It was August 1 when I last blogged. It is almost painful to bring up this blog now (I seriously have tears in my eyes). Mexico and this Blog have been our life and our adventure since March of 2008 when we decided life was to be embraced. And embrace we did!
How is re-entry?
Husband and I feel like we are on the "Truman" set - you know that movie with Jim Carey where everything is perfect. Mexico is raw, untidy, unstructured, messy, loose, unpredictable, tolerant, imperfect ... and the USA is the opposite of many of these things. The USA is an amazing country and it is easy to see why people want to live here. Everything just "seems" so perfect ... it is surreal ... like a movie set.
Oldest Son and Youngest Son have re-entered their fancy private school. They are adjusting seamlessly. Youngest Son's exciting news is that he broke his arm but he will be fine. Interesting side note on Oldest Son is that we did private tutoring in August to catch him up in Hebrew - he successfully "did" a full year of Hebrew in 3 weeks - could this have been affected by the language skills he acquired last year? Maybe.
Yesterday, we spent time with friends at their ranch. They lived last year in Spain with their 9 year old daughter. It was great to talk with another USA family that had made similar choices and ended up with similar conclusions. Not everyone here can understand who we were before and who we are now.
And one topic of discussion with these friends of kindred spirit : Where will we go in 2 years?!! Moving Kids to ...
How is re-entry?
Husband and I feel like we are on the "Truman" set - you know that movie with Jim Carey where everything is perfect. Mexico is raw, untidy, unstructured, messy, loose, unpredictable, tolerant, imperfect ... and the USA is the opposite of many of these things. The USA is an amazing country and it is easy to see why people want to live here. Everything just "seems" so perfect ... it is surreal ... like a movie set.
Oldest Son and Youngest Son have re-entered their fancy private school. They are adjusting seamlessly. Youngest Son's exciting news is that he broke his arm but he will be fine. Interesting side note on Oldest Son is that we did private tutoring in August to catch him up in Hebrew - he successfully "did" a full year of Hebrew in 3 weeks - could this have been affected by the language skills he acquired last year? Maybe.
Yesterday, we spent time with friends at their ranch. They lived last year in Spain with their 9 year old daughter. It was great to talk with another USA family that had made similar choices and ended up with similar conclusions. Not everyone here can understand who we were before and who we are now.
And one topic of discussion with these friends of kindred spirit : Where will we go in 2 years?!! Moving Kids to ...
20 comments:
Great to see this post. I was thinking of the four of you last night -- wondering how things were going. And, it appears, just as I would have predicted.
We are okay but we are different - you know? Different in a good way.
Husband & I miss the simpler MX life. I think of it every day.
Kids are kids and they just adapt to whatever.
Wow- I have been gone a while. This totally surprised me. Did you always intend to go back or was it a decision? I am sure that you will find a ton of happiness. I do hope that you are going to continue to blog. I would miss reading about everything.
Yes our plan was always to have just 1 year away. Our work lives are the primary driver - just could not swing commuting another year ... we are thankful for the 1 year and are trying to figure out how to do it again.
I know the feeling. It's like you're not instep with everyone else.....it IS surreal. There is a sterility and predictability in the USA that you don't feel in Mexico.
Good luck with your transition back into the swing of things.
You know I've always tried to live my life outside of the truman set. I think I freak people out because I like things to always be different everyday. And I totally agree after living in Mexico something changes in you. For me it was how much I wanted to go back to the US, and a new appreciation for the US, that I didn't have when I left. But I was starving and without medical care in Mexico and I'm sure you never had to suffer like that, while you were there.
B - Sterile is a very good word and can be a good thing ... but the flash of adventure is alluring.
PVG - You are right. I am a fortunate person and had the means to live comfortably in Mexico. We did not suffer at all - inconvenienced maybe - but no suffering. I do know what you mean though about the USA. I meant it when I blogged that I have an appreciation for why people live in USA. It is a land of opportunity and amazing amenities. I hope your life has gotten easier and things are working out for you.
You will be amazed how quickly you adjust to being back in the USA. Of course, you aren't the same, but you get to chose what things to change now that you are home.
If I could afford it, I would live in California, but I can't do that easily. I don't feel exiled here, I love my life here. There are just some things and people who aren't here.
I am glad the kids are doing well. I can't wait to see where you go next!
regards,
Theresa
T - Thanks for your thoughtful comments. It is important to remember that things are not black and white. The world and expereinces in it are many shades of grey. One can really miss MX while still appreciate being at home in USA ...
(sorry I deleted because I didn´t log in right) I *feel* you...have been "back" for 7 wks and almost 2 days; yes, every DAY counts...I am really glad you followed up; I want to do the same, not the same, but continue following up...but, anyways...there are SO MANY greys...attempting to keep the balance here in California...mentally & in action...it´s a process, MAKE LISTS...seriously-when I think of "how we do it in MX" and "how we do it in US" and then what MY own happy medium is of the two....sometimes I "go black" or "go white" (green or blue I guess, ;) but..many times it is a grey of some sort....suerte-
Sorry to hear that it sounds like you won't be continuing this blog. I'm always interested to hear from people that are open minded to do different things, even if they do live in the states. I'll keep you on my Google Reader and hopefully, we'll be hearing from you again.
Hi my name is Katie and I realize im a little late for reading this blog but I googled life in Mexico with american children and well your site poped up so I thought I would ask you a few questions. Well let me just start by saying that my husband is hispanic and at the moment is in Mexico he had to go back about 2 weeks ago to fix his status. So being since its going to be a year to a year in a half before he can return I was thinking of joining him there with MY 3 kids who are white americans my husband now is not their father. Their father passed away several years ago. My kids are young 7,5,and 4 if we decide to go they will be 8,6,and 4 at the time of travel. Firstly my my main concerns are is it safe? How do I educate my kids while we are down there? What did your kids do for schooling? Did they attend a private school? I dont want my kids to miss out on any of their education. I do feel however that this could be a very good learnig experance for them seeing as how my kids have lived in NC their whole lives and they have only taveled to PA and SC to visit family. So if you could please email me as soon as you get a chance my email is katiekestner@yahoo.com and I would love to get some answers from someone that has actully done what I am thinking of doing. Thanks so much any info will be appreciated.
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
Hope all is well, looking forward to a wrap up paragraph or two.....
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