Relocation & Expat Coach

Cabin Fever!

The last week has been a very interesting experience.  On our return from New Years Eve in Wales, where we celebrated our achievements in 2009 and the start of 2010 with friends, we left on very snowy roads and returned to Kent, still on very snowy roads.  The Sunday we returned saw the start of the winter we were to experience this week.

Today, a week later, we are still 'snowed in'.  It's interesting as one of the reasons for our move back to the sub-tropics was to ensure that we could spend a lot of time out doors, but here we were being forced by the weather to stay in-doors.  The South East of England is not the best place to live when it snows, as we are not prepared for the unusual weather - airports close, planes are delayed and/or cancelled; railways battle, trains are delayed and/or cancelled; and roads become impassable. 

Download 2010-01-08_snow experiences  Now we are suffering from 'Cabin Fever!' 

I received an email from a friend - Download 2010-01-08_Extracts from the diary of A Man from Kent!  Having sent it to a range of friends, the responses have agreed with the sentiments.  My only change to this is changing 'Australia' to 'Madeira' - and if only I could rely on planes flying in the direction I would be on one now.

This week has really highlighted one of our reasons for wanting to move away from the South East of England.  The frustrations that come with cabin fever show how much we are now missing the opportunities to get out and about.  Yes we can go out now, but it is with risk as the roads and pavements are very slippery and unsafe.  This frustration is added to, by the experiences and knowledge that in other countries this type of weather does not bring everything to a standstill. 

Roll on next winter when we will be in Madeira and experiencing their winter for the first time!  

Want to get out of the snow? 
Convert your dreams/aspirations to achievable goals and start to plan your move! 

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalinstituteofcoaching.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

The lap of luxury

Reading the Week-end Financial Times (FT Week-end) today I came across this article in the House & Home section - the lap of luxury (which can be found here (Download 2009-11-14_FT_the lap of luxury) if the article has been removed from the FT website).

What does the lap of luxury mean?  This article refers you to a new 'boat' recently designed by Why Yachts, which comes with a price tag of between €uro90m - €uro100m.  It's an interesting question - what does the lap of luxury mean to you?  To some it may mean floating around the oceans, visiting countries as required or by choice; to others it may mean a But 'n' Ben in the Scottish Highlands. 

Spend a few moments and think about what it means.  Write down what comes to mind when you think of the phrase 'lap of luxury'.  Once you have written down everything that has crossed your mind about this phrase, you can now defined your own definition.  Once you have your definition, think about what it would mean to you to actual live in your own lap of luxury.  Write down how it would feel.

Now you can work towards how you can achieve this?

Want to convert your dreams/aspirations to achievable goals? 

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Daddy's Poem

 

 

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
Her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
A dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
For everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
A student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
A man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
Who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
Since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
He taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
Even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart.'

With that, her little hand reached up,
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
Staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far.

You see he is a British soldier
And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
And taught Britain’s to fear.
 
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.

And to her mother’s amazement,
She witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
They saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
To the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
Of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
For each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose.
 

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
By the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
That heaven is never too far.

 

Eonverye taht can raed tihs rsaie yuor hnad.

Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

cna yuo raed tihs?  olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

if you can raed tihs forwrad the lnik!

 

 

Want to make a success of your goals?

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

What can we say: George Carlin !

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent ... and so very appropriate ... so thought provoking?

A Message by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Want to make a success of your plans to change your environment?
Want to make a success of your emigration?
Want to make a success of your repatriation?

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

. Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Reasons Why Not!

Suddenly the weather changes and your current environment reminds you the reasons you chose to live where you are now!  Today saw me down at Camber Sands with a 17-month old Jack Russell that is staying with us (while his owner is away).  The day start drizzly, grey, overcast; but by the time we went to Camber it was 24°C, blue skies and sunny!  

Download 2009-07-12_Camber Sands with Beau

It's days like today when you wonder wwhether the effort and work involved in moving is worthwhile Walking along the beautiful sandy beach reminded me of one of the reasons I selected to live in Kent.  As the Garden of England, days like today show you the beauty of the UK.

