Although it can be said that Panama’s environment is much safer than most Latin American countries, recent events of the past months bore witness to foreign victims of violent crimes. Thus, the question regarding how truly safe it is for foreigners living in Panama is thrust back into limelight.
I recall a recent conversation with a [...]
Yipee! Today the Korea Herald's Expat Living section published my interview with style and fashion icon, Diane Pernet. That was really exciting. I saw her the second day of the event when she got out of a vehicle when I was talking to a few attendees. I'd read that she was coming and I was like "Wow! There she is!" I had to explain who she was because, for people who don't know about her, all
Today the Korea Herald published my interview with two of the performers in Cirque du Soleil's Alegría. Alegría opened in Seoul last Wednesday and I had a chance to go see it on Friday. It was my first Cirque du Soleil show. I have to say, I'd heard they put on amazing shows. I just never realized how amazing they were.Cirque du Soleil has been around for years, but when they hit big in the
Italian expat opened recently a salon with the charming name "Le salon de poche", in our quartier at 83 rue de Charenton Paris 12. Andrea is happy to do your (women & men) haircuts, color and extensions while talking French, Italian or English with you.For appointments call: 0143441330Andrea has not a website yet but you can look Le Salon de Poche up on google maps
image by mr brown I have been reading some forum threads at ExpatSingapore.com written by expat parents in Singapore worried that their children are growing up not understanding how privileged they are. This is a very interesting topic and something to consider if you are embarking on the expat life and this is my take on the subject.There is no doubt that we are privileged living as expats here i
Today, I gave a one hour lecture to a room full of NCKU Taiwanese students. The topic I was asked to talk about was “Taiwan’s English language Blogosphere”.
Following is the presentation I ended up with
It looks much better when not embedded, download it here.
I gave an overview of some interesting blogs and bloggers I [...]
Hot fun in the summertime ;)Here is my Korea Herald interview with Death Cab for Cutie.[Regina Walton's Expat Interviews] An exclusive with Death Cab for CutieSummertime in Seoul, as in most cities, is a great time for concerts and festivals. Seo Tae-ji's 2008 ETP Festival didn't disappoint; a wide range of rock acts were brought to Seoul. On the same day, there was Marilyn Manson, one of PETA's 2
Depending on where you make your home as an expat, you may be pleasantly oblivious to North American news. But, like a bad case of malaria the negative world of English news can come back and sucker punch you when you least expect it. Don’t let their fear paralyze you- use it to empower you.What you’ve got to do is decipher what is ‘real’ and what is ‘imaginary’. Sober yourself by sepa
James at American in Amsterdam posted some useful reference information this week: I took his advice to pick up some breakdown insurance with ANWB. I've always been a member of the AAA, a similar service in the US, and have gotten great value for the membership over the years. The AAA provides road service, maps and trip books, and bail bond services (better than dropping off my dri
CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS.Knowledge Migrants People from all over the world come to live in the Netherlands for a variety of reasons. If you are a knowledge migrant, you can now complete certain procedures at the Expatcenter in a simplified and more timely procedure. The Expatcenter is currently being run as a pilot partnership between the Municipalities of Am
What I didn't realize when starting my interviews was the lag time between speaking with someone and getting it to print. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Chang in early June at the R-16 b-boy dance competition. However, it's just making it to print today and it's almost two months later.This interview is only around 600 words, so it's pretty short and leaves out some other things I aske
If you are thinking of relocating overseas for the expat lifestyle then this article could be just the start of your journey. If you are already overseas, what do you think of the findings? I was surprised with some of the destinations that came up, though overall it is a pretty fair assessment,Forbes brings us the story of the World's Best Places to be an expat. according to a HSBC Bank Internati
A bit of a change this time around. This is my first interview with non-expatriates. So it's not quite "Expat Interviews" this time but more like "An Interview That Might Interest Expats." This a interview I had with a Korean band called The Ratios. I met them because I interview Lee Juyoung at Seoul Fashion Week back in March. She's married to the lead singer, Kim Bada. I chose them because t
I'm laying low these days with blogging because, as I've written, it's just time to spruce up my personal life and focus on some other things.However, I have been plugging away at getting interviews for my Korea Herald column. I've got a few interesting people lined up to write about. I've also been working behind the scenes with the Look to the Stars website that I write for. With that, I'm hel
I have moved to the US from Canada but have significant debt in Canada including CCRA, Student Loans and Credit Cards. I have no assets in Canada but have purchased a house and vehicle in the US. Can I file for Bankruptcy in Canada while I am living in the US? If I do will [...]
