Here we go again.
We started our exciting tour in Mumbai. My husband and I along with our 3 little kids arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (tongue twister), an international airport in Mumbai, late Thursday night.
I will never forget how a new chapter in our life in Mumbai started.
It’s not because I was surprised by a nice airport in Mumbai. (Added Later: This was before the airport was renovated. The brand new gorgeous international airport in Mumbai opened in 2014.)
It’s not because I saw crazy traffic.
It’s not because this mega-city has huge slums.
It’s not because of the sound of klaxons that echoed in the dark sky of Mumbai.
It’s because I had a huge insect bite on my eyelid which I got during our vacation in the U.S. The bite mark had become inflamed and swelled up with red blisters on my right eyelid by the time I landed in Mumbai. I couldn’t even recognize myself with the swollen eyelid. The timing could not be worse. The condition got worse a day before our departure. Since I didn’t consider it an emergency because it was not life threatening, I decided not to try and find a doctor in the U.S. It is hard to find a specialist who would see a non-resident in the U.S. Thus, I decided to wait until I arrive in Mumbai to see a doctor for my insect bite issue.
What I did not realize until I arrived in Mumbai was that the day after our arrival was a big Muslim holiday called Idul Fitri followed by a weekend. Businesses are closed during a long three-day weekend. I had to live with a growth on my eye for the first 3 days in Mumbai.
The day after we landed in Mumbai, my girls’ school orientation for the newly arrived families was scheduled. I never felt so conscious about my appearance and wanted to hide in a corner with my big fat eyelid. I covered my right eye as much as possible with my bangs.
Oh, the pain of embarrassment!
In order to avoid any awkward stare from the people I mentioned the insect bite on my fat eye as soon as I saw an opportunity.
Then the first day of school came. The monumental moment for parents especially those who send their kids off to school for the first time. Our second child started kindergarten. I wasn’t nervous and I was very excited for her to start school. My babies are growing.
It’s our family (or my husband’s) tradition to video tape the kids as he asks questions about the first day of school before they leave to go to school in the morning.
What could be more joy than seeing our own kids grow up?
Why the hell am I so worked up about my stinking swollen eye? My kids are healthy, my husband is healthy, we have a very nice place to live, we’re in one of the most interesting countries in the world, our kids are in school, there is Starbucks (I know, strange standard, but it’s the truth), there is great shopping.
Just forget about the eyelid.
But…
I can’t.
I look like a freak.
I don’t know why I am so stressed about the swollen eye as much as I do, but the sleep deprivation from my 17-month-old son does not help. On top of that he’s teething and having a separation anxiety to the point where I can’t even use a bathroom without him screaming outside the door.
Which brought me to think about the book I finished recently (finally…) which my friend, Cindy Kane, published: “Bad Mommy Moments”. (By the way I plan on writing a review about the book in the future.)
This book came to me at the right moment. The hardship of being a parent, especially a mom, is only understood by those who went through it. Cindy satirically recounts her mommyhood in her book which felt very comforting. It’s okay to admit that mommyhood can suck. Women know. It’s not always the rosy moments with kids.
While I attend my groggy child who is completely jet-lagged and refuse to stay in bed in his room because he’s having a separation anxiety at 12:30 a.m. on Monday night/Tuesday morning, I decided to read a book “Diplomatic Baggage” by Brigid Keenan, which my blogger friend The Diplomatic Wife gave me.
I opened the book. I started reading and shortly after that I encountered this phrase.
Today is my first Monday, the day every wife of a man working abroad most dreads; the day your husband goes to the office and you have to face your new life ALONE.
It was striking to see this phrase tonight because today was my first Monday to see my husband go to the office. I was not alone, though. I was with my 17-month-old son. I’m not sure which is worse. Alone or with a baby in a foreign city. That’s a lot of responsibility.
Being an expat as a trailing spouse is sort of the same as being a new parent in a sense that often times our hardship is not understood unless people went through the same experience as a trailing spouse expat.
An eye problem I had is not typical of an expat life, but often times one of the kids or adults could get sick right around the time to travel overseas and it is one of the challenges that expats face. We tend to take granted our good health, but it is such an important element for our happiness and especially when you have an international move, it affects your mood and attitude. Maybe the GOD (I’m not at all religious by the way) wanted me to give me a different perspective of life and challenge at the beginning so that I can build up endurance for what is about to come in my way in this new adventure.
Thanks to my son, who ran around like a maniac at 3:00 a.m. in our apartment making all sorts of noises (Sorry, neighbors!! Don’t even bother to come to my door to complain because he can’t help it and I certainly don’t know what to do with this wild animal.), I was able to write this post about our safe arrival in an exciting city of India, Mumbai. I don’t have the time to go over the details now. Let me say this, though. It’s charming. I don’t know what it is, but this city attracts me.
Hi Kaho! I love reading your posts and am excited to find out more about your new adventure in Mumbai! I visited Mumbai a few years ago on a business trip and I didn’t get to see much of it besides the office and the hotel, so all I remember are the kids on the roads asking for money. Can’t wait to see the rest of Mumbai through your eyes! And hope the eyelid swelling has gone down by now 🙂 good luck and take care! xx
Thank you so much, Robyn!! So far I’m loving it. I’ve gone to some really cool looking restaurants that served great food and I’m very impressed!! I will try to feature them when I get the chance!
hi Kaho! I think your eyes got a sickness called hordeolum. I got it once before my flight, and then i put the garlic on it….and voila! the swollen healed 🙂 but it was a little bit painful on the eye. anyway, there are some ointments for the hordeolum. I hope you get well soon so you can explore Mumbai 🙂 It’s really nice city! I love the food and the craft anyway 🙂
Thanks, Ratna! It wasn’t hordeolum. It was above my eye on the eyelid and it was something more like a spider bite. It happened during my sleep at a house we stayed right by a beach. Who knows what kind of creatures were crawling around? 🙂 I suspect that it was a spider bite based on the research I did online, but clearly something bit me and I did have two bite marks. I think it’s getting slightly better now… Thank you so much for the sweet comment!
