My Gypsy Costume, age 4
Welcome!
Expat Alien – Expat is short for expatriate. Somebody living outside their passport country. I spent a large part of my life as an expat. When I “repatriated” – came to live in my passport county, I felt out of place, like an outsider – – alien. Even after many years, I still feel a bit different. I grew up traveling the world and it is still my favorite thing. I have been to over forty countries and it is never enough.
I started this blog in 2012 to help promote my book. It was expatalien dot com back then. I then moved it to a different platform and got hacked and gave up on the whole mess but managed to pick it up back here on WordPress. In the meantime I did other things and started a blog showcasing my large postcard collection at Postcardbuzz.com. Check it out.
Here, I’m looking to start a new chapter and write about my travels, memories, small adventures, and random thoughts.
You can find out more about my background on my book page.
You can contact me here.
Cheers!
I absolutely love your new blog, and the name “Expat Alien!” So glad to have found it. I’ve added your blog to my blogroll section on Third Culture Kids, and I will try to be a regular reader.
Thank you! I have read and enjoyed yours as well!
I read your opening blurb of your book with much interest. You mentioned a physician in Burma by the name of Dr. Dunn with the SDA hospital. I happen to be Dr. Robert Dunn’s daughter, and grew up in Burma myself. I identify with a lot of the emotions you describe for ExPats who have lived much of their lives overseas.
So glad to meet you! I’ve lived most of my life overseas as well and now I’m dragging my two-year old twins around the world, too, and I wonder how this life-style will turn out for them. I look forward to learning from you, not only for my own experience but looking forward to my kids’ as well.
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
I’m a journalist who’s interviewed TCKs and am fascinated by them. I grew up in Canada but have lived in five countries. I think the cultural ease TCKs acquire is very cool.
Welcome and thank you! Where have you lived?
Many of us who never quite fit in for whatever reason are finding our tribe on the web. Welcome to the global community.
Thank you and thanks for stopping by!
Many of us who never felt we quite fit in for whatever reason are “finding our tribe” in cyberspace. Writing memoir is a powerful way to uncover the value and power of those differences. Welcome to the Tribe of Life Writers.
Oh shucks. The WordPress system got me so tangled up I did not realize I was double posting, so double welcome. 🙂
I know it can be challenging sometimes! 🙂
I can relate closely to your experience as an Expat Alien. I was born in England, but have spent my life back and forth between England, mainly Mexico, and five cities in the U.S. – and never belonged anywhere. While I feel more Latina, my appearance and accent identify me in the U.S. as British. I feel and am seen as a foreigner wherever I am , have never voted, had a home of my own, or set down roots, and felt lost and different until I heard about Global Nomads and found many others like you and me.
Welcome, nice to meet you! It is always fun to meet fellow travelers. I will look forward to you book coming out!! 🙂
I love your story! I can relate a bit–I was part of that expat community for a few years when we lived overseas (and I–unwittingly– STILL bore my friends with comments about life abroad). I remember discussing with other truly roaming expat mothers what the consequenses would be for their children. It was determined (with the aid of a magazine article) that these children would grow to be easily adaptable, tolerant adults with wonderful people skills. So—are you? 🙂
Thank you. I do like to think we are flexible and open minded. Any travel is mind broadening. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy to–and I love your gravitar. 🙂
I love your blog. I can relate to almost everything that you say, although I left USA through my own choice when I was an adult (more or less an adult—I feel that prior to leaving I was still a child in a lot of ways). I’m sending your blog addy to my two daughters whom I raised abroad; I know they’ll relate completely. Best of luck in your memoir.
Thank you! It is always nice to meet fellow TCKs.
Incredible. Such a familiar theme to my life (although you have been to so many different places than I have and for much longer….and I find myself envious, haha). And that “where are you from?” question? Is always so hard for me. Made even more difficult by the fact that I now live in Maine, where “where you’re from” can be a real sticking point! So glad I found your blog via my guest post on Emma’s — so nice to meet you!
Yes, the eternal question. My brother was born in Nebraska so he always told people he was from Nebraska. Then one day he met somebody who was actually from Nebraska and they asked my brother all kinds of questions he could not answer!
I just commented on your Mills post; should have started here first. I’m an third culture kid too! I may have been born in Southern California, but I don’t really feel like I grew up there. Although I went some to an American high school in England, it really wasn’t your typical American high school experience. Will definitely look up the McCraig article.
And now we’re almost neighbours! Small world this is.
PLUS we are both named Kathleen!
🙂
And one more? We both went to TASIS–you in Lugano and me in England!
Wow amazing!!
Wanted to share another TCK memoir with you: Anthony H. Roberts’ Sons of the Great Satan. He was all set for his senior year in Tehran when his world fell apart in the face of the Iranian Revolution and American Hostage Crisis.
Thank you! This sounds interesting.
….will follow with interest as I have 2 expat brats in the making! (living in Belgium and France, with a dutch father and english mother) who are already talking about living and learning all over the world. I agree, it’s a great experience, and I see my kids already as ‘Europeans’ and world citizens! Keep up the great blog, I’ll be passing by often…..
