Remembering to breathe
japra | Mar 18, 2009 | Comments 17
We’ve been having incredible weather lately! I’ve been tempted to put away the sweaters, but A Modern Mother warned me not to quite yet.
What an interesting month it has been so far! The weather has been divine these last two-ish weeks. I was telling a friend of mine that it’s like someone came in and flipped the light switch and said, “Right, that’s enough of winter. Everyone up and out now!” I feel like I’ve been jolted awake. I’m still rubbing my eyes and wondering how long I was in hibernation.
And of course, it doesn’t help that my head is all a jumble with this possible move to The Netherlands. Emm was right when she said the waiting game is the Expat Curse. On one hand it is so exciting to think we’ll be in another country, experiencing new things and a new language–though they are very accommodating of English speakers in The Netherlands.
But today, as I was driving home from dropping Roxi off at school, I started to worry about things like, will we need to get a new car (ours here is a right-hand drive) and if I turn in my UK license, will I be able to get it back again when we return to London? Oh, I’ll have to find new grocery stores, just when I was getting the hang of shopping here in the UK. We’ll need to find new doctors, a new vet, get a new bank account, buy bikes (well, that’s not a bad thing, woo hoo!). Silly things like that.
It is a lot of work to move to a new country. There are a lot of unknowns. But sometimes you just have to take a deep breath… and jump.
Meanwhile, I don’t think a little yoga would hurt ;-)
Filed Under: Blog • Expat Life
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Best wishes with getting through the uncertainty – I’ve been through similar circumstances a couple of times, so I know how difficult the ‘waiting game’ can be.
I lived in NL for nearly 6 years, so, if you do end up moving there, let me know if I can help you with anything.
Best wishes,
Roz
and think of all of the new foods you’d get to try!
Roz–Six years!!! I just might be emailing you…
Julia–They have some excellent food there. Sad to say, I’ve not developed a taste for herring yet. I need to have another go, I suppose.
I think I’d love to live in Holland for a year or so.
And you cold pop back to see your friends in England quite often.
The Netherlands? So much is happening or might happen in your life. How exciting! Thanks for linking to that post as I missed it. It would be fun to read your blog based in the Netherlands. It would be a big move but probably easier having ex-patted before. Amsterdam is a fun city with a fabulous Van Gogh museum and tasty food. Elizabeth is right that you can still keep up with your friends in London. Moving is stressful and so is uncertainty. Good luck!
The good thing about the swirling uncertainty is that the nucleus of your family is still just that. You are an ace planner; Mr. DJ is a terrific supporter; Miss Roxi has the best attitude, and the Wonder Dog Trudy just needs the fam. I’m looking forward to more armchair traveling (in first class, no less!) of your mothership. Love, Mimsy
those look like very blue spring skies over there! Yes, there’s a lot to think about with a move like that. Maybe your British licence will be good over there for awhile.
Oh, definitely don’t pack away the woolies! I did that last year and then it snowed on Easter weekend!
Can’t you somehow keep your UK bank accounts. I don’t envy you with this move… I’d be quite happy not to have to move again for at least, oh, two years!
“Ne’er cast a clout til May is out” and old English saying – don’t put your winter woolies away until the end of May! It’s been known to snow in June believe it or not!
How exciting!!! You are such an adventurer.
How do you feel? How does Roxi feel?
Elizabeth–It’s so hard to think about leaving England when the lovely plants are waking and the flowers are blooming. Spring and Summer are my absolute favourite times in this country. Just thinking about leaving the countryside this afternoon made me a little sad. I know we’ll have fun and a grand adventure wherever we end up, but oh, pretty, pretty England.
Sarah–I think I would love living in The Netherlands. And I believe you are right about it being easier than the first time. I have better Expat coping skills now!
Mimsy–Thanks for the kind words of support, dear friend.
Christine–This nice weather is making it SO hard to get anything done around here. And I *think* I’ll be able to turn in my UK license for a NL license. Fingers crossed because I don’t think I could go through yet another driving test!
Emm–That is right! I forgot about that. Sigh. Alright. I won’t put them in deep storage just yet.
Akelamalu–Snow in June?! Oh my… I guess I’ll just take them and put them in a dresser drawer, out of my main clothing area, then. Better to play it safe.
Rebecca–We are having fun here!
Chris–Roxi has senioritis and is ready to move on to Central London or The Netherlands. I am ready to move on too, but as I told Elizabeth, Spring is a hard time to think about leaving England. It’s absolutely beautiful, especially coming out of winter.
I hope this weather holds. A friend told me that it was supposed to get cold again this weekend . . . and I was so upset! I don’t like to see winter return once my bulbs start coming up.
The waiting game is so difficult. I hate that bit.
I feel your pain. I fret about changing NEIGHBORHOODS.
I know moving to a new country is a lot of work… and a lot of adventure and learning as well… I would jump at the next opportunity to move to a new country :)
Good luck to you! Amidst the unknowns, I hope you discover the best of all worlds. . .
Bee–Well, it did get cold but I think your bulbs will be ok, don’t you? And yes, the waiting is so difficult!!
Laurie–In some ways, moving in town is harder…
Phoenix–Thank you! Those are wise words. We are excited to make either move :-)