For business people and expats who want a home away from home in Thailand, Bangkok’s Sukhumvit district is the place to be. This area of the capital, located southeast of the busy downtown area, is full of high quality hotels and condominiums. Recent sales figures show that the area is increasing in popularity and value for those who want a home here
This was an interview I was really excited to get because this is DMC!!! DMC of Run-DMC!!! Wow!He's performing tomorrow night, June 18th, so if you're in Seoul, you should really make the effort to be there.Enjoy.Darryl McDaniels, better known as DMC, is one third of the legendary rap group Run-DMC. Run-DMC pioneered many firsts for hip-hop artists. The most important first was being the first ra
When asked to describe his art, Parisian artist Alexandre Kolinka said it`s "immersive and interactive video art." Kolinka explains that he got his start as a video performance artist. "I`m coming from parties and real-time creations, so what I`m used to is a lot of real-time creations. What I`m doing now is video installations that stay longer in time, so that people can enjoy them longer. But I
Oooooh, therapy time, people!I've had to shake some of my family members over the years. Bless their hearts, they meant well, but they needed to be shaken straight. And shake them, I did.It would really make me mad to hear something like, "You're great aunt Carmie passed away two weeks ago. It was a lovely funeral." What? You couldn't tell me sooner so I could at least pay my respects and con
... est en ligne depuis ce soir!
Jugez par vous même :)
(22h40, samedi 24 Mai 2008)
Merci à Olivier, Hervé et Benjamin!
Que de travail! Dans un très prochain billet, je vous présenterai les nouvelles ambitions du site. Mais pour l'instant, j'ai plutôt envie d'un bon cocktail dans un bar de Grand Baie ;-) je crois que je le mérit
... est en ligne depuis ce soir!
Jugez par vous même :)
(22h40, samedi 24 Mai 2008)
Merci à Olivier, Hervé et Benjamin!
Que de travail! Dans un très prochain billet, je vous présenterai les nouvelles ambitions du site. Mais pour l'instant, j'ai plutôt envie d'un bon cocktail dans un bar de Grand Baie ;-) je crois que je le mérit
... est en ligne depuis ce soir!
Jugez par vous même :)
(22h40, samedi 24 Mai 2008)
Merci à Olivier, Hervé et Benjamin!
Que de travail! Dans un très prochain billet, je vous présenterai les nouvelles ambitions du site. Mais pour l'instant, j'ai plutôt envie d'un bon cocktail dans un bar de Grand Baie ;-) je crois que je le mérit
[Regina Walton's Expat Interviews] 'Kid Millionaire' spins in SeoulThere is much buzz surrounding Steve Aoki, aka, Kid Millionaire, his companies, and his celebrity lifestyle. Was I going to meet someone who is caught up in the glitz of it all -- or was I going to meet someone who is successful in his own right, but is also a nice person to talk to?He turned out to be a nice guy.I spoke to Aoki ju
I found this meme recently on the Expat Travels - From Switzerland to Canada blog. If you're reading this and you're an expat, consider yourself tagged. You can even copy the five questions into a comment below.5) Name five things you love in your new country:- Kindness of the people- There's always something to celebrate- Endless variety of new foods to try- Household staff- My circle of frien
I'm so excited that Jill at The Perlman Update is reviewing The Expat Arc today. Jill and I met online recently when she started her research for her upcoming move from Tel Aviv to Chennai. She's read my book and now she knows what's in store for her in India.Don't worry, Jill, I know a good Snake Guy...and all the best places for dessert.
