symphony of Beethoven, which while pleasant enough is rather uninspiring. "God he takes a long time to get to the point" my husband muttered at some point. "If he were a client making a presentation he'd have lost the deal"After…

• monopoly on pain

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:16 pm

  I have someone in my life who has various issues in their life, including depression, a battle with alcohol, and numerous other things including an incredible amount of anger. Some of it entirely justifiable, some of it not, some of it directed against himself and often, a lot of it directed against others. While I do love the person in question. There are times when he's lashed out at me - times when I'm not sure what it is I've done, or not done, or perceived to have done, and then attempts at dialogue have been frozen. Great geographical distance between us don't particularly help…

• what worries me ...

  4 Feb 2010 | 4:11 am

  Yes, intellectually I get it. The normal curve. The fact that everyone can't get 90% plus for tests. But I must admit that PRACTICALLY I don't get it. I'm also learning Chinese. I also have tests and dictations and exams. And if I drop below 90% I get concerned that I've either not been working hard enough, or I've not grasped a concept, or I'm forgetting characters or grammar points AND IT WILL HAMPER MY ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND COMMUNICATE in REAL LIFE. You see, for me the whole point about a language is the fact that you need to be pretty proficient in getting it right - particularly…

• 
  Bleeding Espresso

• World Nutella Day 2010 Round Up: Part 2

  michelle

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:06 pm

  Well Nutella lovers, you have truly outdone yourselves. The 4th annual World Nutella Day was a *huge* success with 150 entries, countless tweets and Facebook mentions, and even some great press…and so many entries in foreign languages such as Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Polish! Thank you *so* much for making this year Nutella Day’s best yet! Are you, by chance, already considering what a 5th year anniversary of World Nutella Day might look like? If you have any suggestions, please feel free to pass them along via email, comment, tweet @nutelladay, or on the Facebook…

• Banana Nutella Brownies: Buon World Nutella Day 2010!

  michelle

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:38 pm

  It’s here! It’s here! Happy World Nutella Day! Before I get to my recipe, be sure to check out my co-host Sara’s Nutella and Mascarpone Cream Chocolate Tarts at Ms Adventures in Italy–and remember we’ll be posting the round-up of ALL 2010 World Nutella Day recipes on our blogs on Monday. Be sure to come back! This year, since my frozen overripe banana collection is getting a bit out of hand, I decided to play with a brownie recipe for World Nutella Day: a banana-chocolate chip brownie recipe to be exact. You could certainly still throw the chips in here, but I…

• Top 10 Reasons Nutella Is Better Than a Boyfriend

  michelle

  1 Feb 2010 | 10:25 pm

  To get you all a little, ahem, in the mood for World Nutella Day 2010 (only *three* days away!), I’ve come up with the: Top 10 Reasons Nutella Is Better Than a Boyfriend 10. He’s always interested in spooning. 9. He doesn’t care if you’re wearing make-up…heck he doesn’t even care if you’re clean. 8. When you decide you’re finished, you just put a lid on him and put him in the cupboard. 7. He doesn’t care how many Nutella jars you have open at the same time. 6. He’ll watch all your favorite shows, listen to your feelings, *and*…

• Heating a House in Italy: Meet Our New Stufa

  michelle

  30 Jan 2010 | 4:01 am

  Lest anyone try to convince you that Calabria has a tropical climate, let me assure you–it’s gets *cold* here in the winter, especially the further you go up into the mountains (duh). And I know Cherrye is with me on this. Seriously, I’ve seen people on message boards claim the temps never fall into the 40s. Please. We have *skiing* here for goodness’ sake! The temps may not always be low like what I was getting used to in Pennsylvania, but there’s usually a good bit of humidity in the air and once that enters these old stone walls, tile floors, and *your bones*,…

• My Top 10 Realizations After Being “Home” for the First Time in Nearly Six Years

  michelle

  24 Jan 2010 | 9:53 pm

  In my post An American Expat in Italy Goes “Home,” I mentioned that I’d be posting a list of observations, so without further ado, here it is with some photos of “home,” the Anthracite Coal Region in Pennsylvania, thrown in for good measure: My Top 10 Realizations After Being “Home” for the First Time in Nearly Six Years 10. I don’t like what clothes dryers do to my clothes. They’re *great* for towels and such, but actual clothes? No thanks. 9. It’s really hard to find healthy meal choices in U.S. restaurants that aren’t salads…

• 
  The Expat Expert Blog

• Transitions Abroad Expatriate Travel Writing Contest

  Robin Pascoe

  1 Feb 2010 | 7:28 am

  TransitionsAbroad.com is inviting expat writers to enter its 2010 Expatriate Travel Writing Contest. Professionals, freelancers and aspiring writers are invited to write articles which describe their experience living abroad. Often an experience abroad may be extended by working or studying in the host country. Living, working, and studying abroad are often inextricable so judges are interested in these aspects as well.The site is an unbelievable resources for expats and writers alike. If you want more info on the contest go directly to this link and good luck!

• FAWCO Conference March 11-14 2010 in Boston

  Robin Pascoe

  1 Feb 2010 | 7:21 am

  In other news involving the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas , members from clubs around the world will be gathering in Boston in mid-March.Representatives from the FAWCO clubs meet annually to discuss and adopt resolutions which will direct FAWCO’s activities for the coming year on issues such as overseas voting, dual-citizenship, environmental concerns, literacy, women’s health, and human rights. The FAWCO Foundation announces its Education Award and Development Grant recipients at the meeting. The conference also offers practical training sessions in organizational…

• Clements International 2010 Expat Youth Scholarship

  Robin Pascoe

  1 Feb 2010 | 7:07 am

  The deadline for entries has been set for May 2010 for this year's Clements International Expat Youth Scholarship. Winners will be announced in mid-September. The contest, for third culture kids to write about and come up with multi-media presentations about their young mobile lives, once again has as its theme "Life in a Flying House" which inspired some amazing contributions last year. You can download all the information--and rewards--for entering the contest at this link.Some of the entries last year made fascinating reading (you can find them on the site) and certainly made it difficult…

• "The Unofficial Diplomat: A Memoir"

  Robin Pascoe

  17 Jan 2010 | 9:45 am

  Nothing made me happier than when Joanne Grady Huskey succeeded in publishing her extraordinary story and experiences as the wife of an American diplomat in China, India and Kenya. "The Unofficial Diplomat: A Memoir" (New Academia Publishing) released in late 2009 was truly twenty years in the making.I met Joanne when we were both posted in Beijing, China in the early 1990s. But I arrived a year after that country's political turning point of 1989 and the crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Joanne, however, was right in the thick of it and writes superbly about the events people only saw from CNN.

• Time to Sign up for Families in Global Transition

  Robin Pascoe

  13 Jan 2010 | 2:38 pm

  Registration is open now for Families in Global Transition in Houston March 4-6th. I simply cannot say enough good things about this conference. If you are working with expatriate families, you can't afford to miss this annual meeting. The content will overwhelm you!

