When Did That Happen?

Yesterday, I attended a work international pot luck dinner... while horribly jetlagged. Fun times. Those of you know me in the least know that I am a chatty Kathy. Apparently this condition intensifies during jetlag. Who knew? While I was away, the romantic implications of my trip to the UK (about as personal as I'm going to get in my rather public blog) had spread around the building rapidly. I was attacked with questions, which was actually kind of nice seeing as I am an attention whore.

In the course of the questioning, I explain how I had seen London for the first time while away. Some comments about London that were told to me: "Overpopulated, overrated cesspool," "You spent a whole weekend there?" "At least your whole holiday wasn't wasted in London." After a while, I mentioned that I intend to live there in a few years for a few years. There was an awkward silence. It was then that I decided that I am a city girl. I never knew. I mean, sure. I like the city. But I also enjoy camping, outdoors, space, country, wildlife, quiet, etc. However, I realised that the people who live in Dunedin live here because it has advantages of "town" though it is quite small. Residentially it's normal, but the city aspects are concentrated into one avoidable area. This was an important discovery. However, it has now tainted my perspective.

I came home and was sick of TV (I am sure my passionate relationship with the TV will be rekindled, but for now I am stuck on music and books), so my flat was more quiet than usual. There were bloody crickets outside making a racket. I was frustrated. Then I heard leaves rustling, birds chirping, and rain falling. I had to resist the urge to tell nature to shut up.

I am still not a city girl from here to death, but I am missing that London like whoa. But it does help me understand myself in wee Dunedin.