Week 1 Check In

For so long Stuart and I have been dreaming of the day that we would be settled in the same country. We've worked our butts off to make this a reality and after months/years of planning and a few weeks of intense stress we made it! Today concludes my first week living in Northern Ireland and maybe if you didn't know me you'd assume that I would be relaxing and taking it easy.. but who are we kidding, I've got things to do!

It started off slow, Monday I:

• was greeted at the airport with roses
• had lunch out
• hugged and loved on my hubby A LOT

But after that I just couldn't sit around anymore. Tuesday-Thursday had me:

• making a lot of lists
• unpacking most of my boxes
• building a shelving unit for my craft room
• picking up my residence permit (most important!!)
• learning how to use a British oven and washing machine (so many funny buttons)
• putting photos of our family around the house
• going out to post a letter
• ending up walking around the lake
• it's a 5k path with multiple side paths
• I got lost twice
• and walked the whole thing - oops!

Friday was somewhat relaxed..

• we planned out our weekend
• planned out vacation time
• and I discovered my new favorite ice cream - Pigs In Mud!

But the weekend was back to work for me! After a quick afternoon-long trip to IKEA (so spoiled to have one 30 min away now :D) on Saturday, I cleared out the rest of the unused office and built two chairs and another shelving unit!

Yesterday I found my way to the mall - where our post office lives ?? and today I registered at the local doctor's office and made TWO appointments.

There have been hiccups - to be expected when moving to a foreign country. I feel like I'm walking around with a giant sign over my head that reads "AMERICAN" and I wonder how long it'll take to wear off. I'm not obviously foreign like I was in South Korea, but for some reason I'm more self conscious about it here. Fortunately I have a lovely partner who completely supports my desire to stress cook. We've started two new traditions (both food related of course) and when he went out for groceries on Sunday, he came back with a surprise crock-pot. Now if that isn't love, I just don't know what is. :)

It's Not Goodbye, It's Next Time in Ireland*

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."

-Anatole France

Hi friends,

It's been a strange few weeks. In case you missed it, here's what's been going on:

• Stuart and I filed for my visa
• we got approved one week later
• we bought my one-way plane ticket for one week after that
• tomorrow, I start the long journey to a new life in the UK

I've closed my bank account, eaten at all my favorite places, and packed my life into a few small boxes and a suitcase - it's time. It's bittersweet like I always knew it would be; The sadness of a long distance relationship is that once you're in one, you're never out. If you're the one who moves it simply transfers from significant other to family and friends. And as exciting as moving to a new country is, the past few weeks have given me a deeper appreciation for all things "Southern". 

But I'm thankful for all the opportunities that have been granted to me - and I look forward to bringing a touch of Southern culture to my new home. When I come back (and I will because there's no Chick-fil-A in Northern Ireland) I'll look forward to sharing some of my new culture with all of you in the States. :)

*Disclaimer: I recognize that saying Ireland implies "Republic of" and not "Northern" and that I, in fact, am moving to Northern Ireland which is part of the UK - however the cheapest flights are more often than not into Dublin (on a Tuesday!) so most likely anyone who visits will initially see me in Ireland first before journeying north. :)