May
25

The Long Haul

By

“How long do you think you’ll be here?”

I get that question more frequently than any other. It has become the most difficult to answer. One thing has been for certain since the beginning. I’m going to be home on July 3. That’s when I’m a groomsman in my friends’ wedding. The big question in my mind: Would my ticket be one-way or return? Until recently, I was resigned to returning to Minnesota to pretend to be a “real” adult and job hunt. After all, what was the point of returning to work my retail, stock room job in Galway for a few more months? Then I took this job in Cardiff. A week into working, I still hadn’t purchased my planet ticket. I still hadn’t decided if I was going to move home for good or come back to Europe after the wedding.

Why? Allow me to let you in on a secret: Living abroad alone is, well, hard. I don’t like to dwell on it here for fear of becoming the over privileged white boy who whines about getting to live abroad, but let me say this: I’m on my second city and my second country and my second job in a matter of seven months. It can be disorienting, exhausting even. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about buying a one-way ticket home. But yesterday, I decided once and for all not to succumb to temptation. I purchased a return plane ticket. I’ll be home for two and a half weeks next month, then I’ll come back to Cardiff to continue my job. I haven’t finished experiencing this new job, this new life. I haven’t even scratched the surface of Cardiff. Returning to Minnesota, while it would be the easy option, would be the easy way out. When the right opportunity presents itself in Minnesota (or Ireland or New York or California, for that matter), I’ll seize upon it. But until that happens, I’m going to stay in Cardiff, as your humble barman at a hostel on the banks of the River Taff.

How long will I be here?

Simply put: Until I’m finished.

Categories : Blog Posts
  • Maura

    John – as long as you have a job to return to after your visit home, go for it! have so enjoyed reading about your adventure.

  • http://thetruenorth.tumblr.com/ Christopher Koski

    “How long will I be here? Simply put: Until I’m finished.” I really like that. (I might steal it, too.)

    I've got to ask, though: since it sounds like you're still gaming in the long run to come back to the States, what then, for you, will make 'finished?' Do you want to set that now or, alternately, wait until something comes naturally, and why?

  • TJ

    Nice John, you're a brave man. Let me know if NY presents itself, theirs a little couch in a little apt waiting.

  • http://twitter.com/SGitelzon Sveta

    I love this post. Wish I could see you in July but I'll be in NYC for the summer, boo =(

  • Patricia

    I so admire your candid honesty and so enjoy reading about your experiences and adventurous abroad!!!

  • http://anamericaninireland.com Clare

    So happy to hear this. I know it can be lonely at times (especially with your current job, a la “The Shining”) but you won't regret it. You are SO young still, even though I know you don't necessarily feel young (you will realize just how young you were when you are just a bit older). This is still the time in your life when you can do what you want; a career – whatever that means – can wait. This, as they say, is living.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    I don't know yet when I'll be 'finished.' The opportunity will present itself to me. The thinking behind this post was me telling myself to stop worrying about when I will come home, just enjoy the experience while it lasts. Something will come naturally. I have a couple of potential employers who have expressed interest in working with me again, I have plenty of contacts in the field. I've just got to learn to let go in the meantime.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    I don't know yet when I'll be 'finished.' The opportunity will present itself to me. The thinking behind this post was me telling myself to stop worrying about when I will come home, just enjoy the experience while it lasts. Something will come naturally. I have a couple of potential employers who have expressed interest in working with me again, I have plenty of contacts in the field. I've just got to learn to let go in the meantime.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    I don't know yet when I'll be 'finished.' The opportunity will present itself to me. The thinking behind this post was me telling myself to stop worrying about when I will come home, just enjoy the experience while it lasts. Something will come naturally. I have a couple of potential employers who have expressed interest in working with me again, I have plenty of contacts in the field. I've just got to learn to let go in the meantime.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    I don't know yet when I'll be 'finished.' The opportunity will present itself to me. The thinking behind this post was me telling myself to stop worrying about when I will come home, just enjoy the experience while it lasts. Something will come naturally. I have a couple of potential employers who have expressed interest in working with me again, I have plenty of contacts in the field. I've just got to learn to let go in the meantime.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the offer, TJ. I've always told myself that I will live in NYC at some point in my life. It's nice to know I know somebody out there. :)

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the offer, TJ. I've always told myself that I will live in NYC at some point in my life. It's nice to know I know somebody out there. :)

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the offer, TJ. I've always told myself that I will live in NYC at some point in my life. It's nice to know I know somebody out there. :)

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the offer, TJ. I've always told myself that I will live in NYC at some point in my life. It's nice to know I know somebody out there. :)

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the support, Clare. You're missing the biggest plus of me staying though — you can come visit Cardiff. :) Open invitation, of course.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the support, Clare. You're missing the biggest plus of me staying though — you can come visit Cardiff. :) Open invitation, of course.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the support, Clare. You're missing the biggest plus of me staying though — you can come visit Cardiff. :) Open invitation, of course.

  • http://www.johnfosullivan.com John F. O'Sullivan

    Thanks for the support, Clare. You're missing the biggest plus of me staying though — you can come visit Cardiff. :) Open invitation, of course.

  • Ann

    John, what about women? You got to get your game on and get some women. You'll be finished when you experience a heart-wrenching break up with a girl. Right?

  • http://newhomeeconomics.wordpress.com Jennifer

    You have to stay, John. How else could all of us current and former Stribbers live vicariously through you?

  • http://www.ceruleanbill.blogspot.com bill

    Well said. Would that we all had that perspective.

  • http://anamericaninireland.com Clare

    I promise to come visit – probably July or so. Will be in touch soon! :)

  • http://doniree.com/ doniree

    That's how I feel about Boulder – I'm not here permanently, but I'm here until I'm done with it. Then? Pacific Northwest, I believe.

  • Richard and Joanne Fisher

    John, a very good decision! Wish I could have had the opportunity you are experiencing at your stage of life. I spent four months in Scotland on a fellowship, but in my 50s with obligations. This experience will broaden and strengthen your future in countless and invaluable ways. Pleased with your decision.

    Cheers, Richard Fisher

  • Richard and Joanne Fisher

    John, a very good decision! Wish I could have had the opportunity you are experiencing at your stage of life. I spent four months in Scotland on a fellowship, but in my 50s with obligations. This experience will broaden and strengthen your future in countless and invaluable ways. Pleased with your decision.

    Cheers, Richard Fisher

Hello!

Current city: Windsor, England

After acquiring dual citizenship with Ireland in 2009, I uprooted from my native Minnesota and moved abroad. Three years, four continents and a dozen countries later, I'm figuring out what it means to be an expatriate and blogging along the way.

First time here?

Here's a sampling of some popular posts:
• How I was nearly deported
• "Do you consider yourself a team player?"
• 10 Things About Ireland You'd Only Know from Living Here
• Settle Down
• The Long Haul
• An Open Letter to America
• Dry Irish wit
• Invasion of the body scanners
• Suicide by train
• Safety first
• On returning to your high school job at 26
• 10 things about Australia you'd never know without living here
• Trans-continental romance

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