Did I mention that I’m leaving Hong Kong in June?
My two year contract is up and I decided not to renew. Call it “ants in the pants” syndrome (since I can never stay put for TOO long). Call it “leaping for love” (because Liebling definitely factored in my decision not to stay). Call it “tired of living a(n) (expensive) 15-hour plane ride from all of those who are near and dear to me in North America”.
So while I am having a lovely time here, have grown personally and professionally, and have made some REALLY good friends… I have decided to move on.
The plan is to move to London, UK this fall, and the desired results are two-fold: not only will I be able to “give it a proper go” with Liebling, but I will still be able to satisfy my intense wanderlust by living in a foreign land (and having easy access to travel to other foreign lands- highly appealing to my expatriate/ gets-bored-quick sensibilities).
I am super excited about this leap, excited about finally being in the same place as Liebling, excited about all the career and cultural opportunities that shall present themselves once on British soil, and excited about the low-cost air carriers that will act as cheap chariots to yet-undiscovered lands in Europa and beyond.
I am also over-the-moon at the prospect of being a short 7.5-hour plane ride from home. It may not seem that short to you, but compared to how far HK is from Toronto (a whole 15.5 hrs-on a direct flight!), London is close. I’m looking forward to going home a lot more often and seeing my friends and family more often than once a year! And I’ll admit it: I really miss my mommy! It’ll be a lot easier for (and palatable) for friends and family to come visit me as well- flights to the UK are not disgustingly expensive like the ones to Hong Kong.
But what of Washington/Toronto/Guatemala (and a possible trip to the Big Apple), you say? Here’s the low down:
WASHINGTON. First of all, let me clarify. When I say Washington, I don’t mean the cool Washington (D.C.) but I mean the state Washington (people visibly deflate and say “oh”, in that “that really sucks” when I make this distinction). No offense to all of my Washington Staters out there, but admittedly, the place holds less of an appeal than that OTHER Washington, you know, the one with the cool neighbourhoods and important monuments like the White House. But yeah, I’m going to be spending two months in Washington State, and not in a trendy city like Seattle, but rather, Cheney, Washington, which from all accounts appears to be a podunk town. Alas, the continuance of my education beckons, and I’ll be there finishing off a couple of courses that I need to complete my Master’s degree in Education. A new city is a new city, and so I will explore between classes, and hopefully be able to spend a weekend or two in Seattle since my uncle and aunt live there.
TORONTO. I must definitely see all my lovelies back home and will be back on home turf right after I finish up my program in Washington. But I wont be alone… Liebling is joining me! He’s flying in for a week to meet my family, friends, and see where I’m from (since he’s never been to Canada before). I can’t wait to take him around! We’ll certainly rack up tons of mileage sightseeing. Which brings me to my next destination:
GUATEMALA. Liebling has never been to Central or South America, so the original plan was to both quit our jobs and do a massive road trip of America Latina. But then…he got a great job offer in London-town that he couldn’t refuse. So, that big trip will be put on the back-burner, and after a week in Toronto, him and I will fly to Guatemala and tour around. He’ll travel with me around the country for two weeks and then go back to work in London. Me? I’ll be unemployed, remember? I’m not on any schedule. So I’m going to hang out for an additional two weeks and take a Spanish class, because, why not? My Spanish has become very weak since leaving Mexico… so I’m hoping that a month in Guatemala (half of which will be spent living in a homestay with a Guatemalan family), will do the trick. I’ll be in Guate for a full month (August 26 to September 26) and looking really forward to learning more about Guatemalan people and culture!
NYC(?). It would seem that fate has transported all of my good friends in Toronto to the Big Apple… And I have tons of extended family that live there… So it is the perfect excuse to get my caboose over to NYC at some point before heading across the pond to the UK. I have the time, and I’m never one to turn down an opportunity, so all I need is a ticket in hand and I’ll be there. I’m hoping that my mom can be my travel partner and that I’ll be able to maybe take in a Broadway show or two… We’ll see!
And finally… LONDON. One of the best thing about this particular move (I should be there by mid-October!) is that I’ll be close to my two loves: Liebling and… France! It’s a win-win situation in my eyes. The thought of only being a 2-hour train ride from gai Paris practically has me foaming at the mouth and I am a short 1.5 hour plane ride from (my favouritest city in France)Nice! I’m already mentally planning a road trip somewhere in the Southwest: Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier… What do you think? I’m also excited about linking up with the expat blog community over there, as France expat-blogger network is particularly strong! I’m hoping to meet some of my favourite bloggers in person! Not that I’m not excited about living in London itself, though! I can’t wait to really discover the city!
So I guess the countdown begins…
77 Comments
I am tad offended, I live in Washington State and I think it's cool and less cut throat than D.C. LOL. But I know what you mean when I say Washington, people get all excited and talk about the White House and yes I dash their hopes, no I mean I one with the volcanoes and rain LOL. What the heck you doing in Cheney? I only pass through on my way from Seattle to visit my future in-laws in Moses Lake and that place ain't nothing to write home about either.
Well good luck anyway on your ventures, it sounds awfully fabulous.
Oh I'm sorry I'm thinking of Ellensburg, yea after awhile all these podunk towns start to run together LOL.
Oh boy, I just KNEW after hating on Washington State that somebody would pop out of the woodwork and give me my comeuppance.. 😉 I'll be in Cheney going to EWU for the summer semester! LOL@ podunk towns- I've been to Washington state once before and had the pleasure at shopping in a mall in Bellingham. Good times!
A quick question as someone who is moving to the UK very soon… how do you get on with visas? Do you need one for the UK? If so, which one will you apply for?
