Wow...it really has been the longest break I've had writing. But I've had my reasons, as you do.
Been back in Gothenburg for about 1.5 months now. It feels weird but good at the same time.
I'll do a quick re-cap of what's been going on.....
We left Melbourne with very mixed emotions. I've met some amazing people there. Friends and family that I hope I will have for the rest of my life. Memories and experiences that I will always treasure.
Well....some I'd like to put in my forget folder. But when you are involved with a man that has children from a previous relationship you kinda have to deal with the ex too. Some ex' are more loony than others, I came to notice.
Kevin has two boys from a previous relationship. And unfortunately we weren't allowed to bring them with us. Even for a short time. As a mom myself that has brought my children all over the world I know the benefits of traveling first hand. But on the other hand I can understand why they weren't allowed too. And we have to respect that. Sadly we are not talking to the boys as much as we would like to. The ex has stopped all contact. Since even before we left actually. It's emotionally difficult as we love the boys and wanted nothing more than spend as much time as possible with the boys before we left. It makes me angry but mostly sad how a parent can use the children as a tool to get back or deliberately hurt the other parent. I've not done that to my ex, even though I have the ammo to do so. I'm better than that and I put the children first.
We are trying to get in contact via sms, social media messages and phone calls. And we get ignored. Very frustrating. Luckily Kevin's mom has the children once in a while and then we can speak to them. The little munchkins.
It was wonderful to come back to Gothenburg as I've missed my children. So now it's back to the normal routine of having them every other week. It's also school holidays atm so we are spending a lot of time with them.
Deciding to quit your job, pack your bags, and say goodbye to a world that is so familiar may seem like the hard part about traveling. At least, that’s what I thought. Little did I know, returning home would be one of the most difficult experiences of my life.
Arriving in Gothenburg felt surreal. Everything seemed so different, yet exactly the same. Everything looked so Swedish and people were dressed so….non-travelerish. Although, I do have to admit, I was extremely excited to open up my closet and see more than four shirts and two pairs of pants to choose from. The first sleep in my own bed felt amazing! It also felt very weird to wake up the next morning in a place that used to feel so comfortable. Wasn’t I supposed to be waking up in a tiny room in Altona Meadows? I definitely had a case of “where am I” syndrome.
It felt wonderful to blow-dry my hair (sorry boys, I’m know it’s hard for most of you to relate). Putting on make-up is more of a horror story that ended with two very sore eyeballs. I have missed my make-up though.
Driving a car for the first time in nine months felt pretty foreign at first.
I thought that I would have forgotten what to do, but I guess it’s like riding a bicycle, and you never really forget. And driving on the 'right' side of the road too. I did drive a few times in both Phuket and Melbourne come to think of it. Like twice. I had an excellent private driver so I never had to drive. Hahaha!!
I have figured out over the many years I have traveled and lived abroad, that traveling, especially for an extended period of time, does something to you that you cannot prepare for.
It changes your views on all aspects of life. You see everything in a new light and like it did for me, may come as a huge shock.
This new view on the world is not a bad thing, unless you take it that way. It’s a very great thing. Traveling opens up your eyes, mind, heart, and soul. It changes your world forever.
I'm a bit jealous that Kevin is getting to experience that now. The power of broadening your horizon.
Leaving you with some photos
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| View from my hotel in Surfers Paradise |
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| Yeah, the sun is strong in Queensland |
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| Surfer's Paradise |
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| Kevin and I on our first piss night |
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| Me and Sammy ( that I stayed at a few weeks in Melbourne) |
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| Nicky Boo and I |
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| Me and the munchkins |
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| Apollo bay in Victoria |
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| Pii Naa and I when I came to Phuket in December 2015 |
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| Me at work |
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| Staff trip to Koh Hae |
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| Finally Jack finished my sleeve |
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| Boys arrived in Phuket. Glorious day |
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| Me and Dylan at staff day |
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| Beach day with my boys |
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| Kev rocks up to Phuket. Couldn't stay away. LOL |
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| Connect 4 with the boys |
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| Bike ride to Kata view point. Best place!! |
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| Kevin's mom and sister in March |
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| Kev's auntie Louise and I at a strip show. |
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| Me and Nicky |
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| Kev and I at Queenscliff |
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| Me, Travis and Kevin hanging out |
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| What a great family photo. hahahahaha |
