Looking back and ahead
0 Comments Published by Svetlana Zhukova on Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 5:01 AM.
I have realized a week ago it's been 2 years as I'm in Australia. I didn't think the time would pass so quickly. It means it's been more than 2 years since I finished my AI year, since I was part of Europe, since I saw most of my friends. I'm about to decide on making Australia my home for the next few years (may be longer?), and my mind can't stop going round in circles thinking what was and will be in it for me.
The first year - year and a half I spent as a visitor; I enjoyed my job, I made new friends, I didn't ask or expected much, and simply enjoyed living here. I fell in love and everything became just perfect.
And when it was time to decide what's next, I've decided to stay on for a bit longer, to give a chance to my relationship. I started a more 'normal' life - work from a short experience became work, my international friends left, we moved houses and settled into our own routine. We talk about future plans and buying a house. I started enjoying being part of Australian lifestyle rather than a traveller; I have my favourite places for Sunday breakfast in Newtown and love Australian bands. I love the nature, the weather, the vastness, I love Sydney, the freedom and the enjoyment and the comfort of life.
But there is also another side to turning permanent from a carefree visitor. I have realised that separation from my friends back home and in Europe and elsewhere is now permanent. I can't meet them for a weekend getaway, they can't fly in to see me here, and we'll most probably never again live our lives together. That part of my life is over. I started feeling jealous reading news from other friends who see each other once in a while, travelling across Europe. (I probably don't realise that people from the other side of the world looking at my pictures and stories how I spend my holidays in Australia feel jealous too - the grass is always greener...)
Apart from having a great place to live in what matters most are the social connections. Having a great summer doesn't replace the need to have friends you can share happiness and frustration, and talk about meaningful - and meaningless, too - things.
Most friendships are formed in early childhood, school, uni, and in my case, AIESEC. I have dear to me people - childhood friends, uni friends, many great AIESEC friends - and they will remain dear for ever, but none of them is next to me anymore. I'm here by myself with my second half - who wasn't born and raised in Australia either - and if for the last several months I tried to ignore the fact that my social circle shrunk and I effectively have to build it again from scratch, I can't avoid this anymore.
If I can't spend time with my existing friends, I have to make new ones. The problem is that I have been spoiled with meeting great people without any efforts, when I was in AIESEC, and I've grown to believe it will continue to be so. But when your routine is house - work - house and weekend activities, it's not going to happen anymore. I need to make an effort if I want to meet creative interesting people who share similar beliefs. "Looking for people with international leadership experience, interest in sustainability, travelling and having fun. Can also be creative and/or related to arts. Have to tick at least 3 boxes to be eligible"
Not asking for much, am I? :)
Next step is to get off my lazy bottom and do something!
The first year - year and a half I spent as a visitor; I enjoyed my job, I made new friends, I didn't ask or expected much, and simply enjoyed living here. I fell in love and everything became just perfect.
And when it was time to decide what's next, I've decided to stay on for a bit longer, to give a chance to my relationship. I started a more 'normal' life - work from a short experience became work, my international friends left, we moved houses and settled into our own routine. We talk about future plans and buying a house. I started enjoying being part of Australian lifestyle rather than a traveller; I have my favourite places for Sunday breakfast in Newtown and love Australian bands. I love the nature, the weather, the vastness, I love Sydney, the freedom and the enjoyment and the comfort of life.
But there is also another side to turning permanent from a carefree visitor. I have realised that separation from my friends back home and in Europe and elsewhere is now permanent. I can't meet them for a weekend getaway, they can't fly in to see me here, and we'll most probably never again live our lives together. That part of my life is over. I started feeling jealous reading news from other friends who see each other once in a while, travelling across Europe. (I probably don't realise that people from the other side of the world looking at my pictures and stories how I spend my holidays in Australia feel jealous too - the grass is always greener...)
Apart from having a great place to live in what matters most are the social connections. Having a great summer doesn't replace the need to have friends you can share happiness and frustration, and talk about meaningful - and meaningless, too - things.
Most friendships are formed in early childhood, school, uni, and in my case, AIESEC. I have dear to me people - childhood friends, uni friends, many great AIESEC friends - and they will remain dear for ever, but none of them is next to me anymore. I'm here by myself with my second half - who wasn't born and raised in Australia either - and if for the last several months I tried to ignore the fact that my social circle shrunk and I effectively have to build it again from scratch, I can't avoid this anymore.
If I can't spend time with my existing friends, I have to make new ones. The problem is that I have been spoiled with meeting great people without any efforts, when I was in AIESEC, and I've grown to believe it will continue to be so. But when your routine is house - work - house and weekend activities, it's not going to happen anymore. I need to make an effort if I want to meet creative interesting people who share similar beliefs. "Looking for people with international leadership experience, interest in sustainability, travelling and having fun. Can also be creative and/or related to arts. Have to tick at least 3 boxes to be eligible"
Not asking for much, am I? :)
Next step is to get off my lazy bottom and do something!
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