Bye bye Kolkata… Hello London!!!

My heart is feeling really heavy whilst writing this. I have just seen my firstborn grandchild Siya….my little baby… my sweetheart leave home for her flight to London where she will be joining the University Of Arts London at Camberwell Arts School. I have very mixed emotions just now… I am extremely excited for her as this is her passion, her dream and her face lights up when she even talks about going to art school. However the selfish part in me sometimes rears its ugly head and I just want to keep her in her cocoon with me at home. I dropped both Vivek and Rashi to Uni and I can’t remember feeling so emotional and teary. Maybe I’m just older now and just want my loved ones near me or maybe it’s the fact that I am much more protective of Siya and still see her as my little baby!! It’s as though someone has chopped off part of my heart and put it in a box but now enough of the self pity… let’s look at what’s in store for her. 

Siya is such a lovely, beautiful and caring girl I am sure she will make friends really quickly and have a blast. She has already made friends with another girl going to Camberwell and apparently this girl can cook so they have come to an agreement… she will cook and Siya will do the washing up… not bad bargaining I must admit!!! She just needs to give one charming smile and I’m sure the boys will help her with her luggage. Siya doesn’t need much food to survive… love and fresh air have sufficed to date so that area is covered. Fortunately I am blessed to have plenty of family in England so whenever she feels homesick she can just hop onto a train and be surrounded by her homely comforts. Whilst I am sure she is going to get a rude awakening when she realises she will not only have to cook for herself but do the cleaning, the laundry and the shopping herself

that is all part and parcel of uni life and you wanted it so there you are. I think that the thing that worries me most is probably the safety angle. You hear about so many muggings and robberies that you feel scared for your children but Siya has been given so many lectures from anyone and everyone about not walking home on her own, always going around in a group, never flaunt your money etc etc etc she is probably happy just to go! 

Siyu…. I am just a phone call away anytime night or day and it is always on so feel free to ring me whenever you want. You promised to keep me up to date with all your gossip so I hope that stands true even now. If I had my way I would just move to London with you but I know that’s the last thing you or any student wants!!! No my sweetie.. I would never do that…. you go enjoy yourself… make friends… party hard but study harder!! You are entering a new phase in your life so enjoy every moment and make lovely memories so that when you reach my age you can write to your granddaughter with stupid advice like this!!! However please please please talk to me every day even if it’s just for a minute and if you don’t have time to talk just a message will do. Remember… I will be waiting!!! Vivaan being a younger brother can’t understand what all the fuss is about. He very politely said “ she’ll be back in 3 months so what’s the big deal?”  Vivaan… it is a big deal and I will go through all this again when you go but that’s for much later so deal with that just now!!!

So my darling Siyu… have an amazing time and always remember that I love you loads and always will. You are a lovely girl with a heart of gold and are sure to spread happiness wherever you go. Love you my sweetie ♥️ ♥️♥️