Expat Spice

It is not often that I get political in this blog, in fact I tend to steer away from it purely because I don’t think I have enough knowledge, but also this is a fun outlet and my readers are mainly tapping into my posts for an insight into my fun expat adventures and not to engage in deep debates. However, whilst my social media feeds are filled daily with protests, speeches and social comment, it seems that there is something I am compelled to address, especially as a woman.

Now don’t switch off, this isn’t going to be me preaching from a suffrage soap box, but the world has been flooded with powerful images of women standing up, for a basic right to be treated with respect and dignity and it made me think about the women who have touched my life in my past, present and no doubt my future. I have noticed whilst embarking on this expat journey, that expat women aren’t the cliched, gin swilling, twin set and pearl wearing, shopaholic, trailing spouces the outside world perceive. Expat women are amongst some of the strongest women I have ever come across. 

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Planning permission

I have a confession to make…. Hi my name is Jersey Girl and I am a planner! Yep there it is, I’ve said it. I am the one you find, addictively buying everything pretty in Paperchase, just so I can document every inch of my life. I have spreadsheeted Christmas! I have also been known to have a rather lovely pink Filofax, back in the day, that came everywhere and was my only comfort sitting alone in a coffee shop pondering the week ahead. So I may have moved on from my little pink book, but last week as I spent the morning colour coding my calendar on my iPhone (I know don’t judge me!) I realised that there is still a planner lurking deep down inside me. The issue now is that my expat existence doesn’t allow my wonderful gift to flourish. Now whilst I am sure that Hubby is relieved by this prospect, it had me thinking…do I still really need it?

To plan or not to plan;that is the question

Shoulda, woulda, coulda

Last week I had a little impromptu chat with a fellow expat blogger, over Instagram. The thing about bloggers, and especially expat bloggers, is that we are an incredibly friendly bunch. Just like my desert girls they “get it” so we tend to gravitate to each other, not only in real life, but in the social media one too. Anyway I digress a little, I was sent a message regarding life in Kuwait and did I have any specific posts about life here and advice I could instill. I realised that whilst I had a couple of posts directly about Kuwait, I did not have a post, that anyone considering a move to this little random corner of the Middle East, could read and gain a little insight into what life is really like here. So thanks to the lovely lady for inspiring this post and hope that this may guide her decision.

How long is long enough?

I am well and truly back into the swing of desert life, the desert girls have all returned from their travels and you will be pleased to hear, that the ladies that brunch will be reconvening this week. However, whilst this weekly ritual was on hold, I still managed to meet up for a post Christmas Starbucks with those who had spent the Yuletide in situ, so I was very eager to hear their experiences. I am pleased to report that they were all very contented and even the newest desert gal was surprised she “survived”. 

Perfect timing

So this is my first post of 2017 and I can’t quite believe that another year has passed. It is true what they say, the older you get the faster time goes, which can be a little scary but at the same time Carpe Diem and all that, so Happy New Year dear readers. You will be happy to know, that this island girl has left her sandy shores and is now back on desert sands, and to some this maybe a surprise, but I am actually really happy to be back. I was not happy with the long 19 hour journey back alone and I had to battle with the usual Kuwaiti madness of boarding the plane in no orderly fashion, the man next to me who didn’t want to watch a movie but was quite happy to watch mine over my shoulder the entire time and then the mad rush off the plane with people wandering about whilst we are still taxiiing……..Ahhh it really is good to be back!