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Archives
Recent Entries
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Costa Women Meet ... Dominika Miernik
by Ali MeehanDo you want to have a portable business career so you can move to (and from) Spain? This week we chat to Dominika Miernik - a Multipassionate Expat, Career and Business Strategist, Psychologist and Blogger. Originally from Poland she has lived in Rome, Milan, Manchester and London. ... -
Costa Women Meet ... Sharon Brown
by Ali MeehanCosta Women meet Sharon Brown, Founder of the Revival Sanctuary and creator of successful teams and collaboration opportunities through unique experiences, support, teamwork and encouragement to achieve your dreams. The theme for these interviews is “make it happen” ... -
Costa Women Meet ... Dee Coxon
by Ali MeehanThis week our featured member is Dee Coxon, Author of 'Polish the Diamond in your Heart'. Dee talks about finding her own fire and brilliance and launching a business in her mid-life and beyond and how you can too. And download a free chapter along with a copy of how to create a heart centred plan f... -
Costa Women Meet... Katja Rusanen
by Ali MeehanAli talks to Katja Rusanen, Coach and Mentor to ‘Lightworkers’. Originally from Finland, Katja now divides her time between Marbella and California. Katja believes in the importance of trusting your intuition. Scroll to the end to join her free course: Speak Your Purpos...comments -
Make it Happen with Kathy Ennis
by Ali MeehanKathy Ennis is an experienced entrepreneur, mentor and trainer. Kathy has a mission to help motivated business owners transform good ideas into a profitable business. Whether you are just starting out, or are ready to grow, Kathy is all about taking action in your business, so you achieve the ... -
Costa Women Meet... Jill Leonard
by Ali MeehanThis week I chatted to Jill Leonard who started 'Local Fire & Weather Watch' on Facebook in 2012 after the fires which devastated parts of the Costa del Sol. The groups now have more than 22000 members in their geographically based groups around Spain warning of fires or ad... -
Costa Women Meet... Michele Masson
by Ali MeehanThis week we talk to Michele who is President HELP VEGA BAJA a charity registered with the Valencian Authority as a Volunteer Organisation. We chat about volunteering in Spain, loneliness and connections. Hello Michele! How did you end up living in Spain and where are you ... -
Costa Women Meet ... Clare Hoar
by Ali MeehanMeet the founder of Wild Azur, Clare Hoar. Clare talks about moving her family to Bali for the benefit of their education and working with the Ibu-Ibu Street Mums project. Clare created the Wild Azur facial range using the super oil – frankincense. Clare chats about their life in Bali an... -
Costa Women Meet... Emma Plunkett
by Ali MeehanIn this week's interview, I chat with Emma Plunkett, is a British born and educated contemporary artist, film maker and designer. Hello Emma! How did you end up living in Spain? There is no straight answer that I can give to this question, it was more a series of events that led me here: I w... -
Things I have learnt from the World Cup!
by Ali MeehanIts been a busy, ball rolling, goal scoring, moment making football supporters month! Here's what I have learnt from watching the World Cup:- We can all train for what we want to achieve and practice with our tools so we can move forward (remember the early days of social med... -
Costa Women Meet... Hawah Nyambay Bunduka
by Ali MeehanHawah Nyambay Bunduka founded Bunduka Consulting to work with communities, projects and organisations to facilitate positive changes in fragile and conflict-affected communities through women’s rights, community development, active citizenship and peacebuilding. Hawah works primarily... -
Costa Women Meet ... Masha Malka
by Ali MeehanMasha Malka has defied the odds throughout her life. Leaving the only life, and country, she had known, Masha Malka’s life turned upside down when her family fled the Soviet Union. Overcoming the struggles of being a refugee at 17 years old, living below the poverty line, wondering where her ...comments -
Costa Women Meet ... Josie
by Ali MeehanMeet composer/singer and musician, Josie. Josie talks to Ali about her ambitions with Sound of Lighthouse, things she will achieve over the summer and the bus project! And scroll to the end - Josie is giving away a free song from Sound of Lighthouse. Send an email to info@josie...comments -
Costa Women Meet ... Carrie Frais
by Ali MeehanThis week I chatted to Carrie Frais, one of the founders of MumAbroad.com - the Trip Advisor for parents in Spain! Welcome Carrie Frais – tell me about your journey to Spain – how did you arrive in Barcelona and what made you move here? It’s actually quite a... -
Costa Women Meet... Lynda Brettle
by Ali MeehanHello Lynda – good to meet you. Where are you from originally and where do you live now? Born and brought up in England but worked overseas all my adult life – over 20 years with the British Diplomatic Service on postings worldwide and then once I had a young family,... -
