“Preparing for the move has been one crazy ride.”
You know it's a one-way travel when you are bringing a bag of clothes that need to be washed and a moist towel that had no time to dry on the day of departure. I am leaving. The emigration is a fact. And it is time too, because I have been carrying two sets of currencies in a small wallet for over four weeks and I start to confuse the drivers’ seat with the passenger’s seat: getting in on the wrong side of the car (no joke). But most importantly, I landed a great new job in Scotland at the Heriot-Watt University as a Digital Marketing Officer. I’ll be working on campus in Edinburgh and I start next week. More dreams than one are coming true…
People have asked me about my state of mind. What goes through my head, now that the relocation is at present. Whether I feel funny or have butterflies. To be honest, I don’t think I do. It feels like I am changing cities, rather than moving to another country. I guess this is because I am so familiar with where I am going. Or perhaps it’s because I have gone through this before. I know what to expect. Or at least, I think I do. There is always a possibility for setbacks to kick in. If so, I will deal with them as they come.
The accelerator
Reflective thoughts are now shining through a little. It was quite a journey, looking back on it. From the moment declaring to take the plunge, up till this point. Preparing for the move has been one crazy ride, with the occasional ups-and-downs. The last two months in particular, have been mad busy. And let’s not forget the many practicalities I came across just recently. It’s almost exhausting, when I think of all the stuff that has been on my mind lately. What to bring to Scotland, what to throw out, what to store, what to take to charity, what to leave behind for my lovely new tenants and what to pass on to my folks to bring when they soon come for a visit (a luxurious option, I know). Everything needed instant decision making. And that is just packing up. There have been heaps of other things that needed sorting out as well. It’s definitely easier just to stay put. But that was not an option 😊
Organised chaos
To come back to my state of mind: it can best be described as organised chaos in the head. Ticking off all the boxes, leaving no details unmissed. Perhaps that explains why I came back from grocery shopping one day – on a busy packing day I might add – and I realised that I left the front door wide open. I was away for two hours! Luckily, I found my house right how I left it. This ‘nutty professor’ moment did put a big smile on my face #sillygirl. That said, overall the last couple of weeks have gone by pretty smoothly. There was even time for some holiday relaxation and party fun. For now, a great last chapter with friends and family in Holland.
Off I go
The actual move itself was nothing fancy. I went to the airport by public transportation, having two suitcases, a backpack and a hockey stick with me (first training is next week). Taking just a regular flight to Edinburgh. So far, nothing special. That changed the moment the plane landed on Scottish grounds. I looked outside the window and saw the beautiful Scottish hills from a far. That is when it all became reality. I stepped out of the plane feeling like a celebrity. Feeling on top of the world: I’m here, I did it. And I got this!!
That great buzz was still there when I arrived at my new house (or should I say, my new home). My housemate gave me a very warm welcome. We chatted away for hours and I am sure that we are going to have a great time together.
So, this is it. I arrived in Edinburgh. The new adventure has officially begun. I can finally let go. Loosen the ‘step on it’-mode I have been in. It’s time to actually be.