Guest Post: Welcome Coco!!

First, three cheers for today’s guest – Coco – for so recently setting her marathon PR! A sub-4 race…along the streets of Paris!! It doesn’t get much more exciting than that. (Not that I’d know…)

Coco, her husband – who happens to be her seat mate from the fourth grade – and their two daughters currently live in Jakarta, but her job has led them all over the globe. When they’re not working, running, or cooking – this is a family that TRAVELS. Paris! Shanghai! Borneo! Bali! El Nido! (And many more.)

I’m so happy to be hosting Coco in this space today; I know many of you already follow along with her adventures, but the following questions may provide you with extra insight into the person behind the screen.

Take it away, Coco!

Q. What aspect of your current life would most surprise 20-year-old Coco?

I used to think I wouldn’t like motherhood; it turns out I love being my girls’ mom. I don’t find it hard work as I get so much out of it. They keep growing, evolving, surprising me, and most important of all, they show me what unconditional love is. [Parenting is VERY hard work for me! I don’t think I’m doing it “wrong” I just think different personality combinations and life circumstances play a big role. All this to say, motherhood is very rewarding, but if you’re reading here today and struggling in this role, please don’t feel discouraged – it can feel hard because it often is hard!]

Q. In 100 words or less, describe your job.

I work in development. Through economic analysis, we try to inform and influence policymakers of developing countries to provide better public services, to improve the quality of life of the population, to protect the poor and vulnerable in a liveable planet. It’s quite a broad objective, thus the focus of my day-to-day work evolves over time and changes when I go to another country depending on what the country needs. 

Q. Do you have a go-to reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?

When I can’t focus on doing something, I stop almost immediately. I move my body, talk to my loved ones – with no guilt. I know I’ll be more productive after having a mental break. [I have some lessons to learn here!]

Q. If you could add (or subtract) one habitual behaviour in your life, what would it be?

I’d like to have more patience with my kids. When I’m tired, distracted, if they do something that I don’t like, I often lose patience and respond with an unfriendly tone, sometimes yelling. 

Q. If you could eat only one meal on repeat for a week, what would you choose?

My favorite foods are extremely simple: corn, kabocha, oatmeal, stir fry vegetables with tofu. I have them every week and never get sick of them. 

Q. What international destination – that you’ve never visited – do you most want to see?

Currently New Zealand and we are planning to go there this December. I’d like to explore Latin America with my family. I’ve visited many countries there but it would be a different experience taking the family along. 

Q. Of all the places you’ve lived, what has been your favourite?

I like all the cities I’ve lived (Shanghai, Buenos Aires, DC, Manila, Jakarta) and it’s hard to choose one. For retirement, we are thinking of spending a few months in Shanghai and Buenos Aires for sure. 

Q. List five things that would happen as part of your idealized “perfect day”.

A good, long run with cool weather, a solid block of reading time, being outdoors with the girls, a good catch up with my friends, a massage. [Substitute the long run for a long walk, and SIGN ME UP!]

Q. Favourite marathon experience and why?

Definitely Paris because I took the family with me, they got to experience the racing vibe in a beautiful city, and we had a full week of holidays after the race. A recipe for a “perfect” marathon experience to be replicated in future races. 

Q. Share a weird/random/true fact – any odd skills or unusual experiences?

I started working in my teens as an attendant at a souvenir store, then at 16 I worked as a translator in an immigration office when I was living in Argentina. Oh – although I grew up in Argentina, I never dated non-Chinese. 

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

Physical/digital possession: photos. Mental possession: memories of my loved ones and the experiences we share. [I really appreciate Coco’s distinction between physical and mental/emotional possessions. Such a great reminder…]

Q. If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, which colour would you choose?

White.

Q. If you were on a desert island and could only bring three items, which three items would you bring?

Kindle, photo album?, notebook with pencil. 

Q. If you were doing it for fun – and money was no object/didn’t factor into your decision – what would your dream job be?

I think I have my dream job. It gives me purpose, it challenges me intellectually, it keeps me curious to learn, it allows me to meet amazing people, and it gives us a comfortable life. I wouldn’t want to have a job to pursue my hobbies. I like keeping them separate. Some may say that not staying in one place for long means a lot of changes and lack of constant community. This is true and this is something as a family we are willing to sacrifice to get to know the world more and to become more resilient and grateful. 

Q. What is your favourite time of day?

Definitely my morning quiet time – from when I wake up to when I head out to run or meet the family. [Coco is another early – like, very early – morning person.]

Q. Tell us something about your personality you think might surprise readers! 

I am an open book and I hope my blog is authentic to reflect that. Like many bloggers, I am introverted and need solo time. One surprise thing? Maybe that I never lived “young” as I never went out to night clubs, never drank, never smoked, always went to bed early. That was quite boring as a teenager but now into my 40s, it’s normal, even healthy. 

Q. What is the first thing you do in the morning/last thing you do at night?

First thing, 90% of the time I check my Oura Ring stats (I know… not a great habit and sometimes when it affects me mentally during training, I’d stop that). Last thing, read on my Kindle in bed.

Q. What words would your friends use to describe you/your personality?

Disciplined, efficient, straight-shooter, too healthy 🙂 

Thanks so much for guest posting, today – this was fun!

Your turn. Any questions for Coco? Favourite city (or place) you’ve lived in your lifetime? First paid – or volunteer – job? Do you print pictures off to make physical albums or photobooks, or are all your pictures stored digitally?