immigrants, expatriates, longterm residents in a foreign land, whatever you want to be called

I've lived 80% of my life outside of the place I was born, changing country every 4-5 years until I settled by accident here in Belgium, where I've now been living 15 years. The constant moving and the idea that I could I just reinvent myself in the next place gave me a paralysing tendency to over-romanticize places, imagined or half-remembered, instead of trying to ingrain myself wherever I was and actually build something. In recent years, I've found that starting a family has "cured" me of that since it's made it obvious that my life would essentially stay the same from now on, whatever the place. Worrying about school runs and weekend playdates leaves little space for longing for the elusive atmosphere of a foreign place.

pomenitul, you'll be happy to know that a research paper topic that was just released today for an advanced wine thingey is the future of Romanian wine in export markets.

Hah, I'll drink to that. I'm not crazy about the stuff tbh, having been spoiled on French wine, but there is much, far too much I haven't tasted yet.

Hmm… I said the exact same thing upthread, more or less.

it's ok, I feel strongly about that sentiment too.