Expats

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    China Expat

  • From Kashgar to Taxkorgan : The Karakoram Highway

    CDE
    20 Nov 2009 | 1:23 am
         The horse section of Kashgar Market     ~ by Chris Devonshire Ellis     Quite simply, one of the most stunning journeys you can undertake in China. Incorporating the highest freshwater lake in the world, some of it's most spectacular mountains, deep valleys, crashing gorges, deserts, roads swept into the abyss and wild camels - and that's just on day one. The Karakoram Highway was built, mainly using Chinese labour, as a link into and with Pakistan, in China's farthest Western point. The ethnic tribes include Kazaks, Afghanis, Pakistanis,…

  • Breaking Forecast

    Ernie
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:30 pm
     All in a few hours daubing...             Standing on his stepladder in proletarian garb, he was mistaken by most visitors for a workman doing a touch-up job. But in under two hours, with nothing but a Home Depot  brush and a bucket of common black paint, Qiu Zhijie turned out the classic waterfall scene you see above, on UCCA gallery's information wall.          Qiu Zhijie likes the waterfall concept, but has about as much interest in producing classic Chinese art as Wolfgang Puck has in making grilled cheese sandwiches. For that matter, he and his seven compatriots, the…

  • Sanqingshan - Home of the Pure Ones

    Ernie
    16 Nov 2009 | 12:11 am
            There are more than a few mountains in China touted as the Daoist holy of holies. Not that it matters . To quote the sage Bruce Lee, "In order that the mind may function naturally and harmoniously it must be freed from all attachment to oppositional notions." That means a master will transcend whether he's on the peak of Huangshan or in the pits of downtown Detroit. For those of us trapped in duality, however, nice scenery inspires. And, if forced to make distinctions, China Expat points to Jiangxi's Sanqingshan as the Daoist mecca. Each of its…

  • Goodbye to the River Goddess

    Ernie
    11 Nov 2009 | 2:30 am
            If you feel any chagrin at the recent confirmed extinction of China's river dolphin, congratulations. You're in that blessed minority of mankind who can afford to believe that Homo Reclinus can co-exist with other creatures at the top of the food chain. We could if there were only a few of us, of course, but if everyone deserves a flat screen TV and dollar burgers, then other predators have to go, and the baijihas taken its cue. read more

  • The Man Who Stayed Behind

    Ernie
    8 Nov 2009 | 10:52 pm
     Sidney Rittenberg with one of his commie buddies.       Why is it that a list of famous western communists reads like the roster of your local B'nai B'rith? Divisive conspiracy theories aside, Jews born in the West are aliens in their own homeland , unless it's New Yawk. Being automatically on the outside leads one to get inside the alternative. In Sidney Rittenberg's case, he got on the inside of the Chinese Communist Party like no Yank before or since, befriending Mao, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, and other PRC all-stars. He did sixteen years in Chinese jail for his…
 
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    Topix: Expatriate

  • RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan Received Deputy Head Of Russia's F

    3 Nov 2009 | 7:32 am
    Date : Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:20:28 +0400 RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED DEPUTY HEAD OF RUSSIA'S FEDERAL AGENCY FOR CIS AFFAIRS, EXPATRIATE COUNTRYMEN AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION IGOR MOROZOV http://www.gov.am/en/news/item/4931/ Friday, 30 October 2009 Greeting the guest, the head of the Armenian government said to be aware ...

  • Placebo announce free tour bundle

    29 Oct 2009 | 1:36 am
    Having already toured numerous countries across the globe including Mexico, Japan and Thailand, Placebo are ready to head out on their winter 2009 tour, where they will play to over 300,000 people across Europe.

  • Placebo free tour bundle download

    25 Oct 2009 | 4:29 am
    Having already toured numerous countries across the globe including Mexico, Japan and Thailand, Placebo are ready to head out on their winter 2009 tour, where they will play to over 300,000 people across Europe.

  • Dubai Escort Reviews

    8 Oct 2009 | 2:35 am
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  • Escort Russia Girls at Dubai

    8 Oct 2009 | 12:32 am
    ELITE VIP DUBAI ESCORT. CALL +7-953-341-69-96. REAL PLEASURE He ESCORT RUSSIA GIRLS AT DUBAI promoted addressed set in confirming fear not an old wearing in uniform to a and.
 
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    BBC News: Expatriate

  • Will disputes derail Iraq's election?

    18 Nov 2009 | 2:56 pm
    The BBC's Jim Muir examines the likelihood of a January election in Iraq, as rows over displaced Iraqis and Kurds threaten to derail the process.

  • Saracens 24-23 South Africa

    17 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pm
    South Africa suffer a third straight defeat on their tour of Europe as Premiership leaders Saracens come from 18-6 behind to win a thrilling encounter at Wembley.

  • Abu Dhabi keen to host MCC match

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:15 am
    The leading cricket official in the United Arab Emirates says the country would be honoured to host the traditional county curtain-raiser in 2010.

  • Obituary: Claude Levi-Strauss

    3 Nov 2009 | 3:34 pm
    A look at the life and times of French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss, who has died at the age of 100.

  • Afghan businesses in the doldrums

    30 Oct 2009 | 7:27 am
    Continued uncertainty about the outcome of presidential elections in Afghanistan has done nothing to improve business confidence, writes the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul.
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    Expat Focus

  • More U.S. job hunters look for work in other countries

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:53 am
    Here's one way to deal with the brutal U.S. job market: Leave the country. With the nation's unemployment rate at a 26-year-high of 10.2%, more Americans are hunting for, and landing, work overseas, according to staffing companies and executive search firms... More (USATODAY.COM)

  • Top 10 most popular overseas property destinations in October

    16 Nov 2009 | 5:54 am
    It is amazing the difference that the foreign exchange rate currently makes to the popularity of an overseas property destination. In October Turkey property became the third most popular with those searching for property on Property Abroad.com -- a climb of 3 places on the previous month... More (Property-Abroad.com)

  • Why Egypt's young dream of life abroad

    12 Nov 2009 | 5:04 am
    Migration, legal or illegal, is seen by most Egyptians as a way of finding work and getting rich - despite the risks and costs. Hundreds of thousands of people have left already and in some areas the effects can be seen and felt... More (BBC)

  • Property abroad: Counting on the Costas

    11 Nov 2009 | 2:48 am
    Recession-hit Spain is proving to be a destination for bargain-hunting cash buyers, as house prices fall by a third... More (This is Money)

  • Social networking websites crucial to expat life in China

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:05 am
    The difficulty in accessing popular networking and blogging sites such as Facebook and Twitter is affecting more than just the social lives of foreigners - local businesses are also missing out on an effective marketing tool. People have found Facebook and Twitter blocked since the July riot in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. It was rumored restrictions would be relaxed after the National Day holidays but access is still restricted... More (China Daily)
 
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    Expat Women

  • 2009 Winners: The Stevie Awards For Women In Business

    16 Nov 2009 | 8:23 am
    Hi Everyone, If you are looking for a motivational kick-start to your week, check out the newly-announced winners of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.Jump onto the websites of the women that spike your interest, and whallah... get inspired by some fantastic women.Have a sensational week, Andrea.

  • Global Giving's "Give More - Get More Challenge"

    11 Nov 2009 | 7:20 am
    Hi Everyone, It's our pleasure to give a shout-out again this year to Global Giving - a wonderful site making it relatively easy for needy projects to promote themselves to donors, and for donations (large and small) to reach needy projects around the world.Right now, Global Giving have a "Give More - Get More Challenge" that runs through December 1. Donate to your favorite projects - the more they raise, the more matching funds they can earn. Projects that raise the most money, or get the most donations, can win bonus funding as well."GlobalGiving is changing the way people give, offering…

  • Expat Women November Newsletter

    11 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am
    Hi Everyone, If you are a member of our main site, ExpatWomen.com, and you did not receive our newsletter for November 2009 this week, please let us know hereIf you have not signed up to Expat Women yet, please do so now. Your support really does make a difference when we are trying to raise money from sponsors and advertisers to keep Expat Women growing strong. November NewsletterIn addition to our home page features, our newsletter includes:The name of our Explorer Publishing mini-guide pack winner; Our winning story Round and Round It Goes...Which Country Nobody Knows, from Liz - an…

  • Goodhealth Worldwide is now Aetna Global Benefits

    9 Nov 2009 | 7:40 pm
    Hi Everyone, You may have noticed a new name on our site today: Aetna Global Benefits. This is in fact our loyal Gold Sponsor, Goodhealth Worldwide, but with a new name. Aetna Global Benefits took over Goodhealth Worldwide a little while ago and the rebranding has just taken place. "Aetna Global Benefits (AGB) is a specialist provider of international health insurance for expatriates. We offer a full range of worldwide health insurance plans and whether you are looking for individual, family, group or company cover, we have an international medical insurance plan to suit your requirements.

  • Can You Help? Passport Career Is Still Looking For Short-Term Researchers

    9 Nov 2009 | 7:13 pm
    Hi Everyone, It's been a couple of months since we last updated you on PassportCareer's search for short-term researchers. If you can help in any of the following locations, please do so...Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Comoros Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Honduras, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,…
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    ExpatFinder Blog

  • New Tips & Advice: Overseas Retirement Portfolio, Choosing a Mortgage

    admin
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:49 am
    Building Your Overseas Retirement Portfolio This article does not provide any guidance on your options when you are at the point of actually retiring, but is concerned with how to invest your money while you are accumulating a retirement fund for later use. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to some of the issues and concepts of retirement planning while you are working overseas.  A major attraction for expatriates working overseas is the opportunity to accumulate capital, by increasing savings due to reduced cost of living and enhanced earnings.  What to do with sums you are…

  • Expat Daily: Expat Arrivals, Entrepreneur China

    admin
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Expat newcomers often leave China early “Almost half of new expatriates leave China early because they have difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle, a consultancy firm said. China Transition Institute (CTI) president David Israel-Rosen said most foreigners are unprepared for what life will be like when they arrive in China. “It is moving from the West to the East,” he said. “It is not like moving from Chicago to Denver.” “If you look at the literature, between 30 percent and 50 percent of expats go home early. The failure rates are astonishing.” Alan Kahn,…

  • Expat Daily: Pet Relocation, Languages

    admin
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:42 pm
    Dog lost in Afghan battle returns A sniffer dog lost in battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago has turned up safe and well and rejoined its Australian unit. Defence officials said Sabi the dog was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base. The dog returned to a celebrity welcome from visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US commander Gen Stanley McChrystal. Read more from BBCnews Internationally Speaking “GENEVA — Language mavens, be warned: This is not your usual language column, a scholarly take on the ways we speak at home. It’s a look at how we communicate…

  • Expat Daily: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Swiss Bank Account

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:19 pm
    Expat TCM docs take your pulse “AS Anna Xu waits to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, she is extremely surprised when a Westerner enters the consulting room, applies three fingers to her pulse and asks about her discomfort. It’s just the way TCM is supposed to work, except the doctor is foreign and he speaks Mandarin Chinese. But TCM today has adherents all over the world, and many come to China to study and practice the ancient healing arts. Some are beginners, with no TCM background, while others have studied TCM in their own countries and seek further training in TCM…

  • Expat Daily: British & American Health Care, Beijing Jobs

    admin
    15 Nov 2009 | 10:32 pm
    Health Care and Culture: A Look at the British and American Systems Donna Marsh explores the two countries’ health care system for Mobility Magazine. “Despite appearances and an intricately intertwined history, residents of the United States and the United Kingdom have different views of health care, many of which stem from subtle cultural differences and views toward the world. Marsh examines the two countries’ health care systems, and offers a no-hold-barred analysis of their differences. As an American/British dual national, it is always interesting to consider the innumerable…
 
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    A Maine Man Abroad

  • I'm on Twitter

    16 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am
    Follow me on Twitter

  • PRAY FOR AMERICA

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:23 am
    Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by accident. God doesn’t make mistakesThese words are the cornerstone of my belief system. They come from my ‘other’ bible, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. These words are the inspiration for my personal recovery, both physically and spiritually. It’s difficult to apply these words to yesterday’s horror in Texas, however. I spent some time in the armed services and went through combat in Viet Nam. I can understand the need to take lives to protect one’s self and those whose lives are entrusted to you. I can understand…

  • VETERAN'S DAY 2009

    4 Nov 2009 | 12:44 pm
    "Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country's story:Reprise: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD. For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth: Reprise: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world's common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows: Reprise: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD. For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who…

  • Shame on Maine

    4 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am
    Well, as expected, the fear mongers and promoters of ignorance succeeded in clouding the issues and convinced Mainers to violate the civil liberties of a whole segment of our population. That's right, like it or not, homosexuals are a growing segment of our population and they don't have equal protection under the law.In fact, marriage it is a civil matter requiring a government license, and recorded in a government courthouse. Marriages are civil actions with civil rights and regulations. There is nothing “church”, religious, scriptural, or sacred, about it. If this is confusing, try to…

  • 29 Oct 2009 | 2:50 pm

    29 Oct 2009 | 2:50 pm
    Add url"people should have to pay to go to church and theater should be free"
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    A Canada Immigrant's Blog

  • The Great Canadian Train Robbery

    Cinni Kull
    10 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am
    It is no secret what respect I have for the TTC – the Toronto Transit Commission. As blogged earlier, they just keep providing reason after reason for one to admire how persistent, illogical and cruel human obstinacy can really be. In these tough economic times, the last thing one should have to worry about is [...]

  • Home Delivery Blues

    Cinni Kull
    16 Oct 2009 | 9:45 pm
    There’s a thing called the Internet where we can sometimes… surprise, surprise… shop for stuff and then hope to receive it at our homes with as much ease as it is described and promoted on the websites selling the stuff. That much I’ve understood. Or, let me cut through the chase and get straight to the [...]

  • The Price of Bread

    Cinni Kull
    11 Oct 2009 | 8:04 am
    Tough economic times mean tightening belts. Governments are scaling back financial commitments and consumers are holding back unnecessary purchases. Even kids are having their allowances cut. Of course, these are all boilerplate cliches. In real life, human nature compels us not to miss out on a great deal — something the marketing industry will continue to [...]

  • An Interview

    Cinni Kull
    23 Jul 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Yours truly was approached by Ryerson University’s Brooke Wilkinson for an interview last December. Below I reproduce a script for my readers and public benefit, as it has not been publicly shared. All credit where its due while mistakes & omissions, if any, are mine. By Brooke Wilkinson Why did you want to leave your home country? For [...]

  • Recession Proof Jobs for Immigrants

    Cinni Kull
    8 May 2009 | 5:08 pm
    ADVISORY: With apologies to Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), Workopolis, Monster and the Human Resources Industry. No apologies to readers. The recession and financial crisis have put tremendous pressure on the Canadian job market even for ‘real’ born-and-bred Canadians. Of course, for immigrants, that means ever more pressure to find employment and choosing a career [...]
 
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    Life with our Lads

  • Muck Fichigan 2009

    21 Nov 2009 | 7:34 am
    It's the Ohio State - Michigan game today. The big game of the year. I, however will be going Christmas shopping and relying upon two forms of updates:  1. I will gather with all the menfolk at the tellys in the shops2. My husband will text me the big playsThe reason I'll be shopping and not glued to the telly is that I'm too nervous, even though the Buckeyes aren't relying on this game as they already got to the Rose Bowl. Why am I nervous? Well because Michigan are sneaky devils that will sneak up in the 4th quarter and snatch it away like a cunning fox with a degree in deviousness. It's…

  • Chasing Chihuahuas

    20 Nov 2009 | 4:22 pm
    I spent 6 hours on the road today with my boss and it was great. We went to speak at a conference in Toledo and left at 6am. The stars were still out when I left my house which seemed so wrong!My boss is such good fun on road trips. At one point as we were driving though a neighbourhood he stopped and made me get out of the car to chase a stray chihuahua that he was worried would get run over. He's a big soppy old fool when it comes to animals. Anyway, the dog kept running off and barking at me and I finally gave up after a man came out of his house and told me it belonged to his neighbour…

  • Defending my Castle

    19 Nov 2009 | 7:31 pm
    It's been a strange day. Someone who has a key for our house got their bag stolen which spooked me out and resulted in us changing the locks to the house tonight. We have a feeling the person who stole the bag knows the victim and therefore knows us, so to be safe we got things changed out. It's really disturbing to think that someone out there had a key and could enter our house. It's pretty frightening actually. So our locks are swapped out and all the entry points secured and guns loaded (kidding). I don't mean to sound blase about this whole thing because it has really bothered me.Maybe…

  • Char & Jan Home

    18 Nov 2009 | 7:36 pm
    Char & Jan are here - wooo!  Arrived today from California and here for 10 days, visiting us and other friends and family.  My liver will get a thrashing. We'll talk about gardening and food and stupid stuff. We are talking tonight about friends and how you know they are friends for life. You know how you don't talk to a friend for a few months and you can still pick up where you left off? Maybe not even month but years? No pressure. Good friends.So anyway, we went for wings for tea (dinner) and here's our Wing Leader. Isn't he handsome?

  • Words from Jack

    17 Nov 2009 | 2:24 pm
    Holding his play phone to his ear:"Hi Mickey Mouse, yes okay, you can come over. See you soon! Love you. Bye"Me: "Clean up your toys Jack"Jack: "You clean them up too"Me: "No, you made the mess, you clean it up"Jack "Moma, TEAMWORK remember?"Who can argue with that?Walking through a store ...Jack: "Why are you holding my hand?"Me: "Because I want to. Can I?"Jack: "Mmm okay, you can hold my hand if you really want to"Why thank you Little Lord FauntleroyJack lying in bed, in the dark, 30 minutes after I put him to bed ..."Yes Spongebob I'd love a crabby patty!"
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    Livin' la Vida Floja

  • Talking up Isla Mujeres

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:19 am
    You may recall last summer: A production crew led by Ellen and James Fields from Merida was here to record some foreign islanders perspective on real estate investment in Isla Mujeres.The production for the Real Estate Development network is done. Jeri and Steve, Jimbo, Big Jim, Curtis and Ashley and I were interviewed. Click below to see the result.http://www.redguide.com/mexico/the-mayan-riviera/isla-mujeresIt's not a hard sell for the developers, but it is something that might result in some of the shut down construction sites finding a new builder/developer.

