{ Moving, motions and m o m e n t s } "And so the Accidental Expat makes her move..."
It's been a while, Sundaze, heh. Sorry for doing a disappearing act on the one post I promised to regularly keep up with! Things have been somewhat manic yet oddly empty all at once. Pour yourself a cuppa hot chocolate (that's what I'm havin'!) and get cosy because it's a big ol' post...
A Hong Kong love affair
一. Lately... I've been struggling. I wrote a post a week or so ago but it was titled in Chinese, so, I guess I can keep you up to date: I lost my beautiful Granny Daisy this month. One of the main reasons behind my decision to up sticks (again) and move back to England was to spend more time with her, which is something I'll never be able to do now. And, to be honest, I think I've only been about 25% me lately. Dealing with grief, trying to put on a brave face, hiding away at home in her apartment surrounded by her things... I've just been going through the motions. I'm averaging one meal and three naps a day. My family is my world, you know?
二. With that in mind, as this was my last week in Hong Kong for a little while, I've been busy catching up with friends and making the most of $2 trams and wandering along beautiful Victoria Harbour. Honestly, there's nothing quite like it! I also finally caught the Light Rose Garden installation! Missed in Seoul and it just so happened that they've installed it right here in Hong Kong's Tamar Park!! Fate, or what? The installation exhibits 25,000 white LED roses that are lit up at 6pm each evening to represent purity and innocent romance. Adorbs. It's seriously beautiful and runs until Monday 22nd Feb, if you're around! It's hitting up Singapore next as well ^_~
Moving back to England!!
三. Tonight I fly home to beautiful England. It's been a hell of a sixteen months, to say the least, hasn't it? I think for all the growing up I did - and that so much of us do - at University, this international, solo move has taught me the most. In the least cliche way possible, I think I grew into myself here and learnt to be somebody outside of her comfort zone and safety net. I constantly refer to Taylor Swift's hidden Out of the Woods message whenever I think about my time in Hong Kong. "She lost him, but found herself. And somehow, that was everything." Fending for yourself when your entire family and best friend network resides on the opposite side of the world will give you the kick up the bum that you need. Spontaneous year abroad? Check. Bring on the next adventure.
... Is it odd that I feel like I have to somewhat justify my move home? I've been inundated with people asking me why I hate Hong Kong (I don't, I just love my family more) and when I'm moving to Hong Kong (been here for a year and a half already). I mean, I only ever decided to do this for a year. A year away from a career and life that I'd lovingly crafted back in England. Which is a year more than I'd have imagined 5 years ago. Upping sticks and choosing to resettle in a completely new country, alone, is something I never thought I'd have the chance to do. How do you even do that? What do I do first? How did you cope? Why? When should I? All very valid questions that I've been asked hundreds of time over 16 months and all very valid questions that I've asked countless times too. Post on this coming soon!
Playing catch-up
四. I've been sharing some photo diaries from my recent solo travels in Korea! You can catch them right here: Six from Seoul, Landing in Seoul..., and A dreamy day at Naminara Republic. Fret not though, I still have dozens of photographs, tales and secrets to divulge from my trip, I just need a moment to catch my breath and get them polished. I'm oddly seriously excited to share this set of posts! As I'll be moving back tonight, I've scheduled a sprinkle of posts to go up over the next few days. I'll do my best to grab a moment to reply to comments, Tweets and such but I'm fairly sure I'll be drowning in unpacking, sorting out accounts, getting to some life admin and beginning another car search. Pretty much can't wait to get back on my feet again, squish my favourites and get the ball rollin' on things again.
五. In between some super exciting freelance work, I've also been keeping up with Cheese In The Trap, a K-drama that's currently broadcasting. Seriously. So good, even if I can't stand Baek In Ha and Yoo Jung. Team In Ho all the way!! If you're also watching it, pls obsess over it in the comments with me!!
六. Oh! And I uploaded a much requested K-beauty and clothing haul over on my YouTube channel too! Be sure to have a little watch and subscribe if you haven't already ♥ or just have a nose at my pre-packing apartment and 'what bloggers sound like in real life'.
"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon. For each day to have a new and different sun." - Christopher McCandless.
