I call myself a global nomad. Born in Ethiopia, I grew up in India and have since had eight moves, across three continents. I enjoy writing about life as a trailing wife, parenting four third culture children and social issues. I have also published a short Memoir ‘A Little Girl's Dream- Our Adoption story’.
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Lobo Rebello's- 2024 Family Update
the girls at our big fab family wedding
disclaimer: I struggled with blogger this year, every time I added a photo everything else did a merry dance and moved aroound. So ignore the blank spaces, the odd formatting, irregular font. Either I am losing my graphic skills or the app needs an urgent update. Nevertheless in a bid to take this to press before midnight, I am publishing this as is. I know you will be kind.
P.S. If you have an option, view it in mobile view
Dear friends and family,
'All roads lead to Rome'! This seems to literally be the Lobo Rebello mantra. No matter where we go, what we do, somehow, we always find ourselves on a road back to the Eternal city. And so, it is here that the Lobo Rebello's have gathered to celebrate the end of 2024. It is cold outside (a shock to the system of the three who spent the last 18 months in tropical paradise), but our hearts are warm, we feel at peace, we feel like we are home.
The last month has been so hectic with the move (that is the breaking news), that this newsletter was stuck in draft mode and for the first time is going out after Christmas. I had to even send out some proof of life videos to friends who did not get our annual update over Christmas. But all is well... and though late, it's here and we are excited to fill you in on all that we have been up to. It's been an eventful 12 months to say the least.
The year began with the promise of sweet monotony. But in true Lobo Rebello style it enfolded with all the makings of a Bollywood block buster, explosively colorful, full of drama, a sprinkling of comedy, a big family reunion, lots of song and dance, a big fat fabulous and fascinating wedding and a plot twist at the end. But before I give you all the juicy bits, let catch up on the girls.
Hosted Liraya and then mama for the first time in her own apartment in Madrid.
It's been three years working for the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub as Communications Officer. Her big focus is the 'Beans is How' campaign. Look it up! Find out just how beans can be a simple affordable solution to our global financial, health and environmental challenges.
Ryeika
Graduated from UEL and onward to UOM!
Moved from London to Manchester to start a Masters in Social Work (is loving the Manchester vibe)
Turned 21!
Wore a saree for the first time for a family wedding.
Neeira
Choreographer of the year!
Started her 2nd year of undergrad at SOAS, University of London.
Choreographed multiple sets of dances for the family to perform at a family wedding.
Applied and got accept into 'Semester at sea' starting September 2025 (she is going to spend 4 months on a ship next year)- more on this next year!
Got to see her favorite artist live. Arijit Singh! (he has been her top played artist on apple music replay for the past 4 years).
Also wore a saree for the first time at the same wedding
Liraya
Officially an author!
Wrote a book- Echoes- The book brings together a series of narratives inspired by striking photos she took of global struggles and resilience. These stories though fictional, reflect deeply rooted truths about poverty, displacement, and inequality. A vivid exploration of life’s complexities, this collection challenges readers to see beyond the frame and confront the interconnected crises shaping our world."
Took on multiple roles in the theater production of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'. It was a heavy play and she aced the monologues and moved the audience.
Went on several school trips, represented OSC at a Badminton tournament in Mumbai, a photography art tip to Dhaka and a theater workshop in Hanoi (when I was in school in a good year I went for a yearly excursion to Guindy National park!)
Other memorable highlights
Easter Weekend- we got the whole family together (well at least 90% of them) in Colombo. The Rebellos and Lobos all gathered and we had an amazing few days. Lot's of laughter, reminiscing and sharing. We made memories to last us a lifetime. Here is a short video that tries to capture the essence of that weekend.
Our Big Fab Family Wedding-A dear niece got married and what a wedding it was. Six events spread out over two locations, over two weekends. It was an amazing experience! The kids totally embraced the whole experience, loved dressing up in their Indian finery and most of all enjoyed meeting family and friends and we danced like we have never danced before. Getting all the outfits organized was a job that fell on me and believe me I have never managed a project that tough before. 36 outfits, each packed separately with everything from accessories to shoes and everything in between. My clients aka kids were spread out over 4 locations and we had to source from a 5th (India) and arrange for them to be delivered to Colombo where some had to be further stitched, adjusted etc. etc. All considering it was worth it but I am not sure I am fully recovered yet!
Sanchita's TEDx-The school organized a TEDx event and I was privileged to participate and share my perspectives as a Global Nomad, in particular about 'Raising third culture children'.
Summer 2024 was a perfect Sri Lankan summer. The kids all came and thinking it might be a challenge to keep them occupied we bought a carrom board. It brought back so many great memories of our childhood and the kids soon became big fans and we had countless hours of fun! We also did a 1000 piece puzzle, another great family activity that keeps the kids away from mindless scrolling.
