I'm new to blogging. Never given it a shot before but here goes. I'm sharing my life as a City Expat - from London to New York to Singapore. But before I can blog about the here and now, you need to get to know the blogger - the real S-J and how my little family evolved.
It all started in the year 2003 in London. I worked in the City as a legal and compliance associate for a bank and studied at night school for my solicitor exams. I'd just started at my bank. Everything I said and did was scrutinised as it does when you start a new job. You can't even go to the loo without a woman analysing what "type" you are. By type I mean whether you're an after work City-drinking, bite-after-dinner chick (type I), a gym fanatic (type II), or a foody/home maker (type III). This is identified by the contents of your bag which is revealed when you are idly chatting about the weather, work and opening your bag, applying make-up or pulling out trainers or a recipe for dinner. I was a mixture of type I and II as I'd just fiunished a bunch of exams. The office gossip was wary of me as I didn't want to reveal too much about myself. She was too close to the boss and I was warned that she used any piece of gossip to your disadvantage.
Shortly after starting at the bank I met my soon-to-be-husband. It was at a work book launch where canapes and champagne was circulated and less attention was spent on the book rather than the booze and food. I stayed loyal to my firm and circulated together before meeting Matt. We didn't get to speak much until we ended up in a bar in the City with most of the guests. Sitting elbow to elbow on a long table, Matt swapped places with a trainee shipper-snapper. He looked so young that I asked him whether he was qualified. He roared with laughter. Encouraged, I asked whether he was a trainee. Even now we chuckle about this. I was with a more gregarious colleague who was a devout skier and sports person. I should thank her now as if it was not for her badgering me to go to the book launch I would never have met my future husband.
Matt lived in Surrey Quays near Canary Wharf. He'd renovated his flat so it was curved like an anderson shelter. It overlooked the canal and the lights of Canary Wharf would flicker in the night. I adored it. The kitchen had been gutted out and had hidden drawers and shelves. A granite work bench completed the look. It was open-planned so the lounge was visible as was the spectacular view. The lounge was more bachelor ladden with a white l-shaped sofa, navy walls and soft lighting. Thick white carpet and wooden flooring permeated throughout the flat. The best part of the flat though was the bathroom. He'd driven relentlessly to Holland to pick up the right tiles, shower, hot tub and flooring. Taking a shower at his flat was the most amazing experience. You could listen to the radio and sit down while having short blasts of water hit your sides and massage the rest of your body. I could easily spend half an hour or more in there.
We lived together for just a month before Matt delivered a bombshell - he was asked whether he'd transfer to New York!