Costa Women Meet... Sandra Danby
by Ali MeehanSandra Danby is an award winning author who specialises in writing stories around the theme of adoption. A proud Yorkshire woman, Sandra is a tennis nut and tea drinker. She believes a walk on the beach will cure most ills. Hello Sandra. Nice to meet you after many years as a Tw... -
Finding The Perfect Outdoor Backpack For Your Outdoor Needs
by Ali MeehanWritten by Maggie Hammond When purchasing outdoor backpacks, wet weather is always among the top considerations and how well the backpack will hold is always a concern. Your bags durability could be a difference in whether your safety matches stay dry or your electronics get soaked in a bad we... -
Common DIY Tasks That Every Woman Should Know How to Do
by Ali MeehanAuthor: Lucy Parks There are a million and one things that can go wrong in the average household. At any one moment, a long-overlooked imperfection or structural weakness can reach a tippingpoint. Anyone who has suffered that nightmare moment of hearing an almighty crash and realizing that som... -
Four New Business Goals to Consider in 2018
by Ali MeehanWritten by James Daniels for Costa Women Drawing up plans for what you want your business to achieve during the year ahead provides an easy way of gauging your progress as the months go by. However, to make the most of such a system, it’s crucial to choose the right goals and set them out in ... -
Costa Women Meet... Trisha Rogers
by Ali MeehanMeet Trisha Rodgers who has been living on the Costa del Sol since her retirement in 2002. Trisha is a crafter and makes hand-made cards. Find out more about Trisha ... Why Spain? We retired to Spain in 2002 after our daughter, who already lived here said “Daddy w... -
Costa Women 2017 Year in Review
by Ali MeehanWhat did Costa Women get up to in 2017? The answer has to be loads! Here’s some highlights of our monthly achievements and some of our successes. Thank you for continued support – we couldn’t do it without you! January - We also launched 'Spain & Me' (st... -
Cervical Screening - When did you last have a check?
by Ali Meehan2018 looms and with it a remind to get our health back on track. Dentist appointments, health check ups and a desire to get fitter all come to the fore. Medicare in La Cala have put together a guide about cervical screening and why its important to have regular check ups:- WHY I... -
Costa Women Meet .... Rachel Kenney
by Ali MeehanThis week I chatted to Rachel who currently lives in Torremolinos. Firstly I wanted to know why Spain? It’s a fairly long – but quite a romantic - story! Almost four years ago I went on a solo holiday to Tenerife, I was changing jobs at the time and had a few wee...comments -
The Long Ride Home
by Ali MeehanOnce again Dave and Mitch Bull are off on another adventure raising awareness and funds for charity. Last year the father and son team headed off on a mammoth 6500km journey around the perimeter of Spain and in 2015 they rowed two kayaks 52km down the River Segura from Murcia to Guardama... -
Costa Women Meet .... Karen McCann
by Ali MeehanEnjoy Living Abroad is her brand and Karen does what it says on the tin! Meet Karen McCann, one of our costawomen.com living between Sevilla and Ohio. Karen started a blog to share her stories with friends and family back home which has now progressed into the "steady heartbeat of her writing... -
Making your own Diamonds
by Ali MeehanThis morning, after the fires at Mijas and Benahavis over the weekend, I have been thinking about how amazing nature is to recreate itself after a devasting fire where all of it has been burnt away. In a few months, new shoots will be popping up in the now blackened "dead" soil and plants w... -
Costa Women Meet .... Jannice Jones
by Ali MeehanSit back and "listen to the music" in our interview this week with Jannice Jones - singer, songwriter and just about to launch of her new Album with Karn Harding "Woman In My Prime". Fiona talks to Jannice about the "costawomen" affect and how music tells her story about love, loss and f...comments -
Costa Women Meet .... Phillipa Sudron
by Ali MeehanIn this week's interview we talk to Phillipa. Phillipa lives in Velez Malaga where she has created a new tourism website to share all that is good about the Town. Hello Phillipa - tell us about your life before Spain I started my first business when I was 17. My parents w...comments -
Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks
by Ali MeehanIn the past few weeks, ransomware has stolen the headlines of many newspapers. But beforehand, let's be honest, who was really knowledgeable about online threats and daily online attacks? Or even who REALLY cared? Raise your hands if you think that working from your iPhone or Mac is enough to protec... -
Need to Know - Tips for Moving to Spain
by Ali MeehanRecently, on the costawomen.com Facebook page, I asked for one tip our Facebook Friends would give to someone moving to Spain. The responses ranged from research before you move here, embracing the culture and the all important – learning the language. Thinking about taking the plunge... -
Be Bold for Change at Costa Women!
