Friday, 15 June 2007

"So, how are you enjoying Sydney?" - more from 'the wife'

When people find out we've moved from Tassie to Sydney, a very common question is "how are you enjoying Sydney?". I really dislike this question, as my most simple answer is "I'm not" and I'm not sure what the correct english answer is in the positive ("I'm enjoying it nicely, thankyou very much"?). Perhaps I should ask a question back to the person "how IS one to enjoy Sydney?".
I really am struggling to find things to enjoy about this crazy place, but do look forward to being able to look back on these years with some kind of fondness. There are glimmers of nice things, though. Having so many great Christian teachers at 'our fingertips' is fabulous. And Sydney does have lots of interesting shops and cafes... it's just a pity public transport stands between us and them! And when it rains, it really rains - we love looking outside at the 'river' running down our street.
After spending the first few months fighting the fact that this is our home (for the next 2.5 years), I'm now rather at peace with the idea. I can see that things are going to get better. At first I was encouraged by the idea that going through suffering (having temporarily lost many of the good things in my life) produces perseverance, character and hope (Rom 5 style). But I've also just realised that God has put us here out of his love, and he is with us as a loving Father. This is much better than being 'chucked in the deep end' by God, and is a huge comfort to me.

I'm pretty sure the trip back to Tassie for three weeks (Noah and I arrive on the 21st, Bernard on the 24th) will succeed in bringing to the forefront all my dislikes about Sydney, and that resettling back here will be hard work, but it will be great to be refreshed by all our Hobartian loved ones. And we'll be back again for Christmas!

6 comments:

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

You should get a cat. We make everything better!

Katie said...

Oh, Thanks for the tip pabs. I've heard that babies and cats don't get along so well, however, and I think I'd like
Noah to stay. He often makes everything better too.
(I don't believe that YOU would smother a baby, but it has happened. And babies don't have much respect for cats personal space)

Yvonne said...

Hi Kate (B & N),
i just stopped by your blog for a visit. it's great you can make it back to Tas, Katie - i reckon it helps to comes to terms with being over in NSW & away from Tas for these years.

I can kind of understand a bit, i went from Tas to Wollongong for uni for 4years without knowing anyone and was really homesick in the first year but it definitely got better as time went on. i know your situations different though... I remember finding it helpful to list all the good things about the new place - for me it was some beautiful plants - Frangipani's were a majorly impressive discovery!
i think you're back in tas as i write this so mayb see you at church.
yvonne

Yvonne said...

ALERT ALERT!!

sorry - typo!!! i meant Katie!! not kate... insert "i" in the appropriate place!!

...whoops...

Bron said...

So how's the wife enjoying Tassie? Will be lovely to see you there.

The Librarian said...

I found it hard coming back to melb, personally katie, and that was after a week and a half, but I acclimatised quickly.

The bottom line is, Tassie is home ( both family and spiritually in most ways) - but Melbourne is "fun". Tassie is easier to get around, but melbourne has more cool, cheap places to get stuff you need..

Heaven is home, but Tassie is sooo great that it makes my longing for heaven strong even whilst I enjoy tassie's blessings...

Yes, I agree, I have peace about a term somewhere else. God has given us that blessing, thankfully!