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

Family, hanoi, vietnam, You know you're in VN

Lockdown is over in Hanoi ! A note to my fellow Frenchies

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

esteleaApril 23, 2020April 23, 20209 Comments

Bantayan, Cebu, Family, Parenting, Philippines

“Salamat Bantayan!” the First video postcard of Mr Attila Jr, 4 yo!

Fellow travelers and expats, have you too experienced this strange feeling when you are leaving a place? Leaving the great friends behind, those streets that are now so familiar .. Leaving reminds us what we can be part with and what we can’t. Filipinos have been very kind to our family. Never before had we met such friendly and smily people. For a Parisian like … Continue reading “Salamat Bantayan!” the First video postcard of Mr Attila Jr, 4 yo!

esteleaMay 30, 2017August 30, 201722 Comments

expatriation, Family, yoga

On the move again, guess where ..

The suspense is finally over! We know where we’ll unpack our luggages .. Europe ?.. I was totally into moving back to the old continent, first of all to be closer to the family. Second to dwell into the seasons I’ve been missing so much for the last decade. And eventually because I am craving for French food. My body can not deal with an additional … Continue reading On the move again, guess where ..

esteleaApril 6, 2017September 5, 201738 Comments

Uncategorized

From SAHM to Working Mum (intro)

The news hit me like a punch: In 4 months, we are out of the country. Adios Filipino island life, back to Europe. But WHAT will we do and WHERE? I have been so into this “living the moment” state of mind, drishti hardly a few feet in front of me … With my eyes now wide open, I realize that my little Attilas will soon go to … Continue reading From SAHM to Working Mum (intro)

esteleaJanuary 26, 2017February 13, 201736 Comments

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

esteleaSeptember 21, 2016September 30, 201638 Comments

Culture shock, Expat, Family, France, My 2 cents worth

Forget about Plans!

Sometimes all we need is to breath. Trust. Let go and see what happens. Planners of the world, I admire you. I am so bad at planning. I love setting directions though, direct the sail along the way. That’s how I feel the more creative, the more in tune with myself, my intuition. It forces me to open my eyes and my heart to … Continue reading Forget about Plans!

esteleaFebruary 15, 2016February 18, 201629 Comments

Uncategorized

Guess who hit the headlines today? …

Originally posted on Blog:
Kids on the boat: no, it is not so hard to get used to island life. French Mum, humanitarian, restless explorer and doer on sabbatical in Cebu (Philippines): one Attila in each arm, I am exploring the “toddlers safe” corners of the region, while trying to keep some room for Me. After a decade of humanitarian assignments, Estelea decided to enjoy with… Continue reading Guess who hit the headlines today? …

esteleaSeptember 24, 2015October 1, 201516 Comments

Exploring the neighborhood, Inspiring Monday

(kinda) Mindful Monday: My Buddha said Tokyo!

When in doubt, Buddhism encourages us to question our perspective on our current situation. Can we shift it or enlarge it?are there any positive angles? We should practise bringing our attention to our breath through our day as a way to focus on the present moment. That’s what I should be doing. But I am still far too restless to stay really still for more than … Continue reading (kinda) Mindful Monday: My Buddha said Tokyo!

esteleaSeptember 21, 2015September 28, 201539 Comments

Culture shock, Inspiring Monday

Inspiring Monday: if I had to define the Filipino attitude

This picture sums it all: This taxi driver has two daughters and like most of his colleagues often struggles to make ends meet. There is no such thing as maximum hours of work a day in the Philippines. You have to work, so you work. Trade union doesn’t mean anything. Sometimes the driver is so tired that he can fall asleep at a red light. … Continue reading Inspiring Monday: if I had to define the Filipino attitude

esteleaSeptember 7, 2015September 14, 201521 Comments