December 2003

Inspiration on careers, networking and writing

In this issue:
Editorial: Twelve Tips of Christmas
Let me introduce you to: Arvind Devalia, Gary Courtenay and Geeta Sidhu-Robb
Read all about it: The Global Citizen
Global job opportunity: Work anywhere from your computer
A charity to support: Charity for women
What’s on: December and January

“Where words speak louder than actions”

Twelve Tips of Christmas
Another plea for case studies
Another plea for books
Escape artist

For: Monthly Inspirer
From: Johanna Castro

I was living in Manila when I first heard about Jo Parfitt. Expatriate women at international women's fund-raising events whispered her name as if she was the High Priestess of the expatriate world. Secretly, many of us wished we had her drive and ambition. Then came Woman Abroad magazine - an inspiring monthly glossy, and lo and behold, Jo was the editor - I used to pour over it as soon as it plopped through the letterbox. How I wished I could follow my dreams in the same way Jo seemed to be doing.

An article in Woman Abroad dealt with Life Coaching. I quickly decided that Life Coaching would be a good portable career for a trailing spouse and hot tailed off to do a course. But after that, something took hold deep inside. I realised that anything was possible - and that life was about following your dreams. For 15 years we had followed jobs and contracts around the world - now was the time to make a stand and make our mark.

Armed with all the positive charges Life Coaching bestows, and a diet of The Monthly Inspirer, I suggested a permanent move to Spain. My husband quickly volleyed with - South Africa. I took a deep breath. And after slowly exhaling, here we are, near Cape Town, owners of a fantastic boutique guest lodge with ocean views to die for.

There have been setbacks of course, and at one stage we did feel as if we were jumping off a cliff into the wild blue yonder without a safety net (particularly a financial one). We have forfeited much of our old lives to make way for the new, but this is a challenge to enjoy as a family in entirety, in a brave new world.

Whale Point Lodge is in Gordon's Bay, about forty minutes from Cape Town. If you'd like to watch whales (in season) or gaze across dreamy blue seas in summertime (with a glass of crisp, white, Cape wine in your hand) then give us a call. Our website is at www.whalelodge.com

Thanks Jo - you've been an INSPIRATION - and the Monthly Inspirer keeps me going when the going gets tough!

By Johanna Castro
Whale Point Lodge, Gordon's Bay
An Ocean Paradise
www.whalelodge.com