• 
  La Mom - an American mom in Paris

• The Paris Cheese Guide

  La Mom

  6 Feb 2010 | 9:32 am

  La Mom likes getting fan mail and loves when readers share a little about their lives. Here’s an email from Nicole, an expat girl after my own heart:Dear La Mom,I recently came across your blog and am totally hooked - I hope you're enjoying being back at work, but I wish you had time to post more often! Your blog is addictive!Like you, I'm an américaine who's been in France for a couple years (I came for grad school). Tis the season of Valentine's Day and I'm curious as to how you met Big Cheese - as a La Single Girl who'd eventually like to be a La Mom in France, I was wondering if you…

• Happy Birthday Little Daddy

  La Mom

  28 Jan 2010 | 12:42 pm

  It’s 55 big ones today and you have a lot to celebrate: good health, a beautiful wife, a new baby grandson, and rave reviews from the press regarding your TV interview Monday night. Congrats Daddy Sarkozy.Your PR people had a wonderful idea putting you on national TV to answer roundtable questions from 10 Frenchies representing all walks of life . Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those people chosen – and I even submitted a few questions to your Facebook page.So on your birthday, I would like to submit 10 questions to you. I'm sure a lot of expats in France would like answers to some of…

• The Gaul of That Kid

  La Mom

  23 Jan 2010 | 10:15 am

  Big Fry had his first sleep over last weekend. His friend, Pierre-Louis, was invited over for an American-style sleep over meaning pizza for dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert. Pierre-Louis is French-American like my French Fries. His dad is a French restaurant critic and his mom is an American personal fitness trainer. When she's not jogging at the Parc Monceau, you can find her jogging at the Bois de Boulogne or back in the US running a marathon. When he arrived at our place I thought little Pierre-Louis was quite possibly one of the most refined 4 years olds I had ever met.

• Frenchy Friday

  La Mom

  13 Jan 2010 | 4:54 am

  "When I'm big, Mommy, I'm going to drink wine."Big Fry 1/5/2010, 4 years oldI guess my little French Fry is on his way to hell considering what St. Jerome had to say about the subject:"Wine is the first weapon that devils use in attacking the young."Thanks to a La Mom reader, SGS, in Chicago for sending this picture in. While visiting France last summer she was amazed at how overloaded the recycling bins got with wine bottles. ==========================================La Mom hosted Big Fry's first slumber party last weekend. Oh la la! Come back next week for all the dish about the French kid…

• Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall

  La Mom

  10 Jan 2010 | 5:14 am

  Mirror,mirror, on the wallWho’s the most favorite daughter-in-law of all?It used to be moi. La Mom was the next best thing after champagne in Big Cheese’s family. Miss America was welcomed with open arms. An American joining the family made them proud.The fact that I had the Cheese heir in the oven didn’t hurt either.But now I’ve got competition. Miss France has arrived on the scene and she’s got two things over me that bump me out of my first place favorite spot:1/ A "de" in her name. As in, Anne-Sophie de Fontaine. A de means that her family once belonged to the aristocratic elite…

• 
  Expatacular

• Causeway Consulting Shanghai

  Steve Rose

  We are pleased to announce the formation of a new executive search company in Shanghai, Causeway Consulting Shanghai. This company is the result of an alliance between China Greenfield Consulting (www.chinagreenfield.com) and Causeway Consulting Hong Kong (www.causeway-consulting.com). The company is able to provide executive search services in Shanghai. About Causeway Consulting Causeway Consulting was established in 1998 as a specialist employment consulting service for C-level and senior or technical staff in Hong Kong and Greater China. Experience: Our consultants all have more than a…

• The times do change!!

  Tammy

  I was gone for 2.5 months and all of a sudden Dongguan seems different. Maybe because some people are gone... maybe it's because like 3 bars popped up on Jiu Ba Jie over the Christmas holidays... or maybe it's because i wasn't ready to come back. Either way... Dongguan seems different. Dongguan has become a comfortable place for me... i'm well aware of the ins and outs of this place... and how it works. I might suffer from a bit of culture shock every once in a while... but i've become extremely open to whatever comes my way. I don't even cringe when i'm in the taxi anymore! I feel like i…

• dressmaker in guangzhou???

  lauren ciseau

  ok so, the last time i posted a blog i got no replies. but that's ok. This time i really do need some help. If anyone has had a dress made in Guangzhou can you please tell me where. My dad is getting married and i need to get a dress made for before i go home. Please will somebody help me???

• Seasonal Greetings, Happy Chinese New Year

  Steve Rose

  Dear Friends, I have finally found peace thanks to my very good friend Charlie! There are some people that I would like to reach out before the Chinese New Year so we can find our peace: Jason Wu, Jason Cakebread, Richard Bradford, Dr. Ken. If we can find peace together then it was meant to be, if not I will move on. I would also like to thank some friends who guided me through the darkness: Angel, Martin, Richard, Michael, Sunny Yin, Sunny Rose, Mary, Gil, Peter Rose, Rob and my new life coach Charlie. Guidance to everyone, when you are deeply troubled and cannot see the way forward make…

• A Quick Note

  Electric Brain

  Just wanted to let everyone who is viewing Expatacular on their iPhones, you can view the blog by going to http://www.expatacular.com/profiles/blog/list/?xg_browser=iphone In fact, if you want to view any page on the site, just append ?xg_browser=iphone and it should work.

• 
  American Girl in Australia

• Fraser Island!!! and a whoooolllllle ton of pics!!!!

  Daisy

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:36 pm

  The Fraser Island adventure we did was with Fraser Roving Backpackers Hostel and included 2 nights (before and after) AT the hostel.  Omgosh can we say so so so so so so so so so so so cool????  But NOT because of the hostel. When we arrived at the hostel the Random Stranger from LA and I were in desperate need of food.  Both suffering from low blood sugar, he was getting a terrible headache and my hands were shaking and I was struggling to concentrate.  I know – terrible huh??  But it wasn’t a BIG deal because WAHOO!  there was an all you can eat Mexican Buffet waiting for…

• The next installment – I let my guard down

  Daisy

  5 Feb 2010 | 3:16 pm

  There is a lot of new stuff going on in the land of Daisy right now … stuff I want to blog about!!  But I feel like I should at least kind of finish this story – seeing as it is THIS story which serves as the foundation for a lot of the excitement in my current life.  (haha! current – as if this story happened like SO long ago and not just a couple weeks ago.)  We all know I’m a serial quitter so I’m going to resist quitting and give you the next installment.  But if you find there are like weird parts missing and a whole lot of “wickeds” thrown…

• The Boiling Pot and the car that was SUPPOSED to be there – but wasn’t

  Daisy

  1 Feb 2010 | 11:59 pm

  What do you do when someone gives you a deliciously good but terribly wrong idea, it’s the middle of the night, you’re jetlagged, tired, overly tired, eating lollies because the first Oprah show you EVER watched in your entire life (which was 2 days ago)  told you that it’s time for you to make a commitment to yourself to lose weight because you only eat because you crave balance yet you have no idea what that balance is and your niece just cancelled on her Valentine’s Day date with you?? I’ll tell you what you do – no no no.  I’ll SHOW you what you…

• Brisbane and being ditched in Noosa

  Daisy

  26 Jan 2010 | 4:46 pm

  Oh roll my eyes already.  I can’t even START this blog post without shaking my head and rolling my eyes.  Deserted 2 hours from anywhere?  If it hadn’t happen to me I’d be tempted to believe it didn’t happen!!  WHO DOES THAT??? Deep breath. As I was preparing pictures for this post I realized I have pictures of Wenchface.  Yep – I do.  BUT I have decided to use a certain degree of discretion and not post them.  I say certain degree because even though I’m not going to post a pic of her wenchFACE I am going to post a picture of her wenchA**  hahaha!

