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We are less than two weeks away from our move to STT and I am learning lots of emotional lessons:)
Selling all of our stuff has been a real lesson in letting go...We delivered our bed (that I have had for 21 years) Saturday, to the people who bought it. Yesterday I broke down. I feel naked without my "things"...it's a strange feeling. I know my fear comes from the unknown...not knowing whether we will be able to replace it or whether we will find jobs and be self-sufficient again. I am trying to have faith that everything will work out but I am truly scared.
Leaving family and friends is proving more difficult than I imagined...they keep saying "you will be so far away"...Last week I felt like the most selfish person in the world...It's funny because I just want to live my life the way I want to live it...who knew that would cause such a ripple effect.
I am frustrated that I cannot find a job until I get there. I keep sending resume's but no one ever responds, laughing, ...but there seem to be lots of jobs I am qualified for so I am hoping that will fall into place soon after we arrive.
All that aside, we are very excited to begin the next part of our lives...we fly in New Years' Eve and will wake up in our new home on New Years' Day. We plan on snorkeling, playing all day and RELAXING for the first time in months! We are looking forward to meeting all the interesting people down there. People here do not understand why we are doing this and I am ready to have conversations with people who can relate and do not have those looks of utter shock!:)
We appreciate this board, it has provided countless information and support. Thank you, we could not have done it without you!
Laura & Sam
Posted : December 19, 2005 10:50 am
We moved to STX this past summer and experienced alot of the same feelings. But, once we got here it was MUCH easier. We were so busy discovering new things and getting settled; the time has flown by.
Keep your eye on the prize.
Many people have already visited us and many more are making their plans.....although I like my days without guests too! 😉
Alot of people TALK about moving to a tropical island; most never do it. They just can't take that step. It isn't easy; but guess what - if you hate it (which I doubt), the airplane flies the other way too!
Go for It! I hope you will be as happy as we are.
Posted : December 19, 2005 2:23 pm
Topic starter
Thanks Travelwoman:)
I will be glad once we say goodbye here and are on our way!
Your reply made me feel much better!
Posted : December 19, 2005 5:07 pm
Laura and Sam: I don't know if you can at this point, but PLEASE don't sell all your stuff! Leave some sentimental things and practical things with friends/family or in storage. If you decide to return, you'll have a starter set, and you can always send for the stuff later.
As for friends...Bring a little photo album with you of friends, important places, events, etc to help you through the homesickness part.
P.S. Here we call December 31st Old Year's Day, because, well, it is the old year. So you will leave the old and wake up in the new!! Welcome soon! 😉
Posted : December 19, 2005 10:19 pm
Topic starter
We are packing up sentimental things we do not want to part with and will either ship them when we leave or have someone ship them later...we aren't COMPLETELY crazy!:) I agree, I think it will help with the homesickness. I can already envision unloading the boxes and the feelings we will have as we set out meaningful items in our new, foreign home. The furniture was from both our previous marriages so selling that has been difficult but also a kind of cleansing...we are looking forward to buying our own stuff together.
Thank you for the support. I felt SO much better yesterday after writing down my feelings and then having them affirmed. After that, they seemed to dissipate. Funny how that works, huh?
My view of our move is this, no matter what happens, it will not be a failure. We are doing what we want to do and even if it doesn't work out as planned and we move back to the states, it will have been a great adventure and learning experience. No regrets!
We are choosing a path in which we have no idea where it will lead and while it is extremely scary, it is invigorating and exciting. We can't wait to see how it turns out!
