Thursday, August 31, 2017
Reality Check
The question "Where are you from?" may be difficult to answer, but "What do you consider your home town?" is easy--Houston, Texas. Watching the effects of Hurricane Harvey has struck close to home especially after we experienced Rita and Ike, and I helped with the recovery of Katrina in New Orleans. The only property we still have in Houston is in storage and we do not know its condition; small potatoes compared to the condition of our friends and acquaintances. There is sadness and astonishment over the destruction. There is a feeling of guilt for not being able to be there and help out. On the other end of the spectrum there is a feeling of pride over the resilience of the Texas people and the selflessness and sacrifice they have shown caring for and helping each other out. Hurricane Harvey will leave its mark on history as a storm of epic proportion but it will also show how great the people of the State of Texas and the people of the country are when it comes to resilience, strength and unity.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Not a Coffee Perk
One of the perks of being an expat is the chance to travel to places you may not visit otherwise. Traveling is taking advantage of an opportunity. While traveling is a nice perk it often comes after paying dues. The greatest reward of traveling are the experiences you have, be it people, places or things you read about or watched on TV, or the adventures you have as an individual or family.
Living in Europe most of our journeys have been within our host continent. Flights in Europe can be very affordable. Distances are close. Allow me to provide an example. A flight from Houston to Chicago is roughly two and a half hours. In the same amount of time or less flying from Paris you can visit Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Barcelona, Rome, London, Athens, and Lisbon.
When I step back I see similarities between North American and European travelers. In Europe countries differ while in America regions/states differ. Regardless of where you are in the US there is Americana, similarly many Europeans have a sense of "Europeaness" particularly those in EU countries. Americans dream of vacations to London, Paris, Rome, etc. while Europeans consider New York, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, etc. as dream vacations. In American drive 10 hours crossing up to five states while Europeans cross up to five countries.
Traveling has become one of my/our favorite activities. Experiences are something that can not be replicated by anything else. Take advantage of opportunities while they are there.
Living in Europe most of our journeys have been within our host continent. Flights in Europe can be very affordable. Distances are close. Allow me to provide an example. A flight from Houston to Chicago is roughly two and a half hours. In the same amount of time or less flying from Paris you can visit Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Barcelona, Rome, London, Athens, and Lisbon.
When I step back I see similarities between North American and European travelers. In Europe countries differ while in America regions/states differ. Regardless of where you are in the US there is Americana, similarly many Europeans have a sense of "Europeaness" particularly those in EU countries. Americans dream of vacations to London, Paris, Rome, etc. while Europeans consider New York, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, etc. as dream vacations. In American drive 10 hours crossing up to five states while Europeans cross up to five countries.
Traveling has become one of my/our favorite activities. Experiences are something that can not be replicated by anything else. Take advantage of opportunities while they are there.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
And...Und...Og...Et...
"So you take care of the household, AND...?"
Good question. I do have "free time" and spend most of it pursuing work related activities. While living in Norway I was a substitute teacher at Oslo International School. My tenure evolved from filling in a few lessons a week to obtaining a regular teaching position. In the interim I completed numerous long-term positions, chaperoned week-long class trips, started a photo club and coached floor ball. French schools do not utilize substitute teachers so my services in that capacity are not required although I do volunteer in the school library. I have taken on a weekly session of teaching English to adults through one of the local associations.
I also like to pursue my passions and interests. First and foremost is spending time with my family. Participating in physical activity is something we like to do as a family. Photography remains a hobby. I have become a writer composing reviews on TripAdvisor (in the top 5% of my town), and writing this blog. After our move to France I take up to three French lessons a week. Even though it is one of my "duties" I have taken an interest in cooking. I volunteer to help out with the church we attend.
In short my free time is directed toward what I need to take care of and then pursue what is available or of interest to me. While the actual activities may change the rationale is similar to what I did back in Texas.
Good question. I do have "free time" and spend most of it pursuing work related activities. While living in Norway I was a substitute teacher at Oslo International School. My tenure evolved from filling in a few lessons a week to obtaining a regular teaching position. In the interim I completed numerous long-term positions, chaperoned week-long class trips, started a photo club and coached floor ball. French schools do not utilize substitute teachers so my services in that capacity are not required although I do volunteer in the school library. I have taken on a weekly session of teaching English to adults through one of the local associations.
I also like to pursue my passions and interests. First and foremost is spending time with my family. Participating in physical activity is something we like to do as a family. Photography remains a hobby. I have become a writer composing reviews on TripAdvisor (in the top 5% of my town), and writing this blog. After our move to France I take up to three French lessons a week. Even though it is one of my "duties" I have taken an interest in cooking. I volunteer to help out with the church we attend.
In short my free time is directed toward what I need to take care of and then pursue what is available or of interest to me. While the actual activities may change the rationale is similar to what I did back in Texas.
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