For real, y'all...
I knew we were moving. Didn't come as much of a surprise. I mean, I had to get gazillion shots (actually 6, I think). We've all gotten complete physicals, passports, made living arrangements, and everything else that goes along with a move. But today, as the movers are here packing up our stuff, it's finally real. We're moving to the other side of the world.........Manila.
In our expatriate orientation classes last week we learned what to expect, about culture differences, how to act and dress, about safety issues, and most importantly about the profile of adaptation. This was most beneficial as I realized there is a name for the highs and lows of moving to another place, another culture, a new set of friends.
When I left home for college, I don't remember feeling sad or anything. Maybe it's because I was only a 2 1/2 hour drive away. The only thing that bothered me was that my family just dropped me off and left. Didn't even take me out for lunch. My friend's aunt did that instead. I was just happy to be free...of rules. When I moved to Houston it was quite an adjustment. I didn't really love living in Houston until a year after we arrived. I think it was a combination of being farther away from family and the traffic. Boy, I had never lived in a place where it took more than 20 minutes to cross town. Houston was on a whole 'nother level! Then leaving Houston for California was, well, let's just say I haven't adjusted yet. Now, I get to move to Asia. And, I am so excited!
I still can't wrap my head around the 17 hours on a plane but I can't wait to get there and experience life there. I don't expect everything to go perfectly but I do hope there are no major bumps along the road.
Until later...
I knew we were moving. Didn't come as much of a surprise. I mean, I had to get gazillion shots (actually 6, I think). We've all gotten complete physicals, passports, made living arrangements, and everything else that goes along with a move. But today, as the movers are here packing up our stuff, it's finally real. We're moving to the other side of the world.........Manila.
In our expatriate orientation classes last week we learned what to expect, about culture differences, how to act and dress, about safety issues, and most importantly about the profile of adaptation. This was most beneficial as I realized there is a name for the highs and lows of moving to another place, another culture, a new set of friends.
When I left home for college, I don't remember feeling sad or anything. Maybe it's because I was only a 2 1/2 hour drive away. The only thing that bothered me was that my family just dropped me off and left. Didn't even take me out for lunch. My friend's aunt did that instead. I was just happy to be free...of rules. When I moved to Houston it was quite an adjustment. I didn't really love living in Houston until a year after we arrived. I think it was a combination of being farther away from family and the traffic. Boy, I had never lived in a place where it took more than 20 minutes to cross town. Houston was on a whole 'nother level! Then leaving Houston for California was, well, let's just say I haven't adjusted yet. Now, I get to move to Asia. And, I am so excited!
I still can't wrap my head around the 17 hours on a plane but I can't wait to get there and experience life there. I don't expect everything to go perfectly but I do hope there are no major bumps along the road.
Until later...
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