EP 12 — Home Is Here: An Expat’s Journey

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Hey everyone, it's Maria checking in from a finally sunny Auckland, New Zealand. You're listening to Almost Local, the podcast where we talk about what it really means to find home between worlds. And today I'm so excited because we have another wonderful guest joining us. You'll meet Tai and almost local with a story that's honest, surprising, and beautifully real. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into today's conversation. Welcome everybody. I'm really happy to be introducing another almost local, to the community. today I'm with Ty. briefly I can say Ty is Argentinian. currently, we are in Auckland, New Zealand, where she's been living for the past, six, seven years, give or take. She's been here since 2000. 18 so we are, here to share her, journey, navigating life abroad. so I'm really, thankful that she's open to share her story with us. I've been listening and learning from her a lot. personally, she's got like, really long, Journey as a expert child, and it's really interesting to listen to her story. thank you for being here with me today. I really appreciate. so tell me, and tell us where is home for you now. Oh, Thank you for having me. Home. That's a big question. I guess home is here now because I, here in Auckland, I started my family, my own family, with my partner and my daughter. and yeah, I feel like Home is now here. My home where my parents used to live kind of doesn't exist anymore we moved when I was 13 to Venezuela, from Argentina. In that moment we were in the Patagonia. And we moved to Venezuela. I was 13 years old and we moved with all my family there. My sister was six at the time and I was 13. that's where everything, started my life abroad as an expat. we went all together to Venezuela, but we left Venezuela all in separate years. now I cannot say that I have a family home because my mom now lives in Mexico. My dad lives in, my sister also lives in Mexico, but she has her own family as well. So my home is here where my daughter and my partner is, for sure. Okay, wonderful. So here, it's Auckland, New Zealand. Just yes. Reminding everyone, we are here. do you feel like this question is a difficult one, like for, people who live in the same place, and that's a very straightforward answer, but do you feel like explaining where is home? It, it is been difficult for you, you since you were a child, and also the question, where are you from? Because for many years I thought that home was Argentina, but then having moved to Venezuela and being there for. The most important years of your life as high school And university. I did high school and university in Venezuela. after doing that, I came back to Argentina and I was feeling not from Argentina. It was a very strange feeling. And even like me talking in Spanish and people will ask me like, where are you from? And I was like, well, actually, I was born in Argentina, but I don't totally feel like it it is always a very difficult question, but I like to say that I'm a worse citizen. Yes. That's why when I was just, studying and I said, I'll introduce Tai, and well, she's Argentinian and I kind of laughed because, yes, that's right. Where are you from T I was born in Argentina. But I was born also in a place that I. Don't know, and I never came back like I was born in Rio Santa Cruz. Mm-hmm. but I don't actually know the place at all. I was never back. so my family when I was born, from like year zero to six years that we moved to New Ukraine, we moved nine times. I don't know how my mom did it, but she did around Patagonia if I need to say that I am from someplace could be Noke because it's, it's a city that I love. My sister was born there and my dad now lives there. So I kind of have a family home to come back. But yeah, my dad remarried, so it's complicated for sure. So that's, where are you from? It's like maybe you need like 10 minutes to repeat the question. And if you were being asked this question and you have like four seconds to reply. You would say no, cam? Yeah, probably. I always say like, if I need to, but I always kind of introduce like, if I have to say that I'm from a place, you know, because it has a lot of nuances. Yeah. And it is not like a straightforward, question So you, feel like, okay, I feel like I'm not telling the complete story here. Yes, totally. And honestly, for me, Venezuela has half of my heart. And it will always have the Half of my heart. So I don't feel like a hundred percent Argentinian. it's just. Many things of high school and how you see life in general, I feel more the cultural way of Venezuelan rather than the Argentinian. