#movingcountries

[takemebackto2014or1980]

i haven’t moved yet but i’m SO SCARED

[athomeish]

Coronavirus is dragging us through some delicate times right now. The situation is, let’s say, far from ideal. Tens of countries are currently paralysed and, who knows, it might as well shake things up some more. In Spain, where I am right now, it made people go into quarantine. And let me tell you, quarantine sucks. It’s so boring. Not like, “Oh I don’t know what to do now cuz my Netflix show is over” kind of boring. It’s genuinely SO boring. But it does gift you time. Time to contemplate e v e r y t h i n g. So here’s a few words about something I’ve been thinking about lots over the years and now more than ever. Home.

The main thing about quarantine is that you’re stuck at home. You’re in lockdown and have to remain inside pretty much at all times. But if you’re lucky, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have a safe space to wait this over at, at least you’re at home. H o m e.

Okay, let’s stop here and talk about that word for a second. I mean, we’ve got time, right?

Like many others around the world, I’ve been stuck at “home” for the past couple of weeks. Right now “home” means a (super) tiny flat in Madrid. An apartment I fall asleep in and wake up in everyday. An address printed in shit quality ink in my residency documents. A space. My space. But, is it home yet?

Now, you see, my worried mum called me the other day and said “I want to bring you home. I’ll buy you flights home.” What she meant was “I’ll put you on a plane from Spain to Poland, so as you spend the quarantine in the place you were brought up in. A building where your family lives.” But, is it still home?

Right now I’m here, in Spain. And I’m here because I chose to. I arrived a while back, like a little nomad, and hoped for the best.

It turned out not too bad. Madrid is where my life happens now and it does indeed feel like home. I know its smell, its little secrets and hidden gems. I know at what time rubbish lorry collects trash in my street. I know that my neighbours from 3rd and 1st floor hate each other. I know my floor makes lots of noise when you step on it and that one of the windows leaks when it rains too much. I know every little detail because it’s my place. I’d be comfortable calling it my home. But then again, not quite.

Because then, what about the house in Poland? What about all the memories made in it? What about my family who live there? What about my room which hasn’t changed since I left. Hold on a minute! Aren’t those just elements of a defence mechanism launched by nostalgia? Let’s focus on facts.

Last time I was “back home” an air refresher made me jump by releasing the product as I walked past it. After dinner I kept trying to place my plate on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet, while it’s been years since they’re moved to the bottom one. Last but not least, I had to ask for the WiFi password because the network was not saved on my phone. I mean…

So, here’s what I think.

I think I’m too attached to the memory of my home, where I’d have coffee with my mum every afternoon and where my cat stays in my bed overnight. I think it’s hard for me to admit that I’m more of a guest in it now and I’ll probably never form part of that household again. But despite it all, I strongly believe I’ll never be able to not call it home.

You may ask yourself why on earth would I even contemplate it. Or maybe you’d want to recite one of the famous lines, so happily promoted in Poundland’s decor section, “Home is where your heart is,” “Home is where your bed is,” “Home is where…” I’ll stop you there, because although there is a little bit of truth in all of them, I’m afraid they simplify the issue just a tad too much.

You know, the key to this whole situation is that I like being a nomad. I like changing my address from time to time. I love packing my bags and moving to new places. But at the same time, I suddenly feel like it’s time to sit on my bum and find a place I could *really* call home. So I find myself in a limbo. And I’m hanging in there, somewhere between a mortgage and plans for the next big move.

I guess the best way to finish this little story is with yet another cliché. “Home is where I am”. Do you like it? Ha! Took me a minute to figure it out. But really, “home” is a feeling. You carry it within you. And if you feel like it refers to more than one place, then let it be. It’s fine, there are no rules.

Now that I have it sort of clear, I’ll just have to get used to it.

And what about you? What do you call home? Would love to hear your thoughts! In the meantime, make sure you’re taking good care of yourself and those around you. Have a lovely day.

O.

[trondheimimmigrant]

Patterns on the tools of language

I have realised I am starting to get more comfortable in Norwegian. So when I get tired and the Scottish dialect creeps into my supposedly English sentences, I switch not to English but to Norwegian.

