Once upon a time there was a dreamer

?Today’s article is personal, but it has a message in the end please keep reading. Since I was a child, I was curious about life and I always felt that there must be more out there. I wanted to drink the juice of life as much as I could. Despite the fact that I grow up in a small island with hardships and in poverty didn't stop of me dreaming. I managed to "win" the title of the strange kid in school and in the family. Growing up I have tried many times to change and adapt to whatever the society was “instructing” us to do. Unfortunately, I lost that game as you can’t change your core, your inner voice as we shouldn’t.

Divorced at the age of 29 with two kids and starting my own business. Everyone thought I was insane. I knew though that I was doing the right thing and as it was proven later on indeed it was. We had a few amazing successful years which gave me and the kids a great lifestyle. Then we had the haircut in Cyprus meaning that due to corruption we lost a lot of money and I had to start over. We were talking with my son and he reminded me of my childhood dream to go live in America. I had a project and business opportunity, and I flew and lived in Bermuda for a year and then moved to Manhattan, New York. I was seeking a new home for me and my kids with opportunitiesThe immigrant journey is not easy but because you have that fire inside you it just keeps you going. My highlight was achieving all my goals in USA with the final touch me visiting the White House and having dinner and conversations with all those politicians I used to admire. For family reasons we couldn’t live in New York with the kids.

?My Son Elias chose England to be our new home. I had studied at the University of Portsmouth and have travelled many times in the UK, so it was like “home” away from home. Moved to the UK without the kids so I could set up a life for all of us. Having not a lot connections in England except a few friends who I met at the Diaspora conference in Cyprus, I only knew Takis. He is the reason that I am writing this article. I wouldn’t be having been in the UK without his encouragement and help.

?I thought that my life purpose was to make millions and have a huge mansion. It looks like God had different plans for me. Yesterday I became a permanent resident of the UK and I am so proud of living in this amazing country. I was crying this morning because the journey was painful and hard, but it was worth every moment. Many people tried to take advantage of me hence I decide to leave everyone behind me except Takis who gave me my first job in the UK as a reporter and a TV host at his TV channel. I used to sleep at the station until I was able to rent a room. No one could understand why you left a comfortable life back home just to suffer in England? I had a bigger dream though and it wasn’t just about me. Most people will never understand your dreams or behaviour. Don’t listen to them. If it makes sense to you then that’s more than enough.

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England changed my life but mainly it changed me! I have become a much better version of myself that I used to be. I was always fascinated by England after my teacher in High school told me that my writing is similar to Kazantzakis and his book Anglia (England). What I am trying to tell you is that in life we might not get the initial goal we thought we needed but we might receive other blessings. You must be open to them though in order to recognize them. I have created a life for my kids and that was my goal since 2013. It took me 10 years but here we are. It taught me that not everything goes based on plan and time planning. We must be flexible, adaptable and having a positive attitude towards life even when we struggle. My happiness is seeing my kids build a future without prejudice or judgement from anyone. To teach them that there is a big world out to there that they have the option to explore if they want too. Taught them what my Dad taught me that money can buy anything except your integrity. If you sell your integrity you can never get it back and you will always feel lost.

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I have failed, cried my eyes balls so many times but I would have changed nothing because I have achieved everything what I needed not what I thought I need. Thank you, England, for having and can’t wait to apply duly soon for my citizenship. Lastly but not least thank you Takis you have been my mentor and my father in England. It is still painful that you have gone so soon. You will always be missed. Cheers to an amazing new journey with new goals and dreams. Dreaming is living like my Dad used to say. Maybe I needed a reminder myself today:)

Thank you for your time.

Nadia