  • Renee's killer moves to maximum security

    18 Nov 2009 | 7:45 am
    The perpetrator in Renee Wathelet's death broke the nose of a Canadian inmate in Chetumal.

  • Making yogurt

    16 Nov 2009 | 3:33 am
    The bad thing about Mexican yogurt, even the Dannone and Yoplaits, is that they are loaded with sugar. Even the "natural" or plain yogurt has a tablespoon, an OUNCE, of sugar in it. That's 27 grams. It's frustrating!For more than a year, I have followed Stephanie's blog adventures in A Year of Slowcooking. She has a recipe. I made it yesterday and it turned out fine!Since we had no plain yogurt, I chose a strawberry Acitivia as the starter. This means I will save a half cup of what I made to be the starter next batch. Eventually, I will have totally plain yogurt. To make it, use the "American…

  • Doggie Reikki and other intimacies

    15 Nov 2009 | 12:05 pm
    What goes on behind close doors? Boca sleeps in her bed, sometimes not! She is a dog of many wants and talents.She is getting used to having her bed, but sometimes she just jumps onto mine out of the blue. She does it for the snuggles.But last night, there was more. She performed Reikki on my sore back. I suspect she didn't have a clue! But I was hurting. My back was sore.She jumped over me and laid down, her back pushing against mine. Back to back. It felt so good. Soon I treated it like a Reikki/healing touch session and just relaxed into it. Eventually, Boca moved, but it felt like she was…

  • New newsy link

    14 Nov 2009 | 11:25 am
    While filled with detractors of Mayor Alicia Ricalde Magana, this blog is nonetheless filled with local news. TV Isla Mujeres has been added to my Blogs list!
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    Costa Rica Blog - 365 Reasons I Love Costa Rica

  • Reason #240: The “Free” Market

    admin
    21 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm
    Lately I have been reading a book on Costa Rican history. This morning I read about the upheavals that the country experienced in the first half of the 20th century (especially the period 1930 - 1950). Sound familiar? The advent of the 20th century ushered in a boom period in world economies, including Costa Rica’s, the latter marked by coffee barons and entanglement with the monopolistic octupus known as The United Fruit Company. The boom, of course, was followed by a bust of historic proportions. And so the cycle has repeated itself many times. While reading I could picture in my mind…

  • Reason #239: Sobering Soberbia

    admin
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:58 pm
    It may be true that North Americans have a tendency and reputation of looking down their collective noses toward those down south.But at least here in Costa Rica, there is a stubborn aversion to ever look up.Living in Costa Rica often gives me the perspective of an outsider looking in, not only to my own culture, but to that of the ticos as well.Tico attitudes toward gringos can be tinged with haughtiness, or what in Spanish would be called “soberbia.”Oh sure, the smile always comes out when the objective basis for the relationship is the greenback, but beyond that ephemeral…

  • Reason #238: The Absurdity of Life

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:02 am
    Who’s to blame for my life? Who’s at fault…my parents…the government…fate…God…me? If I trace the time line from December 5, 1960 to November 9, 2009, life begins to really take on an absurd, chaotic, quality. As if there is no linearity whatsoever, but rather a series of meandering and intersecting paths, evidence of countless lurches and retreats, the result of a life built on taking a few steps forward and a few more backward. It seems that at birth we are implanted with a compass and a magnet. The compass gives us a desire to move forward in a…

  • Reason #237: El Hijo del Pueblo

    admin
    18 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm
    I have alluded in the past to my affinity for “musica ranchera,” which is a Mexican form that I would equate to country music back in the U.S. It is beer-drinking music for the broken-hearted, or for those who just want to get drunk. Last night we all (meaning, me and the rest of the mafioso Colombiano, plus Pablo), piled into the car and headed towards the mountains of Escazu to a little pueblo called Aserri, where you can find the greatest chicharronera in the country, the famous “Cacique Aserri.” Along the way the rancheras were turned up loud and we all belted out…

  • Reason #236: Santísima Trinidad!

    admin
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am
    “Ay dios mio” is a familiar refrain you hear in Costa Rica. The expression is equivalent to “oh my god” in English. My girlfriend is not Costa Rican, but Colombian….from Medellín, no doubt. They have many words that sound very foreign to someone accustomed to hearing (and trying to speak) Costa Rican-style Spanish. In moments of exasperation, I never hear her utter the phrase, “ah dios mio.” Instead, she uses the more Colombian “santísima trinidad.” I was curious this morning and looked up the meaning of this phrase. Seems…
 
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    Rincon, Puerto Rico

  • Rain Rincon PR

    13 Nov 2009 | 6:26 pm
    I love rain. It brings me peace and tranquility. At times rain in Puerto Rico falls torrentially, in large drops. Everyone hides in their home and few bother watching. I continually hear parents... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Puerto Rico Brown Pelicans

    12 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm
    "Interior Department officials Wednesday announced that they were taking the prehistoric-looking bird off the endangered species list..." These pelicans live along the west coast of Puerto Rico... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Surfing Domes Beach

    11 Nov 2009 | 9:59 am
    Surf on November 10th. It was pretty windy. Only 3 surfers at Domes. This footage was shot on a Lumix GH1. We're in an El Niño year and a few surfers had mentioned surf will be great this... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Rincon PR Beach [Flickr]

    siulhu22
    27 Oct 2009 | 1:05 pm
    siulhu22 posted a photo:

  • Beach Morning [Flickr]

    siulhu22
    27 Oct 2009 | 1:05 pm
    siulhu22 posted a photo: Isn't this beautiful!
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    stephanieclayton/artist

  • QUOTE + VIDEO OF THE DAY// Sean Scully

    19 Nov 2009 | 2:58 pm
    Photo source "I do believe abstraction is and was meant to embody deep emotion. I believe that’s its job, in the history of art." - Sean Scully Photo source Sean Scully on the power of abstract... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

  • INUNDATION

    17 Nov 2009 | 7:30 am
    The eastern Caribbean has had its fair share of rain the past few weeks. While we don't have a "rainy season", per se, we do tend to experience a few heavy downpours this time of year. November is... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

  • INTROSPECTION + IMMEDIACY

    14 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am
    Fluidity #8, 14 x 11 inches, gouache on paper The darker works in my Fluidity series have a moody, melancholy energy- or rather, an introspective tone, which invites contemplation that can only take... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

  • QUOTE OF THE DAY- Randall Anderson

    12 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am
    The art of Randall Anderson... Ghost. 2006. Tracing paper, charcoal and pins Photo source, all Codec 08. 2007. 60 x 60 inches. Acrylic on canvas. Artist Randall Anderson on intent and the role of... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.

  • TUESDAY// new work + updates

    10 Nov 2009 | 4:48 am
    Fluidity #7, 14 x 11 inches, gouache on paper A few things to share: My web designer and I are working on some updates to the site; changes to be implemented this week, hopefully. No need for me to... Visit my website at http://www.stephanieclayton.com/ to view my complete portfolio and more.
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    traversbelize.com

  • Fresh Fruits and Veggies

    14 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am
    Our guests often ask us about the availability of fresh fruits and veggies. Well, not only are they readily available, but you get them delivered! Greg and Carmita have a great grocery truck loaded with fresh produce and other items... including milk, yogurt, OJ, chicken, beef, pork and more. They come by the Cabanas twice a week (Thursday and Sunday) and their truck is in Placencia Village across from the Tourism Center almost every day.

  • Critters in Belize

    7 Oct 2009 | 3:35 am
    Praying MantisIt's fun to see these guys "up close and personal" and here are two very different examples of nature's best.Both photos were taken on the same day right in our garden palapa.Blue Crab

  • Get Outta My Yard!

    22 Sep 2009 | 4:37 am
    They may not be quite so brave if they get any closer...

  • Belize Expats

    21 Sep 2009 | 4:49 am
    I was recently profiled in Expatify's blog section. This website caters to expats around the world and has drawn many from Belize to it's pages.  Not only does it have profiles and blog links, but it includes many fascinating stories and informational links to the rest of the world!  Check it out.

  • Belize - The Maine Stay - Calendar

    16 Sep 2009 | 4:42 am
    As we get closer to the "high season" in Belize, the calendar for The Maine Stay is getting more and more tight. We still have lots of time available, but it's probably best to get your time reserved so you won't be disappointed. The weeks that we routinely book several months or more in advance are Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Spring Break and Easter.Open Days/Weeks - 3 days or more (November through March)November 14th - November 20th - BOOKEDNovember 21st - November 27th - BOOKEDNovember 28th - December 5th - BOOKEDDecember 7th - December 19th - (up to - 13 nights - special…
 
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    Gutsy Writer

  • I need your opinion please.

    19 Nov 2009 | 8:23 pm
    Do you ever feel like you have so many topics you want to cover, you're bursting? The problem is none of these topics are related? Friday is the perfect day to talk about:1). Why are kids in my neighborhood, (southern California) scared of saying "hello" to me? Do I look like a scary monster?After being greeted with warm smiles and love in the eyes of Mayan children in Belize, it always shocks me how young kids in my neighborhood ride their bikes on the sidewalk and refuse to make eye contact. Have we brainwashed our kids to believe that they must NEVER MAKE EYE CONTACT? NEVER SAY HELLO TO A…

  • A souvenir from Belize. A worm in my toe.

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am
    A PICTURE OF MY TOE IN BELIZEI woke up on Sunday October 18th, and noticed something different about the skin on my right foot. It had the texture of a jelly fish: squishy and inflamed. It was our last morning in Hopkins Village after a week of volunteering in the Mayan Village of Red Bank. During breakfast, I raised my foot above the table and pointed, "Look at this," to all eleven nurses from our group. All eyes were staring at my foot, and at that moment, I relished the attention, like a woman showing off her engagement ring. The nurses…

  • How parenting affects children.

    12 Nov 2009 | 8:12 pm
    "I had tried and tried to get them to see me. If I wasn't an accident, if my mother was telling me the truth, wasn't this worse? If I wasn't an accident, mustn't I be a crushing disappointment? My father couldn't bear to be with me. It was as if to do so, caused him more physical pain than all his ailments combined and my mother lived in exile within her own mind, devoted only to the past."After hearing Augusten Burroughs read this paragraph from his book, A Wolf at the Table, my thoughts turned to how we all carry baggage with us into adulthood based on how we were raised.Some of us, myself…

  • Why is your book unique? Why would anyone want to read it?

    10 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am
    After three days of intense workshops, lectures, practicing the pitch and several read and critiques with agents, editors and PR pros, I noticed how all workshop leaders kept asking the same three important questions: "Why is your book unique? "Why would anyone want to read it?" and "Who is your target audience?" These may sound like straightforward questions, but so many writers struggle with concise answers.Throw in a dynamite pitch and a 25 word synopsis which you can WOW agents and editors with, and if you already have that,you're ahead of the game. Please share your pitch and/or synopsis…

  • To Share or not to Share?

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:37 pm
    Because I like to think that I'm "Gutsy" and I really want to believe that "All is Good," and "It is what it is," I've decided to tell you that this weekend, I shall be attending the La Jolla Writers Conference, and I've signed up for a read and critique with two literary agents and an editor. It's about time I get some professional opinions, whether or not I have the guts to hear what they say. I'm excited and treating this as an experiment. Let's not forget the conference is at the Paradise Pointe Resort, a luxury in itself.I like to call important things in life, "experiments." For…
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    a day in my dominican life...

  • 18 Nov 2009 | 5:24 am

    18 Nov 2009 | 5:24 am

  • long awaited...

    16 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am
    samil, who used to love the camera, is anti-pictures. i had to bribe him with chips to get this. 5 months old

  • for reals.

    1 Nov 2009 | 10:06 am
    so, the computer finally died. and samil has temporarily incapacitated the camera. beyond that life is super busy. and not with anything really significant. just busy. and eventhough i hate this, just some tidbitsamalio - currently working on a master's degree in applied linguistics. working full time at school and writing papers. melanie - teaching. same as always. about 20 hours a week. i've got a new little pet project i'm helping with and of course raising the babies. cooking, cleaning. and being without running water for a week.samil - is completely potty trained (really he has been for…

  • first food.

    21 Oct 2009 | 9:49 am

  • all in a day´s work.

    19 Oct 2009 | 5:13 am
    amalio woke up for work this morning a little late.and when he got downstairs, the front, drivers side tire was flat in the car.and it was much easier to leave it for me and take the bus to work.and if you know anything about latin american culture, you can just imagine the dirty looks from women and disbelieving stares from men as i went downstairs in my house dress (because, yes, i wear housedresses) to change the tire.one guy even tried to take the job out of my hands...because you know women can´t change a tire.(and if i trusted that a dominican man could change a tire i would have let…
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    Clare Says...

  • Recipe: Mushroom Bisque

    Clare
    21 Nov 2009 | 1:51 pm
    It is one of those days that is colder than I expected. It is a bit cloudy. I have so much to study and little desire to get out of bed. I would love some soup write now… so I will share a recipe. This is my favorite mushroom soup recipe (thanks Mom!) Mushroom Bisque Chop 1 lb. mushrooms. Add 3 cups chicken broth (4 cubes). Add 1 onion whole. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Remove Onion. Melt and heat 3 tbs. butter, add ¼ cup flour. Add 1 cup milk. Stir until thickened. Whisk into mushroom mix. Add ¾ – 1 cup heavy cream. Salt, pepper, paprika or 1 tbs. parsley 1 tsp sherry Heat gently. Do not…

  • Fun fact friday: Maine

    Clare
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:47 pm
    Since I have been in fun fact mode (here and here), I really have to share this with you. I have a friend John, who lives in Maine, who told me today that his town is having a frozen turkey hunt for Thanksgiving. Yes, you read write, they are hiding frozen turkeys in the botanical garden and making a day of it– much like a really cold and protein-filled easter egg hunt. If you choose to google this– as I did as soon as I got home– you will find not only info on the event (they also allow kids to search for apples — one special gold apple will also be redeemable for 150…

  • Do you know what makes me mad?

    Clare
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:54 am
    Some one is stealing our newspaper. I got S a subscription for 26 weeks and three times in the past 2 weeks it has been stolen. In fact, any day we were not out our door by 7am it was gone! S told me someone was stealing it. Being that we living in an apartment building, this means it was a neighbor (most of the staff wouldn’t be in early enough). I didn’t want to believe him Now, I have to. Today, I got up and walked the dog. On the way out, I stepped over the paper. On the way back in, I considered grabbing it. I didn’t, because usually S grabs it on the way to class. I…

  • Photo Wednesday: Need a hug?

    Clare
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:29 am
    DSC00592, originally uploaded by coming2cambodia. Taken in Almaty, Kazakhstan, October 2009.

  • Kids in motion: It is only natural

    Clare
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:21 pm
    Kids in motion, originally uploaded by coming2cambodia. Me in motion— constant motion— less natural. S looks at pictures of when I was a kid (only when I make him) and hears stories from my family; he always has the same response: Did you use up all your energy as a kid/teen? Yes, I was overinvolved. Yes, I was an over archiver. Yes, I spread my self too thin. Yes, I am over that. I like sleep and rest and watching movies. I am not involved in 10 million activities and I am not the chair, co-chair, or organizer of everything around me. It is better this way. But my new Russian…
 
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    Brendas Blog from Paraguay

  • Changing Our Perspective

    Brenda
    21 Nov 2009 | 8:55 pm
    The ability to laugh over those unexpected and unwanted experiences that threaten to get the best of us enables us to change our perspective. Putting this philosophy into practice means that when something goes wrong, instead of being victimized by it, we lighten up, take the situation less seriously, and see if there isn't a laugh to be found somewhere. When we are able to do this, we are in control of our situation instead of our situation being in control of us. . . You may feel there are times in life that simply will not yield even an ounce of humor. May I suggest that during those…

  • Bob the Goat

    Brenda
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:26 pm

  • Fridays Fave Five Birthday Edition

    Brenda
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:57 pm
    I wish I had pictures for you of all the fun things I am thankful for this week, but I am just too tired to take them. So I will try to paint some nice word pictures so you can enjoy my fun moments. I'm not that great with a camera any way ;)1. Soft warm pajamas. But not flannel. One of the birthday gifts from my family and just in time for the cold that arrived in California this week. They are cream colored with a red and green design. Perfect for the season.2. A feminine computer bag. My fashionista daughter picked a sleek looking brown and black animal print bag for me to carry around my…

  • Radiation Therapy-My Routine

    Brenda
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:41 pm
    Today marks session #10 for me, that means I am a third of the way through. I'm doing well so far, no skin problems and the fatigue is tolerable. I'm sleeping more at night and the daytime fatigue can usually be managed with a shot of expresso. I just don't nap well.I've been walking to and from my treatments and I see some pretty interesting things as I walk:Tree lined streets shade me from the sun part of the way. Walking back, the sun gets in my eyes.Early in the morning, garbage trucks and street cleaners are so noisy that I can't even talk on my cell phone. Informal recyclers stay a step…

  • Holiday Ice Rink @ Union Square/Wordful Wednesday

    Brenda
    17 Nov 2009 | 7:09 pm
    They set up the ice rink in Union Square, San FranciscoNot to many people using it yet, but its ready!I love that palm trees surround the rink, so CaliforniaI love to sit in the Macy's Starbucks, right by one of these windows and watch all the happenings on the street. We used to bring our kids here when they were little, but now they bring themselves.I miss those days.
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    An American in Lima

  • Argentinean Doctor on Brink of Death after Eating Pickled Vizcacha

    Barb
    21 Nov 2009 | 5:53 pm
    Frank Zappa once warned: Don’t eat the yellow snow. Vizcacha en escabeche (pickled vizcacha), a traditional dish of the Argentinean countryside where cute vizcachas run wild and free, as they should; photo courtesy La Cocina de Ile.com The same might be said about the vizcacha, a reclusive member of the South American bunny family that some food experts have recommended as a economical protein source. (See my Feb. ‘09 post.) Seems that the experts didn’t realize that improperly prepared vizcacha is an ideal breeding ground for botulism, as one victim in Argentina…

  • Pizza at El Italiano: Two Thumbs Up

    Barb
    17 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am
    It’s been more than a year since I had pizza at El Italiano, a classic pizzeria/trattoria in Lima’s rough-and-tumble La Victoria neighborhood. In that time I had forgotten that El Italiano makes better pizza than almost any other place in Lima, a city that should have lots of excellent pizza joints but for some reason doesn’t. What  might have induced my temporary amnesia is that I always seem to crave El Italiano when it’s closed. Several times El Fotografo and I have driven to El Italiano on a Monday night, only to arrive at a darkened restaurant. It took three…

  • Thank You, Lord of the Miraculous Chocolates

    Barb
    30 Oct 2009 | 2:43 pm
    I was raving the other day about the chocolates and other treats made by nuns and sold at the church of the Nazarenes, in downtown Lima, where El Señor de los Milagros lives. I made myself so hungry writing that post, I had to go to the Nazarenes the next day and buy a stash from a nun in a brown Carmelitas habit.  I’m not Catholic but I felt guilty going to church just to buy candy, so I picked up a purple religious candle while I was at it. Back home I lit the candle and said, Thank you, El Señor de los Milagros, for inspiring the barefoot sisters of Mt. Carmel to devote…

  • Scenes from Noche de Arte 2009, Opening Night

    Barb
    24 Oct 2009 | 11:36 am
    El Híjo and I accompanied El Fotógrafo to last night’s opening of Noche de Arte, in San Isidro. Main hall at Noche de Arte, 2009, Friday, Oct. 23  The art show was held in an enormous gallery owned by a Peruvian bank, and one of the amusing things about it was how the bank stayed open to accept deposits from art buyers. Oh, and did I mention that more than 400 works were for sale? Some onlookers check out El Fotografo’s “Atlantic City” image The paintings were displayed in several indoor galleries. The photos were hung in an outside atrium that is not appropriate…

  • El Fotografo’s Works in Noche de Arte Benefit Sale

    Barb
    23 Oct 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Atlantic City, by Jorge Vera El Fotografo’s photographs will be among the artworks for sale at Noche de Arte 2009, which opens tonight in San Isidro (BBVA – Banco Continental, Ave. Republica de Panama 3055), from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Proceeds from the three-day event benefit the Anne Sullivan Center, the Carrion Hospital Burn Unit and other institutions and charities. Works on sale by El Fotografo (Jorge Vera) include “Atlantic City” (above), which is a very striking 100 cms by 100 cms, and “Sphere” (below), 70 cm x 70 cm. I think they are two of EF’s…
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    Expat Chronicles

  • 10 Things To Eat in Bogota

    Colin
    9 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pm
    Just for fun, I also included 3 Things You Don’t Have To Eat in Bogota. Bandeja Paisa You’ll eat Colombia’s national dish and my favorite, bandeja paisa, throughout the country. Rice, beans, ground beef or steak, chorizo, chicharrón, arepa, avocado, platano, fried egg, and sometimes morcilla. Any paisa in Bogota costing 15,000 pesos or more should be solid. An economic but good choice is La Cucharita de mi Abuela (pictured) at Calle 63 & Carrera 13. Grande for 13,300. Be like me and mix it all together with a cup or two of ají for spicy, sloppy goodness. See my…

  • Arepas in Colombia

    Colin
    9 Nov 2009 | 2:27 pm
    Arepas are a staple food in Colombia. Arepas are to Colombia as tortillas are to Mexico. Here’s a picture of a portion of the arepa shelf at the store (I couldn’t fit all the arepas in the shot). Arepas are basically cornmeal biscuits. There are different kinds, but they all derive from corn and they’re all shaped in a patty. They taste almost like a biscuit with less moisture. Most don’t have much flavor. They’re featured in my 3 Things You Don’t Have to Eat in Bogota. However, it’s impossible to visit Colombia and not eat arepas. They’re…

  • Contributed Story: Instability in Tijuana

    Colin
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm
    This story was contributed by Luis Blasini, an American expat living in Tijuana, Mexico. Check out his blog, Borrowed Flesh. For context on Tijuana and the situation in Mexico, see this WSJ article on Mexico’s instability. An old man draped in filthy rags blinked in the unrelenting Mexican sun. His creased face was the color of a brown paper bag and he sported a dingy yellow cowboy hat. Out of tired rheumy eyes, he watched three white Ford trucks – Tijuana paddy wagons – hurtling down a broad street kicking up dust. Several police clung to the sides as they raced by –…

  • Contributed Story: Good Try in Germany

    Colin
    30 Oct 2009 | 7:23 am
    This story was contributed by Brian Radvansky. Check out his blog, Striving for Greatness. Despite the utter squareness of the other students in our study abroad program, KT and I had some adventures in Deutschland. While they were practicing verb conjugations in our slumlord-governed apartments, we were buying drugs from the Turks in the park and smuggling mushrooms from the Netherlands. After 5 weeks of studying German and drinking brown liquor, it was time to go. An opportunity to hit the road and see what excitement the rest of Europe had to offer. After hitting up our favorite…

  • Scopolamine in Colombia

    Colin
    24 Oct 2009 | 6:40 am
    Scopolamine, also known as Burundanga, is a powerful sedative extracted from the Brugmansia flower, which is native to Colombia. Scopolamine is commonly used as a central nervous system depressant in patch form to treat nausea, seasickness, motion sickness, and less commonly in treatments of Parkinson’s symptoms and in anesthesia. Scopolamine is starting to attract attention for its potential in treating addiction, specifically nicotine. Scopolamine comes with a slew of side effects ranging from dry mouth and impaired speech, amnesia, excitement and restlessness, to hallucinations and…
 
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    Still Life in South America

  • Landscape of Buenos Aires

    Still Life in South America
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am
    The landscape of Buenos Aires apartments is one of the characteristics that make the city for me. I have never lived in a city where the apartment buildings and city blocks have had such character. Looking out over the city is akin to watching a bee hive. For me, it is oddly comforting to know that in each [...]

