one week left in paradise
This time next week I will be landing at JFK airport. I can hardly believe we’re really leaving. I’m too busy to really think about it much. For that I am very grateful.
I’m working on a blog post about how exquisitely bittersweet these last weeks have been. If all goes as planned, I’ll publish it late next week.
And after that? I have a sneaking suspicion that this blog will rededicate itself (without my permission) to an exploration of reverse culture shock. It’s also likely that I’ll finally finish the 50 or so stories about Grenada I have floating around in draft form. One way or another, Letters From Grenada will indeed survive my return to the mainland.
Wish me luck?
Posted on March 8th, 2009 under Grenada • Tags: blogging, caribbean, expat, Grenada, PHOTOS, reverse culture shock. • 
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March 8th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Heavens! How did I miss this major move? Well, first off, all the best. Second, yes, posts about life back at the mainland will be interesting. And, who all is coming with you and where are you going and who will be their to greet you? Yet, my heart is a little broken. Is that the picnic table at Prickley Bay? I’ll continue with great interest to read your blog, no matter what, but I just might go over to your sidebar to get another dose Grenada fix.
lilalia´s last blog post..On the Fly
March 9th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hello. It is indeed bittersweet. How many times over the years did you want nothing other than to go “home”? Now that it’s time to go, you’re a bit sad about leaving this other “home”. The FIGT conference I just attended last week would be a valuable resourse for you at this time of repatriation. You might also want to check amazon for a copy of “Third Culture Kids” to help ease your lovely little boy into American culture. I wish you all the luck I can muster from the universe, and I hope you continue blogging.
March 9th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Lilalia – I’ve been talking about the move a lot on Twitter and Facebook, but couldn’t bear to mention it here. I was kind of in denial, actually, until a few weeks ago. By then it was time to start packing. Don’t worry, I’ve still got so many Grenada stories to tell. And I’m already plotting how I can come back. Definitely check out my blogroll, though. Lots of good links there.
Carolyn – You hit the nail on the head: The problem is I have two homes now, and there’s only one of me. I like to joke that I wish I had a clone… Alas. I’ve heard good things about “Third Culture Kids” and will definitely check it out. I feel a little bit like one myself. As my son is not yet three, I’m hoping he will have an easy time adjusting.
Thanks so much to both of you for your words of support. ~ This is a difficult time, but I’ve decided to approach this change like it’s an opportunity instead of a problem.
March 9th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Also, Carolyn, thank you for mentioning FIGT (Families in Global Transition). I’d never heard of them before but I just signed up for their mailing list here -> http://www.incengine.org/incEngine/
March 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Well, I’m shocked. I don’t know how I missed it. I’m sure the next few weeks and months are going to be hard on you. Hang in there. We’re all cheering for you.
SINgleGIRL´s last blog post..The Statement Date
March 9th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I know the shift will be tough but the awesome thing about social media is the ability to keep track of folks no matter where they are. I am very interested to hear how the ‘reverse-culture’ shock goes. My own experience is that kids are extremely resilient and adaptive especially when they have lots of support, guidance and love as is obvious your son has. Best of luck with the move.
Coffeedude
March 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I not wishing you no whatever because I know you will be back, whether visiting or having an “exhalation” trip – you and Grenada are now inexorably linked! I know that you and the Bean will be fine and happy wherever you are, although I don’t quite know what you’re going to use as a substitute for Carib!
Much love and good wishes and like Coffeedude says, “We’ll always have social media”.
YingYang´s last blog post..“It isn’t easy being green”
March 10th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
SINgleGIRL – I didn’t talk about it that much on Twitter, it’s just that I mentioned it there but literally didn’t breathe a word here on the blog. Like I said, I was seriously in denial. I also worried that if I started writing/talking about it I wouldn’t be able to stop!
Coffeedue – I’m sure the Bean will be fine. If all else fails I’ll buy him a new Richard Scarry book.
YingYang – Believe it or not, my drink of choice in the States is a very dry vodka martini. Extra olives.
Also, I forgot to answer Lilalia’s question about the photo. I took it at the beach at St. David’s Harbour. In other words, that picnic table sits right in front of the beach bar at Grenada Marine.
Thanks again to all of you. Now I must get back to packing!
March 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Best of luck Maria, and bon voyage. Grenada will always be there, I guess – in your head as well as over the sea – so you can always go back for visits.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Thanks, Clare. Somebody said to me last week that the thing about Grenada is that it never changes, it will always be here… You could come back in ten years and nothing will have changed. ~ I’m not sure she’s 100% correct about that, but I found it very comforting. ~ I plan, for Jack’s sake, to visit at least once a year.