• The Aquarium, the Wildlife Park, the Opera House and a proposition

  Daisy

  21 Jan 2010 | 5:17 pm

  Have I mentioned yet that the Random Stranger from LA was a boy scout?  Maybe it’s my domestic, Betty Crocker, Martha Stewart (omgosh I love her!) -ish ways but I DIG guys who have boy scout skillz.  Want to know what else I like?   Boys from my religion who are chivalrous, respectful and always a gentleman.  Would it surprise you if I told you that the Random Stranger from LA was just that?  Chivalrous, respectful AND a gentleman? HAHA!  Of COURSE it wouldn’t surprise you.  :)  After all … If you’re going to meet some random dude on New Year’s Eve of all…

• 
  An American in Delhi

• Screw the Queue

  Jeanne Heydecker

  9 Feb 2010 | 1:24 am

  A few months back, I broke my shoulder in an accident on a train heading toward Rishikesh. I've been seeing a doctor at Sitaram Bhartia Clinic every few days for physical therapy and the like. One my biggest pet peeves here in this country is personal space. As an American, I feel VERY uncomfortable if a person comes within three feet of my body. It's just the way Americans are. You can always

• Don't Drink and Ask for a Recommendation on Linkedin

  Jeanne Heydecker

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:39 am

  I got an email the other day from Moez, some random person on Linkedin, asking for a recommendation. I don't know this person. Never met him. Linkedin isn't Orkut. It's for professional networking. It's for adults who want to enrich and further their careers, build their networks, etc. I was really pissed off that some idiot wanted me to use my reputation to further himself without understanding

• Heading to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

  Jeanne Heydecker

  29 Jan 2010 | 5:34 am

  Two weeks from now, I will be heading to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, the biggest GSM conference in the world. VNL and Shyam, two of my companies, will be exhibiting across the aisle from each other in Hall 2, so I'll be supervising the building of TWO different booths this year. Exciting? Yes, but also a TON of work. The space is challenging - I'm dealing with three large columns that

• How NOT to Use Linkedin for Marketing

  Jeanne Heydecker

  6 Jan 2010 | 3:32 am

  Today, I received this lovely email from a gent in Bangalore who wanted to sell me something: On 01/05/10 11:19 PM, CHAKRAVARTHI BEZAWADA B tech(biotech),MBA(IB) wrote: -------------------- dear sir i am chakravrthi from bangalore, India .i have done engineering and masters in business administration.i have started an add agency named as laser ads .which is very innovative and effective .i am an

• How to Start Up a Startup

  Jeanne Heydecker

  17 Dec 2009 | 11:39 pm

  Last week, I was talked into going to Startup Saturday, an ongoing initiative by Headstart that hosts a monthly, community-driven forum for entrepeneurs to help them build their businesses. I go to, perhaps, mentor. I'm beyond and far more experienced than most of the people in the room and I meet a lot of naive and idealistic short termers that don't fully understand what being an entrpreneur

• 
  Letters from Grenada

• happy birthday, mom

  maria

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:03 am

  This photo of my mother was taken in 1970. She was a year out of college and teaching biology at Cathedral High School in New York City. She was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Living in Manhattan was an enormous challenge for her. That first winter, she tells me, she got herself a long brown coat, her secret weapon against the weirdos on the subway who’d otherwise ogle her bottom. That summer, she made costumes for Shakespeare in the Park. In the fall she continued to teach and also started graduate school at Columbia. The following summer, she and my dad got married. Five years…

• grenville coast

  maria

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:25 am

  I remember thinking to myself as I took this, I’m never ever going to capture the way the sky actually looks. Or how bright the sun is. And I didn’t. But the photo is useful in spite of its limitations, because it helps me remember. (Click here for a much larger version of the image.)Similar Posts: a sense of place: spice market grenada island pages journals from grenada haile selassie more “graffiti”

• women who run with the wolves

  maria

  4 Feb 2010 | 3:12 am

  I'm a sucker for book memes. Women Who Run With the Wolves (Clarissa Pinkola Estes) was published in 1992 and my mom got it right away, which means I was 15 when I first read it. Which explains a lot about me and my particular brand of weird. I’m won’t even attempt here to distill the book into something neat and pithy. “Myths and stories of the wild woman archetype”? That’s a topic better suited for a PhD thesis than a blog post. I offer the following excerpt for your consideration: “She comes to us through sound as well; through music which vibrates…

• more “graffiti”

  maria

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:08 pm

  I dug up the original photo that I cropped into the Haile Selassie/Marcus Garvey header image. Looks different in context, doesn’t it? I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure that the gentleman in the lower center is Maurice Bishop. Similar Posts: haile selassie missing vera grenville coast grenada island pages 9/11 webcomic

• navel ahead, avert your gaze

  maria

  1 Feb 2010 | 11:00 pm

  Bean loves the library. It’s always difficult to convince him to leave. Today was no exception. I dealt with it by whispering, Bean. Honey, come closer. Mommy wants to whisper a secret in your ear. So he forgot about his tantrum and allowed me to pick him up. As I was helping him get his arms into the sleeves of his jacket, I spoke softly against his cheek, Guess what Mommy’s doing tomorrow? Mommy’s going to school. (I’m taking classes so I can be an ESL teacher.) Oh, he said, looking a little sad. He anchored his gaze to the floor. Bean, what’s wrong? Is your school very very far…

• 
  Brits in Bosnia

• Not here today, over there instead

  9 Feb 2010 | 12:55 am

  Today I'm dodging flash photography and wondering whether my shades will do an adequate job in covering up my jet lagged eyes as I dodge the media scrum at Heathrow. Oh, ok, not quite. But I have been interviewed as for the Favourite Mummy Blogger spot for the My Child website - so go and have a read here. I'm off for a read as I'd had a few glasses of wine when I was answering the questions so I've no idea what rubbish I've been prattling on about. Ah hem.

