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Anyone else feeling homesick this time of year?

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  • 13-12-2011 2:35am
    #1
    Pisco Sour
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,029 ✭✭✭


    Was dreadfully homesick last Christmas in Melbourne, which was my first Christmas away from home. I thought I would find this year easier, but again, as soon as Christmas gets close, I'm again homesick.

    It's not just missing family and friends. It's the fact that in Australia they don't embrace Christmas to the level I am used to back home. And the hot weather and bright evenings make it hard to get in the festive mood.

    How are others finding Christmas time in Oz?


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    #2
    jank
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 13,018 ✭✭✭✭jank


    Its different for sure, but you have to make the most of it. Go have a BBQ, go to the beach, soak up the sun. Will ease the pain a bit.


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    #3
    myflipflops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,817 ✭✭✭myflipflops


    This is my third one in a row away. It gets easier.

    I just kind of ignore the fact that it's Christmas really because I'm not religious so without family there is nothing to celebrate. I volunteered to work Christmas Day this year.


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    #4
    mandrake04
    Registered Users Posts: 4,435 ✭✭✭mandrake04


    To be honest I have only felt homesick at Xmas a couple of times most notably in 2008.

    I have only went home at Xmas twice first in 2006 which was great as I told no one and just turned up as a surprise, and was back in Sydney for NYE. Also went home for Xmas 2009 and it was dull & depressing (and not because of the weather). I only stayed about 2 weeks which was week too long imo, was actually relieved to be boarding a plane in Dublin on the 27th for 4 weeks in the US.

    Sometimes you feel homesick and you cant wait to get back, but then when you do go home you realise that you cant wait to get back to Oz.

    Last year had Christmas day by the inlaws pool, and to be honest it was great. Did skype in the evening and went fishing on St Stephens Day. Didnt feel homesick at all.

    This year we are going to the inlaws holiday place up the central coast and then Hawaii on 31st for 2 weeks.

    My opinion of Christmas has now changed.

    a) Its only one day in the year.
    b) Looking at it from the outside--> in... Christmas in Ireland is way over commercialised.


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    #5
    davepatr07
    Registered Users Posts: 303 ✭✭davepatr07


    Most of the family and friends are back at home so even with my 3rd Christmas away it can be tough though not as tough as the 1st time. 1st time away from partner too as we are both working. Felt like Christmas in Toronto, 2nd and 3rd time down here not so much because of the weather, bright mornings and evenings. True they don't seem to celebrate it as much here or NZ. Having said that working Christmas Day will help keep my mind off it while earning and extra few bob.


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    #6
    Feelgood
    Registered Users Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭Feelgood


    Just got back to Ireland yesterday, 2 degrees, raining, windy and bloody freezing. Everyone I've met looks so pissed off and miserable.

    Is really great to see family and friends, but other than that I don't know why anyone would be homesick. After spending 14 months in Oz, I can safely say there is absolutely nothing here but depression.

    I know Oz doesn't have an Xmas feel but as Mandrake said is only one day of the year. If Melbourne is sh1te, head up as far as the gold coast or somewhere and party on :)


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    #7
    Pisco Sour
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,029 ✭✭✭Pisco Sour


    Feelgood wrote: »
    Just got back to Ireland yesterday, 2 degrees, raining, windy and bloody freezing. Everyone I've met looks so pissed off and miserable.

    Jaysus, you make it sound like North Korea :eek:

    No Christmas cheer at all back home?

    Once the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th (the day I always go to the races) is over then it gets much easier. There's no place I'd rather be less than Dublin in January. It's as grim as it gets (excluding Norn Korea of course:))


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    #8
    CamperMan
    Registered Users Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭CamperMan


    Feelgood wrote: »
    Just got back to Ireland yesterday, 2 degrees, raining, windy and bloody freezing. Everyone I've met looks so pissed off and miserable.


    some of the reasons why I am still in Germany ;-)

    I don't celebrate Christmas and never have done, my family don't talk to me.. so... nothing to miss, :D


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    #9
    gerryo777
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,216 ✭✭✭gerryo777


    CamperMan wrote: »
    some of the reasons why I am still in Germany ;-)

    I don't celebrate Christmas and never have done, my family don't talk to me.. so... nothing to miss, :D
    That's quite sad! But i know the feeling...


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    #10
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Zero homesickness here. Was back home last year and will do the same next year probably so this is my 'Oz Year' so to speak. It's a different ball game here but it's all about making the most of it and not moping about what ou don't have.

    Tbh Christmas is really just another day when you get older, though at least this one is an excuse for a four day weekend.


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