Leaving

[murasaki_]

I am sad

Comments

[anonymous]

I know exactly what you're going through, and how much it hurts. I think you are very brave indeed going off on a year abroad - it's always seemed to me to be an awful lot to ask of students who are only just beginning to make their way in the world, but I'm sure that you'll cope with it admirably. The only advice I can offer you is to take some really mindless reading material with you, like 'My Family and Other Animals' or any of the Harry Potter books. Things like Sherlock Holmes and P.G.Wodehouse also do a very good job of pushing homesickness to the back of your mind and cheering you up. Take each day as it comes, rather than confronting the prospect of a whole year, and give yourself little things to look forward to, however silly they might be. I've always found that sort of thing very helpful.

[murasaki_]

Thanks for commenting, whoever you are - it's comforting to be reminded that other people go through this kind of thing too!
And I'll definitely take your advice. I agree that Wodehouse is excellent for making you forget your problems, and I'll probably take most of my fairy tale books as well. I'm trying to break the year down and look at it in a series of short bursts, but the whole thing is just so huge in my mind at the moment - I think maybe it'll seem less daunting when I'm actually out there (I hope so, anyway!). In any case, I appreciate your support :)

[nadial]

You'll have the best time in the world. But it's going to be so strange here in October.

Oh, and sorry I'm so crap at goodbyes... s:

[murasaki_]

Oh, gods, the goodbyes were awful. I never, ever want to have to do that again. But, hey, email and LiveJournal are great for this kind of situation. I shall write to you all about my adventures over there, and in return I expect anecdotes, amusing quotes, and general updates on how everyone is doing. Oh, and the odd photo of your latest Viva outfit wouldn't go amiss either ;)

Some things which might be platitudes

[aranionaranion]

Of course, the world is so much smaller than it used to be... And remember Monty Python and the Galaxy Song, which I'm going to be forever grateful to you and Joe for introducing me to. (Er did that sentence make sense? sorry i'm ill and not thinking proper like. also my sister is really really brummie now and it is affecting me.)

My dad and I watched Shadowlands last night, and whilst I didn't really find it told me anything particularly new, it reminded me of one of my favourite poems in the world, Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet'. I'm sure I've quoted it at you before, but just to reiterate - actually I can't quote properly because I haven't unpacked it, but it basically says you have to love to the full and live life to the full, 'or you will laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.'

carrying on life just as it was, except without me A weird phrase that, since life cannot be just as it was without you! It felt so strange saying goodbye yesterday, I can't imagine what it must be like for you, but you

Re: Some things which might be platitudes

[murasaki_]

I chickened out of doing a language degree in part because of the gap year bit.

Haha. Wish I had.

Re: Some things which might be platitudes

[aranionaranion]

Well, yes, of course, now. But on the other hand, I imagine you will be a much more mature person than I will at the end of it, you will definitely be an awful lot better at Japanese, you will have some wonderful memories, surely. And anyway, I'm now wishing I had chosen a gap-year, and am going to have to make sure I make myself do one after uni!