Anyone NOT in NZ, Oz or Europe???

[Salbertina]

Just saying... Feels a little lonely, thats all!

Recently returned from Durban, I could have done with a thread like this in the early days, beautiful place, but so alien to me in many ways!

How alien, Durbs?

When am I allowed a 'life's shit and I want to go home' day?

Anytime you want. Are your kids in school or is that the problem?

Re the helpers, employers just expect far far too much. One of the issues is that many local HK women grew up with helpers so they have really no idea what helpers do and a lot of the expats just have a hard time adjusting to what is a weird situation. Also, the fact that the helpers are really your only childcare option is a pain, as a lot of people would use daycare if that were a realistic option.

sorry- I should clarify, what I meant is that locals often have no idea what a realistic helper workload looks like as they've never done it themselves

Agree, of course bad hair days welcome! still have them lots myself! similar situation here but the helpers are called "domestic workers" (even maids!) and aren't Filipino

Mixee - in Scranton. Are you in the area too?

Mixxy I mean! Oops!

I'm in the US, In Michigan.

I'm in South Africa, 3rd day of Spring today and I've managed to burn my chest, blimmin English complexion does not go well in African sun.

I'm in Manhattan, NY. But we often go to Phillie for baseball games. How is Scranton?

Only been here a few weeks... It's um, not what I'm used to! But so far so good.

Mixxy

Was so sure we'd go there rather than here. At least we have a beach and a shit ton of sunshine I suppose

I live in northern Canada It's a big difference, I was born in California!

My helper has just started 2 days ago and she seems lovely. It's just been me and the kids for the last 4 months though, and at the minute I am not working, so it's starting to feel as though my role has disappeared. All very strange. Any advice on how to feel less like a spare part?

I'm in China. Re. the helper, after almost 3 years i still find it very strange having someone else in the house. I am working part time now and i only have her part time now which is much better as i do have days when i have the house all to my self which i love. I really enjoy going back to the UK in the summer and doing housework and if it wasn't for the need of after school childcare i would probably not have one.

I'm in the US, in Oklahoma City. We've been here about 5 months now, and I'm still trying to get my head round lots of stuff, like why the children need a pediatrician and I need a gynaecologist when we're all perfectly healthy. So I miss the NHS, but not much else yet.

Americastorturedbrow, we have some family in LA, and one of my oldest friends is there too. Would love to visit there one day.
I'm still going through the green card process, DH is American so it's pretty much assured. But just taking a really long time. I'm probably gonna have to go to the UK in a few weeks until my interview in the Mid East (where I started my application) is scheduled. Very annoying.

We're in the middle of applications too. Thankfully not too difficult, just time consuming and boring. Should have at least the initial permit to work by Christmas then hopefully won't feel so useless!

Feeling quite mixed about going home next week - its our 3rd trip since moving 19months ago, the guilt trip was laid on thick by my folks when we left and DH's work have covered our flights up to this point

Can somebody explain "helpers" to me?

Basically a cleaner (cum nanny), generally work long hours, often live in.

mixxy helpers are women ( typically from either the Philippines or Indonesia) who migrate to Hong Kong to do donestic work- usually a mixture of cleaning, cooking, childcare, shopping etc. In Hong Kong they must legally live in the home of their employer under the terms of their visa, which most expats don't really like. Most families in Hong Kong have 2 parents working full time and there is no daycare ( except for low income families) so they are a necessity for many. However they remain controversial because pay is low and labour law isn't enforced very well, although its getting a lot better.

Wow, what a variety here! I've just moved to South Africa, still unpacking.

Hello fellow SA-dwellers! C0smos, whereabouts are you to have got sunburnt yesterday? Still had my fleece on, tho admittedly sun getting stronger!