Forever Beholden

Four weeks left. I technically have only four weeks left on this contract. I can’t believe I’ve been here two months already. I feel like I just got here and that I’ve been here forever. I am living a paradox.

So I’ve been asked to extend my contract and I may because I’m not sure what’s going on in England at the present moment. The handsome one is in Scotland, drumming up a storm but has been in-and-out of contact for nearly two weeks. I really hate it when we don’t get to talk every day. We make it a point to try to talk every day. When we can’t talk, it’s like the sun forgets to shine and everything is lackluster and dull. I end up getting in a funk as a result. I guess I have been taking that simple and fun luxury for granted lately and why I need to remember to be thankful for what I do have. You know, for the past few years, I have been working on being thankful for everything I have no matter where I am or what I’m doing. There is always something to be thankful for even though I forget that sometimes.

For example, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had this year to travel even though it takes me out of my home and away from my family. I’ve always admired and been envious of the people I’ve known who get to travel. Somehow, by the power of the universe, I am now one of those people. How incredibly cool is that?

I’m also thankful to be working in a laboratory again. I know that I said years ago I would never work in a lab again, yet here I am, in a lab and enjoying every minute of it. I’ve always had a passion for microbiology and it’s wonderful to get to express and experience that love every day when I walk into work.

I am thankful for my family who have been more than supportive of my nomad existence this year and are holding down the fort for me while I’m away. They didn’t have to watch my home and animals, but they have and with a smile. I love hearing about the adventures of my mother with the guinea pigs from my father. Even he’s fallen in love with the cavies which is a hoot.

I’m thankful for the wonderful man I call ‘my boyfriend’ even though he’s miles away at the present moment. He has been more loving, accepting and supportive of my crazy existence more than all the other men in my life have ever been. I’m missing him terribly right now and can’t wait for him to come back and tell me about his adventure. Hopefully, he’ll have some really great news and I will be ‘done’ here in a month (keeps fingers crossed).

I am grateful for my friends, both the old and new ones. Without them, all of these adventures would not have been nearly as much fun. I hope to keep them close for years to come whether I end up here or in Europe.

Of course, there are more things to be thankful for today and there will be more tomorrow. I guess I’ll need to make another list….