Posted : December 20, 2005 10:59 am
Hello all. Just reading all your posts makes me really wish we were there all ready. We were down 12/3--12/10 and really had a hard time getting on the plane to come home to Michigan. One more thing to sell and then we are there also, STX to us is perfect, quiet, friendly, and much more easier to live then S.E Michigan, these winters are killing us. Hope to see you all soon, Oh and by the way, stayed at the Divi and was very satisfied with the resort and Casino
Posted : December 20, 2005 9:47 pm
Have had it with Dreary,COLD Kodiak,AK.Can't even go outside.Was just informed that the largest,and most aggressive female Kodiak Bear on this island has set up camp in the area where I live.Kodiak Bears are the largest in the world,a much larger subspecies of Grizzly Bear.SO,STX HERE I COME!!! with one 7 yr.old daughter,1 cat and 2 small dogs.With an open heart and an open mind.Can't Wait..Hope to get off the plane in STX on 1/28/06...LA
Posted : December 26, 2005 5:06 am
Hi!!!! I know just how you are feeling. I'm moving in 2 weeks. I also sold everything I own, am leaving a great job,friends,family... all to follow a dream only I see. Oh yeah, and I still don't have a place to live!!! So if you'd like to help a kindred spirit, send me a note when you arrive and tell me how one go's about renting a room in STT. PLEASE! P.S. I am proud of you :0)
Posted : December 27, 2005 4:45 am
Christine:
I think that Fairview Inn has short term rentals on STT.Wish I had that available on STX,where me and my daughter are going.Maybe if you are in STX sometime look me up.You can send me a message.Wish you were going to be on STT,maybe we could have split a place to rent or something..Ya never know...LA
Posted : December 27, 2005 4:53 am
LA- See you there... I touch down 1/31, 5p... I have a friend that has graciously offered his place for a week or so while I find housing and work. PM me and we can trade contact info. I'm sure we'll be looking for the same things at the same time; share, share, share :-]
Posted : December 27, 2005 5:06 am
Christine:
You will be there before me,so maybe you can let me know how your search goes in finding a place.Am so happy to have something GOOD to look forward to.I was diagnosed back in September with a heart problem and in the same week was told that I had a condition of the cervix that is going into a cancerous state.Will have surgery before I leave here,hope they get it all.If not I will be a candidate for a hysterectomy before to long..SOOOO,I will NOT put off living my life in a place of sunshine.Life is WAY to short for that!!!Sure makes you appreciate EVERY small thing in life,and not really need to much to be happy.Will be jumping on that plane with a couple suitcases,and my very excited 7 yr old daughter in tow.She can't wait to get there either.She can't go outside here,with the constant pouring cold rain and the Bear that refuses to go into proper hybernation.Some don't hybernate all winter here...I Don't mind just camping out at the MT Victory Camp for a week or so.My daughter Loves to camp when there are no BEARS around....So LIFE IS GOOD.And we are GOOD TO GO TO STX....LA
Posted : December 27, 2005 5:14 am
Well, hearing jnr home, Christina B, and LA, lwlunday, leeann, and the rest of you is very comforting! I move to STJ in a week after planning for a year and dreaming for six. I'm scared, excited and anxious all at once! Being homesick is my biggest worry. However, it WILL be nice to leave the ice and cold here in WV. I'm looking forward to reading the others' experiences and offering my own. Happy New Year!
Posted : December 27, 2005 7:58 am
Topic starter
Christine--we are staying at the Villa Fairview in Charlotte Amalie temporarily...We will write and let you know how it is and how our search is going for a permanent home:)
Four days and counting!
Posted : December 27, 2005 10:12 am
Laura- Thanks!!! Can't wait to hear from you...-Chris
LA- Will let you know about the search. You are in my prayers.-Chris
Posted : December 27, 2005 5:18 pm
Thanks Chris;
Am so happy just to get down there that just can't see straight.I know everything will be fine,it's so nice to meet people going through the same STUFF!!!LA
Posted : December 29, 2005 4:27 am
I just had another phone itnerview with a woman in STT and it looks like I too will be moving there. I still will have to try to find an 1 bedroom apartment/studio. I thought I would put everything in storage here and then from time to time has someone send me things that are packed in boxes. I probably will have to sell my furniture thoghh and that will be hard.....the other issue is my cat and hoping I can take him with me, going to check with the vet to see what i need to do in that situation. Looks like I will be accepting a job doing Accounting and it seems great but can I tell you.......FRIGHTENED AT THE SAME TIME!!!!
Posted : January 14, 2006 5:58 pm
Leon, Tell your vet you are moving to VI. You will need all shots, and prt pass port (with Picture). Airline may let you hand carry if cage fits under seat. Also ask vet for drugs to keep pet calm.
Peggy
Posted : January 14, 2006 6:23 pm
Peggy;
I pulled up passport requirements online and it says,they will be required as of JAN.1,2008......LA
Posted : January 14, 2006 6:57 pm
Well I've been traveling from St Thomas since 1982 with pets and children. And have always had to have pet passport and travel papers. Its more for the airlines you know. Oh if your traveling on Spiritair you need to check if they will except your pets. They also do not take plastic containers or boxs on international flights.
Posted : January 14, 2006 10:12 pm
Peggy:
Is that the same as a PET health certificate,that I usually have in the states to fly???LA
Posted : January 14, 2006 11:51 pm
yes the same...we just call them pet passports!!! (travel papers)
Posted : January 15, 2006 12:10 am
Thank you all for your moving story ramblings. My husband and I are currently trying to decide if moving to St. Croix is the right thing for us to do. He is contemplating taking a job down there. Decision is a tough one, will miss my job, children, family, friends, etc. You all have made it a little easier to say yes; knowing that everyone has gone through the same thoughts and feelings and decided to make the move and loved it! Thank you again for sharing your stories. I wanted you to know how much it means to us to hear them.
Posted : January 15, 2006 12:41 am
