I remember how shocked I was when I learned how much childcare would cost us. Daycare for the two girls was about as much as our mortgage per month – and we weren’t alone. This article from Yahoo! Finance is one of many that describe the daycare situation around 2015 when my kids were born.
Tag: living abroad
Blogtober Challenge: Days 13 & 14
The 13th was a lazy day, but somehow I still couldn’t find the energy (or the words) to finish and publish a blog post. The kids got through half a week of school after our marathon flight back from the States. We have a three day weekend, due to a holiday on Monday to remember
Blogtober Challenge: Day 12
American expats, are you planning to vote in the upcoming election? I don’t know about you, but I’m keen to exercise my civic right from the other side of the world. My Twitter and Instagram feeds are clogged with the descent into chaos that has been our political discourse, and each cringe-worthy day is challenging
Blogtober Challenge: Days 10 & 11
I was not able to publish a post yesterday; my energy was dedicated to dealing with condo renovation frustrations back in the States after catching up on sleep and some quiet time in the mani/pedi chair. I wasn’t nearly as distressed about missing a day as I was the first time, but I’ve had bigger
Blogtober Challenge: Day 9
Things were so crazy last week that I really haven’t spent much time reflecting on the time I got to spend with family and friends. We made this trip back for a friend, a fact that has elicited comments from other American expats along the lines of, “Must be a good friend. I wouldn’t do
The first Monday of September
Labor Day weekend; often considered the last chance to enjoy summer before the pages turn on summer and the season of pumpkin spice lattes, falling leaves, and apple picking begins. As vacationers soak up the last bit of summer along coasts before Columbus Day (that only some workers are allowed the time off), I can’t
2 things I may never get used to: The new, the familiar and the downright strange
One of the most frequent questions people ask me about living in Bangkok is about what strange things I have encountered, which honestly feels like a trick question. I mean, how do I find one unsettling encounter in a sea of them? The things I find strange are so numerous that, like the bizarrely dressed
A Guide to (Play) Dating Abroad
Dating these days; it is no easy feat. Finding the right app to suit your romantic preferences, crafting a profile that is a fitting presentation to the world, matching with someone who doesn’t suffer from severe halitosis or isn’t a serial killer, I’m not entirely sure how you single people do it. And yet… here
I tried Kuala Lumpur for the weekend and here’s what happened
One of the best things about living in Southeast Asia is the ease of travel from country to country. The spouse and I recently found an excuse (in the form of a boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthyse) to get away to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the weekend. Whether you’re a boxing enthusiast
4 Tips for settling into a new city, country, or planet
Starting fresh in a new place can be intimidating. Everyone you meet seemingly has the cheat codes for navigating the area because they have been living there at least a year longer than you. It’s easy to feel lost in the shuffle the first few times you venture out on an errand; especially if you