Expat Carnival

Carnival VII - It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas

2005-12-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

Ho Ho Ho to everyone!

This week's carnival:-

Have you spent Christmas overseas and away from your family? What did you do? How did you connect with people back home? Most importantly who did you spend it with? If this is your first Christmas O/S - what are your plans?

Anna's ventures into the final frontier.

"I've always been blessed in my friends, and have always been able to make some connection with them, no matter where I am. But I miss the tastes that make Christmas, I miss the way the snow crunches under your feet. "
{Annaoverseas}

Don decides if you can't go home for Christmas, bring it to you!

"One of the big things about Christmas for me was spending a bit of time with my Mom. That combine with wanting to take some pressure off of her in hosting led to an invite to visit for Christmas. I was even able to fly her over as my gift."
{bluerevolutionist}

Phil remembers when he made a list but forgot to check it twice (and ask for directions).

"Not to worry dear reader, I was there to rescue proceedings and carefully steered the lurching group (we still drank the Bulgarian Red because hell it still was alcohol) to a chapel that I discovered was only two blocks away rather than one hour travelling time to the closest Cathedral."
{sheepdip}

Thanks to all particpants!

Expat Carnival will be on hiatus until the week after New Year's Eve. So have a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.... because we are going to want to hear about it.

Carnival VII - So it is Christmas and what have you done?

2005-12-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time for snow, being with family or drinking cold beer on a hot beach - it all depends on where you are and being expats we are sure to be globally challenged.

This week's carnival:-

Have you spent Christmas overseas and away from your family? What did you do? How did you connect with people back home? Most importantly who did you spend it with? If this is your first Christmas O/S - what are your plans?

Bonus points awarded for anybody who posts photo's of themselves wearing silly Christmas hats! **

If you want to contribute, please write a post on the above topic and post it to your blog/journal. Then email the www link to me at sheepdip@mac.com

Come one come all. There is plenty of room in the inn!

On Monday morning, local time - I'll post an entry here at the Carnival with everyones links and excerpts.

Please feel free to link to here or direct your readers to check out the carnival.

** Unfortunately I don't have any photos of myself to post but I like the idea of maniacal millinery.

Carnival VI - The Culture Wars.

2005-12-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

This week's topic focuses on surviving the differences between the world's cultures.

Anna discusses Food Glorious Food in her post:-

"I'd be an oddity because, more often than not, I'd be eating alone. Usually, groups go out to restaurants. Big groups. Fun groups. Loud and boisterous, with the round-a-bout on the table so everyone could try all the dishes without reaching over and passing things."

{Annaoverseas}

Phil wonders why his sex life is so important to random strangers:-

"Two minutes after meeting me, the President of a catholic university was offering to set me up on dates with some nice Christian girls in Thailand. In Indonesia the impression is I just need a nice Muslim girl who'll settle me down and as for Malaysia - it's well known that I'm catnip for mid-forty CPWs. (Chinese professional women)".

{Sheepdip}

I'm in Australia on my holidays (yay!) so if you've written a post that you want to included here. Please email the link to me at sheepdip@mac.com and I'll update the post.

Have a cool week. I'm off to the beach!

Carnival VI Is Now Open

2005-12-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for Carnival 6?

It's that time again, so sharpen your pencils and flex those typing hands. We've got tales to tell and stories to unfold.

Your mission this week:-

Every country has its own cultural quirks (eg Indian weddings last four days). Tell us about some of the cultural differences you've experienced - what you've liked and don't like.

I'll be running the carnival for the next few weeks to give the lovely Anna a well deserved break. Thanks for all your work Anna and I'll try not to screw it up (too much).

If you want to contribute (open to all expats) - write a post on the above topic and post it to your blog/journal.

Then email the www link to me at sheepdip@mac.com

On Monday morning, local time - I'll post an entry here at the Carnival with everyones links and excerpts.

Please feel free to link to here or direct your readers to check out the carnival.

Carnival V: Making A List

2005-12-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

A short and sweet entry into this week's Carnival of Expats, where we focused on what we did before we left, and how we'd do it differently.

Phil, preparing for Yet Another International Move, advised on what to take with you:

I'm packed up my apartment to relocate from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. It me took 20 minutes. This is my 4th move overseas and I've got it down to fine art. There is only one tip to know.

PACK LIGHT

{Sheepdip}

Whereas I talk about how incredibly unorganized I was when leaving the country, both times. And how *this time* I'll be better prepared. Honest.

