An Insiders View Of Being An Expat

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">It would make great television</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmXc9pEOc5cTn91wyQMQTjF79eKPBpb5ire0xibzJNyndOJd5apw16IATIhRlp5B4pqAJKU-mPOwa-JZAlW0LEjOWC7Z-iGVVOFsPKVAvNimvOL0cvCnIFbR5bp7aTodrQ1rP9Y8XATE/s1600/10767242_6gaYiVGp_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmXc9pEOc5cTn91wyQMQTjF79eKPBpb5ire0xibzJNyndOJd5apw16IATIhRlp5B4pqAJKU-mPOwa-JZAlW0LEjOWC7Z-iGVVOFsPKVAvNimvOL0cvCnIFbR5bp7aTodrQ1rP9Y8XATE/s400/10767242_6gaYiVGp_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/4957475/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />An exaggerated life of an expat wife is filled with lunches with girlfriends, tennis, pedicures, and shopping. Typically expat women don't work because they don't have work visas. They have relocated due to their husbands' jobs.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In some countries (but not the UK), 'hired help' is the norm - nannies, drivers, maids, cooks, gardeners. Sounds like a life of luxury.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43jEdgzgqu5ahebajZpENe5wdjOFan3sNHutXFiY0J-1UfU3PwdbcHGp9hOcf02dfvrHlrDIrTSoMYDWTle7VGtDMwq2I3z35PtXbWjsPLHNF2VzTiFGQdym1VtB-3n7GhGT_5Us8JVQ/s1600/5188032_R26EIgSI_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43jEdgzgqu5ahebajZpENe5wdjOFan3sNHutXFiY0J-1UfU3PwdbcHGp9hOcf02dfvrHlrDIrTSoMYDWTle7VGtDMwq2I3z35PtXbWjsPLHNF2VzTiFGQdym1VtB-3n7GhGT_5Us8JVQ/s640/5188032_R26EIgSI_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/5188032/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's take a closer look...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The 'staff' that comes with the house is not always welcome. There can be personality differences or you just want to do some of those things yourself. But you may be 'obligated' to hire employees to support the local economy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your house contents may look exactly like all the other expats. Houses are usually rented, sometimes in guarded expat 'compounds' in some countries. Often the furniture is rented too, making houses look really similar with the same rental package. Nails might not be allowed, so walls go bare. Sentimental items such as Christmas decorations might be left at home because the company gave a small budget for shipping necessities only (i.e. clothing).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finding a doctor and dentist (and hair stylist!) can be tricky. Can you trust their opinion? What if there is a true medical emergency? How do you get regular medication not offered in your host country?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zLwo6NKZY-GZBJgRB7POa7rjKMhz9UKDAe9EG3iOWJTbz32SMQynz2JXleNZ1XjpqIPFIKyiE6IPYLTsX1HWxfogosdQEKompwTe3-Ypa_C5VjDJNhQZhEpyWKXCX5mnECDzUMBNulo/s1600/10718553_TfGWcHEy_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zLwo6NKZY-GZBJgRB7POa7rjKMhz9UKDAe9EG3iOWJTbz32SMQynz2JXleNZ1XjpqIPFIKyiE6IPYLTsX1HWxfogosdQEKompwTe3-Ypa_C5VjDJNhQZhEpyWKXCX5mnECDzUMBNulo/s400/10718553_TfGWcHEy_c.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[image]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your kids enter a school that you know nothing about, whereas at home you had a good idea where to send your children since birth. And what if your child has special educational needs for dyslexia or autism? And what if your child doesn't transition well to his/her new environment?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You also are unsure about the new neighborhood you picked in just 3 hours of touring the area in a rush to find a house. You are confused by the rental documents and not sure if they are 'pulling a fast one' or if the requests are valid. New to the country, you have no one to consult. You just have to trust.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByS39wpGgNSDET_SvJAmieOIWXgvRepdd5k3qeXnt-YIoP3521hRS9oxcHvW7QASierXlE_Zpp3y7X7s6xGeuO6xQZvM3GbJq4VaxzZD2xrP6xn2WAyl9q3QnpgmmtRp227vhhetenxQ/s1600/2714136_r5a1aZGZ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByS39wpGgNSDET_SvJAmieOIWXgvRepdd5k3qeXnt-YIoP3521hRS9oxcHvW7QASierXlE_Zpp3y7X7s6xGeuO6xQZvM3GbJq4VaxzZD2xrP6xn2WAyl9q3QnpgmmtRp227vhhetenxQ/s640/2714136_r5a1aZGZ_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Language barriers, foreign currency, and a general lack of local common sense can make the adjustment harder. Getting the simplest task done can be exhausting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then there is the uncertainty of when you may leave. Most expat assignments are 3 years, but at the last minute you could be shipped home or to another country (sometimes not a desirable one). You and your children see expat friends come and go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PTMg4ncESY6A4CGFxu5yW8vDjkhEi-l0GGEXB2WBTPq3lvSrzsfRYc01lonHpQDLBr6moBojVPKbUvtUaHW9JwrMituAGXq9uFKao2hhfNrqKiYtygj7upuOOz82NnIn0BEeXaij7jc/s1600/4493414_qw28wWE7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PTMg4ncESY6A4CGFxu5yW8vDjkhEi-l0GGEXB2WBTPq3lvSrzsfRYc01lonHpQDLBr6moBojVPKbUvtUaHW9JwrMituAGXq9uFKao2hhfNrqKiYtygj7upuOOz82NnIn0BEeXaij7jc/s640/4493414_qw28wWE7_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/4493414/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">You miss important friend and family events at home such as birthdays, births, and even funerals.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">The life of an expat is an amazing experience with a lot of rewards, but also a whirlwind of intense emotion at times.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">So far, living in England has been nothing short of wonderful for me, with HUGE rewards - surrounded by beauty, history, lovely people, and amazing experiences. Great brain food. But there are trade offs too that many don't think of.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDeu9czB02ypWpEM4UdgSH_m_tclUjGjWRCTFlQIiKNHYAbfwCYOG_Sy1M1c__Vx9ATkxEUg7BQHWuneBcTfirwYbKD1njSNDGo1st3gd_6NAPr6hC-hQdbyLLpdJ4AK40-_8h_JKO68/s1600/10995203_atAAVI9U_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDeu9czB02ypWpEM4UdgSH_m_tclUjGjWRCTFlQIiKNHYAbfwCYOG_Sy1M1c__Vx9ATkxEUg7BQHWuneBcTfirwYbKD1njSNDGo1st3gd_6NAPr6hC-hQdbyLLpdJ4AK40-_8h_JKO68/s400/10995203_atAAVI9U_c.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expat Motto:  Grow Where You Are Planted<br />[<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/10995203/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you think you would be up to the challenge?<br />Where would you choose to live?<br />Do you have anything to add?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm off to eat some bonbons :)</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />

