THREE MONTHS INTO OUR IMMIGRATION JOURNEY

 

It is time for some reflection on our immigration journey. I had friends and family asking me how I felt about  Ireland within weeks of our relocation. I was still overwhelmed with the trying phase, so I had no time to think or feel anything. I was trying to figure out the new house, work, and grocery stores. At first impression, the very clean hospital environment was very pleasant. The city felt safe and clean everywhere.  Seeing a government hospital with good infrastructure was new to me. For example, you wash your hands, and there is a paper towel to dry. You attempt to take a blood sample, and there are adequate gloves, sharps containers, and other required equipment. I hated it when I had to do bloods, and I would end up running around with a syringe, trying to find a sharps container. in general, work was not overwhelming in terms of the number of patients, but it was overwhelming in terms of admin, logistics, and adjusting to a new system. I was feeling very stupid at times, not knowing the names of the medications or the various protocols. it still seems a bit overwhelming at times. 

 I find the Irish homes relatively older, with very old furniture. I sometimes feel sad to have changed from being a homeowner to renting, with nothing much in my control. I often feel envious of my friends who are more settled in their lives, living in their own home, focusing on renovations and home decor. I often fight the urge to spend money and buy extra things in every house we move in, knowing that in the Irish health care system, there will be a lot of changes. Somehow, finding accommodation and the housing crisis in Ireland gives me a lot of anxiety. 

Public transport has been a challenge since we moved to Ireland. After moving to a house that was a walking distance of the hospital, I have been saving a lot of money and time. I have more peace of mind, not having to make sure I won't miss a bus, or taxi, or worrying over the cost of transport every month. 

I have more peace of mind these days. Instead of sitting in SA traffic for up to 4 hours a day, I have more time in the mornings to read or study. Weekends can get a bit boring or lonely. I try to go out of the house with my toddler, I try to read books and watch movies to kill the weekend, since I no longer have a social life, or dont have a lot of shifts like before.  I do panic sometimes because it is only my husband and me to mind the child, so often if he is late or busy, I wonder if I will make it to work without someone to watch the child. He loves his weekends because he is not on baby duty and has the freedom to go out, meet people, or have a drink. We live in a small city, and besides several local pubs, we don't have a wide range of restaurants compared to Johannesburg. 

I am hopeful for the future. Hoping to travel more, learn, and enjoy life. I know my career development is lagging with me being a trainee again, but there is always room for development. I miss my house, my parents and brother,  my car, my kind work colleagues,  and vibrant Johannesburg with all the places to go, especially the Virgin Active gym and the child-friendly restaurants. I am hoping for a better future for my daughter, but sometimes I ask myself, is it really worth it? Maybe South Africa was more fun for her, or is all this worth it with her not growing up near her grandparents! Only time will tell.