La la la, everything is fine, I'll just get my passport sorted out. La la la, I really should spend more time planning this. La la la, oh my, I just accepted a job in China and have two weeks to get everything sorted out.

*insert blind panic here*

{Anna Overseas}

And Don talks about not having enough time to have sorted everyting out, despite having planned to move for months before buying his ticket.

If I had to name a few key points which I would have wanted to do differently it would have been time, better arranging of details like bills, more time, and yet more time.

{Ponderings from Afar}

Thanks to everyone who particpated this week! I'd like to remind everyone that next week, Phil takes over hosting for the next month over at Sheepdip, but the main blog over at Carnival of Expats will continue to be updated with the topics and the results.

Have a great week!

Carnival 5

2005-12-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

Carnival of Expats 5 is about to beging!

If you're curious as to what a Carnival of blogging is, check out my rather muddled explanation.

This week's topic: More practical than some in the past, but something I think a lot of people who are planning on being expats themselves would find useful. Tell us about what things you did in terms or preparation before you left to become an expat... and what would you do differently, knowing what you do now.

(I'll admit, it's selfishness on my part: I would have killed for this information when I was planning on going to China.)

I look forward to reading varied responses on Monday!

Note: Any expat can contribute a post and get linked. Don't feel obligated to respond to every Carnival! But, the more repsonses, the funner it will be!

Note 2: A reminder that Phil has graciously agreed to do a month of hosting starting December 16. If you think you're up to a month of hosting in January, let me know!

Note 3: We are now listed on Bog Carnival, specifically here.

Note 4: We have also been invited to list on Word of Blog, but they want a logo, and I cannot draw. Any takers?

Carnival IV: Rockin' Festivals Expat Style!

2005-11-28T01:27:00.000-08:00

That is, in fact, the lamest title I could come up with.

Expat Carnival IV is now closed, and the entries, as usual, are as varied as the people who write them.

Phil, our participant who has moved the most and who thinks Christmas needs more BBQs, writes about Rock at Angkor Wat. There are pictures galore, and even a video you should watch.

A rock festival next door to the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat sounded just what I needed. (Rock at Angkor Wat 2003). Great company, good music, bad dancing styles, cold gin and tonics, it sounded like Schoolies Week/ Spring Break in an exotic location.

{Sheepdip}

Our participant in France, Pumpkin Pie, talks about the beauty and wonder of a Christmas spent in the Christmas Capital of the World, Strasbourg.

That is why it is so wonderful to buy a warm crepe to snack on and a hot cup of wine to sip slowly as you stroll from one Christmas stall to the next admiring handcrafted toys and decorations. Last year there was a stall that had beautifully handcrafted wooden boxes containing secret compartments that the salesman had to reveal. Otherwise, you may never have found the secret technique to open the secret hiding place inside the box.

{From my French Window}

One of our two participants in Scotland, Don, talks about how Christmas in Scotland is so different than icicles and braving dangerous packs of mallrats back in Canada.

It may just be the novelty but there seems to be more excitement in the air than I’ve felt from Edmonton in a long while. Christmas lost its splendour a long time ago for me. For the first time in many years I feel a certain childish excitement that Christmas is on the way.

{Ponderings from Afar}

And the other participant from Scotland (that would be me) writes about Spring Festival in China.

I don't remember anymore what I expected. Fireworks, certainly, but fireworks were a nightly event in China, so it went without saying. Something involving a dragon, maybe. Something exciting and new, that much I know.

{Anna Overseas}

Thanks again for everyone who got a chance to participate this week! It's been a lot of fun reading these, and I can't wait till next Thursday!

VI!

2005-11-24T02:41:00.000-08:00

Yay! It's Thursday, and that means Carnival Day!

This week's topic: It's Winter, and that means the world is full of interesting and different festivals and holidays. It seems every culture and country tries to beat back the darkness at this time of year, and thus, I pass along to all of you: Tell us about interesting festivals and holidays you've attended while living abroad. Be it a different take on an old favorite (turnips at Halloween, anyone?) or a festival that your native land hasn't even dreamed of (Hogmanany? Huh?), tell us all about it!

I look forward to reading varied responses on Monday!

Note: Any expat can contribute a post and get linked. Don't feel obligated to respond to every Carnival! But, the more repsonses, the funner it will be!

Carnival III

2005-11-21T02:49:00.000-08:00

Once again a bit late - this new job is not making it possible for me to post at 7:30 in the morning, as that's when I have to be on the bus!

