About Me
- Kristi
- The Boy, 2 Muttleys and I have finally realized our dream of living 1 mile from the Lindt Chocolate Factory. Leaving Atlanta (the World of Coke) for Zurich (the World of Chocolate) hasn't come without challenges, incredible fun or giggles. Follow along as I chronicle our adventures as we acclimate to this new Swiss lifestyle.
Showing posts with label Challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Challenges. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
365 Days Later - The Interview (Cue Dramatic Music)
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| This picture says it all...albeit incorrectly, but it is true nonetheless. |
(fumbling with microphone...tap, tap, CRASH, F*$%#CK!)
Me: Kristi, such an honor to meet you. I guess what they say about blogs adding 10 pounds is true. You look so much more amazing in real life.
Kristi: You are too, too kind.
Me: No really, you are quite spectacular.
Kristi: You are making me blush...can we get on with this? I have lunch with Federer.
Me: In your dreams.
Kristi: Yeah...I did see Hingis once though...(trailing off)
Me: (clearing throat) So, what were your first impressions of Zurich?
Kristi: Well, I had never been to Zurich before so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I had done the typical "research something to death" thing so I thought I had an idea of what it would be like. No research could have prepared me for how pretty it is here. Not only is the city on a lake, you can see the Alps in the distance. It is truly mind blowing...even to this day.
Me: I get it, you are happy with how Zurich looks...but how does it FEEL?
Kristi: Not to be overly simplistic, but it feels "good". I feel more and more comfortable here everyday. I love how city life mingles so easily with nature, I feel safe, the people are polite and helpful...I could see myself here a while.
Me: What have been some of the challenges adjusting to life in Zurich?
Kristi: Well, there have been several. First and foremost is the language barrier. While I am learning High German, the people here speak Swiss German, which for all intensive purposes is a completely different language. I miss being able to communicate with ease and labels on products continue to give me fits. In addition to the language barrier, this Hausfrau gig was hard to get used to at first. Turns out a lot of my self worth was buried in my career. It was really tough getting used to being unemployed and I was truly surprised at how difficult it was to embrace it as a gift. I call it a gift because how many people get this chance to not work and do other things that interest them? Finally, Europe in general is expensive. I yearn for the day I am not calculating what something costs in American dollars. I am sick and tired of almost fainting in the meat section. At least there would be cold pork chop there to quickly ice any injuries if I ever do physically crash down to the ground.
Me: Wow, sounds like it is tough to adjust.
Kristi: Well anything new is going to be tough to adjust to at first. Don't let that dissuade you from moving to a new country. That would be lamer than a Friends reunion show. I now judge my life in terms of how often I go outside of my comfort zone vs how long I stay in it.
Me: How have you dealt with the challenges you mention above?
Kristi: Well after I briefly felt sorry for myself, I attacked them. I have taken and continue to take High German and while it is not Swiss German, I feel like I am at least making an effort to integrate. I stay busy everyday with writing, doing a little work for my old company, doing my Hausfrau chores and spending time with the Muttleys. As for the mind blowing cost of living here, I just remind myself of basic economics: people get paid a crap load of money here so the cost of goods naturally goes up. Then I laugh, shake my head and mutter "nope, that didn't work...its fracking expensive here".
Me: If you had one tip for a future or existing Expat, what would it be?
Kristi: I would say to that lucky individual that attitude is EVERYTHING. If you move to a new country scared, well then you are going to be scared. If you move to a new country sad, well then you will be sad. If you move to a new country ready to embrace it, well then you will likely have a positive and rewarding experience. I used to think home was where the heart was but now I think home is a state of mind. Make your attitude your own too...be careful who you listen to and what you read, be strong enough to form your OWN opinions.
Me: Is it hard to meet people?
Kristi: It is only as hard as you make it. Zurich is an international city where 30% of people are Expats. That means 1/3 of people here are likely just as motivated as you to meet people. Then you have access to co-workers, people you meet through clubs and neighbors. If you aren't meeting people, then you really aren't trying hard enough...sorry, hate to get all "tough love", but it's true.
Me: What has been the best part of your Expat experience?
Kristi: There are so many "best parts" and it so hard to have just one. Piggybacking off of what we just discussed...it would be all the amazing people I have met while over here. I have met people from all over the world and it is so great to learn about other cultures and their perspectives on Expat life and life in general. Being able to hop a train to Italy or France doesn't suck either.
Me: So Kristi, what is really like to be an Expat?
Kristi: Good question, uh...Kristi. This is a tough one to answer but I will give it a try. Moving to a new country, the idea of it, is exciting and romantic. When you arrive, it is pretty exciting and romantic, but then you have to get on with life. Life in a different country presents unique challenges AND opportunities. Woven into both is a plethora of intense emotions...for the first time in a long time, I feel pretty alive.
Me: Whoa, that last part was intense. Did you mean that?
Kristi: Yes I did. I used to live to be comfortable, now I live to test myself. I want to be 90 and look back on my life confident that I actually lived it. Does that mean someone who doesn't do this isn't living? No...it is up to each individual to decide what living means to them.
