Comments on: this year’s gonna be ours

By: daddio

daddio — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:01:35 +0000

dear jen,
i use to wonder why anyone would write into cyberspace, especially about personal feelings. guess i still do. however, i have become a regular reader over the last few months because i enjoy knowing what you think about life, and your life in particular. being your father, i do find the wisdom that i see unfolding rather exciting.

as everyone has acclaimed, you are good. the reason i think you are good is because writing is, for you, a passion. it is very clear to me (and your other readers) that you have the talent to touch and inspire others. as i wrote you in my recent email, your feelings, insight, research, craftsmanship (womanship), maturity and funny bone make you a rather interesting author. congratulations on your anniversary! keep on truckin.

read you latest on going back to school. good idea! if you don’t follow the things you feel passionate about, you will miss out on the joy of chasing it. take it from me, it is half of the fun.
love,
daddio

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:11:47 +0000

i think as i’ve moved away from “this is an expat’s view on britain”, it’s harder to just discuss current events for the hell of it.

By: Thomas Foolery

Thomas Foolery — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:44:54 +0000

You used to write more about issues and politics and the World in general, which you’re very good at.

Over the past year or two your blog seems to have become much more personal and diary-like.

So, I guess it does matter whether you’re writing for *us*, or for *you*

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:17:51 +0000

@inga – in norway full time? are you living with family? will have to email you for the story

@ashleigh – thanks, that’s lovely to hear

@patrick – unfortunately yes, it is difficult. as a US citizen you can go for 6 months as a visitor, but that’s it. otherwise, you can get married, or find a job (v. v. difficult), or come over as a student. the immigration rules are changing all the time and it only gets harder. if you want some topical advice, check out americanexpats.co.uk and do your research. good luck!

By: Ashleigh

Ashleigh — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:46:37 +0000

I LOVE your blog! I look it up at least a few times week. I came across it about a year ago when I was looking into moving to London (one of those dreams that hasn’t yet come to fruition). I have yet to find another expat blog that is so captivating. Please keep writing!

By: patrick

patrick — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:12:44 +0000

hi jen, my name is patrick, i live in florida…over this past summer i met a girl who lives in yorkshire, england….she’s returned a few times since, and has asked me to come and live with her….she is pretty well off, i basically live as an artist. any advice? would it be difficult for me to just up and move there?
thanks for any help you can give.

By: Inga

Inga — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:40:29 +0000

your ability to comment in a profoundly meaningful (not to mention CAPTIVATING) way on topics ranging from running to the indescribable intricacies of interpersonal relationships to complicated social issues – well, it all makes me want to be a better everything, really. the comments you would leave on my two blogs (when I had them) were always helpful and it made me really happy that you, someone whose writing and thought process I admired, took time to read. i am so happy you continue to share in this space. i have moved to norway at this point, by the way, and will continue to read from here. P.S. and sometimes you are just really fun here, too. Which is awesome. In short, keep writing, Jen!! And happy anniversary.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:37:54 +0000

you know, i didn’t even think about the truncated RSS feed. good point, i’ll look into fixing that.

By: Amity

Amity — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:32:41 +0000

Let’s put it this way: I hate truncated posts in my RSS reader; I prefer to read the whole entry there without having to click through to the actual site. So it’s a testament to the power and quality of your writing that yours is the only blog I would happily click on a dozen times to get to the content. It’s that good.

I’m glad you’re not going to give it up. Happy 6 years!

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:28:16 +0000

thank you guys. i feel a bit sheepish – i really am not intending to fish for compliments!

but your supportive comments are really, truly appreciated.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:06:06 +0000

I know there has to be plenty more readers out there like me, who read and never comment. I click on you everyday so not to miss any new entries. I have a long list of blogs in my favorites, but only a handful that I will visit daily and you are one of them. I truly enjoy reading about your experiences, probably because I can relate to many. I recently returned from living in UK and have planted myself in Texas. We’re definatly a generation apart but I so enjoy reading your blog. I may not agree with all your opinions, but I do admire your intelligence and especially your style of writing. New ideas always open the mind, and you do that for me. Thank you for writing your blog.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:53:08 +0000

I never tried to get readers for my short-lived blog, but the writing itself made it so totally worth it.

To be honest, as a reader, I’m on the other side. I’m tired of all the mommy blogs, and themed blogs have gotten..I don’t know…predictable? Like they are so far in one direction either the nuance is gone or I’m pretty sure what they’re ‘take’ on things is going to be so I don’t bother reading more than the first few lines.

Please keep writing. If only to keep the simple aspects of everyday life alive and vibrant with the beauty of carefully crafted words.

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:29:05 +0000

Thanks for always making me ‘feel’ something when you write. They have been thought provoking, funny, sweet and heart-felt. Seems like so many blogs have turned to fluff. Cheers!