Studies show the fifth month of living abroad is the hardest. The romance and excitement of living in a foreign country meld slowly into a monotonous rhythm of patterns surrounding life's daily tasks, struggles and routines. What was once a dream of living in a far off land, is still alive, but now riddled with frustrations - the language barriers are hard, finding a new place to live is quite a struggle, making friends is proven to be extremely challenging, and feeling accepted as an "Auslander" is tricky. Days can pass where I easily blend into the crowd, walk the dreary cobble stone streets with my baby in tow, feeling so lucky to live this amazing opportunity, yet coincidentally feeling so sad, lonely and lost.
Is it all worth it? Really? I know it is, it has to be. Life is not lived fully unless it is changing. But when I stumbled on these photos of our home in Hailey last night I had to reconsider a bit. If anything, I will never again take for granted nice houses, wonderful yards and gardens, friends close by, large closets, washing machines and dryers, and my little pets. I miss my little cat Zoe and my old life so much it hurts, but for some reason I think there is a reason this extremely hard, but incredibly exciting path is mine.
For now, here is a photo tribute to my old, beautiful house in Hailey. Then, perhaps, I will finally be able to let it go. Luckily, the house is just a house, but my friends and Idaho will ALWAYS be there when I return. Let me just get through this fifth month!
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