by Ali MeehanBe bold for change is the theme for this years International Women’s Day and on behalf of Costa Women I have been doing that recently. Many of you know that I started Costa Women when we moved back from the Middle East as a way of making friends; a “social” project if you ...comments -
Costa Women Meet ... Nana Norrbom
by Ali Meehan- Hello Nana – you moved for love from Denmark to Fuengirola; tell us more! In 1997 I came to Spain as I met my husband here. He is Danish too and had already lived here for 10 years so I decided to give Spain (and Martin) a chance; I haven’t regretted it at all! - Befo... -
Costa Women Meet ... Maxine Bygraves
by Ali MeehanHello Maxine, you have been in Spain for a long time - why did you decide to move to Spain I came when my youngest son was two, fell in love with the beauty of Spain and the friendly Spanish people, having lived in the center of London for fourteen years, it was like a breath of fresh air, I knew a... -
Costa Women Meet ... Renate van Nijen
by Ali MeehanHello Renate, lets start with your story of 'Why Spain?' why did you here and where you have come from originally? I am Dutch and after my mother died in the year 2000 by means of euthanasia, which was actually a beautiful and special experience to see her freed from her body that had becom...comments -
Biking with the Bulls for Charity
by Ali MeehanThe Bull boys are off on another adventure to raise money and they need Costa Women help! It's not long now until father and son team, Dave and Mitch Bull, will be off on their epic journey around the coast and borders of Spain on motorbikes, raising money and awareness for the AECC (Canc...comments -
Costa Women Meet ... Saskia Vervoort
by Ali MeehanSeptember is World Awareness month for Alzheimer's. Saskia Vervoort is one of our Dutch members and has found a unique way to raise money for charity and get fit at the same time. Saskia is cycling "virtually" in aid of Alzheimers Research, including a detoured "visit" to the Alzheimer's Research ce... -
Costa Women Meet - Sonsoles
by Ali MeehanArriving via Social Media from Barcelona meet Sonsoles, one of our Spanish members. Fiona talks to Sonsoles about how music and a piano taught her to use her own music to help people as a relationship coach. Sonsoles is now a “organisational development consultant” and works with int... -
Tips for Your Business
by Ali MeehanEvery second Tuesday of the month, Costa Women and friends meet for a Business Breakfast and networking session at El Gusto in La Cala de Mijas. Each month has a different theme and in May the attendees each brought a tool, or business tip to share with the other business owners. The ideas were bri... -
Tips from Costa Women for Life in Spain
by Ali MeehanOver in our Costa Women Almeria group, Jacqui asked the members for their favourite top tip for moving to Spain. Here's some great ideas http://www.spainbuddy.com/tips-for-living-in-spain/ We all have a favourite - what's yours and which new ones would you add? -
Celebrating the end of our 2015 Costa Women Year
by Ali MeehanIn 2015, Costa Women celebrated our 5th year. We were excited to welcome the arrival of 1027 new members to our community of 4382 Women across Spain (or Women looking to relocate here). It was a busy and exciting year and here’s why:- We featured 30 members were interviewed v...comments -
Costa Women 2014 in Review
by Ali MeehanBuckle your seat belts.. its time to review our Costa Women Year! We were delighted to welcome the arrival of 945 new faces, creating a network and community of 3,360 members We featured 50 members via interviews here including the launch of new Google Hangbags with host Fiona Catchpowle. If... -
In the Frame! Interview with Sur in English
by Ali MeehanThis week, I was honoured to have been featured by the Sur in English. Read the interview below, or on page 33 of their digital edition here - http://services.surinenglish.com/virtual/20141114/ (page 33)comments -
Special Kind of Caring
by Ali MeehanWe recently enjoyed a presentation from Cudeca - a Costa del Sol based hospice charity set up by Joan Hunt OBE. Joan's own husband died through cancer and Joan was inspired to create the charity in 1991. The charity has since 1991:- - cared for more than 9,000 patients since 1992 - given support t... -
Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals
by Ali MeehanWhat do you want to achieve in August? As part of Action August we are going to dip into and create a S.MA.R.T. Goal, or Goals to ensure we achieve what we set out to by 31st August. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:- Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely What does each part of the puzzle mean? ...comments -
All together in a Costa Women Charity Dance!
