lunch in a storm

Today I made lunch for two women from the school that Tom is teaching at. I made salads and pizza, and Keira even helped: here she's stirring the tomato sauce on the stove. (I told her we were throwing a 'lunch party.') One woman, who originally set up the school, has recently retired; the other is a music teacher who is returning to work after having her first baby.

A storm raged outside while we had our lunch. The wind howled, branches snapped and a large piece of outdoor furniture flew past our window. Like Wellington, we have 'proper' weather here by the fjord.

It feels satisfying to be getting to know people in this new town, listening to their stories and putting together in my mind pieces of how people and places fit together. Often I find it overwhelming; as if there is too much I don't know. But I'm trying to be patient, and realise that it will take a long time.

I am finding comfort in small things though: knowing I have so many friends and family who have been through the same experience, rejoicing in the miracle of small achievements (catching the bus without making a fool of myself by slipping on the ice), laying the table with Charlotte's supper cloth, you know, stuff like that.

And yesterday I discovered how to post mail! It felt like a victory, pushing K's pram through the ice and snow, knowing that I had finally posted the postcards that have been sitting in my bag for 3 weeks. I know that should have been simple, but it wasn't for me. I was shown where the Post Office was when I first arrived, and even introduced to the people who worked there. But then when I tried to go by myself a few days later, and every other time I went to town, the electronic doors wouldn't open, and the building appeared to be empty even though the lights were on. I checked the opening times- they were open all day. A mystery.

But then last night I spotted the 'post' sign on another building in town. And inside were all those postal workers I'd first been introduced to. The post office had moved to a new building on the other side of town. Right, good to know.

Comments

[Jo]

Lovely that you are meeting people and the lunch sounds like it was a success (well aided by your helper). Glad you found the new post office! It's so nice to keep the art of handwriting going in this day and age!

[Sarah]

I am sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but the post office story was too funny.

[Kristy]

So good that you are making friends.It always make everything much brighter to be able to share it. x

[Felicia]

Good for you for finding the post office! Sometimes its the daily small victories that make it worth while :)

[Barbara]

I love that picture of the storm, and reading your post made me feel all warm and cozy inside. :)

I remember figuring out the post office when I lived in Germany, the first country abroad I lived in. Good for you!!!

[Alisha]

I agree with Felicia -- the small things make a big difference. I remember how happy I was when I figured out how to use my washing machine. And up until last week I was still afraid to give the dish washer a try (after living here for 6 months). So, congratulations on your successful trip to the post office!

[Abby]

You are doing an amazing job adjusting to another country. I enyv you.
Abby

[celine]

Isn't great learning a new culture...like learning to walk all over again. The simple routine task become an adventure.

[suzy]

I so know what you mean about the post office - it feels like a little victory when you manage to drop off dry cleaning or work something baffling out. Now I'm back in Sydney and things are simpler I kind of miss the sense of achievement I got from doing small things in Tokyo!

[kirsten]

love that first photo -i'm such a sucker for stripy socks!

[Lindy]

Aaah the feeling of doing something new and NOT making a fool out of yourself- priceless. I once sat at a bus stop for 30 minutes wondering why the darn things never stopped- didn't they see me sitting there?!??! It was only after someone else came to the stop and FLAGGED the bus that I found out what I was doing wrong. Obviously I waited for the next bus- didn't want that person to know how stupid I was!! Hope you have more of that Ah ha! moments.

[Lies]

What a hilarious story about the post. Don't worry sweet I've posted postcards in the cashbox of a bank here in Auckland. Twice. Untill Gabriel pointed out that the red boxes aren't always postal...
I'm glad you have these little triumphs though. So important. I know what it can be like, missioning out with a (sometimes tired or upset) child only to find that you just can't complete the mission(yet).
Have a nice weekend Melissa
X Lies

[Nikki]

Ooo I'm sorry, but I giggled. And then again at Lindy's story. And a little more at Lies's too.

Glad you are getting to know your new place. xo

[mims]

finding the post office...a great story melissa! so glad to hear you are making friends, any little ones live nearby for your kids to befriend? send me your address so I can send you a housewarming package!

[lina]

Hi just delurking to say well done you! I moved to Canada from the UK about 18 months ago and it's the small baby steps that count. It all seems overwhelming at first, but I find there's a great sense of achievement that comes with mastering the simplest of tasks. Driving on the "other side" had my palms sweating for a few months...!

[Polly]

The post office story is what I loved about travelling abroad. Having to look at the world afresh. I thought the post boxes in America were trash cans for about three weeks before it was pointed out to me what they were. I really love your blog. Polly x x x

[cyndi]

i can relate with and understand completely everything you just wrote and even all the things you didn't write about.
i have SO MANY stories like yours. oh so many.
here's a smile :) and a hug (imagine the hug) just for you. you are so brave.

[Florence]

Hi Melissa,

I think your blog is awesome and so I have tagged you for the 7 things meme. If you don't want to participate I won't be offended.
Please see my post http://onecherryberry.blogspot.com/2008/01/seven-things-about-me.html
I
Have a great day:)

[Sue]

Thank goodness you have found out where to post your letters. Just caught up with your news and I'm glad all is well with you xx

[Claudia]

Hey M,

I'm glad you are finding you feet - like you say, little by little. That's often the best way, after all. I had all sorts of problems when I first moved to Argentina for a year - in fact, on my first day, I ended up crying in the street because a woman get yelling at me in Spanish and I couldn't understand her. Don't be afraid of making mistakes - you will learn how to do everything in time, and as others said, the sense of achievement you get when you nail stuff is marvellous!

[Zelia]

its a new beguinning for you... a storm that will pass:)

[heidi]

gotta love a good storm. kiera's striped socks are too cute! she is getting rather grown up! would you drop me an email with your new address? i would love to send you a little parcel through the post!

[Ravenhill]

So delightful to hear about all that you have been up to! Your lunch with women from the school sounded lovely. I laughed at your not managing to mail things for so long. I was like that too when I first came here! Just opening up the doors could seem like a challenge sometimes as they look like you are supposed to push and you actually nee to pull! What a storm. Makes it nice and cozy to stay in by the fire! Have a great weekend!

[oshun]

That photograph of the little girl in striped socks is just too cute

[Pat]

Melissa, I got a job years ago with the local police department being a school crossing guard at a busy intersection. For 2 day's I wondered why no children ever came to cross at my street, on the 3rd day a police captain came to tell me I was on the wrong street and I needed to be 2 streets in the other direction.