tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post4097812404429551902..comments2024-03-11T06:22:36.107+00:00Comments on angloyankophile: A Conversation About "Home" With My Dad (The Original Expat)Angloyankophilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-34692904184740528172015-10-08T12:06:54.548+01:002015-10-08T12:06:54.548+01:00Sorry for the late reply to this, Connie, but than...Sorry for the late reply to this, Connie, but thank you for sharing your story and your thoughts! Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-66836537476777670312015-09-27T09:18:18.762+01:002015-09-27T09:18:18.762+01:00I suspect my parents would feel the same way - hom...I suspect my parents would feel the same way - home for them is Malaysia, they'll never give up their Malaysian citizenship, while for my siblings and I, home is NZ in the same way I would never give that up for any sort of UK citizenship! The parents' house will always been what I consider 'home' but I think it's ok to root yourself to more than one 'home'... for me, it's where you're the happiest!Connie Consumeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15848494394610531214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-44325144533174969602015-09-25T12:38:05.210+01:002015-09-25T12:38:05.210+01:00I agree, Dannielle. I also think it has a lot to d...I agree, Dannielle. I also think it has a lot to do with your memories of growing up in the same house ... it's often more than just the people in it, but the memories of the people *living* in that house and the different corners of it that were particular or special to you. Sounds like your parents' new house is amazing though! Beach house is the dream.Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-27711036244944998682015-09-25T12:36:59.678+01:002015-09-25T12:36:59.678+01:00Thanks, Jessi. The farmhouse you grew up in sounds...Thanks, Jessi. The farmhouse you grew up in sounds amazing! I'm hoping now that we've bought a house in London, I can make it my other "home" and get that same feeling with it too. :) Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-65513435376508538252015-09-25T11:52:49.873+01:002015-09-25T11:52:49.873+01:00My parents were talking about selling their NY hou...My parents were talking about selling their NY house, where I grew up, because they've bought a beach house in North Carolina for super cheap. I was like, but wait, what, no you cant! Even though I haven't lived there in like 12 years. I think for me home will still always be where my family is, even though I've got a new family here in England, family time was always a big thing for me growing up. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539981187921601209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-45560766434006850412015-09-25T11:17:54.004+01:002015-09-25T11:17:54.004+01:00Thank you! And thanks so much for adding your thou...Thank you! And thanks so much for adding your thoughts!Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-34624596214985658722015-09-24T19:15:11.663+01:002015-09-24T19:15:11.663+01:00I'm with you - home is a feeling. I lived in ...I'm with you - home is a feeling. I lived in a little farmhouse for the first 18 years of my life, and since then I've lived in (I think) 8 different houses for significant stretches of time, and some of them after the move from New Zealand to London. My parents moved while I was over here but when I visited their new house, it instantly felt like home - they were there, our beloved bits of furniture was - and of course our bouncy irrepressible dog! And then I returned to my flat in London and that was home too. It's a good way of feeling, I guess! :)Jessi (Two Feet, One World)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02923114548185795946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-48791205589724580592015-09-23T15:58:34.881+01:002015-09-23T15:58:34.881+01:00Gorgeous post. I agree with you, I think home real...Gorgeous post. I agree with you, I think home really is a feeling that we have, even in the most surprising of places, even in places we've never been before! Spa Break Ladyhttp://www.holbrookhouse.co.uk/somerset-spanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-42392258789676108162015-09-23T11:37:43.628+01:002015-09-23T11:37:43.628+01:00I think you're right, Sorcha. I try to think o...I think you're right, Sorcha. I try to think of my childhood home without my parents there (which is the scariest thought EVER and one that I shove to the furthest corners of my mind) and it feels frightening ... but at the same time, it's so *lived* in by them, that I still feel their presence there even if when they're out and I'm staying at home by myself. Does that make sense? Already, I feel like this about our house in London, even though we've only had it for 3 months! I can "feel" John working in his office even when he's not there or him running up and down the stairs to our bedroom when I'm at home alone. I'm really looking forward to making it more of a home and also to my parents' visit this Christmas ... I'm thinking their presence will make it more "homey" to me! xxxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-83511607511607803072015-09-23T11:35:05.548+01:002015-09-23T11:35:05.548+01:00Thank you so much, Gianni. I'm sure you'll...Thank you so much, Gianni. I'm sure you'll find your home soon. You're remarkably adaptable and brave to have moved around so much! Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-71168968372902813222015-09-23T11:26:22.917+01:002015-09-23T11:26:22.917+01:00Thank you, Kara! Glad to hear that you also think ...Thank you, Kara! Glad to hear that you also think of the place you spent the first few years of your childhood in as your home too. I love your description of the warm, safe feeling you get when you drive over the border from Yorkshire to Lancashire ... that's so special. xxxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-33727382062905821682015-09-23T11:25:12.412+01:002015-09-23T11:25:12.412+01:00Thank you, Honey! I like the idea of "home-ho...Thank you, Honey! I like the idea of "home-home" - something I think to myself a lot but never say aloud! I think, as I said to someone else in the comments, that growing up is a big part of it too. Maybe my dad is admitting that part of him still hasn't grown up and longs for that time he lived in the love and security of my grandma and grandpa's home ... I know I've always got my parents' protection, but as an adult, we have to fend for ourselves eventually and I often just want to hide and be looked after instead! Sigh. xxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-35664537382458342542015-09-23T11:23:26.564+01:002015-09-23T11:23:26.564+01:00I love hearing about your own experiences, Ruth - ...I love hearing about your own experiences, Ruth - thanks so much for sharing, as always. xoAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-48230858692067263502015-09-23T11:18:25.197+01:002015-09-23T11:18:25.197+01:00I can't believe you grew up in Brunei, Angela ...I can't believe you grew up in Brunei, Angela - that must have been incredible! I'd love to see some photos of your childhood house if you ever blog/share it! It sounds like you're definitely rootless like my dad! It's an interesting concept and one that I haven't felt - yet. I can't even bear to think of the day they sell our house in Washington ... talk of it horrifies me already!Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-42344860652030570662015-09-23T11:17:03.441+01:002015-09-23T11:17:03.441+01:00I love this, Binny - thank you for sharing! I have...I love this, Binny - thank you for sharing! I have been waiting for that transition to happen for me too (and yes, maybe it will simply take some time!) but just hearing my dad say that he thought of his family home as "home" made me realise and accept that maybe that transition won't ever happen. And that it's okay, even though it means feeling sad once in a while! xxxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-48212794557290231652015-09-23T11:15:39.060+01:002015-09-23T11:15:39.060+01:00It *is*, Jasiminne! And I think you're so righ...It *is*, Jasiminne! And I think you're so right. xxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-84355463295917929452015-09-23T11:15:10.690+01:002015-09-23T11:15:10.690+01:00Thank you, lovely - I know we've chatted about...Thank you, lovely - I know we've chatted about this before! I also know that you can relate because your "home" is so different and far from where you live in London now. I'm trying to come around to this idea of having two homes! Think we just need to be in our house a bit longer for me to get used to it as well xxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-8294327165602231742015-09-23T11:07:54.071+01:002015-09-23T11:07:54.071+01:00Thank you so much, Charlotte - and for your words...Thank you so much, Charlotte - and for your words of comfort. I'm going to work on changing my way of thinking, I think! My parents are coming over for Christmas this year and it's the first time they'll see our new home, so I'm hoping that once they stay in our house, it'll make it feel more like "home" to me! xxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-6040754304400611472015-09-23T11:06:34.213+01:002015-09-23T11:06:34.213+01:00I'm so sorry to hear that, Annmaree - I know t...I'm so sorry to hear that, Annmaree - I know that you can relate. Part of it is being an expat, part of it is growing up. I think that I am also just having a hard time growing up! I wonder if my parents babied (or actively baby) me too much?!Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-45048558616122224822015-09-23T11:05:45.242+01:002015-09-23T11:05:45.242+01:00Yes, and I could so relate to your post, Charlie! ...Yes, and I could so relate to your post, Charlie! And yes ... the housing market is just so ridiculous and unfair in London. It makes me really angry to think about.Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-27417284503578819932015-09-23T11:02:11.868+01:002015-09-23T11:02:11.868+01:00I've never thought of this traveling theater v...I've never thought of this traveling theater version you described, Robin, but I often sit in the backseat of my parents' car when I'm at home with my brother on the left and it feels like NOTHING HAS CHANGED. And for a second, it feels great. Then the sadness sets in and I realize that in reality, EVERYTHING has changed, though that feeling of feeling safe/secure and part of my family feels the same. That's what I hold on to. Angloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-36086944472801018022015-09-22T16:55:44.805+01:002015-09-22T16:55:44.805+01:00You know, I wonder about that too. Even though I&#...You know, I wonder about that too. Even though I'm back in the States and living near family (and heck, even living WITH family for now) I still always wonder about home. Part me of feels like we're all just acting in some big play as adults, and someday we'll all go back to the way things REALLY are...which is me being a kid, and my parents being the ages they were when I was younger, and living in the houses that we lived in then. To me, that's the reality, and today's reality is the traveling theater version of my actual life. It's so weird.Second Floor Flathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756771578184447195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-73944974446549497042015-09-22T15:09:25.508+01:002015-09-22T15:09:25.508+01:00John and I have different definitions of "hom...John and I have different definitions of "home" too, Angie! I don't think it matters if you're an expat or not ... home is where your favorite memories are, I think. I just thought about it more after reading your comment and when I think about it, my college campus feels like home to me too. xxAngloyankophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13798135990583648390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-48882841951934075542015-09-22T13:20:36.593+01:002015-09-22T13:20:36.593+01:00I know you read my post on something similar recen...I know you read my post on something similar recently so you definitely know I'm with you on this! I don't think I'll ever think of London as home because I'll never be able to afford to buy somewhere here anyway which is pretty tough to accept.<br />Cx<br /><a href="www.charliedistracted.com" rel="nofollow">charliedistracted.com</a>charlieninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11227587112751201049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743876470050160495.post-22066111730404442432015-09-22T12:08:13.634+01:002015-09-22T12:08:13.634+01:00I understand 150% what you are saying here. It...I understand 150% what you are saying here. It's clouded all of 2015 for me. Not feeling alone in this, is huge though. So know you're not alone in this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10759463332503037389noreply@blogger.com