FIRST MONTH IN THE UK

Hi!

It’s so good to speak to you again! I have to say I thought I would’ve written this blog post a bit sooner but for some reason hasn’t been able to do so until now. But here we are a month later!

It’s been a VERY weird, and in some ways, hard month. Leaving Finland and starting a life here in the UK hasn’t been as easy as I may be thought at first. But at the same time, it’s been lovely and I’m so happy I’m back here again! Leaving my family around Christmas time was harder than I expected and it felt really weird because I’m not sure when is the next time I will be able to see them again because of travel restrictions.

I have been in the UK for a month now and let me just tell you it’s been an emotional and physical rollercoaster! During the first week, everything was lovely and we were able to go to the gym and shops which made life seem reasonably normal. However a week after the arrival a national lockdown was announced – and it’s due to last until mid-February. After that, we have been able to leave the house only to go to the supermarket to buy food and do some exercise outdoors (usually walking and running). And even I’m absolutely in love without a new flat, it can feel very bad just to sit inside all day. Especially because I haven’t had anything to do before this week.

My university started officially this week and I have been waiting for it for so long – at last, I have obligations and meetings to attend. I even put on some makeup for the first time in ages! It feels good to be doing something and have a routine. I haven’t had the first lectures just yet but when they start I will be writing a separate post about them. I’m very excited to start studying again – this break from work and studies has been nice because now I have so much motivation to start something new!

Now that I’m finally starting my studies, I’m also trying to do more exercise to stay healthy physically and mentally. I also hope that as many old people as possible will receive the vaccine here in the UK so that the restrictions will ease at some point during spring. I’m saying this because hoping that the university students would be able to return to campus and I get to see my course mates and get to know them in person.

The weather here changes a lot – it was snowing and raining a few days ago but today, for example, it’s sunny and + 4 degrees. It’s much warmer than in Finland though and I have to admit I prefer this.

I will be writing more soon when more things are happening but until then take care of yourselves!

Speak to you soon!