• Of mosques, medresas and beer

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:29 am

  Given that we live less than 20 metres from a mosque, I am embarrassed at how little I know about the Islamic religion and practices. But it has struck me that the Bosnian way of being a Muslim isn't anything like the impressions of Islam that you can get from the media. Bosnia's Muslim community is a legacy of the Ottoman occupation and as such, the Bosnian Islamic tradition echoes that of Turkey. It is the most Western country to have a (narrow) Islamic majority and the only European country apart from Turkey to have such a preponderance of Muslims. Having said that, the…

• Food that shouldn't taste this good

  5 Feb 2010 | 1:13 am

  Sometimes a situation leads to something becoming so much greater, more pleasurable than it actually is. To clarify with an example: when you have spent a few hours tramping up a cold wet mountain, the piece of melted chocolate that has solidified in an odd shape with all the weird white streaks that previously melted chocolate has will be the most delicious piece of chocolate you have ever eaten. Swiss chocolates have nothing on this squashed bit of Dairy Milk.I had an example of this the other day. I had to go to Zvornik, a town right on the border about an hour's drive from Tuzla.

• Shiny Happy Things

  4 Feb 2010 | 12:56 am

  I'm getting progressively more hopeless at keeping up with my blogging etiquette. I've been tagged hither and tither and I can't remember who tagged me or what for. So, in a vain attempt to try and get back on top of it all, I'm sort of doing a meme that I look the look of, but can't remember if I've been tagged for it or not.But first apologies to Muddling Along Mummy who wanted to see pictures of my wedding dress as part of the wedding dress meme - I've looked but it appears that we didn't bring any pictures of our wedding out to Bosnia with us. Can't think why as it was a cracking day and…

• Take a moment for a coffee

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:44 am

  Take some good coffee (Doncafe, the red packet being my preferred version, I am far too much of a wuss to go for the super strong green packet) and a Bosnian coffee maker thing that has a name but it escapes me right now.Put one tablespoon per person into the coffee maker thingHeat up the coffee a little. When you can smell it add some boiling waterWait a while, but pay attention. The coffee will soon start to bubble up. If you aren't paying attention it will go all over the hobs.Take off the heat and add just a tiny bit more waterThis will lead to a creamy sort of froth that looks as if you…

• 
  My Thai Friend

• Fruity Thai Photo Quiz

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:50 pm

  Yesterday after my trip to Thai Immigration I headed up to Dan Singkhon and the farm of my friend Annan's Mum and Dad. They're a great couple who always make me welcome and knowing my passion for birding let me roam freely on there extensive land that runs up to the Thailand Myanmar border.Since I had company yesterday I didn't bother birding but had a wander round snapping a few different plants and flowers that grow everywhere.So a little fruity Thai photo quiz for you today. Can you name all for of the fruits in the collage. They are all growing on the farm. A couple are very easy, a third…

• Black and White-Photo Shot Thailand.

  7 Feb 2010 | 12:21 am

  I was invited to a photo shot yesterday. Six beautiful young Thai ladies wanted a portfolio for a project they were doing, or so I was informed. Excited at the prospect of practicing my photographic techniques I dusted down the Canon attached a suitable lens and waited for my photographic models to arrive. A casual observer might have noticed I was perspiring profusely, but rest assured this was caused by the unseasonal heat and not the prospect of my assignment. After all I am a professional, well I once had a profession anyway.Sadly despite what lurid fantasies you may have dreamt up…

• Things to Do in Thailand-What do you Recommend?

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:39 pm

  Thailand offers a huge range of activities and places of interest to visit, however for many tourists this is often organised for them by well meaning(for the most part) tour companies and their guides. This was the sort of thing I experienced when I first visited Thailand back in 2000. Because tour companies tend to follow a fairly well beaten track this leads to big crowds at such sites as Wat Po in Bangkok, which although worth a visit it is by no means(in my opinion) the best temple site in Thailand.The do it yourself traveller armed with a few words of Thai, a sense of adventure and a…

• Military Manoeuvres in Thailand

  4 Feb 2010 | 10:30 pm

  Reading the local press lately one might get the impression that civil war is about to break out in Thailand. By which I mean Thai fighting Thai. The fires have been stoked even more in the last week with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra "appointing" a retired general as the Commander in Chief of his (Thaksin) peoples army. Quite what the real Thai army make of this is not too clear but they have been going out of their way lately to reaffirm their allegiance to the current C in C and talking down the usual rumours about a coup.Anyway some real military manoeuvres are actually taking…

• You Drive Like a Thai.

  3 Feb 2010 | 7:07 pm

  I was up at 5am this morning since MTF is off on a trip with some of her classmates from the local community college. Apparently they are going to a seminar and visiting some temple sites.Thais seem to love going on "tour" as they call it, excited smiling faces even at the ungodly hour I had to turn out. Duen had organised two of her friends to come to the house and we picked up two en route. So I ended up with five giggling Thai females crammed in the truck. Having got the neighbours to look after Doy I drove the horde into Prachuap to catch a coach that was leaving at 6am.Now you may…

• 
  Baroque Babies

• A little stirring goes a long way

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:18 am

  I love clever ideas and ingenuity, so I was completely delighted when I received a box full of chocolates (on a stick) from my dear friends in Munchen last Thursday. They know my passion for chocolate, and thought, under the current circumstances, it would help cheer me up. Although these delicate pieces of heaven resemble a Lutscher, they're benefits go way beyond trying to lick your way to the center of a lollipop. You simply warm up your milk, stir the square piece of stick chocolate around and voila, you have a very fine, delicious hot chocolate mix. I received Vollmilch, Chili and…

• Green elephant lampshade

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:17 am

  This handmade lampshade is (finally) hanging in baby brother's room! I found it on DaWanda, Germany's version of Etsy, offering handmade products made with love. Check out lillyberlin's store, she has adorable fabric-covered lampshades and ships worldwide.

• Energy for Breastfeeding Mothers

  7 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pm

  I have a great tip for all of you breastfeeding mothers out there who feel tired, exhausted and a bit depleted. Aufbaumittel 'Stadelmann', a homeopathic pulver developed by a pharmacist in Kempten Allgäu, Germany, provides a wonderful tasteless mix of vitamins and minerals your body may be deficient of. The pulver is completely safe and when mixed with your morning yogurt or orange juice, easily digestible. I have no idea what my body was in need of during that time in my life, but the Aufbaumittel, suggested to me by my pharmacist, was a miracle mix. I saw my energy increase almost…

• Pampuschen slippers

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:59 am

  It is February and zero degrees Celsius in Germany and it's time to cozy up with my new beloved pair of slippers! These Hausschuhe (house shoes) from Pampuschen (I have the gray flowered style but in light lavender) are comfortable, stylish without being too girl-y (perfect for my style), stay on my feet when running after the kids, and are warm! We wear our Hausschuhe all the time in winter as it is the norm to take off your outside shoes by the door when entering a german home. This took some getting used to for me, but now I appreciate it as it significantly cuts down on the…

• Shoppers

  3 Feb 2010 | 11:47 pm

  Tote bags nowadays are so dull, but I've found some fresh, artsy shoppers that are great for the fashion conscious and those still carrying around extra diapers and wipes for the toddler set. Although several of the designs I tend to favor are a bit pricey, like my favorite Lanvin bags, you can still find moderately priced tote bags from German based Heidi Nickels, which are a must-see in person and fiercely clever.Whether shopping Target in the states or the small bag shops in Europe, finding the perfect fit is always hard to find...especially when toting around small children. I realize…

