As an expat with a lens, I’ve discovered that behind every face is a fascinating story just waiting to be told. And what better way to uncover those tales than over a cup of coffee (or tea, for the rebels) and a handful of dates?So, join me for a sip, a snack, and a snapshot as we dive into the delightful world of storytelling…
Today I’m beyond excited to introduce you to the fabulous Christie Verbrugh-Post from postscript.ae.
So, what’s in your cup today?
Today I’m a rebel, I’m having some Earl Grey tea, and I’m eating some za’atar fatayer.
What bought you to the UAE?
As is the case of many expat wives, we came here because my husband was offered a job here. However, no one had to convince me to move. By the time my husband had finished asking me if I’d ever consider moving to Abu Dhabi, I had already begun packing our bags to go.
How long have you been in the UAE?
I’ve been here for a little over a year now, with no plans to go back. I love it here!
What’s your home country?
Canada is where our family calls home.
Where were you before Abu Dhabi?We lived in Ottawa, Ontario, in Canada. It’s a neat city because the seat of Canadian government is there, and there are a bunch of other fun landmarks, like the Rideau Canal which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Canada is a massive piece of real estate, it’s not easy for just any person living or visiting Canada to access all of the things that the country has to offer, but luckily Ottawa is sandwiched between two of Canada’s largest cities: Toronto and Montreal – so we have lots of choices of things to do.
Tell us a bit about the history of Christie …
Christie was born in Ottawa sometime in the 1980s to a pair of adventurous parents. My dad travelled a lot for work and that afforded us (me and my little brother) lots of opportunities to broaden our understanding of people and culture. My mum is also in the Canadian foreign service, so that has only deepened my sense of adventure.
With my parents being so “internationally active”, I kinda grew up having “itchy feet”… always wanting to explore more, but responsibilities at home kept us grounded. So it’s no surprise that when my husband got a call to come to Abu Dhabi, I was practically on the phone with the retirement section of my work’s HR department. Haha!
I am a program and project manager back home. I had worked for the federal government’s various health factions for almost twenty years. It was time for a fun change!.. And here I am.
What do you do in Abu Dhabi?This year, I’ve launched my own little slice of entrepreneurship: Post Script – Project Management Services.
Tell us about your business and what you offer?
As I mentioned, I’m a program and project manager by trade – but I am a fixer and a nurturer at heart. When I arrived here, I knew I wanted to help entrepreneurs in their journey however I could, so I set up Post Script – Project Management Services. While the name comes off as being focused on project management, my focus is really on helping aspiring and operating business people with their entrepreneurial hurdles- be it by helping them through the licensing process, or helping them with administrative snags or product development, etc.
No matter how big or small someone’s business woe is, I take the time to walk them through it, so they can begin to focus on what matters the most to them in their growth. My approach is always to nurture and educate, so that my clients feel empowered to continue on their own, and eventually no longer need my services.
Is there a story behind your business name?
Mhmm! Our family name is Post, and back in Canada, we did all kinds of shenanigans using our family name, so I decided to stick with it for my business… and Script, well, that’s because I want to help my clients script their journey. Corny? Yes! But I absolutely believe in what I do, and I love to own my cheesiness.
What’s the favourite part of your job?I love to hear a client tell me “oh, that was so easy! I can’t believe I was afraid to tackle it because of how hard I thought it was going to be,” or, “YAY! Now I can finally check that off the list and move on.” My clients’ success and happiness, and ability to “move past” their hurdles is a huge source of pride and happiness for me.
What’s the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon?
In Abu Dhabi, Fridays are half days for my children and my husband. So once they arrive home, I turn my work off as well, and we will make pizza and play games, or watch a movie together. Some Friday evenings, we also hang out with good friends for drinks and a catch up. Fridays are always happy days for me, because they are largely days that are social, but in a relaxing way… and I love me some down time!
Which living person do you most admire?Oh! Good question. There are many. Can I pick three? Dear readers, please prepare yourself for cliché cheesiness.
