It is the time of year again when you say goodbye. From my experience, two
weeks before school breaks for summer, there is a wave of parties and events
all to do with people leaving. Whether you are leaving yourself or if friends
are leaving, this time of year is always bitter sweet. While the events and
parties are fun, you know that you are saying goodbye to people you care about.
You might never see them again. The expat community is accustomed to this time
of year. School is focused on it; from big end of year assemblies to handing
out "leavers t-shirts" for people to write their goodbye messages on.
The people leaving change, but the routine of this time of year stays mostly
the same.
Whenever it was our own last two weeks, there was always a change in the air. It was a rush to do things for the last time, a rush to get keepsakes of our home. We would have to eat at that one restaurant for the last time, get ice cream at our favourite place once more, and visit that one special place for the last time. We would have to buy things that reminded us of this home; a antique nightstand from Shanghai, a “I <3 Beijing” shirt, a red lantern from Hanoi. It was as if all of a sudden, the few years we had lived there were not enough. We would want more time; more time to explore the country, to get to know the people. At the same time, there was excitement in the air. We would want to know more about the new place we were moving to, what the school would be like, where we would live. To sum up in one word, this time of year is hectic.
It is closing another chapter, and moving on. This might seem a bit harsh, but after a while, you get used to it. You know that in a few years time, it will be your last two weeks again. It is never easy, but it becomes more bearable over time. You learn to accept that you will lose touch with some people, and that some others you will see again soon. You know that if you are leaving, you are leaving a place that was your home for a few years. You also know that you will be moving to a place that you will soon call home again.
For the first time in a long time this time of year is different for me. Yes, everyone is leaving and going home, but everyone is coming back in a couple of months. There is no one moving to another country, no farewell parties. There are no tears of sadness. I suppose this is normal, but it is not normal for me. Through Skype I am living along with my family, who are experiencing their last two weeks and moving. It is not easy, but it is a part of being a TCK. You just have to remember; you are on a journey of discovery, and this time of year is part of that.
Whenever it was our own last two weeks, there was always a change in the air. It was a rush to do things for the last time, a rush to get keepsakes of our home. We would have to eat at that one restaurant for the last time, get ice cream at our favourite place once more, and visit that one special place for the last time. We would have to buy things that reminded us of this home; a antique nightstand from Shanghai, a “I <3 Beijing” shirt, a red lantern from Hanoi. It was as if all of a sudden, the few years we had lived there were not enough. We would want more time; more time to explore the country, to get to know the people. At the same time, there was excitement in the air. We would want to know more about the new place we were moving to, what the school would be like, where we would live. To sum up in one word, this time of year is hectic.
It is closing another chapter, and moving on. This might seem a bit harsh, but after a while, you get used to it. You know that in a few years time, it will be your last two weeks again. It is never easy, but it becomes more bearable over time. You learn to accept that you will lose touch with some people, and that some others you will see again soon. You know that if you are leaving, you are leaving a place that was your home for a few years. You also know that you will be moving to a place that you will soon call home again.
For the first time in a long time this time of year is different for me. Yes, everyone is leaving and going home, but everyone is coming back in a couple of months. There is no one moving to another country, no farewell parties. There are no tears of sadness. I suppose this is normal, but it is not normal for me. Through Skype I am living along with my family, who are experiencing their last two weeks and moving. It is not easy, but it is a part of being a TCK. You just have to remember; you are on a journey of discovery, and this time of year is part of that.
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