It's a strange process and I hadn’t noticed it till I did it with a friend who is much more comfortable in English than Norwegian. Perhaps she is more comfortable in English than I am. For her English is a shield that she can pick up and has been trained to use to combat how the world sees her and her homeland. Or maybe English is less combative but simply this language is the large bowl that can be shared with all who come to her table. Many different bowls, different colours, patterns and primary uses have all her guests at home. But here we use her bowl as the convenient way tae carry the din of connection. 

I have practised my words longer and I am more deeply familiar with the variances and uses of these bowls. Yet I find I slip into the long-coat of Norwegian before I pick up my bowl. My coat has holes in it and obvious patches that I have spent hours mending. In many ways it's all patches sewn together carefully just enough to keep me from freezing in this land. I have spent so much of the last years building, fixing, maintaining this coat and I am scared it will never be enough to keep me warm. 

Scots kept me warm. I think. 

Scots is my deep blue hand knit jumper my mother made, while demanding all the while I spoke proper English. It was tough and warm but has no pockets and unlike English I cannot easily share from it. Norwegian at least has pockets and is less heavy on my arms. I may not be able to share from it as well as my full bowl of English with its lines of deep blue. Yet it fits me, and I feel capable of making sure it continues to as the years whip by. In the creation of this fine coat I fear I have unwound a section of Scots. Its still warm but maybe not as comfortable as it once was. Yet I see the same colours and perhaps even patterns in the bowl that is my version of the English language.  Is the blue of my bowl just on the surface can it be scratched off or does the colour go deeper? My hands are always full when I speak English.

Full of doubts, fears, feeling of lacking, fear of stumbling and having it crack and all come pouring out. Sometimes I cannot pick up the bowl at all. Cannot or will not, but here I write with it in my hands. Perhaps I just need to get better at balancing it on my hip or head.

A wool jumper, a long coat and a large bowl do appear to be things I can walk through this world with all the time. Just need to remember to use the correct one at each time and take the time to maintain them. Maintain, just like now, where I write with white paint all over my tired, dry hands. 

[alifetimeofseptember]

Day of rest

July 10,2019

Accomplished lots yesterday so per M’s suggestion I’m taking the day to rest. Although I don’t sit well it has allowed me to focus on getting this up and running. I just have to vow to write now! Yorkshire show this week so have been taking E to school to and fro. I don’t mind as there is no sense in waiting for late buses that may not even come but it does feel like the day is cut a bit short! Switched his room from the little room to the big room yesterday. It makes it all worth it when seeing him so excited. He’s such a greatful kid. H is helping (and staying) at her other half’s new flat in town quite a bit. It’s exciting to see her grow and learn all these new life skills. She seems a bit worn out but I am so thrilled to see her comfortable in herself and spread her wings out of the nest a bit. M is working from home the rest of the week and I think he needs it. Work, although its been good, has been a bit stressful for him. So even though it doesn’t mean it’s not busy I think being able to be comfortably stressed in your PJs makes a bit difference! He needed this little bit of a breather.

Been searching and sifting a bit through indeed trying to find the right work for me. Thankfully, we aren’t in dire need of the income so I can be a bit picky and choose what I would like to do but am finding it hard to find something that fits into my life. I like being home taking care of my family. I like having those around me not worry about things and being around. I’m still searching for some outlets though and am hopeful I will find something soon. Work or lesuire wise.

I was driving back from dropping E off and had one of those moments of...”this is my life” wash over me. I get them often and I’m never sure I’ll ever outgrow it. I love it here. I love my life. I love I had the guts to transplant myself and family around love. I love England.

[solarebaby]

A self care guide to moving country /going to another college/leaving home

A self care guide to moving country /going to another college/leaving home

1.       Make goodbyes, now, this should not equate a definitive or permanency in never seeing each other again... the people who are meant to be in your life, will be in your life, trust me. However, you do have to reach a degree of resonance or finality, at least with this certain chapter of your life, goodbyes are important because to some extent you are saying goodbye to the people or relationships that have been formed in that moment and in one way that relationship dynamic will change or drift or even become closer, but other than that the memories and the connections and methods of behaviours need to be cherished and respected. In order to do this perhaps have a goodbye party and invite all class acquaintances, best friends, neighbours, music teachers, people from your music/orchestra/respective club to come.

