When I was about 19, my friends (who I am still good friends with) and I loved Dawson’s Creek. OK, we were totally obsessed with it for several years. We would often watch it all together on a Thursday night. Pizza first, followed by Dawson’s Creek.
It was rather intense – you could hear a pin drop during the show, and there would be complete mayhem during the ad breaks as we discussed the latest ‘development’. Mostly the issue was who Joey should be with Pacey or Dawson (I was a Dawson girl all the way!).
We used to spend so much time together. Monday we’d meet on the local school oval and play soccer. Tuesday we’d go to the Thai restaurant for dinner (always order gai pad and a ‘vat’ of satay sauce). Thursday was Dawson’s Creek. Friday and Saturday nights were usually spent together too. Sunday would often be a picnic at the river, followed by church (where we all went and had met). Many people came and went over the years, but some people remained the same.
It’s been quite a few years since I last watched Dawson’s Creek, but I am proud that I am still friends with the Dawson’s Creek ‘gang’. Life has changed beyond recognition. CB was my boyfriend at the time – now we are married with 3 kids. The student lifestyle has gone – in some ways I am relieved about this! Nearly all those people are also married, some to each other (and many are currently pregnant or have just had a baby).
I’ve been feeling quite homesick lately. I miss the friends I have known, in some cases, my whole life. We are all more scattered around the globe now. Some in Asia, in Canada, and like us, no longer in the mountains. Others are still in the mountains. The last time we were all together was at a Wedding in 2010.
I know that you can’t live your life trying to be where ever your friends are. CB has always wanted to move back to the farm – I knew this when I married him. One of my sisters and her husband live in South East Asia. Our closest friends live in Queensland. Time continues to march on, and I wouldn’t change anything about how my life has gone thus far. I know that we can never return to the Dawson’s Creek gang times, but sometimes I would like to, just for an hour. To be surrounded by the friends that have known me through the ups and downs of life, who know my flaws but are gracious to over look them.
I was asked whether we would be staying here or going back to the mountains at the end of the year. The answer is I don’t know. CB is in heaven down here, but I oscillate between really loving it, and desperately missing my old life and wanting it back. They say the first year after you move is really hard. I am thinking that one year is not enough time to see if this is going to work out for us.
Hi Jo, I have just discovered your blog, it is lovely.
I LOVED Dawson's Creek, still do actually. When I was pregnant with my second bub, I bought the last two seasons on DVD and relived the magic, haha. Definitely one of my favourite shows of all time, not ashamed to admit it.
Look forward to following along with your adventures from here on. Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit down at the moment too, I can only imagine how difficult it must be at times to be away from your closest friends.
Hi! Thanks for following along. I now want to get Dawson's Creek and watch it again too!!!
I'm sorry Jo but I never watched a minute of Dawson's Creek so can't relate but back in 2003, my husband, originally from Victoria, always said he wanted to go back. We rented out our house, put everything in storage and went down there for 12 months. By the end of 6 months, he realised that all his 'friends' had moved on. Even though he was still friends with them, things were never the same because he and they all grew up and their lives changed direction. We didn't have kids but some of them did and we just didn't fit in. I still had all my family and friends up here and he had made new friends up here too. We moved back to Qld. I'm sure you'll do whatever best suits you and your family.
Anne xx
I think that life is a journey and sometimes the destination is unknown. But there is a lot to life…and sometimes its clear we are in the right spot at the right time.
Other times I wonder "Why" we are stopped in one place. I love to move around, and I love to travel. Yet my family are happy to stay in one place!
Maybe give it time, and maybe have a holiday to visit those you miss? Country life is different, but I am sure there are lots of good things about living with fresh air.
I want to travel to Thailand, But hubby is happy to travel Australia. I am hoping that he sees all he wants in Queensland/Western Australia and then we can head overseas. Timing and having everyone happy is kinda important!
I absolutely agree with the two comments above. It takes lots of time to really settle in. It took me a good couple of years to make a proper circle of friends I felt I could be myself with, but I felt very homesick and lonely before that.
I guess I never had the option of moving back home either, Hubby is a born and bred Farmer and definitely wouldn't cope in Sydney, so I had to make the most of what I had and where we are.
I hope the homesickness lessens a little bit soon.
Quite honestly moving to my husbands area was extremely hard for me. I left the 'safety' of friends and family and found the first 2 years really hard. I went home ALOT! But 6 1/2 years on I most of the time Love it. I still hate missing out on family things but had to get out and make friends. I joined lots of things and made a decision to make a life for me.
At this moment it is the best place for our kids and for my husband. I also think by blogging I have found another way to communicate with like minded adults!
Goodluck with it all
Annaleis xx
I think one year is not enough time too. It is very hard – I also think that not knowing if you are going or staying makes it really hard to really settle in, make friends etc. Plus not knowing how much work you want to put into the house is difficult too.
My close friends from my teenage/young adult years now live all over the country. We are still close but there is always that need to make your own life wherever you are.
I have also been fortunate enough to make some brilliant friends where we are but I can honestly say that took a few years.
I don't know your situation but I would imagine you will only get one chance to farm but maybe a few to move somewhere else.
It's a hard one Jo – we have had some friends leave farming and never look back. Others have regretted it. As a lifestyle it requires a huge commitment and I think it is important that you enjoy it.
Good luck – My advice would be take more time if you need it.
Sorry about long ramble comment. Am on my iPad and can't get it to edit properly….!!!
Thanks for the thoughts! They are not too ramble-y at all. I know that it takes time to make friends and establish yourself. I shouldn't write blog posts when I am feeling homesick lol!