As an expatriate, one of the most typical and frequent questions I am asked is “Where are you from?”. This is a natural and open question, but it always causes me to hesitate.

It is not only obvious differences between city and suburb or Asia to Europe. There are real and vast deviations that our children have to navigate. For them, life is exhilarating and, a the same time exhausting. And this experience is as personal as it is individual.

I believe that we should all have a bucket list, or three. You know the saying that hindsight is always twenty-twenty? In a (very) weird way you are creating that retrospective look into your past.

Ever since I was a little girl, picking wild flowers in the forest behind my parent’s home, I’ve been pleasantly obsesses with green.

Here are my go-to places in Tokyo for my "fix".

Living as an expat is and will be an incredible experience. But how to harness the magic? I decided to write a bucket list as a brainstorm and a plan. 

This it the first piece I wrote when I arrive in Tokyo. It was written for and published on Discover Out Loud. For me, it is an important barometer. I refer to it often to check myself...am I being true to me, have I changed my perspective.....?  It is a good map through this time of discovery. 

“Tokyo-style”? I am set to define it! Date night is a vital, gratifying ingredient to my experience over the next years. High heels, evening handbags, makeup….I have even, finally, bought a jewellery cupboard so there are no excuses why I don’t throw on those gorgeous pieces I collected for so many years at Swarovski...

Amongst the glamour of Ginza, I felt almost happily small-town, wandering around a shopping mecca which turns into a small village two days a week.  

And, although street performers are strictly forbidden, Cleo didn’t let that stop her. She rocked a Venetian mask the whole afternoon - a crowd pleaser, indeed!!

After visiting Shimoda over the summer, I fell in love. I wrote about this love affair for Discover Out Loud....I know I am a die-hard beach girl, but upon returning last weekend, I just couldn't resist the urge to dream about living there forever and ever. The pictures tell the story. 

When I stand in front of the sea, I have the feeling of smallness - in the most incredible way possible. For me, Kyoto is the same. A city in which the electricity, the history and the culture make me feel little and yet a part of something much bigger. 

You can take a class, research on the Internet, get advice from locals - but whatever, however, you should have a plan. It is not fun and it is an scary topic, but here's what we've done to prepare ourselves. How does this compare to your plan?

I feel the need to write, to capture these moments, to explore my more creative sides. Moving to Tokyo has started a journey - and this is my space to capture that journey. 

The visit of Johan’s parents, our first house guests in Tokyo, seemed so much more important. It felt like a chance to take stock of all we have gained through this move.

My love affair with Amsterdam began in 2002. I had just moved from New York to London, when Johan and I travelled to Holland for a weekend break and the wedding of a friend. We stayed, and still stay, in the centre, on the Prinsengracht. From this landing pad, we are free to walk, cycle and boat around the town…here are my favourites in the neighbourhood.