Nostalgia

Our time overseas may be coming to an end this year. We have lived in three countries over the past 8 1/2 years and each time a post has come to a close I become super nostalgic. I have found nostalgia to be extremely comforting and wildly disruptive all at the same time. Comforting because I think of what I have come to know and enjoy; disruptive because these thoughts remind me of what I used to have or soon will not have. Nostalgia keeps everything fresh, but an unfortunate result of that is discontentment. Now that we are possibly moving back to the States, the nostalgia is in massive overdrive. So, what do I do with all of these conflicting thoughts and feelings? Write a blog!

The source of my nostalgia comes from different places and different times. I think back to life in the States and long for the ease of it all. The ability to go to the auto shop and speak to mechanics in English sounds like such a breath of fresh air. Nostalgia for the States helps me look forward to the future and gives me hope that I will always appreciate the abundance and convenience of my home country.

I also think back to each of my post cities/countries...

Berlin, Germany - My first expat experience. The hardest and yet most beloved time of my life. I was also a new mom when I moved there, and added my son while living there, so there is an extra feeling of sentiment in these thoughts.

Warsaw, Poland - Long winters with toddlers were not easy. But any part of Europe will have my heart and warm memories of travels and culture are plentiful when Poland comes to mind.

Bangkok, Thailand - Such a change from the previous posts, both because of the culture/weather and the stage of life... no more children at home all day to monopolize my time. I have both accomplishments to be proud of and regrets to overcome when I think of this last place I call home.

Wow, are there things I miss/am going to miss about all of these places. Such fantastic experiences and wonderful memories to hold on to. But this is where the pain of nostalgia comes in. Will I be able to enjoy those experiences again? Or even weightier... will I ever be content?

That is a huge topic, and one I will not tackle now. But all that said, this blog is a way for me to purge all of the ramblings I have going on in my head. I may or may not talk about any of the above, but I know I will do some fun things like rankings of our travels as, during my nostalgic moments, I have been trying to determine my favorites. I invite you to read along, but understand if you don't. In the many articles I have read about expats returning "home", a lot of them talk about how people may not understand or care about what you have to say, or get annoyed by all the stories you may want to share. I truly hope I am not annoying or insensitive to those around me.

This blog is my way of talking without forcing people to listen. ;)