I've been emailing with several gals who are on their way to Delhi ... and as I give out my two cents worth of advice, it struck me that there are loads of things that I held as truth before we arrived as expats in a new country.
This is my list of "I THOUGHT ... "
- We would Skype regularly with folks from back home.
- I would interact with more locals.
- We would MISS and CRAVE meat ... and when we got it ... would scarf it down.
- We would learn Hindi.
- We would need huge reserves of deodorant, pancake mix, poptarts and microwave popcorn.
- I would spend more time with non-Americans.
- We would have more time to spend together as a family.
- I would wear more indian-styled clothes, such as kurtas, salwar kameez, etc.
- We would eat more indian food.
- We would have adapted to the heat, nearly a year into our time here.
- We would have spent the Summer of 2010 in the United States.
- That I would not miss shows like Private Practice, Big Brother and others.
- That I would get crazy involved with charity work.
- That Terran would get back into soccer, since lacrosse and American football wouldn't be available here.
- That I wouldn't miss my subscription to Real Simple :(
- That I would NOT get involved in any organizations ... on any level ... for at least a year (ha!).
- That we would see more of India.
- That I would write ridiculously inspiring and introspective posts about what it means to be living in a country other than my own.
- That I would easily adapt to the ins and outs of employing people.
- I would spend more time with my kids - but alas, I've fallen prey to the ease of having someone at home willing and ready to hang out with the littles. I go back and forth on whether I'm doing too much withOUT the kids and may never achieve a balance.
- I really thought I'd at SOME point try to drive here. It is such a measure of independence for me ... and I'm surprised that I have NO desire to get behind the wheel and tackle the streets of Delhi.
- That I would run a 1/2 marathon on a new continent.
