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Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 | 89 comments (89 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (4.00 / 2)
I moved to Switzerland from California 18 months ago...I do admit occasionally missing the West Coast on occasions...but my transition has been a bit less eventful than yours (externally, anyway). That said, and I don't know how long you were in California (what does that make you, Barbara, a repariated expatriate expatriated??)...but transitions to new countries are certainly not easy. Most of my turmoil is internal, and after 18 months it still erupts, so you have my deepest sympathies. Hang in there!! It will get better!! (and thanks for posting!!)

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia
by whataboutbob on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 01:22:32 PM EST
Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (none / 0)
Where in California did you live? I see you call yourself a refugee :)!! Are you one of the people who fled from Bush and Co.?

Yes, I do struggle with identity crisis here and there. I miss the Californians' open mind and friendliness... it's a lot tougher in London to meet others.

This move was not quite a return to my homeland, just to the continent... which still makes me a foreigner but at least allows me to enjoy the good things Europe has to offer.

"If you cannot say what you have to say in twenty minutes, you should go away and write a book about it." Lord Brabazon

by Barbara on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 01:36:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (none / 0)
I look forward to your contributions to the discussions we have on ex-pat identity.
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 01:40:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (4.00 / 2)
Yes... what is it that DoDo calls us?  Apatriots?  Anational?  Or I think that last one was yours.
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 04:41:33 PM EST
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Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (4.00 / 2)
I only dare to tag myself apatriot :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 05:06:19 PM EST
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Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (none / 1)
I grew up in Southern California (mostly in the Balboa Island, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach area...back in the 60s when there were beautiful empty rolling hills...)

Then I lived the last 25+ years in San Francisco and Marin. I moved to Switzerland when I married Lil...one of us had to choose...I lost/won. I'm mostly really enjoying it here, though the employment piece has been a real challenge...though this is slowly developing.

How did you end up in California anyway...and especially Riverside, of all places, Barbara??

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia

by whataboutbob on Fri Mar 17th, 2006 at 03:56:31 AM EST
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Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (none / 0)
I moved from Ivory Coast to France, which was a trauma indeed, so I can appreciate what it must have been to leave the Californian sun.
I've had two homes for more 18 months now, one in Paris and one in London, which actually helped me solve the identity problem.

When through hell, just keep going. W. Churchill
by Agnes a Paris on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 02:45:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 (none / 1)
Oh, so what is your identity now? Apart from famous author of tawdy stories... ;-)
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Thu Mar 16th, 2006 at 03:53:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Migeru and me -- A recapitulation of 2005 | 89 comments (89 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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