Tag: Family

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Last month I was visiting two of my dear cousins in Texas. Having grown up with them since I was aged four, they are more like siblings to me than distant cousins. Being similar ages our lives are often similar 'chapters' and this past visit made me think quite a lot about the current stage of our lives.

At aged eleven and nine (Craig) we had big hopes for our futures when we first left Zimbabwe and moved to America. Having returned to the States three times since leaving I have felt the change in all of us towards our career paths. Each year our plans would get more detailed and centred around a more specific area. In so many ways, our family has shaped us and the career paths we are currently pursuing. Our original goals for our careers have changed quite considerably since our arrival in Texas but what stood out more from the visit was that we had finally reached the next chapter of our lives. During my two-week visit the 'next stage' was frequently brought up in conversation. With Kirsten and I at University now and Craig due to start next year it was no surprise really but it seems like only yesterday we had high hopes for the future that seemed like it would never come. Well, we're in that 'next stage' zone now.

At aged nineteen, I am now thinking about post-university life and thinking of possible positions I can undertake as a career. Thinking back to that young, naïve child eight years ago I realise just how far I have come. I'm not sad to be growing up, our lives are just getting more exciting but part of me misses that mystery of what I pursue as a career. Not that what I want to do is set in stone, it's just that time seems to be speeding up and already I can see the pages turning as the next chapter of our lives are in sight. I guess I'm just surprised how quickly we have reached this stage as I wonder what the next stage of our lives will bring us.

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Currently I am on my way to London where I will I be stopping for a night with my grandparents in Woking before continuing my journey tomorrow to Wales where I will be staying with my great-aunt whom I have not seen in eight years.

The total journey time for the entire trip is about twelve hours, not including the waiting time or accounting for delays. As I am used to travelling it’s fine, but I have forgotten what it’s like travelling with children. Part of the purpose of stopping in Woking is dropping my youngest brother off with his father, which means that I have the joys of travelling eight hours with him. So far, he has gotten himself totally hyper and won’t stop talking; he got bored so tried to amuse himself by laughing and giggling (for no apparent reason!) for a good five minutes and decided he wanted to play a game of scrabble on my phone. What I have learned from this:
• My brother needs to learn what a library voice is and that just because you’re not in a library doesn’t mean
you can’t use that voice (yes, he did argue this point!)
• If you offer a nine-year half of your Lindt egg (just after he has eaten your extra one) he will still says yes.
Although to his credit he did hesitate and ask if I was sure on both occasions.
• Lastly, if I were to play Scrabble with him, there’s a chance I might loose!

Once we have completed this leg of the journey we will then catch tubes (underground trains) and (overground) trains to Woking station where Shaughn will have completed his journey until we return home, and I shall pause my travels for a night. I’m aware that passing through Kings Cross is going to be havoc, but thankfully, for all my complaints of Shaughn (my youngest brother), he is mature enough to stay by me and not get lost which makes things easier! Ah well, seeing my family in Wales will make all the travelling worth it in the end.