December 18, 2005
Christmas Overseas
Being overseas for the first time at Christmas has been an adjustment for me. I think it would have been a lot harder for me if I hadn’t made arrangements to see loved ones. Between having family visiting and my trip back home in a little over a week I don’t feel too isolated.
I remember when the move to Scotland was first in the works, Christmas plans came up very early on. I think it was in the aftermath of last year’s Christmas. One of the big things about Christmas for me was spending a bit of time with my Mom. That combine with wanting to take some pressure off of her in hosting led to an invite to visit for Christmas. I was even able to fly her over as my gift.
Having her here has certainly added to the feel of it being Christmas. I’m sure Trouble and I could have managed something enjoyable but this has more of the traditional feel of Christmas for all that I’m in a foreign country. Even the bit where I’m going to church to make my Mom happy.
After Christmas I fly back to Edmonton on the heels of my Mom’s departure. By New Year’s eve or there abouts I’ll be catching up with friends. It really isn’t very different than other years. Everyone goes their own way to be with their own families for Christmas and then reconnects by the New Year. I’ll be able to end off the Holiday season in very much the same fashion as I would any other year.
I know that next year is going to be very different. The trans-atlantic voyages for the holidays are not something that I can really pull off on a yearly basis. This year, as my first overseas is sort of a transition. I’ve been able to take in the lack of snow, the difference in holiday foods as well as the different sights and smells. Next year will be the adjustment of not having family and old friends around to share the season with.
Posted by Bluerevolutionist at 11:45 AM | Comments (1)
December 05, 2005
Time
If I had to name a few key points which I would have wanted to do differently it would have been time, better arranging of details like bills, more time, and yet more time. When I set out for Scotland I did so with far less prep time than I would have wanted. I had a house to sell and until it did there was very little I could do. When the offer came through and I went to book a ticket things started happening a lot faster than I was prepared for.
A big part of the lack of time was in the people I wanted to say good bye to. I managed to see many of the friends and family who I really felt a need to see before I left. Unfortunately of those who didn’t live in Edmonton I only got to see about half. I wish I had more time to get out to see the rest of my loved ones, especially as all too many are getting on in years. I have a deep fear of not seeing them before a death occurs.
If I had to do things over again I would have done a much more precise approach to getting my final household mail and bills sorted out. Having them sent to a forwarding point in the province and then sent to me has been awkward to say the least. I’m not quite sure how I would have done it but having something more efficient in place would have been much less stressful.
I look back on getting ready and it seems like I was so rushed. I know that I would have frittered away extra time if I’d had it but it would have been nice not to be so rushed. The fact that I was still getting my things together in the hours before my flight is a powerful reminder that giving myself more time would have been helpful.
Posted by Bluerevolutionist at 01:35 AM | Comments (0)