happy news, for once

[marta_bee]

The Kid got offered funding at not one but two MSc programs: at University College-London and University of Edinburgh. According to her Edinburgh is the better match with her research interests, but I think that mainly means one of her current profs knows someone there he's connected her with. I'd choose London just for the chance to live in a bigger city and network with more people, and she's promised to email with the UC-London profs and discuss it with her current professor. But there really is no bad choice here. Her mum's also landed a job, though in Skopje (it's where her mum was born, and she still has family there). Them living so far apart will be a big change. But it's good opportunities for both of them.

I'll admit, I'm upset they're moving so far away, and mostly why they have to. But an airplane flight to London or even Edinburgh isn't that much harder than to Boston. We'll make it work. Mostly I'm trying to be excited for her, and proud, and not think about the rest. The pride comes easy. This is actually a really big accomplishment, and a huge weight off everyone's shoulders.

Comments

[erulissedances]

That's fabulous news, really! And what fun you'll have when you go over the pond to visit.

- Erulisse (one L)

[shirebound]

But there really is no bad choice here.

What a marvelous thing!!

[cairistiona]

Wonderful news! There's always a sting, when kids move so very far away, but thank goodness for texting. Hopefully airfare won't be prohibitively expensive so you'll get somewhat frequent trips in.

[marta_bee]

There's so many great ways to stay in touch these days. Not just text and calls but video chats. And sometimes there's no substitute for a big bear hug, but compared to what I had growing up with my family in Germany, it really is possible, even easy, to stay connected. Plus now I have an excuse to go over and have adventures in Europe. Mainly I'm just glad she has something new to look forward to and get excited over. (Me too- we all need that.)

[marta_bee]

It really is!

[marta_bee]

Yes! I'm looking forward to having adventures too. What an exciting and fun next chapter.

[ellynn_ithilwen]

glad for the good news 😊

the kid is your niece...?

[marta_bee]

She and her mom were my neighbors when I lived in New York. No biological relationship, but I became extremely close with the family since I was living far from my own. I've known the Kid since she was four and for years she'd come to my apartment after school because I was a grad student and mostly worked from home whereas her mom had a job in downtown. I'm not quite sure how to explain the relationship - kind of like a kid sister, but with enough age difference and jumping in to handle emergencies over the years it almost feels maternal? I care about her deeply in any case.

("The Kid" moniker comes from her mom not wanting me to put her name on the internet when she was younger. I can see how that would be confusing, but it's the name that's lodged itself in my brain over the years. She's really not a kid these days, nor my kid biologically, but somehow that's the name that always comes first to mind.)

[ellynn_ithilwen]

it's a nice RL story, and i totally understand 😉

[mrowe]

That is great news for The Kid!