2.       Next, with close friends and any friend who we loved my favourite thing to do was to make personalised notes. A guideline for these notes include the best memories ever shared with them, choose 3 and try to write them in depth if you can, next is to find a few pictures that hold a lot of sentimental value, perhaps debs or prom or social events pictures or really ugly brace face or cheesy pictures taken on photo booth or webcam or even those forced and very staged pictures taken by  your parents... Next is to compose a list of all your mutual favourite songs or movies or shows that you have each shared together or would just like to give as a symbol of significance and remembrance. This can be put into a collage book or a PowerPoint presentation or a CD, or just a card and letter, all are suitable and lovely to have as a keepsake or for nostalgic value

3.       This step is solely for your own self reflection. Find three or more items in your household that are small enough to fit into a box yet remind you of a beautiful and pleasant memory that holds a lot of value for you. This could be a seashell from the beach close to your house where lots of giggles and stolen kisses with someone special to you was shared, or maybe its a stone from your back garden, the place where you used to sit with your cat or dog or self when you were sad or feeling a little blue. It could also be a teddy bear or pressed flower, literally any item that you hold sacred and put it into an old shoe box or decorated box, depending on what you want. Then find the wrapper of your favourite sweets or food item that perhaps specific to your acquired taste at this moment in time or specific to the country or place you are currently residing in, place this into the box. Maybe if you feel like going an extra mile, write down the recipe of your favourite food at this moment or your favourite dish from that country or place(again ) or something that your grandfather/mother/dad/mom/brother/uncle/cousin/best friend makes that you absolutely adore and keep this for a rainy day when you particularly miss them

4.       Know that things are going to change but trust that they are changing for the better and for a reason, cultivate a positive and can do attitude, don’t resort to the default of despair or helplessness, try and see it as a fresh new beginning, its not an ending it just means you are being taken to a new level of living whereby new memories, adventures and worries await you. However, in order to really immerse in a new life you have to greive and accept that things will be different, certain relationships will change and you will feel like bambi taking first steps, the ground will be shaky for a while until you find your footing, however long that takes for you, it will happen.

[sleeplessness-s]

Tell me about the city you live in. I need inspiration on where to move to ✨🤍

[damnthatisamericasass]

Need some advice....

Hey guys I’m in need of some impartial advice.

I’m canadian, bilingual, 20 years old and have started seriously thinking about moving to either France or Italy. I’ve travelled to both places and fell in love. But I need some advice from people who live there, have moved there, etc.... I don’t know anything about the economy over there, jobs, living costs, if my dog could come with me that kind of stuff. If anyone has any good advice I’d love to hear it

[titts-tatts-n-pussycats]

You have definitely made this move across the world a hell of a lot easier, my love💕 . . . #movingcountry #girlfriend #girlswithink #girlswithdreads #girlswithtattoos #girlswholikegirls #girlswhokissgirls #girlswithpiercings #lesbian #gay #personal #coffee #ireland (at Urbun)

[takumitsukishima]

Moving forward

Since I’ll be moving today, I’d like to make a weird post XD

Before that I suggest you listen to this song:

BTS-  이사 (Move) From EP: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 

  So I’ll be moving to a new country to pursue even higher education. I am not sure if I’ll be able to do art since I'm not carrying a lot of my supplies. And I am not sure if I'll be free too but I'll definitely try. If anyone wants I’ll blog a little about my experience in new university as an international student.

 I wonder about my life there and frankly speaking, it's still not sunk in that I'm leaving. That I will be having new life. However, it's a new feeling. I'll be having a new experience I guess. Wherever I go I will always be from moon land XD

[justastopover]

So its been a coupla days weird now. My sister and I just got to the UAE from the Philippines and the first thoughts I had been having were all on how crazy not to live with my parents anymore. See, we havent been away from them since like forever and this is the longest and farthest we have gone. Id like to think theyre great together so I wont keep on checking on them but Im really starting to look forward to going home, just for vacay, after a year.

Ha. Today we will try out their public transpo. I gotta say, this place has all these cool rules about discipline on language and traffic and dressing that I wish the PH would be able to emulate someday. It would really make the country so much better.

But yeah, everythings pretty scary right now. I wish Id learn faster—well, I do absorb as much info as I could—and find a job real real soon.

Just droppin by. Will post again when I could.

