Monday, September 17, 2007

Moving day

Just one. One suitcase, that was all I had with me when I got on that plane a year ago. Granted, it merited a "heavy luggage! Lift with care" label but still... it was only one suitcase. When I moved house again three weeks later that single suitcase had sprouted a little offspring but nothing I couldn't carry by myself. So how can it be that just a year later it took me 9 runs with two suitcases on each to carry all my stuff into my new apartment?!

The studybooks and lecture notes I have accumulated this year are already worth a full two suitcases. Then there is my cursed desktop. Why o why did I not just buy a laptop? I arrived with merely some all purpose London-in-the-fall clothes. Throughout the year I have gradually smuggled most of my wardrobe here by filling the excess space in my suitcase every time I went back to Holland. How can I have so many clothes yet find nothing to wear? And there is paperwork, office supplies, trinkets. So much stuff...


Since my new place is only a 7 minute walk up the road from my old one there was no point in using public transport. Nine times I walked back and forth. Forth with a suitcase dragging on my arm so heavily I am almost surprised to find it still attached. Back with an empty one, mentally preparing myself for the next run. To-and-fro, to-and-fro, to-and-fro until then finally it was all done.

I have officially handed in my old keys and am fully installed in my new little piece of heaven. It is even better than I remembered it. I am like a child with a shiny new toy as I walk around, opening cupboards and exploring the rooms. My bedroom is a comfy place where I know I will be at home. I am snug as a bug in a rug, so pleased. All that I need to be perfectly content is a trip to IKEA and somebody to help me set up that darn wireless router!

My place

8 comments:

oratonastick said...

Ziet er goed uit, Thyra! Veel plezier in je nieuwe huisje! Begrijp ik nu trouwens goed dat je het huis deelt met anderen?

Anonymous said...

glad to hear it went well (and you still have both your arms). our ikea run is tonight! looking forward to visiting.

Thyra said...

Hi Ron, ja dat begrijp je goed. Hier in Londen is dat in feite de enige manier waarop je iets betaalbaars kunt vinden. Ik deel met twee dames, een zweedse en een Engelse. Ik heb ze nog niet veel gezien maar ze lijken allebei heel aardig en gezellig.

Hi Sharm. Jas has already offered to "accompany" me on an IKEA run as well. ;-) I don't need much but I need something for my keyboard and screen. Since there is no real desk I now don't have proper room for my legs when I am at the computer. Good luck with your IKEA run. Will be in touch about a trip soon.

manu said...

oh God...
I hate Ikea trips! I never find what I need and I still end up with a bag full of trinkets...I went there a few weeks ago, and I think I'll try to avoid it for the coming 11 months! Good luck.

Thyra said...

Hi Manu,
I don't find them all that bad to be honest, IKEA trips. You just need to pick the right time of day and avoid weekends. :-) But I know what you mean about always bringing back things you don't need!

Edith said...

Happy moving, Thyra; it looks great!

I agree: as long as you don't do Ikea on a weekend it's OK, especially if you get there by (rental/loan/chauffeured) car. As much as I am a fan of public transportation, without a car it's agony. (Speaking of recent experience here.)

Your thesis is done and handed in?

Jocelyne said...

Hi!, Your new place looks much better than the old one! I don't know if I can visit you there, though.

Thyra said...

Yep, thesis was handed in over a week ago (4 days before the deadline!) so at the moment I am having a bit of holiday before I start working. Hopefully that will be in October but my boss-to-be is being rather vague...

The new place is indeed sooooo much better. I feel very lucky to have found it. At least now if you would come to visit there wouldn't be any nasty landlords to tell me off!