by Ali MeehanIf you are wondering what all the fuss is about for our Costa del Sol Summer Party, hear more about the event from Eunice O'Rouke when she spoke to Fiona about the event as well as her business on the Costa del Sol:- There is also a new video out about our chosen charity - Danii's Charity - Wat...comments -
New Spanish Traffic Laws Come in to Effect on 9 May 2014
by Ali MeehanOn the grounds that ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’, all drivers in Spain are advised immediately to familiarise themselves with the detail of the new traffic laws which are coming into effect on 9 May 2014 (Ley 6/2014 modificando la Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Segurida... -
Healthcare for Brits Living in Spain
by Ali MeehanBrits Living in Spain (an initiative by the British Consulate) have shared the dedicated website for Healthcare for British Nationals in Spain. Click here to find out how you are entitled to healthcare in Spain Visit Healthcare in Spain for more information -
What is the 5 x 50 Challenge and how can you get involved?
by Ali MeehanWhat is the 5x50 challenge? Meet Françoise Sandrine Rajewski who talks to Fiona about 5x50 and living in Spain - watch here If your internet speed is slow, have a read of some of Frans story too here What is the 5x50 challenge? Meet Fran who talks to Fiona about 5x50 and living in Spain - ... -
Hangbags and Shoes
by Ali MeehanYes, you did read that right! Costa Women are launching into the world of Google Hangouts and just for fun, we have nicknamed them Hangbags (rather than Hangouts) and Shoes (Scheduling Hangouts on Air Events ;) To find out more, watch my chat with Fiona Catchpowle, who is our Chief Hangbag host! Ho...comments -
What is KIVA?
by Ali MeehanOne of the charities I personally support is KIVA - KIVA are a non-profit organisation with a mission to connect people through the use of microloans; lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $... -
The Future's Female in Spain
by Ali MeehanCosta Women were featured this week by The Telegraph Expat in an article entitled "The Future's Female in Spain" Below is the interview; I'd love to hear your feedback! Expat adventures: the future's female in Spain As the expat network Costa Women welcome their 2,500th member, we look at how Bri... -
2013 was a year for Planting
by Ali MeehanIn 2013 Costa Women grew as a patchwork of different nationalities, living in different regions of Spain, sharing different languages, exchanging ideas and stories of life in Spain. Seeds were planted when 1,135 new members joined the Costa Women community during 2013 representing arrivals from 5...comments -
Costa Women Silent Auction
by Ali MeehanAs part of the Costa Women Charity week taking place 22-29 November 2013, two abstract works of art have been donated by local artist Charli Leniston. The pictures, called Cells Dividing and Sand Dunes, retail for a total price of 750€! The pictures can be bought by silent auction which is taking pl... -
Costa del Sol Business Blitz Month!
by Ali MeehanIf you want to re-kick start your business, are thinking about starting a new one, or finding it hard to get back into the business mode after the summer we are here to help! This month we have three Business focused events taking place in Marbella. The first is what we hope will be a regular tw... -
Is your business 51% Women owned and controlled by one or more Women?