• 
  Seashells and Sunflowers | Necochea, Argentina

• Argentines on Vacation

  Katie

  6 Feb 2010 | 6:28 pm

  Argentines love the beach. Each year, come January 1st, vacation madness sets in as a multitude of Argentines descend upon the Atlantic coast beach towns for a week or two of sun and sand. The frenzy continues straight through until the beginning of March, when the chicos finally go back to school. As evidenced by the following vintage photos, though beach fashions may have evolved over the years, the Argentines' enthusiasm for the playa hasn't changed one bit. [A young woman named María Teresa on the beach in Necochea – 1937] [A well-dressed youngster at the beach (exact location unknown)…

• Tooting My Own Horn

  Katie

  4 Feb 2010 | 8:12 am

  My photos are like children in the sense that I can't help bragging about them from time to time; when they've done me proud, I just want to tell the whole world about it. Two of my photographic progeny have found interesting homes on the Internets over the past couple of weeks, and I'm just tickled pink. First, I urge you to go clickety-click over to the piping-hot "Local Flavor" showcase on Pictory that highlights a tantalizing array of food photos from around the world, including my snap of a community asado held here in Necochea (photo #29). I'd also like to recommend the…

• A Tale of Red Tape

  Katie

  1 Feb 2010 | 4:57 pm

  With my visa set to expire in just a few days, Daniel and I drove 1 1/2 hours to the immigration office in Mar del Plata last Monday to obtain an extension. Let the games begin. [Welcome to your friendly neighborhood maximum security detention center immigration office.] We arrive at Migraciones at 8:30am and find that virtually no one is in the office. We're called upon immediately, and I explain the purpose of my visit. The immigration employee tells me I must make photocopies of each and every page of my passport and then return to the office with the copies. Thankfully there's a kiosk on…

• Recoleta Cemetery

  Katie

  21 Jan 2010 | 6:40 am

  When I'm trip planning, cemeteries aren't normally the first attractions to hit my itinerary. After all, they're not exactly known for their inviting, upbeat atmosphere. With that said, everyone knows that the best way to get to know a place is to make friendly with the locals, in which case you should set aside time to visit Recoleta Cemetery when you're in Buenos Aires. El Cementerio de la Recoleta contains more than just a collection of ornate mausoleums; it contains the history of a nation. "In this museum of mortals, the personal ramblings of its inhabitants – famous or obscure…

• Recognition Long Overdue

  Katie

  20 Jan 2010 | 2:08 pm

  Those of you who've been following along may recall that my dad and his wife Deb came for a visit back in October of last year. During their stay in Argentina, we used two services that I feel were worthy of recognition. Buenos Tours In October 2008, my dad, stepdad, Daniel and I took a walking tour with Alan of Buenos Tours, which we considered one of the highlights of our visit. My dad enjoyed Alan's private walking tour so much that as soon as he bought his plane tickets for Argentina last year, he asked me to book another tour for him and Deb. Alan happened to be unavailable, so he set up…

• 
  a malaysian abroad

• Food in February: World Nutella Day!

  *lynne*

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:15 pm

  a malaysian abroad’s Food in February presents World Nutella Day! Having spent many winters in Switzerland when I was young, you would think my first memory of Nutella would be partaking of its hazelnutty chocolatey goodness on a slice of tresse bread or a piece of Zwieback in the comfort of my grandparents kitchen. Nope! Instead I have vivid memories of the St Mary’s school canteen, buying the small snack size single serving of Nutella for 20 sen or so.  I do not recall if it came with its own little spoon — probably, because I don’t remember helping myself to the…

• Food in February

  *lynne*

  3 Feb 2010 | 1:20 pm

  Food in February is the alliterative theme for a malaysian abroad this month.  In line with this blog’s main focus of {observing, comparing, celebrating} {Malaysia, Switzerland, USA} you can expect February posts to provide culinary explorations of Malaysian, Swiss and American cuisine. But wait — is there such a thing as “American cuisine”? Excellent question.  Stay tuned, and we’ll find out together! In the meantime, how about checking out this International Dining Etiquette Quiz?   (found via @journeywoman) With eleven amusing, unusual and occasionally…

• 30th Jan 2010: Happy Thaipusam!

  *lynne*

  28 Jan 2010 | 9:15 pm

  . The full moon during the month of Thai of the Tamil calendar falls on 30th January this year: so this Saturday is Thaipusam. Time for kavadis, vels, coconuts and processions! What is Thaipusam, you ask? It is a two-fold festival that celebrates the birthday of Murugan (the youngest son of Shiva and his wife Parvati) as well as Murugan’s victory over the evil demon Soorapadman by use of a vel (spear) given to him by his mother. Ouch Originally uploaded by tajai It is a day of penance and thanksgiving.  This is the time for devotees to offer a kavadi to Lord Murugan as a way of…

• Putik vs Putih: from song lyrics to a proverb with no resolution in sight!

  *lynne*

  25 Jan 2010 | 4:17 am

  Last week a malaysian abroad finally laid an earworm to rest: Indonesian artiste Kris Dayanti’s Menghitung Hari. In the course of slaying said earworm, however, I came across a good example of how frustrating some words in Malay can be.  Here I’d like to discuss putik vs putih. First, the context… this is from the second verse of the song:       Malay lyrics           English translation       Padamkan saja kobar asmaramu           Just put out the flames of your passion      …

• PLX2010: Another Postcard/Link Exchange coming up soon!

  *lynne*

  17 Jan 2010 | 9:15 pm

  Remember a malaysian abroad’s Postcard / Link Exchange of 2009 (PLX2009)? No?  Well here are links to Wrap Up (1) & Wrap Up (2) to refresh your memory. you know you want one! The premise is simple — I send you a postcard and you write about it on your blog with linkbacks to a malaysian abroad.  As you can see from the previous write-ups, a lot of linky love is exchanged, so everybody wins. I had also done a similar exchange back in 2007, and as stated before, I plan to continue with this effort for as long as there are bloggers who are game, whenever I have the opportunity…

• 
  Expatify.com

• Learning the Social Customs of the Philippines

  Tanya

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:18 pm

  Family is a very important factory of Filipino society. People are often close with their nuclear and extended family, in which they seek support. In addition to blood relatives, children often have a few godparents. Nepotism is fairly common in the Philippines, and it is often expected of people to hire other members of their [...]

• The Best Country for a British Expat

  Fanni

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:51 pm

  Where is the best place to live as a British expat? Anywhere within a three hour flight of Britain it would seem. According to research by Alliance & Leicester International an expat in France can expect approximately ten friends or family to visit from Britain every year.  Expats in Spain and Holland will have around eight [...]

• Monday Escape: Aveiro, Portugal

  Bryan

  8 Feb 2010 | 1:24 am

  Aveiro is known as the Portuguese “Venice” due to its many canals, bridges and painted boats called “moliceiros”. But unlike its Italian counterpart, this city is far more personal, less bathed in swarms of tourists and relatively uncrowded. The city of Aveiro has a population of approximately 57,000 inhabitants, where 14,000 are students at University of [...]

