Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Things I'm looking forward to about moving home

So... Today is my last night in London. Can you believe it? Cuz I can't!

Feels very strange to be in my empty apartment (and very terrible to be sleeping in my bed without my memory foam mattress)! The movers came yesterday and packed up 6 years of stuff in 43 boxes. How did I manage to accumulate that much stuff? I have no idea. I guess it's on its way back to Boston now. It will meet me there in 6 - 8 weeks (I hope).

Today was the cleaning of my apartment. And tomorrow is the final check out (and please oh please let me get my 2,700 GBP security deposit back because I really need it to buy furniture in Boston).

It all feels so unreal.

Tonight The Company had a really nice dinner for me and we reminisced about the last 6 years and The President and VP said really nice things and we recalled lost of fond memories from back in the day when we were younger... (They also gave me some really nice gifts). It made me sad and nostalgic. It was hard. Tomorrow - the last day in the office - that will be hard too.

I'm not leaving The Company but I'm completely changing products/divisions/industries and although I know it's time for a change, I can't help but to feel sad about leaving my current product and all the great people I have worked with for the past 6 years.

And I'm surprised and humbled at all the nice things people have to say about working with me and that it truly feels like they might miss me as much as I will miss them.

I have to say - I hate goodbyes. As much as this has all been nice and sweet, I overwhelmingly feel like it is something to be endured and I keep wishing there was a fast forward button so I could get off this emotional rollar coaster I've been riding for far too long now. Above all, I'm determined not to cry. What's the point? I have to just look forward and move ahead. And hope that good things are waiting in my future.

Tomorrow I fly to Stockholm to hang out for a few days. Good friend J is getting married to S on Saturday (stay tuned for the final wedding blog post of the year) and I'm looking forward to that. And in general, I'm looking forward to catching up with the girls, participating in the Stockholm nightlife (Beware Berns - I'm going to kill it on Friday night), having fika, shopping at H&M, running in Hagerparken and generally soaking up as much Stockholm awesomeness as I can before leaving on a one way flight to Boston next Wednesday (sob).

So... I might go off the radar for a few days but am sure to catch up with you all soon when I'm back in the US!

In the meantime... here's the deal, I'm totally nervous and kind of dreading moving back to Boston - as you can see from many of my latest posts. But there are a few things that I'm secretly looking forward to.

So, I leave you with this small list:

Things I'm looking forward to about moving home:

Autumn in New England - Is there anything better than Autumn in New England? I don't think so actually! I have felt sad about missing New England Autumn every year. Autumn everywhere is kind of nice and special and gives you that cozy nostalgic feeling. But, every single Autumn that I've spent outside New England, I've been thoroughly disappointed. Because when it's Autumn - there is truly no place like home!*

Lobster and clam chowder - It will be nice to eat my favorite New England foods more often. As my Mother advised when I was very little: "Never eat lobster or clam chowder outside of New England unless you want to be very disappointed." I have to say that she was totally right. And the few times I made the mistake... I did regret it (unless it was imported from New England of course - for real, I've had Maine lobster in China).

The Red Sox, The Patriots, The Bruins, The Celtics - I'm not the world's biggest sports fan (i.e. I did not stay up to ridiculously late hours just to watch New England sports teams while living abroad. In fact, apart from my updates from my Father -a real sports enthusiast). And over the years I have become pretty out of touch with the world of New England sports. But I do kind of miss watching sports and I'm looking forward to being swept away by the sports enthusiasm of Boston. Go Pats!

Being closer to family - It will be nice to have my parents just 2 hours away and to get to see my grandfather more. I also hope to soon visit my cousin and her kids in Maine!

The countryside - London is a great city and the country is definitely accessible, but it doesn't feel like the countryside is in the city, the way it did in Stockholm. I've found myself desperately craving the countryside. It will be nice to be in Boston with a car and able to drive home to my parent's house or go up to New Hampshire or Maine when I need a quick countryside fix.

Reuniting with old friends - I don't have a big social group that I'm going back to in Boston. I've been away way too long. Most of my Boston friends have moved outside the city and are working on building their families. But there are a few people that have reached out to me and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with them. And I'm hoping they will become my new cast of characters in my blog - Sexy Single Friend C, Lovely couple L and P and SB - I'm looking at you! And for all you unsuspecting Bostonians who do not know me yet... all I can say is WATCH OUT!!! Boston here I come! Get ready for it!

Mexican food - I love Mexican food. But it's extremely difficult if not impossible to find it abroad. And never have I ever encountered a place abroad that does a decent burrito. Can't wait to eat some yummy Mexican. (drool)

Whole Foods and Trader Joes - These are the best stores ever! I absolutely love Whole Foods and Trader Joes is great as well. And although there was a Whole Foods in South Kensington, it wasn't very convenient to where I lived. Luckily, Whole Foods in Boston will be easily accessible by car (because yes, I will have a car).

Dunkin Donuts - I love their coffee. And there is just something about going through a drive through that makes me feel so American.