by Ali MeehanCosta Women is all about collaboration, especially with other networks. This week I have been speaking to the Executive Director for Europe of WEConnect International, Maggie Berry. WEConnect International is a corporate-led non-profit and their goal is to connect more majority women owned busin... -
THE Women’s event on the Costa del Sol calendar for 2013
by Ali Meehan250 Women celebrated Costa Women Marbella’s 1st Anniversary Party on Friday 26th July at La Veranda-Verde in the Royal Tennis Club in El Rosario. The night was a celebration of the new Costa Women’s Russian Costa Women group and its fusion with representatives of the 57 other nationalities that co... -
Seven Habits of Highly Effective (Women) Expats
by Ali MeehanSo you are taking the plunge and moving to Spain! And before I get over excited about the fabulous country, wonderful environment, food, culture, wine etc. let’s take a minute for a reality check about working here with the assistance of Mr. Stephen Covey via Seven Habits of Highly Effective (Women... -
What do you do when you move to a new country and don’t know anyone?
by Ali MeehanWhat do you do when you move to a new country and don’t know anyone? The first item on your list needs to be networking. Read more via my interview with nancy todd of The Spain Scoop: http://www.thespainscoop.com/expert-travel-advice-spain-scoop/#sthash.3dTNry2q.dpufcomments -
Celebrating our Achievements
by Ali MeehanToday we are officially half way through 2013! Here's how the Costa Women year is shaping up; I hope yours is looking good too.... Meeting and Greeting We have welcomed 575 new members since 1st January 2013 and have representatives from 59 different countries. Held 30 events including in Valencia... -
How to - add Costa Women badge to your website
by Ali MeehanDownload the badge below by right-clicking on the image and select “Save Image As” (or equivalent based on your browser). Or follow this link Badge for Download Upload the badge to your website and link it back to Costa Women’s Website with the following code: <a href="http://costawomen.ning.c... -
Services Available to Foreign Women residents living in Spain - You are not Alone
by Ali MeehanWhilst a very emotive subject, many have been affected by domestic violence. The British Consulate in Malaga advise that 30% of the crimes reported to them by the Police, which affect UK nationals, relate to domestic violence. The Women's Institute in Malaga - Instituto Andaluz de la Mujer (IAM) of...comments -
Guest blog: Relocating a start-up By Suzi Dixon
by Ali MeehanIf you've got a business back home, a move overseas has an added layer of stress. How do you deal with contacts, staff, suppliers? Will your firm survive your expatriation? Start-up businesses in particular are vulnerable. In the first two years of trading, you are building up your customer base and... -
Information on Energy Performance Certificates via Artica Energy Performance
by Ali MeehanEnergy Performance Certificates Become Obligatory in Spain Marbella, Spain--The Spanish government has finally published the Royal Decree relating to a new legislation which will make it obligatory for all properties being rented or sold after the 1st of June to have “energy performance certificates... -
Sharing more Diversity and Creativity
by Ali MeehanThis week, Rashpal Rani Singh (project director and contributor) and two of the contributors Marina Nitzak and Petra Mikat were interviewed about the Costa Women Book - Costa Women - Diversity Meets Creativity Listen in again to the interview here - Talk Radio Europe Have you bought your copy yet? ... -
We Won - Telegraph Best of British - Social Clubs
by Ali MeehanYou Voted and We Won! Back in December I shared a competition Costa Women had entered into. We were up against 40 international Social Clubs for expats. This week I heard that Costa Women won!! Thanks to you for voting and also the comments made. More information here:- http://www.telegraph.co....comments -
Costa Women in 2012 - Looking Back with Thanks and heading into Bright Future!
by Ali Meehan2012 has been filled with wonderful ingredients, aromas, tastes and flavours that go into making the multicultural community of Women that IS Costa Women. Looking back over 2012 I wanted to share with you the Costa Women achievements in which you have all played a part. Putting the recipe togeth...comments -
Is it Time for Reinvention?
by Ali MeehanAs expats we have probably done our fair share of reinvention – living in a completely new country, surrounded by new sights, sounds and smells, new language(s), culture and even food that can bring about change both in our lifestyle and our attitude to living. People choose to reinvent themselves... -
Costa Women Celebration!
