Unfortunately for me, Corinne has been one of my most recent ‘losses’ as an expat in Houston as she has just moved back to Europe. She’ll be missed here, in spite of being a crazy-busy mother of four (ages ranging from 6 to 16 yrs old) she has a beautiful soul and always has time for her friends.Where else have you lived? My first expat was Houston, TX, 1997-2003. We then moved to Hanover, Germany for 2 years, and Surrey, UK for 4 years.
The hardest part of living where you live? Well, it was hard the first time around, as, in the beginning, I was at home with a baby and access to a car only a few days a week (my husband would carpool, so when it was his time to drive, I would be stranded at home). It was also hard to be so far away from home, as within the first month of our being here, my brother had a serious car accident, and my grand-father had a heart attack. All of a sudden, you realise you cannot be there for them, all you can do is worry… And when eventually my grand-father passed away 3 years ago, it was hard to leave my husband and 4 children by themselves here, and go by my grandpa’s bedside. I remember vividly the plane trip, I didn’t sleep a wink, as I was always thinking maybe I won’t make it on time to say goodbye.
I never minded driving, so that was not too hard for me, and after a while, you get used to having to take your car to do everything.
What has surprised you most about where you live? When I first arrived: shops open 24/7! But then you get used to it, and now it’s hard when I go back to France, to have to remember that shops are closed on Sundays, and sometimes for a 2 hours lunch break.
Also, the kinship with other expats. When I hear someone speak French in a store, I just turn around and talk to them. I tried that in London, it didn’t go down quite so well ! The French community there is too big, and too close to home, they don’t need to have the same kind of bonds that we have here.
Your biggest lesson learned? Tough one… It’s been a long journey, both geographically and metaphysically. But I’d say : you’re the only artisan to your own happiness, and it doesn’t depend on where you live. It lives within yourself.
On a more pragmatic note: take the good sides of where you live, and forget about the less good ones. That’s the best way to be happy. Don’t spend your time comparing what you used to have in other places that might have been better, otherwise you’ll be miserable. Just embrace the new place, and strive to find the silver linings, as there always are some.
One reason you wouldn’t have missed living there for the world? Do I have to stick to one? My first daughter was born here, all my children grew up in Houston. They are all bilingual, and my English has improved tremendously through living in so many countries. I have wonderful memories here! Most importantly I would say, my children are all very open-minded, which they probably wouldn’t have been if we had stayed in a little city in France.
The best food? I love the Tex-mex food, and Cajun.
The best sight? My baby daughter on the day she was born here… OK, do you mean one that can actually be enjoyed by other people too? Probably the azaleas at Bayou Bend. Or maybe was it the cardinals jumping from twig to twig along the Bayou? Or the hummingbirds in our garden? Or, in a completely different way, Dance Salad Festival?… Too hard to name just one!
Your biggest fear for the future? I’m repatriating, and though I know it’s going to feel like a new expat, I fear I won’t have that wonderful group of women (mostly) and men to help ease the transition.
Funniest incident? We were on a sort of scavenger hunt through the hill country with our French expat group. One of the things we had to bring back was a horn. Being a forester, I learned the difference between an antler and a horn, so I didn’t want to just stop to buy an antler at any store. As we were driving, we passed a slaughter house. They didn’t believe their ears when we asked them if they had some horns for us. But they did go in the back and sawed the horns off of one of the cow head they had there! So we spent the rest of the day with a set of horns in our trunk. And when we came to the end of our trail, everyone else had brought antlers back, and as the judges didn’t know the difference between the two, we didn’t win. But it was a fun day!
What NOT to do in your location? Go walking in an unfamiliar neighbourhood in the summer heat. My dad once decided to go for a walk in August around 4pm. When he finally made it home, he was close to a heat stroke, as he couldn’t find the street, or the house…
If you can also avoid falling off horses, roller blades or bikes and getting injured, your wallet will be very thankful, as health comes with a price here 😉
The person who has inspired you most where you live and why? Kathryn Miller. Again, that’s a very personal one, as she helped me grow as a person, and that doesn’t have much to do with being an expat. She used to be my youngest daughter’s Montessori teacher, and she took a very wholesome approach, helping the parents grow as much as the children! She’s just a wonderful human being, who taught me a lot about how to be assertive without giving up on my need to help others.
Best piece of advice you could give to newbie expats? Live in the here and now. And inquire about expat groups in your area, whether through the company that moves you, or one based on nationality or language. Though I don’t condone not embracing your new country, it feels good from time to time to meet with people that speak the same language as you, understand your culture and know that tarot isn’t necessarily about reading the future, but can also be enjoyed simply playing cards!
Don’t stay by yourself, either join an expat group, or a university, or a play group, or a choir, or learn a new hobby (for example one that is very common in your host country, like quilting or scrap booking here).
Anything else you want to add? Life is all about the journey, and, as an expat, you travel both in space and time. Enjoy it! Take as much from it as you can. It’s a wonderful growth opportunity given to you.
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