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa

    Still Life in South America
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pm
    Photo Credit: Sericea Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, particularly for nature lovers. Below are my top ten favorite sights and activities in Cape Town and the surrounding suburbs. 1. Cape Point Nature Reserve Photo Credit: Sgt. Rock While not teaming with animals, this reserve is a nice escape from the city. You are [...]

  • Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

    Still Life in South America
    22 Oct 2009 | 11:44 am
    Photo Credit: ifijay Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site about 15 minutes outside of the city of Cape Town. The gardens are a beautiful refuge where tourists can see the Cape Floral Region kingdom, the smallest but richest floral kingdom in the world. The area boasts a variety of fynbos (Africaans for ‘fine bush’) which can [...]

  • Bootsnall Notable Expat Blog

    Still Life in South America
    13 Oct 2009 | 12:06 pm
    Protea Flower, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town. As you probably noticed, the blog has been barren for a few weeks now. Part of the reason is that we were in the process of returning to Buenos Aires from Cape Town. It feels much like our second home now. We are slowly unpacking our bags and are really hyped for [...]

  • Waterblommetjie

    Still Life in South America
    16 Sep 2009 | 8:01 pm
    E. found these water flowers in the produce section in Cape Town and suggested that we try them for dinner. I was hesitant since the flowers looked like they had recently been sitting on lily pads, but I stepped up to the challenge. “Waterblommetjie” in the Africaans language means small water flower. The flowers are traditionally [...]
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    Rantings from Afar

  • Words Fail me!

    annmucc
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:44 am
    This doesn’t often happen, but this time it has. Can ANYONE explain to me why: my SISTER’S photo is on MY NEW driving licence!!!! I know we are twins, but we REALLY do not need to have matching photos on our driving licences! This is after I don’t know how many months of not being able to pay for my new licence (first time they sent me the money back!!!…nice people, but they didn’t get my licence issued, and after that I couldn’t get through the system and my payment kept on failing). FINALLY when I managed, I get this! When my mum told me this morning, I…

  • Research Blog

    annmucc
    11 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm
    Check out my new post on a course I attended on Science Policy on my research blog.

  • The Wonderful World of [Early] Photography

    annmucc
    9 Nov 2009 | 11:33 am
    And no! I am not the only one to say so! The British Library agrees. In fact it organised a whole day of activities around the theme  to coincide with their exhibition ‘Points of View‘ (though it focusses on the 19th century rather than the 20th century period I am looking into)! Of course, having these events on my doorstep I couldn’t just let them go by, so I booked tickets for a number of events, and off I went. First up was a talk on ‘Photographic History without Photographs’ by Michael Pritchard. It was really interesting to hear how he is looking at the…

  • Research Blog

    annmucc
    8 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pm
    One other thing…I posted a blog post on my research blog today on the progress of my work. Check it out here.

  • Bonfire Night

    annmucc
    8 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pm
    Last year I spent the 5th of November watching Teitur (just looked up what I had posted around then now). That was a good show! That was a great show. However, what I hadn’t realised was that the 5th of November was Bonfire Night! This year however there was no way I would forget it! Michael and I had put it down in our calendar a good time ago, and luckily the local council put up a fireworks show around 30minute walk from our place in Roundwood Park. Great! So after a busy day at university I met up with Michael at the library to make our way there. After having a treat of a hotdog,…
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    behind the lens

  • 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

  • Happy Halloween!

    31 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    We have been watching scary movies all month in celebration (ok, not like we don't do that every month). What is your favorite Horror movie? Or, ghost or ghoulie or witch themed movie if you aren't into the scary stuff?Here are some of my favorites, though this is in NO WAY a comprehensive list:Session 9Trick r TreatPoltergeistBeetlejuicePitch BlackPractical MagicThe ShiningThe Ring

  • Abandoned

    28 Oct 2009 | 2:45 am
    Last week I got to go explore an abandoned Amusement Park. It was a place I had been dying to get into ever since I moved to Berlin, and wish I could go back to many times (unfortunately you have to pay the security guards to get in). It was awesome to explore, but also a bit sad. Like a quickly abandoned childhood, overgrown with the dust and weeds of adult troubles. The whole place just
 
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    NicoleB Photography

  • Little acrobat

    NicoleB
    21 Nov 2009 | 9:04 pm
    (Click on the picture to see it bigger) This little Beauty was giving me a flight show last Friday on the Golf course. It took me a while to find him in my books and my gallery. But I knew I had seen him (and IDed him) before. It amazes me, how far I did come in identifying birds. I would have never guessed that I would be able to find bird IDs myself one day. But I am getting there. Here are two more shots of the Whiskered tern in my archives from the day I visited the Small Pools. Want to see some cool birds shots? - Check out the Voting booth for the November Photo challenge at Birdfoum!

  • No tour today

    NicoleB
    21 Nov 2009 | 12:28 am
    No Ras Mohamed tour for me today. The driver never showed up to pick me up. A few phone calls and half an hour later, he’s still not there. The guy in the office handling these things, obviously as incompetent as the driver. When I took a closer look at the text on my receipt, I understood why things are not working so well there. The guy that sold me the tour is better than the Rest. I will get my money back and a free tour on Monday. IF they manage to pick me up this time. Calendars Sale $17.95 Now $9.98! Use code: CALENDARS998 Valid until 23rd of Nov

  • Jew.....what? Engrish lesson part 8

    NicoleB
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    It is a hard word to spell. I think there’s also an American and a British English version How do I manage to always get typos in these posts? More engrish lessons Will be out and about again all weekend. See you all on Sunday Calendars Sale $17.95 Now $9.98! Use code: CALENDARS998 Valid until 23rd of Nov

  • Shiver

    NicoleB
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:36 pm
    OK, the pool is officially cold now. Yuck. But, after a short run, it was not too bad. My system almost went into “shut down” mode, but only almost. Yeah, I’m there again. Getting my lazy butt out there and start at scratch zero. I didn’t do shit for the last 4 months. Just the occasional dog walk, a few Minisitups here and there and the attempt of running a few meters. I didn’t get too much weight back, maybe 3 kilos (we yet have to buy a scale). But some parts of my body turn into old oranges again. We won’t that to get worse now,do we? Nope. So, the…

  • Some call it recycling

    NicoleB
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:04 pm
    At least these goats get to eat old bread. Well, that day. A while back I saw a car stop at a shop in the Old market. He got a goat out of the car and let the goat roam in the trash. Feeding time. ———————— Manche nennen es Recycling. Na, wenigstens bekommen die Ziegen hier altes Brot zu fressen. Zumindest an dem Tag. Vor einer Weile habe ich ein Auto auf dem alten Markt anhalten gesehen. Ziegenfuetterung an einer kleinen Muellhalde. Mahlzeit. Calendars Sale $17.95 Now $9.98! Use code: CALENDARS998 Valid until 23rd of Nov
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    ON THE MOVE AGAIN

  • Our New Digs

    18 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am
    The Entrance to our Building Our Building The Living Room The View from our Master Bedroom Balcony Master Bedroom One Tiny Kitchen I know it has been a while since I posted a blog, but I do have a good excuse! Last week, we finally said goodbye to our temporary flat and moved into our new digs. Thus, we have been without internet until today.Flat hunting in Geneva is not as simple as logging onto Craigslist or opening your local newspaper to choose from hundreds of options. Places in Geneva go off the market just as quickly as they went on the market. In many cases (including ours), flats do…

  • A Few Updates!

    7 Nov 2009 | 11:48 pm
    Just thought I would fill everyone in on what we have been up to recently...*We signed a lease on a flat and will officially get the keys tomorrow. We will then move in later this week! Stayed tuned for some pics and a description of our new digs.*I found a beautiful 50m pool and have been swimming a few times a week. Although, unlike my sister in Ecuador, the charge is $6.00 per swim and it does not come with a free lunch or a takeway package of fresh fruit.*We opened a Swiss bank account. Too bad it does not have as much money as most Swiss bank account. In fact, to date it has NO money in…

  • The Price is Not so Right

    29 Oct 2009 | 11:49 am
    As I have mentioned before, the cost of living in Geneva is simply outrageous. Since we re-located from another expensive city in London, I did not think the difference would be too extreme. Wow, I was wrong. Below is a list of some common item/services and their price (US dollars) in Geneva. There is a reason why people who live in Geneva drive to France for groceries and haircuts! Let’s just say that when I am in the States for Thanksgiving, I will be bringing an empty suitcase to fill up from one major shopping spree.Men’s haircut- minimum $40.00Manicure- $55.00McDonald’s Value meal-…

  • A Week Down...

    24 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm
    After living in Geneva for a little over a week, I have to admit that I have some feelings of concern. The city itself is not the prettiest, most interesting, or biggest. I am very frustrated that I cannot speak the language and find myself trying to avoid talking to people. I feel completely helpless everywhere. At the grocery store I cannot read the labels or communicate with the cashier. I have been trying to get a frequent users card from our local grocery store for a week now to no avail! Calling a public swimming pool for hours and prices was a complete disaster. I have no idea how I am…

  • More Pics From Our Last Days in London

    18 Oct 2009 | 1:33 pm
    Entering the Hampstead tube station for the last time Goodbye 17a Willow Road Leaving our flat for the last time Some more leaving do drinks
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    Northern Natterings

  • Woohoo! Party!

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:28 am
    Today I was talking to the landlord. He asked me if we would go to the "village" julebord (aka, Christmas dinner party)."Sure," I said. "Are you going?""No, I don't think so. My wife likes to use these weekends to spend time with the children."I pause for a second. "But...won't the julebord be like a great family activity?"He gave me an honest-to-God sideways glance and said, "Aaah, no. The people here like to party, and this will be a lot of alcohol, party party party. There will be no children there.""Really?" I gasped.At long last, I have found my people......PART IISverre read this post…

  • IKEA and more.

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm
    I passed my Norsk 2 muntlig (spoken) test!Absolutely amazing, considering I was completely wiped out and my brain was not functioning when I took it. Well, considering how I over think everything, this may have actually been to my advantage. Just waiting to hear from the skriftlig (written) portion.Man, I'm beat.Today we went to IKEA to find...all sorts of stuff. You name it, we need it. When you go from a 40 square meter apartment with no real kitchen to a 100+ square meter house with a big kitchen....you realize how little you actually have. Our plan is to have furniture and entire…

  • A Showing

    15 Nov 2009 | 6:39 am
    Some people might wonder, Why would anyone move from one of Europe's capital cities to a horse farm in the middle of nowhere?Here's why.A home from the 1740's to die for.A view to die for.Horses! (The Arab in foreground, the pony in the back, and two of the youngsters rather interested in my dog. It had been raining all day and they were standing in the best place to get sun and dry off.)A farm!Great post-rain walks....(I took one of these pictures (the one of Sverre!), all the rest should be credited to Mr. Sverre!)

  • Ingratitude

    14 Nov 2009 | 1:12 am
    -- Disdaining the soft bed of towels someone has made for you in order to sit closer to your BFF, the kitchen fire.

  • First Snow of Winter

    14 Nov 2009 | 12:38 am
    It's already melting, but it was pretty this morning! The fjord looks gray and sad. Can't wait for a beautiful blue day so I can really catch how lovely our view is. (And maybe photography lessons from those awesome photo bloggers out there. You know who you are....)
 
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    Happy Adventures

  • Missing things...

    21 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am
    ...I miss being warm. Today in Tracy, California is was 20 degrees AND sunny. I talked to my grandma on the phone yesterday and I miss her too ...and my mom, I miss her too.

  • I can WHISTLE!

    19 Nov 2009 | 1:39 am
    I discovered yesterday that I couldn't whistle with the wire on my front teeth.But I can whistle now!!! This morning the dentist took off the wire and glue and I look normal again. The chipped tooth isn't too bad, you can't really tell. I will go back in a month for another visit to decide if I want to do anything else with my teeth. My teeth still need some healing time. I can't use them to bite or anything and they still feel "weird", but I'm happy for now. My husband is taking me on a date tomorrow night to celebrate. :)So this whole thing cost me 2000 kroner ($500). Not bad in my opinion.

  • My lovely day at the post office.

    18 Nov 2009 | 2:16 am
    I'll pay $5.00 for 16 strawberries.I'll pay $3.00 for a can of soda.I'll pay $2.00 for a candy bar.I'll pay $15.00 for a chocolate croissant and juice for Scotty.Heck, I'll even pay $16.00 for a box of American Lucky Charms.BUT I HATE PAYING SHIPPING COSTS! (If Scotty ever hears us say "hate", he reminds us we don't say that word.) so... I REALLY DISLIKE PAYING SHIPPING COSTS!I went to the post office yesterday and spent ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TWENTY FOUR CENTS to mail things. See? 500.70 dkk!!! I mailed a 2114g box to California ($60), a 1490g box to Germany ($25), a card to California, and…

  • Impossible to Photograph

    17 Nov 2009 | 2:19 am
    I have decided that my family is impossible to photograph. We are in capeable of ALL looking at the camera and smiling. I officially give up. :)

  • Escaping American

    16 Nov 2009 | 2:48 am
    I have a friend. She is leaving me because she would rather live in American than here in Denmark. I can't believe it!!! I'm still deciding if she should be my friend still since she is deserting me... but I guess since she gave me her crock pot I'll still love her!Anyways... She is selling ALL her things. Here is the amusing part... They are NOT taking anything back other than what they carry on the plane!! :) So she really is selling ALL her things! :) If you think she may have something you want to buy, email her and she can send you a picture or work out a time to walk through her house…
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    Abu Dhabi Daily Photograph

  • Alien Life Form?

    21 Nov 2009 | 9:15 am
     Can anyone help me identify this green critter washed up on the beach at Jebel Ali?

  • Scary Movie

    20 Nov 2009 | 9:14 am
     A couple of Omani's at Al Ain Zoo picking out Halloween costumes.

  • Louis-Antoine de Bougainville

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am
     According to Westdale Nurseries in the UK, the Bougainvillea plant was discovered during the round the world voyage of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811). The actual collector of these then un-named plants was Cornerson, who gathered specimens from Brazil during the voyage. The plant was published in honour of the French navigator. The Bougainvillea brings a myriad of colours to its owners, with a hint of warmer climates inherent in its leaves and flowers. The plant shows a versatility, which allows it to flower continually throughout the year.

  • The Fastest Camel in Abu Dhabi

    18 Nov 2009 | 10:06 am
     Another day, another camel! This time it's a racing one. These 'Ships of the Desert" can reach speeds of up to 40km and there's big prize money for the winners.

  • Life's A Beach...

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am
     Stumbleupon this fine-looking camel whilst on a camping trip at Jebel Ali. The crystal clear blue waters in the background is that of the Arabian Gulf.
 
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    PALORDINIA

  • Thoughts of a 40,000 ft high passenger

    17 Nov 2009 | 1:06 pm
    * They say that smoking will kill you. I'm not really sure whether this has something to do with the actual intake of all this gloriously poisonous stuff, or is it because the things a smoker will do to get his fix! I walked probably half a mile from and crossed two terminals today to go to the smoking room! More like a gas chamber. Smoked two ciggies and went back the same distance with my bags on me! Now, this is what people call dedication. * Airports always give you, well at lest me, this weird feeling of hope mixed with loneliness and solitude. I'm very quiet in airports. I will…

  • The great inheritance

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:35 am
    "The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral right". J. Paul Getty None of the said above applies to this region. We inheritted nothing more than two dozens of fat cats which keep getting stuffed and refuse to die or let live! Somehow not a single set of rules, neither scientific nor social, can describe what's going on here. And somehow the down spiral process is accelerating. Sporting my Nostradamus hat, I believe in 10 years time we'll start commercially exporting Porn to the rest of the world. I just wish I can ride the tide and get my share. In the end, if you…

  • INSTALLING HUSBAND!!!

    29 Oct 2009 | 12:34 pm
    A woman writes to the IT Technical support Guy Dear Tech Support,

  • MALE VS. FEMALE AT THE ATM MACHINE

    7 Oct 2009 | 7:55 am
    A joke I received on e-mail, it's just a joke ladies, we know know you are smarter than this!MALE PROCEDURE:1. Drive up to the cash machine.2. Put down your car window.3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.6. Put window up.7. Drive off.FEMALE PROCEDURE:What is really funny is that most of this part is the Truth.!!!!1. Drive up to cash machine.2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.3. Set hand brake, put the window down.4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to…

  • Abbas should apply for an Israeli Passport

    3 Oct 2009 | 12:04 pm
    This generation has lived log enough to see various manifestations of defeatism in the spirit and actions of our "so-called leaders". We've also read about conspiracies and policies solely aimed at protecting regimes and thrones. Still, politicians had a sense of shame. Or maybe political acumen which will prevent them from committing political suicide! Not that it would matter, nor that it will affect their seats and thrones, but to win some extra naïve heads amongst this hibernating nation! And there are quite a few of them.Abbas and his PA will go down in history as the…
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    Black Chick in Saudi

  • Too Funny...The Vacuum Cleaner

    26 Oct 2009 | 6:55 pm
    Before I moved to SA (10 months ago); I made a few purchases.  One of them being a new vacuum cleaner.  I picked up one by Dyson, which is suppose to be one of the best.  Well...about a week ago, my mom asked me how I liked it?  I started laughing.  She was wandering what was up...and then she said..."Terri, have you even used the vacuum cleaner" (she knows I HATE to vacuum, i think it's the noise).  And, then I told her, that the vacuum cleaner had been used, and I guess I like it, but how I personally have never used it.  Then I went on the relate how when…

  • Officially I'm considering Myself a Travel Writer

    26 Oct 2009 | 2:41 am
    So...officially I'm considering myself a travel writer.  LOL.  Have I sold any articles?  No.  But, you don't have to sell anything to be a travel writer.  You just write about your journeys and what you discover.  I am taking some travel writing courses.  It has already help me with my writing, how I view my vacations, and how I plan them. Now...I've always been a planner, and I LOVE all the prep work involved in planning a vacation.  So...these are just added tips.  I've created my Black Chick on Tour blog to showcase my writing, but I also will…

  • Had a Blast @ The Ball

    24 Oct 2009 | 12:43 am
    What can I say but that we had a blast at the Ball.I love to dance...got to do that.I love to hang out and eat good food and have drinks with friends...did that.I love to party as hard as possible for the given situation...did that.Closed the party down at 5AM...did that.

  • Going to The Ball

    21 Oct 2009 | 10:39 am
    One of the things you learn while living in SA is that you have to "make your fun".  In the US we are used to have many forms of entertainment from which to choose.  Not so in SA.  Socializing comes in the form of gathering at people's homes, and organized events (typically a party, that may have some theme) put on my various organizations.  Some of those organized events can turn into the highlight for your week.  I happened to have one that I'm attending tomorrow.  And, guess what..it's the highlight of my week.We're attending the Commodore Ball. …

  • Stepford Wives?

    12 Oct 2009 | 3:21 am
    Recently (actually about a month ago) I was speaking to another "Aramco" wife...and she stated something like the following, "these single girls think that we're all Stepford Wives".  This is a loose quote, as these are probably not the exact words, but close enough.  The label "Stepford Wife" (based on the novel, circa 1972, by Ira Levin) is usually applied to a woman who seems to conform blindly to an old-fashioned subservient role in relationship to her husband, compared to other, presumably more independent and vivacious women.  Since I heard this, I had to let it marinate.
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    Simply LeAnne

  • Letters from Egypt: To be a Virgin or Not?