by Ali MeehanWhat a night of fun, laughter, Christmas songs and fund raising! On Tuesday we held the Costa Women Christmas Party at Poco Loco Beach in Costabella (El Rosario) Here's some photos to share from Danisa Poppleton and also from FOTOGRAFITI here Thanks to the generosity of sponsors* and the Ladies wh... -
We lost our home in the Malaga Fires!
by Ali MeehanSue and Peter Doran, with their daughter Justine, moved to Spain 9 years ago for a quieter life. They wanted to share more time together as a family. However, 6 weeks before the move from Lincolnshire, Pete had a heart attack and had to have stents put in. That sealed the families plans as "We fi... -
Adding your Business as a Listing under the Business & Offers page
by Ali MeehanThe Costa Women community work hard to promote and support other members businesses and the products and services which they provide, including the opportunity to present, or be part of our local events. If you want to add your Business under the Directory & Offers page (this is currently a free... -
Spain is one of the best places to Live!
by Ali MeehanMy name is Ali Meehan and I’m an expat-aholic. Over the last 15 years I have lived in Australia, Spain, Dubai, Thailand and back to Spain, which is now where I call “home”. My expat story really started with photos, memories and friends sharing my parents’ life in Libya during the 1950s. Exotic land... -
Costa Women supporting local Family
by Ali MeehanAs mentioned previously, Costa Women have committed to help Sue Doran and her family who lost their house, built by her husband, together with their entire belongings and their car in the Malaga fires. Tragically, the fire destroyed Pete Doran’s trade tools, meaning he was unable to return to his s... -
Facebook for Business
by Ali MeehanFacebookforBusiness_Upload.pdfcomments -
What does Costa Women mean to You?
by Ali MeehanIn September 2010, Costa Women was just an idea with lots of questions as to whether it would "work" and if I build a platform will they come? I never imagined we would be heading towards (woo hoo I have since welcomed) 1000 members nearly 2 years later with Women joining us from all over Spain an... -
Life's a Box of Chocolates...
by Ali MeehanLife’s a Box of Chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get, so said Forest Gump. Life is all about choices and as expats we have chosen to get on that flight, or in that car and move to a different country, culture, climate and community. So once here, have we found the elusive happiness t... -
How To: Add an RSS feed for Costa Women content
by Ali MeehanOne of the questions you have been asking lately is how to add an RSS feed for content which is posted to Costa Women. RSS means "Really Simple Syndication" and provides a summarised text of new content added to the website (you can also use it to keep a track of your favourite blogs, websites etc....comments -
Cookies!
by Ali MeehanOK not the kind we can eat, however the European Union have now issued a directive which encourages websites to share in-depth details about the "cookies" they deposit on a user's machine when that user visits a website. Cookies we use When someone visits this site, certain standard Internet inform... -
I've added a Group, or joined one... now what?
by Ali MeehanAny member can set up a Group on Costa Women. We currently have over 40 interest Groups. The Groups take on a personality and life of their own based on the Creator and the members in the Group, as well as around the topic being covered:- Who can join? All Groups are open to all members of Costa Wo... -
All the Fun of the Ferias
by Ali MeehanGood Morning Costa Women, For those on the Costa Del Sol, it's the Fuengirola International Fair; one of the best events on the Costa Calendar and not to be missed! Seville’s Feria de Abril also starts this week from 24 April - 29 April 2012. This and all of the other events that mark the start of... -
Success, U and Jimmy Choos!
by Ali MeehanWhen was the last time you told someone “I am successful”? We don’t do we because it’s not quite nice. OK we shout and applaud the success of our friends and family; sharing what they achieved and have done. Then it comes to us and err well …. “pride comes before a fall”, “oh that little thing, ...comments -
Our life on Twitter!
by Ali Meehan@costawomen article with Suzi Dixon of Telegraph Expat about our life on Twitter. Click here to read the article ... more -
Business Networking and Sex: Not What You Think.
