The big move

People who know me, who've heard about me move, or are simply interested in knowing more, often ask me how come I decided to take the step.

That big step.

Even when I decided it was time to apply for jobs abroad (which was an idea for a long time), people were both supportive and sceptic at the same time. That has proven to be even more obvious when the situation started developing and certain opportunities started arising.

People who welcomed the idea of me looking for abroad were surprised by the fact that I a) got a response, b) had an actual interview and c) got offered a position. After a couple of false alarms (because I've been offered positions, but nothing came through), people tended not to react as excitedly as the first couple of times.

I guess people get excited and happy that someone got a job, but due to the heavy situation that's currently going on, people have lost enthusiasm. And even though some were really happy for me, I guess that shadow of doubt didn't really think it was going to happen. That's what happens when you keep finding yourself in a gutter, which was starting to happen to me after looking for a job for almost two and a half years.

After being offered a position, I was a bit more careful with getting it out there. People were already suspicious enough and I didn't want to be the boy who cried wolf over and over again. It got out there and people were sincerely and openly happy.

I accepted the position, started dealing with the paperwork, gathered all the necessary documents, applied for my visa and started planning my move when I got asked if I was really going to go through with it.

I guess it's that shadow again. Everyone would like to get away, change the situation they're in, and finally start living the life that they crave. Some people may have doubted me and my determination, and maybe even thought I would never do it when the time came.

But I did it. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I'm a miracle maker. Many have taken the step (or maybe I should use the term jump) and there will be many after me, when it was way harder and when there was no jets and Skype and cheap phone calls.

Nevertheless, it's not easy. Hanging around people who've moved a lot makes it easier. It makes me realize that people around the world do it on a regular basis, that moving is not such a big deal after all, and that I have to focus on the benefits and not the lacks of it.

A lot of people ask me how I'm doing, whether I'm going out or hanging around at home, what I find nice and what creeps me out, if there's really all those snakes and sharks, and how I cope with the heat. The problem is I can't boil it down to a sentence in the chat window, nor in a short group or copy/paste e-mail.

Maybe that's where this blog actually falls in, as my window to the world, as the salvation from all the endless repetition. And maybe that'll make things easier.

I do miss my friends, I still need time to adjust and, if not get get used to things, at least not find them weird. The come-back-from-work-have-dinner-lie-on-the-couch life is freaking me out a bit, but I'm getting out there. Parties, beach runs, lunches, home visits...

I'm getting there...

Yours sincerely,
Newbie Lost Dork in Oz

Note: This just came out during my break at work. I hope no one gets offended by the sudden avalanche of thoughts...