Expat Life Blog
Stories from the Borderland
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Reclaiming Your Spell: Lessons in Power from the Once and Future Witches
In The Once and Future Witches, magic is intertwined with everyday life and storytelling. The Eastwood sisters demonstrate that reclaiming one’s inner power involves embracing anger, recognizing the potency in mundane practices, and fostering community. Personal growth emerges through shared narratives, transforming individual struggles into collective strength and liberation.
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Rising Together: Introducing the Sassy Phoenix Circle
The Sassy Phoenix Circle was established to create a transformative space for expat women seeking deeper connections and personal growth. Originating from focus group insights, it emphasizes shared storytelling, deep listening, and empowerment. Currently meeting in Boulder/Denver, plans for virtual gatherings are underway to foster connection for women everywhere.
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Life After Life: The Many Versions of an Expat Soul
In “Life After Life” by Kate Atkinson, Ursula Todd experiences multiple lives, highlighting how small moments can lead to different outcomes. This resonates with expats who often contemplate the versions of themselves left behind. Embracing new identities fosters resilience, while reflecting on these parallel selves enriches personal growth and belonging.
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What Plants Teach Us About Belonging
Yesterday, I stood in a line of strangers as a botanist asked us to judge the ‘outsiders’ of the natural world. As the only one in the group with an accent, I realized I was the human equivalent of a non-native plant—uprooted and seeking soil that wasn’t originally designed for me.
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I Miss It, I Don’t Miss It
When people ask the “fateful question” about missing Italy, they expect a simple talk of food and family. But the truth is a complex architecture of what we leave behind and what we’ve gained. Are you ready to tidy up the “tangle of ideas” and reclaim your narrative?
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The Price You Pay
At first, living abroad feels like a perpetual vacation. Everything is new, sparked by wonder and curiosity. But the wonder eventually fades into the logistical grit of navigating healthcare systems, utilities, and social nuances. There is a hidden price that reveals itself slowly, year after year.
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The Big Step: From Residency to a Legacy of Choice
After 13 years, I’m taking the big step toward US citizenship. This isn’t just about a passport—it’s about the conscious choice to stop being a guest and start being a stakeholder in a new home.
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Fighting Moms
There is a precise moment in history when the private pain of a mother transforms into a public cry for justice. It is a transformation that possesses an almost unstoppable primordial force, capable of shaking even the most solid regimes and the most indifferent bureaucracies.
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The Darkest Day in Boulder: Reclaiming Safety in a New Home
How do we find safety after the familiar is shattered? Explore the journey of rebuilding belonging and resilience in a new home after a community crisis.
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Italian Smugglers: Resilience, Identity, and the Art of Belonging
The local history of Louisville, Colorado, reflects struggles during Prohibition, particularly for Italian immigrants facing discrimination. The narrative highlights the resilience of these immigrants, their hidden identities, and the ongoing challenges of belonging in contemporary society.
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The Dignity of the ‘Last’: Lessons from Mother Cabrini
The film Cabrini portrays Mother Francesca Cabrini’s struggle and resilience as an Italian immigrant, emphasizing her mission to restore dignity for marginalized people. The narrative highlights the emotional challenges of identity and belonging faced by immigrants, advocating for empathy and the importance of retaining one’s heritage while integrating into new cultures.
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The Borderline of Identity: Lessons in Humanity from a Friend
The conversation between the author and Tamar, a retired researcher, highlights the complexities of living as an expat. Tamar’s experience of dual identity—a connection to her Israeli roots and the liberal values gained in America—illustrates the mental health struggles faced when bridging these worlds. Emphasizing empathy, she showcases how integration enriches identity rather than diminishes it.
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At the Ball of Jekyll and Hyde
The Colorado Ballet’s production of Jekyll & Hyde explores themes of duality, mental health, and offers a reflection on the immigrant experience through evocative choreography and set design. It illustrates the struggle between one’s original self and the new identity formed abroad, emphasizing the necessity for integration rather than repression to maintain mental well-being.
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The Expat Paradox: Finding Home in a Carnival Mask
Last night, I hosted a diverse gathering of characters for Carnival, a vibrant Italian celebration. Unlike Halloween, Carnival symbolizes joy, breaking social norms, and fostering empathy. It challenges us to understand others’ perspectives while celebrating life.
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The Day the Groundhog Saw Its Shadow
In the U.S., February 2nd is dedicated to the weather-predicting whims of a groundhog. From top hats in Pennsylvania to stuffed mascots in Boulder, this quirky tradition offers a unique look at how we adapt old-world rituals to our new homes during times of transition.
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Little Street Libraries and Discarded Books
In our world of constant connectivity and digital efficiency, the local passion for cellulose is thriving. It’s evidenced by the little free libraries popping up like mushrooms on street corners and in front yards. To a newcomer, they look like charming gnome houses—wooden structures with gabled roofs that offer a silent, literary welcome.
Expat Life Blog Stories from the Borderland
New Moon Coaching for Expat Women 