It is six months to the day that The Captain and I arrived in Houston, just the two of us, rented a car, and headed to San Felipe Drive to meet our relocation specialist. The air was heavy and humid, his office was frighteningly cold. That very evening we went to a cheap store to buy jackets, totally unaccustomed to the deep freeze air conditioning.
I've passed through that initial dizzying feeling - waking up in the dark of pre-dawn, unsure what continent I was on. I've lost that feeling that I could just blow away - disconnected from everything.
Six months in, we've traveled several times and come "home" several times, and when we felt that blessed relief of climbing into our own car at the airport, it's been here. Houston.
Six months in here is a simple list of what I am still longing for in Sydney, and what I still can't get enough of in Houston.
Sydney
1. Our friends. My heart aches for them daily, and I still succumb to sobbing on a fairly routine basis.
2. The sunlight and the natural beauty and the beaches (I know, that's three things. I'm cheating!)
3. Our foster son
4. Our school and the Australian school system in general
5. My garden
6. Our house
Houston
1. The shopping. I'm sorry, husband, the evidence is in the receipts. Ebay, Etsy, Target, Lowes, it is all so easy, and so much less expensive, and I have been on a six month shopping spree.
2. Our house with the pool, proximity to The Captain's office, and everywhere else I need to be.
3. The Captain's more relaxed schedule. This office is more flexible so he has been more able to help with school drop offs, or adjusting his schedule to accommodate family needs. It has been wonderful.
4. The food. I am still happy to eat Mexican food as many time in a week as my family will let me. Eating out is so much less expensive. The overall quality of food is better in Australia, but yummy things are more easily accessible and less expensive here.
5. Our new church family, and our developing school community at the private school
6. My garden, in containers mostly, but still growing!
Today I met up with a mother from school, and we had one of those great conversations that ends up running over time, and you both dash of, only to stand by the car a couple more minutes, because you just want to keep talking. As I was leaving, someone called my name from across the street - a guy in our church community group. He was heading a few blocks over to see his wife at work, and asked me to come along. At her office I was introduced to a number of people who attend our church. Then, after I had rushed back to school in time for Finch's afternoon pick up, I exchanged numbers with another mom to get our kids together to play.
Six months in, and I'm no longer afraid of flying off into the ether. I have sent down some rootlets, and a sprout has shot up. We are going to make it here.
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