Looking back. Looking forward.

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For the first 12 months of living in Hong Kong, I wasn't much of a fan of the place. I felt lost, lonely, like I didn't belong here. I struggled day in day out to find a job while Phil was swept up in his, working 13 hour days, delirious by the time he got home each night. We were living polar opposite lives, sharing only stories of our days and our weekends. I was wandering aimlessly through life, feeling alone, bored of my own thoughts and lack of direction.

I seemed to be missing the point of Hong Kong. No one I'd met said a bad word about the place. Yet there I was, frustrated, lonely, uninspired. I just didn't get what all the fuss was about. I wished with every inch of my being to be living at home in Sydney, with old friends, family, familiarity. I just couldn't see past what I didn't have. 

I look back at those months now, and strangely feel like it was all worth it. I'm in such a different place. One I wouldn't have arrived at, or appreciated, had I not gone through that time.

My three weeks back in Sydney in April have made me realise that although I love Sydney, the beaches, the food, the lifestyle, and I love being close to my family and friends, right now? Now, Hong Kong is home.

This is where my life is. My friends here are amazing. So many of us at are at the same stage of life, with little babies and consequently new challenges, finding our own ways through parenthood, but equally sharing the ride. That support, those relationships, are priceless during a time when no one really knows what the next day will bring.

We've figured out how to make life in this city work for us.
I've stopped thinking about when we're moving back to Sydney.
Because right now, I'm happy.
I'm home.