Week Eighteen / Day One
No revelations to speak of, this week...
Although, I have come to appreciate that the progressive levels of affect that a move such as this one to Australia can have on an individual are more profound and slow to ease than one might realize - certainly more than I had expected or foreseen, coming in. Weekly, daily, regularly, I will notice a hurdle crossed that I had not seen coming or even noticed I was subconsciously negotiating. This is far, far different than any of my previous moves within my own country.
I think, too, that the fact that we speak a common language (uncommonly!) might actually make this transition more difficult, more disorienting. The fact that everyone looks familiar, that I can read all the signs and speak and understand the language offers a false familiarity and expectation of comfort that doesn't yet exist. Were this Japan or China or Indonesia or any other non English-speaking country, one would expect not to fit; the disconnection would be expected and accepted and the length of transition to comfort-level would seem a naturally-protracted thing.
...and, it works both ways. As I look and sound so much like a native, I think there is an unarticulated expectation that I will know my way around; in particular, through what is a rather daunting bureaucracy. There is a pronounced absence of guidance and advice in areas unexpected. So many questions, I don't even know to ask until I run up against some system or other; then must virtually back up and lay new groundwork before I can make something work or access some service, here.
Much frustration and doubt, much testing and feeling my way in a place that feels as though things should be easier to accomplish. Now, I do see why large companies have entire departments dedicated to supporting international relocation of personnel.
Okay, enough wingeing.
We've expanded our team in Perth and moved into new offices very near one of the more popular venues, there; which will support the sense of Team among our Perth-based crew and I think further articulate our presence in that city.
We are beginning, overall, to function more as a corps of specialists and a team of professionals as, through working together, the specific value of each individual relative to each project and the work, overall, becomes more evident and appreciated.
I think I'll keep it brief, this week...
Kile -- I'd fallen behind on reading your blog but caught up a little while drinking my coffee on a beautiful Mother's Day morning here in NYC (get to see Mom and Dad later for brunch and a concert). I have a question for you. When you got all your stuff, was there ever a feeling of "I did OK without it for four months, perhaps I just should have started off brand new?" I have a storage space of things that I put there because I "couldn't possibly" get rid of them, but if you asked me right now to write a list of all those treasures I couldn't possibly do it. Sometimes I think I'll just send my assistant to empty out the storage space without my ever seeing these "treasures" again, and I'd be just fine ... and $150 a month better off! And then I visit the space and see the things and they're important to me once again. Any way, thinking of you and sending you my regards.
ReplyDeleteAhh, the Sphinx...ever watching. Perhaps guarding secrets...? :-)
ReplyDeleteI too am reading your missive on a sunny mothers day morning here in glorious Sonoma, loving to read your thoughts and experiencing your adventure to some degree. What a different reality from not too long ago-my sweet, creative friend...and to be in the place where you don't need to sell you, to peddle your brilliance but to just let it shine? My oh my, profound as this Van Morrison cd filling my room with it's creative, gorgeous sound. I love you!!!
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