• Potential Terrorists Banned From UK Student Visas

  Fanni

  8 Feb 2010 | 1:17 am

  Thousands and thousands of international students will be refused visas as Home Secretary Alan Johnson introduces tough new rules to prevent terrorists from creating links with Britain. These tougher rules include the requirement that student applicants are able to speak passable English, and applicants for short courses will be immediately refused. These new requirements are a response [...]

• Two Pleasant Cities in France: Bordeaux and Nice

  Tanya

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:50 pm

  Bordeaux Bordeaux is located in southwestern France, and is an important port on the Garonne River. Its greater metropolitan area has a population around 1 million, and there has been a problem of suburban sprawl in the last years. It is a wonderful place to move if you are a wine-drinker, being one of the major [...]

• 
  Bulgarian Slivatree - An Expatriate's Eye in Bulgaria

• Winter In Bulgaria - The Problems

  31 Jan 2010 | 7:50 am

  Probable unemployment tomorrow aside, we have had some serious weather here, but things just plough on as normal. It takes longer to do things and some things you can’t do with extreme cold weather and almost a metre of snow that remains part of the long-term feature of the landscape in Yambol now. I think I have mentioned many time before that I just love living in these conditions and adapt accordingly. It makes the appreciation and luxury of the other seasons in Bulgaria so much better. Freezing weather is fine for most if you are tucked away with a wood burner and a outbuilding full of…

• Unemployed In Bulgaria - More Than Likely

  27 Jan 2010 | 10:36 am

  Having just got back to work after being laid off with a bad back, it was seemingly back to normal albeit in freezing temperatures and a frozen up Lada that wouldn’t move. Taxi fares took up a third of my daily wage without my own transport and buses that just didn’t go en route to my work place. This is the last thing I need after a week off sick with no pay. Oh well, I thought, once this ice disappears all will be well. Or will it… Yesterday 5 people got laid off work due to lack of business, today a further two got their cards. The workforce is down from 26 to 18 and on Monday it…

• Winter Comes To Bulgaria At Last

  21 Jan 2010 | 9:19 am

  Well winter has come with vengeance in Bulgaria as I look out of my Yambol window and see half a metre of snow surrounding us and the finely balanced wedges of white fluffy stuff settled on the bare vine trellis that gave us the wine and rakia this year. I it has been a very warm and unreal over the last few months and it was a worry that the normal extreme cold spell would not kill off all the pests for the crops later this year. Even the bears had come out of hibernation due to this winter heat wave. Well they can go back to sleep now for sure at it was –10C last night and due for a drop…

• Work - That's How It Is In Bulgaria For Bulgarians

  17 Jan 2010 | 3:20 am

  It is a standstill in Bulgaria right now. Even with the exceptional mid winter nothing is happening on the land, which lays dormant until March and then the work begins in April. It is traditional the working land is ploughed in February which should give a finer soil composition after many months of frost and is also the time for sowing garlic to follow on the November sowing last year. Exciting times ahead, if only there were more hours in the day to deal with this.Working 45 hours a week it is going to be hard work to keep on top of things on the Yambol Factory farm as I will have to work…

• Another New Year Celebration In Skalitsa

  10 Jan 2010 | 8:23 am

  At last we got to get to the village after a month of town life over Christmas and New Year. We have had absolutely no time on our own together throughout this time and we looked forward to the trip and stoking up the wood burner and doing the things we do in the village.We also had to catch up on the news from out neighbours in Skalitsa who we also hadn’t seen or spoken to since before the festive season. We knew that much of the time there this weekend would be talking and perhaps having a belated New Year celebration with them. Just of a point of interest, the celebrating has not stopped…

• 
  OMAN Holidays BLOG

• Nobel Caledonia Oman Cruise

  Arabesque

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:58 am

  should be an interesting cruise

• Tour Guides in Oman

  Arabesque

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:52 am

  receive a talk by Ross Dowling

• People Friendly Muscat

  Arabesque

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:44 am

  is on its way

• Queen Mary 2 in Muscat

  Arabesque

  26 Jan 2010 | 11:12 am

  on her second visit to Oman

• Muscat Oman as the sun rises

  Arabesque

  23 Jan 2010 | 5:02 am

  in a cloudy sky

• 
  Sovereign Man

• Setting the stage for the new America

  Simon Black

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  February 8, 2010 Bangkok, Thailand I’ve tried just about everything in the book… but I’ve never figured out a way to beat Asian jet lag. I landed in Thailand very late last night, and despite having hardly slept on the flight, I couldn’t manage to fall asleep. The good news is that I was still awake to watch the Superbowl this morning, which kicked off at 6:30am local time. The bad news is that my brain is a bit fried, so I’m going to keep today’s letter brief (though hopefully sensible). As part of my rather long flight itinerary from Panama City to…

• Your questions: anarchy, healthcare, mortgages, China

  Simon Black

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  February 5, 2010 Mexico City, Mexico Greetings once again from Mexico; I’m sure many who listen to the mainstream press would be amazed to find that I have spent 48 hours on the ground here with nary a swine flu infection nor simple mugging to report. I did, however, miss my flight to Canada. What can I say… Mexico City traffic has got to be the most dangerous thing in this country. I was able to change my plans and will be in Vancouver this evening. Before I get started on answering your questions from the mailbag, I wanted to mention a brief administrative note– if you…

• Freedom isn’t free

  Simon Black

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  February 4, 2010 Teotihuacan, Mexico Today I’m writing to you from the base of an ancient, Pre-Colombian pyramid in Central Mexico that pre-dates the Aztecs. Frankly this wasn’t part of my plan at all, but the reason I ended up here has a lot to do with living free. Freedom is something that I think all people want more of in their lives– freedom of choice, freedom from financial constraints, freedom from bureaucracy and fear, etc. One of the burdens of freedom, though is knowing what to do with it once you have it.  When the artificial handcuffs are finally broken, what…

• Three real estate traps in Panama

  Simon Black

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  February 3, 2010 Panama City, Panama Panama is a popular destination for expats, and for good reason. But there are some critical property traps that you should be aware of if you’re looking to buy. The first trap to watch out for is the tax law; for years, the government stimulated the real estate industry by promising property tax exoneration for up to 20-years. In order to qualify, a project must have been permitted no later than July 1, 2009. For this reason, you see a lot of empty pits in Panama City where developers were technically within the law and are now frantically trying to…

• Business opportunities in Panama

  Simon Black

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  February 2, 2010 Panama City, Panama I see a lot of opportunity in Panama right now for entrepreneurs and small businesses; in fact, I see more opportunity here than in just about every other country in the western hemisphere with few exceptions. Why? Panama has two strong emerging consumer markets. The first is the obvious low hanging fruit: foreigners. Their ranks in Panama are growing by the day, swelling the country with their capital and their consumer demands. Simply put, they are accustomed to certain products and services, not all of which are available in Panama. That spells…

• 
  And She Took Her Journey

• Mitos del síndrome de Down/Myths about Down Syndrome

  Donna C. Martinez

  27 Jan 2010 | 5:35 pm

  Mitos del síndrome de Down A lovely column in today's Mercurio (Santiago, Chile's newspaper) about people with Down syndrome. the article invites us to put in front of statements that may describe an individual with Down syndrome (or any intellectual disability) the phrase: "Like all people...." to recognize that we are no different than each other whether we have a disability or not.

