Lets take it back to the beginning.
When we were offered the opportunity to move to Florida {what feels like a life time ago, now} there was a small ‘carrot’ so to speak, that went along with the offer. There was potential for an international assignment in the southern coast of Australia. The dream right? I always regretted not studying abroad in college— Milan, Florence, Paris! Eating baguettes at local cafes, sipping espresso al fresco, gobbling up the real deal– raw fashion industry. All the while using my sub par French skills of course, “je suis américaine.” But when it came down to it, I didn’t take that leap. C’est comme ça. It is what it is. Be that as it may, I never gave up on the idea of living overseas, it was just tucked away in a box high up on a shelf. Perhaps that’s why moving across the United States never really scared me. Im a bit of a drifter— I want to see the sights, touch the oceans, climb the mountains, near and far.
Fast forward four, Floridian years later, the rumblings began. An Australian assignment was unfolding for the p8 mod team. With no certainty of who would be going, for how long, or anything really concrete, we undoubtedly started to get anxious, this may actually pan out?! Nevertheless, if you’re familiar with how Colin’s job works (or Boeing in general) then you also know, you must never get your heart too set, inevitably things will change. We’ve learned to be pretty fluid and never set expectations until wheels up or full glowy-green lights appear. We have also discovered (from experience) that information is best delivered to those around us, when its more absolute. It’s easier all around.
Moving temporarily to another country as a young wild and free ‘barely- adult’ was one thing, however. Moving a family across the globe, well, it’s a bit different. A lot different in fact. It wasn’t just about me. It wasn’t just about a job or an experience. It impacts everyone individually. There are major sacrifices we all have to make to uproot in such a drastic way. Everyone likes to believe that given the opportunity to move somewhere abroad it’s a no brainer. “Duh. Hell yes I’d do it.” ACTUALLY saying yes aloud, I think many would be reluctant. It’s not a vacation. It’s literally picking up your life and moving to another country. Leaving your home. Finding a new home. A school. A car. Driving that car. Learning culture. Learning language. New foods. It’s working a job you may or may not have done, with new people in an environment that’s completely unlike anything you’ve been in. Amazon who? The groceries and shops you frequent are no longer. It’s moving away from your friends and family. Then returning and having to do the same thing, starting all over again. It’s not as easy as yes.
But for us…. We are just crazy enough to say yes, and mean it.
I believe exposure is the key to understanding people and not just “thy neighbor.“ Empathy, compassion, open mindedness are best learned when you recognize how different, yet alike we really are in this world. Not only do I want this for myself, I want this for my children, to grow up knowing different foods, language, history and not just from books or the internet, to actually see how others live and how we all contribute to this world making so unique.
I will never forget the day we got word. It was October of 2019, road tripping around the south east coast. We were in the smoky mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee when Colin got the call. I could hear him chatting with his boss, I heard it in his voice, something was different. He hung up the phone and said with and inquisitive smile, “well, I think we’re moving to Australia” we looked at each other and smiled; that was that. It was decided then and there.
Was it as easy as that? Nope. Not even a little bit.
We were set to move from Jacksonville in March, stay a few weeks in Seattle to see friends and family then be on our merry little way to Adelaide. But something significant happened March 2020. Any guesses?
Needless to say. It wasn’t seamless.
After the borders shut in Australia, we were told just weeks prior to leaving {for the second time, matter of fact} that only Colin would be traveling. The rest of the families visas were denied. The term “essential worker” had an entirely bigger meaning this time. With little choice in the matter, Colin inevitably had to fulfill his duties and go to work unaccompanied to Australia. As most of you already know the intended short few weeks in Seattle turned into 6 months for me and the kids. (To hear more on this experience/ transitional period, read my blog post “surviving” ) It wasn’t part of the plan. But like everything in life, sometimes you just have to roll with what is thrown your way. It only makes you stronger (most of the time).
Eventually, after our own valiant efforts and round the clock pressure to gain approval on our exemption for travel, we were finally granted the go ahead. Hip Hip Hooray…! In addition to our exemption, Colin was granted to fly back to the states to assist in our move. Flying solo with three children for 32 hours was a hard pass for me– thank you Boeing for approving this travel 😉.
However, not to exclude—- Amidst this “transitional time” we were awaiting a passport that was held up for months, several stressful months in fact. Multiple covid exposures (negative thankfully), self quarantines, shipment delays, little answers, homeschool, solo parenting and stress as way of life. Needless to say we were READY to get out when we finally got green lit. I literally cried when we got on the plane. Could it be that I threw my back out on the first flight leg…. perhaps? Details, details. So many emotions either way– we finally were actually doing it. We were moving down under.
After a two week government mandated quarantine in Sydney Australia we finally made it to our new home away from home in Adelaide. I will say, the only bonus of Colin leaving without us originally was that he was able to establish somewhat of a starting place for us once we all arrived. He signed a lease on a home. Bought a car. Got somewhat acclimated with the city. He found a school for the children. The list goes on and on. It wasn’t easy being apart for months, but it did lessen the chaos for the family when we set foot. We had a beginning.
Okay, okay, lets dive in to actually living abroad. The expat part. Because I am sure thats all you wanted to read about anyway. Correct? My best advice. Lean in. Lean in to the culture, the food, the people, the country. Remember its NOT America. So don’t compare it. We were asked countless times—- “What country is better?” “What’s prettier?” “Who’s nicer?” There isn’t an answer. If there is, keep it to yourself. Don’t push your politics or home town glorifications on them. This is their home, you’re the guest. Remember that. Home is home, of course you’ll miss it. America is amazing and complicated and frustrating and beautiful. It made me appreciate my home even more living away, believe it or not. I wont go in to the nitty gritty details, but distance does make the heart grow fonder. Did that take away anything from Australia? Absolutely not. It is an astounding and unparalleled country, with completely different things to love, appreciate and learn from. There is no comparison. You’d be missing out if you were constantly looking for American standards. Dive in, soak in every bitty inch you can.
sunshinestateofmine 