Me: Dude...you're deep.
Kristi: Hell yeah I am.
Me: Is there anything else you want to share with your readers?
Kristi: Sure. The Boy and I are truly happy. This experience has been exhilarating and we aren't ready to get off the ride. We don't know where we will be in 10 years, but for now...we love being in Zurich.
Me: Well Kristi, this interview has also been quite the ride. Thanks for sharing and good luck with your second year.
Kristi: Thanks...great interview by the way. You give Charlie Rose a run for his money.
If any questions weren't covered in this interview that you would like to ask and get answered, feel free to send them to: fromatlantatozurich@gmail.com.
This post was written for AffordableCallingCards.net, a community linking Expats and soon to be Expats. I know a lot of my readers are thinking about becoming Expats. So when you are doing your pre-move visit, be sure to call Mom and tell her how it is going.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saying Goodbye...
Smush faced friendships were made too...
Whether it is saying goodbye to old friends like we did in Atlanta or new friends like we have here in Zurich, I can't get used to it. It is the dark side of Expat life and since I am the type of person who emotionally invests in my relationships, it hurts. It won't scare me away from developing friendships here because as much as it hurts to say goodbye to our new friends, it would hurt more to live in a strange country without any. It is calculated emotional risk if you will.
I have been thinking about the short term friendships and subsequent goodbyes that we will surely experience time and time again here. Are they less profound than longer term friendships we had back home? Will they last? How close can you really get to people when you live in a temporary world? Unfortunately the answers are up to each individual but for me, most of the people I have met live in the same temporary world and as a result, we will always have a bond. Us Expats are sort of like war veterans...our lives are full of beauty and horror where we either fail or prevail...but at the end of it all, we did it together and nothing will ever change that fact.
I am confident that the friends we said and will say goodbye to will be the kind we see in 50 years, where it will seem like no time has passed since our last meeting. Sure a lot will have changed, hair might be grayer, bellies might be plumper and we will have a lot more lines on our faces (hopefully mostly laugh lines), but we will always remember our time spent together in Zurich and we will always be Expats.
This post was written for AffordableCallingCards.net, a community linking Expats and soon to be Expats. In addition to being a great source of Expat information, they offer affordable calling cards, keeping you connected.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Got SAD?
The place I was almost committed to two weeks ago during a particularly rainy and cold June day. The good news is that it is located in our neighborhood so the Boy could have visited me quite easily.
Seasonal Affective Disorder - aka SAD - A mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer (or SPRING but we will get to that in a moment).
Kristi's Definition of SAD - Weather, regardless of the season, that makes you want to punch the cute and cuddly Sesame Street puppet Elmo. Not that his voice doesn't wear on you after a while.
How SAD came to be, on rainy day 101 years ago, in a cold, dank Mental Health office:
"Hey Chuck, we really need a mood disorder with the acronym SAD or people will start to think we are too serious. We really need to spice up the mental health industry and play with our words more"
"Not now Felix. This torrential rain really has me down in the dumps and I am not motivated to do anything. Eating chocolate has even become a chore."
Chuck then proceeds to yell "Eureka!".
I always thought SAD was hooey. I survived my first Zurich winter with flying colors, only one hysterical outburst of crying without a reason, further proving my theory that it was some bored mental health professional's stab at mental health acronym humor. I was prepared though, mentally and physically, for the challenges of winter's weather.
Then it was time for spring and I expected clear skies, sun, warmer temps and the smell that comes with a thawing ground. It didn't happen. It seemed Zurich was under an angry cloud for 3 months straight and this time, I wasn't prepared. I did OK for two of the three months but when it became June and it was still raining, still 50 degrees, well then the crying spells and fist pumping at the sky commenced in full force. I got SAD. So much so that my spring jacket was about to become a straight jacket.
When you are dealt a blow as an Expat, like really crappy weather, how you choose to deal with it will determine your success. I tend to overreact a bit more here than I would in my former home because I have a heightened sense of "What if I fail, does that mean I am not a good Expat? Does that mean I suck at this change thing?". I realize my shortcomings, corroborated by my Swiss Vet who gives me a free mental health session every time I bring my dogs in: "Kristi, du bist zu Nervos. Calm the hell down...it isn't good for the dogs".
The crying spells turned into motivation. I finished my resume, booked meetings with friends, went to the gym more and you know what happened? SUMMER:
This is no Simon and Garfunkel bridge. This one is over happy water.
Dust off your epi-pens. The flowers and bees are out in full force.
It is hot enough now so Dooley stops every 5 minutes to do this.
The kids are now riding their scooters to school instead of swimming there.
The funny thing is, now that it is hot as all get out, the complaining about the cold, wet weather has turned into complaining about the hot weather. Satisfaction is NOT a human trait. I am happy though and willing to be uncomfortably hot if that means summer is here to stay for a while.
This post was written for AffordableCallingCards.net, a community linking Expats and soon to be Expats. In addition to being a great source of Expat information, they offer affordable calling cards, keeping you connected.
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