• Canyoning in Puerto Varas

  Donna C. Martinez

  26 Jan 2010 | 1:45 pm

  At Puerto Varas we heard one of the most exciting adventures was canyoning down Rio Blanca. I wasn't too sure about this part of our vacation. This is what is was suppose to look like: (wait for the commercial to pass) See ABC article: Extreme Tourists Canyoning in Chile Jorge, Kristina, Ian, and Andy were ready to be among the extremists.  Me... I wasn't so sure. I was like the young lady who really had no idea what she was getting herself into. We left our hotel overlooking Lake Llanquihue with the volcano, Osorno in the cloudy distance for a van ride to Rio Blanco. After getting sized…

• Picture Taking and Horseback Riding in Torres del Paine

  Donna C. Martinez

  26 Jan 2010 | 12:28 pm

  We went out one more time to capture the "money shot" of the mountains while the sun peaked out. Then went horse back riding. Unlike trail riding in the states we were allowed to just take off and enjoy the surroundings. The vaqueros did not keep a tight reign on us and for those who needed the extra guidance were there to help. As you can see the views were magnificent! While riding we experienced sunshine, rain, hail, wind-- but no snow.

• Punta Arenas-Casco de la Fragata Inglesa Lord Lonsdale

  Donna C. Martinez

  26 Jan 2010 | 11:55 am

  To the south of the town just outside the cruise ship ports and the Navy station the skeleton of the English Frigate, Lord Lonsdale,  serves as a tribute to the sailors who sailed the Magagallan Sea and helped colonize this region. The houses that flank the rusted frame are as weathered as the shadow looming up from the beach. Graffiti provides a colorful counter point to the early morning gray and shadows reminding us that: Human rights are your rights.   Take it. Understand them.  Promote them. Defend them.  They are the best of us.  Give them life

• Punta Arenas - Hotel and Palacio Sara Braun

  Donna C. Martinez

  26 Jan 2010 | 10:49 am

  The second leg of our trip was a stay at Puerto Varas that required we take an early morning flight in oredr to get there. We drove our car to Punta Arenas to stay for one night and took in some of the sites. Punta Arenas is also a cruise ship docking point and that night we had two ships in port. We stayed at Hotel Cabo de Hornos. Though beautiful, the modern hotel looked out of place  situated in the old town plaza. Neighboring buildings that surrounded  the plaza hearkened to a time nearly a century past. We stayed in a Matrimonial room (King size bed, corner room with views of…

• 
  Earth to Danie

• Apology to Fellow Foodies

  22 Jan 2010 | 6:46 am

  Have you ever recommended a restaurant to someone and they go there and then they tell you they didn't like it?  And you're all confused and thinking how can our friendship ever be the same and maybe we should break up because you clearly don't recognize good food when a waiter drops it on the table in front of you!? I'm on my knees, ever-so-humbly begging forgiveness from anyone to which I've recommended a restaurant.  I've committed horrible sins that no self-proclaimed foodie should ever commit. When we lived in India, there was an American diner called Sparky's.  We met the…

• Happy 3rd Birthday ExpatWomen.com!

  16 Jan 2010 | 7:05 am

  Dear Expat Women.com, If I could sing a la Marilyn Monroe, I'd belt out a breathy version of Happy Birthday for you.  Unfortunately, you'll just have to use your imagination on that one--but the thought and the love is there. It seems like yesterday that you were taking your first baby steps.  My!  How quickly you've grown in just three years! You have become the most comprehensive, global website for helping women who are living overseas. Your site displays 1,000+ content pages, 1,000+ expat women blogs, 200+ readers' stories, invaluable country resource pages, interviews with…

• Jo Parfitt's Review of The Expat Arc

  11 Jan 2010 | 10:56 am

  I should be far more professional and suave about this but I can't even pretend to be that cool. I'm so excited and so thrilled by Jo Parfitt's review of my book, The Expat Arc. That's right.  I said--Jo. Parfitt. As in Expat Entrpreneur and A Career in Your Suitcase. Yeah!  That Jo Parfitt. Here is her review as posted today on her blog at http://www.joparfitt.com... from blog to blook By Jo Parfitt, on January 11th, 2010 Everyone knows that if you plan to write a book yourself you need to check out the competition. You need to read books like the one you are going to write to find…

• Merry Christmas, Y'all!

  22 Dec 2009 | 10:09 pm

  It's currently 11:34pm on Thursday, December 22, 2009.  Oh, and I almost left out the best part--it's 65'F here in Texas, y'all!  There is nothing I don't love about that. School is on Christmas break.  JB is done work for the 2009.  With a little free time on our hands, we took the opportunity to go skating at a local rink that has been erected in a tent in the middle of a shopping mall parking lot.  It's beautifully decorated with thousands of lights for Christmas.  They played Christmas music and even treated us to a brief (and soapy) snowfall.  Note to…

• 1/2 Price Book Sale - The Expat Arc

  25 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am

  The Expat Arc will be available for 50% off the listed Amazon.com price through Sunday. To order your discounted copy for $14.98, you may order directly from the printer using this code at checkout:  F6HNBTX7. <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/twtthis"></a>

• 
  Expats Blog

• Moving and Relocating Overseas - The Expats Guide

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:03 pm

  Moving and Relocating overseas? Here you can find essential information about relocation services, moving expenses, packing...

• Relocation Agencies - What Services do They Offer?

  7 Feb 2010 | 12:03 am

  Hi Sharon What are the absolute essentials I need from a relocation agency? and then some more. Thanks Samskar

• Legal and Notary Services for Canadian Expats

  6 Feb 2010 | 10:29 am

  Hi everyone, I am a Canadian expat living abroad and want to send my kid to high school in BC, Canada. For my kid to attend school in BC like every

• Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

  6 Feb 2010 | 6:55 am

  1. In which city are you living? Ottawa 2. What is the spoken language, and how much local language do you need to know for daily living? It's

• How to Obtain a Police Clearance to Canada?

  1 Feb 2010 | 1:02 pm

  Hi Ms. Sharon, I would like to know the procedures in requesting a police clearance to Canada. I worked in Qatar and Saudi Arabia as a contract worker

• 
  MyBrownBaby

• I Am a Black Writer

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:01 pm

  EDITOR'S NOTE: I originally wrote this piece for my writer friend, Eisa Eulen, author of the novel, Crystelle Mourning, and the purveyor of EisaUlen.com, where she pens a thoughtful, poignant blog about books and writings by and about people of color. I wasn't in the best place when I wrote this piece, and though today my writing career is going well, there are still days when I feel like this...