[luciamvicente]

Everything is packed and ready to go! What a nice luggage/suitcases/whatevertheyare collection we gettered in the last 8 years and a half, right?! . . . #suitcasecollection #suitcase #packedamdreadytogo #movingcountries #goodbye #vintageluggage #vintage #movinginstyle #newlifeahead #hellosun #hellolisbon #malas #mudanças #touaquitouai #igers #igerslisbon #igersberlin #igersportugal #instamood #goodbyetoberlin

[thegirlwiththefallenstar]

And we finally have a couch 💃🏻💃🏻💃💃 #happydance #newhappyplace #movingcountries #aplacetocallhome #newcouch #lovingit

[debbmarieee-blog]

Why I moved to London, and why you should too! ☘️👉🏻🌍

Some of you may know that I moved to London at a very young age from a small city called Galway in the lovely emerald isle. Some of you may know that I studied here and got a degree in Song-writing. But what some of you may not know is that this city has changed me completely. I moved here when I had just turned 18 from Galway, and let me tell you it was very very tough. Galway to me will always be home but to be honest I could not wait to leave. I came to study so I guess that pushed me and motivated me a bit more to pursue my dream of moving to a big city. Let me start with the first thing that I fell in love with about London, the social scene. I came here knowing absolutely nobody and ended up with friends left, right and centre, and there was always something to do or someone to hang out with. Going for a coffee is a massive London thing that I found slightly strange when I got here, but after being to hundreds of coffee shops all around London, I became a tad obsessed. There was so much hustle and bustle in those little coffee shops, I cant explain unless you have tried it out yourself. I ended up going there all the time, to chill and to do uni work, which is probably the reason I passed this degree to be fair. The second thing I loved is how easy it was for me to get everywhere, there was always a bus/tube/ train or way for me to get where I wanted and 24 hour busses saved my life at times! The third thing I really liked was how there was nobody looking at me in the streets, like finally nobody knew me, I just went off on my day to day life and it was just lovely to be anonymous for once. I am sure some of you reading this can relate to that. I did find it hard to comprehend how people wacked into me on the tube and street and not even apologise, I'm sure I cried a few times down the phone to my mom about that. Last but not least, I learned so many different aspects about different cultures and I thought it was fantastic! I made friends from all over the world, it's amazing. I knew how to work a washing machine, clean like a ninja and cook before I came so that did help. Not to worry though I had a friend who didn't know how to cook pasta, and he's a pro at cooking now! You're all probably thinking I keep blabbing on about all the good stuff, the bad is coming hold your horses!! One of the worsts part of being in London, or I am sure any big city in the world, is renting. RENTING IS AWFUL! Okay I am exaggerating a little but I have moved house at least 8 times and I have had some nasty landlords too. I even have ended up homeless a few times with no official house to call home, which sucked. I have been broke just spending £700/800 on rent just so I could have a decent enough room to sleep in. The plus side to all this is I have made friends for life and I am able to tolerate really disgusting bathrooms and kitchens, which is wonderful because rewind four years and I would of cried at some of the places I have stayed and seen. Getting a job is not as hard as you think it will be. Yeah it may not be what you wanted but I am sure in saying you will find something to hold you up for the time being to get you where you want, for me that was bar work and waitressing. Waitressing in London can be super stressful and you will serve a lot of horrible people but on the other hand you will learn a lot about yourself, earn tips ( which are really good) and gain the willpower not to wack them over the head when they are being rude. I have had my fair share of meltdowns over here too and it took me around two years to feel independent and confident enough not to call my mom every time something bad happened to me. I got stranded in the middle of London after I had an argument with a London black cabs driver, standing there crying like an idiot, who did I call? My mom, on a crappy viber line with Starbucks wifi. I tumbled face first down the stairs at the tube station, bruised my bum, and nobody stopped to help me. Who did I call? My mum. I spent my last bit of money on a take away when I was drunk. Who did I call? well you can guess. Its okay to do this, I still do it now, just not as often. It doesn't mean that you're not strong or cut out for London, it actually means you are amazing for doing this and you just need a little helping hand when you are lonely. The worst thing about moving to another country or just moving away from home in general, is not having those few people you can have a cup of tea with and get emotional about forgetting to take your washing out of the machine and don't have clean socks. London can be really lonely, even for me to this day, but I am so glad that I made that decision and became the best version of myself that I could possibly be. I am not saying that everyone needs to do this at all, I am just saying this is what I needed and it has been a crazy experience so far. What I am saying is that if you are thinking about this but are unsure, just DO IT! You wont regret it, you will learn so many new things, and hey! if its not for you? Then at least you gave it a go. And if you need any advice, I am always here to post weird, emotional blogs! All my love, Deb x