Between packing for Singapore and getting hangovers, Phil writes this touching and very true missive:

There seems to be two basic personality types that love being an expat.
1) Those who run towards the future.
2) Those who run away from past.
There is certain freedoms that being expat automatically gives you. The odd benefit being, nobody knows you.
Let me repeat that in the personal form.
Nobody here knows me. Nobody here knows ME.

{Sheepdip}

While Don, over in Scotland, writes about what makes him homesick, as well as how he chooses to deal with it.

I find that homesickness and loneliness go hand in hand for me. The times when homesickness strikes are invariably when I am feeling most isolated. Usually this is tied closely to having too much time on my hands. If I’m too busy to think about it then I probably won’t notice being homesick.

{Ponderings from Afar}

In France, Pumpkin Pie writes on how Homesickness Has No Cure, and how keeping in touch and accepting that can be helpful.

Because of my past experience with homesickness I knew it would visit me soon when I moved to France but no person can prepare themselves for what it will feel like or what you will miss. The first time it hit me so hard I sat in the car sobbing and my husband just held me. He understood because he had lived in America for over two years and I had witnessed his bouts of homesickness.

{From My French Window}

And, on this side of the Chunnel, I write about catching that glimpse of someone who isn't really your friend, but looks like it, and how that throws off your whole day, sometimes.

Dealing with it varies, and depends. Some days I shrug it off, reminding myself that I'm experiencing things that my friends back home envy, that I'm going to see new and exciting things, that I can see a freaking castle from my window at work. I remember these things and I smile. You gotta concentrate on the good things.

{Anna Overseas}

Thanks again for all the responses, I hope Amber reads them and it helps her in her experiences!

As of December 16th, Phil will take over hosting duties for a while.

Third!

2005-11-17T01:22:00.000-08:00

The second Carnival of Expats is ready to begin!

If you're curious as to what a Carnival of blogging is, check out my rather muddled explanation.

This week's topic: Over on Sheepdip, Amber asked Phil how he deals with homesickness and missing his family. So, I pass it along to the Carnival: How do you deal with it? How does it affect you?

I look forward to reading varied responses on Monday!

Note: Any expat can contribute a post and get linked. Don't feel obligated to respond to every Carnival! But, the more repsonses, the funner it will be!

Extra Note: Next week will mark the first full month of the Expat Carnival, and I'd like it to rotate monthly in hosts. If you're interested in hosting, drop me an email and I'll get you set up.

Second: All About Food

2005-11-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

This week's carnival asked expats to write about their most interesting food experience while living overseas.

From My French Window cried "I Ate Bunny!", in a post full of explanations and grief about accidently eating rabbit meat in the hospital.

His response to my confession to having unknowingly eaten an adorable bunny was that he knew about the lapin (rabbit) but he thought if he told me I would not eat. HE HAD READ THE DOOR and did not warn me! Fine. Fine. Fine. NO...NOT FINE! Then why in the world did you not bring me McDonald's! You know I have no problem eating adorable cows!

{From my French Window}

Akr, one half of DNA, writes about being a vegetarian in a restaurant called Carnivore. (I must admit - my mouth is watering at the descriptions of the restaurant, although any place that will run out and get a vegetarian a suitable meal from another restaurant would get top marks in my book anyway.)

One of the waiters in particular- he looked more like a butcher- seemed particularly disappointed by the inevitable rejections that second and third round offerings received. The strapping fellow either went back and hacked something in despair or bawled his guts out. I guess we will never know.

Meanwhile, the other half of DNA writes about being brave enough to try something other than chicken.

So a few months or so ago I decided to start experimenting. I decided that I would go beyond just the fried fish and try other sea food preparations as well… and so a seasoned meat-eater who loves all things that swim took me (us!) to the Newton food stalls at about 1 night (was it 1am??) he ordered Cray fish, Prawns and Sting Ray.

{Singapore Ahoy!}

On the other side of the world, Don writes about the joys of living in a place with a cornacopia of choices for Indian food, as well as the oddities of a new country's food choices.

Poutine involves to foods that I very much enjoy, french fries and cheese, with one that makes me shudder, gravy. In Scotland they would look at you strangely if you asked for such a dish. Instead they serve Chips and Cheese, the parts I want without the scary gravy stuff.

{Ponderings from Afar}

And I go on at length about attempting to learn how to make Chinese dumplings with a language barrier.

It was an interesting evening, to say the least. Wei's father would mix up some... stuff... that was black... in with some meat... that was not black. And added some white stuff. Then he fried it up, in some other stuff that wasn't cooking oil.

