Category: Expat

Culture shock, Expat, expatriation, Me, Uncategorized, You know you're in VN

The day I visited the eldest Vietnamese traditional clinic: Tested and (almost) approved

“The clinic has been here for 4 centuries. It’s a traditional one, with well known acupuncteurs and very good massage therapists; the doctors can prescribe medicinal herbs and spices, special barks too” explained my Vietnamese neighbor to his amazed Westerner friend. Just enough information to trigger my curiosity! I got the card of the mysterious place and was there in a glimpse of an eye. … Continue reading The day I visited the eldest Vietnamese traditional clinic: Tested and (almost) approved

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Culture shock, Expat, expatriation, hanoi, My 2 cents worth, vietnam, You know you're in VN

Unlikely to be found in Europe

You know you are in Asia … I could use one .. but only as an extra layer of protection when traveling on the Grab moto on the bumpy Vietnamese roads. I can’t imagine how uncomfy it must be to wear a fake but with 35 C outside and 90% of humidity. Lucky us Frenchies we come well equipped 🙂 In response to WPC on … Continue reading Unlikely to be found in Europe

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Expat, hanoi, Inspiration, meet the neighbors, Spread the word, Uncategorized

Grannies do it better, especially au pair !

When I first met Steffy, I had to ask her twice about her job. Although her English is perfect, I thought she couldn’t pronounce “nanny” correctly as she kept on saying “No, it is GRAN-NY. I am a granny au pair”. To my knowledge, au pair were only young students, sometimes hardly older than the kids they were supposed to look after. Seems that I … Continue reading Grannies do it better, especially au pair !

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Expat, Exploring the neighborhood, hanoi, Uncategorized

Why I loved visiting Hanoi with local kids

08AM. My Attilas are in school; Hubby at work. For a split second, I am experiencing that awkward moment when I am not sure if I actually have free time or if I am just forgetting everything. Just in case, I am running out of the house. With a local kid this time … The specificity of Hanoi Kids Hanoikids is a volunteer organization. You … Continue reading Why I loved visiting Hanoi with local kids

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Europe bound, Expat, Family, Inspiration, Me, My 2 cents worth, Parenting, Spread the word

Sisterhood pride

I so wish I were in a big town yesterday, in Washington, NYC, Philadelphia, Paris, Barcelona, London or Berlin, marching with all those beautiful people! Standing peacefully yet so strongly for our values and our basic rights. There was no such thing as colour, race, religion .. It was about gathering strong in the name of tolerance and respect. I have been scrolling Twitter for hours, feeling stronger and more … Continue reading Sisterhood pride

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Expat, expatriation, Me, My 2 cents worth, yoga

The 3 terrible addictions I gave up in 2016

It’s this time of the year, when your acquaintances are all posting about their successes of 2016, and you can’t help but asking yourself. How about me? Am I the only one who hadn’t achieve anything worth facebookable??? My Linkedin profile doesn’t show any dream position, my IG account still lack this insane picture of me masterizing the one handed tree pose and last but … Continue reading The 3 terrible addictions I gave up in 2016

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Cebu, Expat, Family, My 2 cents worth, Parenting, Paris, Philippines, ReblogWednesday, Spread the word

If only The Brangelina had chosen the Expat life

Who would dream of the glamorous of Hollywood when you can have it all for free without the stress in the Philippines? You just need 2 blonde kids with curly hair and long eyelashes and tatatata, paparazzi will be all around you. “Can I take a selfie with your handsome son M’am?” “Oh beautiful girl, I love your golden hair. Picture! Picture!“. We are now famous in … Continue reading If only The Brangelina had chosen the Expat life

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Culture shock, Europe bound, Expat, expatriation, Family, Parenting, Paris, Philippines

Why would a French lady ever want to be Asian?!

  Tomorrow, we are flying back home: the City of Lights, the  land of gastronomy, the paradise of wine connaisseurs and literature passionated. My beloved Paris, here we come! Actually we are going to MY home. My children are born and raised in Asia and know Thailand and the Philippines far better than France. Sushi, pad thai, pancit and even kimchi are much more often on … Continue reading Why would a French lady ever want to be Asian?!

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Expat, Exploring the neighborhood, Inspiration, Spread the word

This so unique Spirit of Travel

…”I was already feeling the familiar thrill of of beginning a journey, the sense of relief that always fills me when I know that I can not be reached, that I am not booked or expected anywhere, that I have no commitment except those created by chance. How wonderful is it to mix with a crowd as an ordinary traveler, free from one’s own role, … Continue reading This so unique Spirit of Travel

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Culture shock, Expat, Exploring the neighborhood, Family, Japan, My 2 cents worth, Parenting

Education: 3 inspiring practices to steal from the Japanese

  Would you let your 6 year old kid travel all alone in the largest city of your country? If you had the time, the money and even the car, would you still have the heart to let your most precious belonging spend hours commuting in subways, buses and cross the streets all by herself? Japanese parents do!!! When I told a Japanese friend about … Continue reading Education: 3 inspiring practices to steal from the Japanese

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