My mom. She is a ridiculously warm and loving person. She is a mother to everyone she meets. I’m not kidding. She’ll nurture a paper bag into believing it’s a rockstar. I get most of my self-confidence from her. “Christie, there’s nothing you’re not successful at!,” says she. She also has the most harebrained ideas, which is a trait of hers that I have inherited in spades. She’ll come up with incredibly ambitious activities, and pull them off with total class, like “hey! Let’s have 10 people over for supper tomorrow night and serve a five course meal! I’ll send the invitations right now, you come up with a menu, and then we’ll go grocery shopping!” I can’t tell you how many times that has actually happened. Haha!
My dad. He is also a deeply caring and feeling human being, and while he is both those things, he also conferred upon me a no-nonsense, practical approach to life and work. My dad also taught me the value of experiences. He’s a person who would rather spend his resources on experiences, rather than “things”- so if I am asked what I want for my birthday, I will almost always say “I’d like to try this cool restaurant,” rather than ask for an item of some kind. I completely hit the jackpot with both of my parents.
My husband, Sander. Hands down, this guy is the best. I honestly give him mad props for still being with me after all these years. All my harebrained ideas and pop-up initiatives, and last-minute changes of plans… He has put up with a lot, and yet he is my biggest champion. There is almost nothing he won’t encourage me to do. I admire him because he has to put up with three very demanding ladies at home, and he pulls it off remarkably well! Cheers Sander!
What is your greatest extravagance?
Oh! When I was in Canada, every month I would to go for a facial, massage, mani & pedi. Occasionally, I’d also get lash extensions. But I haven’t done all those things (in one go) since I left. My biggest extravagance is spending resources on my vanity. Haha!
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“DUDE!”
Also, on any given day, Canadians apologize about a million times… There is a joke that goes “how do you get a Canadian to say sorry? You step on their foot.”.. It’s so true.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I’d love to be omnipotent. I want to learn how to do everything. It’s the opportunity or curse of a neurodivergent brain. There is always an opportunity to learn about something new… but do little time, which is my limitation.
Where would you most like to live?
I love living here! But if I were to pick somewhere to retire that isn’t the Middle East or Canada, I would probably pick the Netherlands because that’s where our families are from.
What is your most treasured possession?
My most treasured possessions are small objects that I have inherited from family members who have passed on, or gifts that have been given to me by friends and family who “just knew this would be perfect for Christie!”… I have a handful of those and they go where I go.
Second to those are all the kitchen instruments I own. I love to cook and bake. Food is one of my love languages, so all the tools I use to make food for people are important to me.
What do you most value in your friends?
Acceptance, kindness, silliness, and adventure. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends back home and hear with whom I can share almost anything, and be silly with. They are truly an extension of my family.
Who are your favorite writers?
I have enjoyed books by novelists Ami McKay, Philippa Gregory, and Kristin Hannah.
Who are your heroes in real life?
There are a great deal of Canadian women in leadership that I admire deeply. I have lots of admiration for Michelle Obama. She’s a boss who leads with compassion and I find her inspiring.
Don’t laugh, but another person high on my list of admirable beings is Aaron Sorkin. Man does that guy ever know how to spin words.
Outside of family what is your greatest achievement?
Once, completely out of character for me, I applied to give a talk at an international conference about the value of reporting scientific results to grantors as a means to ensure continued funding. I submitted the abstract, convinced there wasn’t a chance I would be accepted. Imagine my surprise when, about a month later, I received a congratulatory email from the conference board. I have never been so nervous in my life, but it was an incredible experience. This experience was a teaching moment for me; it showed that my confidence could either be my greatest limitation or my best opportunity. Stepping out of my comfort zone and believing in my abilities turned out to be one of my greatest achievements.
What is your motto?
Whatever it is that you think you can’t do… you actually can do it. You just need the right shove.
You can find Christie on Insta @postscript.ae or her website is www.postscript.ae.