Interview with an Expat, Helen Bannigan
v Where are you originally from and where are you living now? I’ve lived abroad now for close to 30 years, and am on my 6th country: After leaving my home country of… Read More
Memories of a first trip to China
China is a fascinating place and the people are full of intriguing paradoxes – delightfully friendly and respectful, wise and dignified in one moment, then spitting and burping and picking their nose the… Read More
My Boozy Valentine – Hong Kong Style
My sweet 11-year old daughter always gives us gifts for any holiday and Valentine’s Day is no exception. I got a chocolate rose. And her Dad got…. well… …a can of beer.… Read More
Salamat, Cebu
Gorgeous Cebu in the Philippines, with its crystal clear waters, perfect weather and warm, friendly, welcoming people. We loved our time there… but were also struck by the stark and unsettling contrasts.… Read More
Curiosities of Amber Alerts
“How could people be so callous?”, thought Susan, a lovely American girl just starting out at an international school in Hong Kong after moving over from the Midwest. “What’s up with the… Read More
So, You’re Going “Home”
Top 3 Secrets to Successful Repatriation So, you’re going home! After so many years abroad, you’re finally returning home. Congratulations! Wait, home?? What is this “home”? What are the challenges to moving… Read More
Don’t Call Me, and I Won’t Call You
Ring, ring ME: Hello? CALLER: Silence. ME: Hello?? (with more emphatic intonation) CALLER: silence ME: Whaayee? (Cantonese for Hello, with loads of tonality to show the onset of impatience) CALLER: Silence. ME:… Read More
Cultural Curiosities of China
I just got back from my first business trip to Panyu, Guangzhou China, after preparing for weeks interviewing dozens of people about business practices, and communications styles, and researching the history and… Read More