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Well, you were explaining, Well, sharing your story. And you moved to, Venezuela when you were 13. Yes. So, and you lived there. you went to school, then you went to university. So you live, like real, a real, important part of your life. Venezuela. And it's always. It will always be a connection to the country. Yeah, totally. Right. Totally. Mm-hmm. So your heart is, is is a bit in Venezuela is a bit here. It's a bit, well, you know, I guess. and then, well, I mean, you lived in different places and you moved a lot around because you're coming from a, an expert family as well. what brought you to, to this destination to New Zealand where you've been since 2018? Yes. So when I was, so I left Venezuela in 2008 and I went back to ses, and then I was in Buenos Aires for like five years. Where I didn't feel from Buenos Aires at all. So I was always like kind of like, Hmm, where am I moving? Where am I moving? And then things, happen and, and yeah, I applied for a work on holiday visa to go to Australia and yeah. It was a very difficult process to get to it, but once I was in Australia was like, oh my God, this is amazing. I love the lifestyle and everything, and I feel like while I was there, the connection between Australia and New Zealand is a very evident one, You. I think I even met people from New Zealand when I was in Australia and I was always curious about New Zealand. And they also say for all the travelers, so they work on holidays that, New Zealand is kind of the same, but it's just like less people and a little bit more worrying. I was In a stage of my life that I wasn't looking for party or anything. after living in Australia and traveling a little bit, I applied for a student visa. To come here. was that the question? the question why, what, what was the, what brought you here? So initially you would say, study, education. Yeah. Yes. Okay. So, well, I was looking for a lifestyle as well. I like. The Australian, Lifestyle. So I was looking for that. And the student visa was the way to get here. I wanted to be here. And of course I did apply for work in New Zealand, and I didn't get it. So then it was like, okay, student. It was more like an excuse, but it was more around the lifestyle for sure. And a bit of adventure, let's say. Yeah. No, I feel like it was more the lifestyle for sure. Mm-hmm. Venezuela is a very unsafe place. Mm-hmm. And when I moved to Argentina, it was a little bit better, but then it kind of got like not that good. Mm-hmm. And having this security here is just mm-hmm. Yeah. it's just safe. Yeah. And I like that. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think that's, Well, after some years that you live in New Zealand, you get used to that and you forget, right? It's just a given. Yeah. How safe it is and how relaxed the, lifestyle is. but it's true. I mean, for those who are listening and might think of, oh, how is life in New Zealand? Because that's a typical question. it is true that life here is. Safe, and relaxed And also the balance between work and life. is very good. I think it's ranked first in the world at the moment. in Buenos Aires. It is not that much like I was working a lot. and also it's not only lifestyle in terms of security, it's also Financially. a little bit safer Than everything in Latin America. Like you work and you know that what you're getting. Yes. Yeah. Stability. Yeah. And you have access to, things like education and health and. Things that are part of your daily life and makes your life easier, I suppose. Yeah, yeah. so it was not education? It was actually lifestyle. Yes. you liked New Zealand and then, but. What kept you here? Ah, well, after two weeks of being here, I met my partner and then that's kind of the history from then. I didn't know that Oakland was going to be my. When I came here, I had no idea. again, I met him and then things. Started happening And that's how Oakland Indian became home. Became home. Yes. Yeah. So it was love. It was love. Yeah. In that moment, I came for the lifestyle and I stayed for the love That everyone says, oh no, the nature. The outdoors? No, no, no, no, no. Yeah. Okay. She's love. We have that, but first it was love. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So I, I had another interview with Karina, recently and, and also we blamed love, so we are blaming them for the second time. I, when we moved here with my husband and the kids, it, it was because of a job opportunity. So for us it was, Yeah, career. Career, yeah, exactly. Job, et cetera. but then I personally fell in love with New Zealand. So I also blame love. Exactly. You the love of the country. Yeah. It's very easy. Yeah. Yeah. Second day I think I was like, really? Yes. Oh, that's nice. Yeah. We are here for three years, but I, I think we should stay longer. Oh, you see? But my story is a little bit different because, Oakland had to grow on me, when I came as. A tourist just to know New Zealand. I went to Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, like big cities where I knew that I would find a job, that I like, based on my career. And I like Wellington. and I wanted to go to Wellington. It's nice. Wellington was my first choice. But then it was a little bit easy to study in a Oakland. So my, agent kind of convinced me like, oh no, but Auckland is nice, believe me. It's nice. I was Okay. And then I came here in Auckland and I like to go out. A lot. And I try for those first weekends to go out and I couldn't find anything that I like. And then, well, then I started my relationship and it was, okay, let's just stay home and watch movies. but yeah, it kind of grow on me. It's not that I was like, so in love for Glen, the very beginning, but now I love it. Mm-hmm. Now I love it. I think it's an amazing city and mm-hmm. I, I wouldn't say vibrant, but Yeah, it