About me

Once upon a time, a little girl yearned to discover the world, but her family preferred to (re)discover 'places we've been to before'. So the little girl waited patiently until she grew older. Meanwhile, she read.

The little girl was me. 

At university, I discovered anthropology and the idea that everything could be different. Nothing is as 'normal' as you think. I never looked back, but went on to earn a cand. polit in social anthropology. My thesis, Expatriate Life, discusses highly skilled migrants in the Sultanate of Oman, analyzing the lives and identity struggles of highly skilled corporate expat partners from a post-colonial perspective. 

'Going Native'

My understanding of skilled expat partners and international dual career challenges stems from academic analysis but also from lived experience. I left my job and joined my husband in Oman as an expat partner in 2004. That was the start of 16 years on the move: 5 countries, 10 homes, 3 kids, and countless foster cats. I went from being rooted in a professional identity and having an independent income, to being the non-working lead parent in a high-mobility family - without much planning or forward thinking. 

That lack of proper planning and forward-thinking is why I host this website. 

From one lead career and one lead parent to dual careers

Because it didn't work for us in the long run, and I - we - had to find a way to move from one lead career to dual careers. It was hard, and if anything I have to share can make it easier for you, I'll be delighted. 

"Thank you for advising me to think about what I was doing with my career after our move to Norway and for sharing that you wished someone had given you the same advice on your first move. It made me reconsider my options, focus more on myself, and not give up my career because my husband moved for his. I found a role I can do remotely from Norway and it's a promotion from my last job. Thank you so much for your guidance and honesty - it made a huge difference to me."

Wondering what kick-started my journey from non-working 'lead parent' to dual careers? It was this statement: Shell Guys Don't Marry Dumb Blondes. Read the story here.