Sounds like an exciting and challenging life! Welcome and thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been enjoying your blog and have nominated it for a versatile Blogger’s award – I hope you don’t mind? Follow thislink, I think: http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/twice-nominated-how-can-that-be/
Ciao
Wow, thank you very much!
Hi! I would love to review your book when it is finished! I’m a third culture kid too and just like you I suffered a severe “reverse culture shock” when I went to university in the Netherlands. Recently I have a started writing about my experiences on my blog. Just like you I can really identify with the books about third culture kids and written by TCKs.
Good to hear from you! I have been enjoying your stories as well. I will let you know when my book is ready to be reviewed!!
Thanks!
I am so happy to have found this blog. Being a global nomad, I have lived out of the USA for more of my life than I have lived in the USA. Now I am raising my children the same way. My son leaves for college to the US in a few months while I will still be in Malaysia. I do believe that the cyber space has closed the gap a bit compared to when I was growing up, but I don’t kid myself for a moment. He will experience reverse culture shock too. I can’t wait to browse your site. Thanks!
Hi there. Yes, reverse culture shock… it is the worst. At least he knows about it. I didn’t…
Welcome!
I really like your blog:) i started my own about being a TCK, hope it becomes as successful as yours one day!
Thank you! Where is your blog? I will check it out!!
Great to have stumbled across your blog and also love the title. Looking forward to following your continuing journey 🙂
Thank you and Welcome!
I thought you might like to be part of the Sisterhood, so I’ve given you the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. http://bringingeuropehome.com/2012/07/18/is-there-an-award-for-procrastination/
Kathy–I loved your blog! Corbin was excited to read it also. Please come visit us–we are so close! I will be expecting to hear from you with a date of your arrival!
Cousin Jennifer
I know how you feel. I left my home country decades ago, visit regularly, but have never lived there again. Lived in many other countries, and now feel rather foreign in my own country. I don’t know where I belong anymore. Actually, I do, but it is not a geographical place, it’s in the company of other expats and global nomads in any location. We share a similar background and similar experiences and that’s what makes me feel I belong.
Thank you for your comment. I agree, it is comfortable to be with expats/tck/nomads. Home is not really a place.
Congratulations on your launch, ypu must be so excited! I blog about expat-related books on my site as well as for select online and print publications, so if you’re interested in my reviewing your book, drop me a line at linda@adventuresinexpatland.com (I also submit a review at Amazon.com and .co.uk for each book I write about).
Thank you for inspiring me! I have just nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award! Check it out: http://expatiallymexico.wordpress.com/
Yay, thank you!!!!
What fun that you popped by my space and are following along — it’s always a treat to find others trying to give an honest voice to the TCK experience. Keep at it!
Thanks for stopping by. You keep at it too!
Hey, thanks for the blog award! I just arrived back from holidays, what a superb surprise, and much appreciated. Glad you thought I was worthy. 🙂
Hi! Thanks for popping over and following us! You’ve a really interesting blog, really looking forward to reading about all of your adventures! 😀
Thanks! Enjoy!
I felt like an alien, too, when my parents emigrated from England to the U.S. and plopped me down in Pennsylvania, and my being shy made it worse. England was all I knew, but talking about it made the other kids think I was bragging. They made fun of me, so I never really fit in. Oddly enough, I finally felt at home when I moved to another island—Hawaii. Until then it was quite a struggle. I’m so glad I found your blog so that I can read everyone’s “moving” and adapting stories 🙂
Nice to meet you!
You, too, and I’m so glad you are following my blog. I’m really looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks very much for the follow! From one expat to the other 🙂
Thanks for following me as well. I look forward to reading your blog.
Thank you for following me on Twitter 🙂 Isn’t it an amazing ‘ah ha’ moment when everything you’ve felt and experienced actually makes sense? My major in intercultural communication definitely helped me learn more importantly about myself, and how our identities are shaped through culture. If you’re interested, please feel free to read my guest blog post on Melibee Global: http://melibeeglobal.com/2012/06/reflections-on-being-a-third-culture-kid-tck/ I currently intern through Melibee and will be writing a second post within the month.
Thanks again!
Great article and looks like an interesting website. I hope you will check out my book. I wrote it for people like us. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Kathy,
I just read your book. I enjoyed it and of course resonated to much of it. I have five countried of childhood and lived in Moscow from 1968-9. We may even have met at the 2003 GN conference! Poor Norma was really in a lot of pain then – do you remember?
I am just discovering EFT and wanted to tell you about it because it could help you completely clear the trauma you experienced in the plane crash, and it could do so in just a few sessions. Try googling it: Emotional Freedom Technique. There are experienced practitioners who will work with you through Skype. It’s a fabulous technique, and one I am planning to learn.
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Shasha
Yes, I remember your name, I am sure we met at the conference. I think we ate lunch together. Thank you for your comments. I will google it.
Hi there! I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Your blog is truly so inspiring and creative. Thank you! If you’d like to accept, here are the rules:
http://petroleumwife.com/2012/12/03/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Thank you! I appreciate the support and graciously accept!
