It’s been one year since I arrived in Tbilisi, to start a position with the EU Monitoring Mission. It was the 25th time I had my passport stamped at the Georgian border since 2005. It’s a significant weekend, marking the end of the second world war culminating with celebrations all over Europe. And now I have my very own reason to celebrate.
But there’s more to my festive mood. I’m also a bit pensive, reflecting on the year that’s been and everything I’ve experienced. So what do I understand better now about life than I did a year ago? What have I learned? How have I grown?
Time, oh how precious thou art! Being an impatient type of person, I think I’m developing a new relationship to time, maybe because of age and maturity or maybe because of my new experiences. I’ve become more accepting to the fact that things take time. It takes time to make new friends, to establish yourself in a new job, to learn to live without those you’re used to having in your life on a daily basis, to get over a broken heart. Sometimes if feels like time moves too slow, but all of a sudden you realise that what you’ve been longing for has transpired, without any fanfare or announcement.
Something will happen to indicate that what you were impatiently wishing for has happened. You realise you have new friends, maybe when someone tells you they need a hug, or says they miss you. You realise you’re recognised and valued in your new job when colleagues consult you, or when someone expresses their appreciation for your contributions. You realise that you’re gonna be ok living without your grown kids when you don’t choke up when talking about them or watch mother/son movies. And just like that, you know time has been your ally.
What else has this year taught me? I’ve grown a passion for hiking and nature adventures. I’ve learned that my favourite social activity has got to be meeting friends over food and drinks, whether its on my veranda, at a restaurant or in the forest. I’ve become a more confident driver thanks to Georgian crazy traffic and some skill enhancing lessons. I’m learning how to navigate within an organisation that values things that are new for me. I’ve realised I will never ever become a early-morning-workout-person no matter how much I try to will it. I’ve learned that I really like to be alone and maintain my independence.
I have another year in Georgia ahead of me. And there’s so many places and things I still want to experience here. This year has taught me that time does fly, and if I want to enjoy each corner of Georgia I need to plan for it. Or maybe I can also just relax and let life plan for me? Either way, I know that my time is now. And let me cherish it every morning, asking myself, “What version of fun will I have today?”
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