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Catherine Zinger
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unlucky

on “fags”, “Tits”, and getting “knocked-up” by your neighbour: an American expat’s anthropological observation of the British vernacular

Nov 21, 2013 • 7 Comments

  Sundays in my world out here in the London suburbs are on the football pitch (soccer field in American… read more

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Okay so one of the NOT SO GREAT THINGS about being Okay so one of the NOT SO GREAT THINGS about being an empty nester and NOT having your kids in the same country as you, is you can’t greet them in person with balloons and brouhaha for HUGE benchmark birthdays like my son’s 21st bday today. So ahead of meeting up with the family in a few weeks, I put together this (very amateur) reel for him. (We’ve said all the mushy stuff to each other in private.) From skydiving in Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, to hiking in Machu Picchu, to somersaulting into the wild waters off Marstrand, Sweden — THIS kid is my fearless and adventurous one. Jules, my wish for you is that your life continues to offer you adventures that thrill you and opportunities that make your heart sing. I hope along the way you continue to develop and deepen meaningful relationships with amazing souls. I feel so honoured to watch and witness your story. Happy 21st, my heart!! #emptynest #emptynesterlife #emptynesters #podcastersofinstagram #writersofinstagram #21stbirthday #expatlife
PART 1: Empty Nesting- Do American parents suffer PART 1: Empty Nesting- Do American parents suffer the most when it comes to empty nesting? Hear from 8 women around the world who give their own take on how parents in their respective countries approach the empty nest. As for me, scroll left to the next photo where I’ve included an audio snippet. Do I love and miss and worry for my kids now that they’re no longer at home? Absoeffinglutely. Do I want them to move back home so we’re all under the same roof again? Ummmmm…NO thank you. #linkinbio #emptynesters #emptynest #emptynestsyndrome #emptynesterlife #emptynester #emptynesting #lifeafterkids #culturepodcast #writers #writercommunity #writersofinstagram #writesofig #podcast #podcastaboutpeople #podcasting #podcastlaunch #podcastersofinstagram #podcasthost #podcastshow #diversestories #differentperspectives #multicultural #asianrepresentation #culturaldifferences #readcaption #diversity #podcastmusic
Launched Season 2 of the podcast this week 😊 Launched Season 2 of the podcast this week 😊 It’s mostly all new- new location, new artwork, new background music, new energy. Plus- since the show is about worldwide perspectives, I’ll also be sharing a lot more reels on my stories that showcase different cultures and generations - many of them comedy routines from other creators. I feel like this generation is FAR more willing and open to hear about the cultural “stuff” that once upon a time, made immigrant kids like me wanna crawl under a rock. Now we wear our cultural differences like badges of honour. There’s so much cool and HUHlarious content out there so stay tuned… Btw- the links in my bio are actually very seamless (thanks to my awesome web team @AlterEndeavors in Austin TX) 😎 In the meantime, welcome back to Season 2! #culturepodcast #diversity #writers #writercommunity #writersofinstagram #writesofig #podcast #podcastaboutpeople #podcasting #podcastlaunch #podcastersofinstagram #podcasthost #podcastshow #diversestories #differentperspectives #multicultural #asianrepresentation #culturaldifferences #readcaption
The Road Well-Worn You know how sometimes in movi The Road Well-Worn You know how sometimes in movies or novels, when the main character travels to a far-away destination and the entire time their journey is fraught with disruptions, and obstacles and thick, wet weather and it feels like forever till they get there? (Like waiting for this sentence to end? 😛) Well that’s what this trip felt like for us as we accompanied our youngest to university- delayed flights, stalled baggage and a stuffy car ride through motorway traffic that ribboned for three hours (instead of 90 minutes) in indecisive rain- until our arrival when it decidedly poured. But the following morning the palette changed. Blue skies and the sense of new beginnings against the contrast of an ancient institution that’s been here since the 13th century. “Magnificence” and “splendour” are not words I use lightly. Or…ever. But these qualities are not only apt but upstaged by this place’s setting, comforting English charm and time-honoured protocols that bewilder and enchant. I wasn’t originally going to mention where my daughter was going to school (I never did with my sons’ universities) but the more we’re discovering about this place and its “ways”, the more we realise her being there is about something far greater. I naively thought this was about my daughter’s individual journey. How small-minded. It’s about the very institution itself- the University of Cambridge granting her the privilege and honour of stepping onto the same path of the many venerable that have walked here before her. I hope with everything that they inspire her to contribute in her own unique way. #matriculas2022 #matriculation #instagramwriter #emptynesters
My sons- for son’s day!! (plus a few of my late My sons- for son’s day!! (plus a few of my late sister’s son). My boys. ❤️ My men. ❤️ My loves. ❤️
As a belated National Daughter’s Day shout-out, As a belated National Daughter’s Day shout-out, am not just posting about my little girl, but my late sister’s daughters too. I know that if she could see them today, my sister would be spectacularly radiant with pride - like the finale of a fireworks display. Her love and pride in her daughters and her niece would dominate the sky with multiple waterfalls of lights and colour or thousands of yellow butterflies taking flight…simultaneously! @npzinger and @colette.byun.wp 💛You’re loved💛 ✨💛💛💛✨
Just when I thought our world couldn’t get more Just when I thought our world couldn’t get more divided, things back in the States have proven otherwise. 😕 I’d originally put this on my private profile but decided to post it here too (with a different audio from the original reel). This is what happens when not only music but DANCE is a fundamental part of your family and friend’s’ DNA. It’s a universal language that transcends cultural AND political divides and reminds us how much we’re actually alike. Aside from the many silly videos of my kids goofing around to music (cuz that’s what we do in my clan), there’s representation here from, like the music says “all around the world”: Sweden, Vietnam, Spain, Zambia, Lebanon, Venezuela, England, the Bahamas AND EVEN Russia and the Ukraine, to name a few. It’s an ugly time in so many parts of the world but I figured this reel would at the very least induce a smile. Think about it: it’s through the simple gesture of a smile that we can connect or hopefully, re-connect with one another. And so we dance… #culturepodcast #culturalsuperiority #writers #writercommunity #writersofinstagram #writesofig #podcast #podcastaboutpeople #podcasting #podcastlaunch #podcastersofinstagram #podcasthost #podcastshow #diversestories #differentperspectives #multicultural #asianrepresentation #choosekindness #spreadingkindness #kindnessmatters #lovingkindness #readcaption #heartcentered #dance #music #connection #multicultural #reconnection
Okay so one of the NOT SO GREAT THINGS about being Okay so one of the NOT SO GREAT THINGS about being an empty nester and NOT having your kids in the same country as you, is you can’t greet them in person with balloons and brouhaha for HUGE benchmark birthdays like my son’s 21st bday today. So ahead of meeting up with the family in a few weeks, I put together this (very amateur) reel for him. (We’ve said all the mushy stuff to each other in private.) From skydiving in Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, to hiking in Machu Picchu, to somersaulting into the wild waters off Marstrand, Sweden — THIS kid is my fearless and adventurous one. Jules, my wish for you is that your life continues to offer you adventures that thrill you and opportunities that make your heart sing. I hope along the way you continue to develop and deepen meaningful relationships with amazing souls. I feel so honoured to watch and witness your story. Happy 21st, my heart!! #emptynest #emptynesterlife #emptynesters #podcastersofinstagram #writersofinstagram #21stbirthday #expatlife
PART 1: Empty Nesting- Do American parents suffer PART 1: Empty Nesting- Do American parents suffer the most when it comes to empty nesting? Hear from 8 women around the world who give their own take on how parents in their respective countries approach the empty nest. As for me, scroll left to the next photo where I’ve included an audio snippet. Do I love and miss and worry for my kids now that they’re no longer at home? Absoeffinglutely. Do I want them to move back home so we’re all under the same roof again? Ummmmm…NO thank you. #linkinbio #emptynesters #emptynest #emptynestsyndrome #emptynesterlife #emptynester #emptynesting #lifeafterkids #culturepodcast #writers #writercommunity #writersofinstagram #writesofig #podcast #podcastaboutpeople #podcasting #podcastlaunch #podcastersofinstagram #podcasthost #podcastshow #diversestories #differentperspectives #multicultural #asianrepresentation #culturaldifferences #readcaption #diversity #podcastmusic
Launched Season 2 of the podcast this week 😊 Launched Season 2 of the podcast this week 😊 It’s mostly all new- new location, new artwork, new background music, new energy. Plus- since the show is about worldwide perspectives, I’ll also be sharing a lot more reels on my stories that showcase different cultures and generations - many of them comedy routines from other creators. I feel like this generation is FAR more willing and open to hear about the cultural “stuff” that once upon a time, made immigrant kids like me wanna crawl under a rock. Now we wear our cultural differences like badges of honour. There’s so much cool and HUHlarious content out there so stay tuned… Btw- the links in my bio are actually very seamless (thanks to my awesome web team @AlterEndeavors in Austin TX) 😎 In the meantime, welcome back to Season 2! #culturepodcast #diversity #writers #writercommunity #writersofinstagram #writesofig #podcast #podcastaboutpeople #podcasting #podcastlaunch #podcastersofinstagram #podcasthost #podcastshow #diversestories #differentperspectives #multicultural #asianrepresentation #culturaldifferences #readcaption

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