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Expat Author Interview: Diary of An Expat in Singapore
| Published: | 20 Sep at 10 AM |
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Filed: Interviews,Singapore
Besides being an author, Dr. Jennifer Gargiulo is a university lecturer and avid blogger. Her blog Diary of An Expat in Singapore (see listing here), has been featured frequently in magazines such as Expat Living and Expat and Travel. Born in Verona, Italy, Jennifer got a degree in Philosophy at Vassar College in New York and went on to get her PhD from Sydney University. She then decided it was time to embark on an even more lucrative career path and settled wisely on creative writing. Jennifer has lived in Singapore for the past seven years with her husband Michele and two children, Alexander and Eliot. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and sampling the local cuisine. Her hilarious new book is a tongue-in-cheek journey of an expat in Singapore as told through anecdotes, vignettes, and lists like: "10 Sure Signs You're in a Singapore Taxi," and "Politically Incorrect Expat Profiling."
Diary of An Expat in Singapore
So, first of all how did you do it? Go from blog to book and have it reach #1?
Well, I was really lucky. I've been writing my whole life (including the dissertation it took to get my PhD at University of Sydney and university classes I teach in academic writing). But I can honestly say the blog was just a fun project. A way to jot down my thoughts about life as an expat in Singapore. I have two kids so I didn't want to forget the funny stuff they said and I knew that the best way to not forget would be to write it all down.
Never in a million years did I think my blog would make a book. But an editor at Marshall Cavendish stumbled upon and saw the making of a book. That's really where it started...
Tell us a little bit more about yourself. What brought you to Singapore?
We moved here seven years ago for my husband Michele's job (he works for an International IT company) with our two kids Alexander (now 12 yr old boy) and Eliot (now 7 yr old girl). I didn't know anything about Singapore.
What would you recommend for people who want to move to Singapore?
Have a kid. Seriously. It is a great place for expats with kids. Also, live in a condo. Instant playmates for your kids. You can hang out by the pool and the kids make friends from all over the world.
What is the downside to living in Singapore?
I guess for most expats it is always the distance from home, family, and friends. For Singapore expats it's probably the absence of seasons and the humidity. I would add that it gets kind of noisy because of all the construction work.
What is the best part of living in Singapore?
The fact that there are so many expats here, from all over the world. It makes for very interesting dinner talk. The food is amazing and the fact that English is spoken makes it a 'very soft landing to Asia.'
Now, tell us a little more about your book?
Well, it's been a real whirlwind. It was just released at the beginning of September and it has been doing really well. I think it struck a chord with expats because I keep hearing people telling me they found it funny, wistful, and that they will be sending it to all the family and friends who always ask the difficult to answer question: "So, how is living in Singapore?"
Who is your ideal reader?
Definitely someone with a sense of humor. Especially for the "Politically Incorrect Expat Profiling," chapter. Actually, one of my hands down favorite. I poke fun at different nationalities...starting with my own, of course!
What is next on your agenda?
Well, I'm very excited about the book launch which is going to be at Kinokuniya on Saturday, October 19th at 4:00 pm.
Hope to see many expats there!!
Click here to buy the book on Amazon!
Jennifer is an Italian expat living in Singapore. Blog description: I'm Jennifer. I come from Verona, Italy and have lived in Singapore the past six years with my Italian husband and two children. I am a freelance journalist, university lecturer, avid reader, and hopefully a good friend
Diary of An Expat in Singapore
Here's the interview with Jennifer...
So, first of all how did you do it? Go from blog to book and have it reach #1?
Well, I was really lucky. I've been writing my whole life (including the dissertation it took to get my PhD at University of Sydney and university classes I teach in academic writing). But I can honestly say the blog was just a fun project. A way to jot down my thoughts about life as an expat in Singapore. I have two kids so I didn't want to forget the funny stuff they said and I knew that the best way to not forget would be to write it all down.
Never in a million years did I think my blog would make a book. But an editor at Marshall Cavendish stumbled upon and saw the making of a book. That's really where it started...
Tell us a little bit more about yourself. What brought you to Singapore?
We moved here seven years ago for my husband Michele's job (he works for an International IT company) with our two kids Alexander (now 12 yr old boy) and Eliot (now 7 yr old girl). I didn't know anything about Singapore.
What would you recommend for people who want to move to Singapore?
Have a kid. Seriously. It is a great place for expats with kids. Also, live in a condo. Instant playmates for your kids. You can hang out by the pool and the kids make friends from all over the world.
What is the downside to living in Singapore?
I guess for most expats it is always the distance from home, family, and friends. For Singapore expats it's probably the absence of seasons and the humidity. I would add that it gets kind of noisy because of all the construction work.
What is the best part of living in Singapore?
The fact that there are so many expats here, from all over the world. It makes for very interesting dinner talk. The food is amazing and the fact that English is spoken makes it a 'very soft landing to Asia.'
Now, tell us a little more about your book?
Well, it's been a real whirlwind. It was just released at the beginning of September and it has been doing really well. I think it struck a chord with expats because I keep hearing people telling me they found it funny, wistful, and that they will be sending it to all the family and friends who always ask the difficult to answer question: "So, how is living in Singapore?"
Who is your ideal reader?
Definitely someone with a sense of humor. Especially for the "Politically Incorrect Expat Profiling," chapter. Actually, one of my hands down favorite. I poke fun at different nationalities...starting with my own, of course!
What is next on your agenda?
Well, I'm very excited about the book launch which is going to be at Kinokuniya on Saturday, October 19th at 4:00 pm.
Hope to see many expats there!!
Click here to buy the book on Amazon!
About the author
Jennifer is an Italian expat living in Singapore. Blog description: I'm Jennifer. I come from Verona, Italy and have lived in Singapore the past six years with my Italian husband and two children. I am a freelance journalist, university lecturer, avid reader, and hopefully a good friend
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