An Insiders View Of Being An Expat

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK It would make great television [ image ] An exaggerated life of an expat wife is filled with lunches with girlf...

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Walk This Wey

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the UK, Mothering Day is Sunday. You can't trick me - I DID notice it is close to April Fool's Day. But I think it is a real coup, because Mother's Day in the US is in May. So we shall celebrate both, no? (Sorry Charlie - Father's Day is on the same day in both countries.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few photos from last weekend...</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">{ floating blossoms on the river wey }</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3-we8CYkUBg_P4iSNLlPTd4kY_2D_kmNQ7pJJC2hyHIY7MQM5M1-AU685KPewUwvCjxoGLgXbo3ywysP6ZOo3kW-MYWoLDuSXUgGIUBEBBFDLfgawnytPxjzQW6IiffbRQvB2iJ8xFA/s1600/DSC_0129-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3-we8CYkUBg_P4iSNLlPTd4kY_2D_kmNQ7pJJC2hyHIY7MQM5M1-AU685KPewUwvCjxoGLgXbo3ywysP6ZOo3kW-MYWoLDuSXUgGIUBEBBFDLfgawnytPxjzQW6IiffbRQvB2iJ8xFA/s640/DSC_0129-40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">{ a tranquil view }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo4Q9ZYFA2jMDaMEnvA4y4gWWPVjP4RK5vBYLxw_MiMoE8icyfdplYv32AdiDzUK7wKn2dqxJA65OEeCx1LY9QDoYvNgG7X4mTnJTe-Yn7BdmuEDDRE5X7lYv0GA7ObbUoybWmD3rxYo/s1600/DSC_0099-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo4Q9ZYFA2jMDaMEnvA4y4gWWPVjP4RK5vBYLxw_MiMoE8icyfdplYv32AdiDzUK7wKn2dqxJA65OEeCx1LY9QDoYvNgG7X4mTnJTe-Yn7BdmuEDDRE5X7lYv0GA7ObbUoybWmD3rxYo/s640/DSC_0099-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">{ manually opening the lock }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUhyphenhyphen9vBehCHfvcJWA_nnbfhF4Ps3KP6A2eA03wJe2BeksUq7h-_MAYqSihgpPRjbJSp8ifUT11mdNvhdRoeyPDbcdIwNiKWgn0SdbW9TT_8jGhLW7YhMUBoOvevyYGWzyI0ZyU9DTl9g/s1600/DSC_0135-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUhyphenhyphen9vBehCHfvcJWA_nnbfhF4Ps3KP6A2eA03wJe2BeksUq7h-_MAYqSihgpPRjbJSp8ifUT11mdNvhdRoeyPDbcdIwNiKWgn0SdbW9TT_8jGhLW7YhMUBoOvevyYGWzyI0ZyU9DTl9g/s640/DSC_0135-32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">{ a perfect way to spend the day }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZzvnINLv2hwTxtbtWqi9CSQBl-n4XjrL1VXwoGFvPOC9V-0qqjfM6qX6BTaKg7aaiHq8bvSE0rOhFBKSXcUZIX9jWuRuwyI0m_3pogRlFALT92xLhEF_FbKOf-ZjJCxAzVv26MTYNj4/s1600/DSC_0179-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZzvnINLv2hwTxtbtWqi9CSQBl-n4XjrL1VXwoGFvPOC9V-0qqjfM6qX6BTaKg7aaiHq8bvSE0rOhFBKSXcUZIX9jWuRuwyI0m_3pogRlFALT92xLhEF_FbKOf-ZjJCxAzVv26MTYNj4/s640/DSC_0179-134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful weekend!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos taken by me -</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/">Pink Saturday</a>, <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At The Picket Fence</a>, <a href="http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/">I Love Pretty Little Things</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Walk This Wey

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK In the UK, Mothering Day is Sunday. You can't trick me - I DID notice it is close to April Fool's Day. ...

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Grey

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1JgwuKdL6KPs1tX_TRLMKe0gcXPgtY9qpim5jeo-AOUzT10TIPA_Ru8hqgewoseYkyfuftSshpk_MQ9dZy-43yTqctqqohcWSDirjSQlnEUt7tDMCLSfTuYqgQdycaaIfzCr0p00XXKj/s1600/White-living-room-modern-Livingetc1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668246147321074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1JgwuKdL6KPs1tX_TRLMKe0gcXPgtY9qpim5jeo-AOUzT10TIPA_Ru8hqgewoseYkyfuftSshpk_MQ9dZy-43yTqctqqohcWSDirjSQlnEUt7tDMCLSfTuYqgQdycaaIfzCr0p00XXKj/s320/White-living-room-modern-Livingetc1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668121600743666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAzfkNrznEwRuDY__87tY1-L4M-zA1giZWFI0IpJQuemyptIeqCfmRdVhYiWy-jOQJLAPAqqlS4IkM09lHTXuEMSyroheqprD_Bi0l03kfbohejGbEX-StsEpyxCUppNjP9QghA5NBseI/s320/Living-room-modern-Livingetc12.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG_bWp6rNTMrSss2_JeJTXyT1OBSV2loy50tWY7u21XV_2MoPKesDk27N5VOrOh_akDYQZoGTWoyin2W8ND1LWTqEu2tP1n6wgwg666_fof-gtDPltY7_P0ZjgGAu2LG_rYot9Ir1jlb/s1600/Living-room-modern-Livingetc14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668187524539218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG_bWp6rNTMrSss2_JeJTXyT1OBSV2loy50tWY7u21XV_2MoPKesDk27N5VOrOh_akDYQZoGTWoyin2W8ND1LWTqEu2tP1n6wgwg666_fof-gtDPltY7_P0ZjgGAu2LG_rYot9Ir1jlb/s320/Living-room-modern-Livingetc14.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_V5GadcaScQhVv894RYjEQ-ifkwYet5hjIGTnyNVSGWIOPpWW1tS5YK_nmgiS4vca7P1FJTXruSNEsa5CGm06t2k94Yho5iegHpGb3yjOz3IelEav3u2UnTg13B6zbNl0CFzoIEuWiaC/s1600/Living-room-chair-modern-Livingetc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668069779386242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_V5GadcaScQhVv894RYjEQ-ifkwYet5hjIGTnyNVSGWIOPpWW1tS5YK_nmgiS4vca7P1FJTXruSNEsa5CGm06t2k94Yho5iegHpGb3yjOz3IelEav3u2UnTg13B6zbNl0CFzoIEuWiaC/s320/Living-room-chair-modern-Livingetc.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jZBl-3IJAXl8HjqGdy13QUFpwzPXl95JV0utfkdRScMR_1Z9Sl8-QArjeybrVDn7SJ18wgQSKkMnozkG9OpdzLUg5EfvNyZp8JvYncx5P-PJ7Y3PQKcELWZNzIE2pL7qAAXNapn1jDI8/s1600/hbx-beach-0610-larette-de-42952240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668019241053378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jZBl-3IJAXl8HjqGdy13QUFpwzPXl95JV0utfkdRScMR_1Z9Sl8-QArjeybrVDn7SJ18wgQSKkMnozkG9OpdzLUg5EfvNyZp8JvYncx5P-PJ7Y3PQKcELWZNzIE2pL7qAAXNapn1jDI8/s320/hbx-beach-0610-larette-de-42952240.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" /></a>

Grey

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