The Good...I have never felt afraid here. Not once. I have the privilege of meeting people from all over the world here. China, Sweden, Russia, Pakistan, Israel, Germany, The UK, Korea...the list goes on and somehow I feel right at home. Most every night we sleep under the same roof and if I was adding up how many years Chris has had to work away from home during our 11 years of marriage and the answer is 6 years. 6 years, more than half....it was time for us to be together.
Together we are. My girls have grown a stronger appreciation for each other, a playmate can be hard to find when you are an expat. I see them nurturing each other, and it blesses me to know that the bonds between them will only be stronger through this experience.
The "view" from here is amazing :) If you were to ask my parents and grandparents they would tell you I have always loved to travel. Everyday I find joy in very simple things. So often I would love to stop and take pictures to share however it seems inappropriate to do so. Privacy is a delicate thing, and I am not willing to be disrespectful to the local people who so kindly offer me their smiles and waves, perhaps after time I will be better able to gauge their comfort level.
The Bad...Can you even believe I am allowing these words to escape onto the page? Looking for the best in everything is my life-long motto! To me these things are not so " bad! " per-say but require careful planning. Let me tell you about the joy of the "Squatty Potty"! Bathrooms here are very different. "ALWAYS go before you leave the house" has been added to the "Colozza House Rules", joining the old standards "Screaming is for emergencies ONLY", and "If you mess it up, PICK IT UP!" .
I have learned to carry my own baby wipes and tissue. You learn very quickly where the best bathrooms in town are, and you are willing to walk two or three blocks for a clean western toilet....and there is a reason you remove your shoes BEFORE entering the house. I knew this coming here, and to be honest I am neither surprised or appalled. If am going camping I expect rustic bathroom facilities, moving here was much the same, however I have acquaintances who are more surprised by these things than I am., leading me to adopt the slogan, "Well, that's China :) " . Someday, when I find a relatively clean one I will take a picture...but that has yet to happen, lol.
I am often asked if I "miss home" and the answer is "No". I miss people. Home can be anywhere, but you can't always have and keep everyone you love by your side.Isn't letting go the hardest part of living? For me it is. Moving here has probably been the one purely selfish thing I have done in my adult life. I did it for myself, my husband and my children. I know that over these two years, miles and time will separate us from many people we love, and while I do feel the pain of it I do not regret my choice.
The Very Different....well EVERYTHING is very different! Isn't that the point of moving across the globe? Different is good, different fosters growth and imagination. There are occasions when this leaves my brain feeling more like scrambled eggs and than a purposeful organ, but for the most part it has helped me sort and prioritize what is truly important, my faith, my family, and my friendships...which really isn't all that different after all ;)
Much love..... <3
