Archive for the 'Living abroad' Category

(Chronologically Listed)

The Circus is Coming to Town

One of the not-so-thrilling aspects of living in Southern California is dealing with termite infestation in our wood-framed homes.
Our townhouse development (about 250 units in all) is being fumigated this month, which means double-bagging all our food and medicines, moving all our houseplants out into the yard, packing up everything we need for work and […]

Posted by elp admin on July 21st, 2008 under From the editor, Living abroad | 1 Comment »

Talking to a South African about Obama

A couple months ago I had an interesting conversation with a friend, a middle-aged (he’d give me crap for saying that) scientist, highly respected in his field, who lives in New York City with his wife and teenage son.
I forget the exact discussion so many months later but he started along the lines of, “I’m […]

Posted by elp admin on June 5th, 2008 under Politics & society, Living abroad | 2 Comments »

We Had a Great Time

We’re back from ten beautiful days on Vancouver Island. We travelled up together, leaving Dave at a conference in Seattle, while Tau and I flew on to Victoria, where we stayed with Dave’s Mom and Dad.
We spent time visiting the extended family and exploring new aspects of our old stomping grounds … those that appeal […]

Posted by elp admin on June 2nd, 2008 under From the editor, Living abroad, From around the world, Travel & leisure | 1 Comment »

Straight-Up Dooce

 
From time to time, you’ll hear me rave about Heather Armstrong, also know as She Who Rules the Blogosphere.
 
If you don’t already read her daily, I’m wondering why. And I don’t mean to be rude by saying that. Dooce isn’t everybody’s martini glass of vodka. She’s straight-up, maybe with an olive … on good […]

Posted by elp admin on May 15th, 2008 under Living abroad, Body, mind & spirit, From around the world, Technology & gadgets | 1 Comment »

Why She Moved to Australia

Sarah Britten, contributor to Thought Leader, posted an article Monday on taking a new and exciting job in Australia and choosing to leave South Africa.
I thought I’d link to it here because she writes eloquently about the many reasons she decided to step across the ocean.
An excerpt:
“My reasons for leaving South Africa for Australia are […]

Posted by elp admin on May 14th, 2008 under Politics & society, Living abroad, Living in South Africa, From South Africa | 3 Comments »

Blame it On Woolies!

The last time Dave and I were in South Africa, we bought two gorgeous pillowcases at Woolworths.
As I recall there were Queen-size duvet covers and sheets to match but we didn’t buy them because, for one thing, we have a King-size bed and, for another, we each sleep with our own single duvet.
Yes, long ago, […]

Posted by elp admin on May 9th, 2008 under Living abroad, Home & decorating | 6 Comments »

Joining Facebook

I find it interesting how different nationalities use technology. Americans are mad about Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, blogs (which we read using RSS readers liker Google Reader or Bloglines) and online shopping. We love the comfort and ease — OK, laziness — of online shopping! In SA (correct me if I’m wrong) you’re all about texting […]

Posted by elp admin on April 20th, 2008 under Living abroad, Living in South Africa, From around the world, From South Africa, Technology & gadgets | 3 Comments »

The Sweets of the Internet

 
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not the kind of person who loafs around all day on the Internet, scrounging for free stuff and dollar-off coupons. I have a job, I have a family, I have a life. (Grin.)
But every now and then, when I am visiting a site or a blog I like, I enter […]

Posted by elp admin on April 16th, 2008 under Living abroad, From around the world, Giving & receiving, Products & services | 1 Comment »

For Those Doing the Postcard Swap

Before I pair you up, I want to be sure I haven’t missed anyone who wants to do the postcard swap.
I have:

Jeanne (at Cook Sister)
Caty from Germany
Jennifer from Los Angeles
My American friend who prefers to remain nameless, the one who reminded me about African Daisies!
Cee Cee from Joburg
Georgie from Durban
Hanlie from Cape Town
And myself

Am […]

Posted by elp admin on April 14th, 2008 under Living abroad, Odds & Ends, Living in South Africa, From around the world, From South Africa, Giving & receiving | 2 Comments »

Not a Good South African (and a Plant Killer)

 
This past Saturday I took my son Tau to the park to ride the local vintage railway. I took my new camera along and snapped pictures of the neighbourhood as we walked, including the photo above.
These beautiful daisies are scattered in gardens throughout our area here in Southern California. But as I uploaded […]

Posted by elp admin on April 10th, 2008 under Odds & Ends, From the editor, Living abroad | 2 Comments »

Two Ways to Tell Your Own Story

It’s time to get your creative juices flowing!
Two easy and fun ways:
1. The First Luckypacket Postcard Swap!
I think it’s high time we kicked off our first eLuckypacket postcard exchange. I posted about this recently and many of you were keen.
Here’s the plan:

If you haven’t already, post a comment below or send me an email (editor@eluckypacket.com) […]

Posted by elp admin on April 8th, 2008 under Living abroad, Odds & Ends, Living in South Africa, From around the world, From South Africa, Technology & gadgets | 1 Comment »

Where You’ve Come From to Where You Now Are

This past weekend I was reminded of the challenges of leaving South Africa and moving to another country.
When I moved to Canada, it felt easy — I was young, in love and excited about everything a new country had to offer. But it was not without its challenges. Probably the biggest three being learning to […]

Posted by elp admin on March 31st, 2008 under Politics & society, Arts & culture, Living abroad, Books, movies & music | Comment now »

Easter at Our House

It is the hour to rend thy chains, the blossom time of souls.
~Katherine Lee Bates
Happy Easter and belated wishes for those of you who celebrated Purim last week!
We spent Easter Sunday yesterday with Dave’s sister Trish (eLuckypacket reader!), who was visiting with her family. Tau loves haves having his teenage cousins Greg and Jess […]

Posted by elp admin on March 24th, 2008 under From the editor, Living abroad, Body, mind & spirit, Kids & family | 1 Comment »

Reader Focus: Cook Sister

“From her I learned that it’s OK to use shortcuts sometimes, provided you jazz it up a little, and that life is usually too short to hold down a job and bake your own bread regularly.”
Jeanne at Cook Sister,
about her mom.
 
For those of you who haven’t met her, Jeanne at Cook Sister has […]

Posted by elp admin on March 19th, 2008 under Living abroad, Kids & family, Food & entertaining | 2 Comments »

What We Had With Dinner Friday Night

(Miss Friday’s post?
Click ‘n tell us a bit
about you.)

It’s not every day you come home to mail from the United States Government. Especially when you’ve been waiting to hear from them for seven years.
Friday we got official notification that our green card application has been approved. We are now permanent residents of the United States […]

Posted by elp admin on March 17th, 2008 under From the editor, Living abroad | 6 Comments »



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