Last Week Home

This time next week, I will be on my way. I am scheduled to arrive Sept 2 and as of today that is still the plan. The circumstances are fluid so I am preparing that my actual arrival might be delayed. More then likely I will still leave on the 30th but may be stuck overseas at a hotel for a few days before I can complete the last leg of the trip.

It is so good to be home. The training was well worth it. I feel much better equipped and prepared for things. I know it won't be an easy or a short transition but I think/hope knowing that helps. They say the average length of time it takes to adjust to a transition like this is 18 months. I find that amusing since my contract is for 24 months.

We spent a lot of time learning about transitioning and all the different aspects of our lives that are in transition. One of biggest challenges will be feeling like you don't fit in anywhere, specifically not feeling at home in the new culture but not really fitting in your old culture either. I think I feel aspects of that already, especially when I talk about the training. The people and the topics we studied really had an impact. Have you ever tried to tell someone a story and they understand what you said but they don't get the impact? I think a lot of the next two years will be like that for me. Some people will understand the impact and I'll need to be patient with those that don't.

Saying good-bye was another topic in the training. I didn't realize how much I struggle with saying good-bye until this experience. Saying good-bye is hard when you have loved well and been loved well. Which I have. The idea is to think of goodbyes as a celebration of that love. You need to say goodbye and allow yourself to grieve and mourn the loss/change in the relationship. Focus on enjoying each day and celebrating the time you had together. This week, the plan is to do a lot of that with my family.

My sister from CA arrives Thursday morning. My brother took this weekend off from work. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with the family. The plans are to get pedicures (not my bro), eat a ton of sushi and all my favorites and spend as much time outdoors as possible. Maybe do some more kayaking? Oh and I'll have to finish packing.....where is that packing easy button?
Keep Smiling!