Today, I'll be in Australia, but lucky for you, you won't need a passport to join me.Suzer, an American expat in Australia, is reviewing The Expat Arc at Suzer's Expat Adventures. Drop in with your comments or questions.G'day mate! I bet she loves getting to say that.
Expat’s safety letter leads to child-seat drive for parents - Singapore
She wrote to hospital, which approached police, who in turn roped in Volvo
By Carolyn Quek
SAFETY FIRST: Mrs Susie Lawson, seen here with her son Harry, said it was second nature for parents in Australia to put children in car seats. — ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK [...]
Source: The Nation
Building on the success of its previous MFC - the Nichada Thani Property Fund (MNIT), which had 10 dividend payments worth Bt158 million - MFC Asset Management recently launched yet another closed-end fund, this time also partnering with Nichada Thani.
Like MNIT, the Bt1.075-billion Multi-National Residence Fund will invest in properties with a large [...]
Today I was reminded of the most difficult part of being an expat. My grandfather passed away. Coping with death is the worst part of living abroad. Nothing can wait for you while you live on the other side of the earth.This is the second time I've had a death in the family since I arrived in China. The last time was at the end of my first month here and I received the news via e-mail. At least today my parents were able to call and wake me up.I'll have to hold my own memorial with my wife here. She was fortunate enough to meet my grandfather during our vacation. Now she's trying to anything she can to make me feel better--and that's not an easy task. I just wish it was easier to travel.
[Regina Walton's Expat Interviews] A way to break down prejudices Adalia Ellis came to Korea in 2002 as an English teacher, but left a completely different person. "The first year and a half to two years I was here is was what gave me meaning for being in Korea beyond just teaching English. I loved it. It was a magical time."Adalia and I met when we attended a get together for blacks who where living in Seoul. Over dinner, I found out that had been an avid salsa dancer and also a dance teacher. Like me, she'd also been in Korea for a few years. When you talk to Adalia you immediately notice her open and welcoming spirit.Ellis left Korea just last month but while she was here, she was active with one of her other passions -- dance. Her earliest memories of dance are when she was a young gir
[Regina Walton's Expat Interviews] A way to break down prejudices Adalia Ellis came to Korea in 2002 as an English teacher, but left a completely different person. "The first year and a half to two years I was here is was what gave me meaning for being in Korea beyond just teaching English. I loved it. It was a magical time."Adalia and I met when we attended a get together for blacks who where living in Seoul. Over dinner, I found out that had been an avid salsa dancer and also a dance teacher. Like me, she'd also been in Korea for a few years. When you talk to Adalia you immediately notice her open and welcoming spirit.Ellis left Korea just last month but while she was here, she was active with one of her other passions -- dance. Her earliest memories of dance are when she was a young gir
Half funny, half true...Heavenly Father,Look down on us your humble obedient expat wives, who are doomed to travel this earth following our loved ones, through their working lives, to lands unknown.We beseech you, oh Lord, to see that our plane is not hijacked or doesn't crash, our luggage is not lost or pillaged and our overweight baggage goes unnoticed.Give us this day, divine guidance in our selection of houses, maids and drivers. We pray the the telephone works, the roof does not leak, the lightbulbs quietly terminate without shorting out the house or exploding, that the power cuts are few and the rats and cockroaches even fewer.Lord, please lead us to good, inexpensive restaurants where wine is included in the meal and the food does not cause dysentery. Have mercy upon us Lor
The Korea Herald: Regina Walton's Expat Interviews - Schulte's wines fill a void in SeoulWhile Seoul might not be New York City or London, it does have many interesting activities and events. Some of the more worthy of note are wine tasting events put on by Dan Schulte, CEO of Pieroth Wines, Korea.Considering that I use wine tasting events to prove that Seoul is moving up in the culture ranks, imagine my excitement when I heard that there was a new wine bar in Seoul. Imagine my additional excitement when I heard that this wine bar was operated by none other than Dan Schulte and his associates at Pieroth Wines."It's just one of those things that you happen to be in the right place in the right time," said Schulte on how he found the position with Pieroth Wines.After working in Japan for two
