London calling

Things are starting to feel a bit more real now. For the past few weeks the only real reminder that I'm on the precipice of change has been when I've found myself wondering why Andy isn't around; I then remember that he in fact lives and works in London now...

Still, none of it has felt tangible until recently. Firstly, we just found a flat and promptly secured a large enough loan to actually start renting it (painful memories of the rental market in NYC come flooding back). I've not seen it yet, but I trust in Andy's abilities to find us a little nook that will work for us. Last weekend I went down and we explored the area - around Oval - and for the first time I had a picture of what our new life would be like. Though close to the city, the area feels mellow with lots of cyclists, pubs, little parks and tucked away galleries, all of which bodes well.

We spent the day taking in the surrounding areas and I kept experiencing little waves of familiarity as I recognised a certain commonality of pace, eclecticism and energy of London with New York, and my oh my...it felt good. We found farmer's markets in Oval, hidden art galleries in Vauxhall, an incredible sandwich bar in Brixton, bona fide Cuban food in North Lambeth and an impressive free Brazilian festival at the Southbank Centre. We hung out by the Thames, watching tourists, musicians, performers, suits and hipsters going about their evening and I thought....yeah. I can do this. This can be my city.

I also now have a job to go to when I move! I interviewed yesterday for a role with a Refugee Trauma Service at the NHS providing therapeutic casework to refugees and asylum seekers, and got the job. It's part time, and only a short contract but it's a great first step and I'm THRILLED to have landed a role with the rather niche client group that I was really hoping to continue working with.

It feels like time is slipping through my fingers and this whole new life will start before I know it - a few more weeks of work, dissertation, and precious time with dear northern friends and then we take on a new chapter together in a new city. It's a bit bewildering, but exhilarating too and I can't wait to see what it brings...