Tag Archives: Bordeaux

Younger Daughter’s Expat Story

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

Today’s guest post was provided by Younger Daughter. I’m cheating with this one, because she wrote it for a school assignment shortly after we moved back to Canada. I like seeing our family’s expat story from an 11-year-old’s perspective, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Post, Third Culture Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The lazy expat mom’s guide to language learning

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

Aaron Myers of The Everyday Language Learner is the idea guy behind today’s post. I discovered his website quite by accident, and I love his approach to learning languages. I’ll let him fill you in on the rest: “Today’s post … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Language, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Le pick-up artiste

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

I was wading through my very clogged inbox yesterday and found an email I’d sent to a friend on May 11, 2006. I’d all but forgotten about this interesting encounter in the aisles of my local Auchan supermarket, but I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, France | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

From homecoming to homefeeling: 5 things I did right as a repatriate

Posted on January 9, 2012 by

Today officially marks the end of the holiday season chez nous: Chef Boyardee is back at work, Younger and Elder Daughters are back at school, and Jeff and I are once again alone in a very quiet house. Jeff will … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Repatriation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Merde in France

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

“Finish this sentence,” said Alex, my French teacher. “The thing I don’t like about Bordeaux is….” She glanced expectantly around the room, but for once, the usually boisterous class was silent. We studiously avoided making eye contact with her. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Culture Shock, France | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

No dogs allowed

Posted on June 23, 2011 by

The first time I saw this sign, I had to laugh. I get a kick out of companies using gentle humour to get their point across. I especially like the sign because it perfectly illustrates the cultural attitudes around here … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Culture Shock, Food, France | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Bordeaux in pictures

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

The need for a particular photo sent me rummaging through my shoebox of photo DVDs the other day, and I ended up poring over my photos of Bordeaux. I’d forgotten how beautiful my former hometown is! But don’t take my … Continue reading →

Posted in France | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Ode to chocolat chaud

Posted on May 19, 2011 by

I may have given the impression in Monday’s post on French café culture shock that I’m a coffee aficionado. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t like coffee. Never have. Never will. (I did develop a … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, France | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

An expat in France: café culture shock

Posted on May 16, 2011 by

The French take their coffee seriously. (Frappuccino? Qu’est-ce que c’est?) From the bowl of café au lait that begins the day, to the post-prandial espresso that ends it, coffee is as much a part of French life as the wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Food, France | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

For expats, happiness begins at home

Posted on February 17, 2011 by

The results of a new study indicate that expats who are happy with their homes — both the neighbourhoods and the dwellings themselves — are happier with their lives. Well, duh. Expatriates travel far from home — sometimes so far, … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments