Sandy was born in Taipei, Taiwan to a US Navy doctor and nurse.  She is the oldest of seven siblings and has lived all over the USA.  

Upon graduating from New York University in 1991, Sandy taught high school Latin in Brooklyn, NY.  After moving to the rural coast of  Washington State, she ran a youth-at-risk program while working with her friends at an eclectic shop which specialized in photography, used books, new and used music and featured a popular vegetarian café.  

In 1998, Sandy set out for Taiwan, the land of her birth, to teach English.  During her first week in Taiwan, she met her future husband, a native of Carleton County.   While living in Taiwan, Sandy struggled with many of the same issues confronting newcomers to Carleton County.   With help from friends and a determination to communicate, she handled the practical necessities of daily life including finding employment, communicating with landlords, getting food, organizing childcare, banking, car repair, visiting doctors, paying taxes and visa paperwork.   Sandy loved exploring Chinese culture from the inside, finding her experiences and friendships exhilarating, mind-opening and life-changing.  This is not to say that she wasn’t at times overwhelmed, confused and homesick.  Culture shock is real and all long-time expats come to accept it as part of their new, bigger, broader lives. 

Before marrying and having their two wonderful sons, Sandy and her husband traveled all over Asia by motorcycle, bicycle, bus, boat, train, plane and rickshaw.  For five years, Sandy was in an all-girl band which toured throughout Taiwan performing original songs in English and Mandarin.

In the summer of 2008, Sandy and her young family moved to Carleton County.  The move was a long time in the planning and the whole family is thrilled to be here.   Sandy is currently a permanent resident of Canada and plans to apply for Canadian citizenship as soon as she’s eligible. 

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