Leaving...

Yesterday I had to tell Sean that we were leaving BKK for another country. My boy, who has grown up in BKK and calls it home, cried. Sean is not one for crying over 'little' things. The last time he cried was when our dog Raisin died.

It broke my heart to see him turn away and his skinny shoulders shake because he didn't want me to see him cry. Of course he wanted to know why. I had to explain to him it was because daddy's job required us to move. He went on to ask about how we were going to leave his friends, teachers, my maid and even his Chinese tuition teacher.

I told him we still had about 6-7 months before we had to leave. His reply, "since we've stayed here for 9 years, can't we stay another 9 before I am ready to leave?"

I wanted to tell him that I was not ready to leave too. It made me start thinking about how living in BKK had changed me.

For one thing, I had to leave my confort zone. I have met people that I wouldn't have met or bothered to get to know if I was living in Singapore. I am actually a pretty reserved person but I have had to open up in order to let these new friends into my life.

Before coming here, I never went for a holiday without TH. Here, I have been on many trips without him and it has not affected our relationship. I remember the first trip I took without him was to Hua Hin by train. It was because the hotel voucher we had bought was going to expire and TH had to work that weekend. So, with baby, stroller and luggage in tow, I boarded the train to Hua Hin worried that I would not be able to have a good time. Surprise, we did and from them on, my friends and I have packed ourselves with our children and gone for short trips while the dads worked.

I have never not worked. When I came with a 3 month old infant, I honestly found it very difficult NOT working and then having to take care of a baby. I was so used to setting goals and trying to meet my sales target that it took me sometime to actually slow down and enjoy my time with my baby.

The most important part of living here was for me to be able to look after Sean. I have had the privilege to watch my baby grow from a colicky infant to energetic toddler to funny, sweet little boy.

All said and done, I love my life here. We have benefited as a family and for me as a person. I know that the next place we go to will bring us all different experiences that will last us a lifetime.