    4 Nov 2009 | 3:13 am
    As the debate rages on about the new Chinese device, Gigimo, a cheaper version of the surgery that allots for a woman to appear a virgin on her wedding night by secreting a blood-like substance, many in Egypt are in an uproar over the product (that is supposedly sold in Syria for a meager $15).A few thoughts before I mention Mona Eltahawy’s blog and the actual NPR article I posted on Facebook a few weeks ago. First of all, we all know it’s hypocritical on all accounts. I have never met a group of people that have more sex than Egyptians, let me rephrase that, Egyptian men. And if you…

  • !!WARNING!! New White Taxis in Cairo

    24 Oct 2009 | 5:01 am
    This isn’t going to be a usual post, just a brief warning for those of you traveling or living in Cairo. The city has recently introduced new white cabs, a far better upgrade than the black and whites that leave you with a feeling, “Am I going to make it to my destination? Will I live?” And when they first came out, the drivers were amazing. Of course, it was only bound to happen that the bad apples would get their hands on the new automobiles before long.So here’s a warning to all of you: the white cab meters have two settings. One is the standard 2.50LE per kilometer, another that…

  • Letters from Egypt: Taking a Stand

    18 Oct 2009 | 3:33 pm
    Taken on my way home from work I officially have 31 days left until I visit the US, my first time back home since I arrived over 15 months ago! And I am ever so ready. However, I must say I have some anxieties about visiting. I hear that your first time back, you realize just how much you and everyone around you has changed. Sure you expect some change, but I guess there’s always that hope that it will be like you never left at all. That aside, now back to life in Egypt. Just when you think you’ve had enough of something, someone shows you that there is still hope. I will not sugarcoat…

  • Letters from Egypt: Missing in Action

    29 Sep 2009 | 11:19 am
    First of all, I’m going to address this issue – you may not agree with what I write, but note that these are my experiences. As I’ve stated in previous blogs, I’m not here to appease everyone, if I only showed the positive without the negative, how realistic is that? I do not mind counter views, but please remain respectful. Furthermore, for those men who send me emails and/or post comments pretending to be women – just stop. You’re only validating views that have been expressed regarding harassment. Finally, I almost always respond to questions and/or comments. However, I make a…

  • Letters from Egypt: Next Stop Fayoum

    22 Sep 2009 | 5:37 pm
    Sometimes I just get the urge that I want to have an adventure of sorts, like that day I just woke up and said, “I think I’ll go to Shobra.” The end of Ramadan when most Cairoenes venture to the Red Sea, some of us still maintain a regular work schedule as though we were back in our own countries. So while I couldn’t venture to the party scene on the Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab), I decided that I could still venture out which led me to visit Fayoum. Fayoum, the nearest oasis to Cairo, is full of character – but I didn’t really see much of it as one day is simply not…
 
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    Sidewalk

  • Brief overview of Lagos

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:21 am
    When I blogged about being escorted in a convoy from the airport when in Nigeria, I was wrong. It is not a myth. Just that I didn't notice the security car which is following closely behind our bus (guess that's why I didn't notice it). This morning when I went to the airport, I took the trouble to give my neck a twist and saw, Lo and Behold, the security car tailing closely to ours. My

  • A glimpse of daily living in Nigeria

    4 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm
    EXPENSIVE.I thought Kenya was expensive until I made my way to Lagos. My friend has decided ahead to take me out for a sushi dinner on the Friday when I am here and told me that the dinner with cost between the range of 8000 to 10,000 Naira (Nigerian Currency). I almost fainted when I did the conversion to USD. The dinner could cost up to 75 USD.For a normal meal, it usually cost about 2000 to

  • That's Nigeria for you

    4 Nov 2009 | 2:24 am
    After a 5 hours flight from Nairobi to Lagos, the last thing I want is being held up at the passport control at the airport upon arrival. I was relieved when I saw the line at the passport control was reasonably short but to my dismay, they ran out of the entry form. Thinking that they will eventually bring us some, I was wrong.I was so surprised when one of the passanger asked for it and was

  • Exam...one will do anything to pass the grade..

    23 Oct 2009 | 5:03 am
    Exam cheats arrested as fake papers on sale Students turn to "Smart Drugs' for better grades Five Candidates held as knee steps war on exam cheats Six seized over killing of exam official

  • Beautiful Jacaranda

    5 Oct 2009 | 5:30 am
    I recall the first time I stepped onto the Kenyan soil in July last year, the first tree that caught my attention was the beautiful Jacaranda trees. When in full bloom the entire tree is purple. Not a single green was found on the tree. It was like a purple torch that lights up the streets of Nairobi.This year, perhaps it's due to the weather change, the bloom came only in late September early
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    Ruth's Place

  • Just needs borders

    ruthsplace
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:26 am
    …and hand quilting. But we won’t mention that. I started this quilt in February. I’m a slow quilter I finished it up on Friday. Now I just need to square it up, add borders, and then hand quilt it. I found what I think is the perfect border fabric today. I’m very pleased with how this turned out.

  • Duh!

    ruthsplace
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:56 am
    So, I haven’t been posting because the cord to my digital camera died and I needed to buy a new one. Then Gorgeous Man pointed out that he had a brand new digital camera complete with cord sitting in his wardrobe (I got the spinning wheel, he got a camera – that’s Christmas and Birthdays this year taken care of)… It didn’t even cross my mind. In my defence, I am been sick, awful cough that is so bad I feel dizzy at the end of the coughing spell. Gorgeous Man just IMed me to let me know that my latest installment of fibre for my fibre club has arrived and is in…

  • He came bearing gifts

    ruthsplace
    30 Oct 2009 | 6:01 am
    Gorgeous Man is back in the country. He arrived very late Monday night. This week has been about getting life back in order and playing with my new spinning wheel. It came in a big box, that was opened for inspection at the airport by SARS. That would be the South African Revenue Service. There was an import duty charged, but it was minimal (much less than we were expecting having heard the horror stories…). Here she is. Each Ladybug comes with her own ladybug stuck on somewhere. Mine is at the front where I can see her. Gorgeous Girl is most taken with this feature, and looks at the…

  • Phew

    ruthsplace
    24 Oct 2009 | 2:23 am
    So, Gorgeous Man is currently in Portland, Maine. He left on Monday and will be back late Monday night. I’ve been telling Gorgeous Girl that Daddy will be home Tuesday since she will be asleep when he gets home. Thankfully a friend is picking him up from the airport so I don’t need to get Gorgeous Girl out of bed to sit in a carpark waiting. I’ve been surprised at how much Gorgeous Girl has understood where Daddy has gone. I think our trip to Australia has helped somewhat since she has been on a plane and knows what one is. She was most worried that they would give Daddy…

  • Some finishes

    ruthsplace
    14 Oct 2009 | 3:56 am
    Life has been hectic, and a certain little miss seems to need more and more entertaining lately. Still I’ve managed to get a bit finished here and there. First up, some spinning. This is my attempt at sock yarn. It is 3.35 ounces and 341 yards (95 grams and 312 metres) and is n-plied. I need to spin up the second half for the second sock. Recently I spun my first batt. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve joined a local (South African) monthly fibre club to receive batts and fibre in the mail for three months. Ravelry is a wonderful thing. Gorgeous Man is heading to Portland, Maine in…
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    Trailing Grouse

  • El Alamein Hotel

    trailing grouse
    8 Nov 2009 | 10:09 pm
    Finally, there is a decent hotel on Egypt’s North Coast other than in Alexandria and Marina. The El Alamain Hotel is, misleadingly, in Sidi Abdel Rahman, which is about 20 mins drive from El Alamain. There are no signs (apart from a tiny one in Arabic) for the hotel, the entrance is the same as that for Marassi, the mega project that Emaar is constructing. The hotel is jam-packed in June, July, August and some of September as Marassi is THE place to be seen at the moment on the North Coast during the Summer. Outside those months, it is virtually empty. If you prefer having the beach to…

  • El Alamain

    trailing grouse
    8 Nov 2009 | 3:09 am
    Hundreds of graves. Hundreds of names on walls. I went to El Alamain recently. It was the first time I’d found the Commonwealth War Memorial. Everything is beautifully simple and well maintained. The Gordon Highlanders Royal Indian Engineers Standing in the middle of an overseas graveyard of fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen, it is hard not to think about the individuals who are risking their lives right now on our behalf, whether we want then to be or not.

  • Snapping away

    trailing grouse
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:24 pm
    We arrive at a wedding party. The couple have not yet arrived. Some of the other guests are also on time (the couple are not supposed to be on time). People are taking photos. I can’t quite hear the guys next to Mr S and I, but it seems that they want their photo taken with us. I am not really in the mood for this, grumpy me, so I play dumb. They ask Mr S for a photo with him. Phew, grumpy me doesn’t have to smile. Something’s a bit strange though, the photographer is not at quite the right angle for the group to be in the centre of the shot..it’s just a bit off centre…

  • Smells a bit off (no, I don’t mean me)

    trailing grouse
    1 Nov 2009 | 3:37 am
    Right then. I’m heading out of the lift, sticky, hot and particularly sweaty after just working out. I would like to say I look good, but well, I don’t.  I might even smell, but I don’t especially want to go there. I have a sense that someone is following me. This sense is well-honed from living in Egypt for eight years, but not so well practiced after living in The Hood for the last three. I’m sure I’m mistaken. Paranoid even. I test it out. The real test: I walk on the pavement. Nobody in their right mind walks on the pavement in Cairo. Pavements are a mere…

  • Older and moderately wiser

    trailing grouse
    14 Oct 2009 | 3:56 am
    “Grouse doesn’t suffer fools gladly.” This was one of the most thought-provoking sentences from my life at school. Perhaps because it was about me and my ego enjoyed that. It was a sentence in my school report when I was about 14. I was perplexed for a good while afterwards. Big Mama read it out to me like I should be ashamed of myself, “But what’s the problem with that,” I thought (and maybe, being 14, said), “WHO would want to suffer anything, especially stupid people and why would they do so gladly?” The sentence seemed flawed to me. After a…
 
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    Taiwaneers

  • Photo of the Day

    Emily
    1 Nov 2009 | 12:52 am
    I subscribe to the Wall Street Journal’s daily photos, which are a good way for me to keep on top of world events. And, more interesting (sorry, it’s true) than reading a bunch of newspaper articles. This photo of Taipei drivers was posted yesterday, and I thought it was great. Motorists crowd at a junction during rush hour in Taipei October 29, 2009. There are around 8.8 million motorcycles and 4.8 million cars on Taiwan’s roads and nearly all motor vehicles and inhabitants are squeezed into a third of the island’s area. This results in high concentrations of…

  • Taipei: The Convenient City

    Michael
    29 Oct 2009 | 2:38 am
    One trait that Taiwanese people seem to desire a lot is convenience. When I tell people I live near Guting MRT station but my university is near Jiantan MRT station they’ll tell me how horrible that is because “it’s not very convenient.” I explain that it’s because Emily goes to a university near Guting. In reality though the distance is still only about 20 minutes by scooter when it’s not rush-hour which, to me, is still pretty good. The desire for convenience by her residents gives Taipei some wonderful features. Lets take me and Emily for…

  • Not Much To Tell

    Michael
    20 Oct 2009 | 7:31 am
    It’s been a few weeks since my last post so I figured I had better get on the ball. The problem is there is not much to tell. I mean sure, I can tell you that Emily is super busy and harried with schoolwork and that I’m not but is that really post-worthy news? If you are a praying person you can pray for Emily. She is incredibly challenged by this semester’s workload and doing her utmost to measure up. I, on the other hand, have one of the lightest loads of my academic career right now. With that in mind I’ve been trying to work on becoming more in tune with the…

  • A Little Over Two Weeks

    Michael
    3 Oct 2009 | 10:03 am
    It’s amazing but we’ve already been back for a little over two weeks. Many things have happened in that amount of time but it seems like we’re less busy than back in Michigan. It’s like we’ve come back to our normal life and it’s a vacation. Last Saturday we took advantage of the hot weather and went with some friends to Fulong Beach. We rented a surfboard and had a great day! You know that question people ask you about weather you’re a beach person or a mountain person? I think I’m a beach person. Last Sunday was a big day as well. Our first…

  • Yes I’m Baack in Blaaack

    Michael
    20 Sep 2009 | 1:27 am
    We have completed what has been one of our most fun trips between the USA and Taiwan and are now chilling at our home in the good ol’ Jhongjheng District of Taipei City. Our visit in California proved to be fantastically cultural and extremely enjoyable…you can tell I’ve been in the US for ten weeks ’cause I’ve got such a big vocab to draw on. We made last Sunday a beach day and our friends took us out to Newport Beach. The sun was great and the waves were awesome. We all did our fair share of body-surfing, sun-bathing, and frisbee. Later we went to the evening…
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    Comments on: Dinesh who??

  • 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.

  • By: barsha

    barsha
    1 Sep 2009 | 11:58 am
    hi, actualy i’ve bn readin ur articles for quite a lon tym, n let me tell they’ve alwaz bn interesting. though this is the 1st tym i’m writing 2 u. well, wud luv reading more from u. since u r in india, wud luv 2 read a lil more abt chandani chowk(though u’ve posted article on chandni chowk months back), but i thnk it msd the religious side of the place.

  • By: B.P wagle

    B.P wagle
    4 Mar 2009 | 6:43 pm
    hello Dinesh daju ……………………………………..i don’t have any comment i m so happy to read ur profile keep it up …….. ]

  • By: hari

    hari
    12 Feb 2009 | 6:28 pm
    foto ramro 6 ji. u look happy………….
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    In the Home Country

  • Going Home in a Flood

    20 Nov 2009 | 7:00 pm
    A while back, after a major rainstorm, I made the mistake of missing the work shuttle. And thus began the epic journey of my way home from work.It began with the lack of an umbrella, and waving desperately at any taxi that passed by without any luck for 15 minutes while being soaked by the rain. Finally, an approaching taxi began to slow down. Regardless of the fact that there was already a passenger in the front seat, I gladly jumped in the back and told the driver my destination. "I just have to take him home, and then I can take you," the taxi driver said. Sure, fine I thought... anything…

  • Inner Mongolia

    21 Nov 2008 | 11:31 pm
    9/14/08For Alain's birthday, we crossed the border of Liaoning province into Inner Mongolia to spend the weekend in a small village called "Da Qing Gou", or Big Green Valley in Chinese. Inner Mongolia, not to be confused with the nation of Monglia, is an autonomous region in the northeast of China (see map below for the section of Northeast China), and approximately 200 kilometers by car. map from chinatravelguide.comUpon our arrival in Da Qing Gou, our shuttle bus pulled up to a tourist driven Mongolian-style yurt park, where we were given tours of several yurts. Yurts, are a tradition form…

  • Paying the tab: a cultural reflection

    11 Nov 2008 | 3:23 am
    A few weeks ago, I sat in a German pub eating dinner with a co-worker, when we started to discuss the cultural differences in splitting (or not) the tab at dinner, depending on the country we're in. In the US for example, when going out with friends, more often than not, if the server hasn't already split the bill, then each person at the table would check the receipt, and pay for exactly what he/she ordered. In contrast, in France, the bill would be split evenly between all the people eating. That is to say, if the bill is 40, and there are 4 people, each person would pay 10, regardless if…

  • Xi’an Part 2: Hua Shan

    2 Jul 2008 | 4:09 am
    Written April 08Hua Shan, known as one of China’s 5 greatest mountains, famous for its steep slopes and beautiful scenery, is located an hour outside of Xi’an by train. Unfortunately, the tickets that we bought were seatless, so we tried our usual tactic of going into the dining room, where you have to pay extra for the food, but more importantly, seating. So at 7 in the morning, Alain and I found ourselves in the dining room, being served a bland breakfast of Chinese congee (watery rice), man tou (steamed bread), a boiled egg and salted vegetables, that made me think of the military…

  • Xi’an Part 1: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, and Chinese Muslim Street

    2 Jul 2008 | 4:07 am
    Xi'An Clock Tower (Written April 08)Last weekend I went to Xi’an, one of China’s oldest capitals where emperors lived for dynasties before they moved to Beijing. On our agenda: the Muslim district (Hui Ming Jie), the Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, the Big Goose Pagoda, and climbing one of the steepest mountains in China: Hua Shan.The Terracotta Warriors, sometimes known as the 8th Wonder of the World, is the main attraction for tourists going to Xi’an. There, protecting the tomb of the first Emperor for the last 2000 years, are more than 6000 life-sized warriors, each…
 
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    THE SUPER SLEUTHS ARE ON THE MOVE!

  • Christmas shopping

    21 Nov 2009 | 2:19 am
    This morning, I woke up feeling like I had hit by a truck after a rough night of the sniffles, coughing and a fever. Thought I was over that little bug, but it crept back up on me. Sadly, it was a rather uneventful day. I got a little work done and Jacob had to work too, so Juliana went out for a couple hours this morning with Jean to pick up some diapers and look at Christmas presents! She loves all the decorations...Ooooohh, an angel!Are books on her list for Santa? Check! Don't mind the educational stuff... Checking out the Tinker Bell display for the newest movie. Not on our list, but she…

  • Delicious meal at Ikoi

    20 Nov 2009 | 8:27 am
    Last night, Sue Lynn and Mun Cheong picked us up for a late dinner at Ikoi Japanese Restaurant, a buffet of sushi, sashimi, noodles, appetizers, rice and lots of other goodies. Here we are before heading in to stuff our tummies...I got to finally try Sake for the first time too and it was good. I didn't know if I would like it, but it was delicious and you can barely taste the alcohol...dangerous! Well, the meal was amazing! The sashimi was so fresh, lots of salmon, tuna and swordfish. We also had some udon noodles, lots of edamame, some chicken skewers and sushi, among other soups and snacks…

  • This is what dinner is like...

    20 Nov 2009 | 8:17 am
    Ah, dinner time! It's always interesting and lately, Juliana has been entertaining us while we eat more and more. Her newest fascination: her hair! She loves shaking her head and playing with her hair...We have starting using the timer (thank you MOPS speaker for this!) at the dinner table, so Juliana gets used to sitting down for at least 15-20 minutes at meal time. Even if she's done eating, we tell her she can't get down until "the red is gone" and the timer goes "bing!" She doesn't always enjoy this... As soon as the time is up, she'll say, "red is all gone" and very nicely ask,…

  • More fun at IMM

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:08 am
    I woke up this morning feeling horrible...headache, cough, sniffles and exhaustion. I also had a ton of work to do, so Juliana spent a few hours with Jean at IMM this morning, after our chat with my mom and Nana, while I (slowly) did most of my work.They have decorated for Christmas at IMM, just like the rest of the malls. This one had a bright red tree...Before the downpour early this afternoon, Juliana got some play time in at the water park. It never gets old!I had told Jean about the small art place just inside the door at the mall and they did another piece of window art together. She…

  • Oh Christmas tree

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:04 am
    Yesterday afternoon, I picked up a (fake) Christmas tree, just the right size for Juliana. When she woke up from her nap, she got all excited to see it and kept saying "Christmas tree" over and over again. She would also touch the bell ornaments and say, "Ring, ring!" It's adorable how much she loves it, just have to keep reminding her not to pull!After talking to my mom and grandmother online this morning, Juliana decided to bring the keyboard over next to me to sing some songs... Of course, most of the words don't make any sense since she puts her mouth over the microphone, but that's okay.
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    Living in Saigon, Vietnam

  • Google Toilet Paper

    21 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am
    This photo is getting around the blogosphere. It originated on blog.style14.net and then got picked up by the Huffington Post and others. I haven't seen it in the supermarket yet.

