Four years ago yesterday, I arrived in Dublin. It simultaneously feels like yesterday and a million years ago.
Even after four years here, in the last week, no fewer than five people have asked me if I like living here upon meeting me. That question usually comes directly after they’ve asked what brought me to Dublin. I always find myself breaking it down to one sentence: Well, my husband is Irish. That’s the simplest answer although it doesn’t feel like the whole truth. So when they ask me if I like living here, I feel the opportunity to redeem myself. I do love it here. If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. That’s more true, (if a bit sassy!) because it reflects that Dublin is equally my choice now.
It’s not an easy choice, and I’m not sure that with more time it will ever become easy. I still get homesick, sometimes more now than before, and I still wonder how I’ll feel about staying once we have kids. But it’s certainly my choice now. In the last year, the people in this country have been so kind, generous and helpful as I’ve written about and photographed their work. The people who read this blog and send me sweet emails about their time in Dublin warm my heart daily. For now, we’re still meant to be here.
Last year, I wrote about our third anniversary of living in Dublin, shared our house tour and a big lesson I learned, and talked about homesickness and why we’re still here. It’s been quite a journey!
All that to say this week we’re celebrating here on From China Village – with something a little different. We’re celebrating with a week dedicated to one of Ireland’s best bits – tea! I’m the first to admit that I’m not the biggest tea drinker. I would choose coffee nearly every time. But even I’ll admit there are moments, occasions and problems when only tea will do.
I’ll be back tomorrow with more about the ritual and what the rest of the week has in store for us. There are some fun posts planned including a give-away and a few freebies, so check back all week!
{vintage teacups on Etsy here}
7 Comments
Sure isn’t tea the best way to celebrate?
After six years in Paris, I can tell you time doesn’t necessarily make the heart ache less but when you can truthfully say to yourself that you don’t think you’d be happy anywhere else, you know you’re in the right place. Isn’t it wonderful what blogging/getting out there and talking to locals can do? It certainly opened my eyes to a whole different side of Paris! Looking forward to you tea posts!
If you were in America, you’d pine for Ireland. There’s green grass over every fence. Just enjoy every day. You seem to do that just fine.
feeling homesick is normal Emily. Having bits & pieces of American things at home would certainly help, esp snacks! And it’d leave you feeling you are in both places at once!!
Try also switching on the TV, watch or even play a US made movie / tv show in the background as you roam around the house would ease the homesickness a bit. I’m not from the States but every now and then I miss the streets of manhattan and the feelings of being in central park, I will then play a movie filmed in NYC, and I feel better and energized instantly!. xx
That’s such a good tip! I love doing that – I turn on Barefoot Contessa while I’m crafting and sometimes I forget I’m even in Ireland! Love that tip!
[…] year, I celebrated the anniversary with a week of posts about an Irish institution – tea, and the year before I wrote a lot about adjusting to living in Dublin. This year, I just want to […]
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