I'd say my adjustment to Australia has been very good. I don't know if it's that things are somewhat familiar, that technology has improved, or that I jumped into my job immediately, but the transition thus far has proven much smoother than my Fulbright year. I haven't gotten too homesick just yet. TV shows seem to help a bunch (Thanks Forrest, there's been a whole lotta Sex and the City lately... Sorry, Karen, I know that's a sore subject, haha). Webcam dates with some of my favorite people also help. All that to say that this weekend in particular made me aware that being 15.5 hours away from the west coast has some serious disadvantages.
A good many of you readers out there know that I went with my family to see my grandparents just before I flew to Sydney. I feared the inevitable truth that it was possible for them to pass on while I was gone and it'd be entirely probable that I wouldn't be able to return very quickly. It was a nice visit, short, but I was grateful to see them both.
However, what many of you don't know that my grandfather passed away while I was mid-flight. In a perfect world, I would have been able to hop on a plane to fly back and be near my family, but given that I only JUST started work, it was a bit tough to say, "Hi, thanks for bringing me out here and putting me up. I'm going to be leaving now." The service was held this weekend and I wish I could have been there to say goodbye.
Because my life is so topsy-turvy at the moment (the only consistent routine I've developed thus far is the 8 or so hours I'm at work and my weekly shopping trip with my cousin), it's really hard to sort through my feelings. I'm sad about my grandpa, but it's not completely realized grief because my life doesn't really feel like my own right now... if that makes sense (I'll go ahead and pretend it does). It's a bit of an out-of-body experience, for lack of a better description. I get up, go through the motions of my day, and that's about it. I don't feel too settled since I'm living out of a hotel room and I don't have a firm circle of friends at this point. Anyway, missing the service this weekend only put into perspective how far away I am from the familiar people and places I love. It would have been nice to be around people who know me and would help me grieve. It's kinda hard to say to people you've only just met, "Hi, can I have a hug?"
Of course, being far away means I'll miss lots of birthdays and traditions. It's really odd for me not to have dinner and TV with Forrest on Wednesdays, to miss watching the NBA playoffs with my favorite Laker fans, and to not go to happy hours and Father's Office with work people. That stuff kinda pales in comparison to missing my grandfather's service, but you get the idea.
Don't get me wrong... Sydney and Google are lovely and I'm grateful for the opportunities and the experiences I'll have here. Everyone has gone out of their way to help me find a place. I just sometimes wish I could pop home a little easier.
Sorry this post is kind of a downer... just felt like getting my thoughts down.
A good many of you readers out there know that I went with my family to see my grandparents just before I flew to Sydney. I feared the inevitable truth that it was possible for them to pass on while I was gone and it'd be entirely probable that I wouldn't be able to return very quickly. It was a nice visit, short, but I was grateful to see them both.
However, what many of you don't know that my grandfather passed away while I was mid-flight. In a perfect world, I would have been able to hop on a plane to fly back and be near my family, but given that I only JUST started work, it was a bit tough to say, "Hi, thanks for bringing me out here and putting me up. I'm going to be leaving now." The service was held this weekend and I wish I could have been there to say goodbye.
Because my life is so topsy-turvy at the moment (the only consistent routine I've developed thus far is the 8 or so hours I'm at work and my weekly shopping trip with my cousin), it's really hard to sort through my feelings. I'm sad about my grandpa, but it's not completely realized grief because my life doesn't really feel like my own right now... if that makes sense (I'll go ahead and pretend it does). It's a bit of an out-of-body experience, for lack of a better description. I get up, go through the motions of my day, and that's about it. I don't feel too settled since I'm living out of a hotel room and I don't have a firm circle of friends at this point. Anyway, missing the service this weekend only put into perspective how far away I am from the familiar people and places I love. It would have been nice to be around people who know me and would help me grieve. It's kinda hard to say to people you've only just met, "Hi, can I have a hug?"
Of course, being far away means I'll miss lots of birthdays and traditions. It's really odd for me not to have dinner and TV with Forrest on Wednesdays, to miss watching the NBA playoffs with my favorite Laker fans, and to not go to happy hours and Father's Office with work people. That stuff kinda pales in comparison to missing my grandfather's service, but you get the idea.
Don't get me wrong... Sydney and Google are lovely and I'm grateful for the opportunities and the experiences I'll have here. Everyone has gone out of their way to help me find a place. I just sometimes wish I could pop home a little easier.
Sorry this post is kind of a downer... just felt like getting my thoughts down.
It really is the hardest part of being so far away. I am sending you international hugs.
I'm sorry girl. And don't feel the need to only post the overly optimistic stuff, I liked the post. So sorry to hear about your grandfather.
sorry about your grandpa hailey. i'm sure he was so proud of you and your accomplishments!!