  • Parking Your Motorcycle In Ho Chi Minh City - Electronic Cards

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:58 pm
    I went downtown yesterday for the first time in over a month. Things change so fast here in Ho Chi Minh City- you blink and there are new buildings everywhere.Tax Center has something new since the last time I was there: electronic cards for motorbike parking. A machine takes a photo of your license plate as you come in, and then displays the photo to be checked on your way out.This is normally done by hand with slips of paper, and it's a routine part of daily life in Saigon. Everywhere you go, you get a little slip of paper or a card of some kind when you park your motorbike. Then you hand…

  • Ho Chi Minh City Window Washers

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am

  • Qualifications For Teaching English In Vietnam

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am
    What training and qualifications are required for teaching English in Vietnam?Basically: none. The only real requirement to teach English in Vietnam is that you are not from Vietnam. I have a B.A. degree from the USA and no teaching certification at all, and I've done fine. After the first year or two, your experience becomes an important qualification. Schools are confident to hire you if you're not a beginner. They will overlook other shortcomings just to get somebody that will make the students happy.Let's look at a few variables that may affect a school's decision in hiring you:The color…

  • English Language Schools - Bac My

    15 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am
    This school is called Bac My, or North America International English School. They have a few branches around the city; this one is on Ho Van Hue, Phu Nhuan.One time I went in there and interviewed for a job and got hired but I ended up not working there. The interview experience at Bac My was a little strange, so when a different school offered something better, I bailed out on Bac My.Bac My requires a little demo class. You give a 30-minute class to a small group of staff. My "students" weren't very excited about being in class; they were staff members who would rather have been sitting at…
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    Clark Nielsen for the Win

  • The Frozen Foreign Teacher

    Clark
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:43 pm
    Hey, I wasn’t done complaining about the weather. Seriously, it’s bad. Every time I go to class, I think to myself, “There is no way I can tolerate this for another two months.” Those classrooms are so cold, it’s making my whole body ache. But when I ask the students to close the windows, they look at me like I’m crazy and keep trying to crack them open again when I’m not looking. What the hell is wrong with you people?! The afternoon classes are even colder than the morning, and the last class of the day—the special class for the top…

  • When China Freezes Over

    Clark
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:43 pm
    I usually tell people my favorite season is winter, but when winter finally comes, I complain about the cold and wish for a quick summer recovery. Then summer comes, and I start pining for winter. I really do like winter, though. It’s such a great feeling to relax in a nice, warm house with no obligation to go outside once you’re home from work/school. The winter holidays and open ski resorts are a nice touch, too. In China, however, I’ve decided I hate winter. Even in 2009, they still haven’t figured out how to construct a decent building that retains an adequate…

  • Five Things I Don’t Like About China

    Clark
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:18 am
    I’ve been sitting on this list for a while, trying to pinpoint exactly what it is that’s been bothering me. Yeah, after 16 months of straight China, I’m in serious need of a break. Now before I get bombarded with comments telling me I can go home whenever I want, keep in mind that I’m still here by my own choosing, and there are still things I like about being here, too. But you don’t always get a positive post from me. 1. The attention No matter how much I try to put myself in their shoes, I still can’t accept the staring and pointing and giggling and…

  • Showing Movies in the EFL Classroom

    Clark
    15 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am
    My Spanish teacher from high school used to reach into his Disney vault every Friday and pick out a nice pelicula to subject us to. As a student, I loved these days, because I could play Bomberman on my TI calculator after making a quick list of 20 words I recognized from the movie. As a teacher, I realize this may not be the best way to practice English. The dialogue is usually too fast for students to keep up with, but if you turn on Chinese subtitles, then nobody pays attention to what is being spoken. I run into the same problem when I watch a Chinese movie with English subtitles. Now if…

  • Foreign Teachers Don’t Need to Know

    Clark
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:21 pm
    The downside to being a foreign teacher at a school in China (besides just about everything) is how nobody bothers to share important information with you until the last minute. Then they act surprised when you don’t docilely go along with the changes. But I thought all foreigners loved spontaneity! That’s why you’re a teacher! It was frustrating when I worked at the primary school and wouldn’t find out my class was canceled until the moment I went to class and saw no one there. If I had know, I would have gone downtown or at least slept in that day! The training…
 
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    French Sydneysider

  • 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…

  • Bonne resolution

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:29 am
    Cher Public,Je ne peux plus te negliger de la sorte sinon je vais te perdre a tout jamais! Ce n'est pas encore la saison mais j'ai pris une bonne resolution: blogger tous les 2-3 jours, pas des tartines mais une petite mise a jour histoire de vous tenir un peu plus au courant. Et ca commence maintenant:Lundi soir j'avais un diner boulot - mes collegues parlant principalement boutique je me suis contentee d'apprecier la nourriture (gnocchis aux epinards + feta, dessert: pannacotta a la noix de coco avec une obule de glace noix de coco), un petit Sauvignon blanc des familles et surtout, surtout…

  • Je suis venue vous dire que je m'en vais

    26 Oct 2009 | 1:15 am
    Z'etes toujours la???? You-houuuu... y'a quelqu'un??? Au moins y'a l'echo de ma voix :) Dites-moi que j'evolue dans la 4eme dimension et que ce n'est pas deja la fin du mois??? Un jour peut etre je vous raconterai comment c'etait fun Adelaide, oui c'etait la-bas que je vadrouillais au debut du mois. Et comment vous dire.. bah j'y retourne en vadrouille, mais la ce sont les vacances, les vraies, et non, je ne vais pas rendre visite aux voisins.. je vais gouter aux joies de l'Asie!! A priori je vais rester sur Tokyo, mais bon.. qui sait, les plans sont faits pour etre changes! Sur ce je me…

  • Deja le mois d'octobre!!!

    30 Sep 2009 | 10:31 pm
    Et c'est le temps qui court.. comme disait Alliage.Y'a pas que le temps qui court, moi aussi, mais lui il court plus vite que moi le vilain. Encore un jeudi ou je prepare mon balluchon pour cause de depart le lendemain apres le boulot (et en plus lundi c'est ferie donc forcement...), alors je fais ma mise a jour tres vite, ne m'en voulez pas parce que je tenais a vous faire profiter de Monsieur Octobre Adam Crosthwaite. Ouais... bof.. chui pas tres convaincue.. et en plus il est originaire du Victoria! Et ca chez moi c'est rhedibitoire!! Bonne fin de semaine les amis et a la semaine…

  • Fuyons!

    25 Sep 2009 | 3:45 am
    Apres la tempete, le ciel bleu! Tout est rentre dans l'ordre a Sydney mais les medias parlent d'une autre tempete de sable a Broken Hill (ville perdue dans le grand ouest neo-gallois du sud) et qui se dirigerait vers nous!! Sachant que j'ai deja pris plein de photos je ne vais rien louper si effectivement le phenomene se reproduit, et je ne sais pas si c'est un des effets secondaires de la poussiere respiree pendant mon trajet de l'autre matin mais ce matin je me suis reveillee ce matin avec un mal de gorge.. pas glop.. donc.. ce WE je quitte la ville! Bon.. d'un autre cote c'est deja prevu…
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    calledmadeleine: live the questions, now.

  • 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…

  • Movember.

    11 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pm
    Meet Jon's "mo".Here in Australia, in lieu of Thanksgiving or Bonfire Night, they celebrate the great month of Movember, whereby men of all walks of life come together to grow hideous mustaches to raise money and awareness for mens' health issues.Jon's particular mo is inspired by Australian cricketing icon Merv Hughes, and as you can see, even though it's only in its early stages, it's growing very well.He's had several "compliments" from workmates and friends already, including "that's the most horrific mo I've ever seen."If you'd like to see Jon's mo continue to grow, and support mens'…

  • Mego is...Prego

    28 Oct 2009 | 2:14 am
    That's right. You heard me.Meet the Tiddlett 2010 (aka The Bean, El Frijolita, The Satchel, The Budgie I am Smuggling, etc), at 12 weeks in the womb.In the very bad picture of the ultrasound you see above (our scanner's on the fritz), he or she is curled at the bottom of the photo, in profile. You can see his or her little head, a little body and teeny legs, and then a wee hand (with little fingers) waving at the camera about right where the nose is. In the real picture you can ACTUALLY see the fingers.The bean has grown a lot in the past 12 weeks - busy sprouting limbs and a spinal cord and…

  • One Sunday

    24 Sep 2009 | 12:05 am

  • Various Whatnots, 1.0

    23 Sep 2009 | 11:47 pm
    Highly terrifying, if you ask me.
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    From America to Australia

  • A year later, an American in Australia

    dsduffy
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:56 am
    After spending a day working at the “sausage sizzle” at the “Fete” at Cameron’s school (think: annual carnival) it felt normal to refer to a hamburger roll as a “bread roll” (but aren’t all rolls made out of bread?) While washing my hands after boxing class in the gym locker room, chatting with a girl from class, she asked “So where are you from?” immediately I thought to myself “oh right, I’m different, I will never get away from that.” At the grocery store checkout, the cashier pointed to the package of…

  • A work in progress:

    dsduffy
    13 Nov 2009 | 8:05 pm
    I am working on the long overdue “Melbourne Cup Day & Campervan Trip” post, for some reason it is taking me too long and by the time I get around to hitting “publish” it will feel like really old news. I am currently counting down with my soon-to-be-5-year-old to his big Birthday (today we are at 9), metally preparing myself for the 17 million hour flight home, trying to take full advantage of this summer weather before entering the North American Winter in a few short weeks. This time will go by so fast (thank god!) but I just want to make sure everything is in…

  • Next month!

    dsduffy
    8 Nov 2009 | 10:37 pm
    I have a lot to write about: the Melbourne Cup and the 5 days in the Campervan…I’ll get to that. But now that it’s November, what I want most to say is this: WE’RE GOING HOME NEXT MONTH FOR OUR FIRST VISIT! NEXT MONTH! I can’t believe it will be FIFTEEN months that we have been here and not seen our family and friends. I am so excited to see everyone FACE TO FACE and not through a computer screen (yea, I’m referring to YOU Skype, I’m not your biggest fan, ya big tease.) Yea, so I’ll get back to you about the other stuff this week

  • Spring Racing Carnival

    dsduffy
    30 Oct 2009 | 7:59 pm
    I was never big on horse racing, in fact that only time I was anywhere close to a racetrack was at my Senior Prom, which was held at the Garden State Racetrack (which is gone now and turned into a massive shopping center.) Last year at this time, we had just arrived in Australia and everything was new to us. When I was asked if we were going to the races, I wasn’t sure what races they were talking about and a  facsinator was a foreign concept to me. This year we are attending the Melbourne Cup and are getting all dressed up, and I’ll even be wearing a Fascinator. It sounds…

  • Preparing for Prep

    dsduffy
    26 Oct 2009 | 1:16 am
    Today was the first of 3 events for Cameron as he transitions to “prep” (kindergarten.) The 2010 “preps” met at the school’s playground for a half hour and then we joined in on the weekly assembly. It was so adorable to see him mix and mingle with the other kids and I even got a bit teary thinking about how my first baby will be starting “real” school in a few months. Thankfully he knew 2 boys from kinder and 1 from swimming so he was off and playing with them. I can’t wait to see how cute he will look in his navy uniform! This is my first…
 
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    An Aussie in Auckland

  • A taste of France

    12 Nov 2009 | 4:23 pm
    When Nana came to stay recently we asked her if she had any requests, in regard to sightseeing. Her immediate reply, after reading my blogs (Tourism New Zealand, you really should start kicking back...) was to visit a few markets I've written about.So off we went to one of the nicest markets we've come across in Auckland - La Cigale in Parnell.. Even though it was probably the least friendly. At least on our first visit.On our first visit, we couldn't get near the cheese-tasting area, and a nasty man whipped a chair out from beneath Husband's bottom as he was about to sit down. People pushed…

  • Karma anyone?

    10 Nov 2009 | 2:51 pm
    New Zealanders can be funny buggers.One of my favourite things is trawling through www.trademe.co.nz - kind of like a Kiwi version of ebay, but more human.Regular readers will remember my delight in seeing kiwi-shaped feijoas and penis-shaped oranges for sale - and actually being sold too!Which sparked a frenzied, but short-lived obsession for fruit and vegie fondling, as I tried vainly to find my own money-making unusual-shaped produce.Anyway, this week, an enterprizing Kiwi dude is selling ... karma. And not just any karma, but Good Karma! (You can never have too much Good Karma).The owner…

  • Unwanted visitors!

    9 Nov 2009 | 4:20 pm
    As Husband guest-posted recently, something always happens when he is away for work.Sometimes, it's myself or the kids getting sick. Another time, I broke my thumb and dislocated a finger. More recently, we sold our house!On this occasion, some @#$% losers decided to break into our home in Auckland.It's okay. We're fine.This place is like Fort Knox once it's locked up - and those who know me, know I am anal about always keeping the doors locked.But still it really shook up Miss 6 - okay, and me!I'd put the kids to bed - Mr 8 upstairs, Miss 6 downstairs, and myself on the middle floor,…

  • We're famous (well kind of)!

    8 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am
    Here it is... the story in last weekend's Canvas magazine, in the New Zealand Herald.And if you're interested, you can read it online here.The photo is courtesy of another Mummy Blogger featured in the story, Faery Sarah whose blog is www.bobbyrobin.co.nzMeanwhile, back in Auckland, it's been a busy time with Nana visiting from Brisbane.The kids have enjoyed having some special Nana time, and catching up on cuddles.Each day, in-between finishing work and school run time, G. and I usually hit the shops.We found a really cool fashion store on Manukau Road, Epsom, called T'da which sells, and I…

  • The hills are alive ...

    4 Nov 2009 | 4:36 pm
    The hills around Auckland are alive with the sound of ... fireworks!Yes, today is Guy Fawkes Day! Technically, that's celebrated tonight, with fireworks and friendly gatherings. In Auckland, however, Guy Fawkes seem to involve fireworks being let off at random times and places for days - and nights -beforehand.Also, there are dudes selling fireworks from their sheds, garages and even the back of their cars.Even weirder, you can buy them at the supermarket, along with other essential home items, like eggs, bread and milk. What The?And today, to my great delight, quite a few bangers went off…
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    BRAMPA

  • Gisborne and the trip home through the Waioeka gorge.

    A
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:12 am
    My camera battery gave out in Gisborne. This is the ONLY picture I took there. Thank goodness it is such a good one! I managed to coax a few more pictures out of my battery in the gorge.

  • Whangara

    A
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:55 am
    If you've not seen Whale Rider, go see it now (and fall for Cliff Curtis). Then read the book. Then read all of Witi Ihimaera's other books, and fall for Witi Ihimaera. These pictures will mean a lot more to you. Ok, these little beached whale props are really cute. I love the one struggling up the hill. Oh look, the waka (prop) and the whale island in the background (real) that the story is based on! Fantastic!

  • Tolaga Bay

    A
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:42 am
    Tolaga Bay has the longest wharf in the southern hemisphere at 660 meters. It is currently being repaired so you can only walk out about 400 meters. At the 400 meter mark there is a buoy tied to the wharf and if you are lucky you can use that buoy to play with a dolphin that hangs out there. We had tea at the cafe at the Tolaga Inn. Highly recommended.

  • Toward Gisborne

    A
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:32 am
    We saw this on our way back to town after greeting the sun. Two of my favorite things: cows and wakas. Dreamy. The Waipu Anglican church is said to have gorgeous carvings and marvelous stained glass windows. It was locked, so I'll have to call again, on a Sunday next time. This is the cross that is on the back side of the entrace gate to the church grounds. Waipu Co-op has seen better days. No wonder the church is locked, eh? In Ruatoria we stopped for groceries and and breakfast. I was excited to buy a local pie, but sadly could only give this a 4 out of 10 on the steak and cheese pie scale.

  • Salutations to the Sun

    A
    17 Nov 2009 | 2:18 am
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    Adventures with Yo and Mo

  • Seein' it All Small

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:36 pm
    After the field season this summer and before returning stateside, the Mo and Yo sho made pilgrimage to a local theme park. We had visited this place before, back in 2004, when it first opened. We were curious to see what has changed at Mini Israel, an outdoor theme park with scale (mostly 1:25) models where you can "See It All Small". The park is set just at the foothills before the ascending road to Jerusalem, near the Latrun Monastery, and just across from the IDF "Tank Museum", which is also represented in miniature form at Mini Israel.After paying a not-insignificant entrance fee, the…

  • A Weekend in Maine

    1 Oct 2009 | 3:57 pm
    Yo and Mo rejoined forces for a long weekend last week; Yo visited Mo in her fancy digs at the JIAAW, and then they traveled up the coast toward Maine. We had never been to New Hampshire or Maine before, and the weather couldn't have been more inviting. With beautiful weather, a red rental car and lobsters waiting, we left for Maine on Friday. Coastal New Hampshire was beautiful, and I think neither of us realized that NH had such beautiful beaches. Here we stopped to enjoy the sun and surf.We had to turn around at one point, deciding that we should have stopped at Petey's Lobster Shack when…

  • Travel Advisory . . .

    21 Aug 2009 | 10:00 am
    Usually we don't have great excuses for our long silences in the blogosphere, but this week we actually do. In the next week we will move 4 times, in 3 different countries, so we won't be posting. After packing up our excavation and ourselves after three months away we leave Tel Aviv tomorrow morning at 5:30am. We arrive back in Toronto around 1:00pm and will hopefully be picked up by our amazingly kind family (LL, MRK and BDL) where we will be whisked off to the anthropology department at U Toronto, so we can pack up Mo's office. On Monday we'll pack up our car (assuming it still works. . .)…

  • Marj Rabba: End of Season Highlights

    15 Aug 2009 | 10:45 pm
    After five weeks of living in double-wide trailers, the small team working at Marj Rabba dispersed, some to continue work on the excavated material back in Jerusalem, some back to North America, some back to their homes in Sakhnin. Only a small area was exposed, but we consider it a very successful season. Although we are very excited about the walls, architectural features and finds, we will try to rein in our enthusiasm over dirt and rocks and stick to the highlights. Marj Rabba in December, 2008First, we were confronted with a field that looked very different from the lush green grass when…

  • Finishing the season

    11 Aug 2009 | 9:07 pm
    Typically, closing down excavations at the end of season can be terribly hectic and even chaotic. The end of our season went was not nearly so frenetic as some, but then, we are a small excavation with great students and volunteers. Still, we have been very busy chasing after a truck with our shipping container, closing the excavation areas, and re-organizing ourselves in Jerusalem. We will return with more photos and stories soon!
 
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    Woman On A JouRney

  • Photo Hunt: Bird

    MsRay
    21 Nov 2009 | 7:36 am
    February 11, 2008Waikiki, HIThe bird standing on my shoulder is Teaky. He belongs to my very good friend, the late Cristina Tepper, the lady in red to my left. This picture brings bittersweet memories of our friendship. She is gone now but our good times together will forever be etched in my mind. I miss you, Cristina.photohunt

  • Gentle Shepherd

    MsRay
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:28 pm
    Being away from my loved ones is very hard especially during tough times. However, in spite of the numerous trials I face, I know God is with me through the people who continue to reach out and encourage me. Their prayers and advices give me strength and comfort.The song I've chosen this week tells of our wonderful Shepherd who is there to lead us. As long as we continue to trust in Him, we are in good hands.A blessed Sabbath to everyone.

  • Blog Award from a Bored Nanay

    MsRay
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:33 pm
    It feels good when you are appreciated, especially when the appreciation comes from a fellow blogger. The two awards displayed above came from a new kid on the block, a bored nanay living in style in this side of town.Thank you, Vernz.

  • Monochrome Friday: Church in Las Vegas

    MsRay
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:19 am
    a Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevadaphoto taken on my visit in January, 2009

  • A Cigar is Just a Cigar

    MsRay
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:28 am
    In Florida, where there is a large population of Hispanics and Latinos, cigar stores, cigar lounges, and bars are popular. In Broward County where I live, I can see a lot of them. When I first moved to Florida, I stayed at a condominium in Young Circle in downtown Hollywood near the restaurant row. There I saw a number of cigar lounges. I do not smoke and I do not like the smell of cigarette but sometimes when I pass along a cigar lounge, the aromatic smell coming from the place brings back good old memories of my hometown in Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Growing up in the early 70's,…
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    CheeseWeb

  • The Brussels Accessible Art Fair 2009

    Alison
    13 Nov 2009 | 3:49 am
    Stephanie Manasseh, curator of BAAF As I mentioned earlier in the week, I will be exhibiting and selling my photography at the upcoming Brussels Accessible Art Fair. If you are still on the fence about attending, read on to find out what BAAF is all about. If you are attending, please stop by my booth and say hello! The concept was simple, yet unique – bring artists and their art works together with buyers who don’t have time to visit galleries. Stephanie Manasseh began with this idea, in 2007, and the Brussels Accessible Art Fair was born. That year, there were 10 artists and nearly 1000…

  • Online Social Networks in Belgium

    Andrew
    9 Nov 2009 | 1:38 am
    Social Networking in Belgium Our ‘Web Guy’, Andrew, takes a look at social networking in Belgium and uncovers a few surprises. A couple days ago, I read in a flyer from Numericable how pervasive social networking is in Belgium. Facebook alone counts more than 2.8 million Belgian users… that’s 25% of the country! While looking at these stats, I found it interesting that the male-to-female ratio is almost 1:1. Curious, I  looked at a few other European countries and they are all within +/- 5% of a 50/50 split. This got me wondering about the demographics of other…

  • Our Maritime Canada Whirlwind Tour

    Alison
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:15 am
    Ewan William Matheson Since CheeseWeb’s format change, back in the spring, there has been a lot more ‘Belgium’ on the blog and a lot less of me. I know there are a few of you who still come here to get the dirt on what Andrew and I have been up to, so this post is for you. Those of you who come here for the Belgium info, don’t worry, I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled Belgian info posting next week. Did anyone else wake up to discover it is suddenly winter, or is it just me? First of all, let me apologise for being MIA from CheeseWeb for so long. Andrew and I spent the past…

  • Abbey Notre-Dame d’Orval – Belgium

    Alison
    7 Oct 2009 | 4:24 am
    Abbey Notre-Dame d'Orval - The modern abbey Most people know that Belgium is famous for its many beers. What many people don’t know is the beer-making tradition was started by monks in the many abbeys scattered about the country. This summer, Andrew and I decided to take the opportunity to visit several of these abbeys. The Abbey d’Orval, famous in Belgium for both its Trappist beers and its cheeses, was one of the places we visited. The Abbey Notre-Dame d’Orval is located in the Wallonian town of Villers-devant-Orval in the province of Luxembourg. It is a Cistercian monastery…

  • English Books in Brussels – My Favourite Book Stores

    Alison
    1 Oct 2009 | 5:04 am
    It’s not hard to find English reading material in Brussels. In fact, most of the French and Dutch bookstores carry a range of English best-sellers. But where do you go if you are looking for something besides the latest Dan Brown thriller? It’s no secret that Andrew and I read – A LOT. I tend to go through 2-4 books a week. Our bookshelf is one of the first things people notice, when they walk into our flat. While we certainly stock up on new and second-hand books every time we visit Canada, I do have some favourite bookshops right here in Brussels. Waterstone’s The obvious choice…
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    Wandering the World

  • I Have Your Back

    21 Nov 2009 | 10:03 pm
    Mid-August found Hubby and I once again in Oslo for work. We were lucky enough to meet up with some amazing bloggy friends at a local bar on Karl Johans Gate. American in Norway, Corinne, Quartz, Hubby, and I enjoyed numerous drinks, avoided buzzing bees, and passed a fabulous afternoon getting to know one another in the heart of the Norwegian capital.

