August Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

We will remember July 2023 as the hottest month the world has ever recorded. How do rising temperatures affect Distance Families?
When moving permanently to a new location our bodies tend to adjust overtime to the local temperatures. But when you’re temporarily thrown into extreme weather on a vacation, for example visiting family, it can be overwhelming.
Coming from a temperate climate, I don’t cope well in intense heat. A few years ago I spent a couple of months in the southern states of the U.S. in a June and July. I saw locals in jeans while I was expiring in my coolest sun dress. I vowed and declared I would never visit family again during those months.
At the other extreme, we also said we’d never visit Chicago in winter where our son lives because we’re inexperienced coping with icy, snowy conditions.  

​​Reducing the risk of an accident and ending up in a hospital is a top priority. However, an impending grandson arrival in December is changing those plans. What a nice problem... we’ll need to be super careful.
So what are distance families left with? Perhaps just April & May and September to November depending on where you’re travelling to. Extreme weather definitely affects Distance Families connections.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​July saw the 1st birthday of Being a Distance Son or Daughter. Where did those 12 months go? I am so pleased to have this book available to global families. No one is addressing this aspect of being an expat or immigrant and I’m pleased to provide a launching pad for conversations. Reviews are here and the book is  available as a paperback or e-book here. If you'd like your local library to stock a copy please pass them a copy of this information sheet. It might do the trick.

​Authors are told they need to have a social media presence. I work pretty hard in that department. But lately I have realised there isn’t enough separation between my personal social media and author/global mobility social media. So I have created a second Facebook profile to solve this. If you’d like to follow me and/or Distance Families you are spoilt for choice. Be sure to check out the full social media ‘range’ here with the latest new addition noted.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

​You may know one of my interests is singing in a local community choir. It’s a non-audition choir so it's not at the high brow end. The pandemic put a stop to most choir activity and once we re-grouped it took a bit of time to get back in the groove. Finally after a 4 year hiatus we’ve recently performed twice. Below is a photo of us enjoying a stand ovation. I have never had one of those before! I am far right at the front by the pillar. Here's a link to that performance​at this beautiful city church. And a few weeks later we participated in an Auckland-wide cultural choral event in a stunning cathedral.  Enjoy.

​​New Zealand and Australia are currently jointly hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is a big deal. Last night I attended the USA v Portugal match at the normally rugby-famous Eden Park.  What a night! The largest NZ crowd ever for a women's sporting event - 42,958 of us.  We'd been allocated seats three rows back from the field. The medics were right in front of us and we were surrounded by costume wearing, flag and banner carrying American and Portuguese fans. I am sure I ended up in the background on a telecast somewhere in the world as passionate fans were interviewed and filmed nearby. And be assured, listening to their accents there were many kiwis amongst them supporting the visitors. Up behind us was a huge crowd of flag waving, Portuguese fans including a drummer who played the entire time.
To my American friends commiserations - you didn't expect a 0-0 draw. But be sure, the huge American supporter crowd did you proud. To my Portuguese friends - well done. Your reserves were warming up just a few metres from us - so nimble and fast and their team spirit was obvious. You can be very proud of their performance.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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