So, in the challenges of trying to build abroad while being in the UK, you do wonder if the decisions you have taken are the right ones.  There will be times when you will question your decision.  There will be times when you think that you've made the wrong decisions.  It's better to have these doubts before you go - so work them through.

What are the benefits of moving?  What the are benefits of staying where you are now?  You have worked your way through your own reasons, but it is worth just recapping to be absolutely sure.

S - be specific
M - set a measure to allow yourself when you move, whether it was a success
A - what makes you believe that what you are trying to do is achievable?  Be clear in what you write down.
R - how realistic are you being about your move? about your change?
T - what timeframe have you decided upon?

Now you have throught through the reasons why not ... what are the reasons you have selected to move?

Want to make a success of your plans to change your environment?
Want to make a success of your emigration?
Want to make a success of your repatriation?

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

. Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Reflecting on the past!

When you start to reflect on what you are leaving behind and what you are looking forward to, it's strange what comes back to remind you of those really good times and maybe not so times.  For me it was receiving this video.  For all those who have had IT support challenges or who still work in the IT environment ... it's worth watching this video - it brings the whole topic of support into perspective!

Download IT_Pro 

Many hours working on IT programmes and projects with the all the elements of support required - the highs when someone understands what you've just explained and the challenges when you know that the person you are talking to just does not understand what to do next.

This video brought back some really great memories of my time working with so many fabulous clients across the world and the laughs that we had implementing systems.

Spend a few moments once you've downloaded it and watched it, recalling those memories from your past!

Want to make a success of your plans to change your environment?
Want to make a success of your emigration?
Want to make a success of your repatriation?

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Friendship

The unexpected arrives and you suddenly start to remember who you are going to move away from.  A very close friend sent me 'The Bright Red Hat' - Download TheBrightRedHat, and it brought home to me all the people I've met in my travels and emigrations.  All those friends I grew up with and moved away from.  All those friends I made at boarding school, and moved away.  All those friends I had a college, and moved away from.  All those friends I've made in the different countries I've lived in and worked in, and since moved away from.  And now another emigration and another step away from the friends I have here.  Who are you moving from when you move to your new environment?

One of the biggest challenges we have is to keep in touch with all those people we've met, all those aquaintances that we've made on our journey through life, and all those friends that have always been there when you've needed someone to talk to or to support you.

How do you stay in touch?  A great learning for me was the Christmas letters that my mother always  wrote and sent around the world to keep in touch with the friends my parents had made in their travels.  I started the same idea when I left home and I know from friends of mine that if they don't get the letter they are really disappointed.  In today's world, technology allows us to connect through various media and I've been lucky enough to connect to family, school friends, work colleagues, business partners, and a range of fabulous connections using social media - yes I am on Facebook too, plus a number of others.  A great way to connect is through your own blog.  So rather than think that you are leaving people behind, now is the time to think about how you will stay connected.  Think about how to add to your circle of friends rather than move away from those you have!

Want to make a success of your plans to change your environment?
Want to make a success of your emigration?
Want to make a success of your repatriation?

Stop Dreaming, Start Moving!
http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com

Take this opportunity to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path, who will motivate you to make the right decision!  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!  Sign up to coaching with Barbara on http://nyasa.coachinginteractive.com - select 'click here for a free session - My Life'Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Madeira - Porto Moniz!

It is believed that the name 'Porto Moniz' is related to that of Francisco Moniz who was married to one of the grand daughters of Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of the island. 

Porto Moniz is in the most north-western point of the island.

One of the attractions of Porto Moniz is its beautiful natural salt-water swimming pools.  These pools are filled by the tide with crysal clear salt-water and are surrounded by lava rocks.  They are a favourite bathing venue for the locals and the tourists.  An experience to try.

Porto Moniz's main source of industry are agriculture and fishing with a small number of tourist type businesses the downtown area.  At one end of the promenade is a Aquarium (the 'Living Science Centre' or 'Centro de Ciência Viva').  The promenade connects the two natural salt-water swimming pools, with seating areas, coffee bars, snack bars, restuarants, and view points.  Our restuarant of choice here is 'Orca' - fabulous menu, great views and a superb atmosphere.

