Seven years ago today, on a rainy and dark evening, a younger Joey arrived in Bristol to do a masters. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I am happy in the UK. This country has been good to me and I have felt nothing but very welcome here. In return, I have opened myself to Britishness, work on my English every day and dutifully complain about the weather.
I have a bucket list of “such a British thing to do”. I have eaten fish and chips from a paper wrap, outside, on a cold and wet day. I have eaten fish and chips because I felt like it, damnit. I think it appalling to turn the heating on before November and have become best friends with a hot water bottle. I hate marmite. I love Marks & Spencer’s food. I think roasts are the best thing on a Sunday. I have more than one umbrella and always carry one (except today! it's raining). I apologise *a lot*; sometimes I apologise for just standing there when people bump into me, a classic British thing to do. I say “we” when referring to the great British public. I love pubs; Friday pub after work is like, awesome! I know what interesting means. I have a diary and I use it; we book things in advance over here. When the sun is out, I make the most of it; take it not for granted, we say! I’m doing well on this journey, if I may say so myself.
My story in the UK would not be what it is without the bunch of people I'm lucky enough to call friends. Blimey, have I been lucky! They hug me and take me on British adventures and adventures into Britishness. I have a family of friends here… of course these seven years have been great!
I love this post, but you hate Marmite?!
Indeed I do 🙂
you sound so english in your words, blimey! I hate Marmite too, I love the coziness of a pub, with some friends around me and a good time. sunshine is something you have to enjoy out, doesnt matter how, just out.I;m sure many more nice years will come 🙂
I remember the stories of some of these photos 🙂 and as I said yesterday, your photography -often- makes me want to come over to your beautiful second home country. Its lovely to hear how you have that perfect English accent, how you combine your Portuguese warmth with the English way of living, how you have integrated in O., bring vivacity to your working place, … I am so glad that LMrJ has become a part of your British life as well. Cheers to the years to follow!
gostei muito deste post… também vou fazer 7 anos de estadia no UK (em abril!) e revejo-me em muitas das coisas que descreves. é um bom país para se viver 🙂
E que assim continue 🙂