Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
I must say, I think STX is kind of growing on me. I have been in STX since August/05. During the first couple of months I was having some real ajustment issues and theough they are decreasing I'm still adjusting. I guess the tranisiton/detachment from the city was more than I imagined it to be. With all the planning to get here and trying to coordinate all of those details, I did not factor in the things I would miss about the states.
So it hit me after I arrived, shortly after I arrived. Actually the day I arrived at the airport. As much as Regan National Airport challenged me over the years. It was familiar and it was home. So right away I began to say "there's no place like home" over and over again. I actually missed the convience of living in the hood.
Over and over again folks would say to me "don't worry be happy. What you are feeling is natural" I would say to myself Yeah Right. There are so many things in STX that just puzzel me. Yes! Yes! I was warned before I came, by the message board members and others. Most things that puzzeled me I had already been exposed to the myths about the way things operate here, but sometimes you just can't be warned enough, you have to live it to know it.
ANYWAY. I can go back home if I want. I gave everything away befor I left the states ( not a good move.) My good old government job has never been filled and I've been asked to come back to take my position back. Boy am I split in two with this decision. More and moer I am forced to really ask myself the question that many people ask me "why did I come to STX."
STX has grown on me. Yes there are days when I feel stuck in a place that is expensive to travel from, stuck on a salary scale that is just plain scary when I think about my fuinancial future, and stuck in a way of life that on occasions that is just puzzeling from time to time. Some days however, I think to myself and say "you know there are far worse places to be stuck with. When I stop and smell the roses, I can't say anything else but wow! there is a little piece of paradise here.
I miss family, afraid I might miss something important back home, miss shopping bargins, and lots more but life is not bad here at all especially if you think outside the box, and are open minded.
Posted : March 2, 2006 1:40 pm
Well put.
Posted : March 2, 2006 3:02 pm
Melody,
My family and I arrive on March 6th. Something tells me we will go through all the feelings you are experiencing. I believe that all the challenges and difficulties a newcomer experiences only makes them stronger and more well rounded as human beings. That is only if they can stick it out long enough to get through the tuff times. In the end I'm sure it's all worth it. If after a year or two if someone is completely miserable and can't find the positive in anything then I suppose it's time to move on. Just my thoughts.
Darren
Posted : March 2, 2006 4:35 pm
Melody,
It's been very interesting to read your thoughts, as I too came to STX from the National Airport region.
It is totally natural to go through that period of major adjustment, and I'm so happy to have someone post about their first feelings that they may be getting past the tough period. Even though we knew pretty fast that this place was going to be our home for the long run (we hope it will be the last place we ever move to), even we had to make that transition. To be honest, my first reaction as I walked through the door of the house we bought on STX after our move was, "Oh my god I've made the biggest mistake of my life! How will my hubby ever forgive me for this??"
While I couldn't ever move back to DC, the land of self-important people in SUVs where it took me between 45 minutes and 2 hours to go the 5.6 miles between home in Arlington and office near the White House, I am at a much different stage in my life than you are.
It sounds like you are asking yourself all of the right questions. I don't envy you your decision at all. If you decide to stay here, it sounds as though you'll be able to achieve whatever you need to do to be happy and secure here as you've already learned that the way to do that is to look at island life on its own merits. If you do decide to return for whatever reason, remember that you can always find your way back here at a time in your life when some of the issues like your financial future and the feeling of missing out on things that are happening in DC are less at the forefront of what's important to you.
Wherever you land, your attitudes about stopping to smell the roses and thinking outside of the box will help you make the most of everything that comes your way.
Good luck, and please stay in touch from wherever you decide you should be.
--HC
Posted : March 2, 2006 6:08 pm
Melody,
I think just about everyone who moves here goes thru the same process. Lots of folks don't stay. After a bad day, LindaJ and I discuss the possibility of moving somewhere else. So far, I haven't found anyplace I'd rather be. Fortunately, we don't have this discussion often.
