Expat Challenge; Day 6

Today's expat challenge is:

"Prompt: I would/would not move to another country after this."

I think it would be safe to say that this is a conversation every expat has had, either with their family/partner/employer, or at least with themselves.   

Those who have never had to make the move to another country don't fully grasp what all goes in to this sort of move.  It's a lot of giving up.  Giving up all of your comforts.  Giving up all your near friends and family.  Even giving up some... or, in my case, a LOT of personal possessions.  For those moving over for work, the 15-25K of shipping expenses is covered.  For those moving for relationship purposes, that's a huge expense that if can be spared, is.  After my divorce, I had rebuilt my entire life, and that included furniture, decorations, wall hangings, etc.  I don't think you realise how much possessions become a part of who you are until you are making piles of what you can't live without, what you may be ok without, and what you are fine to get rid of.  After 2 and a half years, I sorta have most of the important things in my possession here in Perth.  And sure, it's just possessions, but it's part of the transition to another country.

I grew up in a small town and spent my adult life 30 minutes north in Lexington (which is where I consider "home").  I was always a short drive from any of my friends and family.  I was always the type of friend that if you needed me, I'm there.  One day after working a night shift, my best friend, Autumn and her husband were moving.  I said I couldn't help due to the shift the night before.  Until I read on facebook as I was laying in bed that nobody who had agreed to help move had showed up.  Without thinking of how exhausted I was, I was out the door and showed up until more people showed up, which took about 2 hours of moving.  It's just who I am really.   Since moving here, I've had many friends encounter troubles and pain.  It's so hard for me to be able to only be there for them by the phone and not be able to just pop in my car and drive over.  This caused a lot of problems for me when I first moved over, it made my home sickness a bazillion times worse.

Adjusting to a new life in a new country is not hard, but it's certainly not easy.  For Australia, it's all English, but there are a lot of learning curves, including words to use and not use.  For more info on this, feel free to read this entry from last year. I've learned to drive on the wrong side of the road.  I've learned how to maneuver around a shopping mall (which is like playing frogger here in Perth....... but that's another topic!).  

I've also had the amazing experience of being welcomed by Wayne's family directly into the family from day one.  I've been at the same job and have a lot of professional relationships there.  And I have made some really amazing friends here (most of who are fellow yanks, lol).  

So, would I move again?

I would hate to say "no".  Because, if  had been closed minded about making that big of a move in the first place, I wouldn't be here now.  I am in a wonderful marriage and expecting our first little miracle.  Perth has amazing weather and is just gorgeous.  Australia is amazing for the work/family balance, and I will be able to stay at home with our kids until they are in school.  Health care isn't a concern here, like it is in America.

Having said that, I'm not sure that the drastic changes that come with uprooting your life is something I am game to do again, and especially now that we have a baby on the way.  I love the fact that I will be able to stay home and raise our kids.  I love the fact that Wayne is from a huge family and we have so much support, and all reasonably close to our house.  I've adjusted.  I feel like I belong; which is not a feeling I had at first..... at.....all.   Everything seems right and everything seems normal.

I have no regrets about moving across the world to be with the love of my life.  But I'm home now.  And home is where I want to be.