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I had considered our move to France as a transition between expatriations, a year stint max. Yet, we’ll soon be celebrating our second anniversary in the country .. in our first family house! Our move to France started off on the wrong foot.. It all started because of the stupid French laws: you are not allowed to rent a house in the country if you … Continue reading House renovation .. ETA in 3 weeks!
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“Be real, be you, be authentic“, “Stay true, stay authentic” “Be authentic, create your own story“ combien de posts LinkedIn devons nous encore subir pour capituler et être enfin nous même? Belle rhétorique! Mais lorsque j’explique à ma conseillère emploi que je postule à un poste de responsable de partenariats sociaux dans une belle fondation européenne, son avis est un ordre : « Efface tout de suite … Continue reading L’obsession de l’authenticité: To be or not to be?
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A story about art, perception and love After months and months of house hunting, we finally found The One ! Everybody agrees it’s a great family place, gigantic garden, so much light.. All is perfect until you look up at the ceiling.. “too gross!” for the kids “incredibly vulgar” according to our neighbor “a masterpiece, you must keep it! you’ve got a real treasure!” begs … Continue reading The treasures we found in our new house!
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India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam.. Our traveling children flew before they could walk, are fluent in 3 languages, and have always been the most enthusiastic travel buddies e-ver ! Until recently.. Time to listen to the kids Although the kids experienced a serious culture shock the first year of French school, they have proved to be much more resilient than me. While I was … Continue reading 20 years overseas.. Time to plant our roots (first one of OUR HOUSE series!)
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Yang and Yin I love resolutions! It’s all about planning, achieving, sweating to finally become the best version of ourselves. It’s firmness, determination, action. We are reaching out of our comfort zone and it feels great (especially if we manage to achieve one!) It’s all Yang energy: it’s active, invigorating and exciting. Yet, we can’t always be Yang. Life itself is a balance between action … Continue reading New Year Resolutions revisited
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I had a surgery earlier this week. Like most human beings, I didn’t know what to expect and I felt very vulnerable. From the cold waiting room I was witnessing a ballet of masked people dressed in blue or white, running around frantically like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. “I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!“ A robot nurse called my name after 30min … Continue reading Day 23: Tell someone you love them and why
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Did you know that in winter, we should practice slow sports? Activities should represent the season with a turn inwards, with more self-reflection, quiet time writing, meditating, reading and other soul-nourishing activities. Winter is a time to slow down and feed ourselves both physically and spiritually. Internal martial arts and meditative practices are particularly helpful at this time of year. There are wonderful ways to … Continue reading Day 22: try a low impact sport
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Those are my favorite shoes ever, Ferragamo Suede Stilettos: Red, feminine, Italian of course. Yet they have spent so many years in the darkness of my closets – blame it on our years in Asia: Vietnamese and Filipino sidewalks are definitely not made for heels so I wore Nike instead, swapping style for comfort. I couldn’t even wear them for diners at friends: in Asia … Continue reading Day 21: wear your favorite outfit today
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I can live for 2 months on a good compliment Mark Twain Same for me! Last month as I was walking my son back from school, a young lady looked at me and said “You have such a contagious smile!”. At first I thought I misheard her so she repeated her compliment and I felt so awkward. My smile grew even bigger when I thanked … Continue reading Day 20: give 5 compliments today
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Ever heard about the Pennebaker method? James Pennebaker was a famous teacher whose private life had turned miserable. He was depressed, drank too much and became more and more isolated. He was falling into depression when one morning, he sat in front of his typewriting machine and let himself write every emotion he was feeling. He wrote with his heart, not with his head, being … Continue reading Day 19: journal for 15 mn
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When I am asked if I miss our expatriate years, I sometimes say yes, especially for the kindness and the respectful manners of Asian people. But it there is one priceless thing I love here, it’s spending time outside, especially in Autumn. This is what it looks like: A demain ! Continue reading Day 18: spend time outside (a postcard from home)
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Do you think that organized people are just too lazy to go looking for what they want? Or secretly admire them? I tend to appreciate my little mess, but I am giving a go for today challenge, as I feel it can only do me good – and to the rest of the family too. So l looked into the Marie Kondo program and I … Continue reading Day 17: reorganize closets (special guest: Marie Kondo!)
