On moving…
japra | Jan 19, 2010 | Comments 19
“When you know your time in a place is running out, you try to fix such moments in your mind’s eye.”
–Julia Child, My Life in France
I have a friend in the UK who is originally from Japan. She once told me that Spring (and the Cherry Blossom festival) is a bittersweet time in Japan because the blooming of the trees coincides with the end of the school term, which usually means goodbyes.
I know we are just peeling back the covers from our long winter’s nap here in the Netherlands, but I already can feel a change in the air. We are getting a little bit more light each day. Roxi’s schedule is getting busier and busier. In three more months, we’ll most likely be talking to a removal (moving) company and scheduling our move back to the UK.
One year in a new country doesn’t seem like enough time! I know that sounds greedy, but I feel like we’ve only just started settling in, getting into a routine. Recently, I told Mr. DJ that an international move is really about a six month process. Three months to plan and move out, three months to move in and settle down. That only leaves six moths of the year to acclimate and enjoy the new place before the moving cycle starts all over again.
Sometimes I wonder if it might have been easier if we hadn’t brought our furniture with us from the States. I am reminded of this after reading of Julia and Paul Child’s expat adventures in Julia’s book My Life in France. I think they must have moved at least five or six times in ten years.
In between my classes, I’m going around the house with large trash bags and doing a bit of early Spring cleaning in the hopes that when we do call the international movers again, there will be a lot less junk that moves with us this time.
That is, of course, if we ARE moving this summer…
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Filed Under: Blog • Expat Life • Featured
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in Holland with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 15-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Why do you think it would have been easier with your furniture from the U.S.?
I don’t envy you the moving just where you’re moving to and from!
Julia, it would be easier *without* the furniture–so that we only have to deal with all our personal junk. The issue with that then would be we would get to our new furnished house and the beds would be lumpy and the furniture horrid. ;-)
We find out in February if we move back to States or staying longer in Germany. After 1 and half years I’m finally figuring it out. I would love to be moving to UK at least I could read the signs! Good luck!
Oh my, Kathy! Isn’t the waiting game hard? We actually don’t know for sure if we are moving, but all signs point to yes.
And I know what you mean about being able to read the signs! I still manage to butcher the language. But the Dutch are so nice about it.
You are an ‘organized’ mover. The really adventurous people seem to just ‘pick up and go’ somehow. I have a friend that could be ready to go on a trip abroad on a day’s notice. She also travels without too many fixed plans, sort of ‘take it as it comes’.
Christine, I probably am organized, but right now it doesn’t feel like it! I do think clearing out some of this non-essential stuff will make things better. At least I’ll feel better.
Wow, I can’t believe it’s already that time again. I guess I’ve been busy. :)
You have, Laurie. XO
Mixed feelings about this, because I would like for you to move back to the UK . . . but it seems like you have really been relishing your time in Den Haag.
You remind me that My Life in France is in my bedside table book queue. Julia never did make it back to France, did she? However, she did have that tailor-made kitchen in Cambridge.
(sorry that I’ve been such a stranger lately)
Bee, when I think about moving back to the UK it feels like moving back home. I take that as a good sign :-)
As for Julia (SPOILER!), she and Paul built a house in France and spent a lot of time traveling back and forth. Not a bad life, eh?
Oh, you’ll be moving again? Indeed, one year seems like a very short time. As you say, it takes a couple of months until you are kind of settled down and then when you begin to enjoy the new place…. hop! it’s time to pack up and go again! :o)
Well, in any case, I’ll be following your adventures back in the UK if you’ll allow me, of course ;)
Cheers!
Aledys, I am glad to have “met” you during our short stay in this country! I’ll be following you as well :-)
What I can’t believe is that I’ve been reading your blog long enough to have read about your move from London and now to read about a potential move back! Your posts are just such a delight!
Speaking of moving, I’m thinking of taking the plunge and buying a little house or condo for myself this spring…I’ve begun cleaning things out myself as well. I just really hate packing. Unpacking is fine because then you get to decorate!
Lucylucia, wow! That is exciting news. Though it’s nice to leave repairs etc to the landlords, I would love to own a house again. So I can hang a painting on the wall without worrying about how I’m going to fill the hole when we move!
And I think we’d make a good team. I don’t mind packing, but I detest unpacking and having to make decisions on where things go.
Gosh, I hadn’t realized your time in the NL was so short. You’ve adapted so well already. I’m not sure I’d bother learning a new language for so short a stay, but I’m impressed you did. You really know how to get the best out of life abroad. We could all learn from you and do.
I agree with the 6 month cycle – the first time we moved as a family to England was for 6 months and too short. The 11-month sabbatical on the second time was much easier. Moving is the worst part of it and all the packing and unpacking.
Lovely photos too!
Sarah, learning a little Dutch was probably the best decision I made! It really made me feel more at home here.
I agree, six months is waaay to short. On the other hand, I bet you packed a lot sightseeing and *living* into that short time frame! :-)
Did they? Oh, good. I keep trying to convince Simon that two houses is the ideal way to go! (except for the expense and environmental impact, of course)
Hii..Its so wonderful to read about your experiences…Reading this post brought back memories of my first winter in Netherlands ..Looking forward to reading your future posts and nice to know a fellow expat blogger.
Hi Orangesplaash! I love your name–it’s such a celebration of the Netherlands :-) So glad to meet you too. I am always happy to meet other expats here in the Netherlands.