Last night in the districts of Wan Chai and LKF, one of my last nights out in Hong Kong…
In exactly a week from now, at this precise moment, even, I will be in a plane, only about four or so hours from landing at Seattle-Tacoma airport, a world away from the familiar craziness of Hong Kong. It’s bizarre to think about. Two years spent in a Hong Kong have flown by in what seems like an instant. And I feel like I don’t have enough time: time to tie up those lose ends, time to say goodbye to people, time to relax, relate, release and throw myself headlong into my Master’s courses, which start only the day after I land in the U.S.A. Now I am checking off mental checklists, filled to the brim with things to remember; one of those things is remembering to breathe, and not get overwhelmed with all that has be done. Leaving is daunting for a variety of reasons, but with each passing hour I score a small victory as I strike off another item on my mental to-do list. This morning, I sent at 20kg box of clothes and shoes home, literally put them in a cardboard box at the post office and let them there to be put on a ship headed far far west. I have slowly been making my rounds of my ‘hoods, eating at my favourite places, taking pictures, taking it all in, in what seems like large gulps, so that I can savour and not forget.
Have you ever had to make a big move before? How do you deal with the logistics involved with leaving? How do you deal with the emotional side of leaving behind places and faces that have become familiar to you?
66 Comments
Good job girl! Can't believe its coming to an end! But you'll be with L soon!
I find it hard to say goodbyes, and always recruit friends to help pack, as I accumulate so much stuff! Emotionally its hard but I always tell myself I'm off to a new adventure, and the new experience will show me something else about myself!
All the best girl! Right now only do the most impt things!
Good luck with the big move. It's hard to say goodbye, but all your friends know you are following your dreams and are super happy for you! Saying goodbye in person doesn't mean you'll never have contact with those friends again…thanks to the wonder of the internet, we can keep in touch with the people we care about from anywhere in the world. And Hong Kong will still be there if you decide to go back and visit one day 🙂
2 years already! It does not seem that long. I remember reading your blog before you even knew you'd be going to HK. Time is going by way too fast lately…
I'm about to do a big move across the ocean too. I can only carry 30 kg on the plane to Australia so I'll be mailing some clothes & shoes too. Only 3 more weeks for me!
Remember that every place you live becomes a part of who you are. You're not leaving it behind, you're taking it with you!
Wow, I am so impressed you're doing all this with only a mental tod o list.
I've only had a couple of experiences of big moves, and most of the time I've been emotionally ready to go so that helps. The first time I left Australia I was a total mess.
When I lived in Japan, I only took 2 suitcases with me, and decided early on only to take back those two suitcases. That really seemed to work for me. I left most of my clothes there, and just moved home the good stuff!
Enjoy Seattle. I lived there, too, for a couple of years. They love a good argument/debate, their coffee and music. The traffic sucks. And it will be much cooler than here (and quite dry). Keep on blogging.
I've learned from moving to never buy too much, but that's only if I know I'll only live in a place for a year or less. Korea was a big move for me, I left with less stuff then I brought but leaving my husband was pretty emotional. When he was preparing to leave it was a big thing, he has been in Korea for around 4 years, he sent over maybe 5 to 6 boxes of clothes and shoes. The hardest part for him was saying goodbye because he only knew life in Iran and Korea and now he was going to the US. I wish he had the chance to go home and see his family before he moved to the US.
Good luck!! I am in the process of moving from Detroit, MI to the DC area…not quite a far as your move, but I am frantic, nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time!!
I look forward to reading about your new adventures…boa viagem!!
I only started reading your blog recently, so I didn't know your stay in Hong Kong was coming to an end and that it'd been for two years. Hopefully you'll get a little time to yourself during this busy period, time for you to clear your head and readjust to life in the US.
Selling stuff you no longer need helps. What will dwindle in bulk can be made into money.
I like to take pictures of the dirty, or disliked spots. it makes it feel cyclical, because it relates not just the fond places but the place in its entirety. 🙂
hahaha ! This reminds me of how it felt moving from Paris to London and yet it must be so much more complicated !! I mean there is a whole ocean in between, while we only had a tiny channel to contend with! Enjoy every minute though… it's going to be nostalgic thinking about these last days.
And speaking about nostalgia.. I loved seeing these pics of Hong Kong! Reminded me of our holidays there a few months ago!! Loved the vibe of the city!
Take care… and don't forget to breathe.
Fned.
Thanks for the support, everyone!! I really really appreciate your kind words!
