I am a fan of reflections, whether or not I put my lessons-learnt to good use is another story... but I would, always, subconsciously ask myself - could I have spent the past year any better? Could we have done anything differently? Or actually, did we make the right move at all..?
Once, a wise boss told me - " REMEMBER THIS, you will one day or even, the moment you get off that plane, hear this screaming voice in your head asking yourself - what the f**k are you doing here? - and that is totally normal. Break it down rationally and get down to the source of concern, deal with it and move on. In the meantime, soak it all in." He, who moved across continents, thrice, said.
He was right.
Regardless of any doubts we may have, the biggest lesson we have taken away from this big move was knowing more about ourselves - What we are capable of and we were able to rise to the challenge we have set for ourselves. We actually learn to do things that we would like to or do things that we have taken for granted & now, have to do ourselves, :p
If we didn't move to this country, this little town:
- We wouldn't have picked up a new language - Norsk
- I wouldn't have been to Europe
- Wouldn't experience what it is like to drive on the "wrong" side of the road
- Wouldn't have tried traditional Norwegian food nor tasted salt in chocolate.. (I dare you to try that!)
- We would be eating out every day.. all those yummy hawker food... *drools*
- Wouldn't have tried skiing nor watch a ski-shooting competition up-close..
- Wouldn't have cut down a real, fresh Christmas tree ourselves nor make a fresh Christmas wreath
- Wouldn't have experienced a white, cold Christmas with a Norwegian family... :)
- Wouldn't have had the energy to learn a new skill or indulge in hobbies
- Wouldn't have experienced life in four seasons (at least for me)
- Would be a huge challenge to get a whiff of crisp, fresh air
- Would be having ear & nose infection at least once a year (for me..)
- Would be working at least 12 hours per week day, & at times, weekends
- No weekend getaways to a European city
- Would not have a fantastic view to wake up to every morning :P
- Would probably still be doing what we were doing every day for the past few years...
- Would be with our families and friends... *sigh*..
That is the hardest part, especially when things happen back at home and here you are, in this small town, missing all the action..
Would I do this again? Yes, if it's with the mister :).
Counting my blessings :)
ABE