[trondheimimmigrant]

Accents and Identity

Norway has a wide variety of accents and dialects. The gender of nouns, the pronunciation of words, even the way things are written is varied across the land. This is true across lots of Europe, but what I find different on Norway is the response to it.

Norwegians are encouraged to use their own accent nowadays. It’s seen as part of their identity and something which shouldn’t be hidden. There is still the stereotypical news presenter voice, but that is the only place you will see it. Even when a story is being presented from somewhere else they normally have a local speaking like they normally would. (And no they are not subtitled.) TV, radio and even films do have a variation in accents. I will say there is quite a southern / Oslo focused tendency but it’s not the only story told.

Comparing this to Germany where there is a variation but everyone will be able to switch to a standardised “high” German. Or the UK where I have still seen companies and organisations request certain accents, or the hiding of accents. Never mind the politicised attitude to dialects especially when it is associated with people who many would not consider establishment. The Norwegian attitude does make it harder for a non native to understand but I find it quite refreshing.

It doesn’t stop people teasing me for the way I speak. They claim I am impossible to understand. Then someone else will state that “ You can’t be Scottish”, because I don’t speak like what they think a Scot speaks like (usually braveheart or Rab C Nesbit here). I find it interesting that people very rarely have a stereotype of a Scottish women. The Scottish stereotype is always a kilted man, who is drunk, big and probably angry.

I’m quite conscious about my accent and have put a lot of effort into it both when I speak English and when I speak Norwegian. I am quite pleased that Norwegians often guess I am from Finnmark or other places in northern Norway when we first speak. But why am I pleased? Is it because I have worked hard at the language or because I can blend in? Or maybe I identify closer with Northern Norwegian culture and peoples stereotype/view of Northern Norwegians is more like the view point of the area of the UK I come from. I wish I knew what are people’s assumptions about me when they here me speak in Norway.

Norway is very proud of itself but this sometimes comes across as disliking / distrustful of outsiders. I have seen many job adverts requesting a native speaker (not native level fluency). I note my husband doesn’t get pointed out as an immigrant when these things get discussed, but I do. In general he does blend in more here, while I often look the odd one out. On the other hand he has never had someone claim he can’t be Scottish even though his accent clearly has other influences to any Scottish ear.

How accent and identity interact and how people change their accent for work/friends/family/telephone conversations has got me thinking. Do you feel different when you put on a different accent? I know I am less comfortable when I have to speak slowly and change the sound of my vowels while speaking English. Yet it doesn’t bother me while speaking Norwegian. Am I changing a part of my identity by changing my accent? Am I losing or gaining something. Currently I wonder if I will ever truly fit in to Norway and I can pick a non native speaker out a mile away by the Bokmal tendencies. So why do I change my accent when speaking Norwegian if as a country it tends to be quite accepting of accents? Is it to be understood? To hide? Or just to fit in?

[roilliving]

We love exploring our back yard, but we can't wait to discover so much more of this beautiful world 🌎 3 months today until our adventure begins! ✈️❤️ #countdownison #movingcountries #youngandfree #roamingroils (at Waiau Falls)

[adventuresinmelbourne]

Snippets from a trip to Melbourne

Wednesday 28th December 2016

Got to the airport more than 3 hours before departure

Took less tha 5 minutes to get through security

They called my name. Argh! I must admit I went bright red (including the tips of my ears which means I was really self-conscious)

But it was just a seat change. Phew

When we were taking off they said it was 36 degrees in Melbourne! I’m not gonna survive there

The pilot started talking about their partnership with World Vision but a woman screamed and jumped up on her seat but it was just a spider?

As we were arriving the pilot just said it’s 30 degrees in Melbourne! I’m definitely gonna melt. It’s nearly 11pm…

I see the city lights out the window at 12:27 (actually 10:27). It looks beautiful. And massive