A friend of mine is moving out of the country. While my friend and his wife are really excited, they are doing a trial period (like 4-6 months) to see if it's really what they are looking for and expecting. That said, even with the thought that they may choose to return in the long term, there were a lot of things to consider during the process. (It's also similar if you 'winter' in a different state from where your more permanent residence is. Some of the same considerations apply!)
(1) Where are you going to bank?
While the comforts of the internet have allowed for conveniences not previously known to us as a species, there are still some vital points to remember. Yes, you can pay most of your bills online, but what do you need to do for short-term cash needs? The best thing to look into is joining a bank that has international branches or partners in the area you are going to be. For example, Bank of America or Chase may partner with banks in your country of choice. This means that, while you won't be walking into a Chase or BoA bank in your new home country, there may be a bank there that still affords you the same privileges: deposits, ATM withdrawals without fees, and investing options. While it may not seem like a huge deal, there will be that clutch time when you need access to your money and you either can't or don't want to pay the fee or wait the required timespan to obtain what you need. These partnerships are vital. Do your research, and know what your options are.
(2) What about your mail?
Unlike banking, mail is still very physical. The internet hasn't put the monopoly on this one yet. That means you probably should check the forwarding restrictions on your new location. If you're within the same country, you may be able to forward your mail for a short period of time without much difficulty, or at least put it in a PO Box until you return. If you are traveling across boarders for a substantial period of time this may prove more challenging. First, understand the kind of mail you get. If they're bills and things, transfer them to online payments. If they're investments, ensure you can manage them from online as well. If you have regularly shipped packages or prescriptions, see if your new host country or location can fill them or if you would even be allowed to ship them internationally. If so, forwarding to a trusted friend or family member may be a great option. They can collect your mail and send you a large package at regular 2-4 week intervals or every 1-2 months, depending on what you need and how much is sent to you. However, check the stipulations of what would be included in that package!
(3) Any belongings you leave behind need a home.
If you're only going for a short time and returning to your same home, most of your belongings can probably stay in-house as long as you appoint someone to come in regularly, make sure everything is running properly, and just generally check on your property. If you have a car that 'lives' outside, though, maybe you want to leave it with a friend while you are gone or rent a large enough storage unit to ensure it's stored safely. The last thing you want is to come home to disarray that could have been avoided with a little forethought.
(4) Phone plans.
If you're staying in-country, this probably isn't such a big deal. If you are traveling abroad but you want to try to keep your number, you may have to go to your phone provider and understand their international plans. Some phone companies now allow for unlimited texting to certain countries. Some allow for unlimited texting regardless of country. Some allow for add-ons such as X-minutes of calling from or to certain countries. Others charge heavy fees and you may find options like Skype, Viber, Zoom, etc, are more to your auditory needs, especially if it's only for a limited amount of time and if you still have texting enabled. Yes, you may have to plan your phone calls more carefully, but everyday issues can be handled by text making the voice requirement less of an issue. But either way - check! The last thing you want is an exaggerated phone bill to show up when you log-in online to your account and had no idea it would be there!
Otherwise - have fun! Check food/dietary restrictions/language barriers and customs as hopefully you would even if you were traveling for only a short period of time. Insurance is also really important, but I know and understand that in a very very very limited capacity. Enjoy the world, enjoy your time away, and just enjoy all the beauty and perks life has to offer you.
...and now you can enjoy them with even more convenience and peace of mind.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Quick Thai Peanut Sauce
If you ever find yourself in a place like I am tonight, here's a quick Thai Peanut Sauce recipe you can enjoy:
Peanut Butter
Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil
Ginger
Red Pepper Flakes
Lime Juice
Pepper & Salt
Basil
Fry it in a pan with your veggies. Add a little water if you're Peanut Butter doesn't liquidate to the consistency you want with the oil and water that comes from the veggies. When your noodles are done, mix with the sauce in the pan and voila! Thai Peanut dinner!
Peanut Butter
Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil
Ginger
Red Pepper Flakes
Lime Juice
Pepper & Salt
Basil
Fry it in a pan with your veggies. Add a little water if you're Peanut Butter doesn't liquidate to the consistency you want with the oil and water that comes from the veggies. When your noodles are done, mix with the sauce in the pan and voila! Thai Peanut dinner!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
That Awkward Disconnect
Last night my husband and I had dinner with two of our friends (we went to Umai in Chicago, which was absolutely delicious!) and we had an absolutely wonderful time. They're great friends - you know, the kind who brighten your day, make you laugh, connect with you completely, and make you feel valued, important, and like they are as committed to the mutual friendship as you are. That's exactly how they are. We actually spent three hours there and were one of the last three tables there - we basically got 'kicked out' so they could close! We just couldn't stop talking; we were having so much fun. So my husband and I left that night with our 'cups' filled, happily tired from the friend exchange.
