31 Comments

P.S. I am sorry to read about your hand I do hope it continues to heal 💙

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much! The worst part is over! :)

Expand full comment
Sep 7Liked by Kimberly Anne

"I will never say it’s easy but I will always say it’s worth it." LOVE this! As you know from my own experiences attempting to live abroad, I absolutely agree with this. In fact, something I told myself in this latest attempt is that I will learn far more trying to live abroad than I ever would in a 9 to 5 in the US. Thank you so much for sharing!

Expand full comment
author

Awwww thank you! Yes, and I love living vicariously through you! We teach each other so much!! Can I use that quote? I’ll say it’s from you of course! Love you so much!!!

Expand full comment
Sep 7Liked by Kimberly Anne

Sure you can use that. It's an honor to be quotable!

Expand full comment
author

Awwwww! I was just listening to your voice mails and leaving you one!! ❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

Informative

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much!

Expand full comment

You're welcome always God bless you and your family

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Emilio.

Expand full comment

You're welcome always God bless you and your family forever

Expand full comment
Sep 13Liked by Kimberly Anne

Thanks for sharing. We just reached month 9 in Portugal and this last month has been hard. Really hard. Just trying to learn from these hard moments and really appreciate the kind people we find along the way.

Expand full comment
author

I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through a rough patch!! I truly hope it gets better soon!!! 💕

Expand full comment
Sep 9Liked by Kimberly Anne

Great article. I’ve often thought about becoming an ex-pat for the sunnier climes of Spain. Maybe I should take actions and stop dreaming.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for reading and commenting! You absolutely will do it too when you're ready!!!

Expand full comment
Sep 8Liked by Kimberly Anne

I just love your "this is life" philosophy. Always a mixed bag!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!!! Yes, life is always a mixed bag!!! :)

Expand full comment

As always an interesting perspective! I think the key here is life will always be life but if you are curious and eager to learn you will take joy from new experiences, new countries and new challenges. If you are not, then you will not.

Expand full comment
author

YES! Love that succinct summation, nail—>head. I’m not the most succinct person LOL! Thank you so much!!

Expand full comment
Sep 7·edited Sep 7Liked by Kimberly Anne

An interesting and insightful post. I didn't realize it had rained so much in Portugal this year, but I know the Atlantic Coast weather there is not always everything people are hoping for.

Expand full comment
author

Hi Betty, thank you! Well the rain was in Porto, northern Portugal. The weather is not the same in the south or central. It doesn’t rain as much.

We are closer to Galicia, Spain, which is also quite rainy. That said, it wasn’t typical though we haven’t had much of a summer either this year, only 2 weeks of sun. Last year it rained only for 1 month and was quite sunny.

Expand full comment

It was a rainy year in our part of France too — then again we so needed it!

Expand full comment
author

Ah yes, throughout most of Europe. I hope we both get some drier months this winter!

Expand full comment

Wow! That’s a lot of trauma in one year even if you were in your familiar surroundings. We moved to Mexico in 2017 from Pennsylvania and I remember the first year was a little overwhelming.

Expand full comment
author

Hi Jen, thank you so much for that acknowledgment! I think a lot of people would have returned to their home country and it certainly crossed my mind but I had nothing to return to. Ooooo Mexico! It looks like you’re still there. Do you love it? Thank you for saying your first year was overwhelming, the pink cloud peeps rile me up LOL.

Expand full comment

I hear ya! We are still here in Mexico and yes, we love it! Viva Mexico 🇲🇽

Expand full comment
author

Oh that’s wonderful to hear!!!

Expand full comment

Brava! I am currently contemplating moving to Portugal… conveniently forgetting I already picked up and moved to a completely unknown country several times in my life already, so this should be no big deal.

Still, every little bit of information and observation helps!

Expand full comment
author

Hi Caroline, If you’ve done it before, that WILL help! You know what to expect somewhat. And my good friend Rebecca is now on her fourth place and is super happy with her current choice. I like to say, “you can always leave” because nothing is forever. And how do you know if you’ll love or hate it if you never try?

Expand full comment

You are one courageous woman, and I admire that despite the hardships that hit you square on, you are still standing, and appear to be happy. Your photo says that. I'm glad you have found a special person in your life.

Expand full comment
author

Awww thank you so much for saying this 🥰🥰🥰

Expand full comment