Tag Archives: expat life

California is starting to feel like home

Posted on May 8, 2018 by

I didn’t expect to ever say the words California is starting to feel like home. But it does. I like our little house. I have traded the occasional ant infestation and the even rarer roach sighting for the occasional spider … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to the US, Culture Shock | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“How do you and your kids enjoy life in Singapore?”

Posted on July 7, 2016 by

I’ve recently been emailing with a potential expat. I had a number of Singaporean expats respond to my emails, answer questions, and generally be a great resource for our move. Some of them are now irl friends (or were and … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Attractions, Before the Move, Culture Shock, Expat to Expat Advice, Helpers, Shopping, Singapore, Theater/Shows/Events, Third Culture Kids, Uniquely Singapore, With Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Elanor’s identity

Posted on August 15, 2014 by

Two years ago, Elanor often identified purely as Singaporean or Indian, so we began to explain that she is American.  Not in a “here is our flag, learn the pledge, sing patriotic songs, learn the composition of congress” way, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Holidays, Identity, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Boston and Singapore are the same place

Posted on January 28, 2014 by

It occurred to me while home that in some ways, Singapore throughout the year and Boston in winter are the exact same place. Weather The weather is often so extreme that people stay indoors.  In Singapore we complain that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Culture Shock, North America, Pictures, Singapore, Travel by Continent, Country, US | Tagged , , , , , ,

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

Posted on January 20, 2014 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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

Posted on January 16, 2014 by

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 , , , , | 5 Comments

Homeward Bound

Posted on October 18, 2013 by

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 , , , , ,