For a whole month now Derek and I have been living in our new Chicago apartment! It's been a rocky start, to tell the truth. Moving back to America after so many years is harder than you'd think. Routines and events that should feel "normal" present unexpected challenges and moments of unfamiliarity. One thing that's hard is the expectation that everything will be easier at "home". But this isn't really the case. We've still run into difficulties with setting up our heating and internet, among other things. Procuring jobs has been no easier being here than it was when we were away. And why is everything so big and intense here? We've been to 5 weddings since we left Beirut and I've been astounded at how extravagant they were. Not to mention the hype and indulgence of sports and the holidays. Recession? From an outsider's point of view, this country is not struggling nearly as much as they keep telling us. (Although from an unemployed point of view, this country needs a boost!) It's not my intention to complain or whine, just to explain that moving to America can be just as much trouble as moving to a foreign country. I guess this is why we promised each other we'd stick around for at least 5 years!
For some positive notes, we love our new neighborhood. We opted for a 2 family house in the Pilsen/Little Village area which is about 5 miles Southwest of downtown Chicago. There's nobody living in the second apartment currently so we really have our own place. We're just 2 blocks from the train and have easy access to the major highways in the area. The population around us is predominantly Mexican which makes for good language and great food! Although we have lost our 10 minute walk to work, we can still do food shopping and a number of other errands on foot. For work and farther needs we bit the bullet and bought a car. It's the first car either of us has officially owned- we're so grown up! We still are sharing one cell phone, though, which most people find hilarious. I think it's progress- we didn't even have one in Beirut. There are plans to purchase another but neither of us is really too anxious to do so. We have a brand new mattress, too. But that's it for furniture so far. Everything has just been so overwhelming that I didn't want to rush into buying or acquiring things that I don't really like/want/need.
I've had a lot of moments lately when I've realized how much the past experiences affect you. I mean, without Peace Corps and the bare-bones traveling and camping we've done, I don't think I'd have the patience to put up with how we've been living lately. But ya know? In the great big scheme of things, every phase is temporary and goes by in the blink of an eye. Even if the days feel long right now, I know a year from now these moments will barely register in my memory. Plus I think a lot will be changing for us in the next year- for the better- as we settle into our new home and the "American Life".
For some positive notes, we love our new neighborhood. We opted for a 2 family house in the Pilsen/Little Village area which is about 5 miles Southwest of downtown Chicago. There's nobody living in the second apartment currently so we really have our own place. We're just 2 blocks from the train and have easy access to the major highways in the area. The population around us is predominantly Mexican which makes for good language and great food! Although we have lost our 10 minute walk to work, we can still do food shopping and a number of other errands on foot. For work and farther needs we bit the bullet and bought a car. It's the first car either of us has officially owned- we're so grown up! We still are sharing one cell phone, though, which most people find hilarious. I think it's progress- we didn't even have one in Beirut. There are plans to purchase another but neither of us is really too anxious to do so. We have a brand new mattress, too. But that's it for furniture so far. Everything has just been so overwhelming that I didn't want to rush into buying or acquiring things that I don't really like/want/need.
I've had a lot of moments lately when I've realized how much the past experiences affect you. I mean, without Peace Corps and the bare-bones traveling and camping we've done, I don't think I'd have the patience to put up with how we've been living lately. But ya know? In the great big scheme of things, every phase is temporary and goes by in the blink of an eye. Even if the days feel long right now, I know a year from now these moments will barely register in my memory. Plus I think a lot will be changing for us in the next year- for the better- as we settle into our new home and the "American Life".
No comments:
Post a Comment