Reflections on trips past
I'm planning on being in the US again for a couple of weeks in October-November. This was planned to be a trip with me and Ben, however, after getting a six week contract with option of extension for a further year, they ended up going with someone else. And as Ben has enough of an ego to want to pay his own way ... it kinda looks like I'm going on my own, unless he can find work again within a few weeks (although I would like it if he could suck up his ego and let me pay anyway - honestly, the biggest cost is going to be accommodation, and that's going to cost pretty much the same whether it's both of us or just me)
The two US trips I've taken did change me in ways I wasn't really expecting. I'm pretty sure I could never live in the US (it's not that there's anything wrong with it, it just isn't the country I come from and I'd be uncomfortable there), but it's a great place to visit and has always - well, usually, been very accepting and kind to me. It also did wonders for my ego that, frankly, for the first time in a while guys I found attractive were interested in me back, and that I was able to enjoy good quality time with them without feeling like I was intruding or stalkerisih.
After the first trip, I took a lengthy break from work and ... in many ways, my enthusiasm about my work took a nosedive, and it hasn't really returned yet... It's something I do to live rather than something I do because I enjoy. Also, between trips is when I met Ben - I'd already committed to going back to New York and Ben was remarkably patient and understanding early in the relationship when it would be just as easy to have ended things right there. The fact that he didn't is a very strong part of why I love him - he accepts me as I am, not as who he wants me to be.
But I am very much looking forward to getting back over there (current travel plans are New York and Chicago - if Ben is with me, we may be able to add a couple of optional extra side places).
The two US trips I've taken did change me in ways I wasn't really expecting. I'm pretty sure I could never live in the US (it's not that there's anything wrong with it, it just isn't the country I come from and I'd be uncomfortable there), but it's a great place to visit and has always - well, usually, been very accepting and kind to me. It also did wonders for my ego that, frankly, for the first time in a while guys I found attractive were interested in me back, and that I was able to enjoy good quality time with them without feeling like I was intruding or stalkerisih.
After the first trip, I took a lengthy break from work and ... in many ways, my enthusiasm about my work took a nosedive, and it hasn't really returned yet... It's something I do to live rather than something I do because I enjoy. Also, between trips is when I met Ben - I'd already committed to going back to New York and Ben was remarkably patient and understanding early in the relationship when it would be just as easy to have ended things right there. The fact that he didn't is a very strong part of why I love him - he accepts me as I am, not as who he wants me to be.
But I am very much looking forward to getting back over there (current travel plans are New York and Chicago - if Ben is with me, we may be able to add a couple of optional extra side places).