Although I wanted Charlie to be close to our families, it was very difficult for me to make the decision to actually choose to leave Belgium versus being forced to leave because of tax reasons. (If you stay here over five years you are taxed like a local which is 55%). I got weepy every time I thought of leaving the slower pace of life, the markets, the food, our friends and all the other things I have grown to love about living here. But once we finally looked at it as -- we are going to have to leave Belgium in November either way, we just need to make a decision if we want to be in NYC with the WSJ or ATL with the AJC then our decision became much easier. Even though it would have been nice to be here another seven months, the timing just didn't work out that way.
Because of all the tears I shed at the thought of leaving Belgium I am now shocked at what I am feeling as I gear up for the move to Atlanta -- I can't wait! I am like a horse going to the barn and I can't get back to the USA soon enough. It is as if now that I have a plane ticket home I am finally letting myself acknowledge all the things that bother me about living here.
I am tired of thinking about everything I buy in relation to how heavy it will be to carry up our stairs. I am sick of the coldness of other people here. I am tired of the weather, the constant road construction, the dog poop everywhere and dealing with a baby in a very urban setting.
I can't wait to chit-chat with store clerks about nothing at all, get free ice water at restaurants, have public toilets everywhere I go, take food home in a doggie bag, have so many inexpensive places to shop, and most of all -- speak English!!!
I know that I will get tired of things in the USA just as much as I do about things here. Annoyances are just a fact of life. But I can't wait for new annoyances rather than the ones I have been dealing with for four years.
4 comments:
Hi Emily!! Please tell Kyle CONGRATULATIONS FOR ME!!! We are so excited for him. This is awesome. Leslie and I can't wait to see you guys and Charlie stateside.
Congratulations on the new job, move, etc. Heard the news through the D-town grapevine! Enjoy your last few weeks in Brussels.
--Brooke B.
Hey Emily. I get exactly what you're saying. I've loved living here, but I'm DONE. I'm dying to get home. I want to sit in my backyard all summer. I don't ever need to see another chateau, cathedral, grand place or even waffle again! I'm sure that will change, but right now, with the plane ticket in hand, I just want to be home!
I think it is wonderful that you embraced Belgium while you were living there and now your attitude has shifted home - attitude is what makes our lives work, for certain, it plays a big role! We will embrace you and can't wait for you to be home. Brian and Julia have been here almost a year. I wasn't sure how they would adjust leaving such an awesome city like San Fran that they loved so much, but they haven't skipped a beat. They are so happy in their cute little home in Decatur. Needless to say - it has been great for us! I love you Emily - you are an awesome woman, and I personally can't wait to be with you! Loving you!
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