Not 'Farewell', but 'See You Soon'

One of the very few negative aspects of being
part of an expat community is that we are faced with ‘good-byes’ quite frequently. However, yesterday I came to realize that this has changed, and how we can turn this into an enriching, positive experience, as citizens of the world that we have now become.

Last night two of my FOCUS colleagues, Alessandra and Nancy, and I met with Nuria and Jesus, a couple of Spanish members, who are moving to the US. They had been with FOCUS

for over two years and during this time have always been very nice, fun and active members of our community, despite the initial language barrier. They kindly invited us for a 'Farewell to London Tea' yesterday and in the middle of packing and filling up boxes with the moving company, they took the time to meet us to say a 'proper good-bye'.

On the way there I was wondering how often we get exposed to this situation, after having been through the very same situation with

another friend whom I met at FOCUS, Natalia, and how it has changed for us through years of working with expats and being expats ourselves. Well, it turned out that I realized that these goodbyes have now developed into 'see you soon' situations. Of course, with Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and all technology based resources, keeping in touch with old (and new) friends, the ones who matter, is much easier and in fact much more natural than when I left my country (19 years ago) or even when I had my second relocation to London 12 years ago. But, I realized yesterday that by
being closer in the virtual world makes us promote

situations to be closer in the real, physical world as well. It seems that 'growing apart' is less common now, and what has been made so easy in modern life is staying in touch and continuing to share daily life. This new reality coupled with the fact that by becoming expats we also become 'citizens of the world', makes real reunions much more possible. The 'out of sight, out of mind' belief rarely applies anymore, especially for the FOCUS community. I could go 
on and on sharing recent examples of 

long lost family reunions, or primary school friends that I have met after decades, but I am sure you will all have your own.

So as we were leaving yesterday, wishing our friends all the best for their new experience in a new country, I realized that it was a different bye-bye, as we genuinely hope we will meet again. All I have left to say is, 'All the very best to you both, our dear members and now friends. You will be missed. So… see you again,  in Madrid, Dallas, Sao Paulo, New York, Hong  Kong, back in London, or wherever in the world, but see you soon!'




Written by Valeria Fleury. Valeria is FOCUS Director of Membership.

For more information about FOCUS visit:  www.focus-info.org

Should you wish to share your expat experiences in the UK, please contact us: office@focus-info.org

The Olympic Spirit Reignited!

I hear the roar of the fans chanting 'Go Team GB'
I see the smiles of friendly volunteers ushering me towards the gleaming venues. I feel the warmth of the summer sun of 2012 penetrating the clothes on my back.

Have I been transported back in time to the London Olympic Games of 2012? Oh, if only! Time travel aside, I am experiencing the next best thing- the chance to be a part of the legacy of 2012.

A step into the Lee Valley Velodrome is for me a step back in time. Back to the excitement of London’s very own state of the art velodrome being built, back to the resounding rupture of elation as Sir Chris Hoy cycles his way to three Olympic gold medals, back to the thunderous cheer as the diminutive 5’4’’ Laura Trott convincingly takes gold in the Women’s Omnium.  Although I never attended these events I was present at many other events of the summer games and certainly watched most of these momentous challenges televised. The spirit that enveloped all those who embraced the London Games was something quite special indeed.

When the games ended and the last of the Para
Olympians was on their way home a wave of sadness came over me, a feeling of loss. I feared what I had experienced was one of those a once in a lifetime emotions that could never be replicated. So it was with great enthusiasm and a glimmer of hope that I welcomed the opening of the various venues to the public, including the Velodrome in March 2014. Yes, some of the sites that witnessed Olympic dreams being made and broken were disassembled or are in transit to Brazil, yet a great many remain- the Olympic Stadium, the Copper Box, the Aquatics Centre and the Velodrome to name a few.

I recently returned to Lee Valley Velo Park for my second evening of watching  Revolution, a series of 6 rounds of competitive track cycling spanning several months and taking place in three UK cities. The series includes elite champions through to ‘Chris Hoy Future Stars.’ On both occasions I have been lucky enough to see Olympian Laura Trott working her magic on the track. It was at these events that the Olympic spirit was reignited. The spectators could not help but feel the spirit of the Olympics returning and the cyclists from the elite down to the teenage future stars most certainly had visions of one day achieving the Olympic glory in the fashion of Chris Hoy and Laura Trott.
 

Even though fairly new to the world of cycling I
found the Revolution events thoroughly intriguing. I was surprised at the number of races that called for stealth strategy in equal measure to athletic talent. The races covered an unimaginable spectrum of racing from outright sprints to 200 lap races where two man teams would lock hands and fling each other forward on varying laps. I even watched something called the ‘longest lap’ which I can only say is thrillingly exciting, quite contrary to its name!

When all the excitement of the cycling events was over I left the Velodrome with a great sense of serenity, an inner calm. The evening assured me that the legacy of the Olympics is indeed living on  in London. I encourage you all to pick a sport, find an event and be a part of keeping this sprit and investment of the Olympics alive. I guarantee you it is worth your effort!

Written by Nancy Dickinson.  Nancy is Deputy Executive Director at FOCUS.

For more information please visit www.focus-info.org

 

Should you wish to share your expat experiences in the UK, please contact us: office@focus-info.org