It stinks.
It really does, but I do it, my family does it, because we have to. It's our lifestyle. It's crazy... and different. But honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.
It's wierd, right now, 20 months into a post, I'm pretty nuetral. I want to leave. I want to go to America. But I have great friends here right now. The best. Ever.
Every Thursday, we go to the embassy to hang out. All my friends are there. The best friends I could ask for. I live for Thursdays, the rest of the week...blech.
Which brings up something else...
The week. You see, here, the Holy Day is Friday, just like in America it's Sunday. And since
Friday is a school day...
They changed the school week.
My school week is Sunday - Thursday. Friday and Saturday are my weekends. Let me tell you, it took a while to get used to. But a lot of things here have taken a getting used to...
When I'm not at the embassy, I can't wear shorts above my knees, I can't wear tank tops. People stare here. At my dog, at my hair, at me, because apparently it's pretty darn obvious I'm American. I can't speak Arabic. I'm learning, but it's hard. It's so different. People tell me that I've got a great life ahead of me, it'll be easy to get into college because of life experiences, I'll be smarter... I don't feel smarter. I feel normal. For me, moving is normal.
But for others, no. I've seen the movies, the families that freak out because they're moving. Is it really like that? I have no idea. For me, when mom says "We're moving!" It's a routine.
1. Tell friends.
2. Start packing up house. Cry
3. Say good bye to school. Cry.
4. Friends throw a going away party, cry some more.
5. Leave. Cry. Cry. Cry.
6. Arrive to new place. Beg to go home. (Wherever that happens to be at the time)
7. Get used to life, become happy.
8. Be told I'm moving again. Cry.
Heh, pretty simple routine, don't you think?
It really does, but I do it, my family does it, because we have to. It's our lifestyle. It's crazy... and different. But honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.
It's wierd, right now, 20 months into a post, I'm pretty nuetral. I want to leave. I want to go to America. But I have great friends here right now. The best. Ever.
Every Thursday, we go to the embassy to hang out. All my friends are there. The best friends I could ask for. I live for Thursdays, the rest of the week...blech.
Which brings up something else...
The week. You see, here, the Holy Day is Friday, just like in America it's Sunday. And since
Friday is a school day...
They changed the school week.
My school week is Sunday - Thursday. Friday and Saturday are my weekends. Let me tell you, it took a while to get used to. But a lot of things here have taken a getting used to...
When I'm not at the embassy, I can't wear shorts above my knees, I can't wear tank tops. People stare here. At my dog, at my hair, at me, because apparently it's pretty darn obvious I'm American. I can't speak Arabic. I'm learning, but it's hard. It's so different. People tell me that I've got a great life ahead of me, it'll be easy to get into college because of life experiences, I'll be smarter... I don't feel smarter. I feel normal. For me, moving is normal.
But for others, no. I've seen the movies, the families that freak out because they're moving. Is it really like that? I have no idea. For me, when mom says "We're moving!" It's a routine.
1. Tell friends.
2. Start packing up house. Cry
3. Say good bye to school. Cry.
4. Friends throw a going away party, cry some more.
5. Leave. Cry. Cry. Cry.
6. Arrive to new place. Beg to go home. (Wherever that happens to be at the time)
7. Get used to life, become happy.
8. Be told I'm moving again. Cry.
Heh, pretty simple routine, don't you think?
Dear Hannah,
ReplyDeleteYou seem like a remarkable girl and I am really happy to read your blog and see the FS from an 11 year old perspective. It sounds like you have had a lot of adventures and have seen a lot more than the average kid your age. I hope you keep writing your stories and sharing your unique point of view!
Cordially,
Dorothy Handelman
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us what it's like. I'm with the Canadian Foreign Service and I have 2 little girls- 2 and 4 years old. We will be heading out next year to parts unknown.
Take care and I look forward to reading more!
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your blog! You do a great job.
-Becky
I love your blog. What a great idea. I'm looking forward to keeping up with your life abroad.
ReplyDeleteHey Hannah! Thanks for putting your voice out there - I know how frustrating it can be to have a different work/school week and to take refuge in the Embassy on weekends. (I used to live in Saudi Arabia.)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
Thanks so much for this post. I have 3 children and this is new for all of us. I'm often wondering/worried about how my children will feel about the semi-nomadic lifestyle.
ReplyDelete