We also did an epic road trip around Sri Lanka. Ten days, one van, eight destinations, dolphin watching, snorkeling, car sickness, too much food, squabbles and laughter. A bucket list item was ticked off.
Dickwella Beach- the most beautiful spot on earth
Taliya
I have no breaking news to report on Taliya. She continues to be the love of our lives, the reason we wake up with a smile. She is preparing to make the long and arduous journey across the skies, so please wish her well!
2/6th of us are back in Rome
So this is our breaking news! Sanchita and Liraya have moved back to Rome. We have mixed feelings- of course we are happy to be back to familiar territory and have the girls close by, but we are separated from Gerard and that is always tough. But we know that it will all work out, we have done it before and we will survive! And as for the plot twist- Gerard, he is looking forward to something new and challenging in the new year. Rumor has it, that he will be eating a lot of Khow suey.
As we think back through the year, we find that amidst all the love and laugher and shared moments we were thrown a curve ball and while I will not dwell on what it was, I will share that though we came out slightly bruised, we also came out wiser, stronger, brandishing resilience and that was victory enough.
This year more than ever we have been reminded that love-whether we call it friendship or family or romance - is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other's light. In moments where life occludes our own light from our view, if there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back, we find the strength to rise up and see our path and purpose clearly once again.(@James Baldwin, Nothing Personal)
In our best moments, we are that person for another.
Thank you to all those who were those people for us this year. We are blessed to be surrounded by so much love, so many extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world.
We are setting out into 2025 in a war ravaged world. Amidst the carnage may we still manage to find unsung heroes and whisperers of hope. May we recognize them and bring them into our lives. May we light our candle with their flame and go bring light to a dark and desperate world.
I will leave you with snippet of a beautiful poem 'Go Where the World Forgets' (@Coral Charm) that touched me and reminds me daily that our purpose is not just to exist and get lost in the monotony of life. Our purpose is to make a difference and making a difference is not difficult if we just go where the world forgets.
The world moves too fast.
Too focused on "getting ahead" to look behind.
But you?
You can be different.
You can remember the ones it forgot.
Not because it’s your "duty"
or because it’s "the right thing to do" —
but because, one day,
you might be the one forgotten.
One day, it might be your hands reaching for love.
Your breath waiting on patience.
Your heart longing for forgiveness.
So go.
Not with pity, but with purpose.
Not to "save" anyone, but to remind them
that they were never lost to begin with.
Go where the world forgets.
And be the reason someone remembers
that they still matter.
All our love and many hugs and best wishes for 2025. Come visit. It is the Jubilee year in Rome and it is a beautiful time to visit. It is also the year I will turn 50 and I am on a quest to meet every one of my close friends and family (I started last year). Many I have already met up with in 2024, but the list is long and I look forward to many more reunions in the months to come.
Neeira-in the last 18 years you have brought us much pride, love, and laughter. We watched you become a remarkable person with a strong moral compass. You often taught us, that speaking up for something even in the most uncomfortable of situations was ALWAYS worth it. You never hesitated to break the silence for what needed to be said. You took on stigmas and cycles and chains for you believed they needed to end. Your loyalty to your sisters, your mother tongue, and your mother land is inspiring. And your diligence and discipline for anything you take on is admirable. As you celebrate this milestone birthday on the cusp of the new adventure that awaits you, we wish that all your dreams come true. We hope a spicy plate of biryani will always bring you comfort, that you meet your favorite Bollywood stars someday, that you get to travel and travel and travel and go do a semester at sea. You have heard us saying ever so often 'life is unfair' and you will experience this yourself ...
It’s a few days before Christmas and here I am, sitting in one of my most favorite spots, the verandah of my ancestral home. As I look back and contemplate the year that has been, I try to break down the share worthy moments and … I really do not know where to begin. The Rebello Lobo's have had another almost unbelievable year! A year of TRANSITIONS, TRIALS and TRIUMPHS. TRANSITIONS The Big move to Colombo Our 8 th move, was preluded by some formidable moments and so it was with much relief that we landed in Sri Lanka, the beautiful ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’- our home for the next (we hope) four years. Taliya took the journey very well and has since taken to Island life like quite the seasoned third culture dog she is. She might quite possibly be the only Lahsa Apso in Sri Lanka and as a result has been getting quite the celebrity attention. Colombo reminds us so much of home, and we are loving the food, the music, the culture, and the beaches. Home is just a one ho...
Living in Madrid and loving it!
Quake turned 4 and had its first Madrid event! 
It's been three years working for the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub as Communications Officer. Her big focus is the 'Beans is How' campaign. Look it up! Find out just how beans can be a simple affordable solution to our global financial, health and environmental challenges.
Moved from London to Manchester to start a Masters in Social Work (is loving the Manchester vibe)
Applied and got accept into 'Semester at sea' starting September 2025 (she is going to spend 4 months on a ship next year)- more on this next year!
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