is. Mm, it's, yeah. yeah. Yeah. It's, it, it also depends, Which moment of the year you land in the city. Yeah, true. It's not the same if you land in July and August. So, and do you think Thai, this is your final destination? look, I am in a particular moment now'cause my niece just, was born like a couple of days ago. So at the moment I'm missing my family a lot. Mm-hmm. So I am thinking where could be my. Next destination. Based on being a little bit closer to my family. But yeah, for now, I think we're gonna stay put forward. The distant future at least. I wouldn't thought that this is my last destination. Maybe straight answer. No, that's a straight answer. Well, I mean, you lived in many places and you moved as a child, and you traveled a lot. you also traveled, just for fun. For fun and for visiting new places. So it is tricky to think like this is the final destination. and I also haven't. Been to all the places that I would like eventually to Go. So I still need to do More traveling, see more places and then we'll think like,'cause sometimes it happens that you go out of New Zealand and then when you come back you're so grateful to be here because, well, it's a beautiful place to be Maybe that will happen. I will go to the place that I will want to be my final destination, and then I might not like it, so then I'll be back here. I love the lifestyle here in general, and I can see that. Like older people here has a really, really nice life, Who knows? Yeah. Also, you have a daughter, Luna. Yes. And she's starting, primary school next year. Yes. And that's going to be a life, changer for you and whatever you decide to do, because now there is someone else who, You need to think about. Yes. although I wouldn't like just avoid the possibility of moving while she's on a school because that's what my mom did with me when I was 13. And although the beginning I didn't like it at all. I didn't want to move to Venezuela at all. I remember. Yeah, I have like a firewall with my friends and I was very sad that I will leave. Mm-hmm. in that moment. but then looking at now. in retrospective, it was amazing. All, all that, what I experienced. Mm-hmm. So, yeah, who knows? Yeah. It was a difficult, age to move up to 13. It is. Yeah. when we moved to the Netherlands, our daughter was, 12. so it was really, it was a difficult, it was, it was hard for her. It was hard. It was not, not, no. Not happy at all. and we were enemy number one, Yeah. It would've surprised me if it had been different. Yeah. Probably. So, now we are back, it's been three years, so we returned to New Zealand and, yeah, it's, it's a process for, for a teenager, right? maybe as a mom, I want to know, I'm happy to see that in retrospective, I guess. Yeah, you're like, actually it was hard. I had, it was a sad time to say goodbye to my friends. But then you still think, well, good. yeah. My parents decided to go for it. totally. I think something that really changed my experience was the fact that although my dad was an expert, he didn't send me to the school that all the experts were going, Colleagues that were working with him, were going to the American school. Mm-hmm. Whereas like he was like, no, if we're going to live in Venezuela, you are going to go to a Venezuela school. And that really changed my perspective because having all the, that. Venezuelan connection and so many friends. And I was also a little bit popular as well because I was like the Argentinian, the Bluda, the Chi, and it was like kind of. I don't know. It, it was very fun that they would gimme like a lot of attention and I was like, oh, this is great. And yeah, it, it was a really, really good, good time. The, the cool, yeah, it was just a very good time and I got invited to many parties Yeah, Minnesota in general is a very happy environment. Or at least in those years that I was there. So yeah, all my high school was like really, really, really fun. And I remember that my Argentinian friend, she graduate at the same time as me. She didn't have any friends, so I just brought her with me like, Hey, come here. And we had like all the parties and stuff with like my friends'cause yeah, I had a really nice Group of. Venezuelans and they were like people from other places. But all thanks to going To the local school. Which is something similar that happens here in New Zealand. The schools, are local schools from the school zone, right where you live. So that's, really helpful to introduce you to the community. The community. Yeah. Totally. Yeah. Hmm. Yeah. Yeah. It's nice. Mm-hmm. so let's say that someone who is thinking of starting a journey abroad, like they're listening to us and, they would say, should I do it? I'm really inclined to start, life in a new country. I'm not going to say, would you suggest to do it, because I know your reply is going to be Yes. But what would you say to someone who is, starting to think of? I definitely like to experience life abroad. I mean, of course it depends which stage in your, in your life you are, right? Yeah. About it. You're just finishing university. It's one thing if you have kids, you have a different responsibility. but in general, just do it because it is very, is is, life changing experience, to live abroad and, and yeah. And I guess that now