  • Saturday Escapes

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:14 pm
    When Hubby was offered his first posting abroad, we were filled with equal parts excitement and trepidation. We didn’t know anything about living in a developing country. We knew even less about living in a new culture so different from our own. We had traveled extensively prior to our move to India, but a short vacation is very different from moving to a place full time. Although there was an existing office for Hubby in Delhi, we would be the first expats to be part of this particular division and we had questions they simply didn’t know how to answer.Expats from all over the world have…

  • Bake Me a Cake

    19 Nov 2009 | 7:31 pm
    I love baking. For me, heading into the kitchen to mix together eggs, flour, sugar, and a variety of other ingredients is not only creatively fulfilling but also relaxing. Whether I’m grating carrots for my award winning Carrot Cake, or zesting lemons for my Double Lemon Pound Cake, there is nothing quite as nice as licking the bowl after popping what I know will be a perfect dessert into the oven.Baking from scratch has always been a source of pride for me. I still remember the first time I was in a supermarket in Maryland with Hubby around Thanksgiving and eagerly yelled down an aisle at…

  • Letter to the Editor of Me

    18 Nov 2009 | 7:51 pm
    Have you ever wanted to go back in time and smack your younger self upside the head? Or simply impart some wisdom that you wish someone had taken the time to whisper in your ear? I do. I would love to hop in a time machine and have a heart to heart with the skinnier, fresh faced, more innocent me.I’d start by telling Young Typ0 to study more. If there was something on TV, a good book within arm’s reach, or later in university some hot guy on the Internet to chat with – chances were I would dump my homework out the window and claim it was done. I wasn’t very good at studying or paying…

  • Wordless Wednesday

    17 Nov 2009 | 7:21 pm
    Wordless WednesdayMan fly-fishing in Lake Ness.Inverness, Scotland
 
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    Blogitse

  • you give me WOrds and I give you an IMAge(s) = WO*IMA #44 Come on, this is fun!

    21 Nov 2009 | 2:27 am
    Don’t know what WO*IMA is about? Every Saturday I give you a picture. You give me your WOrds, thoughts, however the IMAge inspires you by leaving a comment. On Sunday (sometimes on Monday) I’ll publish your words WITH YOUR LINK.  You can check previous WO*IMA posts to get the idea. Have fun! as usual you have time till Sunday 6 pm Cairo time  your WOrds and my IMAge #44: kuten ennenkin aikaa

  • susie's big adventure: A Child's Custody

    20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    susie's big adventure: A Child's Custody

  • men and football plus a sex taboo...Hey, man how're you doing?

    19 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am
    Egypt lost. Algeria won 1-0.  It's been a very silent day... (no, I don't normally watch football...) “I have never seen this before. So much silence and heads lowered. It is as if we lost a war and our national pride. I am shocked, but for me, the match showed us that we cannot avoid the real problems that exist here. Football can do little to change our circumstances,” he said.  How long the

  • what am I blogging about? who is my audience? autch! I don't know but let's help Jay Baer!

    18 Nov 2009 | 3:54 am
    You remember I posted about sharing? I'm sorry but I have to tell you what has happened after that. I found myself on Jason Baer's blog yesterday. After that I've been a very busy woman!  Jason asked on his article few questions and now I'm even more confused! Who is the audience for your blog? I don't know! Help me! Mamma mia! I started as an expat (about my life in Egypt but I stay mainly at

  • what's your favourite colour?

    17 Nov 2009 | 12:03 am
    We need colour in our lives! And music! What is the best band mixing these together?! L I V I N G  C O L O U R We saw them on stage in Byron Bay, Australia 31.12.1997 - what a night that was! I love Byron Bay!!! And this band!!! Living Colour perfoms Cult of Personality, Desperate People and Love Rears Its Ugly Head at World Cafe Live.  From the On Stage at World Cafe Live DVD recorded in
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    Vie Au Maroc

  • 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

  • Nostalgia and Pleasant Surprises

    Jacqueline Powers
    16 Oct 2009 | 10:16 am
    After spending three weeks in the U.S., I arrived back in Morocco last week feeling a bit glum. I had been home, in America, for three whole weeks. How could I not miss it?I had watched my little brother compete in a triathalon (where he snagged 3rd place, go Will!). Mom and I went down to the city for a walk in Central Park and afternoon tea at Lady Mendl's. We sailed one Sunday from Larchmont

  • Friday Cooking

    Jacqueline Powers
    11 Sep 2009 | 6:49 am
    To get Andrew and I through a busy weekend, including surfing at Mehdia beach on Sunday, I've gone into cooking and shopping mode today.First thing this morning after my run, I tossed together a smashed chickpea salad courtesy of Deb at Smitten Kitchen. This melange is perfect by the spoonful for a snack or thrown together with a piece of chicken on a baguette for lunch. One can of chickpeas, a

  • Ramadan at Bouchra's

    Jacqueline Powers
    7 Sep 2009 | 7:08 am
    This past Thursday afternoon, I hopped on the train to Fes for a trip to see Bouchra and her husband, Abdesalaam, and their two adorable kids, Houda and Oussama. Ever the generous hosts, they fed me everything you can imagine. And more. Beef tajine, harira, shebakiya, dates, couscous with goat's head, homemade bread, freshly squeezed juice, Moroccan mint tea, chicken tajine, malawi, beghrir,

  • A Little R&R in Moulay Bousselham

    Jacqueline Powers
    31 Aug 2009 | 4:07 am
    When Andrew mentioned to me on Friday morning that he (gasp!) didn't have to work this weekend, I went into immediate planning mode. Where could we go for an overnight? Some place not too far away, accessible by public transportation, relaxing, not too expensive, that would let us have a glass of wine with dinner...I remembered hearing about Villanora, a quiet little bed and breakfast in Moulay
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    Gweipo

  • uniform grumbles

    20 Nov 2009 | 5:16 pm
    I've just wasted about 3 hours on school uniforms, so I feel entitled to have a Saturday morning grumble about them. Winter threw itself on us about a week earlier than 'officially' anticipated (i.e. the day on the school calendar to start wearing winter uniforms) and I was caught a little short. Not too short, since I have 2 kids who only differ from each other by about 10cm and have normal vs. PE uniform days on alternate days. But N's long pants, size 8 were about 6cm to wide around the waist and about the same too long for R, so I went off and bought him a size 6 (which means a round trip…

  • where there's a will ... there's a minister mentor ...

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:42 am
    A friend brought to my attention the recent comments of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on making learning Chinese fun and the movements in this field in Singapore ... I was most interested in seeing that he considers "Singapore's policy on the learning of Chinese started on the wrong footing because he believed in the past that it was possible to master two languages equally well."Oh dear. Well, most of us in the bilingual (or even trilingual) boat believe that it is possible - minister mentor where are we thinking wrong?His speech has been commented on by other bloggers who have added…

  • Decoding ...

    18 Nov 2009 | 3:40 pm
    I'm getting really excited about Chinese now. This may seem a little childish, but yesterday I sat in the bus on Bonham Road, and suddenly I didn't see "Bonham Road" but 咸 ( bān​ xián​ dào) all of which were characters or character particles which we've learnt in the last few days. I'm noticing the same thing with R as he becomes more proficient at reading English. In the beginning, he seemed scarcely to notice any signs or notices or words unless they were in the context of reading something out of a book that I or his teacher had assigned as "reading". Which is what I've been doing…

  • The point of primary ...

    18 Nov 2009 | 3:41 am
    I had a fun and hilarious lunch with a friend of mine who I'd served with on one, of my many, committees last year. He recounted the other half of a story that I knew part of and as we pieced the bits together, with hind-sight and retrospect it made us laugh. He ended his salvo with the wise remark that the experience had made him realise that one's primary education is not for nothing. Well, we know about learning the 3 R's, but really, more than anything - it teaches you to deal with the playground. And those are lessons you sure need for the rest of your life, as, it appears, some people…

  • Netiquette

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:37 pm
    I've had a hectic few days, so bad that I was in bed by 9pm last night. Much to the annoyance of H who got back from a dinner at 10 with one of his least favourite people and a few colleagues and expected me to still be awake to sympathise and agree that if everyone wanted to go home by 9.30pm it just showed how bad this guy was.This post on netiquette arises from a question from Jim on comments, and some very lovely emails from various of my readers giving me advise and support on the 'troll' issue. Of course, as with everything, there is plenty of advise on the net, it's just a case of…
 
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    Bleeding Espresso

  • How to Launch a Debut Novel in the US from Abroad

    michelle
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:31 pm
    Oh don’t I *wish* I was the author of this post and writing from experience? Someday! As it were, you’re about to read the outstanding advice from Kristin Bair O’Keeffe, author of Thirsty and an American who has been living in Shanghai, China since April 2006. This post is part of the WOW Blog Tour, but, to be clear, I’ve received nothing in exchange for giving Kristin some time here. I just like to show new authors who happen to be from Pennsylvania and live abroad (ahem) some extra love sometimes. More on Kristin: Aside from being a debut author, Kristin is also a…

  • Three Questions with Tania Pascuzzi of Cooking in Calabria Tours

    michelle
    15 Nov 2009 | 10:14 pm
    If you haven’t run into Tania Pascuzzi around the Interwebs yet, let me introduce you. Tania is an Aussie from Calabrian parents, and she runs InItalyTours.com, which offers a variety of tours throughout the Bel Paese, including several in Calabria–one in particular that you can also read about in Susan Van Allen’s book, 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go. Wouldn’t this book make a great holiday gift for the Italophile on your list? Get a sneak peek of what Van Allen has to say about Tania’s cooking school in Calabria at Divine Caroline. Now, as I was…

  • Love Thursday: The Loveshroom Fest

    michelle
    11 Nov 2009 | 10:19 pm
    I’ve mentioned before that one of P’s favorite pastimes is going mushroom picking. Incidentally, one of *my* favorite pastimes is making (and eating) delicious funghi-based dishes. See how well that works? Our love of ’shrooms is one of the reasons we don’t really mind the rain here, since just after a good soaking, it’s time to enjoy the funghi…one might call it our Loveshroom Fest: Happy Love Thursday everyone! Related posts:Love Thursday: The Piaggio Love Ape 50Love Thursday: Almond Blossoms & Calabrian Proverbs on LoveLove Thursday: Love in the…

  • Remembering Corporal Pat Tillman

    michelle
    5 Nov 2009 | 9:51 pm
    Today would’ve been Corporal Pat Tillman’s 33rd birthday. Tillman was an American professional football player who gave up his own freedom (and millions of dollars) to serve with the United States Army Rangers after 9/11 during the so-called “War on Terror.” Tillman’s journals show that he quickly became disillusioned with the presence of the U.S. military in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but even when offered a discharge before his time was up–after a tour of duty in Iraq–Tillman refused, and was sent to Afghanistan. He was killed by friendly fire in…

  • La Bella Lingua/Celebrate Italian Heritage Contest

    michelle
    1 Nov 2009 | 10:54 pm
    Remember when we talked about Dianne Hales’ book, La Bella Lingua? Well here is your chance to win another copy–plus four other Italian-themed books from Random House through the: Celebrate Italian Heritage Contest From the contest page: October is Italian Heritage Month so Living Language and Broadway Books are pleased to provide five lucky winners with an all-about-Italian prize package, valued at $115.79. Each prize package will include the following: • (1) signed hardcover copy of La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales • (1) Living Language Complete Italian: The Basics package…
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    QBParis

  • Clouds...

    16 Nov 2009 | 1:03 am
    These past months, and more particularly, these past few days, I, and many others, have had the honor and very special privilege of being witness to an amazing man's life, Alice's dad, The Reverend G. Daniel Little.I only had the opportunity to meet him once, at Christmas dinner with Alice's family. He immediately embraced both Christopher and me, with a warm hug and welcome. His obvious joy at spending time with his family was matched by his wit and laughter. It was a wonderful evening, one that I will cherish.Over the past year and a half, but especially during these final hours the family…

  • What do you want from life?

    9 Nov 2009 | 12:56 am
    My answer to that is to always hold my muse close. The creative spark and all that goes with it, when it is elusive, is frustration to the extreme. It has been way too long; writing, shooting, designing... I finally feel free to express again. And, THAT, was the whole reason to start this blog... to give me a place to get my yayas out.This past year has been shit on shit. One thing after another. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. Take a look at how many posts I have made these past months and read them. Seriously... read between the lines.Well. What happened? What…

  • My sweet embraceable you...

    7 Nov 2009 | 8:39 am
    I am a very lucky woman in that I have some really great friends, one of whom got in touch the other day and asked if I wanted to go to see a full dress rehearsal at the Opera National de Paris. How could I possibly say non? The performance was three ballets, Amoveo, Répliques and Genus, each very different. Each very moving.I have never been to the Palais Garnier. I've gone by it, thinking one day... the exterior is exquisite, la Belle Epoque in all its glory! The interior, with its stairways, balustrades and gilding... sumptuous. But the ceiling in the theater itself? All Chagall... it…

  • In the still of the night...

    3 Nov 2009 | 11:55 am
    Had a lovely surprise today...On a rainy November afternoon I received a bouquet of sunshine... the thought behind it is very much appreciated. Thank you for the smile you brought to my face.Simple gestures...

  • All the leaves on the trees are falling....

    27 Oct 2009 | 1:11 pm
    Paris in the autumn is like no other season. Perfect weather, perfect light, perfect, perfect, perfect everything.... all the locals are back, everything is open; this is when you really want to be here. I had an early (10am!!) meeting this morning and brought my camera with me. Unfortunately, once I turned it on, I realized I only had 4 minutes left on the battery!! Gasp! I managed to snag this shot just in time... There is something about the light in Paris, once you know it, and its patterns, it's heavenly. I know that in mid-November, in the late afternoon, at a certain cafe... the light…
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    The Expat Expert Blog

  • Expat life and social media sites

    Robin Pascoe
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:22 am
    I am feeling incredibly 20th century lately as I continue to navigate (with the help of a lot of advil) the Internet for all the information and support now offered--in the 21st century--via social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn (the ones I do know). Of course there are also expat social media sites, many of them to be found in my links section.The reason I mention this, besides the obvious that social media is not going away, is that for expats, it's almost impossible to find everything that is out there and these sites are all guideposts. People post links to such…

  • The new "Expat Harem" website

    Robin Pascoe
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am
    The dynamic women behind the book and the website Expat Harem have re-launched the site as a 'neocultural hub for global citizens and identity adventurers'. That's a mouthful to be sure but the new version of the site allows for guest posters and links to other cultural sites. Definitely worth having a look!

  • Important lecture series on domestic violence abroad

    Robin Pascoe
    2 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm
    Paula Lucas of the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line (tel: 866-USWOMEN) will spend this month and next launching the first phase of her organization's Global Campaign to Empower Americans Abused Abroad. Lucas will be presenting in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Paris & Geneva on dates (and more information and the educational lecture series) to be listed here.I contacted Paula to find out who is helping her on this very important and much-needed initiative. "The Ending Violence Against Women & Children Task Force of FAWCO has been our partner in organizing these events," said…

  • Book Review of Courting the Bull: An Anthology of Expatriate Literature in Spain

    Robin Pascoe
    30 Sep 2009 | 11:50 am
    It’s been a while since I reviewed or noted an expatriate book in this space, but this collection from Spain for some reason caught my eye, much in the same way that the stories of women living in Turkey collected in Expat Harem also attracted me when it came out several years ago. Editor Sarah Rogers has a great quote in her introduction to this marvellous and vivid collection of poetry, essays and fiction (one short story in particular, "Gate 38", really got my attention) which she gathered for “Courting the Bull: An Anthology of Expatriate Literature in Spain”. In my opinion, her…

  • Winners of Expat Youth Scholarship contest announced

    Robin Pascoe
    16 Sep 2009 | 10:58 am
    The essays submitted to the Clements Insurance sponsored Expat Youth Scholarship Contest about life as a TCK were amazing. I ought to know, as I was a judge. Have a look at what 'the kids' think about their lives on the move!
 
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    La Mom - an American mom in Paris

  • Madame Know-It-All

    La Mom
    12 Nov 2009 | 12:10 pm
    Wouldn't you agree that someone who thinks they know everything can be annoying un petit peu? You know the one I'm talking about - someone who can clear a playgroup in 5 minutes flat because she starts preaching about how she got her baby to sleep through the night with a certain sleep method and if you're not using the same method then you don't know anything. Her way is THE only way to do things. You = bad mommy. Maman du Jour: Madame Know-It-AllNatural habitat: She holds court at the park, playgroups, art class, English class, the school gates, the American Church, Starbucks, and the…

  • Joyeux Halloween

    La Mom
    31 Oct 2009 | 9:05 am
    Halloween used to be my favorite holiday back in the States. It’s still my fave in Paris – but not for the crisp fall weather or imported candy corn. It’s a chance to get an up-close-and-personal look at the best real estate in town.Trick or treating involves begging strangers for sweets. Let’s just say that’s something the French don’t really appreciate. So there’s only one solution. Host a party in a private Parisian mansion where there’s all the doors you need – and more. You know you’re celebrating Halloween in Paris when:- Kids use Chloé shopping bags as…

  • Rendez-Vous with the Electric Tampon

    La Mom
    28 Oct 2009 | 8:51 am
    I was waiting to cross the street on Rue du Passy when I noticed a woman scrutinizing me. I felt almost naked. Wait a minute, she had seen me naked. “Do we know each other?” she asked.What I wanted to say:Mais oui, Madame, we know each other. In fact, you might even know me better than Big Cheese! Does the Electric Tampon ring a bell? Non? Well, let me refresh your memory. I’m L’Americaine who came in for pelvic floor physical therapy after the French Fries did a number on the minou. You got right down to business, snapping on latex gloves. “But you have no tonus!” you exclaimed.

  • Diary of a Working Mom

    La Mom
    20 Oct 2009 | 12:40 pm
    What a fun first few days back at work. Here's how hard La Mom worked: Day 1: Morning: Star spottingWent to an outdoor café for a break with visiting clients from Canada. Then I saw Prince. And his bodyguards. And his big Mercedes. They were going to the Chanel fashion show at the Grand Palais. Everyone in the café was taking pictures with their cell phones. Of course I wanted to as well so I could broadcast it on Twitter, but I had to play it cool with the clients. Afternoon: To Tweet Or Not To Tweet? That Is The Question.Spent the afternoon in a meeting in the same building as the luxury…

  • She works hard for the money

    La Mom
    13 Oct 2009 | 7:20 am
    That’s right – La Mom is now La Working Mom! I’m back in the saddle after an extended maternity leave. The good news? Dish from the French corporate world! And I still have my regular mommy groups, so you won’t miss life in the expat lane. The bad news? I’ll be posting just once a week. Stay tuned for tales from the trenches as La Mom juggles a career, the French Fries, and a new nanny!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to find out what really goes on in a Parisian office? Subscribe to La Mom in the top right-hand corner so you won't…
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    Olympic Adventures

  • Nelson Clearance Sale

    Hanneke Nelson
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am
    There is a big empty spot in our kitchen where our beautiful antique cooking stove used to be. It was picked up last night by its new owners. For the remainder of our Olympic Adventure we will have to make do with a microwave, a pizza oven, a rice cooker, and one measly hot plate if we wish to eat.The big Nelson Clearance Sale has begun. The weather does not allow for a yard sale, we do not have a garage, and there is not enough room in the barn for a barn sale. We are making do with Craig's List instead. So far we have been quite successful. In addition to the stove, we have sold our jetted…

  • Tough Love

    Hanneke Nelson
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:58 pm
    My child is a thumb sucker. A passionate thumb sucker. She does not discriminate between the left and right thumb, they both taste equally delicious. In an attempt to prevent future orthodontist bills, I tried introducing her to a pacifier when she was a baby, but when she discovered her thumbs on her own, I abandoned my efforts. She loves it, it soothes her, and frankly speaking, it looks very cute.Her thumb sucking is impeding her dental development, though. Her front teeth have not completely come down, and she cannot properly pronounce the 'L' and the 'Th'. The time has come to take her…

  • Virtual Friends & Idols

    Hanneke Nelson
    12 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am
    Did you catch the new slide show of favorite posts over on the left side of Olympic Adventures? I would love to be able to say I made that, but no, I do not possess the necessary skills. Yet. Someday I want to learn all about programming HTML, Flash, etcetera. I think it would be a valuable addition to my resume and I know I would highly enjoy doing it.No, I won the slide show! My new virtual BFF Cheri hosted a give-a-way on her blog Its So Very Cheri. She had quite a few gifts to hand out and I won the slide show made by Jane of Frugal Fine Living. Jane makes a mean autumn pork roast, too,…

  • Emotional Wreck

    Hanneke Nelson
    11 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am
    That's me. Ever since I was offered the job in Wisconsin, my emotions have been all over the place. I am driving my husband, my child, but mostly myself absolutely nuts! Very uncharacteristic of me. Perhaps the past years of bad luck and financial woes are finally catching up with me, now that they're about to end.I want to be happy and joyful about being offered this job but I just worry too much. It keeps me up at night. I am afraid I will not be granted a gaming license, a necessity for working in a casino. It also makes me sad to walk away from so much potential, the property we put our…

  • A Midwest Adventure

    Hanneke Nelson
    3 Nov 2009 | 9:37 pm
    I was in Wisconsin the past few days, visiting with my in-laws, and interviewing for the position of marketing manager with a casino in the North Woods. My interview went well, after a bit of a rough start. Rather than opening with the standard "So Johanna, tell us a little bit about yourself..." the first question posed to me was: "Please tell us about one of our promotions and what you would do to improve it?" It felt like I was taking a test I hadn't studied for. "Eh..."The next question was also a good one: "Tell us about your past experience in gaming." I have none. Things improved after…
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    Expatacular

  • Seeking Information On Whereabouts

    Vince Fazzari
    If anyone knows the whereabouts of Jojo Yao (Yao Xiao Ying) could they please let me know by emailing vince@shoedogs.biz or by reply blog post. Miss Yao is being sought for explainations of missing company funds and information, defaming allegations and a few other issues that need to be clarified by Miss Yao ASAP Also hoping to make contact with the gentleman in the below picture. As Ms Yao's lover and escort he may have unknowingly been tricked into something he wasnt aware of at the time. It would be mutually benificial if I was able to make contact to this gentleman thanks in advance

  • VW Passat 2.8V6

    Steve Rose
    Is anybody interested in buying a VW Passat 2.8V6. It is 5 years old with just 65,000KM on the clock. It is in very good condition with a full service history. Last year we added GPS, DVD player & radar detector. It is very fast and has been de-chipped. I will accept offers around RMB110,000. If you are interested please call 15818307014 and speak either English or Mandarin. I would like to sell during the month of November.