I'm feeling a little jet lagged after that post. Whew! Let me get some sleep…
Good luck with all that travelling! It sounds like quite an adventure and it's good that you and Liebling will be in TO for the summer. Winter ain't so go in those parts! You wouldn't want to shock him too much!!!
Too bad you are missing summer in London and showing up with the shite weather begins. Still I have a feeling you'll love it. Have fun in Canada land, I may not make it home this year 🙁
I love the excitement and your spirit of adventure. I wish you all the best with all your plans and these upcoming fabulous adventures. Love it. Life is just for living indeed.
First of all, WOW so much big news all at one time!!, ok deep breath in , deep breath out. Oh and by the way, thanks for the unexpected shout-out to the "cool" Washington, DC. You had me excited for a minute but alas you are going to the "other" Washington.
But I am so happy for you and the big moves you will make and moving close to your boo, major step, I wish you two allll the best!
And you'll be in Europe this fall, I'm crossing my fingers that I get into the French program so that we can have a possible rendez-vous (maybe?).
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Bisous!!!
SUPER exciting news! I'm happy for you! It sounds like an amazing adventure (I'm particularly jealous about the month in Guatemala part!). I'll be in London for a wedding over the summer so I'll miss you there but I hope you make it to NYC– then we can finally meet up in person! Keep us posted!
this makes me very happy! cant wait to see you in a few months!!!
cherish!
@kiwi: You too!? I haven't looked much into it yet, but as a Canadian I'm eligible for a 2-year work visa through the SWAP program. When are you making the move?
@Tanya: Haha! You are hilarious, girl! you're right, winter in the T-dot is just not cute! It's way better to be a tourist in the summertime!
@Melissa: I'm hoping so! I think I will like it. How much longer will you be in London? Would love to meet you!
@Kimvan: Thanks so much- just trying to live life to the fullest. 🙂
@Ugomma: I'm excited for you, too! When do you find out about your post? I would love to have a rendez-vous with you so keep me posted as to your exact coordinates 🙂
@Stacy! How are you lady?!?! You never did get around to doing that final post on your blog! Would love to hear what you're up to and how NYC is treating you! Do you have a contact email? Otherwise drop me a line at the email that's on my blog 🙂 I think that NYC is a definite plan now so we must meet when I am there! Looking forward to it!
@Cherry: I can't wait to hang out with you, you fab Londoner, you!
Count that two people! Although born and raised in Miami, I totally grew up in Washington State, spending a year in Spokane (hated it!) before we ventured on to Tri-Cities (home). Knew quite a few who went to Eastern. Still, I honestly believe the Pacific Northwest trumps the rest. It's so vast and different and pretty.
Ooooh this is the most exciting plan ever! I can't wait to read about all your adventures this summer and beyond! 🙂 YESSSSS!!!
It's too bad, though. I'm going to be working in Paris and London this summer and it looks like you'll be arriving shortly after I depart. 🙁
That sounds like an awesome itinerary! Francesca, (the other 1/2 of mypeacelovetravel) is absolutely in love with Nice as well! When we go to Europe this spring she's dragging me to Nice so i'm excited to see why she's fallen head over heels with it. And… she's applied to be a teaching assistant in France (if chosen she starts in October) and her top choice for location is Montepellier so if she gets that city I highly recommend you meeting her when you decide to visit 🙂 I'm a little jealous though, i'd like to meet you too! Haha. Maybe we'll cross paths one day 😉
-Jessica
Looking forward to meeting you either in Paris or London!!! yeah!
Aww! Liebling in Canada? Can't wait to hear how he likes it.
Aw, I love washington state!
It sounds like some great travels – and I am so excited for you about your upcoming moves!
Also – LOVE janet.
Yip, can't wait! Won't be London though, I'm not a big fan of big cities. I'm hoping somewhere in Scotland but depends on where the boyf gets a job. I'll be applying for the working holiday visa. Although I'm a little worried as there are big changes to the visas from 1 April. Good luck!
That sounds INCREDIBLE! I'm so excited for you. 🙂 After finishing my internship in Madrid I'm home in cold, cold Toronto, trying to get my food in the PR/Marketing door, and I feel like I'll be stuck here until I've paid off OSAP and my car, which will take a while. 🙁 I'm dying to go somewhere else again!
I have a question – how are you going to get around the 3 month tourist visa limit when you move to London? Is there some kind of significant-other-of-an-EU-citizen-type visa or are you just going to jet out and back in every 90 days?
Whoops! Sorry, just took a more detailed look at the previous comments are realized the visa question was already answered. 😛
Anyway, I hope you have the best time ever!!! If you have time, maybe I can meet you and pick your brain about living in HK when you're home? 😀
Enjoy your future travels. See you when you get here.
@spinstercompass
@Joycey: Wow! A lot of Pacific Northwesterners around these parts!! Sad that you didn't like Spokane though!!! Doesn't give me much hope lol.
@Erika: Dang that's too bad! It would have been lovely to cross paths!
@PeaceLoveTravel/Jessica: That would be great! Excited for your adventure. I know a bit about the region so if you have any questions just ask. 🙂
@Opal: Yes, me too!!
@Viajera: I can't wait! I'm curious what he thinks as well!
@Deirdre: I'm glad you are down with Washington! What are you fav parts? What should I see?
@Kiwi: Changes?! Oh dear, will have to check that out!
@Xtine: Yes, meeting up on home turf would be cool! We'll talk soon closer to the date. 🙂
@Spinster: YES! Looking forward to connecting with you over in the UK!
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