for like, if you are less than 30, it's quite easy. at least for Argentinians, we have many options for like work on holidays. I always told all my cousins that are all younger than me, please do work on holiday.'cause it's an amazing experience and you meet so much people, so many people doing exactly the same. So that's very good. Of course, if you already have like. You can also have that other experience that, oh. Work is sending me, well, that's the best option ever when work send you, because that's really when you are like an expect. And not like a work and holiday or just like a student. I guess that the student is the one that is a little bit more challenging, because you have to study and work and live in a different place. But I think it's, it's also very good to study And, and what were for you, the, the biggest challenges of life abroad? Let's say, let's talk about this, these years here in New Zealand, where you, you met your partner, you, you had your daughter. What are the things that, really challenged you during this years? Well, I guess that the pandemic was. Really challenging for me'cause we arrived in March, 2020 and then I realized that I was pregnant and I spent my pregnancy and postpartum in kind of pandemic without being able to see my family. So I guess that part was really challenging. but other than that, I think. it's all part of the experience. I guess also when you're working long hours and you just want to rest, but you can because you have to leave. When I was, studying in Australia, I was going to school and then going to my. work.'cause when you are a student, you can only work 20 hours. Mm-hmm. Yeah. but then 20 hours doesn't really like. They are not enough to leave. So I have to work on like under the table jobs, please. I think, don't listen to this. And then, yeah, that part was like really, really challenging.'cause I was like working very, very long hours and, mm-hmm. Yeah, that's, that's challenging. But I don't think that it's, it's something that you need to experience and now I'm. I'm in a much better place because I had the, the courage to do that in that moment, and I am in a good place now. Yeah. If that makes sense. Yeah, it does. Yeah. Find a job, have a donor, you know, all those things that you, you went through that you wouldn't do the same in, in your home country. Do you think that being abroad was adding a bit of, an extra Yeah, totally. work for you? Yeah. Yeah. Or extra challenges? Yeah. Has its own challenge that you don't have anyone to count on you that you can count on for like something, yes, you have friends, but as soon as I arrive here and school pandemics all like, kind of mesh up together, I felt like I didn't have that much support around and that was very challenging for sure. But once you have the support, I think. It takes time to find that, to get used to a new place and finding those friends, finding the support. Yeah. so, would you say that part of the journey of someone who is studying fresh in a new places. being extra patient as Totally Yeah. With these things that, that they're not gonna happen from minute to the other. Yeah, exactly. Things take time. same as at the beginning, I didn't like Oakland that much and then I like it, and then I didn't have that many friends. And now, everything is going to improve if you keep pushing, To that point just by being Corrections. Corrections, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And like, yeah, that would be like my one recommendation. Just don't give up because things eventually get better. Yeah. And do you think there is like some kind of work that you do as, as someone who starts in a new country? Like there is like an extra work, extra effort, like, okay. I need to make friends. This is something that unless I do something totally, this is not going to happen. Totally. Yeah. But if you had stay in, I don't know, in Buenos Aires or maybe Venezuela, maybe you are not thinking of this things, right? Yeah, totally, totally. you need to like, make extra effort and like reach out to people or like even like. Make a party in your house, so you invite us and then they start like connections and, and friends and yeah, you certainly need to make the effort. It won't happen like overnight. The people won't come to you. You kind of need to go, go out and expose yourself and then meet people or even with work or like mm-hmm. On everything in life. You just want to go out. I have a very good job now, but I found it just going to places, and just like being out in, in the world. yeah, yeah. Yeah. So it's It, it all is about the people, right? The people you meet, your people that you get to connect. Yeah. the place itself is, not much. Right? It is not the house. Totally, yeah. It's a community. I'm excited now to actually start the school part because I know that I'm going to be part of. A community, and that is really exciting. Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's a very different chapter that is going to start for us when the school starts. It's a different, stage in your life. and it's something you will also discover from New Zealand, right? Yeah. to enter The school community and the parents and the teachers Well, that's exciting. It is very exciting. Yeah. So, you do have friends and family who have never moved. Right. And they've been just. Well, like normal people staying in the same place. Yes. and what would you say like, because as someone who is living abroad and you know that life can, you have your apps and you have your downs and things are not perfect. Right. do people know about this kind of life of living abroad? Like, if you were to describe your life here. Oh, well, I guess that is quite exciting, but I guess a challenging and exciting at the same. Time. I know that it's not easy to move from your comfort zone, but going out of the comfort zone is where the learnings are, so yeah, it's just, yeah. Yeah. Moving is that's where you grow. Yeah, exactly. It's exactly where you grow. I remember, talking with a friend that is also an expert from very, very early life and she was like, yeah, I want my daughter also to experience what I experienced going to Venezuela because we feel that it is. It really changed us. Mm-hmm. and that's not a bad thing. It's just growing and things, I guess that because my life has been this journey and I move from very early in life, it's not that it got easy, but at least I get used to start over again.'cause we moved to, Venezuela, but then three years after I moved to, my university city and then five years after I moved to Caras to study, and then two years after I moved back To Argentina. In that moment, I didn't want to come back. I didn't want to leave Argentina in the. beginning and then I didn't want to leave Venezuela, but yeah, everyone in the end just flew from Venezuela and, and yeah. And then I guess that the first time that I really wanted to leave is when I left Vene. Mm-hmm. That's when I really, that, that it was my choice because all the other ones just happened because, or either I needed to study or. Different circumstances. Yeah, circumstances. but the one where in 2014 that I was like, okay, I'm going to apply for the work on holiday. That was me. Yeah. That was me. Wanted to live the experience abroad and to live in English. I just wanted to live in English. For some reason. I just love English. I don't know. And I just wanted to Have the experience. that was the moment that, I decided Exactly. That was my decision. Yeah. Ty moved here without any English knowledge, I mean, to Australia first. Yeah. So that's one thing we were talking before, so, and I said, well, that was. A big challenge. if you tell me, I would say one of the biggest challenges. but you said no. It was challenging, but at the same time, I wanted to do it so much that I didn't mind talking and people correcting me because it was something that I wanted to do. Yeah. I wasn't ashamed of talking bad English because I am learning. And I am just studying this English journey. now I've been 10 years kind of talking in English And I love it, but I'm still learning. We are always learning. maybe you are not giving the value. It had the whole experience in a new country where you had to learn the language from scratch. I lived three years in a country where I didn't speak the language in the Netherlands. I tried to learn. That's what I'm saying. I never got to learn the language. Unfortunately, it's too difficult. living in a country where you are not. speaking your mother tongue, like if you moved to Spain or any other Latin, country in South America, let's say. it's easier. Life is easier. So, but I asked you, was that a challenge? And you said no. That's why I'm telling you, you should value that. Yeah, exactly. I guess that it was challenging, but I wasn't taking it as challenging because I wanted to do it so much. But of course it was challenging'cause there they were moments that I couldn't understand what the person was talking to me. Yeah. And I said, okay, can you talk a little bit more? So please, you know, like that, that one. And in that moment, I, I couldn't even ask in a nicer way. I was just saying it slow place, slow. So I was asking you before if someone is listening and they wanted to move, start in a new country and you said, yeah, just, just do it. And let's say this same, we move forward one, two years after this person moved is moving and you have to, give some advice and say, okay, now that you are starting and you're here in this, let's say New Zealand or whatever, for those years, for those initial months, for this first year, what would your advice be? Because the first year is hard, right? Yes. The first year, the first moments for the first years. Yeah. The first years are really, they are the most difficult one where you are like just trying to, but it's just like, stay put that things will get better. Mm-hmm. maybe at the beginning you don't find your dream job or you feel alone a lot. but it's just a stay, a stay put because it will get better. Mm-hmm. It's part of the process. It's part of the process totally. At the beginning. Always. Yeah. It's awkward and you don't know what's gonna happen or you're just waiting a lot or you apply for many jobs and nothing comes. willingness mm-hmm. For this to happen will make that the things happen. Mm-hmm. Vision born, vision born, mission born. Okay. So enjoy the journey. Yes. Because yes. If you stay put and in the end you get to the place that you're gonna mm-hmm. That you want to be, you will look back and you will say, oh, those moments were challenging. But I'm glad that I, that I stay and that, that I had the courage to just keep going because. Now I'm in a better place. That's usually, the general story. The beginnings are always difficult in any place, especially when you, when you move countries. Mm-hmm. they are, is always challenging. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Except maybe when you are like expert and you go with everything like sorted, but those are like the exceptions. Yeah. Usually you just go with one hand in the back Maybe if you're coming as a student, you know that you're going to be studying for like X amount of time, but maybe you don't have where to live. You don't have friends. so all those things are going to get in place once you arrive Mm-hmm. And it takes time. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, from my experience, we moved as expertss and a lot of things were organized. Right. Exactly. The school the car, the air tickets, whatever, but making it, studying fresh. you still need to go out there, find friends and understand where you are. Totally. question your decision, right? Is this, have I done this right? Why am I here? Or did you question yourself? you came here, you were sure that you wanted to move first to Australia, then to New Zealand, Why did I do this? I'm just trying to remember. I guess that, yeah, the decision one. Why? Why was that? Well, I was so sure that it was, to be honest, the first decision to go to Australia was alone with a friend. So we both decided to go and we were like very sure, and I was very sure that I wanted to leave Argentina.'cause as I told you, when I. Went back from Venezuela. I wasn't also feeling from Argentina, so I was like, okay, well I better be a universal person because I'm not from here either. So, yeah, I think at, I. I actually didn't question myself. I really wanted to live and wanted to like go to make this work. To make it work. And also I guess that the work on holiday visa is a very visa because. It allows you to work, which is what I wanted to do. I'm a workaholic, so I'm working since I am 15 years. So, for me it was the perfect visa and I love it so much. And I also did, I love, the snow in that part. Could be like my Patagonian things coming up because the day that I was born it was 21 minus and I love the snow. And when I moved to Australia. I knew that I was going to do snow season and I did two snow seasons in Australia, and that was the best time of my life. So while I was there, I promise you I was not having any regrets on having to move there, although I was difficult and I was like, work, I, I was going into. I was doing a snowboarding, but I was also cleaning toilets. But I was happy. I was very happy. Yeah. Yeah. That was, part of the adventure. It was, it was part of the adventure. Yeah. And I did many things as well. I was, bartender, like waitress and, and also I feel like something very important to do is when you live abroad, you kind of need to. Also lower a little bit your expectations in stem of works because you're in a new country, you don't speak the language. So I wasn't like, I didn't want to go mm-hmm. In an office job at all. I knew that I wasn't ready for that because of my language. So. And in that I was very grounded that I knew that I needed to do other type of work and no office work. I think that was, I had that clear in my mind, so that was very important that I knew that I needed to do the Other type of work. I was a chauffeur, I was housekeeping, I was. Many things. I work in many, many places. but I was happy to do that because I had something in mind. And now I'm here in Auckland working in an office and just kind of then the same word that I had in Buenos Aires. Before I left. So finally now I am, just working in my career. Doing What I always did. So eventually it came, there were many years where I was doing super random jobs. Mm-hmm. But now I am back in my career. Mm-hmm. Good with English. Connections. Yeah. Networking and everything. It was part of the process of getting where, where you're here. Yeah, exactly. Like different, parts of the puzzle. Yeah. That came together at the end. Yeah. so, being patient, patient, right, Is important because it, like I said, you were doing things that well, that was not Your profession and you were just doing random things, but that was part of, Teaching together this puzzle. Believe me, my dad was not happy that I was doing those kind of jobs. He was like, why did I pay university for you? But I knew what I was doing and I. Now he sees me here and it is all good, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's all part of the journey. I have to say. My father said the same thing to me. Oh, really? Exactly the same words, and I was like, I know what I'm doing. Nevermind. That's a different story, but. so, it's, I think it, we are talking about this same thing here, and enjoy the, the journey. Yeah. I'm also navigating my first months out of, like I have recently returned to New Zealand, so I'm starting like a new Again. Yeah. So I'm like, oh, just a reminder. Enjoy the journey. Yeah. Because this first month are difficult, but also are good there, there are good things about. getting to know a place. I