Imagine you had spent six months preparing to move your family half way around the globe. You had found schools, a place to live, let your house, packed your life into boxes, tied up all lose ends back in the UK and said goodbye as you headed off for a New Adventure.
Imagine you had spent six months making a new life, a home. You settled your children into new schools and helped them find their way. You gradually overcame your loneliness and made friends, learnt your way around and began to feel you could do this. You got through your body’s dislike of the heat and humidity, ceased to miss home quite so much and threw yourself into it all that the new place had to offer.
And just as you are beginning to enjoy it, to appreciate the climate, the outdoors, the quality of life, just as your hitherto unhappy son is about to start a new school, they pull the rug out from under your feet and tell you you’re being recalled to London.
The words I wrote to friends last Christmas have turned out to be prophetic.
'Hong Kong is definitely feeling the global financial crisis. The first waves of job cuts have seen people leaving at short notice and everywhere you hear the same question, “Is your job safe?” The fact of the matter is that none of us know. However, we rather hope it will be a while longer before someone says, “The Dxxxx Family? Now there’s a cost we could cut!” '
Not that much longer, as it turned out.
I have been through the full range of emotions ever since the news plopped into the Pioneering Accountant’s Inbox. He glanced at his Blackberry and his body language said it all. It was Good Friday and we were in Beijing. Yes, I kept that out of my Beijing post. We were still too gob smacked to know quite how to react.
I’ve not been sleeping. It gets late and I am nodding over a book but I don’t want to turn out the light. If I hang on to today it means that the uncertainty of tomorrow is delayed for a little bit longer. I can’t talk to anyone, the information is still sensitive. I feel sick. I want to laugh. I’ve had a little weep. I’ve put my head in my hands. I’ve looked on the bright side and I’ve yelled expletives in my head.
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9 comments:
What a shock. You poor things. Organising a move is so much work, as I'm only just now coming to realise, and then to have the rug pulled from under you like that....
But there must be a bright side? You will be coming home to friends and family, the area that you loved living in. Your children can return to their friends - to them, it will seem as if they have never been away. (Funnily enough we did this in reverse, when I was 8 we came back from HK to London, but returned to HK after less than a year. I was very glad to be back 'home', I remember).
Thinking of you, though - try not to worry. I am sure it will all work out.
Such a shock! I'm sure you dread the prospect of packing up again. But you seem to have packed a huge amount into a very short time and, whatever the upheaval, I'm sure you and the children will have gained so much from your time in Hong Kong. Lots of memories and stories to tell. Although, of course, it might take a while before hindsight kicks in!
Its really good timing for you actually as the summer here is ghastly so in a way you've had the best bit - plus the kids will not have forgotten friends yet which is super-important. What about the other half of the dream team though you might have to get her a bullet proof vest for her flight back to the Phils. Sorry am just trying to make you smile as I've so enjoyed your blog (I moved from Pimlico to Pokfulam in 2007 but could never have written about it with the flair that you have! hope you keep blogging wherever you are.
you poor thing. HK grows on one and I know in the 4 years we were away in Europe we didn't throw out the extension cords and plugs just in case we ever got to go back - and we did. I'm superstitious that way, whenever we move I try to have some things not sorted out, something not properly unpacked since just when I have my shit together we get the call.
Good luck with the moving back. Despite what the other people have said, moving back home is the hardest move you'll ever make. Read up a bit about 're-entry culture shock' to prepare yourself.
oh i'm sorry to read this. what a challenge it is for you emotionally as well as physically and intellectually. i hope you can all find some postitive way through it.
we are in hk between 23 april and 2 may, and although it's a short time it would be lovely to say hello. we start the journey on wed 22 so please do email if you can face the sight of amassed gritlet.
Wow! They didn't even tell him in person, but via email?
Here's hoping he finds something fairly quickly back in the UK!
WOW! I'm sorry it's a double edge sword. Good luck but in todays economy you have to do what the job requires. Try not to stress too much!
Oh poor you. I feel your pain. I know what an effort it is to settle in a foreign land, and I know that there is a big sense of achievement with every little success. And now it must feel like all those successes count for nothing. But they don't. They had their time and place.
You must feel like you haven't quite reached the top of the mountain, maybe you can see the summit, and now you're being asked to turn round and head down again. At least you have the blog, which will serve as a record of the adventure.
I really do feel for you. I think it will be tough heading home. You will find new challenges for yourself though. I think you're that kind of person. And family and friends will be so pleased, and you will remember why you missed them so much in the first place.
Things often work out.
I'm so sorry to hear this. It is very tough. the same thing happened to us, well hung over us for 6 mths in Sri Lanka, after having only been there 6 mths. We didnt know where we were going. We ended up staying because my husband got another job in Sri LAnka, but it was a horrible limbo for 6 mths. I didnt know whether to try & settle & establish 'home' or prepare myself for another move.
It's certainly true what wa ssaid abou t're-entry shock' too, worth considering. I do feel for you. whatever, your children will have had an amazign experience & you can be justly proud of all you've achieved.
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