New Beginnings: Finding Mops and Making Memories

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Embracing the Unfamiliar in Every Aisle

Moving to a new country is like riding a rollercoaster of feelings. You're saying goodbye to your old life and hello to a bunch of new experiences. It's exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking, like stepping into a great big adventure.

Our family's journey started in the busy streets of Tokyo. In 2008, we packed up and moved to the bustling city of Hong Kong with one toddler and a baby on the way. Then, in 2017, we found ourselves heading to the peaceful city of Vancouver. By then, the family had grown to three boys and one dog. Each move wasn't just about getting a new address. It was about changing everything we knew.

These days, the internet is a lifesaver when you're moving. It's like having a tour guide in your pocket. You can find out all sorts of stuff - where the kids can go to school, where to see a doctor, and even where to hang out on the weekend. It seems to make moving to a whole new country a bit less scary.

But here's the thing: the internet can't tell you everything. It's the small stuff, like wondering where everyone buys their mops, that can catch you off guard. In Hong Kong, I started with the big supermarket, ParknShop, but then I got introduced to these cool local places like Pricerite and Wah Fu Mall. That's when I really started to feel like part of the community. 

If you're used to living in fast-paced cities like Tokyo or Hong Kong, moving somewhere new can mean you need to change how you think about things. It's about not expecting everything to be super efficient all the time. Think of going to the store not just as a chore but as a mini-adventure into your new culture. Allow yourself to make detours and get distracted! One of the best ways I learned the lay of the land was to get lost while driving. Not on purpose, and was always nervous if I can find my way back home. I still remember vividly the first time driving back from Causeway Bay back to Cyberport, I completely forgot where to turn after Aberdeen Tunnel and ended up in Tin Wan. Being geographically challenged makes relocating very interesting!

Moving with your family isn't always easy. You want to make everything perfect and familiar for them ASAP. But sometimes, it's the unexpected stuff and the changes in plans that make the best memories. It's about enjoying the ride, not just rushing to the finish line.

Between 2008 and 2016, we moved back and forth between Tokyo and Hong Kong six times, each for educational reasons. This is a whole different story for another day. With every move, I got better at being patient and flexible. It taught me that what matters most is keeping the family happy (and myself sane) not sticking to a strict plan. For me, it meant we ate fast food a lot for the first few months. It meant something had to give.

Living in a new country is about more than just finding your way around the supermarket. It's about taking each day as a chance to learn something new, to become part of your new community, and to embrace the challenges that come your way.

These little hiccups along the way, like ending up with a mop that's more suited for a basketball court than your living room, are part of the adventure. These are the quirky tales that'll have everyone laughing at your next family get-together. It's these fun, sometimes silly moments that really make up the story of starting a new life abroad. By the time you know it, your new home will feel like home.

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