Living Between Worlds: A Series on Bicultural Love, Parenting, and Belonging

I’ve always felt most alive at the intersections—between cultures, countries, identities, and ideas. Raised in Southeast Asia by Pākehā parents, I've spent my life navigating the spaces between worlds. Now, as a mother raising bicultural tamariki (children) in a mixed-heritage whānau (family), the questions of home, identity, and belonging feel even more layered—and more urgent.

This blog series, Living Between Worlds, is a collection of reflections from over a decade of exploring these themes—personally, professionally, and poetically. It’s part memory lane, part love letter, and part inquiry into what it means to belong when you don’t neatly fit into one place, one culture, or one story.

Over three posts, I’ll revisit writings from my younger self, offer stories from my life today, and reflect on how my understanding has shifted along the way. 

The titles are:

1. Drawn to Difference – A look at my origin story, what have been some of the things that lead me to falling in love with difference across worlds.

2. Raising Bicultural Tamariki – Thoughts on parenting children who carry multiple heritages, and what it means to raise them with roots and wings.

3. Where is Home? – A reckoning with place, belonging, and how identity evolves when you’re constantly navigating the in-between.

This series is deeply personal, but I know I'm not alone in these questions. So whether you’re in an intercultural relationship, raising global or bicultural kids, or just pondering where (and with whom) you feel most at home—I hope these reflections offer something to you.

Thanks for reading and walking with me, between worlds.

PS: These links will take you through to my business website :-) 

Granada: Phase Two – Old Haunts and New Hangups

 So, here we are, back in Granada!  Twelve years ago, this city was our jam. We were young, carefree (well, as carefree as you can be with a 5yr old in tow), and totally in love with the Granada vibe. Our eldest, Nikita, basically grew up on tapas and sunshine. But, like all good things (or maybe not-so-good things, depending on how you look at it), our time here came to an end. Political winds were shifting in Spain, opportunities felt limited. So, back to New Zealand we went, leaving a little piece of our hearts behind.

Fast forward to now, and we've rolled into town… in a slightly rusty van named Ramona (after a burger we ate, near where we bought her in Madrid). Ramona's a bit of a banger, but she gives us the freedom to roam, which is priceless. And Granada hasn't disappointed so far! Sun-drenched days, tapas, beach trips, valley hikes, and even a jaunt up to the snow – the variety here is insane.

Being back here with Sia and Anika is… interesting. On one hand, it's pure nostalgia overload for me, reliving all those memories of our younger days with Nikita. I'm practically bursting with stories and anecdotes, eager to share the magic of this place with them. On the other hand, they're… well, they're kids. They nod politely, feign interest, and then promptly ask if we can go to the mall.

Yes, the mall. We're in Granada, people! A city overflowing with artisan shops, unique boutiques, and handcrafted treasures. And all they want to do is hit up the air-conditioned, chain-store paradise. I swear, I've aged ten years in the past week just trying to navigate this particular parenting challenge.

It's a humbling experience, this worldschooling gig. Trying to balance my own desire to immerse them in culture with their very real need for routine and, let's face it, the allure of the familiar. I'm learning to curb my expectations, to celebrate the small victories – like the fact that I managed to sneak in a little Alhambra education and a geometry lesson disguised as Islamic architecture appreciation today.

The little glimmers of genuine interest we see in them feel like striking gold. We're trying to become super-attuned to those moments, making sure they know we see them, that we appreciate their (fleeting) curiosity.

The biggest win so far? They seem genuinely more relaxed here. Maybe it's the sunshine, maybe it's the slower pace of life, or maybe it's the fact that we're staying in our friends' comfortable house while they're away. 

Whatever it is, it's working. 

Granada, Phase Two, is officially underway.