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THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'

6/14/2015

35 Comments

 
Got a letter this morning and all it read:
You better head back to Tennessee, Jed...

- Tennessee Jed | Grateful Dead
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Our hearts are thumpity-thumping because of our decision. WE ARE MOVING! Another big change is coming our way, and truth be told we are asking ourselves are we truly ready for this? We are moving back to the US (again) but this time it’s somewhat permanent. Our rather nomadic life is going to settle down in Tennessee, and we are leaving South Korea for good. 

It’s going to be a bittersweet journey of putting a hiatus on our expat life. It’s a VERY big and courageous decision, but this is what we wanted. In the span of 10 years, we have lived in 4 countries and 6 cities across 3 continents. After several big moves under our belt, at some point we are going to be exhausted with all of this - we needed to take a break. We haven’t been in one spot for more than 18 months, packing/unpacking, and uprooting our lives over and over again for the past 10 years, is putting a heavy toll on our lives. Don’t get us wrong; our expat life has been very good to us. We are going to be very sad to put a pause in this life we are used to, but we are also glad and excited that it is going to happen. 
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We know for sure we are going to miss our expat life, someway or another, perhaps we will find our way back. After all, we are trading awesome for awesome. As Kristin Newman puts it, “Life is an endless series of choosing between two things you want almost equally. And you have to evaluate and determine which awesome thing you want infinitesimally more, and then give up that other awesome thing you want exactly as much”. Right now, stability is what we need even though it also means giving up "living the dream in Europe". Yes, you read it right, we turned down an opportunity to live our dream in Germany. We had to choose the lesser evil of the two options we are presented: stability of being in one place for 5+ years versus 1+ yrs in Germany and we have to move again after that. We know for some that this sounds crazy and probably something you won't expect us to do but trust us, we made a calculated decision. 

Adventure has always been a part of our story, and this new life will be our ongoing adventure. The real adventure is seasoned with change, hard decisions and taking the leap of faith. What we learned in the past 10 years of our expat life is that you need to break away from what’s comfortable to really see what you’re capable of. 

So, are we finally dusting off our vagabond hands? No doubt that living in other countries, experiencing different culture first hand, tasting authentic food is very exciting, but we are also more excited for what’s in store for us. IT DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE NOT GOING TO TRAVEL ANYMORE. Traveling is in our veins and will always be our priority. Almost like an addiction that we have to feed all the time. As a matter of fact, we actually get to plan our travels even better since stability will be on our side. We are just putting a pause on our expat life, even it means giving up another dream. 

The most difficult part of this life is leaving and saying goodbye. No doubt, we will grieve about our expat life. But every time we leave, we also know that anything is possible and doable. We just move on, plain and simple. If we survived living abroad, why can’t we survive this? Living abroad definitely changed us; the lessons will forever remain and will continuously shape our lives. 

We also knew that someway, somehow that the end will come - we would find our way home. We know that life will evolve, the way it just does. One thing we know for sure that even though we are closing this chapter, we are going to continue to travel. Traveling will always remain to be our greatest love. After the romance of this expat life fades, at least another dream lives on. 

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SHARE
YOUR
THOUGHTS?

  • What do you think about our move?
  • If you are an expat, would you leave? Would you go "home" too? Why?
  • If yes, what would be your reason why you would like to go home?

Categories: Asia, South Korea, North America, USA, Tennessee, Expat Life
35 Comments
Katrina the Two Week Traveler link
6/9/2015 03:03:31 am

It's going to be a big adjustment but stability is a good thing and highly underrated! And it's not like you couldn't move abroad again if you really want to!

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Tanj
6/9/2015 01:47:37 pm

Thank you for your encouraging words. Yes, you are right we can move again if we want.

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Rachel link
6/9/2015 03:59:32 am

I think it's really brave to know when to move to one place and stay there. It must be hard to leave that adventurous expat life behind, but I'm glad that you will still be travelling!

<a href="http://therunawayjournal.com/">The Runaway Journal</a>

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Tanj
6/9/2015 01:48:14 pm

Thank you Rachel! Yes, we are still traveling and we are just leaving expat life FOR NOW.

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Amanda Love link
6/9/2015 08:12:59 pm

I love your positive outlook and the fact that you said you're trading in "awesome for awesome". I'm sure you'll miss Korea but you'll also love Tennessee. I've never been there but I've heard amazing things about it.

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Mykidsguide link
6/10/2015 12:19:03 am

Moving to another place means there will be a lot of adjustments, but it will also be exciting. I heard a lot of good things about Tennessee

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Michele link
6/10/2015 01:09:49 am

I am sure you are going to fond it very different when you get back to Tennessee. Far different from S. Korea--but try traveling around the US-we have some amazing places!! Welcome Home!!

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Paul link
6/10/2015 01:32:15 am

Sometimes overthinking things no matter the impact, big or small, can be almost depressing, but it's better to do it, instead of living with regrets. Enjoy your new life!