@kuesooM: Thank you!! I can't WAIT to be with L finally… 🙂 And you're right, it's best to think of what's coming rather than what you're leaving behind!
@Crystal: So true that internet is such a good way to stay in touch (and of course meet great people *wink!*)!
@Jennie: Can you imagine?! The time has just flown! Your 3 years in Oz will probably fly by, too! Can't believe you're leaving in a little over two weeks! Will hubby be joining you as well? Only 30kg for luggage? Gosh! Is it expensive to mail stuff to Oz?
@Canedolia: What a great way to think about it!!! Wish I could take some of the people here with me, though!!
@Deidre: I should be writing things down but I'm way too disorganized for that.. 🙂 Oz to America and back again is a huge move- I can't even imagine how much organization that required! So far!
@nataliegoes: That's a really good philosophy! I have been picking through my clothes and decided to take only the ones that I really like/love. I feel like it's stressful to travel/move with too much stuff. I will definitely keep on blogging!
@Kourt: Leaving people behind (particularly a husband, in your case!) has got to be the WORST thing about moving!
@Mae: Congrats on your move!! I've been to DC before (I have lots of family out there- Jamaica massive!!) and it's such a cool place! When are you moving exactly? Good luck!
@changingmoods: Two years have flown by in an instant! I did actually manage to sell some stuff, which has been great!
@Gia: Love this strategy! I have a habit of glamourizing/waxing poetic on places that I wasn't particularly fond of… LOL… We always remember the good and are quick to forget the bad!
@Fned: Thank you for your wise words! I'm trying to quell my anxiety and do things in little increments and not think of the big picture. But I'm starting to get so sad over leaving!!!
lovely blog! lovely pics!
http://traveloguewithlove.blogspot.com/
@roberta: Thanks!!
You could certainly see your skills in the article you write.
The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid
to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
Thanks in favor of sharing such a good opinion, article is
good, thats why i have read it completely
naturally like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of
your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the
truth then again I will surely come back again.
Highly descriptive post, I loved that bit. Will there
be a part 2?
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and
found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
You should be a part of a contest for one of the best
websites online. I most certainly will recommend
this blog!
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
Wonderful article! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this
site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to
get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal.
I must say you have done a fantastic job with this. Additionally,
the blog loads super fast for me on Opera. Superb Blog!
I didn’t know that.
Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know
a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
That’s an awesome point
Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the
greatest I have found out till now. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about
the source?
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more
from this site, and your views are good in support
of new visitors.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
If some one desires to be updated with newest technologies afterward he must be
go to see this site and be up to date daily.
Hi there, I found your site by means of Google while searching
for a related matter, your web site came up, it looks great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just was alert to your blog through Google, and located that it is truly informative.
I am going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate
should you continue this in future. Lots of other folks will probably be
benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
I every time used to read article in news papers but now as I am
a user of net therefore from now I am using net for articles or reviews,
thanks to web.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Hello, its pleasant paragraph about media print, we all
understand media is a enormous source of data.
Highly energetic blog, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2?
I’m now not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic.
I must spend a while finding out much more or understanding more.
Thank you for fantastic info I used to be searching
for this info for my mission.
Right on my man!
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles all the time along with
a mug of coffee.
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of
the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely
glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea
shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic
but I had to tell someone!
Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may
just I get that type of information written in such a perfect means?
I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I
have been on the look out for such info.
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and
i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you
can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is very much
appreciated.
Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not understanding something completely, but
this piece of writing gives good understanding even.
Amazing blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for
a paid option? There are so many options out there
that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Appreciate it!
Hiya very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful ..
I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
I am satisfied to find numerous useful info right here within the submit,
we want develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this website’s articles all the time along with a cup of coffee.
Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web host
are you using? Can I get your affiliate link
to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.
Thank you!
Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a
community in the same niche. Your blog provided us
useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
I was able to find good information from your blog
posts.
I didn’t know that.
I have read so many content about the blogger lovers but
this article is truly a good paragraph, keep it up.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my
comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over
again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout
out and tell you I really enjoy reading your
blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
Thanks a ton!
I quite like reading through an article that can make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the
work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate
writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Because the admin of this website is working, no
uncertainty very shortly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.
Remarkable! Its truly remarkable article, I have got
much clear idea on the topic of from this post.
Wonderful views on that!
Wonderful views on that!
For hottest news you have to pay a quick visit world-wide-web and on internet I
found this web site as a best website for newest updates.
Comments are closed.