by Ali MeehanMen are from Mars and Women are from Venus…what happens when they meet on Earth to Talk Business? This week, February 6th-10th, is International Networking Week - a week-long celebration of the important role that networking and building trusted, mutually beneficial relationships plays in the growth... -
Time; our most valuable possession
by Ali MeehanThe old adage “time waits for no (wo)man” manifests itself every day! As Christmas / Día de los Reyes Magos is finally over and we head into 2012, I hear shouts of “where did 2011 go?” Getting older years, months, days and minutes seemingly vanish partly due to the wonderful intervention of the w...comments -
Introducing ... Mrs. S. Claus
by Ali MeehanI am very excited about this weeks interview. This woman is the powerhouse behind an icon to children and adults since we first saw the fairy lights twinkling in our homes. So from a very scratchy and noisy skype call from Spain to the North Pole (those Elves can be loud)... here is my interview wit... -
Introducing... Valerie Collins - Creating Worlds
by Ali MeehanValerie, did Spain choose you, or did you choose Spain? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Italy was my first love but when I was 15 we had a family holiday in Benidorm and I started to learn Spanish. I always felt the urge to come back, and spent part of what they now call the gap year in Vale...comments -
Leaving People better than when we found them
by Ali MeehanEveryday we interact with people and as guests in Spain this aspect of our lives has to take into account different attitudes, languages and cultures. Over the last month, I have been overseas and this point has been particularly poignant for me as I have travelled about. I wondered on my jour... -
When's the best time to plant a tree?
by Ali MeehanA friend of mine has organised an event called "who will you be in 5 years time?" Sadly its not in Spain, however this got me thinking about the 100s of possibilities for the journey as well as the arrival (a goal without a plan is just a wish). What would Costa Women or my business look like? ... -
Don't Go Back to Sleep!
by Ali MeehanThe breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep. --Rumi Ever had those moments in... -
Living abroad boosts creativity!
by Ali MeehanLiving in another country can be a cherished experience, but new research suggests it might also help expand minds. This research, published by the American Psychological Association, is the first of its kind to look at the link between living abroad and creativity. “Gaining experience in foreign cu... -
Free Advertising
by Ali MeehanDuring this crisis its great to see local business work together in a more collaborative environment! Some of the online advertorial sites are current running some free offers for all you entrepreneuristas out there who want to promote your business here on the Costa! ThisIsSpain are offering a f...comments -
Cultural Aspects of Expatriate Living – The Relationship Between Language, Culture & Communication
by Ali Meehanby Solidbasics International - Relocation & Mobility Consultancy Culture shock can never be completely avoided but the effects of it can be softened. It occurs when one's own cultural values and beliefs come into conflict with those of another culture. The greater the differences between the t...comments -
Living in the Moment
by Ali Meehanby Archan Mehta I ran into Ralph at a conference and he impressed me with his wisdom. A life-long learner, Ralph's presence was mystical, and he seemed to have the answers to life's challenges. Not exactly sure of myself, I decided to tag along and learn from Ralph. Whenever Ralph was in the neighbo... -
Costa Women Promotion in Fuengirola FI
by Ali MeehanThought you might like to see Taina's article in Finnish from Fuengirola Fi about the Costa Women group. Many thanks Taina! Hope this is the first article of many in your Costa career! -
Closing Cycles/Cerrando Circulos
by Ali Meehanfrom Paulo Coelho One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through. Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters – whatever name we give it, what matters is ...comments -
Ready, Aim, GOAL!
by Ali MeehanIt's that time of year again when we look back over the past 12 months and think about what we want to achieve in 2011. Some of us use this time to write goals to put down a marker of what we want to happen during the coming year. The following article gives advice as to how to make achievable goa... -
Tis the season to be jolly....and also very stressed!
by Ali MeehanIf you're feeling irritable, rushed, resentful, lonely, or overwhelmed, keep these strategies in mind to help boost your happiness: 1. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a major disturber of people’s moods. Jet lag, traveling, parties, and over-excited children all make it hard to get your usual...comments -
Where do you live? In a bubble? In reality? Which do you prefer?
by Ali MeehanThere are two places in the world that most expats live: in a Bubble or in Reality. It can be wonderful to live in a bubble. In a bubble, everything counts on your perception, rather than the reality. This can be good or bad, depending on your imagination. You can imagine your boss likes you. You...comments -
Social networking reaches more women than men, study shows
by Ali MeehanSocial networking websites reach more women than men around the world, according to a study released yesterday by comScore. The Virginia-based internet research firm found 76 percent of all women online visit a social networking website, versus 70 percent of men. Women also spend more time on such ...
