We are six siblings and all of us are expats. I kept on checking the flight status of Cathay Pacific on my phone. Dawn is yet to come and his scheduled arrival was 6am yet here I am, tossing and turning in bed. I've set the alarm clock to sound at 5:30am. I am nervous … Continue reading Expat siblings reunited…in Dubai!
Dubai expat life
Countdown to vacation starts now!
In three more weeks, I won't be sitting at work and counting the hours to 6pm or swim through piles of paper. No more running around in the morning to catch the train or bus. If the little boy allows, I might even sleep beyond 7am. 'Might' is a big word, though. We will be … Continue reading Countdown to vacation starts now!
You know you’ve lived in the Middle East for long when…
The scenario when I come home from work at night is this: I open the door and look around for my children before I can even remove my shoes. The little boy, like a dog meeting his owner for the first time after a long separation, runs up to me and clutches at my knees, … Continue reading You know you’ve lived in the Middle East for long when…
My expat story
Every expat has a story, what's yours? 2013 is the year I'll celebrate 17 years of being an expat. Ten years in Japan and seven years in the UAE. I think I have not shared the story behind why I became an expat though I might have disclosed it to a few who asked. Anyway. … Continue reading My expat story
Beautiful Dubai beach
How's the weather from where you are? Here in Dubai, we're feeling summer-y already! The early mornings and nights are still cool but midday has been warmer. We thought it's time to hit the beach before it becomes a huge hot tub. I missed going to the beach because after living here for a couple … Continue reading Beautiful Dubai beach
Expat Life: Why the need to retain your native language?
Last Saturday, I attended the graduation ceremony at the Japanese circle where Pristine had been attending once-a-week classes for Japanese lessons because she's losing her native language skills. The Japanese language circle not only teaches language but they also hold cultural events to allow the children to touch base with their native culture. I remember … Continue reading Expat Life: Why the need to retain your native language?
Expat Life: Losing the native language skills
Do you think it is possible for someone to forget their own native language? As an expat family, our 9 year old daughter, Pristine's Japanese language skills has become a challenge for us - it has moved from the active part of her brain to the passive side, resulting in a pronounced loss of verbal … Continue reading Expat Life: Losing the native language skills
Expat Life: Losing a loved one while abroad
It wasn't unexpected. She was 95 years old. Still, it broke my heart and I'm still grieving for her to an extent. We're planning to go back to Japan in June this year to see her, to show off her new great-grandson. It's been almost four years since we saw that kind smile. We're short of … Continue reading Expat Life: Losing a loved one while abroad
That elusive minimalist life
Our next door neighbor opened her main door right when I was walking through the corridor, hurrying up for work. I took a peek. No, I deliberately slowed down and even pretended to search through my pockets as if I felt I've forgotten something but my eyes were on what was inside my neighbor's apartment. … Continue reading That elusive minimalist life
Dubai as others see it
I came across a blog post called 7 Great Things About Dubai at Leah Travels blog, written by Kristin Shaw of Two Cannoli. It's interesting to read stories written by people fascinated about Dubai during their visit here. It kind of lets me see this amazing city in another perspective because when you've lived in … Continue reading Dubai as others see it
Finding Backroads 