It is not easy; I knew it the moment I landed here in Auckland tugging two suitcases trying to soak in the new country and at the same time worrying about the things that I need to do. I knew that if there is one thing that I am going to miss the most about home is the ability to just call someone when I needed something.
To have a conversation without having a huge 8 hour time difference.
Now, I do the only thing I know well enough by now: I write them letters. Everyday my phone reminds me at 2 pm to send an email to my parents telling them how my previous day was. Sometimes I draft the email at 2, sometimes I don’t. The only thing that doesn’t change is my honesty. I know that they are the only ones at the moment who would like to know everything happening in my life in Auckland.
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The first email I sent was a surprise to them. Three weeks into this, I mail them everyday. My mom’s morning routine now includes an email from me the first thing in the morning.
I do leave out a certain things, like the fact that one of my Japanese roommates decided to post a video on Facebook tagging me. Now I am going to be teased for a month or more. But its all cool.
The idea is similar to ‘If we were having coffee’ which I read on Sabina’s and Jay’s blogs. I liked the idea then and now I am using it not on my blog but with my family. Gmail made it really easy.
A photo posted by Mayur Wadhwani (@mayurdw) on Feb 19, 2016 at 1:05pm PST
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I am trying to do the same thing with my friends back in India. I mail them every Sunday however I am pretty sure they will not be as enthusiastic as my parents. I don’t blame them, they have their own lives and not everyone can read hundreds of words.
I could Skype them, I did do that today. But I am not a guy who can talk. I am guy who knows how to put my thoughts into words and back them up with emotions. I tried the other way and because of the time difference it is not feasible. So now, I do what I know the best: I write letters to the ones I miss.
I write about the Lantern festival in Auckland, I write about the marina near my house. I write about the food that I made and about the food that was not so good. I can’t call them every time I need some help but I can surely remember where I came from; why I am here.
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Ah I do the daily emails with my parents every day as well. Have been doing that for the last 5 years, ever since I left for college. 🙂 I really like the process – even though some days its a bit of a chore – because it forces me to re-evaluate my day, and tell them little things that wouldn’t necessarily come up in a skype conversation, and it gives them a sense of connection and security to know what I’m up to in life. Oh, and I meant to whatsapp you and tell you – I saw your email in my blog gmail a few days ago, and I’ve been super busy these last few days, but I’ll reply pakka within the next 2/3 days. And yes, I really, truly am interested in whats happening in your life in Auckland. Make your emails longer, baba. The second one I read was too short. 🙂 Write you soon; till then, take care! 🙂
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You are being brave! Truly. It is not easy to leave a close-knit family and venture out on your own. Keeping you in my good thoughts and prayers.
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Aw thank you Kay. 🙂
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I’m more of a talker. I call or Skype my parents fairly regularly. I obviously love writing, but I get in my own head too much. I’d rather just spit it out naturally than choosing and analyzing my words.
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Yeah to each their own
in my case, I can’t skype too much because of the schedule and time difference
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Hello.
Your experience on moving resonates with me. A couple of years ago, I moved too….half way across the world. Seven hours difference in winter, six in summer throws a wrench in communication. I call as often, as I can. I miss home.
Your enriching experiences will be so enlightening.
Fond regards.
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Thank you! Really you don’t know what it means
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