The idea of making that big leap—a move to a new country—is exciting and shiny and full of possibilities. Many of us yearn for adventure—or at least daydream about leaving our humdrum life behind and starting over in a new place. (Usually with a new wardrobe, slimmed down figure, fewer wrinkles, and more money—hey, it’s…
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Can Values be Physical? There’s a gull screeching—he seems more angry than mournful. A noisy flock of sparrows swoops onto the empty restaurant deck below, hunting for crumbs left behind by yesterday’s diners. My daily walk includes magpies and herons and I think a couple of cormorants. In spite of spending two years working on…
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Here’s What You DO have to be You don’t have to be brave to move abroad. (Okay, maybe a little.) There are other traits that you need much more than courage if you’re going to make the leap to living overseas. As it turns out, the better you are at these, the less courage you…
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First world problems in a first world country I am amazed by the people who move to another country (or even another state in the US) and then spend their time complaining that “That’s not the way we do it back home!” No kidding. You ain’t in Kansas anymore, Scooter. I fully expected things to…
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My morning routine — coffee, figure out my day. The croissant is long gone. I am frequently asked how I spend a typical day as a working expat. It’s the second most frequently asked question after how much I spend on groceries. I’m a single person who doesn’t like to cook. My grocery bill will…
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When you discover you need some cover(s). I am book naked. I have so few books here with me in Portugal that it’s embarrassing. Image Credit: John Richardson I moved with one large and one small suitcase, plus my computer bag and a Nantucket bag, which held the stuff I accumulated during my week long…
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I hit my anniversary this past week, my first year in Portugal. There are times I think “Whatever possessed me?” but those times are few and far between. There were things I knew and expected going in, like I would need to buy private health insurance, but it would be much cheaper than in the…
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The pros and cons of self publishing vs. traditional publishers are debated daily in writing groups and a subject my clients always ask me about in our initial consultation. The answer? It depends. (Don’t you hate that?) Should you self publish or find a traditional publisher for your book? The answer is all about you,…
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Accumulation sneaks up on you. I am slowly accumulating THINGS. They have been creeping in since I moved to Portugal. At first, they were just things I needed: sharp knives for an Airbnb that had none, hangers, storage bowls. Once I moved into my permanent apartment, I needed more things. Like a printer for my…
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This is the third of my three part series on exploring Italy with two friends. Milan was on my list of “must-see places before I die” and while I’m not quite ready to die, I will die happier for having seen it. (How’s that for a convoluted sentence?) In hindsight, I realize that somewhere in…
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