So often we find ourselves beginning again. Sometimes it is with little things: starting again at a new school, a new place of work, or even a new home. Often we need to form bonds with strangers, create a new environment, or adapt to a different place. The most challenging new beginning for me was starting over in a different country. My husband and I began all over again with our children and the suitcases we brought with us on the plane. There were so many things we had to learn: where the supermarkets were, how the bureaucracy worked, the English lingo that is used. The new beginning also required starting again work in the workplace. We discovered that our years of experience counted for nothing, and that our education was looked upon with an uneducated eye.
Now many years later after the new start, we see that we have integrated into our new environment. We have created a home for ourselves and our children. We have learned to deal with the bureaucracy of a different country. We have adapted to the expectations of the society we are now living in. I find I still begin again with the little things but at least they are not as challenging as the start in a country across the world from my birthplace.
When have you had to begin again?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
(This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt: Begin)
Oh I remember back in 1972 when we arrived in New York and we had to begin studying an English language we never knew existed!
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And to change your own lingo. I think quickly of the few words I cannot use here: mielie, tekkies, pavement, and jersey. 🙂
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Beginning anew can be so hard. It sounds like you have done a wonderful job of getting into the new flow. From one country to another…that is a big change.
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It is. It is amazing, though, how one is able to slowly adapt to new surroundings.
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Wow, that truly is a huge new beginning! Amazing how looking back is so much clearer than looking ahead. I have had to relocate my family to several states over the years, but never a new country. Good job giving us perspective! Blessings!
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It seems to be easier when you look back, doesn’t it? Having surmounted the obstacles in the past, however, gives one the courage to begin again with smaller things 🙂
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Sometimes we have to start on a new begining, sometimes we do it even we didn’t need to do it – I believe both are great opportunities to take a lot of steps forward on a personal level – many times as we humans are habit people – most of all when we do not want to admit it – I did it myself for 8-9 years ago and have never regretted… 🙂
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As you say, we tend to get into a rut and sometimes what we need to do to get out of it is to change something in our lives. It certainly makes for a more interesting life 🙂
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You did an amazing and challenging thing — to move to a new country with a different culture!
How old were your children when you moved? Sometimes children adapt more quickly to the new and strange.
Constantly on the move since childhood there have been many new begins — some better than others.
I moved from the Canadian Maritimes to the New York City area (New Jersey) 10 years ago, and I’m still learning how to speak “American.” People say they can tell I’m from Canada by the way I pronounce words like about.
I’m sure you have the courage to begin again now you feel more comfortable and obstacles have been overcome.
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My children were very young – 2 and 3 years old. It was hard for me as I did not have the support of my parents and siblings. We made it though and my children have grown up to be Canadians. It is only when their parents speak that their teachers, etc, know that we were born in another country 🙂
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Seems you are well settled now Colline that was a new beginning on a huge scale !
I’ll admit after numerous moves I too am glad to have some roots now .
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Every time my husband suggests moving to another province, I dig my heels in. I do want to settle down now that things are on an even keel.
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I think the people there can only feel blessed to have someone like you living there Colline. You are an inspiration to everyone and such a darling! I wouldn’t mind having a few of you living around me for sure. 😀
I am very glad you’ve settled in and it’s amazing how well all of you coped. It must have been so difficult. But knowing you, I know you will and can overcome anything and those beautiful daughters of yours as well. Good for you all hon! Nothing will ever get you down for sure! 😀
When hubby worked for a well-known furniture company, we also moved around a lot, but never out of the country. It never bothered me as I am a loner and not worried about making friends or fitting in. 😀
Great post! 😀 ♥ Big Hugs ♥
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Having a husband that I get on with and children with whom I enjoy spending time helped me a lot Sonel.
And I wouldn’t mind living near you in Harties – it is a wonderful place and you would have so many spots to introduce me to 🙂
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Yes, we are blessed indeed to have them Colline. I always said I don’t mind where we move or go to, just as long as they are there with me, we can and will overcome anything. Most of all I am grateful for them and for having them in my life and I know you feel the same.
Oh, I would just love that Colline. It sure is and there are great spots for sure that I know you will enjoy. 😀
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Next time we are in Johannesburg, I will see if we can come over 🙂
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You should! I would love that! 😀
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It looks like you had to make a lot of big adjustments for the changes to adapt to the new culture.
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There were quite a few Amy. And now that I am in the school system, I am learning to do things the way they are done here.
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I had to make so many new beginnings when I was young – six new schools, eight homes and so many new ‘best’ friends before I was fourteen. I didn’t realise quite how hard it had been until very recently. But as with many things there was much that was life enhancing amidst the challenges.
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That is a lot of changes that you experienced. My childhood was extremely tame in comparison to yours.
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Lol! I’m writing just this minute about how much I value having given my children a stable unchanging childhood. I longed for’ tame’ – still do!
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I tried to find your blog so I could read your post but could not find it. Could you please give me the link?
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I just posted the piece.
Here’s the link. I hope you like it.
http://stilllearning1.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/five-things-i-love-about-my-home/
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I enjoyed reading your piece Juliet – and look forward to reading more 🙂
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The first days in a foreign land was unsettling. I remember when I moved to the States in 2004. I was still full of my Philippine ways and I had to adjust my behavior to the new setting I found myself in. I missed the openness and hospitality of my home, the loud laughter, the never ending stories. I still miss those but not too much anymore.
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It does get easier as the years go by, doesn’t it? It is these little things, though, that we appreciate when we go back home.
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We are in the Michael Finnigan – beginnagin – scene right now. Even though a move may only be a distance of a few kilometres, it is still a major adaptation.
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Especially as it is one without your pianos 😦
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*sob* Don’t remind me!
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I had the similar experience, in reserve. I came to US with my parents, and that we had to start all over again. Then I get a job that takes me different parts of the world. It is both overwhelming and exciting to move to a different teritory every time. I’ve gotten used to it. Change is a matter of acceptance among other things. I’ve learnt to adjust and adopt. 😉 I’ll be doing another move to another country this December. Oh boy…
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It must be interesting too, though, as you get to live Ina country for an extended length of time and really to get know the people and their culture.
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Interesting topic, Colline. My big “restart” was when I moved here to Chicago. No one in my generation had moved so far away, though I was quickly followed by a Cousin who moved in the opposite direction. Since then, I’ve changed jobs a few times, too. Once you survive the first restart, the rest aren’t nearly as nerve-wrecking.
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That is certainly true John. And the little startups do not feel as overwhelming as he big ones 🙂
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I begin again with wordpress 🙂
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And we are so glad to have you back Jake. I have missed seeing your graphics 🙂
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I`m like a baby boomers now Lol 🙂 Thanks Colline.
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😀
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This touches a sensitive spot: recently moved, had a baby, new business launching, trying to begin building our new home…. Yes, there’s a lot to begin with, if you will 😉
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Sounds a bit like my life at one time – just replace launching a business with moving to the other side of the world 🙂
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