You’re so welcome! Really love reading through your posts 🙂
What a fascinating life! I grew up here but traveled a lot and have always felt different from my friends as I don’t have many that travel like I do. I can only imagine what a shock it was to come here at 18! Where do you live now?
I live in the Washington DC area but always enjoy visiting family and friends in Minnesota!
Cool! My husbands family lives in Virginia and used to be in Maryland so I’m familiar with that area. It is much more international than MN but Minneapolis is getting better. I do love living here for now as the quality of life is great. Wonderful nature and lakes, culture, restaurants and more diversity. I’ll be out east for Christmas this year. My sister and her family live near Williamsburg then we head to VA for the rest of the family. 🙂
It is a diverse area and I like that. My son goes to one of the most diverse high schools in the country. Plus there are a lot of museums and stuff. I hope you have a good time!
Thanks! 🙂
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award – congratulations! Follow this link to see the post and learn more about the rules for this award: http://wiesagtman.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Thank you for inspiring me!
Sam
Wonderful! Thank you! And congratulations to you too!
Thank you for inspiring me, especially the Friday food posts. I have nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. Best wishes! http://zhongguojumble.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/two-more-awards/
Wow, you lived in the US for 18 years after HS? Wow! I too am a TCK, US born with US parents but moved away at 3. I lasted in the US post-Certenago for 5 years until I finally graduated from college then immediately joined the Peace Corps. I’ve been working around the world since then, currently in AT/EG (what a combination to fly back and forth to). I just ordered your book from Amazon, I look forward to it!
Sounds like you are having a great adventure. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like the book!
Just a quick note to say that I consider you part of my “super sweet cyber family”, so if you like, please help yourself to some award hodgepodge: http://expatiallymexico.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou/ 🙂
Hi Kathleen, thanks for introducing yourself by following our site. We look forward to exploring yours! One of our team is an “airforce brat” and now our own work has brought us to live on 4 continents over the years. We’re now in India, but when we lived in Paris we learned about “third culture kids”, which really had an impact on our 2 sons’ lives. (This post might resonate for you too: http://raxacollective.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/pico-iyer-global-soul/) Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by! That is so funny because I am currently working on a similar post. That video has made the rounds!
It certainly resonates, doesn’t it?!
Yes it does!
I love ex-patriots! Is that a weird thing to say? The idea of someone being brave enough to brake the mold and say that they love their country but love the world in general is simply inspiring. And embracing your label and running with it is even better. Definitely following your blog!
Nice to meet you. Thanks for following!
Global Nomads?? Where oh where can I sign up? I am one! 🙂
Welcome aboard!!
As a new expat with three children, I’m very interested in your perspective. Looking forward to reading your book – on my Kindle, of course! (Can’t buy it here in China!)
I’m glad you found me! I hope you enjoy the book. Best of luck in China – it could be a challenge with three children but as long as you stay open and positive you will have a blast.
Hi Kathleen! So sorry I hadn’t replied to your message, I have been crazy busy with my wedding and honeymoon! I saw your book on the Tasis website, and wow! You truly define our experience there! Amazing! So glad to meet you!
Hi,
I really enjoyed reading through your blog posts on Expatalien.com.. I got a real sense of enthusiasm and passion in each post. Actually, I run Travelingtripster.com, a blog about my travel experiences. If you’re interested, I would love to have you on as a guest blogger. Just shoot me quick a e-mail and we can begin this potentially exciting affiliation together. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Bob
It’s been too long since someone commented here. Just wanted to say I read your book twice and, aside from being a fascinating tale, it is very well written and remarkably free of grammatical errors and other suchlike that mar self-published books. I think you should kiss your editor if you had one.
I just found your blog via you finding me on Goodreads, and am so glad. Love your story and will now check out your book. I feel many of the same things you feel, and I think my kids are going through some of that too. Instead of everyone being wowed by their having ridden on elephants and hiked Kilimanjaro and swum with sharks, they are regarded as weird because their accents sound funny and because they don’t quite fit in. But trust me, they’re trying their best blending in and becoming more American than everyone around them, which is really a pity but that’s what kids do.
Yes, we adapt to survive. But have no fear, we don’t forget. My son was six when we moved back to the USA and he is 18 now. He is still a little “different”. I suppose it is partly the parents’ fault as well. 🙂
I just found your book and look forward to reading it! As an ATCK, I’m always excited to read others experiences 🙂
Great! I hope you enjoy it. Please write a review on Amazon if you can. Cheers
I’ll be definitely following you – our kids are growing up as TCK (it’s the 4th country for the 5 year old and the 2nd for the 2 year old), so I really want to learn more on how it would shape them.
Hey com-patriot! 🙂 I found your blog through FB, we write about similar things 🙂 I particularly want to mention the moving around 6 different cities and living in 10 different apartments, looking for something – I read in an article once that tcks find home in people with the same experiences – love how that’s explained.
Hey, thanks for stopping by! I will check out your site for sure.
Looking forward to hearing more 🙂