The three items in the title are not necessarily directly related, but I appear to be like giving titles in threes...
So Happy Equinox everyone! The Equinox and Solstice time causes me to feel the reality of seasonal change. I used to feel like I got into a funk in and around autumn, but it was probably just the adjustment to less sun and the barrenness of the trees. Everyone here speaks of the fall as the preface to the impending doom of winter. In fairness, I have never experienced an English winter, which I'm told is incredibly dark, rainy, windy, and cold. However, most English have never been through a New England winter. So we will see how this goes. I am determined not to succumb to the muck and the dreary (yes I am using that as a noun, and I'm fine with that). I have bright red rainboots for goodness sakes. They will be my winter talisman.
I finally registered with a general practitioner (they say this instead of Dr. here). The National Heath System is interesting. You pay a decent chunk out of your paycheck, and then you get free healthcare, but many things take a while (I may have mentioned before that no one here seems to feel that they are in a terrible rush), and healthcare is truly treated on a priority basis. When I went to register, I went to my local health center, which looks like a cross between an emergency room and the DMV. Then I essentially picked a doctor from a brief list - like choosing a shade of lipstick. I have an introductory appt. on Monday, we will see how that goes.
I am starting to make friends a little bit, which has been a god-send and really quite lovely. I was invited for dinner on Sunday night, by Antonio, an elder portuguese poet, and his long-time friend Ian, an old English bloke with a huge heart. Man, I had the best time! I was stuffed with veggie lasagne, soup, bread, trifle (it's an English traditional dessert here apparently and involves many a layer of creamy, fruity things) and more red wine than I should ingest on a Sunday evening. Everything was spiced and herbed with fresh herbs from their garden. They then took me for a coffee at a local pub off the beaten path, called the Swan. There are pubs called The Swan in nearly every town here - not sure why. This place is really amazing! It is cozy, has a beautiful garden, and allows dogs inside. I walked in and there were couples sitting and having drink on a couch with their pups at their feet. Can't wait for Charlie and Shadow to see it. Because Ian and Antonio have lived here for a bit, they know a lot of people, so a coffee turned into the next couple of hours being joined by several different people. I danced home!
These things help me keep perspective when the day-to-day realities of my solo journey here are challenging. I have reached another phase at work where I have much more to do than time to do it, and some of the struggles of the students have become apparent. I continue to miss Em, the boys, my dear friends, and feel a bit guilty from time to time that when I experience something lovely, interesting, etc. that I am not with those I love to share it directly. I am working to write about it more, beyond the blog. I have no shortage of inspiration here - the challenge I have is honing in on one or two pieces of inspiration, rather than trying to render the frenetic, constant stimuli that comes from being in a large city. In that, we have the marathon metaphor.
and in that, I will end with a big hug and kiss to all those I love ad hope for a good day tomorrow!
J
Miss you
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