Pangs

Despite having been here for a few weeks now, i've been generally surprised at the lack of homesickness that i've experienced so far. I think this is, in part, due to the excitement of the new - increased by the fact i'm in a different country. It's probably also due to the fact i've been getting into the swing of things at work, and so my brain has been pretty active - i've basically not had time to think about home. And lastly, the fact i have (still) no TV and only recently got a computer means that, in terms of the wider world, i don't get much chance to see whats going on. Admittedly, this probably would be much the same even if i HAD a TV (American news is, so i believe, not very good at looking beyond its own borders). To date, the only major pangs i got were on July 4th - it seemed like such a family thing, it made me miss my own, and around the time of the London bombings - for obvious reasons.

Now, i can add today to that list. This morning, instead of the usual Thursday lab meeting (complete with free bagels and juice!), there was an OSHA meeting (safety stuff) which i managed to get out of as i did it all about eight weeks ago. Afterwards, there was a brief presentation by Ashley (mentioned numerous times previously) on a meeting she went to in Wales followed by numerous photos of the trip (they spent time in London and Wales). It surprised me how the sight of many familiar landmarks of the capital made me suddenly miss the place. Thankfully, this had passed by lunchtime and it was business as usual. I know this is perfectly normal - much as i bitch about the UK, its always going to be my home. I guess its just a matter of riding the storm when it comes.