The Korea Herald: Regina Walton's Expat Interviews - Schulte's wines fill a void in SeoulWhile Seoul might not be New York City or London, it does have many interesting activities and events. Some of the more worthy of note are wine tasting events put on by Dan Schulte, CEO of Pieroth Wines, Korea.Considering that I use wine tasting events to prove that Seoul is moving up in the culture ranks, imagine my excitement when I heard that there was a new wine bar in Seoul. Imagine my additional excitement when I heard that this wine bar was operated by none other than Dan Schulte and his associates at Pieroth Wines."It's just one of those things that you happen to be in the right place in the right time," said Schulte on how he found the position with Pieroth Wines.After working in Japan for two
Today, I was told that I am self-indulgent for self-publishing my book by someone who is supposed to promote my project. I hope it will be good promoting, not the bad kind of promoting. I'm a self-professed chocoholic...self-indulgence is not foreign to me by any means. Plus, I live in India...self-indulgence is just what I do to get by.So, self-publishing it is, which means, self-marketing is right on its heels. I'm really getting into this whole 'pajama promotion' thing. When researching ways of promoting my book--because I can't expect my family to sell every copy by peddling it on the street--I discovered the "Virtual Book Tour." And I (heart) this idea.If you are an active expat blogger and might be interested in hosting/participating in The Expat Arc Virtual Book Tour, please e
Regina Walton's Expat Interviews - Duerden delivers goods for KOTRA Anyone who lives in South Korea knows that this country is seriously trying to attract foreign investment. And with foreign investment come the foreigners who live in Korea to do business and invest in the economy here.For Korea, that means making the country an attractive place for foreigners and their families to live. The Korea Trade-Investment Agency has a website called Invest Korea Online and it also publishes the Invest Korea Journal.The man behind this is Charles A. Duerden, the public relations director for KOTRA. Like the foreigners Korea wants to attract, Charles is someone who is not only living and working in South Korea but is also raising a young family here.Duerden is Canadian and has lived in here since 19
My second Expat Interview makes it to print. Check it out:Live Comedy Brings Laughs to SeoulitesIt's always amazing to find that people you know have interests similar to your own. It creates a strong bond and also sometimes sets the stage for collaboration -- as Kirstie Bromenshenk found out firsthand.From Billings, Montana, Bromenshenk has lived in Korea for 10 years. She chose Korea as her new home for the thrill and excitement of living abroad, and like many of us, for the chance to travel.Before moving to Korea she earned a master's degree in English literature and literary theory and taught literature, research writing, and composition courses at Montana State University-Billings. With her theater background, Bromenshenk was involved in directing and producing plays in Montana.She h
You know you are an expatriate kid when 1. You flew before you could walk 2. You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?" 3. You have a passport, but no driver's license 4. You watch National Geographic specials and recognize someone 5. You run into someone you know at every airport 6. You have a time zone map next to your telephone 7. Your life story uses the phrase "Then we went to..." five times 8. You speak with authority on the quality of airline travel 9. National Geographic (or the travel channel) makes you homesick 10. You read the international section before the comics 11. You live at school, work in the tropics, and go home for vacation 12. You don't know where home is 13. You sort your friends by continent 14. Someone brings up the name of a team,
'The era of the Private Landlord, with most of them being expats, is finally here,' goes the revelation by the Resale and Rental Property Show (R&R Show), which is the biggest local Property show in Dubai.According to the statistics revealed by the show, among the 2500 visitors who participated in the show, 41% already owns property in Dubai, while 35% were on the look out for a property and 64% were to decide on buying or renting out and those owning and living in their own property touched 36%. As far as Dubai's realty sector is concerned, this turns out to be a positive indication.According to the Marketing Director, DSL Exhibitions, Tessa Morris, although the percentage of private landlords who still seek to rent out or sell their properties remained at 11%, the figures this year, represents steady increase in comparison to the previous shows.The R&R Show, which caters to the growing local market, revealing the dynamic nature of Dubai property market through useful surve
Inspired by Preya’s recent post on Dreaming of Hanoi…
A while back Alex and I were hunting through the web for the perfect quote to laser engrave on my new iPod Nano. Which, I might add, was quite a hassle because for some reason I can not think of my own favorite quote. I must have one, but I seem to be unable to recall what it is on my own (even now, weeks later, this continues to be somewhat of a problem). And, thus, Alex was forced to spend day and night scouring every lame quotes website available to find something that:
a) represents me (oddly, somehow easier for him than for me - what does that mean?)
