That’s it, that’s the end, and I can’t believe how quickly two years in Asia have flown by. I’ve left Hong Kong behind, now, stepped on a plane at the HK airport 3 hours ago and now find myself typing this to you from Seoul’s Incheon airport, where I have about an hour an a half on South Korean soil to say my final goodbyes to Asia before boarding a plane to Seattle.
This week has been difficult physically, mentally, and especially emotionally. This week has consisted of STRESS in capital letters: trying to pack my life into manageable boxes has been harrowing and mentally draining, saying goodbye to friends has resulted in a lot of tears, and running around trying to organize the move, fit time in to say goodbye to friends, attending end of year assemblies, graduations, and farewells at work, as well as make my final rounds around Hong Kong has been physically exhausting.
But, as things always do, everything has worked out. I packed my life into two large suitcases, a carry-on, and shipped two boxes to Canada and the UK in anticipation of my sojourns there. I cried tears and been crushed in the embrace of friends as I said goodbye. Burnt out and run ragged from running around, I feel an immense sense of peace because my ridiculous pace of the last few weeks is over, and I can look forward to taking life at a more comfortable speed, at least for the next few months.
So what’s next? I board my plane in about fifteen minutes now and embark on a new life journey, where I am a student instead of a teacher. I will pursue my academic goals so that I can OFFICIALLY say that I am a Master in Education. I will return to Toronto, my hometown, and catch up with friends, and bask in the warm glow of renewed friendship. I will take the Big Apple by storm with girlfriends and then I will say hello to Love again, as Liebling joins me in Canada to see just exactly where I come from, in the hopes of better understanding just what makes me, me. I will once again taste adventure and immerse myself in another culture when I tour Guatemala, after which I will return to the land of fish and chips and red telephone booths, sometimes indecipherable accents and the supposed stiff British lip.
It is sad to leave Hong Kong behind, and sadder to leave the people in Hong Kong behind, but I am excited to embark on this new journey and tempt destiny. For all of those who touched my life in Hong Kong, know that you left an indelible imprint on my life. Thank you so much for making my Hong Kong experience unreal.
For those of you in North America, I can’t wait to catch up with you again. See you on the flip side…real, real soon.
64 Comments
That all sounds so exciting! I'm sure the next few months will be just amazing. Do you know the exact dates you'll be in TO? Perhaps you and Liebling could come down to Niagara for a wine tasting tour with me 🙂
Safe journey! OMG I hate moving with a passion. Saying goodbyes I can handle, cause I always know true friendship will endure, but packing up my life and then having to restablish it somewhere else, is a horrible exercise for me. I am not moving for a long time.
Enjoy your travels!!
The empty flat, the suitcases – that picture sums up the feeling of packing up your life and moving on so well it almost brought a tear to my eye, and that was before I read your post.
As you said, though, the hard part is over now, so here's to your next adventure!
I'm excited to see what you blog about in the next couple of months.
all the best girl and I am looking forward to all the other adventures. Take care.
this is such a beautiful and thoughtful good-bye post….
i'm so excited to continue following your journey and adventures! all the best in what's to come!
safe travels friend.
xoxo
Isn't it nice to be done with packing and all that stuff? Ugh, that's my least favorite part of traveling/living other places… But anyway, wow, you're right — those two years really DID fly by! I've been reading since 2008 at least and man, I can't believe it. But what an exciting future you have coming up!
I am a bit bummed that you will be going to London just as I am leaving it. I'll be there through mid-September… but going between Paris and London, too.
How long do you plan on living there? I might be back in December so there's still a chance for a meeting somewhere to happen in the world. 🙂
Anyway, can't wait to hear about your North American adventures.
Wow, two years have gone by fast!! Good luck with the next steps, I'm sure we will all enjoy reading about your adventures!
PS. My word verification is "rebel". 🙂
It must be so hard to leave all those memories behind, even if you're happy to go home. I think expats underestimate the repatriation issues, but you'll have family, friends and Liebling to keep you company. Can't wait to see your next adventures.
Can't believe 2 years have come to an end but it looked like a hell of a ride while it lasted. Now, onto a fantastic sounding summer and bright future. Can't wait to meet up with you in the dot (lol).
hope you had a good flight home! saying good-bye is hard, but you have so many amazing things coming up – it will be okay!! have a wonderful time at home with your family and friends!!
One door closing yet many more opening and beckoning you in- so many opportunities and adventures! Sorry it's been stressful but hopefully you'll get plenty of time to relax soon!
I cannot wait for the next chapter to unfold..
So exciting! What days will you be in NYC? Def want to set an evening to meet for a drink & chat when you're in town!
Leaving is always hard, but I'm very excited to hear about your new adventures 🙂
you are so courageous! good job staying cool!
Safe journey girl and give me a shout when you get to "the land of fish and chips and red telephone booths, sometimes indecipherable accents and the supposed stiff British lip"!!!
xx Fned.
Oh, sadness at leaving Asia. But you sound like you have so many great upcoming plans! Are you going to study in London?!? That would make for some interesting blog posts. (I'm so selfish, focusing on what I can read about next on your blog. Haha.) Have a great time in your new life, wherever it takes you!
All the best…looking forward to reading about the new journey.
@Crystal: I'll be in TO from July 17 to Aug 25!! I'm definitely taking Liebling to the Falls for sure so we MUST meet up. When will you be home exactly?!
@nicole: My sentiments exactly! Moving sucks!
@Canedolia: It seems so much more real when the flat is packed up! So sad…
@ChizzyD: I'm excited to see how the next few months will unfold!
@kimvan: Thank you! There's a Japanese girl from Kyoto in one of my classes here in the States and I thought of you!
@kay: Thank you, dear! I'll definitely represent for the t-dot when I'm home!
@Erika: Two years most certainly did fly by!! I'll get to London mid-October and should be there for at least a year! Would be great to meet!
@Ksam: Rebel you are!! I love those word verification thingies! Big things are on the horizon for you, too, I'm so excited for you!
@Mil: I think that we should really discuss reverse culture shock more! We never talk about how difficult it can be to come back to a place that used to be home.
@Rhona: See you in the t-dot!
@Kristina: Thank you!
@Sprite: What a great metaphor! Thanks!
@Stacy: You betcha! Pencil me in! I'll be there from Aug 4 to 9!
@Kourt: I know you can relate!
@gia: I dont' know about courageous but I'm trying not to stress!
@Fned: Yes!! Most definitely! I was just reading your blog and saw that you've started running again! We nee to be running buddies 🙂 I get to London in October and can't wait! I'll definitely be bugging you so watch out. 🙂 Where are you living? I think that me and Liebling will try to live in Zone 1 somewhere so that he's close to work (he works in the city).
@Melanie: LOL! Whatever keeps you reading!! I'm going to hopefully get a teaching job in London! I'm thinking that I might substitute teach in the public school system. 🙂
@Lara: Thank you! Gorgeous photo!
Awesome! Let's pencil in August 4th (after work, early evening)? I'm leaving for the beach on the 5th.
Stacy: Until when are you going to the beach? I get to NYC at about 4pm so maybe I can be in town maybe around 6ish? What time do you finish work? Excited!
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