A little overdue - Interview with an Expat - The final installment

I have been so busy focusing on being on holiday and making the most of my relaxing time, I didn't post about the final interview!  After interviewing the rest of us flatties, Al's turned the microscope on herself and answered some of our questions.  I love reading Al's writing - I'm not sure I ever told her that... regardless, her answers are honest and insightful - you can read her reflections here.

Interview with an Expat - fourth in the series

My beloved fellow transplanted Canadian-turned-Kiwi, LeeAnn's interview is up - read it here!  We lived together in our fourth year and I was a permanent fixture in her flat in our third year (so much so, that she made me dinner every night... without her, I doubt I would have eaten dinner on a daily basis.)

LeeAnn is one of my closest friends and could well be considered family.  I'm thrilled to have her in New Zealand.  She's an endless source of comfort and support for me, when I need a bit of a Canadian perspective in a Kiwi-land.  LeeAnn moved to New Zealand about four years ago, after a we spent an exceptional two weeks driving around the South Island. 

Always having fun, whether we're scaling a sheer rock face... or just being silly together.

Interview with an Expat - third in the series

The next interview is up!  Another fabulous flattie, Marilla, has taken the plunge and answered Al's questions about expat life in England, and then life back in Newfoundland.  Marilla and I bonded over walks up the road to McDonald's and our shared love for Big Macs.  I haven't seen Marilla in almost a decade.  I miss her.  Her lovely, sweet temperament (and dry sense of humour) comes out wonderfully in her interview, posted here. 

Interview with an Expat - second in the series

Alison wrote the most lovely intro before she posted my interview.  You can find the intro and my interview here.  It has been a pleasure getting to (write about myself?!) explore and remember what brought me to and kept me in New Zealand. 

Al and I were discussing via email; what came out of our email chat was that sometimes we  need a friend to remind us of our own achievements and help us recognise that we do pretty well for ourselves... and it's okay to pat ourselves on the back and say "Yes, I did it; it was a bit hard; I did it well and I'm proud of myself."

Which leads me to my "grateful for" for the letter "i."  Insight.  Sometimes, we need others to give us some perspective and insight into ourselves and our own accomplishments and experiences - whatever they may be.  We need to remember not to diminish our own accomplishments, because at the end of the day, no matter what it is, it's still an accomplishment that's all your own. 

Thank you Alison, for providing me with the opportunity to gain a bit more perspective and insight into myself. 

Interview with an expat - first of the series.

One of the happiest periods of my life were the years I spent in Halifax, while studying at King's College.  I enjoyed the time I spent in residence, but I loved the time I spent flatting. 

In my third year I lived in the flat in front of LeeAnn, Alison C.M., Megan, LeeAnn and Marilla.  I spent a LOT of time in the flat behind mine.  So much so that LeeAnn used to cook dinner for me most nights.  Once, I went over and the door was unlocked, but no one was home.  Rather than lock the door and leave, I settled myself comfortably in Megan's papasan chair and had a snooze until they came home.  I had to keep the flat safe, of course! 

In my fourth year, I lived with LeeAnn, Al and Marilla (and watched some questionable films with Megan.)  We had a blast. 

I'd say more, but what happens in Halifax, stays in Halifax.

After university we all went our separate ways, as friends tend to do.  Some of us stayed in touch, lived together or in the same cities etc, but we were all fairly scattered.  Through the magic of Facebook, we've all reconnected once again. 

We were all pretty adventurous and we got on fabulously.  This adventurous nature lead us all to lead lives as expats.  The lovely and talented Alison had the great idea to interview the lot of us - since we all set off from a similar point, to explore where we are now and how we got there.  Megan was first to be posted - read it here. 

Mine will be up soon also.  I'll be posting a link to all the interviews as they come up. 

Oooh! Oooh! Pick me!

Faced with work or blogging, I clearly chose the more interesting option... since running around and playing tag is far to0 strenuous and I'd rather not work up a sweat right now, I'll play blog tag! Woot! Faiza tagged me on her blog... so...

Step one - Faiza was tagged here.

Step two - I was tagged here.
Step three - Now is the fun bit. I'll answer Faiza's five questions and then in return I get to ask five of my own to those who I tag.
Step four - If you get tagged you do the following (please):

• Answer my five questions on your blog in the form of a post.
• Ask 5 questions of your own.
• Tag some people. As many or as few as you want.
• Leave a comment when you're done so I can go see your answers.

So Faiza's questions are below (with my answers of course.)

1. What is your favorite topping on toast?
It varies depending on if it is a school day, since I have students in my class who are allergic to nuts. If it is a weekend, I love a peanut butter and banana sandwich. On weekdays, I enjoy a bit of butter and homemade jam to dunk my toast in tea. Yum! I should have had that for dinner tonight!

2. What is your favorite quote from someone else?

There are far too many to pick from. Most recently I heard this one (while on a plane bound for New Zealand) and it made me laugh out loud and snort my water through my nose.
"The future is like a Japanese game show. You have no idea what's going on!" Tracy Jordan - 30 Rock.

3. You are about to throw a penny into a wishing well...what do you wish for?
A(n affordable, reusable) teleporter so I can visit home as often as possible.

4. Tell me what your favorite song is and why.
So many great songs to select from... I Hope You Dance is particularly dear to my heart for a number of reasons. The message itself is beautiful; Faiza sang it for me at our wedding reception; finally, I use it every year in my slide show for my graduating students (as my personal message for them... one mum said that her son loves that song now because it means so much to him. That makes my heart smile.) It also helps to remind me of some very important things whenever I need a nudge back on track.

5. What three things are you grateful for today?
A wonderful winter's weekend spent with Phill's family (Nana, brother, sister-in-law, cousins, aunties and uncles); being home, safe, after a long drive; a hot cup of tea Phill just made for me and put beside me (and the biscuits I'm going to go find to dunk in them.)

Okay - my questions for the lovely tag-ees are: (I wanted 6 questions... I'm all about flexibility and spontaneity, you know.)

1. What's your favourite thing about winter? (since I'm feeling a bit cold and need some winter-lovin' and appreciation right now!)


2. Best comfort food on a rainy day? (Yes, still cold.)


3. Why do you blog?


4. What is something you always grumble about, but secretly enjoy?


5. What is something you've done that you're really proud of yourself for?


6. Something that always brings a smile to your face, no matter what is...

I only know of a few people who read this blog, so, aside from Faiza and Sheba who have already been tagged, I'm tagging: Exciting Elena, Caring Katy, Amazing Alison and Marvellous Megan. No pressure if this isn't your thing - but a bit of fun if you're keen. If you're some other lovely person who happens to stumble upon this blog and want to play - you're tagged too!