More than a decade ago, I moved to London along with husband and child from India. Moving continents was challenging but also great fun! The first thing I did when I got out of the airport was to look for Daffodils – it was spring then – and the taxi-driver obligingly pointed out the golden beauties to me. Having grown up reading Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ in school – it was one of the first things I’d wanted to see and I wasn’t disappointed. The enchantment hasn’t left me to this day…
When I landed, child in tow, as a family we didn’t know a single person in this country – but the internet came to my rescue and I slowly became familiar with the world of blogs and blogger and suddenly I wasn’t so alone any more. I had always loved reading and writing and blogging seemed like a natural progression.
I started my blog ‘The Glass Wall’ (http://www.painauchocolat.blogspot.com) in 2004 and maintained it until 2008 – it was fun and also creatively fulfilling! And the added bonus was that I made friends all over the world, most whom I did not meet, but some who I did and who are my friends to this day. I thank them for sharing my journey with me.
As life intervened, I decided to take a hiatus from blogging but now I feel ready again. My little boy is all grown up and at university (where have the years gone!) and am suffering from the empty-nester syndrome. I then took it upon myself to write in a more serious fashion and have finished the first draft of my novel and struggling with creating a polished second (final?) draft.
Life seems to be demanding a change again, the chance to move continents has arrived again and soon I might move to the Far East becoming a trailing wife.
The nomad in me is rearing to go but the mother is sad. But whatever happens, I shall take you on the journey with me both metaphorically as a writer and literally across continents. I hope you enjoy the ride!
ZEN lifescapes 
Well, it’s good to see you blogging again and hope to read many more posts in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Changing continents can seem traumatic but can provide fuel for some of the best writing. Discovering a new place and sharing those discoveries with readers makes it a shared experience but most importantly, gives your readers a peek into your own journey. Blogs can be such a powerful vehicle for such writing because of the freedom to just write and write.
Too bad I wont be able to bump into you next time I am in London though. Certainly one of my favourite cities in the world and here’s wishing you, happy journey and happy writing!
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Thanks for dropping by Ashish! It’s a pity you won’t be visiting London again soon but you know what – I might be moving cities soon as well – possibly Singapore! So I might see you there? š Thanks for cheering me on!
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Singapore? I was in that city this summer and really enjoyed myself there… great place for food and photograph, and yes, you mighty just me there.
Seeing that you’ve just resumed blogging reminds me that I must do the same… feel that blogging is far more expressive than either Facebook or Twitter. Both have their uses but not quite the same at the end of the day.
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So happy to hear you finished the first draft. Congrats! And so good to see the G+ button there š Welcome back my blog-friend!
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Thanks and cheers! š
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Well begun, half done!
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Thank you!
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Wow you … Bundle of energy … awaiting what you have penned down to share …
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Thanks for dropping by Praveen!
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lovely reading you again anjali..happy journey and happy travels
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Congratulations on getting the first draft of your novel done, something i am struggling with.
Wishing you all the best with your travels and writing. I am sure many great posts will develop here fuelled by this change.
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I am sure you will get there – you have it in you! And now for me begins the second haul, another mountain to claim – to find a home for the book. Another adventure beckons š
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Hi Anjali, you dropped by my blog and I’d like to say ‘hello’ and welcome. I think you were very brave to come to a place where you knew no-one but I’m sure that has changed now. Blogging is a great way to ‘virtually’ meet all kinds of new and interesting people. Your book sounds very interesting and it is going on my long list of ‘to reads’. Somehow reminds me of my debut novel on first glance but we’ll see. Please drop by again:)
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Thank you so much for dropping by Fran! It was great fun to change life and heart I’m a nomad, so it was all very exciting.And yes when I first moved here, blogging took away a lot of my loneliness and created friendships, that have lasted through the years! And do tell me about your debut novel – am intrigued! š And I shall certainly drop by your blog again!
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You’ll find out more about my novel when you next drop by my blog, Anjali. There’s a link. It was the cultural element that is similar. For mine it is Britain and the Caribbean, but I don’t think the story is the same. We’ll have to compare one day!
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Absolutely! should be fun to do that! š
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