There are many things that make it difficult to move to another country. Finding somewhere to live and dealing with not having a credit rating any more are two that spring to mind. Ikea is another. Then there are smaller, but still annoying things – like the fact that your DVDs won’t play on your DVD player.
There are many things I miss about living in the UK. My friends, family, and Smart car of course spring to mind. At this time of year, the more temperate climate is a big one.
There are good things too – it’s a challenge! Meeting new people. I get a big kick about how people dig my accent – a double, because they like the English-English one and the French-French one. Change of scenary. Nicer summers. Beautiful fall. Different attitude. Different lifestyle. Great Asian food. All in all, these outweigh the things I miss.
Sometimes though, I get a little homesick. The first time it happened my roommate (who later went completely bonkers, but that’s a whole other story) came home to find me in tears because I couldn’t order pizza – I’d called the two big international pizza companies and after much kerfuffle with them not understanding my accent/not knowing where I lived because I lived in a new building/me not knowing where I lived in relation to wherever they were talking about, I’d given up.
My roommates and I would celebrate/commiserate/relax with pizza and a girly movie. Any movie in that period you’d be ashamed to rent from Blockbuster, I’ve probably seen. And liked. We also watched a whole lot of Charmed. So whenever I’m feeling a little overwhelmed or run down, I want to kick back with my roommates and a double-decker with extra cheese, bacon and chicken and BBQ sauce. But I don’t have roommates, I have a boyfriend who loathes these kind of movies and we don’t order pizza, because Greek food is healthier.
Finding new habits, rituals, is hard when you’re starting from scratch. Finding people you can turn to when you’re having a bad day who’ll listen, and sympathize, or just watch a terrible movie is hard, and I know I feel like I don’t want to impose. But little by little, I’m building a life here. It’s scary, and it’s stressful, and it’s hard… but the adventure is worth it.
10 replies on “Homesick”
It does get easier, I promise! My meltdowns usually come in grocery stores, when I have a meltdown trying to fathom out the dairy labeling (homo milk, huh?!). The thing we can’t do here is talk about kids’ tv, we have no shared culture of growing up in Canada.
My of my funniest experiences – did you know the brakes on a UK bicycle are opposite to on a N American one? My bike got serviced, they switched them around AND it was the same day I got clipless pedals – an accident waiting to happen, and yes, I did fall off.
Let’s plan that afternoon tea… Or we could just go shopping for fanny packs {smile}
It does get easier, I promise! My meltdowns usually come in grocery stores, when I have a meltdown trying to fathom out the dairy labeling (homo milk, huh?!). The thing we can’t do here is talk about kids’ tv, we have no shared culture of growing up in Canada.
My of my funniest experiences – did you know the brakes on a UK bicycle are opposite to on a N American one? My bike got serviced, they switched them around AND it was the same day I got clipless pedals – an accident waiting to happen, and yes, I did fall off.
Let’s plan that afternoon tea… Or we could just go shopping for fanny packs {smile}
Afternoon tea sounds awesome!!
You’re so right about the kids tv. Actually a whole lot of things Canadian’s talk about, I have no clue about! Luckily my boyfriend is obsessed with British TV, he’s quite into the Wombles now…
Oooh that sounds painful! I always use my brakes together so I didn’t realize they were reverse. Did have a biking accident shortly after I got here, but that was mostly because the thing fell apart whilst I was riding it…!
Afternoon tea sounds awesome!!
You’re so right about the kids tv. Actually a whole lot of things Canadian’s talk about, I have no clue about! Luckily my boyfriend is obsessed with British TV, he’s quite into the Wombles now…
Oooh that sounds painful! I always use my brakes together so I didn’t realize they were reverse. Did have a biking accident shortly after I got here, but that was mostly because the thing fell apart whilst I was riding it…!
agree with this “It’s scary, and it’s stressful, and it’s hard… but the adventure is worth it”.
The only one thing that kinda surprises me that you think “it’s hard”. I thought nothing is hard for you, here or there. Always see you are funny, surrounding by friends, and bf (of course) 😀
agree with this “It’s scary, and it’s stressful, and it’s hard… but the adventure is worth it”.
The only one thing that kinda surprises me that you think “it’s hard”. I thought nothing is hard for you, here or there. Always see you are funny, surrounding by friends, and bf (of course) 😀
Interesting post.
You never told some of those stories.
I feel bad about them but have no idea why since I did not know you then and therefore would have had no way of rescuing you. I guess I just want Canada to be welcoming to the right kinds of people
Interesting post.
You never told some of those stories.
I feel bad about them but have no idea why since I did not know you then and therefore would have had no way of rescuing you. I guess I just want Canada to be welcoming to the right kinds of people
@Hanh – of course it’s hard! I have a good time a lot of the time though, so it’s nice that people don’t realize this but yes, I find it difficult. Building up a new crowd takes time, but I’m getting there! Hope you’ll come out with us more often next semester.
@Darren – you’re sweet. I don’t like to dwell on them, but from time to time… it’s difficult to abandon your life and start over somewhere new. You guys make it worth it, though!
@Hanh – of course it’s hard! I have a good time a lot of the time though, so it’s nice that people don’t realize this but yes, I find it difficult. Building up a new crowd takes time, but I’m getting there! Hope you’ll come out with us more often next semester.
@Darren – you’re sweet. I don’t like to dwell on them, but from time to time… it’s difficult to abandon your life and start over somewhere new. You guys make it worth it, though!