mean, in this case, once again, and rediscovering places and meeting new people like I'm meeting you. but I would love, to finalize this interview with a concept that I liked, that you talked about. That could be something that for people who are listening might say, oh, and that's a good idea to have. I like your mood board. Yes. and also the mood board helped you in different things in your life. Yes. And it might be something that, for someone who is, thinking of, starting fresh in a new country or having a hard time. Starting or like me, I'm starting here and I might say, oh, actually I'm gonna have a mood board. Yeah. And what is the mood board? How can I have a mood board? And how it helps, well, basically a mood board is a, sorry, it's not a mood board, it's a patient. Mission, vision. Oh, Vision. Vision. Vision board. Okay.'cause I think the mood board will be like for the kids and something, feeling something more for the present. The mood board. Maybe vision is more like, yeah, the vision is what you want, want to, to do. So the vision board? Yes. Basically arts and craft. You just need to go into magazines and just find the little old printing as well. But I usually just go into magazines and find things, that I want to materialize in my life. So I guess at first you need to visualize like, okay, where I want to be in X amount of. Years or months because it could be something like, You can create your vision board for next year, say next year or every six months, however you want to do it. but it's basically just. Put it in a white paper all you want. If you want to go to Santorini, then put a Santorini picture. So then every morning when you wake up, you should see it and you should work to go to Santorini. Or if you want to buy a car, so you put the car that you want to buy. So then you that, I don't know what makes neurologically in your brain, but it just works and it has worked for me. Okay. you can share the vision board, How it helped you because. He is real. I don't think he knows this. Oh, okay. Well, but that's okay. when I arrived to New Zealand in 2018, I actually did my vision board and I put a very cute guy with blue eyes that I found in the magazine, and two weeks later, that guy materialized in my life. So I. Truly believe in vision world. In the vision world. I actually don't remember the other things that I have there, but I do remember that specifically and it just blew my mind. So since then, of course, when I found like him or he found me, I don't know how it was, but it should. Something much in heaven. I did another one. I think he never got to see it, But it worked. It worked okay. and it's been like that. I remember just before. live in Venezuela. I did put, I think it wasn't like actually intentionally, I put a city with many, many, many buildings in my vision board, and then two months later I was in Buenos Aires. Okay. And then I kind of thought about it and it was, I don't know how it works, but I know that it works. So it is a really nice tool to have if you want to. Materialize something. Yeah. And you have something, because sometimes people just doesn't know what they want, but it's good. It makes you think, it makes you visualize exactly what you want. Yeah. So I think it was just a reminder of, okay, this. Maybe that's what I put in the vision board. There must be a reason for that. Yeah. exactly. It's a nice tool. Yeah, it is. Okay. I'm not gonna ask you what your. You are putting your vision board for next year. Now I'm not gonna ask you that, but, one thing probably just school things related. No tantrums. Yeah. No, but it, it, it's something that I, you mentioned and I, I liked, And it can help. I'm, I'm going to make one actually. Cool. Cool. Then you show me, please. I'll show you. Well, t it's been a pleasure talking Thank you, to you. I mean, this, listening to your story and, and you have so many anecdotes and, and it's super rich. I mean, this is just a summary. you lived in many places. You've experienced a lot. thank you for sharing. I love how you are so open and so positive about everything, so thank you so much for being here. It's been very fun. Because sometimes you just don't remember all what you've been through and just talking to you is like, oh my God, I've been through many things and yeah, it is kind of. Yeah, it's a nice feeling. It's been a journey for sure. the ups and downs. And With everything, much just a journey. And I think at the moment I'm very happy I feel like anyone that wants to do, it's just like, go do it. If you are at the moment you are going down, remember that You will go up. Eventually, it will go up. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you, Ty. Thank you. Bye. Thanks so much for listening, and special thanks to Ty for sharing their story with us today. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow almost local on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and come say hi on Instagram at almost local. And if you'd like to share your story, I'd love to hear from you. You can send me a DM or reach out through the contact page on our website. Your story matters, and it might just inspire someone else out there. Until next time, from Sunny Auckland, I'm Maria, and this is almost local. One story and one.