This Started as a Blog About Trying to Find Library Work, but Now Something Awesomer has Arrived

I started this blog as a way to stay in touch with the library community and to keep myself writing. But then, life got weird. So let's reevaluate.

In 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the visa processing skillz of the UK Border Agency, I will be moving to London to continue with my current career in publishing. In sticking with the original theme, I do hope to find part-time library work, or at least volunteer at one of London's amazing museums or libraries. But first I'm going to do everything I can to enjoy London and learn it all as much as possible. 

So far, things have been tricky. My employer is sponsoring my work visa, so I'm on their timeline. My last day at both jobs is in 2-3 weeks, and who knows whether I'll be leaving at that point or if I'll have two weeks to putz around Philadelphia as cheaply as possible. 

I am trying to secure a bank account before I get over there to make things easier, but that has also morphed into a WHO KNOWS! conundrum. For me, the best option was to open a Barclay's International account, but of course I've run into so many complications it's not even funny. Truly, I don't know what I'm going to do. I paid $40 to send the paperwork global priority to try to expedite the process since, again, I don't know when exactly I'll be leaving the US, and received an email on Friday saying my application had been cancelled per my request. Meanwhile, I had spoken to a representative previously explaining the situation, and she assured me that all was well and the application would not be cancelled. This is a misunderstanding that I hope can be straightened out on Monday.

I'm terrifed to have to find an apartment on my own. Boyfriend, who will be studying at Kings College of London, also does not know when his visa will allow him to head over yonder. So we're both waiting. I pray that we'll be able to travel together. Otherwise, this may be the last you hear from me, since I'll be huddled in a cold, damp ball somewhere on a London street corner.

Still. EXCITING!

One interesting phenomenon so far is that I can't be excited enough. People ask whether you're excited, and you say yes, and it always feels like I'm letting them down. There is no way to adequately express the excitement. No emphasis or amount of expletives seems good enough. The high is not what they'd expected or something. There is also no way to adequately explain how surreal and somewhat terrifying the whole thing is. I know I am being given an opportunity so incredibly precious and special, but there are so many unknowns. There is homesickness on the horizon. Inevitable tears. Adjusting to living with Boyfriend, who will be stressed about school in his own right. New job. New boss. Not a familiar face to be had except for Boyfriend. He is wonderful, but friends are nice, too.

In summation: this is huge. I will not love London the way tourists love London. I will be living there. It will hopefully come to feel like home, and I'll love it for all of its quirks the way I love Philly. We'll see!