  • 3rd World China Refuses to Adjust Its Economy

    Jason Wu
    For those worried that China is rising to replace a declining America, take heart: If the U.S. is headed in the wrong economic direction, the PRC is moving in that same direction--only faster. Official statistics from the first six months of the year show a Chinese economy that strengthened noticeably in the spring but at the cost of recreating some of the worst policy mistakes of the past. Quicker Growth, Announced Too Quickly It is reasonable to simply dismiss Chinese economic results. Despite starkly limited resources and a dynamic, complex economy, the State Statistical Bureau again…

  • Ode to Jackie Chan: My Greatest Sellout Idol

    Jason Wu
    Mr. Chan, you have won our hearts with your creatively absurd Do-It-Yourself stunts and your talented Mr. I-Can-Play-Any-role stance, including a Native American Indian who caters a Hong Kong English. You’ve fascinated more people when you actually took the microphone and started singing in concerts, and not just small venue ones but the New-Year 6-digit attendance type galas. The media advertises your preferences from top notch alcoholic beverages brewed from the finest Chinese pee and spit to the preferred Hair color treatments. I’m tuned to my Chinese Teli, religiously yearning to see…

  • H1N1 Epidemic: The Middle Kingdom Bliss, 30 Deaths, and the Retarded Chinese Boy

    Jason Wu
    I’ll make this brief. The fact that everyone else in the world has reported deaths in the thousands 6 month ago, including North America and Europe, and not one single fatality in Mainland China until the recent news of 30 Deaths proves a strong contention that the Commuretardist government and its media arm will do what it takes to maintain the Chinese Bliss of willful scandalously secured peaceful living. I can stand the spitting, the noise-picking, the adulterated sounds of god knows where and the classless manners verging on animalistic and psychopathic, but I can’t be the foreign…
 
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    American Girl in Australia

  • Loaded Gun, Epinephrine, Trigger Response, Adrenaline, Smoking Barrel

    Daisy
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:55 am
    Picture by dp: Epinephrine – a hormone triggered during the Fight-or-Flight-Response to a threat.  Adrenaline – another name for Epinephrine. Elevated heart rate, clear mind, every muscle is ready.  It only takes a few words. Words. Part of the beauty of psychology is its revealing nature.  Eventually, the cracks in one’s bullet proof vest are discovered.  Hidden secrets, suppressed trauma can only stay protected for so long – and once a bullet makes it past our shields and armor, its full-on psychological warfare. A few words and your mind and/or body experience…

  • Latest Diet Fad – I’m still gaining water

    Daisy
    14 Nov 2009 | 3:23 am
    In the last post I admitted I had started the latest diet trend: The Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt Diet and I also explained that I drank 3 liters of water and as a consequence gained 3 kilos or 6.6 lbs of water weight (because it didn’t “cleanse” like it was supposed to and I barely had to pee the entire day.) But I thought – look I saw his abs 3 weeks ago and they DEFINITELY look better now – and he’s a smart guy so maybe I just need to give it time.  So this morning I brewed up another 1T of salt + 1 liter of spring water and drank it.  And then because…

  • Have you heard about the latest fad diet? Sign me up!

    Daisy
    13 Nov 2009 | 6:09 am
    It went a little like this… Handsome man sporting a sexy rugged new beard who I occasionally ”catch-up” with  tells me about some Himalayan Rock Salt Diet. And I was like – WHATEVER – that’s hokey. And in his make-you-melt-accent of his he was like, “No seriously! I’ve been doing it and so have all of my friends.”  And he had compelling evidence (*cough – great 6 pack*) so I was like – alright I’ll think about it. NEXT DAY: Sam and I go buy Himalayan Rock Salt so I can start my new diet.  Yay! Hiphiphooray! So I…

  • My social networking fast

    Daisy
    8 Nov 2009 | 8:12 pm
    ok so I have decided after much consideration that until my finals are done I will no longer be able to be reached on any social networking sites. Wish me luck!!  I hope I reappear soon.

  • Oh hey mom – I know it’s 3am but … email hacking

    Daisy
    7 Nov 2009 | 4:12 am
    Dear Email Hacker, Actually – let’s scratch that Dear Email Hacker, and instead start it this way, To the pathetic loser who decided it’d be cool to hack into my mom’s email, You suck.  I hope the next thing you hack up is a lung.  And then I hope you choke on that lung, die, and go to hell,  I don’t appreciate getting fake/spam emails from my MOM late on a Saturday night when I KNOW SHE’S ASLEEP.  I also don’t appreciate having to call her at 3am just to tell her, “Oh hey guess what mom?  You’ve been hacked!  And lucky you –…
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    An American in Delhi

  • Indian Government Links

    Jeanne Heydecker
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:28 am
    If you've ever wondered how anything gets done in India (as I often have), this list is for you. My favorite Yahoo! group, Yuni-Net, has once again provided valuable information I would gladly pay for. This list provides links to several pages on the india.gov.in web site for all those lovely pieces of paper we all need to verify our existence here. I'm not saying any of this will work - I went

  • Still Waiting On My Rent Deposit - Are All Landlords Here Thieves?

    Jeanne Heydecker
    26 Sep 2009 | 11:22 pm
    A good INDIAN friend said to me one day, "White skin shows the way for black money."When we first moved to Gurgaon, I was already reeling from issues with my previous landlord in Kolkata who refused to part with the 90,000 rupee deposit I had put on the place citing all sorts of "damage" to the property. I wanted to ensure that this didn't happen again. I should have seen the signs. Landlord

  • Just a Foul Mouthed American...

    Jeanne Heydecker
    24 Sep 2009 | 9:07 am
    Just watched the final episode of Larry David's show on HBO "Curb Your Enthusiasm" which features a cook with Tourette's Syndrome and it made me think. The reaction to the chef's foul regurgitation is surprise and then release. As a New Yorker, I swear all the time. My father, another native New Yorker does not swear much at all unless vexed, but my mum, another native New Yorker, swears like a

  • Real Definition of a Startup

    Jeanne Heydecker
    7 Aug 2009 | 11:36 pm
    I was reading an article at TechCrunch about the real definition of a startup, and it got me thinking.Having spent the past 20 years (OMG!) taking startups to the next level, marketing-wise, here's my take on what an actual startup is:smoke & mirrorsR&D's undelivered promisesdeadlines not metconstantly shifting product specssalaries paid on ad hoc scheduleThe company can be any size, but

  • Delhi Restaurant Recommendations

    Jeanne Heydecker
    23 Jul 2009 | 8:28 am
    I have to help plan a foreign correspondents' tour for the company I work for that is schedule for next month. As part of that, Bridget, our PR person in the UK, asked for a list of great restaurants in the Delhi area. I contacted the Yuni-Net group and they came forward with lots of suggestions. I trust their palates - most of them are expats and local fellow foodies. Here is a compilation of
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    Letters from Grenada

  • note to self

    maria
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:50 pm
    Just picking up and leaving everything and just GOING is scary. The unknown is always scary. Like stepping off the edge of a cliff. But that’s exactly why you should do it. How else will you discover your wings? The sweetest thing about making a huge, crazy, scary change in your life is one day, long after you took the plunge, you’ll look around and wonder, How in the holy hell was I ever anywhere but here? Similar Posts: because we’re all adults here, aren’t we? gold star the world’s best chocolate. let me show you it. every time night vision

  • subtitled produce

    maria
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:18 pm
    Ever since I had the flu, normal sleep has eluded me. Last night I stayed up so late I decided it was best just not to go to bed. (I read The Red Tent. Twice.) Naturally today was a bit surreal. I looked a photo of a ferris wheel and thought I saw my own face. Read a post about Palm Pilots as Palin Pilots. Told my dog to use her words. Googled “willy nilly”. Indulged in a torrid fantasy re: selling term papers. Stage-blocked the “Tell Me More” scene from Grease. (In the shower.) Subtitled some produce. And so on. My plan is to stay awake until 8PM or so and then sleep…

  • insomnia (to squeak! perchance to scream.)

    maria
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 pm
    I want eurotrash. Not like gold-tipped black clove cigarettes. Like thick, lush paper that comes in so-called non-standard sizes and has little boxes instead of lines. Asymmetrical shoes. 74 varieties of yogurt. Open air markets that reek of drying anchovies. Mayonnaise on my motherfucking french fries. Deodorant that smells like kiwis. Télécartes. French people who make fun of my English and English people who tell me I dress like a French tourist. 8-year-old draguers and Amsterdam waffles. Pink body glitter from the city where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Real trains. (Eurotrash is…

  • gold star

    maria
    14 Nov 2009 | 10:36 pm
    Bean gave me a gold star sticker. Just walked right up to me and stuck it on my shoulder. Holy wow, I love my child.Similar Posts: lemme tell you about love, people on the equinox note to self does this sound like karma or what? the job of a good citizen is to keep her mouth open

  • every time

    maria
    12 Nov 2009 | 10:05 pm
    Every time I have new ideas and plans for piscesinpurple.com, LIFE GETS IN THE WAY. Hold on, internet. BRB. Similar Posts: transitions in which i dip my toes in the water on winter light and other random revelations note to self lemme tell you about love, people
 
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    Brits in Bosnia

  • Football Dreams

    21 Nov 2009 | 1:56 am
    The footballing dream is over. On Wednesday night, the Portuguese beat Bosnia 0-1 and are the ones who will be packing their bags to go to South Africa in the summer. The Bosnians were expecting it after their earlier defeat on Saturday, but are none the less devastated. Being English and therefore with some experience of being dumped out of important football tournaments by the Portuguese, I feel their pain.I went to the game. My goodness me was I excited. I absolutely LOVE big important games like this one. The games when people don't sleep the night before because they are so nervous. The…

  • The X Factor (and children's hospitals)

    19 Nov 2009 | 1:06 am
    Just a short note from me today. I went to watch Bosnia play Portugal at football last night and didn't get back until very late indeed last night. I was then ambushed by two energetic boys very early indeed this morning. I can scarcely raise my head out of my coffee cup, let alone string together a coherent sentence. But there is something very important that I wanted to say before I pull the covers over back over my head and continue trying to ignore the forces of nature surrounding me.Not living in the UK, the X Factor (the British version of American Idol to you American readers out…

  • Too. Much. Noise.

    17 Nov 2009 | 10:37 am
    I've got a headache. I'm pretty sure it comes from having 2 small boys (occasionally 3) running, jumping, shouting, climbing and screaming all afternoon. Then there is the background noise of the radio, the odd bit of TV, me shouting (at the boys, the dog, whoever comes within my radar at the wrong time). Even the neighbours are getting in on the loud act and the warmish weather means open windows and taking a full hit of turbofolk. Basically, this house is full of noise. Lots of loud competing noise, wherever you go, ALL THE TIME. Even a quiet trip to the loo is accompanied by hammering on…

  • In the News

    16 Nov 2009 | 12:41 am
    Having spent most of the last year saying 'I can't believe Bosnia isn't in the news more! Look at what is going on here people, it is serious stuff!', I now find that I can't escape it.Last week Radio 4 went Bosnia mad, sending its presenter Ed Stourton out to Sarajevo and Banja Luka. He did a couple of reports, including one from the annual British Embassy Guy Fawkes fireworks party in Sarajevo*. Interested parties can listen to them here: Wednesdays report was at 7.20 from Banja Luka, Thursday's reports were at 7:32 (on ethnic tensions and violence) and 8:33 (interview with the former High…

  • Football Mania

    13 Nov 2009 | 9:15 am
    Tomorrow is the day. For it is the day that Bosnia will take on Portugal in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers. Should Bosnia beat Portugal they will be going to South Africa, their first ever appearance at a major football tournament.The country (at least the part of the country that supports Bosnia) is so excited it can hardly breathe. They do fancy their chances. Not only are Portugal without the ghastly Christiano Ronaldo but Bosnia’s brilliant duo of Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic are on fire. And totally brilliant. I might just be a little bit in love. Ok, I clearly need to…
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    My Thai Friend

  • River Kwai Bridge Week 2009

    21 Nov 2009 | 6:22 pm
    This year River Kwai Bridge week is between 27th November and 8th December. The celebrations which include, a fantastic sound and light show enacting the history of the bridge, historical exhibitions and rides on a WWII steam train are centered around the bridge a few miles North of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Of course to many people the week also signals a time for reflection, with many families travelling from around the world to visit the grave of a loved one, perhaps in the Don Rak war grave cemetery in Kanchanaburi.Aside from the actual Bridge on the River Kwai many people also visit…

  • Penis Survey-Size Really Does Matter in Thailand

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:29 pm
    Something for the Weekend?How do you measure up? Well if you live in certain areas of Thailand you are about to be given the opportunity to take part in a penis size survey run by Department of Disease Control(anti-AIDS division). So perhaps despite rumours to the contrary, size really does matter or as the Nation puts it, size does count.Just in case you think I am having a joke I can assure you that disposable penis measuring devices are being distributed by the Thai Ministry of Health under a campaign, "Condoms for all," which hopes to raise HIV awareness and the need to practice safe sex…

  • Thai Railways- Booking Tickets Online

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:39 pm
    Since February this year Thai Railways or The State Railway of Thailand(SRT) to be more correct, has been offering the option of booking tickets online. Slowly more trains/routes have been added, although the system is currently limited to buying tickets on Express and Special Express trains in either sleeping or sitting 2nd class air con carriages.This facility is provided by a secure web site, Thai railway ticket, on which you need to register before bookings can be made. Payments can be made by credit card from 60 days before departure up to 3 days before departure. For bookings made 3…

  • Thailand-Perceptions of Corruption

    17 Nov 2009 | 5:41 pm
    If I posed the question, "What are your Perceptions of Corruption in Thailand?" I wonder what your answer would be compared say with the USA, UK or other countries in the Asia Pacific region."Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority."Okay first a little exercise. Please answer my original question. Use a scale of 1-10, with a low score indicating that your perceptions are that the country is more corrupt than others.Now lets have a look what the Thai people…

  • Phuket- Answer to Plastic Bags Waste in Thailand?

    16 Nov 2009 | 8:15 pm
    In a surprise move six major retailers in Phuket Thailand have announced that from 4th December 2009 they will start charging for plastic bags, currently given away free with shopping.The six retailers, Tesco-Lotus, Big C, Makro, Central, Supercheap and Jungceylon are expected to charge 1 or 2 Baht (2p-4p) a bag.Personally I welcome this move which broadly fits in with the policy of Tesco UK and hope that it will spread throughout Thailand. Ever since I have lived here in this beautiful country I have been appalled at the use and disposal of plastic, mostly not bio-degradable, that exists in…
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    Baroque Babies

  • Mission Chocolate

    20 Nov 2009 | 3:26 am
    Hi everyone, its Kim here wishing you a wonderful weekend full of non-stress related activities. I on the other hand will find myself stress free, kid free and completely alone for a 4-hour 'Tour-de-Ulm' tomorrow (thanks Oma & Heiko for taking the kids swimming!!). This, my friends, is a rarity, so I've decided to make the most of my day and visit several exclusive Ulm based Chocolatiers...in the name of research of course. I hope to provide you with pertinent information regarding one of Germany's main exports...CHOCOLATE. I know you're wondering how I plan on eating so much chocolate in…

  • Tchibo wooden kids dominos

    20 Nov 2009 | 1:55 am
    A few months after I moved to Germany, my girlfriends introduced me to Tchibo. Tchibo is a coffee shop selling all things coffee related ...and every week an entirely new group of products having absolutely nothing to do with coffee. I have occasionally bought a latte to go, but have purchased a considerable collection of other items such as clothes, umbrellas, socks, dish towels, candle holders, cleaning supplies and even underwear. This week they have an selection of children's toys and I had to grab the cute wooden dominos for thirteen Euros. On one side is the traditional dots and the…

  • Schwiegertocher delight

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Or daughter-in-law delight cake! We just returned from a few days visiting my husband's family in eastern Germany. It was lovely to visit friends and family, celebrate a few birthdays and stuff ourselves with some delicious German cooking. According to my sweet-loving taste buds the best time of day for such food indulgence is the German "coffee time". This occurs around 3:30 when you take a respite with usually a cake of some sort and coffee. My mother-in-law baked me and my sister-in-law's absolutely favorite cake during our visit (hence the name). This delicious creation is layers of poppy…

  • I love English...I love English not

    16 Nov 2009 | 10:57 pm
    I'm having a hard time lately watching my daughter struggle with her identity. Perhaps this is normal for those kids whose lives are intertwined with international parents and whom live abroad, but I naturally assumed my girls would identify with their mother language; I'm slowly realizing this is not always the case. I find myself placing a lot of pressure on the girls to speak English with me, when I internally believed they would have just 'wanted to' from the moment they heard me whisper 'Happy Birthday' in their ear. So, you can understand my anguish yesterday, when my daughter said,…

  • Current Obsession: Owls

    16 Nov 2009 | 11:14 am
    If your child answers to the call 'hoo-hoo' and takes interest in the nocturnal lifestyles of the feathered and fearless they will love this seasons infatuation with our favorite taloned friend, the owl. Made famous through several fall/winter campaigns such as Gap Kids (U.S.) and Mini Boden (also hosts a U.S. online shop), our new beloved species has landed and is here to stay...well, at least until designers unveil their new spring collections. So whether or not my UK girlfriend knew about my daughter’s latest obsession (well actually my latest obsession for my daughter) she just sent me,…
 
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    Seashells and Sunflowers | Necochea, Argentina

  • A Girl, Her Bike and a Quest for Candy

    Katie
    14 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am
    Malena arrived at our home on a Thursday afternoon, after a long pedal from the city of Lobería, her cheeks flushed from exertion or the wind (or perhaps both).  At just 5 ft tall, I towered over her by several inches.  Her long blond hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail that poked out from beneath her bike helmet, while her skin, bronzed by many hours of cycling under the intense Argentine sun, stood in strong contrast to my milky pallor.  I momentarily marveled at the gumption, courage and strength contained within her rather diminutive frame before inviting her into…

  • Colonia del Sacramento Revisited

    Katie
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:23 pm
    A few months back, I wrote a post about my visit to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a trip that offers a lovely change of pace from the chaos of Buenos Aires.  I had the opportunity to revisit the city a couple of weeks ago with my special out-of-town guests, and of course, another outing presented a new set of photographic opportunities.  Here are some of my favorites from our late October jaunt to Colonia. [While walking along one of the side streets of Colonia, I peered through an open door to discover this light-filled, hotel courtyard and its entrance with the black-and-white…

  • Natural Beauty at Paraje Las Cascadas

    Katie
    10 Nov 2009 | 10:52 am
    Paraje Las Cascadas is a recreational area set on the banks of the Río Quequén about 15 km (9 mi) outside of Necochea.  The river, one of Necochea and Quequén's most precious natural resources, provides a habitat for many species of birds and fish.  It also offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, boating, bird watching, canoeing and picnicking for both residents and visitors alike. Paraje Las Cascadas features a number of small waterfalls and rapids, which are not only picturesque but also present a unique opportunity in the area for those who…

  • Visitors from Gringolandia

    Katie
    8 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm
    My dad and his wife Deb made it down here to Necochea for a brief but action-packed visit at the end of October.  They had originally planned to travel in July, but the swine flu epidemic and resulting hysteria here in Argentina threw a monkey wrench in their plans, and in the end they decided that springtime might be a more apropos time for a visit.  Unfortunately, rescheduling the trip meant they would only have six and a half days with us! Given the short duration of Dad and Deb's visit, we spent most of our time in Necochea so we could show them around the city and the…

  • Bizarre Foods – Argentina Style

    Katie
    4 Nov 2009 | 6:13 am
    Calling all foodies!  Here's your chance to help get Argentina featured on the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.  I was contacted by one of the show's researchers for help in compiling a list of some of the strangest, most unique foods that Argentina has to offer.  Here are some examples of the people, places and grub that the production team is looking for: Markets that have unusual foods Restaurants that serve unusual foods Chefs that specialize in something bizarre Interesting street food Traditional foods that have survived generations Foods that are…
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    a malaysian abroad

  • Autocomplete Me: do Malaysians … ?

