Tag Archives: home

Ruminations On Land: Thoughts On the Value Of The World

Walking the dog today, in the first real sunshine we’ve had in weeks, I once again found myself thinking about the country I’d moved to.  It wasn’t the people or the government that troubled me; my mind was on the … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Attractions, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Irish Economy, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Right Question: Cultural Nuance For Migrants (and Others)

A thought has been gnawing at me. A question. Several, actually. I was recently at a gathering of folks from the travel industry, and struck up a conversation with a woman who has been, for lack of a better term, … Continue reading

Posted in Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Home & A Sense of Place | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

We Come Bearing Gifts: Immigrant Contributions to Society

When I wrote about  an incident of racial profiling that my wife and I suffered in Dublin, much of the feedback from Irish locals was along the lines of “Well of course we dislike ‘them’ (immigrants).   They’re taking all the … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Economy, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ireland Is Not One Thing: Why Immigrants Should Travel More

When we moved to Ireland in 2011, my wife and I promised ourselves that we would travel more faithfully in Ireland than we had in the United States.  Though we’ve traveled quite a bit in the U.S., we’d fallen into … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Pot of Gold or Not? Immigrant Property Ownership and Problems With Irish Landlords

We’ve always been cautious about real estate.  But, as newly minted immigrants, we, or at least I, heard the siren song of Irish landownership.  We’ve fought the urge, but for many immigrants, the idea of buying land, and buying into … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Going Home: Reflections On Visiting Your Home Country

In early February I found myself headed back to the United States for the first time since we’d left for Ireland in July of 2011.  While I was excited to go, I was filled with questions, and knew that neither … Continue reading

Posted in Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Let’s Talk About The Weather – How Weather Affects The Immigrant’s Way Of Life

For an American “southern boy” who has developed a serious allergy to heat and humidity, moving to Ireland has been a godsend.  To say that the Irish look at me like my head is on fire when I tell them … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Getting Better All The Time: Building a New Life Overseas

Just now, well into our second year of living in Dublin, I finally feel comfortable saying that life is going well.  I won’t say, “better”. That’s not exactly why we moved. Despite months of pre-emigration planning, and few (if any) … Continue reading

Posted in Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Pets Abroad: Moving Overseas With Pets

For many of us, whether we have children or not, our pets are like our children. And, right, wrong, or indifferent, the thought of leaving them behind when moving overseas is unthinkable.  Fortunately, in recent years airlines seem to have … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life, Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Seeing The Sights: Learning To Be a Tourist In Your Own Home

Like many who enjoy traveling to new places, when we moved to Dublin, I deliberately distanced myself, mentally, and often physically, from the millions of tourists who visit Ireland each year.  “I live here now. I’m no tourist.”  I realize … Continue reading

Posted in Dublin Attractions, Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments