Browsing Category: USA

Mixed Emotions on the 4th of July

July 5, 2018 Zoe

(Image credit: Photo by Cory G on Reshot)

This was our first 4th of July since moving to the States, and my first one on US soil in about 10 years. I’ve got to say, I had some mixed emotions on the 4th of July, and I wasn’t the only one. When I was growing up, we weren’t big on 4th of July celebrations, but it did take on some significance being overseas.

In Holland and then in South Africa, I was one of only a handful of Americans in social circles. As a result, I was the one who had to mark the occasion. It also meant that I was something of the arbiter of truth for all things American – a bit odd, but still fun. Continue Reading

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1 Comment Rambling, South Africa, USA

How I’m trying to save the world, or at least the separated families

June 21, 2018 Zoe

I was in tears this week. Stories about the separated families at the border made me so very upset. There are so many issues that make my blood boil these days – topics around school shootings, and defunding of women’s health centers, and the prospects of trade wars and alienating our allies. But truly, nothing could be more devastating than hearing about children being ripped from their parents’ arms and put in cages. CAGES!

The worst part was, I felt totally powerless. It’s not like I could go to the detention centers and just hand the kids back to their parents. What could I DO to fix the problem? It wasn’t enough to get upset, there had to be more that I could do. So I called my senators and congresswoman. I signed petitions. And then I broke down in tears, telling Dean that I wished I could DO something to help these families. He reminded me that I WAS doing something. So here are some ways that I’m trying to help, and how you can help, too. Continue Reading

Comment Rambling, USA

#familiesbelongtogether Do something politics

5 Things I learned from a photoshoot with my 2-year-old

April 16, 2018 Zoe

(Photo Credit: Lara Salvo with Vienna Hayden // @ViennaHayden)

I have been determined to get on my feet here in Arizona. In some ways, that’s meant setting up our home here, but in other ways, it’s been about getting our life going. Making friends is a process, much like reestablishing my blog here. It’s all about growing your tribe, finding people who are likeminded and slowly building a kinship. Which is why I was so excited to get accepted to the #CatchMeAtLuxe event which promised to bring bloggers and photographers together. But could I survive a photoshoot with my 2-year-old?

Harley is awesome and smart and hilarious, but she’s also still a toddler. I was terrified that she would be completely uncooperative and just say no the whole time. I was so worried that it would be more stress than it was worth. Then there was the thing where I was terrified that I’d look fat beyond belief. Oh, and do I even need to mention the fact that all the other moms attending the event had WAY bigger Instagram followings than me? Cue all the imposter syndrome as well. But actually, it was a wonderful experience, and I learned a lot! Continue Reading

Comment Products, Rambling, USA

photos Photoshoot Toddler Life

Things I wish I knew before we emigrated

March 25, 2018 Zoe

I am finally in a really good place. I mean that literally and figuratively, it seems. After some rough months, I’ve been feeling more and more settled. I didn’t realize just how settled I was until Dean’s parents came to visit and I was able to confidently show them around… and even feel disrupted by sharing space (in the best possible way). That’s gotta be proof that we had a routine and were used to our space if I actually felt like things were different from normal, right? I mean, just to have a “normal” is awesome after having emigrated and changed our whole lives.

I am happy and things are going well. It still isn’t even a year since we moved, so I figure we’re on a good trajectory. I’m sure there will be hard days again, and even better days, but for now, I’m pleased with how things are going. We still need to meet people and make friends, but that always takes time. It will come. There are some things I wish I knew before we emigrated, though. Continue Reading

Comment Rambling, South Africa, USA

American in South Africa Emigrating South African in America

Where I’ve been and what you can look forward to on Born Geek

March 13, 2018 Zoe

I know, I know, I’ve sorta disappeared lately. I’m sorry for that. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I was committed to blogging a lot more regularly in 2018, and I really wanted to make it a priority to reconnect with all of you, to share what’s been going on, and all that good stuff. And it hasn’t happened nearly as much as planned. There are reasons for that, but no excuses.

So I want to give you all a bit of a peek behind the curtain, a look behind the scenes. You see, I know what I want to do with this blog going forward. I know the kind of content that I want to make and what I want to share with you all. I think I had a bit of a crisis of blog recently, and I’ve found my way through it. Maybe. Continue Reading

Comment Rambling, South Africa, USA

Blog about blogging blogging Going forward