Salad Bars - I love me a good old "make your own salad" bar. I have never seen this concept in any other country. My office restaurant has a make your own salad bar and I can't wait to hit that!

American Gyms - I am so tired of the crowded, hot, small and windowless European gyms. I'm looking forward to the big, spacious and better equipped gyms in the US. And maybe if I'm lucky there will be some cute men there too!

Running on the Charles - Guess I'm trading the Thames for the Charles. But in terms of beauty, I think the Charles wins... Can't wait for lovely runs on the river!

Proximity to Latin America - I'm gonna miss Europe, but I am hoping to do a bit more traveling in Latin America and that is much easier from the US. And a long weekend in Miami wouldn't be too bad either!

The weather - Boston might not have the best weather in the world, but compared to London and Sweden it's pretty freaking fantastic! And as you drive everywhere in the US anyway, the weather becomes much less of a big deal. Say nothing of the fact that there is so much more light in the winter (although I guess that conversely means that there is so much less light in the summer).

*I'm pretty sure that Autumn doesn't need a capital at the beginning of it... But I'm too lazy to either look it up or go back and fix it. My blog. My rules. For me, Autumn has a capital A.

15 comments:

Juli said...

Hopefully autumn will show up when you get here. It was 81 degrees today and humid as Hell. Normally, the frost's on the pumpkin by now and I've had to turn the heat on at least once. I'm debating putting the air conditioners back in.

And nothing is better than a Dunkin'Donuts hot chocolate with a shot of hazel creme flavoring in it. Yummy!

I used to work in Beacon Hill when I was in college. There really is nothing quite like it. Lived in Brookline for 3 years right between BC and BU. I wish I had known better how to enjoy all it had to offer when I lived there.

Here's to a safe fight home.

-J

SSW said...

Great post I enjoy your incite on your feelings and hop you have a great trip back to Boston and an even better trip catching up with old and new friends on your way! Be safe!

Average Girl said...

Hello chickie

Safe travels home

When you get a chance... hop over to my blog, I gave you and your fantastic blog an award!

Cheers
Tracy
www.goodgirlgoneaverage.blogspot.com

Sara Louise said...

Safe trip home! Looking forward to your next adventures :-)

Pretty Young Thing said...

Boston is such an incredible city! I would love to be able to live there for a couple of years. I'm going there for a weekend in november and I absolutely can't wait.

Have a safe trip back to the States!!

Pretty Young Thing said...

ps - I forgot to add that I'm giving you a blog award! Stop by here to check it out:

http://daterview.blogspot.com/2010/09/like-hundred-kisses.html

Matt79 said...

I hope you have a great time in Sweden and a smooth journey to Boston - I look forward to reading some state-side tales!

International Woman of Mystery said...

Thnaks for the well wishes everyone!

Julianna - I hope the weather holds out until I'm back! It's soooo cold in Sweden.

SSW - thanks for reading!

P.Y.T and Tracy - Yay!! I'm so honored. Will be sure to recognize them soon (prob next week when I'm back in the US). Already planning my acceptance speech!

Mat and Sarah Louise - Stay tuned for some American craziness coming soon!

Catherine said...

LOL. I love that for you, autumn has a capital A. Sometimes I refuse to fix mistakes in my blog too :)

Unknown said...

An impressive post, I just gave this to a colleague who is doing a little analysis on this topic. And he is very happy and thanking me for finding it. But all thanks to you for writing in such simple words. Big thumb up for this blog post!

International Shipping

Anonymous said...

In Jaipur, SMO training provides a comprehensive knowledge
of various SMO tools and techniques by means of which, an organization can get maximum web exposure.
After going during it you will furthermore be healthier informed concerning information in some way related to business internet marketing, such
as internet explorer 8 market and critical response or even search
engine marketing firm. In this technology world for expanding business in market
all small or big companies must have to adopt Internet marketing strategies and for this
they have to consult professionals and expert in the field
for generating more leads to your business.

Anonymous said...

Quality articles is the main to interest the viewers to pay a visit the site, that's what this web page is providing.

Here is my web-site ... compensated dating solution

Anonymous said...

Even when they do, they tend to miss a few key
points that render their efforts less effective. Using the proper tools
it is possible for a growing business to reach markets that lie well beyond any region that they
would be able to reach without the use of the Internet.
The first listings that they are going to come across is any
local business listing.

my web site; www.seoservicesco.net

Anonymous said...

Dental problems can have adverse effects on the general health of an individual.

Many beauty parlours and the like also now offer bleaching as a treatment,
but only a fully qualified and practicing dentist will be in
a position to ensure that the process is carried out with
maximum levels of efficiency and safety. A lover is best to hold your hand, and have them stay with you until you are under the gas.



My site; emergency dental clinic albuquerque

Anonymous said...

Make appointments to meet several Charlotte roofing contractors.

It should note the price of the overall estimate, as well as a general breakdown
of material costs. New houses that need a nice roofing style or
a basic renovation to provide your house a new roof
that will perfectly suit with the entire structure of your apartment needs the services of
a roofing contractor.

Have a look at my web site :: Boca Raton roofing contractors