Getting up to speed
I used to be a serious, career-focused person for the first few decades of my life.
Then I decided to throw it all away to be a trailing expat spouse.
It promised to be exciting — a day without agenda, no concept of time of day, or day of week — day after day, punctuated by all the fun stuff I loved to do — reading, jigsaw puzzles, traveling, photography. And to build some more hobbies along the way.
Taking stock today, I’ve spent more years as the trailing spouse than I did at any of my ‘real’ jobs. It’s been a roller coaster ride through Vietnam, Indonesia and Peru, and I don’t want it to stop yet. I’ve learned 2 new languages, at least enough to get by, acquired Advanced Open Water Diver credentials, volunteered as a museum tour guide in Jakarta, started up and shut down a company, not yet completed the photography course but did manage to build something of a career from it. And traveled. To see more places than I believed would be possible, but not kept up with my ever-growing wish list.
Let’s just say, I’m in the process of finding myself.
22 comments ›
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A Busy Life of Leisure 
I have never read a blog earlier in my life. I read yours and found it really interesting. How you stop by to enjoy every single thing that life offers. I am sure you will continue to have a great time.
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Hey Aarti,
its really nice to read thru ur blogs. very refreshing…… love seeing all the pics and reading thru how u spent your vacation in the most amazing places
someday me too hope to follow in your footsteps…… 🙂
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Hey Mary!
I’m meeting Aarti in Jakarta next month. I’m gonna take some tips for life after Financial Freedom! 🙂
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Hi Aarti, this is good content on volunteering. We are “Aid for Change” NGO in Pune and Mumbai and looking to post informative content on your blog, would you allow us.
Regards
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Hi, we can connect separately on email aartigarde@gmail.com.
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Your comments are very encouraging! This life of leisure is limited for me, and I do intend to make the most of it.
Maria, maybe you could join me in one of these exotic places, huh?
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Hi Aarti,
I couldn’t find any contact information so I decided to leave a comment here.
I’m Andrew Dunkle and I currently serve as the senior editor of GoOverseas.com. We are contacting you with regard to your blog, which the editorial staff at GO! Overseas has selected as one of the top travel related blogs in Vietnam. As recognition of your outstanding writing skills we are delighted to include your blog in a select list of websites representing Vietnam. We select only the most exceptional blogs that meet our exacting standards and we hope you feel a sense of pride that you have been recognized for your efforts. You may view this list on our website here:
http://www.gooverseas.com/vietnam-blogs
On that page you will find an image badge that we have created specifically for the blogs we feature in Vietnam. We welcome you to display this badge on your website to let your readers know that you have been recognized as an outstanding blogger.
Thank you for all the high quality content you have contributed to the global online community. We look forward to continuing to follow your experiences abroad in Vietnam. If you have questions about GO! Overseas please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Andrew Dunkle
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WOW!! day is made..keep writin!!
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I’m Andrew Dunkle and I currently serve as the senior editor of GoOverseas.com. We are contacting you with regard to your blog, which the editorial staff at GO! Overseas has selected as one of the top travel related blogs in Vietnam. As recognition of your outstanding writing skills we are delighted to include your blog in a select list of websites representing Vietnam. We select only the most exceptional blogs that meet our exacting standards and we hope you feel a sense of pride that you have been recognized for your efforts. You may view this list on our website here:
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Hi!
I happened to read some of your articles while I was looking for a shop where I can buy a wine rack.
I am also female expat in Hanoi.. still enjoying hanoi at the same time struggling to find a way to settle well here. Very impressed with your cheerful life in Hanoi!
Hope to have a chance to meet you soon around here!
Ju
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Hi Ju, I hope you found a good wine rack!
I am a member of the Hanoi International Women’s Club. Are you in it too? Then we are bound to meet someday! I love Hanoi, which reflects in my writing. Ciao, Aarti
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Hi Aarti,
I’m coming for a visit (just for a week) next month with a view to moving out to Hanoi later in the year and am really enjoying your blog.
The International Women’s Club sounds good.
Any advice for me re. areas to live and areas to avoid? We’d be bringing a dog so happy to live further out if it means we can have a garden.
Smiles and keep writing,
Karen
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Hi Karen,
Thanks for your nice comments. I live in Ciputra, which is a gated community about 10 km from the city center. There are plenty of apartments and villas and lots of open space, so you can take your pick. The other popular area for expats is around Westlake (at and around Xuan Dieu), which is a great location too, with lovely views of the lake and closer to the city. You could research these areas on the net (try http://www.livinginvietnam.com/ and http://www.expat-blog.com/en/directory/asia/vietnam/hanoi/) to get a better idea.
Where are you moving from? There are a number of country-specific groups within the International Women’s Club (http://www.hanoi-iwc.com/), and people are ever willing to help.
Are you visiting Hanoi in May? We could catch up then.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Aarti
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I love your writing. But you might consider changing blog template, this one is not good. But thanks anyway.
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That’s fantastic, thanks Aarti. We’ll be coming 21st May just for a week and spending some time in HCMC too so I’ll let you know when I’ll be in Hanoi and maybe we can meet up. You can email me direct on karen@resources4.co.uk if you prefer.
Smiles,
Karen
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Hi Aartie-
I’m the editor of Expat Arrivals.com, a site devoted to developing comprehensive destination guides aimed at easing expat transitions abroad. I came across your blog through the course of my research for Vietnam and was hoping I could convince you to share some of your expat insight via email interview (general questionnaire). If you’d be interested please drop me a line at stephanie@expatarrivals.com. Thanks for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best-
Stephanie
stephanie@expatarrivals.com
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Your photos are beautiful! They fill me with longing to travel!
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Hi Anita, Your blog is very informative. I have comments but not suitable for this perfect website. I am interested to publish an article related to volunteering travel. If you allow me I can send you asap.
Regards
Vinod Kumar Saini
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Hi Aarti, this is a great blog. It is very informative for every one.
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Hi Aarti, nice blog. Well said – its a special experience to stray from the career path (expat hazard) and end up finding many beautiful paths. While you travel the many roads less travelled, you will find many fellow expats who are in this sweet-sour phase of life. Thank you for finding me.
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Hey stocktaker- tried to connect over email! Wanted to share some lovely photos I have… tc, Shefali
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