What's next
The papers are at the courthouse as far as I know. It's a matter of some signatures, a judge's order, and then a six week waiting period. I am
For now that means staying in London. I thought a lot about it and decided it's what I want for a few reasons. First, I like London and enjoy the opportunity to live here while it's available. I can afford, with my two jobs, to live in a nice flat (more on that later) and keep up with my bills.
I don't plan to be able to save anything or get as far into my debt as I would like to, but that brings me to the second reason why I want to stay in London for now: planning. Last time I left the UK it was without a plan. When I came here in December there was a far better plan and I was much better prepared, but even then there were bumps in the road. So this time I will move on with, I hope, a better plan. I am hoping to get a job and housing fully in place before moving from London back to the US. I have nearly a year to do that and that will allow me to feel more comfortable leaving. It will also give me time to mourn.
So I'll be in London and I'll keep my two jobs. I work as a secondary teacher in London and got a year-long contract to teach English and Media next year. There are things I honestly despise about teaching and especially the English school system. But the fact is that it pays pretty well here and I have a contract that guarantees me enough to pay my rent for the school year. In exchange for time and living in London, I'll take the drawbacks. The school year begins on Sept 2 and goes all the way through the end of July. So I will have until at least August to be in the UK and live and plan and heal.
I will also keep my second job at the Tower of London. It's fun and the pay is a great supplement to my teaching income. Most importantly the hours correspond perfectly to the times I am off from school. The Tower needs me weekends and school holidays, when I am not paid at school since I'm a contract worker. So it's a fun job, I like it, the people are cool, and it's a perfect second job for me. Not to mention it's wicked cool to work at the Tower and get in free and know the people who live (YES, LIVE) in the Tower.
So I've got two jobs lined up for the next 11 months or so. I also found a really cute flat I love and will be moving into soon. This weekend if all falls together as I hope it will. The flat isn't in the area of London I am in now, which is a real shame because I adore this village. However, it's not far up the road and a very easy bus ride or even long walk to where I am now. The flat itself is gorgeous and a good size for me and has just been refurbished, so I'll be the first one to live there. The rent is much cheaper than in this area and for a far nicer, larger flat. I'll be in a kinda so-so area of town, but in a safe, nice building with good security and on the first (US: second) floor, so not on the street level.
For now the cats may be with me, depending on where Andrew ends up, though I have told him that ultimately I think they should go with him since they are really his babies. We got them for Romeo and for Andrew's birthday and they have always been his kitties. I love them, too, and am happy to care for them, but that's what I'm feeling about it now.
So the next 10 or 11 months are pretty well settled. We have our furniture and stuff here and have divided it. I have my own bank account and soon my own flat. I have two jobs and a plan.
What happens next summer? I'm not sure yet. I am not moving back to Florida. Too many painful memories and not what I need right now. I need someplace different. I am open to lots of places and will look around, but at the moment I am leaning toward New England. I am fortunate that I have time to start thinking about it now and arranging it. Hopefully the school year will not eliminate that possibility.
As I type this there are cardboard boxes all over the flat as I begin packing again. It makes me very sad this time. Very sad.