I’ve known my predecessor, Melanie, for a couple years now.  Her dedication to our organisation is unwavering, her kindness is heartwarming and her knowledge and advice has been invaluable to me over the last sixteen months.

Where were you born?  Solihull , West Midlands UK

Where are you currently? Houston, Texas

How long have you been there?  Seven years

How long do you expect to be there? Hopefully until we retire

Where else have you lived?  Singapore , France and New York

What you love about where you are living? The winter climate

What is the worst thing about where you live? The summer heat

The hardest part of living where you live?  Being so far away from Solihull

What has surprised you most about where you live?  That I like it!!

Your biggest lesson learned? The location is what you make it. Our worst move was one we did ourselves…I was miserable because of my negative attitude…always strive to remain positive.

One reason you wouldn’t have missed living there for the world? Living in Garches made me realise that attitude makes or breaks the assigment..

The best food? Cheese Fondue

The best sight? The Eiffel Tower, twinkling blue (probably paid for my taxe d’habitation!!)

Your biggest fear for the future?  Not being able to travel to see my family

Funniest incident?  Teaching French in France! (Thought I would need to teach English, which I hate!!)

What NOT to do in your location? Walk in August!

The person who has inspired you most where you live and why?  Deb Melacini….she was so positive about being a new expat…a model spouse to all….and you, Las and Magz…just wonderful new expat spouses!

Best piece of advice you could give to newbie expats? Join in and accept local advice and friendship. Have an open mind!

Anything else you want to add? Being an expat makes you part of a global family…just recently we attended an expat family wedding…we were seated with family and our kids were on the cousins’ table…looking at them, they were equally as cousinlike and we were treated like family…just great!…..Sometimes though, one’s own family seems (and is) miles away…You win some and lose some.

Check out interview #1 Sarah, from Ireland, now in Houston.