Extended About
Who is Global Gal?
I’m Heather, a small-town girl gone global. I sometimes feel like a gypsy. After years in Goliad, Texas, (and New Mexico, Colorado and other places…) I broke out and became a serial expat. I have been married for 8 years to Iván, who is known as “the DH” on the blog. He’s from Spain, one of my favorite places. We really love traveling and so far, in our time together, we have lived in 5 countries. (We met in Texas… so many people ask!)
Where is Global Gal?
I am currently living in Linyi, a small city on the northeast coast of China.
What does Global Gal do?
I work as an Aviation English instructor for Jiutian International Flight Academy. This is totally random, as I don’t even like to fly. There’s just not much else to do in a small Chinese city! In a former life I worked as a registered nurse, specializing in cardiology. I recently completed a Master’s of Library Science and I hope to someday work in a medical library. The DH is a flight instructor and professional pilot. In all his former lives he has been a pilot.
I’m interested in:
Photography, designing blog themes, reading, Japanese fashion magazines, travel, writing, nutrition, expat/TCK issues and identity, aviation history and a zillion other things!
Why the expat life?
I first lived abroad as a teenager in Kuwait, shortly after the first Gulf War. Living in Q8 pretty much changed my entire life. I knew I could never go back to a settled life in South Texas, so here I am…
I consider myself a TCK/global nomad. Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a term for kids who have lived outside of the culture of their passport country. Usually this happens because of the parents’ work. For example, military kids, missionary kids, business people’s kids, and international school teacher’s kids. They are also called Global Nomads, or even Citizens of the World. Of course, when they are older they become Adult TCKs. TCKs, Global Nomads, Citizens of the World and expats all have Global Souls.
Pico Iyer is a writer who muses much on the phenomena of Global Souls. I read an interview with Pico, who writes about living as a British born, California raised child of Indian parents, now living in Japan. He said many global souls are “living on the fringes of societies, perhaps even in their own.” So true. Many times I feel like I am living on the fringes of Chinese society, peeking in and observing. I hope I can share with you a little bit about life on the fringe!
What is this blog all about?
Expat life. Stuff I find interesting. Things that happen to me. Pictures I like. Imagine that you and I are sitting in a living room together. Maybe we’re watching TV or reading magazines. I might tell you about my day or about something interesting I read. That is what this blog is all about!
Who the heck is DH? What’s with the initials?
DH = Dear Hubby. At one point I decided to use initials to refer to friends, family and Iván, to maintain anonymity. I use DH almost all the time, but I may or may not refer to friends & family by name or by an initial.
How can I contact Global Gal?
Leave a comment on the about page or email me: imaglobalgal at gmail dot com
And a disclaimer:
I have lived in China for four years, but I barely speak the language. I do have Chinese friends, but for the most part I exist in an expat’s world. I am no expert on China. In a country this complex, it is impossible to be an expert. I have good days, where I love everything, and I have bad days, where I judge everything, rant and probably stereotype way too much. It’s all well-intentioned. I recommend taking it with a grain of salt. Anything you read on this blog is simply me trying to figure it out for myself.
This blog is most definitely a work in progress, as is life.
*Updated 01 August 2009*
