When the Northern Irish girl moved to England..
I am currently
sitting in a new library to nervous to ask for a library card or ask
how the printer works. I moved to England two weeks ago and it has
been a surreal yet life changing experience. I have dreamt about moving
to England since 2012 when I started University. I stayed at home
during my University years and felt so much envy towards those who
were going to Universities across the sea, meeting new people and
exploring new towns. I was jealous that I never got to experience
what it’s like to live in halls and not knowing what stranger had
the bedroom next to you. As a very ambitious person I told myself
that one day I would achieve my goal of moving to England after I
graduated so I too can live in a country where they sell Pimms cocktails and
you don’t have to pay 5p for a plastic bag.
For me, moving
countries was easy. I have wanted this for years and dreamt of
decorating my own place and have responsibilities like bills, rent and
hoovering! I reassured myself that Northern Ireland isn’t going
anywhere and it will also be my home where I grew up and became the
person I am today. But I lust for new adventures, cities and towns
and to be around new, open minded people. It's the little things that I am excited for the most! I'm excited for English accents, Bill's cafe, London underground and Pimms cocktails. This place has more people, more jobs, more activities, more experiences ready for me to explore. I want to go to the new towns, new beaches, new coffee shops in my new town. And as sad as it sounds, I want
to walk down the street and see same sex couples holding hands. This
is something you rarely-never see where I am from. England seems to be 5 steps more forward than Northern Ireland in terms of social issues and politics and I've always been on the 6th step. I live so close to Millie’s cookies! The little things eh!
Week
1
It has just started
raining outside the library, the first sign of rain I have seen since
I moved here. It never stops raining in Northern Ireland but since
I’ve been in England I’ve been wearing shorts and skirts every
week and showing my pale irish skin. The first week felt like a
holiday. I went to the aquarium, the beaches, ate fish and chips
along the seafront and walked the piers. I bought a Go Pro before I
left NI and I excitingly started using it the week I moved. I filmed
V Festival as we camped in big muddy fields, ate junk food and
watched lots of our favourite artists perform. I filmed my first few
days exploring the new towns and unpacking my life into my new flat.
I collected all these video clips and I'm editing them into a montage
video, which I’ll post asap. It’s really for me to look back on
and watch the first week of settling in, being at a music festival
and my excited face. I think I will continue to do this. Filming is all I want to do and I think living in a new place will
encourage me to do so.
Week 2
I’m very lucky
that in my 2nd week here I have had job interviews and bagged myself two jobs! I got
accepted as an intern at a film production company in London, which I start on
Monday for two intensive weeks. Excited and as nervous as I am, I
can’t quite believe I am going to be commuting to London, Monday –
Friday, to learn from professionals and learn the ropes of video
production in a city where media is booming. Only down fall to this
is the amount of money I am going to be forking out for transport
each day, but I know it will be worth it. I’m hoping I won’t get
too overwhelmed by the big city and can handle the London transport
stress free and on time. Following my two week internship, I will be starting a new retail job, just to pay the bills (like council tax.. I didn’t even know that was a thing!). The work plan for this year is to continue to do what I was doing in Northern Ireland, juggling freelance videography, film jobs and retail jobs. I am happy to do this
as my new flat is more than perfect and I couldn’t ask for a better
house and location. I miss my car, I miss driving and knowing the
roads like the back of my hand. I think in the new year I would like
to drive my car over and see if I could handle the stress of driving
new roads and getting a parking permit!?
My stomach is
rumbling in this quiet library, I think this might be my que to
leave. Maybe I’ll even puck up the courage to ask for a library
card before I go! If the librarian understands my accent! It has been nice to sit down and reflect on the
last two weeks and I feel inspired to write more on my blog.
Now it’s onto week
3 in England.. working in London!! Wish me luck.
Until
next time, #achievethemgoals!
BM
