Suki1

Congratulations! That's an achievement!

Hi Jen,

I'm a little late to reply, but I like the idea of a thread of little happies. And the day has to come when things improve. I don't know when, but know I'm thinking of you and sending lots of hugs.

Suki 

Wow, congratulations, lcoxwell! That's great! And I don't think you're leaving Kenneth behind. You might be leaving a place where he lived, but you're not leaving the love and other intangibles that made/make him the person you love. Those will always be with you, no matter where you may be geographically. At least, that's how it seems to me.

 

3) Britain is great but it is cold, rainy and Andy doesn't have a huge social network into which I could tap.  He also goes off on visiting professor things and conferences for weeks at a time.  What would I do?  Could I ever learn to drive on the wrong side of the road (not really an issue obviously, maybe I mean it metaphorically)?  I'm not confident at all about living in England, though I could do lots of other places both here and abroad, like Scandinavia which is sort of on the table.

4) Maybe I should hire a head hunter to see what might be available.  One might think a PhD in art history has but one application but I'm not so sure about that.  With 14 years of full-time experience in higher ed, there may be a way to parlay that into something else.  Something flexible or even remote.  I simply don't know because I hadn't ever really considered it.  For now, changing jobs is not realistic at least for a year.

 

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Hi TooSoon,

I'm a little late reading this but here's to "better late than never"!! No one goes to Britain for the climate, as far as I can tell, and I've spent a fair amount of time there over the years (doing research, visiting friends, etc.). But the sun does come out occasionally, depending on where you live (mostly in the southeast!). And driving on the left-hand side of the road might be strange in the beginning, but it's surprising how quickly one can get used to it. I live in a left-hand drive place at the moment, and every time I cross the border and see cars driving on the right, I wonder why on earth they're not on the other side of the road!

For meeting people and making new friends, you could take adult ed courses, or joining local community groups ? a friend of mine is active in a nature-/bird-/bat-watching group, and another is much into a group of local astronomy buffs.

As for the art history, my background is in art history, too, and though I taught for a while, I've also used it working in museums and being a speaker for cultural tours. You might find other ways the art history comes in handy ? ways that don't appear until you're actually in the UK.

Anyway, I hope this provides a few ideas.

I try to avoid the question, but when I can't, I check the box "Single" if it involves taxes. Otherwise I stick to "Married." As far as I'm concerned, I'm still married; my husband just isn't where I can talk to him.

Have a great time, everyone!!

My mom used to play songs from musicals when she was cleaning house. I'm surprised how many I learned more or less by osmosis, though early on I had no idea what they were about! I still like to listen to them, as well as to more recent ones.

I was surprised at how many people just disappeared. Especially people I thought were good friends. They sent a card or an email at the time and then vanished out of my life. In contrast, more than one person who had previously been an acquaintance wanted to help, and became a friend. And there were a couple of friends who did stick around.

You can add me to the list of people staying at the Wyndham . Am also keen on renting a bike .

Count me in, too! Arriving on Thursday, the 16th, and departing on Sunday, the 19th.

I, too, want to extend enormous thanks to Jess, Justin, Just Jen (all those J's!), LisaPop, and everyone else who's been involved in devoting a non-stop week-end and then some to setting up the first site, and then whisking us off to the second. What a tremendous job you've done, and are doing. Thanks so much ? every bit of your effort is greatly appreciated. What a wonderful community!