I am often asked how I manage to living in two countries. I am - TopicsExpress

I am often asked how I manage to living in two countries. I am regularly asked about my relationship and coping without my family and how they cope with out me. A year ago I felt disloyal to my immediate family even mentioning living in Shanghai. Inquiries were answered with I work in Shanghai and live in the UK. Then I realIzed something, the questions appeared to be more about my ability to break with socially constructed ideals of femininity, (as wife and mother) and traditional gender roles than with how I cope and conversations quickly moved to their lack of coping should they find themselves in the same position. (what they are not here with you! Then usual response I dont know how you do it... I couldnt, You are a stronger woman than me , youre so brave and some rather negative assumptions re my marriage which I will ignore. What I was not explaining was my philosophy. How do I cope? ... My belief is that people are born free and should always feel free. I cope because I trust. When I had my son I considered myself a guardian -parent. A guide rather than a guard. Khalil Gibran sums this up perfectly in the poem Children, They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls. I am fortunate that my family accept and practice this philosophy too. My whereabouts are testimony to unconditional love. Now that I am about to embark on my third year in Shanghai, I can comfortably say that I have two homes. Although each country is so very different the routines are pretty much the same. Coping comes from creating a few environmental similarities (I have too many cushions in both) and to remain open minded and flexible. Nothing is fixed in stone and nothing lasts forever. In a few moments of loneliness or missing loved ones, I tell myself that this moment will pass...It always does. So I close considerng myself as an Exception Expat but as the article states, I will continue to live with gratitude and learning to embrace uncertainty its done me no harm so far.

Are You Looking for Black Friday Lederhosen Costume Authentic

Ill lay down my glasses Ill lay down in houses If things

** SOUTH LAKES CLASSIFIED VACANCIES ** If you know someone who

GENOCIDE IN BIAFRA: - SPEECH BY MR. MAXWELL COHEN, LAWYER, MEMBER

Notic notic notic notic this goes to inform

Do you have a garden in your neighborhood you want to tell others

للمبتدئين كيفية صنع فيرس مع عدة

For EXTRA INCOME!!! Work in ur own free time using FACEBOOK Earn

Te simti obosit/a ? Ai impresia ca masa ta musculara este mult

Spencer W Kimball: We are grateful that thou didst cause this land

this is coming up fast! Our Australian tour with Dead Letter

Subject: STATE PENSION - keep this going please KEEP THIS

ASÍ QUERÍAN LA REVOCATORIA DE PETRO: MUCHOS COCHINOS El intento

Revealing the True Teachings of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the

FB fam and friends ...Let pray for these families KNOXVILLE,

Before I sleep, a suggestion: Almost all the #YolandaPH-ravaged

Jeremiah 31:3 I Have Loved You, MY People, With An Everlasting

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GET GODS ATTENTION “I had gotten a

viagra bewirkt gegenteil

How To Treat With Prayer A treatment is a prayer directed at a

Travel nightmare! Arrived to LAX two hours early, but rental car