Tonight we went to a going away party. And tonight was different. While we get along with most of the people who were at this event, there was a disconnect. Instead of easy conversation, the kind that also is filled with depth and questions that push you to learn and grow through the conversation to continue to enjoy it and move it forward, these were fluff conversations, the kinds that stay on such basic and generally superficial topics that they could be had between any two people anywhere. We spoke of family vacations, relationships with relatives you don't see often, the food, the weather, jobs, and so on and so on. It's not that they weren't pleasant - and if you'd been a fly on the wall it probably seemed like we were all having a good time - but these were the other kinds of conversations: slightly forced, and when the silence arrived it hovered awkwardly as people tried to think of what to bring up next. That was how tonight went.
And so my husband and I left, and I noted that I still felt "empty", unfulfilled, and tired in a different way - not the one where you've exhausted your energy because there was so much to say and you just felt you were always catching your breath to say it all, but the kind where you've exhausted your energy putting on the face that gets you through the night seeming like you fully enjoyed yourself.
It's amazing how different crowds, even if they're both inclusive of people you find it rather easy to be around and genuinely part of your friend/family/non-work circle, can fill your emotional 'cups' differently. And sometimes it's of no fault to the other party, but the 'cups' you require to be filled to feel like the night was a full and well-rounded success on every level change as your life changes, and what works sometimes doesn't work other times.
So here's to your success in filling your cups with the best kind of enjoyment, without the awkward silences!
Tonight we went to a going away party. And tonight was different. While we get along with most of the people who were at this event, there was a disconnect. Instead of easy conversation, the kind that also is filled with depth and questions that push you to learn and grow through the conversation to continue to enjoy it and move it forward, these were fluff conversations, the kinds that stay on such basic and generally superficial topics that they could be had between any two people anywhere. We spoke of family vacations, relationships with relatives you don't see often, the food, the weather, jobs, and so on and so on. It's not that they weren't pleasant - and if you'd been a fly on the wall it probably seemed like we were all having a good time - but these were the other kinds of conversations: slightly forced, and when the silence arrived it hovered awkwardly as people tried to think of what to bring up next. That was how tonight went.
And so my husband and I left, and I noted that I still felt "empty", unfulfilled, and tired in a different way - not the one where you've exhausted your energy because there was so much to say and you just felt you were always catching your breath to say it all, but the kind where you've exhausted your energy putting on the face that gets you through the night seeming like you fully enjoyed yourself.
It's amazing how different crowds, even if they're both inclusive of people you find it rather easy to be around and genuinely part of your friend/family/non-work circle, can fill your emotional 'cups' differently. And sometimes it's of no fault to the other party, but the 'cups' you require to be filled to feel like the night was a full and well-rounded success on every level change as your life changes, and what works sometimes doesn't work other times.
So here's to your success in filling your cups with the best kind of enjoyment, without the awkward silences!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Bom Bolla - to Cava or Not to Cava
Today I met a friend at Bom Bolla - the new Spanish Cava bar/tapas restaurant in Wicker Park, although I'm not sure they brand themselves as a tapas restaurant. They certainly have a few though. From the owners that brought you Pop Champagne bar in River North, new doors have open to another Mediterranean wonder...Spain.
Moving away from their French roots at Pop, the owners have opened a Spanish Cava bar with...an attempted Spanish tapas. Don't get me wrong, the tapas are delicious. My friend and I split two plates of cheese, a plate of lomo (cured meat), some eggplant roasted over charcoal (definitely not my favorite) and Potato and Onion croquettes (super yummy). Along with 2 glasses of rosé cava, the bill was actually manageable compared to some other tapas restaurants I've been to. It cost us about $35 a person. I wasn't stuffed, but I was happily comfortable.
And while the rosé was delicious, I'll admit I had to head for the almost French rosé as opposed to the Spanish brand, although that wasn't for a lack of trying. I ordered the cheapest Spanish brand and it was far too sweet and fruity for my taste. My husband tells me my tastebuds are weird, but to me it was too close to sparkling apple juice to be enjoyable. Give me a clean, crisp, dry rosé and I'm happy!
