Well friends, I've managed to take another long break from blogging. I don't really have any excuses - the best two would be that life here is like a vacation (who blogs on vacation?) and I've been homesick and real sick which didn't leave me with a lot of motivation to get things done :) I also did not want to be negative on the blog, but the more I think about it, the more I think I should remember this part of my life. I don't need to pretend like life over here is perfect, because that's not the way I want to remember this years from now.
While we were back in Washington I never really thought ahead to what life in Japan would be like. I was so focused on getting everything done to get to Japan and really, when I stopped to think about "we will be living in Japan," it was hard to picture. I visited Japan once when I was seven so I really didn't have a good visual. I just knew that most people who come over here loved it and I hoped I would too. I still hope that I will!
But for right now, we moved into our apartment and reality set in. I live in a foreign country, where I don't speak the language, I'm completely engulfed in the Navy lifestyle and I really don't have anything outside the Navy (yet). I feel terrible complaining, because who wouldn't love this lifestyle - I don't work and I have very few responsibilities - but I'm bored and I'm homesick.
I know I will get over this - I will find things to fill my time and make this life mine. But for now, these past few weeks have given me perspective and a huge amount of respect for my Grandma. She moved all over the world with my Pop-pop for his job, starting in her early twenties. She lived in India, Switzerland, Canada, Tokyo and several states in the U.S. I honestly don't know how she did it - I could not imagine trying to navigate a foreign country without Google Maps or the only means of communication with my loved ones at home being snail mail. I could not imagine not having access to the commissary and American foods on base. Even though she won't ever read this and I need to send her a snail mail to let her know, these past few weeks have made my Grandma my hero.
So while I sit here and daydream about taking a trip home or start to feel sorry for myself, I remember my Grandma and how she did it time and time again without any of the conveniences I have available to me. And I can only hope I will handle this (one) foreign country with the grace that she did.
So if you stuck with me, thanks for listening :) I feel better just writing this out! I will be back this week with less depressing posts!
Hang in there, Sarah! And don't feel bad at all, we can't possible be positive 100% of the time. As exciting as this adventure is, it's also overwhelming and a big adjustment. I think you simply put into words how a lot of us are feeling. Tell your Gradma I also admire her. I would not leave my house if I didn't have an iphone with maps!
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