Well, it’s been five months since we repatriated back to the US. For so long all I thought about was what life would look like when we returned, both professionally and personally. I felt so ready for the change, but I think I forgot to properly prepare everyone else for the up and down emotions!... Continue Reading →
Time of my life
I’ve been trying for weeks to put into words how I feel about leaving SH. It’s been two months of goodbyes, last time at this restaurant or last date night or last friend coffee, and I have to say I am exhausted by it all. We have had some truly memorable moments over the past... Continue Reading →
The language of fun
We attended our last SH birthday party over the weekend. As I stood there listening to the Spanish being spoken all around me, it clarified something for me. SH is not just about speaking English or Mandarin. It is not a black and white experience where you interact with either people who speak your native... Continue Reading →
Tokyo, revisited
We returned to Tokyo last week for a final family vacation. Previously it was one of the places we thought was the least kid-friendly to visit, but for several reasons we decided to give it one last go. We had two days visiting traditional Japanese sights, and two days at Disneyland. I made the smart... Continue Reading →
Our last has his first: happy birthday, Zach!
Our baby boy turns one today. It was a year of crazy ups and downs, phases that felt endless and stages that pass in the blink of an eye. After your first child you think you’re ready for it all, but there are always new worries that crop up, and each child has different innate... Continue Reading →
A tale of two Singapores
We just came back from a family vacation in Singapore. It was a quick trip, ostensibly just to see the zoo and to revisit a few of the places that we had enjoyed on our first trip to Singapore two and a half years ago. Our first vacation there was our first major trip in... Continue Reading →
The best and worst of Shanghai–making friends and saying goodbye
This post originally appeared on Shanghai Mamas. You can find the article here: http://shanghaimamas.org/the-best-and-worst-of-shanghai-making-friends-saying-goodbye/ Spring. The dreaded time of year in Shanghai when we tally up all the friends who have just told us they are leaving as soon as school lets out. And every year it seems like a bigger number than the year... Continue Reading →
Travel tips for families: part 2
A few days ago I gave you my best travel tips, and now I want to share some thoughts on Asian holiday locations with kids. This list is, of course, totally subjective, and opinions change wildly depending on the age of your kids, who you’re traveling with (friends, ayis, grandparents, or just the core fam),... Continue Reading →
Travel tips for families: part 1
After three and a half years and over 60 flights(!) with kids, we’ve become efficient with our travel process. I wanted to share a few tips I find helpful when flying/traveling with little ones, as well as some places we loved with kids, and some I recommend avoiding until the kids are older. This is... Continue Reading →
Highlights from our travels in Asia
As our time as expats winds down, I can't help but think of all our adventures throughout Asia during our three years here. Below are some of my favorite shots from some of the coolest sites we saw. I will have a "best of" post coming soon, with details of our favorites places to take... Continue Reading →
International Women’s Day 2019
This post originally appeared on Shanghai Mamas. You can check out the post here: http://shanghaimamas.org/international-womens-day-2019/ Happy Women’s Day, Mamas! March 8th marks the 110th International Women’s Day, and countries like China are celebrating with lectures, lunches, and sometimes even work holidays for women. In the last decade, International Women’s Day has become a lot higher... Continue Reading →
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy New Year, everyone! I am sad that my “dog baby’s” year is over, but excited for whatever the year of the pig has in store. This year we didn’t know my husband’s travel schedule in time to book a getaway to a warm, tropical island. So, our CNY was spent right here in Shanghai.... Continue Reading →
Shanghai Mamas blog post: A time for reflection
Below is a piece I wrote for Shanghai Mamas. The original post can be found here. If you are a mama in Shanghai and haven't yet joined the Shanghai Mamas tribe, now is your chance! Head on over to their site and check out all the great events they put on and the advice they... Continue Reading →
Better Me, Better You
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Meirav Shacked, an Israeli living in China for seven years. Meirav is a small business owner here, the kind of expat who sees a gap in this fast-paced and dynamic market and creates a business out of that gap. But let’s first back up to the... Continue Reading →
Perception vs. Reality
There are so many ways that living abroad is universal regardless of your location or home country. It takes a while to assimilate into any a new place and learn a new language, but some places are just naturally magnets for expats like Shanghai. As a foreigner here, you are in good company with several... Continue Reading →
What does an ex-pat need to be successful in Shanghai?
As I was once told by another ex-pat, people who take on this lifestyle are generally of a similar mindset. Most of us living abroad are naturally open to adventure, meeting new people, seeing new places, and challenging ourselves to adjust our ways of thinking. But even the most adventurous folks could use a roadmap... Continue Reading →
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind. –... Continue Reading →
My baby is three
Today our older son turns three. If you asked me on the day he was born if we'd be headed to Thailand for a quick vacation on his third birthday I'd say you were nuts. But then again, pretty much everything since that first day has been one crazy adventure after another. The stars haven't... Continue Reading →
Giving birth in China: part 2
A few months ago, we had our second son here in Shanghai. Now that it’s all said and done it feels like a total nonevent, but it certainly was a common topic of conversation leading up to the big day. I was asked by family and expat friends alike how I felt about giving birth... Continue Reading →
An Ocean Away 