• Evil Black Men

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:01 pm

  It was supposed to be a simple assignment -- a little something to remind the kids about their lesson on adjectives. Magazine and newspaper clippings + lots of glue + fancy descriptives = an easy lesson and the perfect student work display for the parent/teacher conference.We all drank in the oversized poster boards, us parents patiently waiting in the hallway for our turn with the teacher. Mari

• Spiked Hot Chocolate

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:21 pm

  Godiva Chocolatinis.Godiva liquer- and rum-infused fudge and caramel brownies.The oh-so-chocolatey Morris Chestnut (The Best Man) and Omar Epps (Love & Basketball).And my girls *waving at Angelou, Akilah, and Selassie*Oh, lawd, yes.These are the things that make for the perfect Spiked Hot Chocolate party.You better go on ahead and get you some!

• Terror on the Pole

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:01 pm

  By MALAKA GYEKYEI’m really hoping to go to Ghana this summer with the girls. I’m in the midst of looking for a Twi teacher to help them assimilate a little bit better, and have been plying them with plantain and stew so that they can appreciate good Ghanaian cooking when it comes across their plates. Their immersion into Ghanaian culture is nearly done, with only one thing alluding me: the money

• Wordful Wednesday: A Beautiful Black Boy

  3 Feb 2010 | 6:25 am

  This is my nephew, Miles. Take a good, hard look at him. What do you see? He's athletic, sure. And a handsome lil' devil, too. And he likes to talk. A lot. What you should also know is that Miles is a smart one. Brilliant, really. And when he grows up and figures out how to use his powers for good, he's going to change the world, for sure. I can feel it. Anyone who spends a half

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  Czech Off the Beaten Path

• Sher has a New Zazzle Store

  30 Jan 2010 | 3:10 pm

  Hi Everyone,Things have been up and down here at our house the past few weeks. I was sick when I got back from the trip home at Christmas, then improved a bit, and got sick again...or maybe the first stuff never went away. It's hard to tell! Our weather's also been playing havoc with my asthma and allergies, but the doctor seems to be getting me straightened out...which is a good feeling.Even so, with being sick, I've been trying to get caught up with everything. That's not been so easy, but even baby steps are some sign of progress. Sometimes we have to be thankful we're even able to take…

• Happy Birthday from Czech Off the Beaten Path!

  16 Jan 2010 | 7:53 am

  Hi Everyone,I would like to wish a huge and hearty Happy Birthday to Expatwomen.com, created by Andrea Martins and Jill Lengre, both of whom have lived or are currently living as expats. Expatwomen.com turns three years old today, and is the go-to website for women who are anticipating a move overseas, or who are already living expat lives in their new countries. I first came across Expatwomen.com two years ago when I began working on Czech Off the Beaten Path. It was the first real expat website that I began to use and have continued to use due to the high quality resources catering to women…

• Relief for Haiti

  14 Jan 2010 | 7:01 am

  Hi Everyone,It's great to be back in Prague after Christmas! I had a wonderful Christmas with my family back in the States, and was able to also spend time with my dog, Pal. And then, I came back to Prague, where Jiri and I were able to celebrate New Year's together, with some of our friends. We had a fun time! Things have been busy since I got back, and I've also been fighting the usual asthma and allergies flareup. But the flare-up is now better, and I am getting back to a normal life again.Speaking of a normal life, it was a huge shock to get up and read the news yesterday morning--it was…

• Happy New Year 2010!

  31 Dec 2009 | 2:14 am

  Hi Everyone,I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year 2010--filled with health, happiness, love and peace!Have a wonderful and safe holiday!God bless,Sher :0)Clip Art by WordPlayCzech Off the Beaten Path WebsiteCzech Off the Beaten Path Travel StoreCzech Off the Beaten Path T-shirts & More(c) 2009 by czechoffthebeatenpath

• Vesele Vanoce

  23 Dec 2009 | 9:20 am

  Hi Everyone,Here are some traditional Czech Christmas carols in the video above. Enjoy!I would like to wish you and your family and loved ones a very wonderful and Merry Christmas!Have a great day & Merry Christmas!God bless,Sher :0)Czech Off the Beaten Path WebsiteCzech Off the Beaten Path Travel StoreCzech Off the Beaten Path T-shirts & More(c) 2009 by czechoffthebeatenpath

• 
  Balanced Melting Pot

• The art of slowing down

  Balanced Melting Pot

  7 Feb 2010 | 2:36 pm

  I often read articles about American expats who have to adjust to a slower paced life while abroad. Having had the good fortune to travel a lot growing up, I have always seen this difference as what truly makes the US unique. In most other countries in the world, efficiency does not triumph all. I remember when I got to France and was warned by our liaison that walking while eating was faux pas; even among students . I just couldn’t believe it.  Who had time to get home from classes and sit down to eat lunch – whether cooked or bought. Well, by month three, I had somehow found the time.

• Accidents waiting to happen

  Balanced Melting Pot

  5 Feb 2010 | 1:47 pm

  Driving in Caracas is an art form. When I first got here, and even during my visit, I often found myself watching what looked like an accident about to happen only to see the cars swerve at the last minute and miss. I quickly realized two things – a) I will probably never drive here and b) I need to get over my backseat driving. Due to my fear of driving, I am always the passenger who thinks she can do a better job at getting to the destination. In a way, having limited Spanish is a good thing since I can’t say much to piss off the person driving. The trick that I have learned to keep my…

• Humbled in Caracas

  Balanced Melting Pot

  1 Feb 2010 | 12:25 pm

  So the day after the earthquake in Haiti, I was trying to keep things somewhat stable for the kids and took them to school. As soon as I arrived, I had parents and teachers who I did not know coming up to me expressing their concerns about what happened. One thing that I have realized about Venezuelans is that they are genuine people. A couple weeks after I got here, I came down with a stomach bug and had to stay in bed for two days. This meant that my husband had to to handle drop offs and pick ups, as well as meals – which meant going down to the closest restaurant for take-out. Well,…

• One month check up

  Balanced Melting Pot

  29 Jan 2010 | 1:45 pm

  We’ve now been in Caracas for one month and I thought I would do a self check-up on how we are adapting. I remember at the end of the kids’ first week of school, I had this feeling as though the situation were temporary. I don’t know if it was because most of the move thus far had felt a bit surreal (it has not sunk in that I now live Venezuela) or if the first week came and went so fast. It made me think of the previous times they had started school and how I felt about it then. While I may have felt a bit of nostalgia, I don’t think it felt so transitory. I know that a lot of these…

• After their world shook, ours stood still.

  Balanced Melting Pot

  16 Jan 2010 | 6:37 am

  I think just about everybody in the world knows that Haiti was hit with an earthquake on January 12 that registered at 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Since then, there have been many strong aftershocks that have continued to destroy what little is left the country’s infrastructure.  There is still a lot we do not know about how much damage was done or how many people are hurt/deceased, but this is the most devastating natural disaster that has hit Haiti since the four consecutive storms they endured in 2008. Immediately after we heard about it, I was frantically trying to get a hold of my…