20 years overseas.. Time to plant our roots (first one of OUR HOUSE series!)

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!)

esteleaMarch 6, 2023March 7, 20237 Comments

France

Day 23: Tell someone you love them and why

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

esteleaNovember 30, 2022December 13, 20223 Comments

Family, France, lifestyle

Day 18: spend time outside (a postcard from home)

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)

esteleaNovember 24, 2022November 24, 2022Leave a comment

Europe bound, France

Day 16: Try a new form of movement

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

esteleaNovember 19, 2022November 19, 202211 Comments

challenges, Family, France, wellbeing

Day 6: Draw your dream house

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

esteleaNovember 6, 2022Leave a comment

Culture shock, Europe bound, France

I am French but I don’t get them

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

esteleaOctober 17, 2022Leave a comment

education, Europe bound, Expat, famille, France, impatriation, Parenting

Nouveau venu !

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 !

esteleaSeptember 6, 20222 Comments

covid, education, emotions, expatriation, famille, France

Testé pour vous: une année a l’école en France (rassurez moi et dites moi que mon cas est unique!)

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!)

esteleaMay 30, 2022May 30, 202215 Comments

covid, emotions, France

Une Covid, des émotions et un mojo retrouvé !

“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 !

esteleaFebruary 18, 2022February 18, 20221 Comment

Culture shock, Europe bound, Expat, expatriation, France, impatriation

Et les enfants? ils doivent être contents d’être en France!

(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!

esteleaNovember 3, 20215 Comments