Maxine Smith

@gowiththeflowUK

ViP

English expat in Scotland

Forum posts

721

Contacts

English

Lives in Aberdeen

Speaks English

Registration: 28 September 2009

About Activity

Just back from a couple of years in Saudi Arabia and for the first time, now living in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with my husband as he is based in Aberdeen but we travel worldwide with his work. I am England born and raised. Lived in South Africa and Saudi Arabia - had a few Expat assignments and still plan to in the future.

Interests: cooking, tv documentaries, fitness, learning how to use my nikon 5000, travelling, Socialising with Friends and Family, eating, new challenges and meeting new people., walking,

Since 2012

Aberdeen, Scotland

Mearns FM Community Radio - Presenter (now) Volunteer - Seaton Community Church (now) Volunteer - Victim Support Scotland (now) Trustee HomeStart Aberdeen (now) I consciously learn new things and take on new projects to keep me occupied and keep my mind focused on learning and developing Moved to Aberdeenshire north Near Huntly Board Trustee - Woodend Barn Kincardineshire Development Partnership committee member Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Councillor Drumoak Community Group Maxine Smith Business & Events Services Volunteer at National Trust Scotland - Drum Castle Running (now in training for the Cairngorms 2012), walking, gardening, reading (member of Read-on book group in Banchory), socialising with friends and family.
Director - M.R. Landscaping Services Ltd Radio Presenter Community Volunteer - various projects Director - Business & Events Services Ltd (msbes.com) Volunteer - Fundraising & Sustainability Office - Drum Castle Estate & Gardens
The countryside in Aberdeenshire is stunning. There is something for everyone here. So much natural beauty, so much to do and we have been blessed with the mildest winter and a beautiful few weeks of Spring. We are loving Aberdeenshire right now and very pleased with our relocation here.
Because we live very rurally here, it has its challenges trying to make new friends and to socialise. Pubs have closed at an alarming rate in the Shire. Places to socialise seriously diminishing, this can make it very isolating.

Jul 2010 - Feb 2012

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Expat housewife - volunteer for USA Girl Scouts - Women's Skills Bureau Administrator - Corona member - ACR member - various women's networking groups including co-finding Ladies4Networking with Sabina Marini
Executive Support - Cisco Systems International BV - July 2011 - January 2012
Great group of friends, great desert camping, great lifestyle
The driving, the attitude of quite a few Saudi and Lebanese, camel spiders, cockroaches, prayer times, Abaya, segregation and visitors not being allowed into the country.

Oct 2003 - Dec 2007

Johannesburg, South Africa

VSO voluntary worker. Commercially paid employment
Acting Chief Executive - AIDS Consortium Communications & Development Director - RHRU Hillbrow Health Precinct - Special Projects Consultant - RHRU
Everything - the country, the people, the work, the climate, the food, the experience, the wine, the diversity - everything
crime, racism, public services systems, corruption and when I had to leave

England

Activity

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

10 years ago

The best is yet to come! by Julien

Hi everyone, Hope you are all doing well. For more than 10 years, https://www.expat.com has been helping expatriates and those who wish to live abroad by offering a user-friendly participative exchange platform. During these 10 years, the ...

Hey Julien, and the Expat team, well done! All sounds exciting and yes, totally agree with your reasoning for repositioning the site. Looking forward to the changes. Hope all is well x Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

Anyone up for a 'coffee/drink and gather' here's the details: Venue: sopranohotels.co.uk/bistro/ Date: Wednesday 15th August Time: 6:30 pm I will need to know the numbers so I can reserve a space there for us and let you all know where at ...

cool, finally you made it. nice move, im happy atleast few of you folks met together enjoy living cheers sandyThanks Sandy :top: Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

Hi all Our first meet-up took place last night, thank you to Verka25 and to Whisky for pitching up and spending a few hours. Sorry for the venue being so damn hot and for the company gathering when we first turned-up (they said nothing of that ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

hi, All the best for your initiative. even i am travelling on the same boat here in chennai forum(India) people are not responding lets wait and watch cheers sandy enjoy livingHi Sandy, thanks for sharing our pain :rolleyes:, fortunately we got ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

Hi All, Already pm'ed Maxine but confirming here as well - will do my best to swing by and say hi!Thanks Whisky, got your message on pm, hope you can pop in even if just to say a quick 'hi'! :) Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

I would so love to be there but they just pulled my husband in to work tomorrow and I don't have a sitter. Kudos to you for the initiative and I hope to make the next one xxHey misses_ski it is a shame we will miss you later, but as you say, 'next ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

13 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

Hi AurelieZ, thank you and so do I, but as we both know, these things can only be successful if people respond, participate and commit. So, let's see if this is needed, if not then great, it means the Aberdeen group has already integrated and ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm by gowiththeflowUK

Of the 25 of you that viewed, does no one have anything to say? :blink: Read More

gowiththeflowUK created a thread

14 years ago

Expat blog gathering in Aberdeen - Wed 15th Aug - 6.30 pm

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Hi everybody!!! by Leire2012

I´m spanish and looking for news friends. I arrived 3 days ago to Aberdeen. I would like to have friends.

Hello! I'm from Spain and I've arrived to Aberdeen 3 days ago. I would like to make new friends as well :) I will be here until October. Regards!Hola cómo estás? Hello and welcome to Aberdeen Karmina, I hope you have nice warm clothing as the ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Pregnancy in Aberdeen by Christine

Hi, could you please share advice and tips about pregnancy in Aberdeen? Who are the best gynecologists for pregnancy follow-ups? Which hospitals or clinics would you recommend to give birth in Aberdeen? Thanks a lot in advance for your ...

I will be checking out this site, and thanks for all the info. We found out today we are having twins!! :DOh my! :top: Congrats on that 'double pleasure in the blessing of twins' let me know how useful you find the information and good luck, when ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Hi everybody!!! by Leire2012

I´m spanish and looking for news friends. I arrived 3 days ago to Aberdeen. I would like to have friends.

Hi Leire2012, welcome to Bonnie Scotland and to the Granite City, Aberdeen. It's a wee bit cold at the moment, but the sun shines a lot in Aberdeenshire so hopefully you will settle here nicely. Are you working here? A Student? Living with ... Read More

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Aberdeen Meetup by JoleneP

So, apparently there are over 120 nationalities in Aberdeen alone. There's over 25 just on Expat.com alone.... I'm looking at arranging a monthly, informal meetup, where newcomers and old hands can exchange thoughts, share experiences and just ...

gowiththeflowUK replied to a thread

14 years ago

Aberdeen Meetup by JoleneP

We could arrange a meet-up at the Soprano's, Guild Street (by the train station), it's a nice bar and great atmosphere (if your hungry the food is great). Who would be interested to meet up? Setting up a fb page is a great idea :top: Will do that ... Read More

Maxine Smith

@gowiththeflowUK

About

My expat journey

Aberdeen, Scotland

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Johannesburg, South Africa

England

Activity