Posted : March 3, 2006 12:41 am
Melody,
I will be leaving Regan National on 3/16. I'm looking forward to the calm since I can no longer take the storm. The traffic, the coldness of strangers and the extreme hustle of everyday life is going to drive me crazy.
I'm sure the "laid back attitude" I am constanty warned about will to allow me to practice my number one issue.....patience. And for this oppertunity I feel blessed. I am looking forward to smelling the roses feeling the ocean breeze cool every inch of my being that craves the sun. I'm not sure how it will compare to the smell of the Cherry Blossoms the hug the tidal basin, or line my street but, I'm sure it will beat the smell of dead fish from Haynes Point!!!
may you always find peace!!
kp
Posted : March 3, 2006 4:23 am
I too am going through the same feelings. I've been here a month now, and I'm just NOW beginning to adjust. I used to work 40 hrs a week, had no time for my kids, ran myself silly and was busy every waking hour of my day. I came here and life stood still. I didn't know what to do with myself and niether did my kids. Now that I've been here awhile and started to adjust to my surroundings and those infamous "myths" about this island....I'm begninning to see life in a new light. I was killing myself so I could keep up with the neighbors. I had to have the best house, car, clothes....FOR WHAT? My whole paycheck went to bills. I supplied my kids with everything they needed and wanted but they didn't have the most important thing....ME!
I'm learning so much more about myself, my kids...we are all getting to know each other. It's the best thing I've ever done and I remind myself of this when I have those "Downtimes" on the island.
Posted : March 3, 2006 1:31 pm
melody,
I bet after your first visit back "home" you will know where you want to be. One of them will just feel right.
For us, there has never been a moment of doubt or regret. (frustrations, yes...) We knew we were 'home' the minute we stepped off the plane in STX 😉
Posted : March 3, 2006 3:32 pm
Shelly,
I recently did the same type of soul-searching. I've been in Ft.Worth all of my life. Been in the painting business with my family and started my own paint cont. business 5 years ago. I've always been an extremely hard worker, working during the day for others and then working on my own projects after that. Working weekends, driving through Dallas/FW traffic, putting up with the rat race until now, age 44.
I suppose my impending divorce caused me to reflect on everything a bit. Why this, why that. I actually stopped to re-evaluate everything in my life. Everything. Putting up with general contractors, my employees (those 2 alone will drive you absolutely insane!!), the whole rat race scenario. Asked myself what was really important to me......and it wasn't that. So.....I've given away cont. business to others, got rid of all my employees, wife/I are divorcing, downsizing and selling my stuff, etc. I am now able to cherry pick the paint jobs just for myself. No darn cell phone ringing all the time either (20 times a day was the norm---had 50 one day)
I suppose everyone has their limit and I've reached mine. And you're right......I was doing all this for what? Hell and I can't even go diving here (unless you consider a dip at dirty, cold Lake Benbrook.....approx. visibility: 12 inches). And being able to dive is a priority for me....along with a simpler, easier-paced way of life.
I was planning a pmv at the end of March/first of April, but have now decided to stay home during that time to work on my house and to sell my Corvette. That way I'll definitely enjoy my pmv much more.
Anyway, sorry for the long-winded post. And congratulations to all that have found the peace and happiness that they've so long deserved.
Jeff
Posted : March 5, 2006 7:35 pm
Topic starter
Shelly is right!
You are right. For the first few days or weeks it did feel to me like life stood still. And then things just started revealing themselves to me. I don't know one day it might have been the way the sky looked, or a local dish that I enjoyed, or person in the grocery store that I may have struck a concersation with. (Ladies -- it might just bethat good old chanage of life thing also -- let me throw that in as a possible factor to feeling I got to go back home where it's safe,familiar, and practicle.
Posted : March 6, 2006 3:17 pm
Topic starter
KP,
Are you coming for a PMV or are you on your way here to live?
Posted : March 6, 2006 3:19 pm
