Musings on the international lifestyle.
I have just 2 weeks left in Amsterdam.
Funny thing is, I always consider myself to be risk-averse. A few years ago I would never have thought I'd get a job outside of the UK. In fact I was reluctant to even travel on my own for a holiday. But a couple of years ago I got the offer for a job in Brussels. After much soul searching, I decided I'd really regret it if I didn't take it.
As it turns out, I didn't enjoy the job. Something about it seemed frustrating and confusing. I felt at the time I wasn't enjoying Brussels, but in hindsight, I remember having a lot of good times there. Did find the lack of a geek-life something of a problem though. I definitely had some wonderful times with some wonderful people drinking wonderful beers. When I finished, it was nice to return home, but when I got back it didn't take long for me to find Britain a little confining somehow. So when I got a job offer in Norway, I leapt at it! Then that failed to happen so I went for Amsterdam. Nice enough but I haven't really gotten on well with the city. I suspect there will be a lot of things I'll miss about the place when I leave.
I do miss so many things from home - mainly friends, but also and Sunday roasts and proximity to conventions, and actually speaking the language. Plus there's my stuff, and owning a car. I am a materialist at heart. But while I'm really looking forward to returning home, I can't help get the feeling I'll get itchy feet and want to get a job somewhere else.
Funny thing is, I always consider myself to be risk-averse. A few years ago I would never have thought I'd get a job outside of the UK. In fact I was reluctant to even travel on my own for a holiday. But a couple of years ago I got the offer for a job in Brussels. After much soul searching, I decided I'd really regret it if I didn't take it.
As it turns out, I didn't enjoy the job. Something about it seemed frustrating and confusing. I felt at the time I wasn't enjoying Brussels, but in hindsight, I remember having a lot of good times there. Did find the lack of a geek-life something of a problem though. I definitely had some wonderful times with some wonderful people drinking wonderful beers. When I finished, it was nice to return home, but when I got back it didn't take long for me to find Britain a little confining somehow. So when I got a job offer in Norway, I leapt at it! Then that failed to happen so I went for Amsterdam. Nice enough but I haven't really gotten on well with the city. I suspect there will be a lot of things I'll miss about the place when I leave.
I do miss so many things from home - mainly friends, but also and Sunday roasts and proximity to conventions, and actually speaking the language. Plus there's my stuff, and owning a car. I am a materialist at heart. But while I'm really looking forward to returning home, I can't help get the feeling I'll get itchy feet and want to get a job somewhere else.