Getting to Porto Moniz could be an interesting experience - it features a helipad.  Other routes include driving along the north coast road via Santana from Funchal; or coming up the rift in the middle of island from Ribeira Brava; or driving around the island past Ponto do Pargo.  You could also select to leave Porto Moniz and drive up to Paúl da Serra - a 1,600m high plateau!  The rocks and seas at Porto Moniz are incredible, but the views from Paúl da Serra are spectacular!

Want to make a success of your plans to move?  Want to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path?  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!

Just email Barbara on barbara.dalpra@nyasa.co.uk!

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91

Madeira - Paúl do Mar

 

Until the late 1960's, Paúl do Mar was a fishing village that you could only access by boat.  For the next 30 or so years,the only way down to the village was driving carefully down a slow and dangerous road - an interesting way in/out of anywhere, as the funnels on this road were created by hand.  These show the challeneen bges of accessing all areas of Madeira.  More recently an easier road has built to allow you to explore this wonderful village!

Wending your way down the cliff face throught the twists, turns and hairpin bends of either road, takes you through a number of tunnels (hand carved or machine made) until you come out into the village. 

Paúl do Mar is one of the most important fishing villages of the archipelago of Madeira.  The ocean in this part of the world, provides this village with an incredibly rich variety of fish, to such an extent that Paúl do Mar is frequently referenced in the gastromic world.

Coming down the 'new' road (from the Funchal, Calheta side of the village) brings you out to the option of turning left to drive down to the harbour.  Arriving at the right time of the morning or evening allows you to see the fisherman leaving to go fishing, or arriving back with their catches!

Continuing along the higher road allows you to turn left to the road which runs along the sea-front.  This road runs you along the front of the village, where you can select to stop and have a coffee or meal at Lago Mar!  Sit in the sun and watch the waves role in as village life continues around you.

Further down this road you'll find the Paúl do Mar Apartment Hotel.  Here you can sit on a terrace above the road, have a coffee or a meal and watch the sea roll in.

It is true to say that providing roads to allow you to visit Paúl do Mar has not changed the romantic aspect of this village.  Whereever you select to go in Paúl do Mar you are sure to find authenticity, peace, and tranquility. 

On the upper road in Paúl do Mar you come across a gem of a B&B called Aquela Banda!  Staying here allows you to experience life in the village first-hand.  You cannot ask for a more perfect place to stay!  Rooms are roomy, very comfortable, and extremely clean.  Breakfast is the freshest continential breakfast served with a relaxed and professional service!  Spent the evening sitting on your balcony, listening to the waves, watching life in the village, with a glass of wine! 

Vila Amore (next door to Aquela Banda) offers you the opportunity to experience the most perfect coffee and cakes!  The banking is done on the premises using the freshest of ingredients.  Sit outside on the verandah/patio, overlooking the sea and experiencing the comings and goings of village life.  Next door to this most wonderful coffee shop is a small supermarket.

Looking for property on Madeira, spend some time over a coffee with Martinho Silva of Madeira Property Centre discussing your property requirements. 

Paúl do Mar is found on the West-South-West coast of Madeira, just below the village of Prazares found on the top of the cliff, in the region of Calheta (Calheta includes eight parishes spread over a total area of 116 square kilometres.)  For the visitor Paúl do Mar offers relaxation, walks along the levada's, the sea, surfing, body boarding, snorkling, and diving!  The sea is never too cold and the under-water geology makes experiencing the water-activities a very special place to be.  Many professional surfers in Europe consider Paúl do Mar one of the top European surfing spots.

When you leave Paúl do Mar and slowly climb the cliff to the main road, using either road, you leave behind you a paradise that you will never forget.

Want to make a success of your plans to move?  Want to work with someone who will not judge the reasons you want to make your move, who will not guide you down a specific path?  You have this opportunity to work with a qualified and accredited coach who has done it!

Just email Barbara on barbara.dalpra@nyasa.co.uk!

Find Barbara's biog on http://www.europeancoachinginstitute.org/coach_referral_service/display_detail.php?trf=91