Expat Exposé

...and no, i do not want a store card.

Ever considered it? Ever had a niggling urge to up sticks move over seas and live in the sunshine paying less (or no) tax? I didn't. Well thats not strictly true, there were a couple of rainy afternoons when I most definitely would have dropped everything to be lying by a pool, Bellini in hand, trashy book on lap and sun beaming down, but thats not strictly "expat living" more Beverley Hills 90210...

The reality is it was never something that was actually a reality. Yeah overseas relocation is something people idly chat about, a pipe dream, a time passing topic of conversation, but how many people actually ever really consider it (when not a reaction to a messy divorce, a fugitive on the run or lottery winner)?

From my investigations, not many. It seems that people only really bite the bullet when the offer is laid out in front of them, usually as a career opportunity, a temporary posting or a partner is going for work (obviously there are some exceptions) in our case it was the first. Yes on rainy days we discussed how great it would be to never have to wear a coat again (yet ironically we have moved to a country where it rains every day, hot rain though hot rain) but it was only really when a career opportunity for Brad that we would struggle to rival popped up, and I also got offered a job, that pillow talk became a reality.

So whats it really like to be an Expat?

Ok so we aren't veterans yet, but Hopefully I can give you an insight. A lot of people asked me before I left how I decided as they were in similar predicaments, my advice was just do it. If its for a few years, chances are your friends will all be in the same town when you get back, in mildly transitional yet somehow the same social groups and drinking in the same pubs, just with different stories to tell. And us? we will have an entire life experience, we will be able to look back on these years as "that time we lived in Asia" and in a few years time when I'm back in the white horse with a glass (bottle) of Pinot Grigio discussing with the girls where to get the best Salmon Nigiri, it will be from a totally different, or as my mother would say "worldly", point of view. So my advice, if you get the opportunity, grab it with both hands, worst that can happen? You come home, Even worse...living a life of what if...

Reality Check

It may seem like I have a tendency to glamorise things with our seemingly lavish life of boat trips and fine dining, but to be honest, life as an expat on a day to day basis is pretty much the same as back in Blighty, only more humid. Here are some snapshots of our more normal life.

We still get over sunday blues by heading to the pub to consume hearty comfort food, its not all noodles, steamed fish and pack choy. oh no. There is a cracking English pub under our building (dangerous) where we indulged in Sunday Bloody Marys,  a roast duck and mozzarella pizza, potaoe wedges with chilli sauce and breaded fish with Tartar sauce...some things never get old.

Home cooking remains pretty standard. As tempting as it is to go down to the cheap as chips hawker market or one of the many glitzy restaurants every night, most nights when your tiered from work you just want a bog standard, minimal effort meal in front of the TV. Recent selections included Chicken Curry and Beef Stir fry (ok quite Asian, but my repertoire is rather limited)

Although some thing remain the same i just had to share this bad boy with you, this is an Asian version of a kinder egg. It it basically nutella with 2 little ferrero rocher things bobbing about inside and a spoon, toy is in the other half of the egg. Absolute genius. I'm bringing this find back to british Shores.

So there you have it peeps, Expat life, although it has its perks, on a daily basis is pretty much the same, so despite relocating your life, starting a new job and making new friends... its no biggy I shall leave you with a list of the daily odds and ends that niggle us, in all time zones!

1. Mondays always come too soon

2. People walking slowly and stopping in the street without warning always deserve a punch in the back of the head.

3. Taxi drivers have pretty rubbish chat, everywhere, nor can they take hints

4. Tuesdays will always be the longest day of your life.

5. Daily Mail.com still works (however is not updated as often as my daytime in uk night time, argh)

6. Men love to stare, yes  we can see you, even behind your sunglasses they do not make you invisible.

7. The gym can always wait till tomorrow

8. Making lists of lists does not get things done.

9. Just because H&M is cheap does not mean you should buy everything, and not try it on.

10. HANGOVERS.

On that note expats and non expats around the world i'm off to (a needs to be changed but can't be bothered stripping it) bed.

Happy Day Time

XXX