I had a low-key Girls Night last night and I mentioned the fact we might extend to two girls I'm friends with. They were shocked to put it mildly! One of them actually said, "You like it here?"
What's not to like? I mean, sure there are days when Italians or their way of doing things really get on my nerves. I also have days where I really really miss my friends and family at home. Quite honestly the only reason why I would not want to extend is because of my family and friends since I'd want to be closer to them, but in the grand scheme of things I'll probably live close to them for the rest of my life. So living a couple more years overseas isn't that huge of a deal to me.
I get that overseas living isn't for everyone, but I think when you are young and without children that you should make the best of it (which all of us that were present last night fits that description) One of my friends has actually said she's seen everything she wanted to see. As far as I know she's been only to Rome,Venice, Florence and Munich, plus a few other places in Italy. I've been here a year and I haven't even see 1/10th of the places I want to see!
I don't know it just seems that you either love it here or you hate it here. I guess I'm thankful I've chose to love it.
25 comments:
Good for you! I spent a semester abroad in London and I think while difficult, if BF chose to take assignment overseas, I'd try to have the attitude you do. You may as well do it all now while you can! :)
We loved it overseas, and would go anywhere in a heartbeat. Most of the people that were in Germany with us never saw or did anything other than have bbq's and drink beer. They missed out on so much, but then again those are the same people that never want to do anything regardless of where they live. Enjoy your time, ours went by too fast!
Well, I kinda hope you stay for another two years; Italy is our top pick on our "Dream List" and we should find out at the end of the year where we're going next. I know Italy is a long shot, so I'm crossing my fingers really, really hard that we'll get it.
I am so glad that you are having a great time overseas. It is always a good idea to make the best of any situation.
I love seeing all your pictures and stories or all your adventures.
we just applied for IPCOT a few days ago hoping we get to stay here for another 3 years mostly because I'd like to stay close to my family for a few more years becasue I will probably spend rest of my life far away from them (I'm Croatian).
Living overseas is not for everyone, that is for sure. My family lived in Brussels, Belgium and I have nothing but positive memories. I've gone back forth visiting Europe over the years and after MANY trips, I still haven't seen all that I want to see!
If you love it, stay while you can! I can say for certain, that if I ever found a way to live abroad, I would say yes and for as long as possible!
Wow, I can't believe they were surprised that you liked it! I mean, I realize it's not easy to be far away from family and familiar places, but what an amazing place to be in! At least it's not like some tiny little place in the middle of the tundra in Russia that has yet to discover the internet or something! :)
I'd love to at least travel overseas, and maybe live there for awhile!
It's all about attitude, and you rock the good kind! Frankly, maybe it's just me, but if I have to endure the suck of being without Hubs and being without family (because the likelihood of us getting stationed close to OKC is nil) then I'd like to endure it overseas! Might as well get something - like fabulous vacations and amazing scrapbook material - out of this, right?
We are thinking of extending and staying here a total of 5 years. What is there not to love! You get to travel everywhere and the government is paying for our house! And we have a baby on the way and it isn't stopping us!!
We lived in Japan for 3 years, and I absolutely loved it!! I say good for you guys for wanting to extend. It's the best time for you to do it (without kids). We went to Japan with 1 kid, came home with 2. There are so many more places we wanted to go, but it was tough with small children. We hope to go somewhere in Europe when the kids are older. Enjoy it while you can!
I definitely agree that this is probably the best time to live abroad. I say make the most of it while you can!
I think it's great if you love it! If you love it, then you should definitely stay a little while longer.
I would love to be able to live overseas! Maybe we will get there one day, so enjoy it for the rest of us.
People either embrace where they live or they don't. I have yet to live anywhere I hate. And living overseas was tough sometimes, but I always felt that when it was tough, going into my own space and watching a movie or talking with a friend calmed me back down. I think it's especially hard to live somewhere where english isn't spoken primarily. Gosh, I'm amazed there are people who still hate the overseas assignments. I feel like everyone we know is fighting to get over there.
I have mixed feelings about it all. I have had a good experience overall but what is hard for me is the day to day living. The getting out and seeing stuff is the best part but it just can't happen as much as I would like with 2 small kids. But now that we are leaving I feel like I have done what I could and I have seen a lot.
I don't really want to come back though. I see other people just love it here and never want to leave but I just miss America too much or something.
I often wonder what it would have been like for me without kids. I know I would have been able to see so much more and do so much more.
You can tell those girls that I will gladly switch places with them. They really don't realize how lucky they are. A lot of people will go their entire careers TRYING to get overseas and never ever get there.
I am glad you are loving it and keep making plans to live it up while you can.
Like you said, overseas living is not for everyone. I hated it when we first moved to Italy, but once we acclimated I fell in love with everything about overseas living. It's such a rare opportunity to live outside of one's comfort zone, experience something new half way around the world, all while the military is providing us with a place to stay :) My hubby & I are doing everything we can to return...fingers crossed for '11 :)
I'm not sure about some areas, but I think I would love to live in Italy as well. If you can stay longer, go for it!
I think you have a great attitude and I completely agree with you! You have this wonderful opportunity in front of you; the chance to see and visit places you may normally not get to! And like you said, you'll have the rest of your life to live near your friends and family. Good for you Melissa!
Oh and I love the picture of Boomer as a puppy! Look at how tiny he is!!!
I think that is true of MOST places you can get stationed, either you make the most of it and end up liking it or you make yourself suffer for 2-4 years.
Hi - I haven't commented in forever so I just wanted to say hi :) I think your way of thinking is where I would be. I would also miss my family and friends tons - but this also seems kind of like a once in a lifetime chance to be surrounded by amazing things! I also agree that there will be no better time to do it!
Hey! I'm new to your blog, but I'm a military wife, too. My husband's in the Army, stationed at Ft. Monroe, VA right now. We have a 17 month old son, so I like that we're close enough to family that they can see him as he's growing so quickly, but if I were in your shoes, I'd love to be overseas. Pack in everything you can and don't wish any of your time away! It's precious and you won't ever get it back. :)
We'd love to live overseas if we could. I say go for it!
My husband are about to move overseas too and I'm so glad you love it! I feel the same way about it :o)
We were so BLESSED to get to extend for a year, giving us 3 years there. Things were a bit different at Aviano since there was no base housing. You had to immurse yourself in the local communities or be miserable. Some people chose the latter. I say go for the extension and soak up all you can. There is not a day that goes by without my longing to be back in Italy. I'd give anything just to hear the church bells ring out.
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