My Overseas Journey: Opportunities and Lingering Guilt

My childhood was spent by the chilly banks of Lake Erie, near Buffalo, New York. The idea of life on a sun-drenched island felt unattainable.

In my school years, I engrossed myself in stories of distant, intriguing places through magazines like The New York Times and Time. I longed for a career that allowed me to witness worldwide events in person.

A transformative study period in France made my ambitions crystal clear. I stayed with locals who housed a fellow American expat, who casually recounted his glamorous trips to ski in Switzerland and holidays in Greece and Turkey.

At 21, I realized this was the lifestyle I aspired to. Why limit myself to mundane careers in New York or Chicago when places like Paris and Hong Kong beckoned?

After a stint as an editor in New York City, my former spouse was offered a pivotal role in Singapore, a move we envisaged as brief but it extended into a permanent chapter.

Singapore: The Catalyst for My Career Leap

With aspirations to delve into photojournalism, I seized the chance to dive into it full-time in 2000. Singapore's location offered unique opportunities as the Asian travel industry burgeoned and publications sought photographers.

On assignments, I have explored places like Vietnam and Cambodia, leveraging Singapore’s geographic hub to cover Southeast Asia swiftly and efficiently. My photographic journey evolved into a more stable, corporate vocation when I became a content director for regional video productions.

This was a seamless transition for me as a storyteller in the era of digital media.

The Transformative and Costly Nature of Living Abroad

My prolonged stay abroad came with emotional costs. My mother aged and eventually passed away, stirring feelings of guilt over my absence during her twilight years.

Despite biannual visits, a sense of not being present enough lingered, compounded by her wistful question during one visit: 'Isn't it time you've spent enough years in Singapore?' Even as she wished for my proximity, she supported my choices.

While her care was managed in a facility, personal encounters carried irreplaceable comfort.

Was my pursuit selfish? Perhaps, but I'd make the same life choice again.

Contemplating a Return to America

A potential return to the United States is uncertain, as life has taken a different course. I remarried and have two young children, each holding American citizenship. They deserve to forge a connection with their American heritage, perhaps enriching their identity by spending time in the US.

Recently, my daughter expressed unfamiliarity with Manhattan, which highlighted my desire for them to experience what shaped my past.

I wholeheartedly endorse life abroad. It fulfilled my childhood visions and enriched my story, despite its tests and the gap from my original homeland.