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Fondue season is officially open ! It takes special skill to eat fondue: the precise movement of the wrists to make sure the bread is covered in enough cheese and the attention required to not drop your bread in the fondue. Fondue is a typical French/Swiss winter meal. However, Swiss fondue uses either Gruyere or Emmenthal cheese whereas French fondue uses either French Emmenthal or … Continue reading Day 16: Try a new form of movement
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A little throwback to our Vietnamese years, when my daughter was joining my yoga practice in the studio too. The Iyengar teacher, Willie, would know exactly how to inspire her, pushing her when she felt she could and respecting the times when my daughter was not in the mood for challenges. She made lots of progresses, thanks to the special bound she had created with … Continue reading Day 15: breathe deeply and with intention for 5 mn
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1. I want to believe I m a good friend (as all my friends are !)2. I am always eager to try and learn something new . And share it. And have more curious and passionated people in my team 🙂3. I am a blessed and proud Mum and I have an awesome family4. I am always ready to set up an apéro at home … Continue reading Day 14: list 5 things that are great about yourself (nothing physical )
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There were few yesterday: lunch with my Mum, managed to go through the French homework of my daughter without losing my schmidt (true French doesn’t make sense, true, we strive on exceptions to the rules), new students enrolling to my next Yin workshop, organizing a real family lunch with all of us (parents, cousins, grand parents, brothers, sisters…), and The story of the Bike: Most … Continue reading Day 13: at the end of the day write down 5 things that went well
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Moshe Feldenkrais has been my mentor for years. His philosophy on movement and neuroplasticity never ceases to amaze me. “Movement is life. Life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself”. His words are the roots of my yoga practice and teachings. Looking for ways to improve my mental wellbeing, I followed my friends’ advice and … Continue reading Day 12: Try something for the first time (like a session with a kinesiologist!)
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No social media allowed. OK it was not quiet, but it was reading and it was fun! There is so much mindfulness one can endure in a single week A demain ! Continue reading Day 11: Schedule 30 mn of quiet reading
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Today, I am bone tired, soul tired, heart tired exhausted This post will be more personal, as writing helps me in dealing with my emotions, and I really need to stretch my mind and my heart in an efficient way. I have just learnt that my father’s health was “not at its best”, to put it like an Englishman. It came as a shock as … Continue reading Day 10: Stretching (the one I need help with)
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Meditation.. Each time I start teaching this topic, I have the usual reactions. The “I hear you sister”: they are in the VIP group, they practice, they know. The “Eyebrow raisers”: they are expecting the Guru stuff and hope it won’t last long. The “Nervous”: they are dreading this moment because they “just can’t meditate, really can’t” So let me explain why I meditate. No … Continue reading Day 9: Meditate
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Ever heard about the Power of Kindness? There have been significant studies on this topic that I find fascinating; Treating other people well isn’t just good for your karma. It’s also a boost for your mental and physical health: It is good for the heart – When someone does something truly kind for you, not only do our emotions take over and physical expressions of … Continue reading Day 8: do something kind for someone
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There is almost a contradiction between ” French” and “no complaining”. We French do complain. All the time. About anything and everything. It’s in our DNA, as striking is a Nation Sport for us. It’s not a bad thing: Our brain (and yours!) constantly thinks negative thoughts about the future and has a negative bias. The bias and discernment developed in the primal era because it … Continue reading Day 7: No complaining Day
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Have your heard about the power of creative visualisation? It’s as simple as using mental imagery and affirmation to produce positive changes in your life. As you practice visualizing the future you want, you create that future Be precise, be specific and the more details the best… Visualise We have decided to buy a house in France, where we are currently living. It will be … Continue reading Day 6: Draw your dream house
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Day 5: Cook a healthy meal for yourself Meet with The Man whose cooking enlightened our months of lockdown (and beyond). I had tried all the rice recipes of the universe, and I couldn’t stand Asian food anymore. Out of despair, I had enrolled into the Masterclasses and opted for a Middle Eastern Cooking Class hoping that different tastes and flavors would inspire me .. … Continue reading Day 5 : with Yotam Ottolenghi
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Have you ever noticed how some people drain your energy? You can meet them in the real life, but also on social media in books and movies. Do you notice how your body reacts? this feeling of uncomfort that lingers inside of you until it gets very irritating? On the other side are the Real Friends. Idealistically you should have the following ones: The 6 … Continue reading Day 4: Unfollow people who do not inspire you
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The antidote to the season’s blues Welcome to fall: Days get shorter, nights get longer, we feel more and more compelled to stay inside. It’s almost time to pull our complaints about winter out of storage! For some of us, fall is the start of the dread SAS (Seasons Affected Disorder) that will sap our energy and make us feel moody until we can feel … Continue reading Let’s build a positive and warm community: Welcome to the November Challenge
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What’s wrong with the Frenchies??? Our family has been living in France for a year now and (thanks God!) I still can’t fit in. Yes they have great cheeses, awesome wine, but their manners … We have been living in Asia for last 15 years, in countries where loosing face is simply humiliating. Out of respect, it is sometimes best to let someone be wrong … Continue reading I am French but I don’t get them
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… and became the super proud Mum of a 12 year old!!! This morning, as I hugged this Princess Happy Birthday, I couldn’t believe she was already taller than me. Not that I am really the model size with my 5.2 ft, but still.. 12 years old.. In only 5 years she’ll be excitedly applying to universities abroad, and I can’t yet believe I’ll be … Continue reading I blinked again…
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How do you approach autumn? do the falling leaves make you sad or are you too eager to snuggle under your warm blanked with a hot cocoa to even notice? Autumn has its kind of magic, here are 4 ways to discover them Continue reading 4 reasons to fall for Autumn
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Ravie d’annoncer qu’après des mois en zone de turbulence “choc culturel”, nous nous sommes enfin posés en France. La rentrée s’est bien passée pour les Attilas, en CM2 et en 5eme. Des emplois du temps de dingue pour ma collégienne, mais cette année je me plains moins et j’agis plus, comme vous le decouvrirez dans cet autre blog – qui sera plus dedié à ma … Continue reading Nouveau venu !
