A World without walls
everyday life while homeschooling overseas
I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle with the homesickness I feel for Finland. Today, it seemed to spread a bit. We were sitting in our Arabic 'class' (our tutor who comes once a week) and Claire stopped paying attention. She'd answer the Arabic tutor with 'Mita?' ('what' in Finnish), and then she grabbed a piece of paper and drew a lovely picture of our home in Finland and was just in a puddle of tears. Dang. I feel the same way.
I keep trying to look at all the wonderful blessings we have here: We live in a really good location, it's a wonderfully fun place with lots of things to do and explore, it's rich in history and culture; the sun shines pretty much every single day (except for today when we had our very first DUST STORM!!! SO COOOL!!); the people are friendly; there's lots of yummy food available; we have a great homeschooling group of friends; the community here is so great with lots of outings and things... And with all of these blessings, I still find myself REALLY missing some of my Finnish (or other nationalities, but in Finland with me) friends...and I miss my house. Those of you who knew us when we lived in Finland, and came to our house, know it was just a wonderful and amazing place to live. I miss all the space--the HUGE vaulted ceiling of that living room *sigh* The HUGE picture windows all over the place, but especially on the landing in the middle of the staircase *sigh* The sauna *sigh* The lovely wood floors *sigh* The number of rooms *sigh* The beauty!!! It was just the most perfect and beautiful place to live. I miss it. I'm trying desperately to like my house here, but I'm struggling. It's ok. I AM grateful it's on the 'ground floor', because we have a 'yard' (really, it's a side walk with a few bushes). We have really nice upstairs neighbors and they're not noisy--they don't pound on the floor at all hours or play loud music or have parties--they're super sweet. I have a housekeeper here, which is really nice. But I thoroughly dislike living in the 'basement'. I look out of the windows of my house, and I see walls and bars. I didn't know we were having a dust storm this afternoon until the kids and I walked out to the van to go to PE! I can't see outside. The sun never shines in my windows. It almost makes me feel like I did during those 3 months in Finland when you never see the sun--it's suffocating!! I think that's the main reason I don't really like my house yet. There's no open view out of the window, so I feel like I'm in a prison instead of a home. I suppose I'll get used to the smaller space (I'm trying to get used to a 'normal' sized house again...and that's tough, too, especially when your kids are home with you all day, and they want to get 'creative' with their toys...ugh!!) and the, well, 'normal-ness' of our house eventually, but the walls and bars will be something I think I'm going to struggle with. Maybe it's still just me getting used to a new place. I have only been here for just over 2 months and have adapted surprisingly well...and MUCH faster than any other post we've been to, so I suppose there has to be SOMETHING that takes some time for me to adjust to. I just need to be grateful that I HAVE a home, and leave it at that, right? Thanks for letting me vent.
2 Comments
Ari
10/24/2012 02:53:28 am
Home is where your heart is, though...right. Not to rub on your sore wounds, but you are also missed in Finland. If it is any consolation, you are thought of often by us all. Primary has a sacrament mtg program next Sunday,and the rehearsals made me thought of you.Hang in there, surely within time your present experience will be just as important- especially when you reflect back on it..W/greetings, Ari
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Tara
10/30/2012 09:33:07 pm
Hey Emily
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Who Am I?
As a Stay At Home Mom of 4 wonderful children, I have the amazing opportunity not only to home school them, but to do so in many different places! I am married to the most amazingly wonderful (and handsome) man in the whole world! Together, we seek out, every day, that Joy in the Journey that makes life exciting! Archives
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