'Sup Solomons? (and the horseshoe up my ass)

People have been asking me to post my first blog from the Solomons for awhile now. Normally I’d be happy to heed said requests, and had very good intentions to do so, but I’ve learned an important fact in the 2 weeks since I landed here: my muse is my shitty life. And you know what?  The only shitty thing lately is that I haven’t had any inspiration on what to write about.

Here’s the thing: who wants me to go on and on about how awesome things are going?! Borrrrrrring.

(but that’s totally where the rest of this post is going, so feel free to make your exit now. No hard feelings. Things are too good for me to care at the moment)

There’s something about making a *kinda* big decision to quit your job and move around the world, and then do it over and over and over again, that teaches you a thing or two about the stuff you’re made of. I’ve learned through the changes over the years, that my stuff usually consists of that cornstarch goo we played with as kids – sure I’m all hard and confident when I’m just sitting there, but once disturbed by the reality of going through with it, I’m all of a sudden somewhere new and relegated to a pile of mushy, sticky gunk that is basically useless. Now don’t be mistaken, I surely pull myself together when  needed  to and can get on with it, but the useless mush is still always lurking below, waiting for a little something to nudge it into submission with the slightest of pokes.

This is the way it always goes for me.

Except this time.

There has yet to be a morning where I wake up with a feeling of panic and dread in the pit of my stomach. This is uncharted territory for me, as these mornings have been a staple of the Heather’s In A New Place morning, and defined by those first waking moments where you’re pushing through the urge to roll back over and ignore the start of the day and have to suppress the impulse to scream or run or spontaneously combust because  your gut is yelling at you whatthefuckareyouthinkingyoucrazyass godosomethingnormalwithyourlife!

And there has yet to be a moment when it felt like the only option is to find somewhere appropriate to have a little ugly cry before getting on with it. I haven’t even cried once. I’m not intimidated, or lonely or overwhelmed or feeling out of place.

Did my goo dry up?

The thing is, I don’t think I did anything differently. The fact that I’m coming out of a particularly tough year may play a role, but mostly I think for whatever reason, this choice just ‘fits’.  And I’m truly astounded. And grateful. And also kinda waiting for someone to jump out and point at me and laugh in my face and tell me I’m an idiot for thinking this is all real, then take it all away.

It’s turned into somewhat of a joke with a couple of friends now. When did I start getting lucky? That doesn’t happen to me, but it’s feeling undeniable that things are working out way too well. (Or just ‘very well’ if you’re not as sceptical and cautious as I am).

Tell me that I’m wrong?

1.  I was handed a shit deal at work. So I sent out a few applications. We’re talking like six. And then I heard back from three. Had the interview, was offered the job the next business day for a large, well known and reputable organization, with headquarters in a country I had been saying I missed, to live on a tropical friggin' island. That was that.

2. Got in touch with an old prof for some contacts in the Solomons. Wrote to two. One was in my class and knew me (oops! Didn't know her…) and the other was leaving the islands 4 days before I arrived. After looking at one other place, I moved into her old room. I had a home after 4 nights in country. It comes with a great view, an awesome housemate and is in a good location. I wake up every morning in the treetops with a view of the pacific and I still pinch myself because it feels like somehow this can’t be my life.

The view from my porch

(While talking to some friends last Saturday night about so many things falling into place with such good fortune for me, we decided that I needed to take advantage of the good luck so far, and just ask the universe for what I want. We decided next on the list, in no particular order are: a tv, a car and a man)

3. I want to buy a car, so I spread the word. There weren't any available in the expat circles, so I started looking online for options I could ship in from Japan, which wouldn't be here until September.  Then someone had to leave unexpectedly. I test drove their car and loved it, but the price was too high. They just accepted my offer for $1000 less than the asking price, and it will be mine on Thursday.

For the tv, I’m just waiting for some reimbursements so I can go pick something up.

And as for men?

Well, as of Saturday morning I thought maybe I was making some headway on that front with something potentially awesome, but the thing that I thought might be  falling into place has perhaps inexplicably fallen apart, which makes me very sad. TBD.

And on Sunday (post car-tv-man conversation) I met someone new, who, while lovely, has inspired me to revoke my earlier request to the universe on the man issue until I can be a bit more specific.

Now excuse me because I’m off to have Friday after work drinks with some friends at the usual Friday after work spot. Because I have friends. And we have a Friday after work drinks ‘spot’.

*Insert first Solomon Island tear here*

UPDATE:

4. Made a new friend tonight. Her husband is in the Australian Army and his next tour is here. She said she's going to need someone to help entertain his army friends.

Sigh. The things I do for my friends...