Expat Mums Blog

• The frog curses
  I had not planned on teaching my 21-month old daughter how to curse. What kind of role model would I be? I don't even curse! Blame the frog, it only wanted to be heard. REE-BIT. Yesterday was like any other morning, I woke up early and made coffee while Beli and my husband slept. Caught up on some reading, blogs, etc. Then Beli woke up and wanted to draw, one...
  
  
• Accidentally Causing Offence
  Why is it th at when learning a new language, the only words that are easily remembered are the swear words? Which means of course that you are left with a load of ways to be rude to people, admittedly helpful whilst driving in Bosnia but not ideal when you are trying to exchange pleasantries and ingratiate yourself into the nursery gate club. The thing that I have noticed is...
  
  
• It IS a small world after all
  It turns out that two of our favourite Brit expats in America have recently discovered that not only do they have similar experiences getting used to life in the US midwest but they have met before, a little while ago. They recently published posts talking of this coincidence that neatly demonstrates the smallness of the world. Both posts are reproduced here, complete with photos of some very young bloggers-to-be. First...
  
  
• Lady Marmalade
  This was my second marmalade season. Last year I was amazed and beguiled by the ease of making home-made marmalade. My first attempt was a triumphant success. I put oranges, sugar and water into the pot - stirred a few times in between feeding and changing the baby - and a few hours later I had a crisp, tangy, jewel-coloured jelly that set like a dream. Like gelatinous sunshine in...
  
  
• Home is where the heart is -- but where's your heart
  “Don’t you ever miss home?” an old friend asked me on Facebook a few days ago. She was referring to Sardinia, the Italian island where I was born and lived until the age of 17. More specifically, she was referring to Nuoro, the “city” so small it is barely a city at all – more of a town, really – where we all lived, went to school, met in the...
  
  
• The Little Things I Miss
  Proper bacon butties on a soft white bun Greasy spoon caffs, the crossword in the Sun. Office gossip, discussing last night’s TV The little work crushes and builder’s tea. Boots the Chemist, Greggs sausage rolls New M&S pants to replace mine with holes Football away days, the Balti pies Wins over Derby and FA cup ties Nights out with pals, going to gigs Hailing a taxi and getting pissed. A...
  
  
• One New Year’s Resolution I Won’t Be Breaking
  My foremost resolution for 2010 is to bring our baby into the world. I’m 39 weeks pregnant; baby and I are cramped and uncomfortable; there’s no turning back now. I’m ready to become a mom. My pregnancy has been a wild, sushi and brie free ride of new understanding. I never pondered the ins and outs of pregnancy until I joined the club. I’d never heard of quickening, TENS machines,...
  
  
• A Serial Short Term Expat
  OK, so I’m not really officially an Expat mum … at the moment … but I have been and well, with the way my feet are itching at the moment, I’m pretty sure I will be again. So, on the invite of the lovely Emily at Brits in Bosnia, here I am! I first entered the world of being an expat age 23 when I spent six wonderful months living...
  
  
• There is no queue in Hungarian
  I have to admit it, I am a British person to the core of my being. Living away from the UK for over a year has finally taught me this. There are a lot of British cultural traits/ modes of behaviour that I can do without, queuing is not one of them. I have always been a stickler for queue etiquette- waiting my turn even when the Kids were desperate...
  
  
• US vs. UK Christmas
  As our fair Josie at Sleep is for the Weak is taking a holiday sabatical from the Writing Workshop, we here at Cafe Bebe are struggling for inspiration. I’ve gone to Josie for a personal prompt and it’s a good one! Her advice, US vs UK Christmases? Which one is better? What’s different?? Are you ready for a bit of Christmas cheer?? Here is what my Christmases were like in...