I think the worst part about this whole year in Europe is being away from family and friends. Even just being away from familiar things and traditions we are used to. Switzerland is a different country. So rich, reserved, and just unique. But I will post more about Switzerland soon enough...
Being homesick is not fun. Brian and I would both never trade this year for anything; it has been amazing and unforgettable being overseas. Yet no matter how much we travel and how many countries we visit and all the amazing sights we see...we're still just homesick and longing to be in Canada. It's funny because when you graduate from high school and move out of your house (maybe), leaving your parents for the first time for real, it's scary at first but eventually you adjust. It's like home away from home...but when you do find yourself homesick you just go home and visit when you want typically or at least see your family for the holidays. Being here has really made me realize how much I love my family and how much I really do need to be near them......... or at least in the same country.
There's many different reasons for being homesick. Most of the time for me it's missing my family, missing my friends, missing my job at the day care, not being able to speak English, and just being away from familiar people and things. So far I have done fairly well being able to deal with the people and things I miss. Obviously I miss my family the most. Most of my friends and the people that know me know my mom as well. It's funny how that works...but if you know my mom she is on the go 24-7 and is always busy doing something. Whether she's taking one of us kids somewhere, watching 1 or a few of us even play sports, or at school with the children, or just doing something. So basically she's everywhere and knows everyone that we know (small town also). I really miss that. My mom was always there for me...well still is...haha. It's hard to be away when we're so close. But whenever I miss my mom I just call her. It's hard with the time change but I am able to talk to her a lot so it's nice. Sometimes I just listen in the conversations so I can just hear her voice. I never thought that I would miss her so much but I know now and am just looking forward to the day we arrive in the airport and see my family waiting for us!
My dad on the other hand is a whole different story. Unlike my mum, not as many people know my dad. He is pretty much the opposite of my mum actually. Some people think of him as shy but I like to say he's reserved. He doesn't say much but when he does it's usually a funny remark or a wise comment that I should be listening to. My dad is hilarious; and I didn't notice it as much until Brian started hanging out at my house. Either I just didn't realize it enough before unfortunately or it was just Brian and him together being funny; which just encouraged my dad even more. Not only is he funny because of the lines he says out loud or under his breath, but also because of some of the things he regularly does. There are many things that my dad does that make me laugh...but maybe my mum not so much. When he falls asleep on the couch or floor in the living room when he shouldn't be sleeping and then when my mum finds out he says "I was just resting my eyes" every time. The way he leaves the knife in his apple cores on the table. That his typical snack is eating out of the cereal box, specifically mini wheats or frosted flakes, in front of the TV - the fact that he buys the cereal for that reason. My dad is just funny in general and I just miss being around him. I'm just sad that we weren't able to hang out as much as I would have liked to before we left. And unfortunately my dad works so hard that he isn't in the house long enough for me to talk to him on the phone as much as my mom while we're here. I really admire my dad and don't give him enough credit for all the work he does, especially on the farm. The things I realize when I'm gone I guess. So when I miss my dad I open up a box of cereal and just snack on it like he would. Or I just think of all the funny things about him that I love and can't wait to be around when I'm home. I guess that's all I can do.
In Calgary it was different not being around my family everyday and not seeing them much; but we were still able to see them. And when I phoned home it wasn't a big deal. But when I call home from Switzerland the excitement in everyone's voices is so overwhelming and relaxing at the same time; every time it's a huge deal. It's pretty cool and each call I'm always thrilled about that. There are so many people I want to see and visit when we're home and we are definitely counting down the days until then. Only 112 days left now!
Soon to come - Christmas Trip Posts!
Being homesick is not fun. Brian and I would both never trade this year for anything; it has been amazing and unforgettable being overseas. Yet no matter how much we travel and how many countries we visit and all the amazing sights we see...we're still just homesick and longing to be in Canada. It's funny because when you graduate from high school and move out of your house (maybe), leaving your parents for the first time for real, it's scary at first but eventually you adjust. It's like home away from home...but when you do find yourself homesick you just go home and visit when you want typically or at least see your family for the holidays. Being here has really made me realize how much I love my family and how much I really do need to be near them......... or at least in the same country.
There's many different reasons for being homesick. Most of the time for me it's missing my family, missing my friends, missing my job at the day care, not being able to speak English, and just being away from familiar people and things. So far I have done fairly well being able to deal with the people and things I miss. Obviously I miss my family the most. Most of my friends and the people that know me know my mom as well. It's funny how that works...but if you know my mom she is on the go 24-7 and is always busy doing something. Whether she's taking one of us kids somewhere, watching 1 or a few of us even play sports, or at school with the children, or just doing something. So basically she's everywhere and knows everyone that we know (small town also). I really miss that. My mom was always there for me...well still is...haha. It's hard to be away when we're so close. But whenever I miss my mom I just call her. It's hard with the time change but I am able to talk to her a lot so it's nice. Sometimes I just listen in the conversations so I can just hear her voice. I never thought that I would miss her so much but I know now and am just looking forward to the day we arrive in the airport and see my family waiting for us!
My dad on the other hand is a whole different story. Unlike my mum, not as many people know my dad. He is pretty much the opposite of my mum actually. Some people think of him as shy but I like to say he's reserved. He doesn't say much but when he does it's usually a funny remark or a wise comment that I should be listening to. My dad is hilarious; and I didn't notice it as much until Brian started hanging out at my house. Either I just didn't realize it enough before unfortunately or it was just Brian and him together being funny; which just encouraged my dad even more. Not only is he funny because of the lines he says out loud or under his breath, but also because of some of the things he regularly does. There are many things that my dad does that make me laugh...but maybe my mum not so much. When he falls asleep on the couch or floor in the living room when he shouldn't be sleeping and then when my mum finds out he says "I was just resting my eyes" every time. The way he leaves the knife in his apple cores on the table. That his typical snack is eating out of the cereal box, specifically mini wheats or frosted flakes, in front of the TV - the fact that he buys the cereal for that reason. My dad is just funny in general and I just miss being around him. I'm just sad that we weren't able to hang out as much as I would have liked to before we left. And unfortunately my dad works so hard that he isn't in the house long enough for me to talk to him on the phone as much as my mom while we're here. I really admire my dad and don't give him enough credit for all the work he does, especially on the farm. The things I realize when I'm gone I guess. So when I miss my dad I open up a box of cereal and just snack on it like he would. Or I just think of all the funny things about him that I love and can't wait to be around when I'm home. I guess that's all I can do.
In Calgary it was different not being around my family everyday and not seeing them much; but we were still able to see them. And when I phoned home it wasn't a big deal. But when I call home from Switzerland the excitement in everyone's voices is so overwhelming and relaxing at the same time; every time it's a huge deal. It's pretty cool and each call I'm always thrilled about that. There are so many people I want to see and visit when we're home and we are definitely counting down the days until then. Only 112 days left now!
Soon to come - Christmas Trip Posts!
3 comments:
Louise and Brian ,we miss you two so much and you made me cry so I can't see to type !!Mum xoxoxo
Louise, my friend, I miss you tons!!! Im glad we got email to stay in touch!! Definitely hang out when you get back!
Luv,
Kristin
Thanks mum! Love you all and can't wait to see you!
Thanks Kris! Miss you lots as well!
Louise
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