Well, it's well over a year ago that I handed in my notice and began the count down to move to Egypt. Well over a year ago that everyone told me they were happy for me, secretly I think they thought I was quite mad. A few actually told me this to my face; however, by then the papers had been given in and the flights had been booked. I had certainly made my mind up.
Ok, it's not quite gone to plan; I'm the first one to admit that. I'm not too sure what I expected when I arrived. I'd moved to a town that I hadn't even visited before, and only knew about three people! I knew that whatever we ended up doing as a business and going head first into a new relationship that it was not necessarily going to be easy. I'd known Dan for three years as a friend, but had only been in a relationship with him for three months before literally dropping everything to be with him on a different continent.
Again I refer you back to the first paragraph. Looking at what I've written it does sound quite mad, quite beyond insane! But all I can say in my defence is that I knew it was right. Something fell into the right place. It was like I finally felt home. A good year later and it still fits, probably better now than ever. I've made myself a home with a fluffy salt-and-peppered haired man, and an even fluffier dog. The both have ways of driving me mad, but I wouldn't change either of them for the world.
Ok, enough of the sentimental tripe. I actually was writing an update... So back to it:
Life out of the fast lane, out of the commute, out of the Politics has been quite strange for me. After eight years of Council Chambers, Highways and Roadworks, dealing with Councillors, MP's and election issues to be able to create my own day really quite left me lost for the first few months. Gaining a routine and sticking to it is quite difficult. It is far too easy to be caught up by the sunshine and lagoons. (It's not all holiday and fun.. I've been diving twice and haven't even learned how to Kite-surf!)
I've spent a lot of time reflecting, almost decompressing from the norms of living the UK way. I'm a lot more relaxed and my anxiety is at an all time low. My CFS and immune system are behaving, and bar a frozen shoulder my body likes living in the desert and heat. It's amazing how your body reacts to the situations you put yourself in. I'm a lot happier and healthier in mind and in body.
We took a break back to the homeland in May, it was heavenly to regain a UK sense of normality and spend time with our loved ones. However, I craved coming back to my new home. For the first time in my life I felt torn between two places. Herne Bay has always and will always be my home, but I've watched it grow and change without me there. It's a very odd experience to see it move on. Not that I had a great impact on where I was living, but I used to walk down the street and see loads of friends and acquaintances, now not so much.
Watching Brexit and the snap General Election was difficult for me. I stayed in the loop but for the first time I truly didn't have an opinion. I wasn't happy on all sides so I stood quietly on the sideline and took note. The one thing I will say is that I'm appalled at just how nasty and vitriolic the world has become. You used to be able to debate, have an opinion and still be able to stay friends, head to the pub for a pint. These days it just doesn't seem possible.
I know I shouldn't really compare, but after living in the Middle East for a while it begins to change your opinion. You see another side of life where, actually you begin to realise just how lucky you truly are. There's a definitive line between rich and poor here, and no benefits to rights to education on the scale of anywhere in the West. People should always fight for the right of what they believe in, but I do sometimes believe that we take things massively out of context.
Anywho, that's me signing off again. I WILL blog more. I've started to write for magazines, and for fun. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy putting down my thoughts and opinions. No time like the present!
Over and out.
Jen
Ok, it's not quite gone to plan; I'm the first one to admit that. I'm not too sure what I expected when I arrived. I'd moved to a town that I hadn't even visited before, and only knew about three people! I knew that whatever we ended up doing as a business and going head first into a new relationship that it was not necessarily going to be easy. I'd known Dan for three years as a friend, but had only been in a relationship with him for three months before literally dropping everything to be with him on a different continent.
Again I refer you back to the first paragraph. Looking at what I've written it does sound quite mad, quite beyond insane! But all I can say in my defence is that I knew it was right. Something fell into the right place. It was like I finally felt home. A good year later and it still fits, probably better now than ever. I've made myself a home with a fluffy salt-and-peppered haired man, and an even fluffier dog. The both have ways of driving me mad, but I wouldn't change either of them for the world.
Ok, enough of the sentimental tripe. I actually was writing an update... So back to it:
Life out of the fast lane, out of the commute, out of the Politics has been quite strange for me. After eight years of Council Chambers, Highways and Roadworks, dealing with Councillors, MP's and election issues to be able to create my own day really quite left me lost for the first few months. Gaining a routine and sticking to it is quite difficult. It is far too easy to be caught up by the sunshine and lagoons. (It's not all holiday and fun.. I've been diving twice and haven't even learned how to Kite-surf!)
I've spent a lot of time reflecting, almost decompressing from the norms of living the UK way. I'm a lot more relaxed and my anxiety is at an all time low. My CFS and immune system are behaving, and bar a frozen shoulder my body likes living in the desert and heat. It's amazing how your body reacts to the situations you put yourself in. I'm a lot happier and healthier in mind and in body.
We took a break back to the homeland in May, it was heavenly to regain a UK sense of normality and spend time with our loved ones. However, I craved coming back to my new home. For the first time in my life I felt torn between two places. Herne Bay has always and will always be my home, but I've watched it grow and change without me there. It's a very odd experience to see it move on. Not that I had a great impact on where I was living, but I used to walk down the street and see loads of friends and acquaintances, now not so much.
Watching Brexit and the snap General Election was difficult for me. I stayed in the loop but for the first time I truly didn't have an opinion. I wasn't happy on all sides so I stood quietly on the sideline and took note. The one thing I will say is that I'm appalled at just how nasty and vitriolic the world has become. You used to be able to debate, have an opinion and still be able to stay friends, head to the pub for a pint. These days it just doesn't seem possible.
I know I shouldn't really compare, but after living in the Middle East for a while it begins to change your opinion. You see another side of life where, actually you begin to realise just how lucky you truly are. There's a definitive line between rich and poor here, and no benefits to rights to education on the scale of anywhere in the West. People should always fight for the right of what they believe in, but I do sometimes believe that we take things massively out of context.
Anywho, that's me signing off again. I WILL blog more. I've started to write for magazines, and for fun. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy putting down my thoughts and opinions. No time like the present!
Over and out.
Jen
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