The hardest part

Miranda, my housemate, just left for the US. Shira left a few weeks ago and Frankie about a week ago. I am now sitting in my bed with a copy of 'Speaker for the dead' and 'Ok computer' on Spotify in a lonely apartment. It's lonely for miles. Everyone is gone.

Good news is that Frankie will be back in early Jan along with all the other friends who have left for Christmas. Bad news is that Miranda and Shira will not be.

Over breakfast, I got myself quite depressed thinking about the middle of the year when all these people will be leaving for good. There will a vacuum created by their sudden departure. All together. All at once. Making friends is easy but making good friends is extremely difficult. Will I have the strength to make friends again knowing they'd also be leaving or will I resign to watching TV episodes and finishing the Ender's Game series? 

This lack of continuity has to be the toughest part of this job. Meaningful, lasting relationships are near impossible and all friendships seem transitory.

Luckily, my folks arrive tomorrow night! We have a packed itinerary full of treks and safaris which will keep me distracted till next year.