Since getting the news at the end of September that Ibis would not be allowed into the US, I've experienced pretty much every emotion imaginable. Anger, grief, despair, sadness, frustration -- but also hope.
If you read some of the same blogs I do you may have heard me say that a common theme in my novels in hope, and I think that comes directly from my life. I've always been an optimistic person, someone who tries to see the best in every person and every situation, and the recent events in our lives is no different. Don't get me wrong, I've had many many moments where I question what I'm doing, but I'm figuring out how to move past that and look at the bigger picture.
At a minimum, Ibis won't be allowed into the US for another seven years (realistically it'll be eight or nine) so we need to make fairly long-term plans. I'd like wherever we live next to be our home, not just another place where we serve our time. Yes, it's very hard right now -- searching for jobs in another country is even more deflating than looking in your own city, or even state -- but I try to look at it that in a year, we'll be in a new place with new jobs, finally living our lives.
As I mentioned before, we'd like to move to Canada -- preferably Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, or Edmonton -- but we're keeping our options open. When the US said no, that opened the door to the entire world. Have you ever dreamed about moving to another country halfway around the world? Well we have that option. Who says we can't move to Europe or Australia? We'll have to go through an immigration process no matter where we go, so why not aim high?
Having this freedom has done a lot for my mental health and I've noticed a huge change in my behavior over the past month and a half. The weight of waiting is off my chest and I'm breathing easier and finally feeling more optimistic about the future.
Where would you move if the whole world was open to you?
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12 comments:
How about one of the resort islandw which may not be US territory. Nice weather, lots of turist hotels. Reading and writing can be done anywhere. Everyone will want to come visit...
You mean move to another community exactly like Zihua? Have you not heard anything I've complained about for the past 2+ years? ;)
No, I want nothing to do with heat or tropical or tourists (unless they're there because they like to visit the big city). And I thought everyone would want to come visit us here, but so far only four friends have come.
We very nearly moved to London a few years ago, and I would love to live there for a while. I tell my husband I want to retire to Italy. We'll see.
I want to come visit you, but I'm hoping you'll be gone by the time it's possible for us. :-)
Okay, for me, I had a student from Botswanna, and that sounds like a lovely place. I've always wanted to live in South Africa, too. England and France (ohmigawd, the best healthcare in the world!) and Germany are great. Ireland is tax-free for artists (including writers), isn't that something? Scotland...
Denmark has amazing perks. (Six weeks state-required vacation, for one, LOL.) I knew several people from Australia, and they loved it. Healthcare would probably be at the top of my list, though, LOL.
Where else are you thinking of?
Wendy, the more people I've met from England the more I want to go there. I've never visited but I think I'd like it. Retiring in Italy has been mentioned here too.
Natasha, I have a friend who's spending a lot of time in South Africa lately and she loves it. We like England and France for the same reasons, but right now I don't want to deal with ANOTHER language.
We're mainly thinking of anyplace that speaks English.
I would love to live in England again, but primarily to be close to family and the culture I grew up with.
As for somewhere new, I would love to try living in Spain for a while. I think that would be fun. And Italy would be great too, although I know no Italian (but I've heard that if you know Spanish, it's an easy transition).
And Australia would be fun too! Basically, I want to live everywhere, lol.
Nadine, you and me, we're like this. *makes hand gesture between our heads*
Melanie, first let me just say you are an inspiration. It's been a tough year for me, but seeing your stories and knowing we've all got our 'rows to hoe' as it were, somehow helps recharge the batteries. Or in my case, the defibrilator(sp). So, to your point; Tokyo Japan, no question. Hong Kong and Dubai a very close second / third. I imagine Dubai is not an option for you (heat), but you asked where 'we' would go.
Australia. Or London. Or NYC. Or somewhere else. I want to travel everywhere!
Thanks Kev. I feel like I've had a pretty crappy year, and not that we're trying to one-up each other, but I think you trump me. Sorry. Do you think you'll ever get over that way?
Elana, I can't wait to travel! I still haven't left this continent.
Where would I live if I could live anywhere????
Anyplace with lots of snow and with huge changes in altitudes(read mountains).
And of course, when I mean lots of snow, I mean something reasonable, like 4 feet every night.
And nobody else around except the people running the lifts to the top of the mountain.
Penguin, you're the one person that I probably could have guessed that answer word for word. Although I thought three feet was plenty. ;)
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