Seven is such a magical number, isn’t it? Seven deadly sins, seven virtues, seven league boots, seven years bad luck…it seems incredibly apt that I would have spent seven years living in London. Still, the curse has been lifted and the errant word sorceress may now return to her home beyond the Wall.
As you read this, I am sitting on a train with my brother, heading north to my beloved homeland. Gone are the days of full time employment in office drudgery, and dead ahead lie the tumultous seas of PhD research, part time work and as much fiction writing as I can cram into my days. A few people have asked me how I feel about moving back in with my family but I get on really well with them, and it enables me to afford to study something I’ve wanted to do for six years. Win!
Still, I bear London no ill will for the fact that our love affair has turned sour. I did really enjoy living in London when I first moved there but the Spirit of the place has hardened towards its inhabitants. I don’t regret the move down there, and indeed, a lot has happened in the past seven years. I got my Masters, I’ve been engaged twice, I’ve lived in three different flats, I’ve experienced redundancy, I had my first book accepted for publication, and I’ve met some wonderful people (special mention goes to the VERY awesome Jen Brubacher, who I just wish I’d met sooner). But it’s time to move on. I don’t consider my move back to my homeland to be a move backwards, but rather a step further along.
Let’s see where the next seven years take me.
Well good luck to you, Icy. I, too, think that there’s so much wonderful stuff awaiting you as you move along this adventure called life.
Now, a bit of advice, if I may. Don’t get engaged until you’re absolutely sure. 😀
They say, “bloom where you’re planted,” but sometimes the environment is just too incompatible. Best of luck with your studies and above all, your writing!
Good luck, Icy!
Good luck to you, Icy, and good on you for embracing the new stuff coming into your life!
Good luck and godspeed, Icy! have fun with the PhD!
I’m glad I could be a part of such an important chapter of your life 🙂 And also, once again so glad that the internet has no sense of distance! London is missing you already (though too bad for London, it had its chance.)
Here’s to the next 7 years!