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Finalement leurs yeux ronds, leurs longs cils recourbés et leurs cheveux dorés ne seraient plus leurs marques distinctives! Ils allaient enfin comprendre tout ce qui trame dans la cour de récré. Apres avoir étudié en Thaïlande, aux Philippines puis au Vietnam, Maelle et Léandre, 20 ans à eux 2, étaient surexcites de rejoindre les bancs de l’école en France! Mais les bancs se sont vite … Continue reading Testé pour vous: une année a l’école en France (rassurez moi et dites moi que mon cas est unique!)
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This is the first time and hopefully the last that a war is raging at our borders. I have first turned into a news junky, reading everything and being stucked the Ukraine feed. It didnt help with the stress and the sadness I have felt in being a useless bystander; So I decided to compartimentalize, to select the news I would read and dedicate only … Continue reading Feeling Helpless? help someome!
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“Comment? Toi as le Covid, avec tout le yoga que tu fais?” “Purée tu es toujours positive? tu vois que ca sert a rien ces vaccins !” “tu sais le cousin du cousin d’Arthur est reste positif des mois! sans sortir!” Si seulement les esprits fermés venaient avec des bouches fermées ! Dans cette très etrange periode que nous traversons tous, être positif au Covid … Continue reading Une Covid, des émotions et un mojo retrouvé !
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Une petite question innocente et plutôt bienveillante posée à la fin de cet entretien sur l’impatriation. Une simple phrase de politesse qui m’a totalement déstabilisée. “On a beaucoup parle de la famille et de la gestion du stress de vos enfants. Avant de conclure, une derniere question: Et Vous, ça va?” Et là, exceptionnellement, je n’avais plus rien á dire. Le blanc total. Pas du … Continue reading Ces 4 mots qui m’ont mis KO!
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Dans cette période de voeux de réussite et d’auto-congratulation typiquement Likedinienne, je me suis comme d’abord demandée si j’avais légitimement ma place dans la Grande Galerie des portraits de “Winners” et autres “Achievers”. Jusqu’à ce que l’INSEAD – l’une des plus prestigieuses ecoles de commerce du mode!- me regarde droit dans l’écran et me confirme que moi aussi, je pouvais ajouter “Agent du Changement” à … Continue reading Bravo moi même pour la validation de mes acquis de 2021: “Agent du Changement!”
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(Ou les defis de retour d’expatriation pour un ado..) A quel moment ai-je cligné des yeux et raté la transformation de “Miss Triple A” en pré-ado irrascible et tellement négative? Comment peut elle passer de vrais moments de maturite à d’autres où elle est tellement illogique, impulsive et si emotive? Moi qui pensais que notre impatriation en France serait facile pour elle, je tombe des … Continue reading Et les enfants? ils doivent être contents d’être en France!
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20 ans en Asie, 3 en Afrique, et des poussières aux Etats Unis, peut encore parler de “retour” quand on a passé la moitié de sa vie “dehors”? Où est “la maison” pour une famille qui s’est créée en Inde avant de grandir au Sri Lanka, en Thaïlande, aux Philippines, au Vietnam, et pour laquelle “France” ne signifiait que “grandes vacances et cousinades”? Un départ … Continue reading “Et ce retour, ça se passe comment?”
