I have finally touched down at Heathrow. The cabin crew announced the arrival greetings and ground temperature on a bright, sunny British morning of 7 June 2022. Excitement just raced through my head. I am actually here for a permanent role. A new journey, new life, and new challenges.

It was no easy journey getting here. Navigating Covid restrictions that lingered on, had months of wait due to the Ukraine war, accompanied by a lot of financial planning and logistical management. It was insane to start a new life, new culture, and use public transportation. Putting my adaptability skills to a full test. By that, I meant no driving, taking trains, and living in a new environment, learning the culture. Fortunately, a language that I have been speaking since forever, but yet, not at a great level.

The flight was great. It was my first time in Business Class cabin. I enjoyed the meals, the service, and definitely the choice of whisky. I never really sleep much on flights, long or short, but this time I slept a record-breaking six hours. I had enough rest to step out of the plane and take on the day. I had a lot planned but still a lot to figure out.

First off, getting through immigration. Fortunately, we were one of the early planes, not much of a queue… bright as the sky is, it was about late 5 or 6 am. Not a normal sight if you lived in the equator, but not something I was unfamiliar with coming to the UK. I found my driver, which helped get me through rush hour about 7 am from Heathrow to Fulham. Passing through town, I just loved the sight of bricked walls on buildings, the warm European architecture puts a smile on my face. It brings back fond memories.

First on the list after checking into my small, cosy apartment in Fulham, was to get breakfast. I had a sandwich for breakfast and lunch. Yes, I could live with that; I grew up eating bread every day for breakfast. I must say, it was an eerie feeling opening the doors to my temporary studio apartment, all alone. Knowing I had absolutely no way of turning back. I could, but it’s going to cost a lot. So I set in my head that I had no way of turning back but to turn this into a success. The sad and lonely feeling sank in as I peeked around the quiet apartment and settled in. I got to figure out my routine and quickly. I start work the next day.

After lunch, I jumped on the tube to Wimbledon, only to realise that I had to switch to a National Rail train, and it wasn’t a tube. I missed the train. The next train was in 20 minutes, which meant I had to miss my house viewing appointment. It was crucial for me to look for a place quickly because I only have a month with the temporary accommodation, and the house rental market here is mad. I have been advised it is pure madness.

Sadly, I can’t get there on time, so I had to reschedule, and I lost all hope in viewing this particular house that I really liked on picture, it was also very close to the station. I had time to spare, so I decided to pop by my relatives’ house not too far way fortunately. I was juggling jet lag, tiredness, and feeling homesick. The “why did I do this” started surfacing in my head. What did I get myself into? I have got to make this work, be strong is what I kept reminding myself.