I can't get enough of this video.
Homesickness has been rearing it's ugly head at me lately,
and I just love how American this is.
I finished my internship at the canine hydrotherapy place on Thursday,
and one of the clients asked me what I missed about the USA...
Salsa, warm weather and sunshine, driving with the windows down, driving for that matter, talking loudly, going to the pool, stores being open later than 5:30 pm, the American sense of humor, the mall, the way our houses look, loud sometimes obnoxious people who are full of character, wearing shorts, summer bonfires, lemonade stands, the way the skyline looks at night, football and baseball season, corn fields and corn on the cob, bible thumping, gym shoes and baseball caps as an acceptable outfit choice, twangy accents, running into people I know everywhere I go, lightening bugs, good produce (the only thing england can grow well is strawberries), hugs instead of handshakes, everything being much bigger, clean streets, and patriotism... to name a few
I've never felt homesickness so strongly before, and I have done a lot of traveling. There are two reasons for this, firstly, although a year ago we planned on being in the process of moving back to the US right now, the recession is making my husband very wary of what our prospects would be like back home - and the fact that we are here indefinitely makes me feel nervous. Secondly, I've never thrown myself into life in England. To be honest, I never wanted to live here, but it was easier for me to move here than him to move to America. I guess I resent the fact that we're still here, but I need to make the most of this opportunity while I can. So eff off homesickness...
How do you fight off this disease?
And what would you miss if you moved to a far away land?
Carpe Diem, Friends.
ps. Thank you for the well wishes on the job front. Unfortunately I was a blubbering mess at the interview. I don't think I got it. :(
kelly this made me homesick!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi dear,
ReplyDeleteI know I only just started following your blog, but I feel like I can really relate to you through this specific post. When i was in Namibia, I felt very much like you do here; I'd make lists of things I missed about home, lists of things I hated about where I was, etc. I knew I was there for a good reason, but it didn't make my homesickness go away.
The only things that began to ease it were activities that distracted me. I'd reorganize my "closet," read books (er, read the one book I had over and over, 'Eat, Pray, Love' haha), take/edit lots of pictures, make collages of strange magazines I found. Journaling helped the most. As did the reminders that I would not be there forever (coming from all sides: parents, friends new and old).
I hope you know you're not alone in feeling this way, and that IT'S OKAY to allow yourself to feel sad! I hope the sun shines on you today & that you find something to distract you from negative thoughts. Sorry for the long, rambling comment!!
You know most people could'nt do what you have done !! You should be proud of yourself and know that it takes courage and determination to do what you have done!! You have survived alot of changes and that is HUGE!! Pat yourself on the back!! You will be home sometime I know that for sure! And think positive, you are coming home in 2 weeks!! So be happy , don't worry!!
ReplyDeleteLove you , Mom
Oh my goodness, I can relate to this post so, so much. Now, I know my "foreign land" is still in the U.S... so there are definite differences in our situations. Please, don't think I'm saying I totally understand your situation. I know I don't.
ReplyDeleteBut due to the recession, we are indefinitely stuck in a place that we thought was temporary. When I watched our "we'll be there 3 years at the absolute longest" deadline come and go, I disintigrated into a TOTAL mess.
I CAN say, that since then things have improved slightly. In the past monthes, I've begun to "throw myself" into life here and it's made it A LOT of difference. (I also heard that from people over and over again for the first couple years and wanted to punch them in the face every time they suggested it. I won't take it personally if you're imaginig punching me right now too... ;) ) For me, finding places to volunteer, allowing myself to cultivate deeper friendships and finding new "foreign land" specific hobbies helped.
In my experience there are good days and bad days. Times when it's more difficult and times where there's joy where I am. But I had to give myself permission to have both kinds of days and be aware and prepared for each to pass.
And don't underestimate the shot in the arm a trip home can provide! Enjoy every second of your time there and make lots of memories to bring back with you until you're back in the US for good.
wow... just realized how long that was.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I am so glad you visited me so that I can chime in here. We are kindred spirits separated at the border. Oh boy do I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteI am Canadian and first moved to the Seattle area, which I loved. I can honestly say I experienced very little homesickness for the 5 or 6 years I lived there and was just astounded by it.
Then I moved to Southern California for work. The economy was slow and I had to do it. I told myself it was temporary - 3 years, get the position on my resume and then move back to Washington State.
I'm on year 8.
Those first 3 years and even one after that were horrible. And I mean horrible (can I italicize horrible for effect blogger??)
First SoCal is not the easiest place to meet people. It's very transient and I was living in LA...however, I also closed myself off. I never unpacked my boxes in my apartments - it was as if I unpacked them I would be resigning myself to stay. I literally worked, interacted with a co-worker or two at the job I DESPISED (and resented for dragging me down here), came home, went to bed. Rinse and repeat. After awhile I did a few more activities, but not a lot.
Then I got diagnosed with Celiac disease after a long bout of unexplained illness. I decided I'd better get to living. And while I am still INCREDIBLY homesick - now for my family in Canada - I have developed a profound love for the place I live and I don't think I'd want to leave.
So I guess what I'm encouraging you to do is be kind to yourself. It is tough to be away from home. You sound like me - like you don't like decisions to be made for you, but rather that you make the decisions. Take the control of your situation back and make the decision to embrace your time in England. Live it up, see everything that you can see, get maximum overload at TOPSHOP (lucky girl!!), go to Paris every chance you get, let yourself be put into a position to make friends. Just soak up every single bit of London and area that you can possibly soak up. Though "home" is far away from you right now, you have the opportunity of a lifetime and are right where you are supposed to be in this moment...as tough as that is to accept.
I will be thinking of you. So sorry for the long comment, but really could relate and wanted to throw you a rope. I've agonized over this for years!! Following you!!
xoxo,
Carrie
Love the advice from Carrie!
ReplyDeleteKelly I'm so happy I found your blog and am looking forward to following you. This post really resonated with me and I'm even happier to have extended some hope to you!! Hang in there!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Carrie