I am honored to be from such an amazing family. This is my sister, she was sixteen when she arrived. Imagine her fate without my parents actions in the government to get her here. Let's change lives, one at a time. When you do acts of kindness, it touches you and you are forever changed. Try it if you haven't and if you have, I salute you!
Read MoreWanting to integrate In a new country, feeling lonely? Letting your child go to preschool in full costume is maybe not the best idea. I did it anyway and would do it again because being true to myself was more important.
Read MoreWe all know it, be strict, be consequent. Easier said than done. I was never sure until last night how true this story was. I have heard it so many times and thought maybe it was a family urban legend. My Mom wins the prize in consequence and was a master of making her point. Read and be inspired about how a mother of eleven made her point and for years she had less work because of one simple action. I don't think I would have pulled this off but man I have respect for her. By the time I came around I didn't need to test things, I heard the stories and knew and I would have never dared. My older brothers and sisters paved the way, got punished, I learned and this legend came to be.
Read MoreThis is me breaking the Berlin Wall down at the age of 19. One day before the inauguration of Trump, the least popular President-Elect in modern history, the man who is to lead a divided nation, ask yourself if you have been touched by the events, have you stayed kind? Has your dark side been awakened, are you listening? An unusual post for me but a very personal one, from my point of view, an expat and outsider for over twenty seven years.
Read MoreThe Power outage of this morning brought back memories. As much as I love modern technology I like to be reminded of what turns off when it the electricity is down. What a beautiful morning.
Read MoreTea, lemon and honey have been consumed in bounty this week. I am sick but somehow still working. Being sick abroad is worse than being sick at home and I think any expat will agree with me here.
Read MoreDo you want your kids to be ready to succeed and manage when they leave home? If the answer is yes, this one simple thing will help. My Mom was an expert at this. Sadly, I have to keep reminding myself to be better at it. I love having a cleaner ... yes I am a bit guilty but I still make them work and so should you.
Read MoreI am a rule breaker, I don't follow social norms. I didn't back in Utah and I have continued to break rules throughout adulthood. How did this story about respect and breaking cultural rules turn into a story about smiling? Read on-
Read MoreI remember my parents leaving me at home as they drove off to see Star Wars in 1977. They thought it might be to violent and I was only seven. The things we do as parents we do because we believe they are the right thing. I survived childhood and my parents made mistakes. You will too and your kids will survive as well. Parenting is hard, didn't anyone tell you?
Read MoreDriving in Switzerland with a Dutch car .... I never even thought for a second about it, why would I? Then I drove with a Dutch car in Switzerland and I have become a kinder driver.... and certainly more thoughtful!
Read MoreDo you feel like the moment you sit down with a tea and a great book someone needs you? If so you are probably a mom. For all the Moms out there, this one is for you. May I continue to be interrupted by my adorable kids for years to come just as I still interrupt my Mom - even her sleep.
Read MoreI love my Christmas Tree. This is a story about my first Christmas in Europe and how as a poor student I scored my first Christmas Tree. I will never forget my first Christmas in Europe and my tree is still sacred to me. Many of my friends tease me about my trees but they are also in awe of them.
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