Ramblings and Musings and Wibblings

As all of you know by now, I moved to the UK in December last year. From the start, I was very much aware of the differences between UK and NL. I was quite certain some, if not most, would cause confusion, annoyance and bewilderment. I had, however, hoped I would be able to settle and find my space eventually. I was vaguely confident I would enjoy myself. I had hoped for 'I think I'll stay a bit longer.'. I had hoped that I would like it.

I was wrong.

I love it.

Despite the differences, the annoyances, the confusion and bewilderment, I love it, and it's not just due to having two wonderful housemates, or having other shiny people close by. These things help, I admit, but they're not the main reason.

I can't tell you what the reason is. I've no idea, but I still love being here. It's both more and less than my hopes and dreams. It feels like something fell into place when I came here. Some small piece that was waiting to be slotted into place. I can honestly say that I'm happier and more content right now than I have been for a very long time, and I can see myself staying here for a while longer.* I've started looking for my own place in this general area, and I'm looking to buy a cheap car. I'm actually looking forward to building my life here.

Sure, I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss not being able to jump on a train and being on their doorstep in a few hours. I miss stroopwafels and fairly inexpensive public transport. I miss liquorice and being able to nip over the border to Germany for nice beer. I miss Groningen. I miss being able to see for miles and miles. I miss being 10 minutes away from the sea.

I miss all these things and more, and still I am happy.

* Some bits of me are violently disagreeing. I would suggest these bits stop complaining or I'll be forced to withhold nice things.

Registered at the GP today. Absolutely no fuss whatsoever.

Went to the shops and discovered something rather annoying: there is almost no squash which does not have sweeteners in it. I seriously spent 5 minutes studying various labels to see if this one might by any chance really not have sweeteners.

See, you label these things. It says "With Sweeteners!" on the bottle. This is good. It saves me from picking up that bottle and being disappointed when I count the number of additives and sweeteners.

However, what isn't good is this: "No artificial sweeteners!". This leads me to go "Yay!" and lunge at the bottle, only to have my hopes crushed by the word 'saccharine'. It's a damned sweetener, you fools! It will therefore send me rocketing around the room within five minutes of drinking it and will have me in agony after thirty minutes. Of course, it won't because I won't drink it. See, I hate the taste of artificial sugar. It is vile. It is evil. (Ooh, an anagram. Pretty.)

I ended up buying High Juice. It's orange squash. I don't particularly like orange squash. But hey, I'll take what I can get.

(Although, after complaining about the lack of proper squash, a kind fairy dropped by to exchange electronic hostages and dropped off some lovely crushes and a very interesting ginger and lemongrass cordial. *snuggles him*)

I'm otherwise enjoying myself immensely and the holiday feeling is nearly gone. Occasionally I have to pinch myself and remind me that I'm not going back, so I don't have to buy all the lovely things I see in the shops, because I'll be here next week and so will they.

And now I will be bad and try out this recipe again.