Category Archives: Identity

LGBT Resources in Singapore

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Expat Bostonians

***I freely admit my pro-lgbt rights bias, and am openly bisexual. Anti-LGBT comments will be deleted, and you may be banned–because it’s my blog and I don’t have to play fair on this.**** Pink Dot 2013 It’s no secret that … Continue reading →

Posted in Identity, politics, Singapore, Uniquely Singapore | Tagged expat blog singapore, lgbt resources youth, LGBT Singapore, Singapore LGBT resources | 11 Comments

Assimilation: Applying for PR

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Expat Bostonians

On Dec 2, 2013 Ravi and I did something that we had spent countless hours debating–we applied for PR (Permanent Resident) status. 2010–15 month old Elanor. An aunty had given the oranges to her on the MRT. I’d said thank … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Identity, Permanent Residency Process, politics, Singapore | Tagged expat, ica, immigration checkpoint authority, living in singapore, permanent residency, pr application process, pr status process, Singapore, singapore ica, us expat | 9 Comments

In Memoriam…

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Expat Bostonians

In October 2010, I wrote a post called “The Hardest Thing” when my great-aunt passed away. In it, I discuss what it feels like to lose a family member when you’re on the opposite side of the world. On this … Continue reading →

Posted in Identity, Maine, North America, Random Stuff, US | Tagged eulogy, grief, losing a grandparent, loss, memorial | 4 Comments

You drive on the wrong side of the road and other Reverse Culture Shock Moments

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Expat Bostonians

When I first became an expat in 2010, trips home were like a life raft to me. It was the opportunity to return to a world that made sense to me. A return to a land where I wasn’t constantly … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Identity | Tagged American, aunty and uncle, culture shock, drive on the left, drive on the right, Driving, expat blog, expat life, feeling lost and confused in home country, identity, paying for things, reverse culture shock, Singapore, snow | 5 Comments

Reverse Culture Shock–Where did all these white people come from?

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Expat Bostonians

I was torn whether to post this. Discussing race always has the potential to be offensive, especially coming from a white person. However, one of my biggest goals for Expat Bostonians has always been to be honest about my expat … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Culture Shock, Identity, North America, Travel by Continent, Country, US | Tagged culture shock, expat life, feeling out of sync, racial identity, reverse culture shock | 5 Comments

Homeward Bound

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Expat Bostonians

We are visiting Boston for the first time in 16 months this December. It is the longest time we’ve gone without going home since moving to Singapore. We did get back to the US last Nov/December, but it was Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Identity, Random Stuff | Tagged boston, culture shock, expat life, massachusetts, Singapore, us | Comments Off

The Uncomfortable Truth about Toys in Singapore

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Expat Bostonians

Around this time of year I start spending a lot of time at toy stores; Rhi’s second birthday is in October, Ellie turns five in November, and both girls get Christmas gifts. Before I actually went shopping, I began to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Identity, Shopping, Singapore, Third Culture Kids, With Kids | 7 Comments

The Expat Experience and My Relationship-My story

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Expat Bostonians

For a few months now I’ve wanted to start a series of guest posts about how the expat experience can impact a relationship. With all of my medical and life drama, that ended up on the back burner. However, today … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Expat to Expat Advice, Identity, Random Stuff | 4 Comments

Boston, you’re my home

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Expat Bostonians

If you want a rehash of the tragic events of last week in Boston, from the Marathon bombing to the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, go elsewhere. I can’t do it. Every conversation I’ve had for days has gone “Why? I … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Identity, politics | Comments Off

Lapped

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Expat Bostonians

Defining oneself as an expat (at least to me) implies some level of transience. Sometimes it’s a month (as my time in France as a student was), and sometimes it’s years. But you always have the intention of going home…eventually. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Expat to Expat Advice, Identity, Third Culture Kids | 6 Comments