It’s astounding how excited and interested we are in the UK. Understandable of course, this is not only a president of the USA, but the most powerful man in the world. It’s also history in the making, proving yet again that anything is possible. However I agree with Obama, he is not a black President, he is a President who is black. I am just pleased that he is a man that seems to have vision, yet is realistic in his goals. He believes in equality, yet appreciates people’s individuality. I hope that his leadership is as strong as I believe it can be, and I am excited about the possibilities over the next four years.

Even without the current crises it is of interest to us because of the effect American politics has on our little island. However the other reason is the capacity the Americans have to motivate and celebrate. It is infectious. I have followed this election more closely than any UK election. Yes some people stay up all night to watch our general election results rolling in, but you don’t see the scenes of people sat cheering in bars in central London, as was last night. Isn’t it time that we had a general election that inspired people to vote and to celebrate. That engage people in the process, rather than alienating those who feel they don’t ‘get it’. I hope our next general election can be as exciting for those of us in the UK as the American election has been!

As the Americans queued for hours to vote, I braved the land of the Swedes, Ikea. I needed to buy some of those cheap paper lampshades to replace the ones I removed the moment I moved in. Though I am a sucker for the Ikea concept, and prices, I find the experience very stressful. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and check out potential furniture options for my future home so that when I have to visit again it can be as quick and painless as possible. Despite having researched mattresses and narrowed it down to three, I still had what can only be described as a goldilocks moment when I tried them out! Thankfully the one that was ‘just right’ is the cheapest!!!

And what of the Scousers? Well they avoided a loss against Atletico taking them a step closer to the next stages of the Champions League. While the Americans dream of the next four years, I’m hoping that Liverpool have got their act together enough this season to get the Premiership title, and enjoy the European one too!

However before I do that, my first week of unemployment (technically my only week, as I will be working with my sister as a ‘freelance design consultant’ after that) will be spent in New York. A very happy coincidence that a holiday booked almost a year ago is now coming at exactly the right time. Plus a very clever Lady B suggested we start changing money early, so we beat the fall in exchange rates! I just hope the buzz of the big apple will see me through one more week of sleep depravation!!!

Whilst in New York I think I will have to invest in a nice thick winter coat. As a friend pointed out, I have made the decision to head back to Northern England just in time for the freezing cold winter. No time to acclimatise to the drop in temperature. Three years in London has got me used to fairly mild winters, especially as the air pollution keeps it a couple of degrees warmer than everywhere else.

Aside from the dreaded cold, I do get more excited as time goes on about returning to the north. Whilst my parents were down the other weekend they showed me a DVD of the giant spider in Liverpool a few weeks ago (I’ve gone all technical and included a picture!) Seeing the honesty and humour of crazy northern people made me realise how much I miss that part of the country, and how proud I am to come from it. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved my time in London, and know so many crazy and lovely southerners. But there is something special about the north that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy (and apparently turns me into a big pile of slush!)

I have also been minding my ego. Having finally spread the news at work officially, I have been getting many lovely messages from all the people I’ve worked with (seven jobs in three years means there’s been a fair few). It is great to feel so loved, and also sad that there are some people I will probably never see or speak to again.

The other people I’ll be leaving behind, but definitely will see again, are all my London friends. I have been doing the rounds, and trying to see everyone before I go. Some of my closest friends have never been more than a few minutes away since starting university. Even if we don’t see each other as often now, it’s strange to think that they won’t be a short tube ride away. I will have to be less spontaneous and more organised!

A mixture of emotions in a busy time! I am still very positive and know it’s the right decision for me at this time in my life. And once I am settled I will start on persuading a few southerners to go past the Watford Gap and up to the fabled north to come and say hello to me!