The past week has been a very difficult one for me. Homesickness has hit me hard (much harder than I ever imagined), and it's gotten so bad that it is causing me to question my decision to come to Hong Kong.
Luckily, I have my family and some new friends who refuse to let me fail at this endeavor. I talk to my family in St. Louis at least twice a day and even though they keep telling me the same things over and over again (and they're probably tired of doing it), it's incredibly comforting to just vent my feeling and hear their voices. They assure me that these feelings will pass, and I will return to the quite pleasant reality of trying a new adventure in Hong Kong. I'm lucky, too, to have met some great new friends (fellow new HKIS teachers) who keep me busy and help me through the transition. We do all kinds of things together: trips to IKEA, dinner out, pizza and a movie in a hotel room, etc. Sometimes, simply having company and staying busy is the best defense against homesickness. Thank you Lindsey, Katy, Danielle and Paige!
Homesickness, too, brings into sharp focus the blessings of my "past life." The past eleven years at Chaminade (and in St. Louis) are some of the most precious of my life. My thoughts often turn to the familiar routines, and friendly faces, and the comfort of "home." It makes me sad to think that the familiar routines of CCP will be starting up soon without me. My family, too, means more to me now than ever before. When they were 10 miles away, I was often too busy to make the trip to see them in person. Now that 7,000 miles separate us, I long for their company like never before.
This clearly isn't the happiest of times for me, but I am rational enough to know that these feelings will pass and my experience will be everything I hoped for. What's more, as much as I want these feelings to pass as quickly as possible, I also do not want to forget this stage of my transition. Two years from now or ten years from now when I make my next transition, I want to remind myself that change can be difficult and should not be entered into lightly.
I have no regrets. I will get past this. Hong Kong and HKIS will be one of the most glorious chapters of my life, but it's going to take some hard work to get there.
Whoever said anything worth doing is difficult sure was a genius.
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| There's no place like home... |
I had no idea how difficult it would be to start a new life from scratch. To be homeless, own nothing, and navigate the bureaucracy of a foreign country is overwhelming and stressful. Add to that a longing for loved ones and familiarity of the United States, and it's easy to get lost in a depressing downward spiral. The latest pangs have been related to my housing decision. I chose the beach house 15 minutes from school instead of the flashy new condo 35 minutes away. Before I left for Hong Kong, I told myself I wanted something "built yesterday," but I didn't listen to myself. I chose location over amenities, and I wish I had listened to my gut. At least 14 months from now I can make a move to a new high rise.
Luckily, I have my family and some new friends who refuse to let me fail at this endeavor. I talk to my family in St. Louis at least twice a day and even though they keep telling me the same things over and over again (and they're probably tired of doing it), it's incredibly comforting to just vent my feeling and hear their voices. They assure me that these feelings will pass, and I will return to the quite pleasant reality of trying a new adventure in Hong Kong. I'm lucky, too, to have met some great new friends (fellow new HKIS teachers) who keep me busy and help me through the transition. We do all kinds of things together: trips to IKEA, dinner out, pizza and a movie in a hotel room, etc. Sometimes, simply having company and staying busy is the best defense against homesickness. Thank you Lindsey, Katy, Danielle and Paige!
Homesickness, too, brings into sharp focus the blessings of my "past life." The past eleven years at Chaminade (and in St. Louis) are some of the most precious of my life. My thoughts often turn to the familiar routines, and friendly faces, and the comfort of "home." It makes me sad to think that the familiar routines of CCP will be starting up soon without me. My family, too, means more to me now than ever before. When they were 10 miles away, I was often too busy to make the trip to see them in person. Now that 7,000 miles separate us, I long for their company like never before.
This clearly isn't the happiest of times for me, but I am rational enough to know that these feelings will pass and my experience will be everything I hoped for. What's more, as much as I want these feelings to pass as quickly as possible, I also do not want to forget this stage of my transition. Two years from now or ten years from now when I make my next transition, I want to remind myself that change can be difficult and should not be entered into lightly.
I have no regrets. I will get past this. Hong Kong and HKIS will be one of the most glorious chapters of my life, but it's going to take some hard work to get there.
Whoever said anything worth doing is difficult sure was a genius.
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