I totally agree about the health and happiness thing!!!
I am now away for a month *still 2 weeks to go* for Singapore to help my pregnant cousin who was bleeding last month, and the day before my departure I was still a bit sick (I caught flu and my throat sore) but I can’t delay it since the ticket was bought and my cousin needed me
I was pretty fine the first week, but at the half of the second week I started to get another wave of flu *lol* and I get headache and that was when I suddenly felt unhappy and all homesick and my cousin’s calls for help sounded annoying haha
Now that I am healthy and done with the flu I feel very much happier~
I wish you to get well soon, Kaho-san! and I hope the exciting days in India will greet you nicely 😀
Thank you for your sweet comment!! I’m glad you’re doing better and happier! Body and mind are so interconnected, aren’t they?
I’m glad you’re too 😀 I think so! they are somehow affecting each other hahaha
Chelle, thank you!!
I hope your eye is better!! I am the same way, though. Even though I shouldn’t be worried I am. It’s the same when I have a huge isolated zit on my face! : )
Thanks, Joy! Zit is another one that makes me feel very self conscious!
I enjoyed your writing. I wish your youngest is getting settle down and glad to hear your middle one started school. Yes, our husbands continue their job wherever they go, but we start our own to find out in new place. I hope everything goes well with you. Please continue to writhe about Mumbai. You’re the one very resourceful. Take care and say hello to the girls and your husband.
Thank you, Hae-ran!! All the kids are doing great! You understand the anxiety of the first day of work as a spouse! I will try to keep writing about Mumbai. It’s an exciting place and I cannot wait to discover more.
Kaho, first, I´m so glad you go there safely. Second, I´m certain you rock your eye bite, you always do! 😉 Third, I miss you and you are in my thoughts. It sounds like a rollercoaster of a ride but I am sure it is the beginning of a wonderful adventure. Your little monkey is so adorable and the girls look so grown up. Big big hugs!
Thank you so much, Ana!! I miss you, too. I think the things might be rolling more slowly now that my eye thing is getting better. What a drama I had!! I cannot wait to unfold what awaits ahead of us.
Welcome to India Kaho,
I wish you get well soon Kaho,Glad that you have all reached Mumbai. I am sure you will like the wild wild Life In INDIA and super crazy drivers on road. You will very soon realise India is unity in diversity. Different language and different state people and different religion living happily. Eventhough our Politicians and politics is crap It is truely Incredible India. Have a pleasant Stay and in mumbai you have good food and try the chats at the juhu beach or in any shopping mall . you should try different indian state cuising like gujarathi thali, south indian tiffin(breakfast) like IDLI and DOSA, Rajasthani Thali,Andhra food be prepared to byte the chilli experience. Andhra food are very spicy. South indian coffee. We call it madras coffee or udipi coffee and famous darjeeling masala chai (masala tea).
Have fun, And i am missing india. Will be going to chennai the southern India. Will try to catch up with you over phone.
You will love the bollywood movie. The colours and spices. Enjoy. Hope your kids will have most memorable days of their childhood.
Thanks for the introduction to the Indian culture already! I think it will definitely be the memorable days of my kids’ childhood. I’m very happy to be here.
Hi Kaho, I love reading your stories! Glad you made it safely to Mumbai. Good luck in your new journey! Say hello to your kids and husband 🙂
So wonderful to see your name, Ira! I miss seeing you very much. Thanks for visiting! Please send our love to your family as well.
Dear Kaho, I love this blog. It reminds me of the days when my girls were your daughters’ age. It will get easier as they get older but the “joys” of moving will be the same. I’m amazed you have time to write even with 3 young children. Good luck to you, Phil and the kids. Big hug.
Mae, Thank you so much for writing me a comment on my blog!!!!!!!! I am happy to hear that the “joys” of moving will be the same even after our kids grow up. You’ve got to have those joys that make our life more interesting! I love blogging and I think that’s the only reason why I can do it. I have nothing else going on, too… Thanks for visiting!!!
Konnichiwa Kaho. Are you living in Mumbai now? I am so sorry I haven’t visited your blog quite sometime and suddenly read this post that you have a new chapter in Mumbai. I hope you have a fruitful life at there. I promise to visit your blog and read your update more often. As usual, I always enjoy reading it :).
Fenny, thanks for visiting! No worries, I have been away from the blogging world for a while due to the move. We do have a new chapter in Mumbai. Crazy, right? Thank you for your kind words!!!
My dear Kaho, I love reading your blogs and looking at the photos. Keep them coming.
Thank you, Mae!!
Dear Kaho san This is so good i am looking to rent my besutiful 4 bhk apartment in Bandra mumbai to a good Japanese family . Please whats app me at +971504508672 if you have any friends interested . Arigato . Mel san .
Mel,
I have left Mumbai, so I don’t know any new Japanese families. I am sorry! I hope you will find a new tenant soon! I wish you the best!
Hi! Are you still in Mumbai now?! We are considering a move with our 5 kids and would LOVE to chat!!
Hi! We moved away from Mumbai in 2016. Since then we’ve lived in the U.S., the Philippines and now in Japan. If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email message although my knowledge would be dated. I can probably give you general ideas about expat life in Mumbai based on my experience between 2013 and 2016. Feel free to email me at chuzailiving[at]gmail.com (Please replace [at] with @) Thanks!