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Hardly 1h flight from the capital and 30mn car trip lies an incredible gem: Welcome to Phong Nha! Phong Nha is a very interesting place for its particular history: the Ho Chi Minh trail was a military supply route running from Northern Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to the South Vietnam. The route sent weapons, manpower, ammunition and other supplies from communist-led North Vietnam to their supporters in South Vietnam during … Continue reading 3 day family trip away from Hanoi: in the jungle and the caves of Phong Nha
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Do you feel the energy of Spring ? The light and the warmth inviting us to leave the cave we’ve have been hibernating in all those weeks? Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel? The vaccines are finally coming, the season of hugs is about to start !!! I love the (selected) headlines those days, vaccinated people gathering, public spaces slowly … Continue reading Spring, finally !!! (with a little present for you)
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How are you feeling those days? Do you have the freedom to wander in town in eat in restaurants or not just yet? Are you in a homeschooling mode, with no idea of what next month will look like? How are you coping with the current situation? In those times of uncertainty, I have realised that I need discipline and routine to make me feel … Continue reading The (radical) 3 ingredient diet we all need those days!
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An unusual Tet The Lunar New Year is the most important celebration in Vietnam. Cities turns red and gold, streets are packed with shoppers and the air is filled with joy and excitement. For a week, Vietnamese will express their respects for ancestors as well as welcoming the New Year with family members. It always feels like Hanoi is suddenly depleted of all its vibrant … Continue reading Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year! (this time for real)
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Little by little, Hanoi is waking up from his Covid lethargia. The town is still whispering and it feels very ackward to be walking out again. I can’t help but wonder what is real? was it just a dream? is this the new normal forever? It feels as if our neighborhood doesn’t dare breathing yet. The threat is still over our heads, and we are … Continue reading Deconfinement in Hanoi: the new normal
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So I guess I am not the only one begging her kid to “listen to your teacher ! It’s work, not circus!” We are scoring a good 5 out of 9. Just because we don’ t have a pet… How about you? Continue reading Discover prompts, Day 21: instrument
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To celebrate our 11th week of e-learning, the Government announced that the lockdown was finally over in Hanoi. We are beyond thankful to the Government for his management of Covid19. Our expat family has always feel safer in Vietnam than back home, because we knew there would be no discussion of the Government decisions. Collective interest always primes over the individual. People are not … Continue reading Lockdown is over in Hanoi ! A note to my fellow Frenchies
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“It’s okay not to be okay. We can take time to grieve what once was— the way you leisurely strolled to work in the morning, the coffee from the place up the street, having an easy shift, the always-there supply of toilet tissue in the cupboard, being able to hug your grandmother without fear, walking through a grocery store and getting everything on your list … Continue reading “It’s OK not to be OK”
Sometimes all we need is a change of perspective 💜 From today midnight, Hanoi will be locked down for at least 2 weeks. We too will be staying home “for the love of the Nation“. We are allowed to get out but only with 1 person. Social distancing is 2 meters. The poster says we need to “report coughing to the health authorities. Report fake … Continue reading Gentle reminder ❤️
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Social distancing: maintaining a greater than usual distance from other people. I can’t stand this concept of “social distancing”. It makes me feel even more isolated from the rest of my community. Can we please only refer to Physical distancing instead? That’s the only kind of isolation we all need to respect in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Far from the eyes but more … Continue reading NO to Social Distancing !
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“In a pandemic, self-isolation is called quarantine. In Buddhism, it is called retreat. From the cave of our home, like the meditators of ancient times, we can consciously kindle the lamp of compassion and connection.” ~ Lama Willa Miller ***** I will post erratically, each time I stumble upon a picture or a quote that warms my heart. So we can share the positives vibes … Continue reading We are in a retreat together
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Each time you wash your hands, practice loving kindness. That’s about 20 sec, right ? Stay safe everyone ❤️ Continue reading Practice, all is coming!
“qu’elle cruelle déception cette école française! nous étions tellement mieux dans le système britannique. Tous ces profs absents et pas remplacés, des cours qui datent de Mathusalem, comme si avec 24h de travail hebdo et toutes ces vacances scolaires ils n’avaient pas le temps de se former et de s’ouvrir à des techniques de bienveillance et de développement efficace des enfants! A part la grève, … Continue reading Ma lettre d’excuse aux instituteurs français
Compassionate Minds, Courageous Hearts
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Mostly photographs with some words by this arty scientist...
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You FIND YOURSELF when YOU LOSE YOURSELF in the SERVICE of OTHERS
thoughts and images from my perspective
Through Lynne's Lens
photography, poetry, paintings
#Expat, #Traveling, #Hanoi, #Vietnam, #Experience
runsurfyogagirl031
Food. Travel. Living.
Fine Art Photographer
Celebrating food and all the joy that comes from creating and eating it.
Surviving kids, marriage and life with only the suggestion of sanity
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The Cricket Pages
Estelea's Blog 