Worlydays

(Pictures at the end of this blog post)
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I’m in the train returning from a small week of holidays in Lancaster, visiting L., a dear friend from Twente. He’s living the expat postdoc life now. Unfortunately, bad planning made me work most of the time, i.e. 3 days out of 5. The strange bit was that it still felt like holidays and I am slightly worried about that. I’ve always tried to prevent it (working during holidays, that is, although I also try to prevent worrying) but this was the first.
‘Hey, when was the last time you did something for the first time?’ I hear myself thinking, trying to cheer myself up.
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Hmmm, let’s see, … the past two months … I spent my first holidays in Spain … actually enjoyed cold showers,… had them outside the house, … started my first long distance relation – she is the best thing that happened to me, ever, … learned to commute, … actually slept in night trains, … learned what it is like to switch houses on a regular basis without a realistic perspective on finding a decent place of my own. So, yes, I’ve had a fair share of firsts lately and I could do without this particular one.
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Well, I should not complain. First time in 15 years of working life. It could be much worse. L. came up with the word worlydays, which captures it marvelously: working during holidays while still feeling on holidays. So, thank you, L., for the word. And thank you too for the holidays. After all, I enjoyed them and it has been great to see how and where you live and work!!
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PS to all friends whom I’ve been neglecting for months now, even on FB: I’m sorry. I’ve been both busy and distracted. Until I find an apartment or place in a collective, it won’t change, I’m afraid.
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Finally, the pictures I promised: Impressions from Lancaster and Liverpool. A city which rocks – not counting The Beatles.
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