Again, the food was good, and it was absolutely like a Spanish bar: unassuming, relaxed, and with only a few 'bar food' items at your disposal. A Spanish bar isn't a place for a meal, but rather a light nibbling to help you not get super drunk super fast. However, I'm just not sure the Wicker Park neighborhood is going to gobble up this hoping-to-be gem. While Pop Champagne finds a wonderfully welcoming home in the bustle, touristy, and professional River North, I feel the Spanish Bom Bolla may have found a better home in a similar neighborhood as well. Although unassuming, it's definitely a little more pretentious than the neighboring Furious Spoon and Big Star. However, it reminded me of my year spent living in Spain, and for that I thank it.
So good luck to you, Bom Bolla! I hope you prove me wrong!
Moving away from their French roots at Pop, the owners have opened a Spanish Cava bar with...an attempted Spanish tapas. Don't get me wrong, the tapas are delicious. My friend and I split two plates of cheese, a plate of lomo (cured meat), some eggplant roasted over charcoal (definitely not my favorite) and Potato and Onion croquettes (super yummy). Along with 2 glasses of rosé cava, the bill was actually manageable compared to some other tapas restaurants I've been to. It cost us about $35 a person. I wasn't stuffed, but I was happily comfortable.
And while the rosé was delicious, I'll admit I had to head for the almost French rosé as opposed to the Spanish brand, although that wasn't for a lack of trying. I ordered the cheapest Spanish brand and it was far too sweet and fruity for my taste. My husband tells me my tastebuds are weird, but to me it was too close to sparkling apple juice to be enjoyable. Give me a clean, crisp, dry rosé and I'm happy!
Again, the food was good, and it was absolutely like a Spanish bar: unassuming, relaxed, and with only a few 'bar food' items at your disposal. A Spanish bar isn't a place for a meal, but rather a light nibbling to help you not get super drunk super fast. However, I'm just not sure the Wicker Park neighborhood is going to gobble up this hoping-to-be gem. While Pop Champagne finds a wonderfully welcoming home in the bustle, touristy, and professional River North, I feel the Spanish Bom Bolla may have found a better home in a similar neighborhood as well. Although unassuming, it's definitely a little more pretentious than the neighboring Furious Spoon and Big Star. However, it reminded me of my year spent living in Spain, and for that I thank it.
So good luck to you, Bom Bolla! I hope you prove me wrong!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
South Branch Tavern Grille
Tonight my husband and I met a friend for drinks and small bites at South Branch Tavern Grille in Chicago right on the river. If you haven't been before, the entrance is on Monroe and the River (not Wacker or Adams, despite the outdoor patio being there!) Needless to say I had a fun time walking all the way around just to find the front door, but it was worth it.
It's probably also important to note that it is ALWAYS BUSY! While this is a superbly good sign that the food, drinks, and atmosphere are worth it, it also means that it can take you a while to get a table. So plan to arrive early, and doubly early if you want a chance to sit outside. Now, granted, it's the average Chicago July so it's naturally 60 degrees outside (*please note sarcasm*) so we opted for an indoor booth, but we were not disappointed. Luckily we were right on the water and enjoyed the sun shining in from outside.
And the food didn't disappoint either. We started with some beer and Stella Cider - yum! - and then some food. Of course, I couldn't pass up the tater tots, so the side dish became my munch'ems, which was absolutely the best idea E-V-E-R. Tater tots are one of my achilles heels...maybe my left one?...and they came out of the kitchen cooked to perfection. Yum, Yum!
It is average pricing to any other upscale bar, so don't be surprised if you table's bill of apps and drinks comes to $100 quickly, but if your company is worthy then the 2 hour event will be worth it!
And enjoy some tater tots for me!
It's probably also important to note that it is ALWAYS BUSY! While this is a superbly good sign that the food, drinks, and atmosphere are worth it, it also means that it can take you a while to get a table. So plan to arrive early, and doubly early if you want a chance to sit outside. Now, granted, it's the average Chicago July so it's naturally 60 degrees outside (*please note sarcasm*) so we opted for an indoor booth, but we were not disappointed. Luckily we were right on the water and enjoyed the sun shining in from outside.
And the food didn't disappoint either. We started with some beer and Stella Cider - yum! - and then some food. Of course, I couldn't pass up the tater tots, so the side dish became my munch'ems, which was absolutely the best idea E-V-E-R. Tater tots are one of my achilles heels...maybe my left one?...and they came out of the kitchen cooked to perfection. Yum, Yum!
It is average pricing to any other upscale bar, so don't be surprised if you table's bill of apps and drinks comes to $100 quickly, but if your company is worthy then the 2 hour event will be worth it!
And enjoy some tater tots for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)