urocyon

Yippee! It looks like I'll be going back to the U.K. for a few weeks, beginning near the end of the month. :) Visits both ways had been discussed, but I have an eminently flexible schedule with no work to worry about taking off time, so that seemed the most feasible option. Though I still feel a tad uncomfortable--not wishing to create even the appearance of being mercenary or less than (near-pathologically) independent--

vatine was kind enough to offer to arrange tickets--and arrange them he did, this afternoon. *g*

Naturally, I'm extremely excited. :) I've been missing him so badly, and was not sure when we'd be able to see each other again. Even with these temporarily lower airfares, and my not being a spendthrift by any means, it would take me ages to swing another trip by myself. A decent bit, by my paltry income, has also been going toward paying back what I needed to borrow from family members for basic expenses (a necessity which elicited some pangs) once my CCDE-trip stay was ludicrously extended, as well; for those of you who remember my budget-cutting before the first trip, my lifestyle has remained reasonably Spartan since.

Some family--including those I still owe--and friends, have been vocal in telling me that I shouldn't feel bad about accepting the offer, since he obviously cares and hasn't interpreted it badly in any way. I tend to agree--intellectually, at least--but that pernicious little voice occasionally pipes up to let me know that I should be doing better and be entirely self-sufficient (particularly weird from a member of what is still a mainly-functioning tribal society), and that I don't deserve to be shown such good treatment/apparent love. I try to counter that voice's assertions--sometimes give it the good kicking it sorely deserves--whenever it pipes in, but it's hard to neutralise entirely. I seem to be keeping it under rather good control, though.

Overwhelmingly, I'm horribly pleased, and can barely wait until time to go!