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 - 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.