I have lived in Leeds (more or less) for 10 years and 4 days.

That is the longest time that I’ve lived in the same place – albeit with a stint in Morocco and one in Spain thrown in – and a whole bunch of stuff has happened. 10 years is a really long time.

I arrived on the 19th of September, with a car load of things, and I moved into a student flat with 4 other people. We went out and got drunk a lot in our first week, made friends with the rest of our floor and half of our block. I struggled a lot to find the right books for my course, and I tried and failed to get into the Theatre Group. And the Stage Musicals Society.

Since then I have completed two degrees, lived in 2 other countries, bought a car, bought a house. Got my first full-time job after a series of wacky and interesting part-time ones. Written a 28,000 word thesis. Become manager of a team. A trustee for two different charities (and I have just signed up for a third, so watch this space). Learned the joy of gaming – particularly the joy of Skyrim, my favourite second home. Been involved with more theatre shows than I can begin to count.

I have met some amazing people in the last 10 years. Some are still part of my life and some aren’t. Some that aren’t I miss, and some I don’t. I’m glad I’ve known them all because in one way or another, for better or worse, they’ve all got me to this point. 10 years ago I met a person I ended up thinking I was going to spend my life with. Now I’m spending my time with someone else.

My Bachelors was interesting and challenging. My Masters was difficult for all the wrong reasons.

What will come in the next 10 years? That’s the big question. I might buy another house, but not if it is as much of a pain as buying this one. I don’t aim to meet another person I want to spend my life with, but I didn’t aim for that 10 years ago either so who really knows. I don’t need more friends, but that doesn’t meet I won’t meet more wonderful people.

I will learn more things. I’ve just started my next qualification, the first one I’m doing since my terrible Masters experience. I’m really excited about learning again, rather than apprehensive. I will do more things as well – I’ll work with more charities, I’ll find more ways to give my time. Hopefully I’ll still have time left around the edges to do house things, and friends things, and go to the theatre.

I started this blog 9 years ago, so this isn’t really the most important 10 year anniversary. Stick around for that one, this time next year.