    *lynne*
    21 Nov 2009 | 3:06 am
    Having recently found Autocomplete Me, I was inspired to see what the giant search engine might suggest for a query about Malaysians… Let’s see if a malaysian abroad can help y’all out… Do Malaysians speak English? Yes, although with Malaysian pronunciation and enunciation, the mixing in of local words, and literal translations of local phrases, many might more truthfully speak Manglish — whether you think it’s mangled English or just Malaysian English, that’s your call. Do Malaysians eat dogs? I would say no: although the Chinese in general have a…

  • Springfield, IL: The Bloody Mary Mafia

    *lynne*
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    So the wallflower silent observer that is me is trying to start life in Springfield with an emphasis on challenging my introvertedness (is that even a word? Spell check suggests “introversion”), making connections, meeting people.  People who blog.  Who tweet.  Who share their life — whether in 140 characters or blog posts; whether providing only tantalizing snippets or spewing mega-long paragraphs — online. tweet! I already knew MochaMomma, kinda, thanks to last year’s Davecago.  Thanks to Twitter, I found some Springfieldians and started stalking following…

  • “a malaysian abroad” is 345 days old!

    *lynne*
    15 Nov 2009 | 8:55 am
    . An important milestone is coming up in 20 days’ time! a malaysian abroad’s first post was on December 5th, 2008. That’s right!  This blog is a mere 20 days away from a full year of existence! let’s party! I had toyed with the idea of marking abroad’s 1st blogiversary somehow; you know, a contest or something; but as you can see, my time here has been sporadic recently, and posts few and far between. Oh for kapgar’s BlogFiber to exist so that I, too, can be regular! Any ideas as to how to mark a malaysian abroad’s upcoming milestone? I am also…

  • Remember remember….

    *lynne*
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:45 am
    image source Remember, remember the Fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot, I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot. . During the recent holiday-themed World Blog Surf Day, Zuzanna who writes at Success Abroad and Emm who writes at Emm in London, chose to feature an important event in Great Britain’s history that occurred today back in 1605. I don’t know how I learned about Guy Fawkes, the bonfires, the burning of the effigy, etc — most probably from the many British children’s stories I used to read. If the Five Find-Outers and…

  • WBSD #3: a ~new~ holiday

    *lynne*
    31 Oct 2009 | 10:45 am
    Another World Blog Surf Day is here! The first was about life as an expat in general, and the second about food.  This time around it’s about holidays & celebrations: What is your favorite ~new~ holiday and how is it celebrated? image source When I first heard of Halloween being referred to as a holiday, I thought “That’s not right! Holidays are official days off, and you don’t get a day off for Halloween…”  Of course, that was back in the early 90s, I was still a teenager then, had been just slightly over a year in the US, and was still unused to having…
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    Expatify.com

  • Wir essen, oder? The Eating Customs of Germany

    Tanya
    21 Nov 2009 | 3:21 pm
    In Germany, most people do not eat much directly after they have woken up. Those who wake up early will generally eat a light breakfast, which consists of some bread or rolls. They also drink coffee which is prepared with canned milk and sugar. Children sometimes eat oatmeal or porridge and raisins. Following this initial-semi meal, [...]

  • American Expats Celebrating Thanksgiving Abroad

    Bryan
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:08 pm
    American expatriates who grew up enjoying the smells and tastes of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes may feel particularly homesick and nostalgic during Thanksgiving week. The holiday is a uniquely American one, with the exception perhaps of Canada (which celebrates it a month earlier), and Americans abroad will undoubtedly have a difficult time making the [...]

  • Top Ten Least Corrupt Nations: CPI Index Rankings

    Tanya
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am
    10. Iceland CPI Score: 8.7 Surveys used: 4 Confidence Range: 7.5-9.4 Iceland is perceived as the “most developed country.” Its economy is known to have freedom in business, investment, trade, finance and property rights. They have efficient business regulation;  the island has a modest domestic market. However, Iceland does have rigid labor regulations, as well as very high government [...]

  • The Major Cities of Belgium: Brussels, Brugge, Antwerp and Ghent

    Tanya
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:01 pm
    Brussels Brussels is the biggest city in Belgium. It is also an important city, being the administrative center of the European Union. Because of this, it is called the Capital of Europe. It was also the headquarters for NATO. Historically, it has been home to a mix of Flemish and French culture. Today, it is known [...]

  • Pizza Around the World

    Tanya
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:28 am
    Italy Italy is where it all started. Its name originated from the Latin word, “pinsa,” meaning flatbread. Flatbread is common all throughout the Mediterranean. Tomatoes became popular in Italy around the 18th and 19th centuries. Legend has it that traditional Margarita pizza was named after Queen Margherita, who visited Naples in 1889. The pizza was color-schemed [...]
 
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    Bulgarian Slivatree - An Expatriate's Eye in Bulgaria

  • More Time To Write At Weekends In Bulgaria

    18 Nov 2009 | 11:34 am
    I have found that weekends in the village farmhouse have become more relaxing right now. Not work on the land is needed and it is dark at just after 5:00 in the afternoon. Once the wood burner is lit and we have vacuumed and dusted the place there is nothing else to do other than chill out after a hard week of physical work. I forget sometimes how to wind down and now it is taking a bit of getting used to. This is the festive season now approaching, not really with Christmas in mind at all, but for the village folk it is a time also to recover from the long growing season here which covers…

  • Still Picking Daily Produce For Lunch In Bulgaria

    15 Nov 2009 | 7:53 am
    It is quite a bonus that even in mid November I am still picking fresh peppers and tomatoes from the factory farm daily for my lunch. Even though the main crops of tomatoes and peppers had been harvested and now stored for the winter, the growing continues alongside aubergines that are still being picked. How long these free lunch treats go on for I guess is in the hands of the weather. There is no forecast of sub-zero nights this week, so it will carry on I suppose – To Christmas? Who knows?Cabbages have now been preserved are in a 240 litre barrel of salt water and some cut up peppers,…

  • Tampons - An Inventive Bulgarian Alternative

    8 Nov 2009 | 10:29 am
    I know smoking is bad for you but here in Bulgaria it is considered normal to smoke and unusual not to. This will change as the EU grips Bulgaria by the throat and forces the people there not to smoke by raising the cost of cigarettes tenfold. The cost of cigarettes has double in the last couple of years and is due to increase by another 43% in the New Year, so Bulgarians being Bulgarians find a practical way of dealing with this. The answer they have now is to roll their own cigarettes, which works out at around half the cost of factory made smokes. My partner uses filters in her rolled…

  • Sirni Zagovezni In Bulgaria

    30 Oct 2009 | 2:59 pm
    Welcome to World Blog Surf Day. I hope you enjoyed The Skaian Gates by Yarzac. The theme as you may know is about Holidays and Celebrations and for sure there is bound to be a great varity form around the world. A big thanks to Sher at Czech Off The Beaten Path who again has taking this third World Blog Suf Day event up a league with her dedicated work and excellent communication to participants.I have already written about my favourite celebration in Bulgaria and it has been published in my book Simple Treasures in Bulgaria. If you like what you read I am offering my book (in the ebook…

  • Finally Got A Job In Bulgaria Again

    26 Oct 2009 | 9:45 pm
    Thank you all for all your comments regarding my last post. There is a burning inside me that wants to spill all that happens here but it is being held back by time. It is something that I thought I would have lots of here - this is not the case right now. Far from being a rat race, things just take far longer to do here than in my previous life and trying to acclimatise with this is still something I am trying to fight, although never as much as I used to.After being made redundant here back in 2007, it is with relief that I have now found local work here at the minimum Bulgarian wage…
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    Sovereign Man

  • 3 ways you can save 60% on luxury international flights

    Simon Black
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    After a hard afternoon of jet skiing yesterday, my friends and I came off the water right as the sun was descending in the horizon over the ocean. The sun sets in Thailand in a more vibrant, distinctive way than most other places in the world that I have seen, and quite honestly it can be intoxicating. As we collected our belongings and paid the 1,300 baht fee (roughly $40) for the afternoon rental, we started talking about travel– my friends are returning to Europe tomorrow on Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, which was recently voted ‘the world’s best air carrier’ at…

  • How to send secure email

    Simon Black
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Sending an unsecured email is like shouting something across a crowded room… if you expect the information to be kept private that is probably one of the worst methods available. You might as well rent a billboard so everyone can see. The problem with the internet is that there are so many touch points. Email traffic is routed across a hierarchy of networks, and between the sender, the receiver, the various email hosts, internet service providers, etc., there are a number of nodes that have access to our data. Consequently, network transmissions are anything but private and secure.

  • A few words of optimism amid the gloom

    Simon Black
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    It was a rare, cool evening in Bangkok, so we decided to take a tuk-tuk back to the hotel.  You’ve probably seen them– they’re like open-air rickshaws attached to a lawn mower engine, and the drivers will take you anywhere in town for a buck or two. I was riding with my friend Gianni Kovacevic who had just flown in from Zurich on his way back to Canada; at 35, Gianni is one of Vancouver’s great up and coming dealmakers, and I consider him to be among the finest investment minds I know. To put it even more clearly, I have always made money on his recommendations, and…

  • It’s not your problem, it’s my problem

    Simon Black
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Tony looked the part– measuring tape draped over his shoulder, wire frame spectacles, and ashy hands that had been sullied by the chalk marks he had been making on my garments.  “SAHM SIP!” he said in Thai, announcing my 30-inch waist to an anxious-looking recorder.  The fitting was almost over, and Tony’s crew was about to spend the rest of the evening cranking out an exquisite wardrobe of new clothes for me– pants, shirts, ties, blazer, and a new suit. This is another great reason to come to Thailand… what I call, ‘cutting out the middle…

  • Medical care in Thailand

    Simon Black
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    I was reading a menu, but I wasn’t in a restaurant. Liposuction: $625 Tummy Tuck: $1,250 Breast Enlargement: $1,125 Sex change operation: $1,625 I did a double take. Yep, that wasn’t a misprint. Thailand is renowned for a lot of things– beautiful beaches, crazy nightlife, political instability, etc. One of the things it should be better known for is medical tourism. People often ask me because I travel so much, “Simon, what would you do if something happened to you– wouldn’t you be scared to go to a hospital in a foreign country?” In a word, no. In…
 
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    And She Took Her Journey

  • Last Wish for 5 Year Old Noah

    Donna C. Martinez
    10 Nov 2009 | 7:48 am
    Let's see how many people we can get to do a small act of kindness. This request comes from my brother in MI: A friend of a friend has a 5 year old little boy named Noah who is in the last stages of neuroblastoma cancer (2-1/2 yr battle).The family is celebrating Christmas this week and Noah's request is to get a lot of Christmas cards. Please send to: Noah Biorkman 1141 Fountain View Circle, South Lyon, MI 48178 Let's see how many cards we can get him! Pass it on. And for you Scrooges out there this is TRUE--just check snopes: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/medical/biorkman.asp Read news…

  • Oregon's DHS Directors Message - An important milestone of care - Nov. 6, 2009

    Donna C. Martinez
    9 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm
    November 6, 200 DHS Director's messages on the web To: All DHS employees From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director An important milestone of care "The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." ~Jane Addams Last week in Oregon we reached an important milestone -- more than 100 years of institutionalizing people with disabilities came to an end. Eastern Oregon Training Center (EOTC) in Pendleton shut its doors on October 31. After the closing of Fairview in 2000 and now EOTC, Oregon is one of only a handful of…

  • The Value of Nothing

    Donna C. Martinez
    8 Nov 2009 | 5:32 am
    As my departure draws near and I sense the lengthening of distance coupled with a shortening of time in which to accomplish all the details, I find those items that comprise my to do list take on a much simpler means of completion. I just can't pull myself into my car to make ONE MORE TRIP to the thrift store. So instead, I now spend my day sorting and sifting items for trash and items to post for free on good ol' Craigslist. I even abandon my compelling need to upload photos of those items or details about their dimensions and just write basic almost generic descriptions. I'm amazed at the…

  • FOR RENT-FOR SHARE

    Donna C. Martinez
    7 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pm
    One more stage in my journey has been accomplished. The tickets are bought and the house is up for rent. And while I'm exited about the next phase of my journey I have a little melancholy about it. We have lived in this home the longest that we have at ANY point in our collective lives. Ten years means we have established very meaningful friendships and relationships in our neighborhood and community. Now I understand how difficult it can be for some to move away from a home and friends. However, I'm also happy to know that who ever lives in my home will have the opportunity to experience…

  • Obama to lift HIV/AIDS travel ban - CNN.com

    Donna C. Martinez
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:53 pm
    Big question now is will this affect policies regarding people with disabilities traveling internationally?Obama to lift HIV/AIDS travel ban - CNN.com
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    Earth to Danie

  • Sunday Morning Idea--French Doughnuts

    1 Nov 2009 | 6:05 am
    I woke up this morning with no clear plans.  I was up early (as usual) but with the time change last night, I had an extra hour to myself this morning.  I came into the office and sat at my computer in the dark, and began catching up on the many blogs I rarely seem to have time to read anymore. I'm going to blame Sophistimom for starting the chain reaction this morning.  It was Doughnut Week on her spectacular blog.  Doughnut Week!  A whole week of doughnuts!?!  That's a lot of temptation for someone who is counting calories.  There are no calories in…

  • I Never Really Thought About It Like That - Blog Action Day '09

    15 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am
    Two years ago, I lived in India.  My favorite thing to do while living there was to leave India and go anywhere else--especially Dubai. To do that, I had to fly on an airplane which left a big carbon footprint on the earth--but I had never really thought about it like that at the time. One of our favorite things to do in Dubai was to ski. I thought it was so neat to be able to ski in the Middle East--I wanted everyone I knew to experience it, too. My son came home from school one day and told me that he was discussing Ski Dubai with his friends at school. One of his friends said he…

  • Incredible News for Expat Book Lovers!

    13 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am
    If there is one thing that I love, it's an item that makes life as an expat even just a little bit easier.  That's why I'm so excited about the new Amazon Kindle with US AND International Wireless! This means expats in over 100 countries can now have 3G access to American newspapers and magazines, as well as books, with no annual contracts, no monthly fees and no hunting for wi-fi hotpots. When you travel, you don't have to carry 20lbs of books!  I'm so excited about this new product and what it means to expats!  So much so, I've decided to make my book, The Expat Arc: an…

  • I. AM. CANADIAN.

    12 Oct 2009 | 4:50 am
    Happy Thanksgiving to Canadian friends and family, and to Canadian expats everywhere.  I've seen a lot of expat Twittering in the last 24 hours about people attending expat Thanksgiving dinners around the globe.  I'm happy to see people keeping the tradition of Thanksgiving and sharing it with their host countries. For most Canadians, seeing "I AM CANADIAN" written somewhere immediately invokes the thought of pride.  And beer.  Molson beer, to be exact.  While I wouldn't say it's the best beer that Canada has to offer, it probably has the best marketing campaign. So…

  • Expats and Tax Equalization

    9 Oct 2009 | 10:06 am
    I have a very important tidbit of information for expats regarding tax equalization.  There is one crucial element to tax equalization in order for it to truly benefit the expat.  Read on... Tax equalization very much relates to the arena of international assignments. It all starts when a company takes the decision of sending employees abroad from his headquarters home location and / or from any location / subsidiary to any other location / subsidiary. If the organization is not having a policy to cover international assignments and the tax related issues ,the employee will note…
 
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    MyBrownBaby

  • On the MyBrownBaby Table: Candied Yam Sticky Buns

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:32 pm
    By SHELLEY CHAPMANIn addition to November being my birthday month, I have many reasons to love this time of year—particularly because of all the goodies I get to create and consume. Between Halloween treats, birthday dinners, Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas gatherings and New Year's Eve galas, I often find myself in culinary heaven. In past years, my offerings have been confined to my friends and

  • Come Check Out the ATL Screening Of "Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage."

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:10 pm
    It's no secret I stan hard for Lamar and Ronnie Tyler, the dynamic duo behind the fab, award-winning site BlackandMarriedWithKids.com; they're eloquent, smart, and an incredible example of the beauty that is black love. Indeed, the couple is so passionate about the need for African American men and women to figure out the love thing that they made a movie about it—a ground-breaking documentary

  • Wordless Wednesday: How Not To Talk About Africa

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    I just adore this video, a satire piece by Binyavanga Wainaina of Kenya—and not just because it stars the absolutely delicious Djimon Hounsou. Wainaina uses this thought-provoking, at times comical commentary to point out the more ignorant attitudes that find their way into Western literature and other written stories about Africa. Personally, I think we could sub in pretty much any group—black

  • Styling a Black Girl's Hair Is No Job For Daddies!

    16 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    By MOCHA DADMy daughter, Nee, has absolutely no confidence in my ability to do her hair. Whenever I attempt to style it, she becomes more obnoxious than Rush Limbaugh.Recently, my wife, KayEm, had to run an errand and I thought I would surprise her by combing and styling Nee’s hair (even though, Nee prefers KayEm to do her hair, it’s not a pleasant experience for either party. If you’ve ever

  • Black Moms ARE Different—and That's OK.

    15 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    So, after yet another white mom stomped onto MyBrownBaby accusing me of "segregating" myself for writing about issues affecting black moms, my homegirl Akilah over at the fabulous Execumama told me that I should "never freakin' explain again" why I do what I do. She's right, you know; if people bothered to look around and read the actual content on MyBrownBaby, they wouldn't get hung up on the
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    Czech Off the Beaten Path

  • Happy 20th Anniversary Czech Republic

    18 Nov 2009 | 2:04 am
    Hi Everyone,Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and the fall of communism in what was then Czechoslovakia. It was an exciting day, with celebrations taking part all over the Czech Republic and Slovakia. People were out en masse to enjoy the festivities and commemorations which took place. Jiri and I took part in the re-enactment of the fateful walk thousands of students took back on November 17, 1989. Again, there were thousands of people--covering all ages and walks of life--who took part in this walk yesterday. It all began at Albertov, then went on to the…

  • Berlin Wall Celebrations

    10 Nov 2009 | 6:22 am
    Hi Everyone,Yesterday marked the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Amazing that twenty years have passed since that first moment of people chipping away and bulldozing the Wall. I was living in Oklahoma at the time, and had two young children--ages three and one. I was in the midst of fixing a meal for the kids and I when the news came on TV that the Wall was coming down, and that people were crossing over from East Germany to West Germany and vice versa. I can remember standing in the living room in shock. The Berlin Wall was such an enigma--and one that seemed as if it…

  • WBSD Wrap Up

    3 Nov 2009 | 9:47 am
    Hi Everyone,WBSD was a success once again! Thank you to all you expat bloggers who had posts up on Saturday! All the comments and reactions were very positive to our ring around the world! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as Hospitalera and I did! We got together to celebrate WBSD 3--it was so much fun watching all the posts go live and then surfing from blog to blog!And a huge thank you to Karen, from Empty Nest Expat, for being our live Twitter reporter! You did a great job, Karen! You worked long hours on that...thank you so much!We're planning the next WBSD for just after the…

  • Všech svatých--All Saints Day

    30 Oct 2009 | 3:50 pm
    A very lovely, old Czech cemetery by S. VacikHi Everyone,Welcome to Czech Off the Beaten Path! Today, I'm participating in World Blog Surf Day--an event where expat bloggers come together from around the world. We come together and write on a common theme--the theme for today is "Holidays & Celebrations." All the posts, from the participating bloggers, will be very interesting as we have a very eclectic bunch writing about their favorite holidays in many countries!Another important event, today, is the second anniversary of when I began writing this blog! Hard to believe that it's been…

  • World Blog Surf Day Link List

    28 Oct 2009 | 7:47 am
    Hi Everyone,Three days left till World Blog Surf Day! How are you coming along with your posts???!!! I'm working on mine--and can't wait to post it, along with all of your posts!For those of you who have not heard about World Blog Surf Day, this is an event where expat bloggers, from all over the world, come together on the same day, write on the same theme, and then link their blogs to form a chain of blog posts that will let you "travel" the world from the comfort of your own home! So, be sure to come back on Saturday to enjoy some great reading and learn about life in far away places!Here…
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