b) is short enough to fit on back of the iPod
c) is not too serious
d) is easy to understand should anyone happen to pick up the iPod and glance at the back
In the end we settled on a Tolkien quote (well, the one line of the poem that would fit on the back of an iPod) that Alex’s dad read at our wedding (which can still work me up into tears if I think about it):
Since I've opened my blog for other writters to contribute their own articles about Asian women, Asian society and Asian culture, I've received some great contributions from my different readers. Today's post is a contribution from Grace S. Yang of Berkeley, California, USA.Grace Yang was born and raised in the United States of America and is currently living and working in China. Her articles contain her experiences of the Asian culture.Why choose Asia as a place for retirement?My mom, who is Chinese, just moved back to China from the United States after living there for over 25 years. She moved here in her old age because the cost of living is much lower here, and for her, there is much more entertainment for her to enjoy.In China, my mom is able to make her schedule full without feeling like she is splurging: professional massages, facials, spas, and hair treatments - each one visited at least once every two weeks, and plus she hardly ever needs to cook as she used to in the Stat
Blogadr Update. - United States Personal BlogCHINABLOG: Everything you never knew you didn't know about life on the other side.chinablog, china blog, us blog, personal blog, personal, us personal blog, united state blog, united state personal blog, united+state, beijing life
One of my absolute favorite things to do is read the blogs of other expats - it doesn’t matter what country they’re in, I just love reading about their adventures.
So, I am very pleased to share with you the Expat Women blog database. There are around 140 expat blogs listed (all written by women), including my own. Many (if not all) of the blog authors are also mentors for Expat Women - helping women transition to life in their new country.
Another favorite site of mine is Expat Blog - the online exptriate community. Here you can find links to many blogs, written by both men and women, about their expat experiences. All of these blogs are self-submitted and could be about any aspect of expat life.
Are there any other expat blog databases out there?
Everyone and their dog seems to be running up lists of blogs these days, so I thought it was time us expat bloggers got in on the act. Why though? Well, it helps everyone on the list get a few more links for their site and thereby improve the visibility and hence traffic of their blog.
The idea is a simple one and was pinched from the idea of the T-List which lists travel blogs itself copied from the Z List, originally launched by Mack Collier of Viral garden. I shamelessly pinched the original of this from Ministry of Propaganda.
Coming soon are the rest of the world… there are wayyyyy too many expat bloggers to put in one list!
What you do is:
Write a post titled “The Expat List”
Copy the links below into it
If you’re an expat blogger not on the list, add yourself
Add any additional expat blogs that you know of (English language only please for the moment)
Notify the blogger you got the list from in a comment to their post.
Note that cut & paste doesn&
Well, I made it to San Francisco with no problems. The weather cleared up sufficiently by Friday and I was relieved to make it to California without any problems.Lately, I have been experiencing expat blues. I am sure those of you out there that are expats can understand. I was starting to miss America and I still want to move back. However, I realize now, home is where your heart is. Before we moved in January 2006 to Duesseldorf, Germany I was so excited and couldn't wait. I was bad-mouthing the US and especially the politics of the US. After I arrived in Germany, with the cold and snowy conditions, I was starting to miss San Francisco again almost immediately. 2006 was a rough year for myself and especially for my partner and his family. That only exacerbated the problem.Now that I am back in San Francisco visiting friends and enjoying myself, I am really missing my partner and my newly adopted puppy, Jack--a Yorkshire Terrier. I guess the old saying, the grass is always greener on