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Crysta @ Well Worn Suitcase link
6/10/2015 08:16:50 am

What a scary and exciting time! It's going to be such an amazing change for your family. Onward and upward!

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Liz Mays link
6/10/2015 08:56:29 am

This will be such an exciting new chapter! I can only imagine how difficult it is to make such a huge move but traveling more will always be an option!

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Jennifer Griffin link
6/10/2015 10:52:52 am

How exciting! I'm glad you all will be in the USA again. I'm sure you'll still be able to travel just about as much as you ever did. And, if you ever float through OK, I better hear from you!! Looking forward to following your move and next steps.

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John Kenneth link
6/10/2015 01:18:09 pm

Traveling is Good for me but it takes more things to consider too.

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Jeska link
6/10/2015 05:26:04 pm

I hope your move back goes well. I've been quite a nomad my whole life and have been in Arizona 4 years now and I can't wait to move again.

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Kristi link
6/10/2015 06:08:53 pm

How exciting and scary! Moving is always hard but the unknown is fun.

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Jen link
6/10/2015 06:35:01 pm

What a great new adventure for you. Tennessee is a beautiful state and I'm sure you will love it.

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Franc Ramon link
6/10/2015 07:14:25 pm

Good luck on your moving and I hope you eventually find your comfort zone after 10 years of moving and uprooting routine. There are a lot of merits and demerits to an expats life, you just have to choose what you want and what would keep you happy.

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Shanéy Vijendranath link
6/11/2015 12:37:38 am

It's a big decision to move but sometimes it's worth it. I'm really considering it too. Good luck on your new journey.

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Heather
6/11/2015 03:13:10 am

Moving with another country looks exciting, but I don't think I could be comfortable with country that I moved. I'm so glad that you wanted a new experience in your life. Goodluck to you and Godbless!

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kristen
6/11/2015 02:40:40 pm

I have a friend from college who lived in Korea for 2 years after graduation. She loved it!

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Carol Colborn
6/12/2015 06:21:05 am

congratulations and have loads of more fun!

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Jane link
6/12/2015 08:10:29 pm

Just impressed with your writing.<a href=" http://www.gtholidays.in/" > Travel agency in Bangalore</a> I found that the blog is interesting and valuable. Thanks for this!

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João Leitão from Nomad Revelations link
6/13/2015 12:05:52 am

SO brave of you guys to go on another BIG adventure. After I checked on your travels, I'm sure your nomadic life is still to became much more exciting. Once a nomad... always a nomad!! You can run but you can't hide! haha Happy move to Tennessee !

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Jennifer link
6/13/2015 03:54:32 am

Best of luck in your new adventures in Tennessee. Hopefully we'll hear all about your discoveries back home. I'm sure it will look quite a bit different to you since you've had so many new experiences since living there.

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Jolanta | Casual Travelers link
6/13/2015 06:45:51 am

It's all right to have a steady home base. Good for you to realize that you need to settle down for a bit. On another hand, there's PLENTY to see in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico!

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Laura Lynch link
6/13/2015 11:03:51 am

I'm sure it was a really big decision to move back into a more stationary life, but look at what all you've already done! It's really incredible to have lived in so many different places. You can always pick back up later.

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Will link
6/13/2015 09:52:21 pm

I'm sure everything will work out for the best! Good luck.

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Michele TravelwithMrsT link
6/13/2015 10:03:11 pm

Cherish every moment of your new adventure. Each new chapter of our lives brings with it new friends, new journeys, and new fun!

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Orana Velarde link
6/14/2015 01:05:53 am

Good luck on your new journey "back"! I´m sure it will bring alot of different experiences. Can´t wait to hear how different the States will feel now after 10 years!

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Lesley Carter link
6/14/2015 04:26:52 am

I understand. Travel is a great love for me as well. It will always be part of me.

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Sue Reddel link
6/14/2015 04:31:23 am

Every choice we make inspires a new adventure. While it might be bittersweet moving to one location will make you appreciate all you've experienced and all that's to come in your future journeys. Best of luck to you both.

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Vanessa Chiasson link
6/14/2015 03:05:17 pm

I applaud your decision. I find sometimes that making the choice as opposed to avoiding it is the most difficult part.

Travel is a state of mind. Home is a state of heart. And when you put your heart and mind into it, wherever you are is an adventure and wherever you are is home.

Enjoy Tennessee. I can't wait to read more about it!

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Lindsay Nieminen link
6/14/2015 06:11:18 pm

thanks for sharing your story! i love following along!

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Vicky and Buddy link
6/15/2015 10:50:33 am

Wow, it'll be an adjustment but it's going to be such a great new adventure! I can't wait to read about your new life!

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Fariha N.
6/16/2015 10:11:17 am

It sounds like you are beginning an exciting new chapter in life. Things will change in life and it may be hard at times but it also will bring new and wonderful things.

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medicomart link
9/22/2017 07:43:17 am



Traveling is Good for me but it takes more things to consider too.

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