We were in Belgium and then the US and then Belgium again (this time joined by friends for New Year’s). I got pneumonia the day we walked off the plane in Minneapolis. Wow. So that was what that was. The first time I’ve ever felt like I would really never get better. Made me appreciate antibiotics; another first. Then back to Nottingham and the semester started almost immediately. I’m teaching three different places for a little while. It’s exhausting though I like the time on the train and I like the walk through Leicester (one of the places). And I like the teaching. But the two weeks I was meant to slow down didn’t happen so I feel like I’m on a roll without brakes, just scrambling to catch up or keep up with this thing that’s much bigger than I am and that is running faster and faster.
I think one reason it’s running faster (or feels like that) is that about two weeks ago we found out I will, with about 90% certainty, have to leave the UK in July. My visa will expire, and due to some administrative snafus at the university, I won’t be able to reapply. This wasn’t the plan–I even submitted my thesis early to make sure I’d be in time for getting a new visa. But. No. That’s not what’s happening (apparently). Okay. Happy New Year. So we are making new plans. Plans for another time zone. It will, as always, be fine. Just trying to wrap my mind around the (90%) fact of leaving this (difficult and often disagreeable) place which, nonetheless, has somehow become home.