{Anna Overseas}

Thank you again to everyone who participated this week! Remember: any expat can join us at any time, and if you write something suitable later than the due date, just let me know and I'll add it to our links.

Second!

2005-11-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

The second Carnival of Expats is ready to begin!

If you're curious as to what a Carnival of blogging is, check out my rather muddled explanation.

This week's topic: What has been your most interesting expat food experience?

I look forward to reading varied responses on Monday!

Note: Any expat can contribute a post and get linked. Don't feel obligated to respond to every Carnival! But, the more repsonses, the funner it will be!

First: Why did you decide to move?

2005-11-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first Expat Carnival! Participants this week answered the question "Why did you decide to move? Would you do it again? Why or why not?".

From France, in a post titled "A Small Small World", Pumpkin Pie writes about how moving to France was a decision that was the best for her family, both financially and emotionally. She also talks about how unusual the decision is, and how it effects her relationship with her extended family.

For us to think of living in another country is like living on another planet. Or when we meet people from other countries it is a little like they are aliens.

{From My French Window}

Meanwhile, off in Asia, Phil writes about the woman and the experiences that lead him to jump at a chance to head overseas.

Then the gods decided to intervene. I went to work on a Friday morning and was called into a board meeting. Thinking that I was getting retrenched, I was ready to quitely pack up my office and jump off the Sydney Harbour Bridge but it was not to be.

{Sheepdip}

In Singapore, DNA together write about accepting a job offer, a decision they wouldn't take back.

We knew it would be more challenging than anything else in our (married) life till now....

{Singapore Ahoy!}

In Scotland, in a post titled "Leaving Town", Don writes about friends making choics to leave home, and how that changed the idea of 'home' for him.

Most of my closest friends were in the process of scattering and I had to face the realisation that those who weren’t already on that path were likely to, especially the ones who, like me, were not focussed on fledgling families. I started to realise that I needed to seriously focus on other parts of my life.

{Ponderings from Afar}

Also in Scotland, I wrote a post called "Never Go Home Again", where I bring up how being tired of being unhappy (and a 'small' loan) got me out of Canada and across to the UK, following a rather poorly thought out stint in China.

I could... could... become a new person, and then rush back to Canada, with all of my problems and issues solved, because no one would remember them! I'd just be that cool person who went off to China for a year! Yes! Wonderful plan!

{Anna Overseas}

Thank you to all the participants this week! I'd like to extend a special thank you to Living in the South Pacific, who not only suggested this week's topic, but emailed me moments before leaving for the airport to apologize for not writing this week. She's moving to Paupa New Guinea, you see, and got a bit busy. *grin*

Come back again Thursday for another topic, and remember: Anyone who is an expat can participate! {Expat Carnival}

First!

2005-11-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

The first Carnival of Expats is ready to begin!

Every week, a new topic will be chosen by the hosting blog on a Thursday. Over the course of the weekend, other expat bloggers will write on that topic, post it to their blog, and submit the permanent link (and trackback link if appropriate) to the host blog. On Monday morning (local time!), the host blog will round up the various posts into a cornacopia of links and commentary. It will be posted on both the host blog (in this case, Anna Overseas), and on the primary blog of the Carnival (which is cunning called the Expat Carnival). Submitting blogs will then either link to the writeup, or copy and paste it into their own blog.

That was a longer sum up than I expected.

This week's topic, in honour of the first edition, is "Why did you decide to move? Would you do it again? Why or why not?", as suggested by Living in the South Pacific.

I look forward to reading varied responses on Monday!

Note: Any expat can contribute a post and get linked. Don't feel obligated to respond to every Carnival! But, the more repsonses, the funner it will be!

Introduction

2005-11-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

And so, I write an introductory post for the Carnival of Expats.

The Carnival will be held weekly. On Thursday, the host for that week will post up the question they would like the bloggers to answer and respond to that week. These will, of course, vary depending on the host (who will have posting access to this host blog), but will focus on some part of the ex-pat life.

Once the participant has written their post, they will email the host and advise of the URL (and track back, if applicable) of their post, as well as the title of it.

Monday morning, local time, the host will post a list of each of the blog entries written on that topic, both in their blog and here, directing everyone who checks it out to the various posts, to read the various impressions on that topic. Members of the Carnival should feel free to link either to the host blog or to this blog's post, to direct readers to the various thoughts and ponderings on the topic.

There is no obligation to participate each week. Participate once, weekly, monthly, yearly, whatever works best for you!

The idea is to get many different opinions and experiences of the expat life!

Hope to hear more from you soon!