tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post6629076528966003293..comments2024-03-11T11:00:55.829-07:00Comments on Den Nation: In the beginning...Den nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-85328481504670667082014-05-27T18:01:38.572-07:002014-05-27T18:01:38.572-07:00I guess when you grow up with something it just be...I guess when you grow up with something it just becomes normal everyday life and you don't think about things being any other way. Then when people like me come in, people who grew up in a very safe and protective country, things are a bit shocking and the abnormality of it really shows. <br /><br />It really shocked me when I used to listen to them talk about bombs and bomb warnings. They would talk about these things without any hint of fear in their voices, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Well, I guess after so many prank bomb threats you would start to not pay attention anymore. Maybe it's better that way then living your life in constant fear.Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-55879085074674065252014-05-27T17:57:58.554-07:002014-05-27T17:57:58.554-07:00I see that Gwan's mum has found me! Welcome to...I see that Gwan's mum has found me! Welcome to my blog and I hope to see you commenting again. Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-38876024865444533472014-05-27T17:56:42.582-07:002014-05-27T17:56:42.582-07:00No, my parents know nothing and I will never tell ...No, my parents know nothing and I will never tell them. They never approved of me leaving and by me telling them about my experiences in Northern Ireland, it would just make things worse. <br /><br />London was a difficult time in my life abroad. I am so glad that I made it through and didn't go back. Life abroad is like that, though, ups and downs. Yes, time really does change everything.Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-33179190936123692442014-05-27T17:54:23.607-07:002014-05-27T17:54:23.607-07:00Like I said to Zhu, I am really lucky to be living...Like I said to Zhu, I am really lucky to be living my dream. Maybe I do make it sound like I have everything, but you know what they say about your problems following you everywhere. I had some issues when I living in Canada, mostly really low self-confidence and family problems. I'm still trying to deal with this - just goes to show that just because I am living my dream doesn't mean that I got to leave all "my baggage" back in Canada. It's important for readers to know that.Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-87447129975499894292014-05-27T17:50:58.629-07:002014-05-27T17:50:58.629-07:00I don't know if you'll see this reponse, b...I don't know if you'll see this reponse, but I am going to Canada this summer! <br /><br />Yes, I feel the same thing, I have a lot in common with you and I feel that I am living your life in France and you are living mine in Canada. <br /><br />As a young girl in Canada, I dreamed of living in Europe. When I say dreamed, it really was just that - I never thought that I would actually be able to take that big step and leave my parents, who were and always will be against me living abroad. It was a big deal to leave Canada for me because everyone was against my decision back then. People, including my family and friends, have come around, but I had a couple of years where I had to bear the sting of their disapproval. <br /><br />I dreamt of living in France, Italy, Denmark and the UK. I have done all that and more. I still can't believe that I made this happen. So many people either can't (because they live in a poor country) or they just don't have the courage. Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-5603360045476550352014-05-27T17:44:31.178-07:002014-05-27T17:44:31.178-07:00I figured your mum would find me eventually. She s...I figured your mum would find me eventually. She seems to like reading France expat blogs. <br /><br />I actually wish that I had been more "on top of things" when I lived in Northern Ireland. I didn't ask enough questions and I didn't make enough of an effort to take in as much as I could have. I think I was just too young to appreciate the chance that I had. <br /><br />Sometimes I wonder what it would feel like to go back. Belfast has obviously changed - what would I feel if I saw it now? Would my past experience there follow me around forever? Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-39391493231909218782014-05-27T17:40:17.352-07:002014-05-27T17:40:17.352-07:00Thanks Mil. My parents have no idea what my life w...Thanks Mil. My parents have no idea what my life was like in Belfast. They never ask and even if they did, I would never tell. I still wonder how I ever went to live there as an innocent 19-year-old. Sometimes I even feel that that time in my life never happened, but other times I am so aware of how it has changed me forever.Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-29431448717213448862014-05-27T17:38:25.069-07:002014-05-27T17:38:25.069-07:00Yes, it's been a long time, but probably in an...Yes, it's been a long time, but probably in another 10 years I'll say that 12 years in wasn't that long. <br /><br />Well, the thing about Belfast is that in certain areas neighbourhoods are segregated according to religion. Maybe your friend didn't want to go to those neighbourhoods because when she grew up (or her father) it was "off-bounds" because of their religion. People sometimes know what religion you are just by looking at the clothes that are on your back. <br /><br />Or maybe, because there is such a big drug problem since the Troubles ended, she just wants to avoid taking your somewhere where there is a lot of gang/drug violence. <br /><br />Yes, I've changed a lot as well. Belfast killed my naivety, but France has made me into a cynic. I've gone from one extreme to the other. Den nationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259526826141331097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-11806380508592206092014-05-14T02:39:25.985-07:002014-05-14T02:39:25.985-07:00Wow. 12 years! I keep thinking 7 years is a long t...Wow. 12 years! I keep thinking 7 years is a long time to be away from home, but you've got me beat!<br /><br />One of my best friends is from Belfast. We met while teaching English in the same town in France. I went to visit her for a weekend in Belfast one time, and she told me how she wouldn't take me to a certain neighborhood, because every time her dad took her there he was like "I was beat up there.", "I was mugged there", etc. It freaked her out and me by extension. I was just like "That's fine!"<br /><br />I've changed a lot since I left home. Living abroad has aged me in certain ways, but for the better. If that makes sense?<br /><br />-ShannonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-1928123919074718702014-05-07T01:41:53.888-07:002014-05-07T01:41:53.888-07:00Wow, that is amazing. It is true there are moment...Wow, that is amazing. It is true there are moments that shape our existence forever after. Glad you stayed and had fun. I think you were/are pretty brave!Milhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02647139896187096733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-59887985222966902042014-05-01T23:48:23.581-07:002014-05-01T23:48:23.581-07:00Another September 2009 arrival, what was in the Ev...Another September 2009 arrival, what was in the Evian those days?!<br /><br />Really well-written post, I've learnt a bit about the Troubles obviously, but wouldn't have understood how ingrained into people's lives it was. <br /><br />PS I see my mum (bossi) has found your blog, ha ha. Gwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13127784431543135980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-68476006074863184592014-05-01T20:16:26.307-07:002014-05-01T20:16:26.307-07:00I really hope we get the chance to meet one day be...I really hope we get the chance to meet one day because we had such similar experiences, it's like our lives mirrors each other's. I was a naive little girl at 18 when I left France with a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. I thought I'd never come back... and I did a couple of months later, only to head to the Americas and eventually end up in Canada.<br /><br />Life is full of surprises. It's awesome :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-33916802381523075152014-05-01T04:43:47.419-07:002014-05-01T04:43:47.419-07:00You are very lucky to be living your dream. I have...You are very lucky to be living your dream. I have never thought that I would live abroad as I'm very attached to my family, it just happens.Bee Eanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13860357505146690089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-26180909212421855702014-04-30T17:11:58.199-07:002014-04-30T17:11:58.199-07:00What an experience to go through as a 19-year-old!...What an experience to go through as a 19-year-old! Did you tell your parents at the time?<br /><br />That must have been a hard moment for you in London. Good for you that you toughed it out and decided to have fun. Funny how time gives you perspective on a situation, eh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-75991393731971821092014-04-30T13:02:01.844-07:002014-04-30T13:02:01.844-07:00Very interesting post. Very interesting post. Bossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819002772714115170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877199150999254647.post-65851609098341155882014-04-30T10:56:23.058-07:002014-04-30T10:56:23.058-07:002002 was my first move abroad too - I can't be...2002 was my first move abroad too - I can't believe it's so long ago now!<br /><br />I've got a few friends who grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and like you, I'm always amazed when they describe a) just how bad it was and b) just how calm everyone was about it. It's amazing to think how much progress has been made since then.Canedoliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793959858820555197noreply@blogger.com