Going home

Yesterday was one of those days the like of which I do not want to go through again. However, it did show me how good people can be.

My father called at about 10.30 am to tell me of his hospital visit. The big shock. He is having his bypass (a triple bypass most likely) on the 16th. That is only 7 days away. And suddenly my world crumbled around me. I had not been expecting this for the next 6 months. I had plans to get a lot of work done and be all ready to go home for as long as needed with a clean conscience. Instead it all happens just when the work is starting up again and is piling up. It cannot be helped. I am going home now and the work will get done later. Everyone at the lab was very very very kind and understanding and the best ever. My supervisor took me off for a coffee to calm me down, then to the prof so we could tell him I was off for some time. Everybody just said to pack up and go and take as much time as needed. So I am off today - the earliest flight I could get - and will be back after Easter. Hopefully it will all be well over by then.

In the afternoon I had to finish moving house, wash all my clothes and unpack and settle down in the new place. I managed to throw away so much stuff. It is unbelievable. In the end I managed to pack in a borrowed bag (I had thrown away all my suitcases 2 weeks ago) and a few boxes and plastic bags. I still have way too much stuff. Sarah brought her car round and we moved everything in one load. And Claudia came to help me unpack. The people in the new house were lovely. They helped me carry everything up and then kept us company, fed us ice cream etc etc. Poor Claudia stayed here till gone midnight but by the time she left all my things were unpacked and in place. I only had a pile of clothes to tumble dry. Which I have been doing all of today. I managed to tumble dry almost all I posses. In the end I ran out of time and had to leave a couple of things. No matter. Then I went shopping and bought myself a new piece of luggage and some small things for the people at home. Now I am waiting for the taxi to pick me up in 40 min. Then off on the bus to the airport and finally home...