Aww! That made me feel all warm and fuzzy 🥰 I just subscribed to your Substack! It’s been so long since I’ve been on IG or Substack, I’ve missed seeing what everyone is writing. I love your Trip Talk series! We’re currently in the middle of a two-week road/camping trip out west with our four kids ♥️
I’m really looking forward to reading more about your transition to the States life after being an expat for so long. I’m a TCK who grew up to raise TCK’s, despite swearing I would never. My own sort of “TL;DR” is that we bought a house in Arkansas in 2020 (totally new place to us, long story) when my husband retired from the military, thinking we’d stay there. I definitely relate to the camping chairs and air mattresses part of this! Then we moved back overseas the following year and here we still are, four years later. We sold our house a year ago, but I think we might truly move back (repatriate??) next year, so I’m so interested in taking many notes from you!
Wow! What a whirlwind of transitions! I do hope to write more about our own transition. Sometimes I have to sit with my thoughts for a while before I can articulate them. Like just a few days ago, I found myself randomly looking through old photos and being so sad about not being in Indonesia (even though we’re doing really well in America). Then I realized this is officially the longest I’ve been in America without returning to Indonesia. So I guess it’s also the longest I’ve been away from Indonesia. Hopefully some of my “thinking out loud” as I write will be relatable/helpful to you too!
I understand all of that! I also tend to let things ferment a while before writing about them. And I can definitely relate to the feelings of grief while knowing there is still so much good around you now.
Stacy! Thanks for reading. I’ve missed interacting with all my writer friends. I just added your book recommendation to my hold list so thaaaank you for sharing.
Alicia!!! So glad I just stumbled across your substack—I’ve missed reading your words!
Aww! That made me feel all warm and fuzzy 🥰 I just subscribed to your Substack! It’s been so long since I’ve been on IG or Substack, I’ve missed seeing what everyone is writing. I love your Trip Talk series! We’re currently in the middle of a two-week road/camping trip out west with our four kids ♥️
Thanks, Alicia! That sounds so fun!!
I’m really looking forward to reading more about your transition to the States life after being an expat for so long. I’m a TCK who grew up to raise TCK’s, despite swearing I would never. My own sort of “TL;DR” is that we bought a house in Arkansas in 2020 (totally new place to us, long story) when my husband retired from the military, thinking we’d stay there. I definitely relate to the camping chairs and air mattresses part of this! Then we moved back overseas the following year and here we still are, four years later. We sold our house a year ago, but I think we might truly move back (repatriate??) next year, so I’m so interested in taking many notes from you!
Wow! What a whirlwind of transitions! I do hope to write more about our own transition. Sometimes I have to sit with my thoughts for a while before I can articulate them. Like just a few days ago, I found myself randomly looking through old photos and being so sad about not being in Indonesia (even though we’re doing really well in America). Then I realized this is officially the longest I’ve been in America without returning to Indonesia. So I guess it’s also the longest I’ve been away from Indonesia. Hopefully some of my “thinking out loud” as I write will be relatable/helpful to you too!
I understand all of that! I also tend to let things ferment a while before writing about them. And I can definitely relate to the feelings of grief while knowing there is still so much good around you now.
Hey Alicia! Loved reading this! Cute swimsuit! I read "It's a Love Story" a couple of weeks ago and LOVED it!
Stacy! Thanks for reading. I’ve missed interacting with all my writer friends. I just added your book recommendation to my hold list so thaaaank you for sharing.
Our parallel lives continue! We’re both back in the states, teaching again…I wish we could debrief in person!!
An in-person debrief would be amazing! I what are you teaching?? Our lives really do overlap so much.
I’m teaching English classes to adult immigrants and refugees. A total dream job.
Wow, that sounds amazing!
Hey this is your favorite stalker - reading this was visceral for me
Aylin! I just read your life update in my inbox. Wow. So much to process. You and your family have been through so much.
The oat milk meme got me 💀 Also, I officially have wild robot on my reading list!!