Home and home

Home sweet home.

Is something a lot of people say whenever they get back from their holidays or after a stressful day at work.

What happens though if multiple places can be home?
For me, Holland is home because I was born there, went to school there and made my friends there. I feel at home at my aunts place and my grandmothers. Ill grab a drink from the fridge and wont even feel weird about it.
Home because I can cycle with my eyes closed and know exactly where to turn left or right. Home because corners or streets have a story or a memory attached to them. Home because I had my first job there and could spend my first hard earned money. Home.

Ireland for me is also home. Going on holiday every summer as a kid I always stayed with family and now their homes feel like mine, drawings and pictures on the wall remind me of summers, playing with the cousins. The sewing pieces my grandmother has on the wall that I used to look at every time I walked up the stairs. The football pitch where I won a price for “the most improved player of the week” (a little sad, I know). Climbing the round tower each year and waving at the family down below. My first own apartment ever, was in Dublin and that is an experience that I will never forget. First time away from the nest in a country you didn’t grow up, you learn so much about yourself and others. Ive learned who my friends are and that not all people are nice.

Both these countries have given me so much to remember and to think about that it is very hard to think about where do I want to spend the rest of my life? I love Ireland, the countryside, the fresh air, the pubs and the music. But I hate the public transport and the healthcare system. I love Holland mainly for my friends and family but I have also learned to appreciate the healthcare system and public transport, the fact that you can cycle nearly everywhere.

The first year that you are away from your home that you’ve always known is exciting, you are still discovering and there isn’t a lot of time for missing, the year after that you are more used to the country and start to get annoyed with things which will make you miss your first home.

I have decided to move back to Holland within the next month, I handed in my notice in work and am moving out of my apartment at the end of this week.

Am I making the right choice? I will never be sure but I think for the moment I am. I will miss Ireland and my family and friends that I made but for now Holland is where I want to be.

Maybe in 4 years Ill be back for more now that I know what I can expect but no one can know anything for sure.

Point is, that home is where the heart lies and at this point in life the heart lies in Holland.