Well, Why Not?

Today's episode is an update on why I took a hiatus from posting new episodes.

Do you want to stay connected? Follow me on:

Greetings! It has been a while. I'll talk about my break in a future episode, but today, I wanted to discuss how I view my safety abroad in light of recent events in Ecuador.

As always, your opinions, comments and suggestions are welcome! 

The title might sound like a departure from my normal topics but stay with me. I am going to explain how each of the Housewives represents "typical" expats that I have met throughout my journey.

Let me know if you agree with my observations. 

In this episode, I talk about my views on the idea that children and the younger generation need to go through some type of financial struggle in order to be successful adults. 

What are your thoughts on it?

In this episode, I share my experience with health care in Ecuador.

Today is the commemoration of Bataille de Vertières, which was the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution, and the final part of the Revolution under Jean Jacques Dessalines fought in 1803. I wanted to celebrate the occasion by talking about 3 historical facts about Haiti that I think make us so unique. Hope you learn something new!

Are you thinking of moving abroad, but you don't know how to go about picking a new home? In this episode, I give a few tips on how to find out information that will help you make this big decision.

I'm back! And the title says it all :)

This episode is an extension of my previous episode titled "You can't escape yourself." I believe that to thrive anywhere begins with you and 8 years ago I started making small changes that have enhanced my outlook on life. 

What do you think about my steps? Do you have other suggestions?

As I mentioned previously, the black experience is different for each person. In this episode, I talk about the big differences that have marked me while being black and abroad.

In this episode, I talk about the 3 mistakes I made when I first moved abroad.

As promised, in this episode I go into more detail about my financial management journey (which I'm still on). From how I started saving to my introduction to trading in the stock market - it's here. 

...the more things change. In this episode, I talk about what has changed and what has seemingly stayed the same about the Black Experience in the US and being an expat. 

What are some big changes you've noticed lately?

I have learned to love some of the quirkiest Haitian traditions and sayings. In this episode, I share some of my faves.

...as a black woman.

Since moving abroad, I have put a lot of effort into learning about myself, my boundaries, and how to advocate for myself. In this episode, I talk about how that looks in the US versus in Latin America.

Is there a time you wish you would have spoken up for yourself? Tell me about it in the comments.

This title is provoking my impostor syndrome a little, but I really believe that these few steps helped me prepare to take more risks, listen to my instinct and be a much happier person. 

What are some things you do to live a more authentic life?

It's about time a shared the *little* knowledge that I have about Ecuadorian immigration. 

For more details about the visa process, here are some resources:

Pensioner/Retiree visa: https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-jubilado

Investor's visa: https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-inversionista

Student visa: https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-estudiante

Professional visa: https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-profesional-tecnico-tecnologo-artesano

Service that can be used: https://gringovisas.com/

Can labels (nationality, race, ethnicity) really tell you anything about a person? In this episode, I talk about why I don't think so and a better way to get to know someone.

In this episode I talk about why I believe moving abroad is like money - it can only make you more of what you already are. 

What are some of the reasons you've thought of moving abroad?

In this episode, I explain my belief that we aren't meant to "do life" alone. Whether it's through the support of family, friends and community, we should feel 100% comfortable asking for and giving help.

I'm back from my "summer" hiatus. Let's catch up with what I've been doing and what my plans are for this next season.

Let's stay connected!

In this last episode of the first season, I explain how no matter what is going on in Haiti, my sense of being home there will never change. 

Thank you for listening to the past 20 episodes and stay tuned for more this Fall.

In the meantime, let's stay connected!

It's time we moved away from the notion that we shouldn't talk about money and finances. In this episode, I talk about how I started investing, even though growing up I thought it was only reserved for the rich.

Did you learn about wealth management as a child?

Resources referred to in the podcast:

You get a very poised podcast interview :)

My very first interview on the podcast is with my very eloquent daughter Lyrah and after 18 years of talking to her, I've managed to learn something new. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have these conversations with my children.

What are your thoughts about Lyrah's experiences? 

The diplomatic life *aka diplolife* reminded me how much I love and appreciate good manners, protocol, structure. In this episode, I talk about my favorite etiquette practices and how I think everyone could incorporate them into daily life.

Do you think etiquette and protocol are antiquated?

I'm back!!

This episode is not so much about travel right now as it is learning to say YES, even when I'm scared.

What has this past year taught you about fear? 

Let's stay connected!

I believe that past experiences shape our present-day feelings. Growing up in the Bay Area (California) taught me what I wanted and didn't want for my lifestyle. Considered to be one of the best places in the US, in this episode I talk about some pros and cons, as well as why I chose to leave.

What have you heard about the Bay Area?

Let's stay connected!

Every life choice has its consequences, right. In this episode, I talk about what I feel my children have gained and LOST from my decision to raise them abroad.

Do you think it's worth it? 

Let's stay connected!

It depends. 

This is usually the biggest obstacle for those wanting to expatriate who aren't creatives or in IT. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but in this episode I share my career development over the past 15+ years...

 What are your questions or concerns about finding work in another country?

Let's stay connected!

After recently participating in a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop, I started thinking about what it means to me to honor my experience as a black woman. In this episode I scratch the surface of what I'm sure will be my lifelong journey.

Let's stay connected!

How do you know when you're traveler or when you're an expat?

I attempt to answer that in this episode.

Let's stay connected!

My life choices show that I obviously don't think so. 

I'm glad to hear that I'm on trend because I've never felt like I fit into a particular group.

Do you?

Let's stay connected!

People ask me all the time if I miss the US and my answer is...of course I do. In this episode, I talk about the top three things that I appreciate more about the US (specifically Florida) now that I've lived abroad for 11 years. 

Are there things about where you live that you couldn't live without?  

Let's stay connected!

Yes, I just made expat into a verb :) This year, whether you're an expat or not you may be spending the holidays away from friends and family. In this episode, I talk about some tips that have helped me enjoy this season even when I'm not around all of my special people. What are your plans to get through this season in good spirits?

This will be my last episode of 2020, so please be safe and I'm wishing everyone a very merry holiday season. Looking forward to great things to come in 2021!!

Let's stay connected!

Since moving abroad, I have noticed that Americans have an acute sense of fear when it comes to child abductions or harm. In this episode, I talk about several instances where I was on the opposite end of what society expected me to do. 

Do you think the fear is justified? Or do you think we can benefit from assuming people are good?

Let's stay connected!

Learning new languages has been the most frustrating, fulfilling, difficult, and wonderful undertaking of my life. In this episode, I talk about when I decided to start learning languages and how I have yet to stop.

Are you learning a new language? If not, do you want to? 

Let's stay connected!

Sheltering in place - not something I thought I'd ever have to do; moreover thousands of miles away from my family. In this episode, I talk about what my experience has been like for me in Ecuador. 

What has it been like for you in your neck of the woods?

Let's stay connected!

Have you ever learned more about yourself while discovering a different culture? 

I learned a lot while studying abroad in France and in this episode, I go over 3 very important observations I made that have stayed with me until today. 

Let's stay connected!

My summers played a huge role in my decisions to travel. In this episode, I talk about how those memories prepared me for an unconventional life.

Referenced in the podcast: