No worries

When I left New York 2 years ago to live in London, my friends asked, only half-jokingly, whether I would return with a Madonna-esque hybrid American-British accent. I, only half-convincingly, said 'no way', my Brooklyn twang too wrapped in my identity to change. But I couldn't know then just how living abroad would change my accent, or my outlook.

Flash forward 2 years to today, moments ago, when  during a quick exchange at nursery drop-off the manager apologized for a miscommunication and I naturally replied, 'no worries'. I remember Rob and I, new arrivals in London, mocking waiters, bank tellers, shopgirls, Starbucks baristas and everyone else for their over use of that very phrase. You would be amazed by how frequently and in how many contexts 'no worries' is thrown around. Seriously. I'm not sure how long ago it became part of my regular vernacular but there it is. Now as I sit and write this random reflection I worry that it won't remain with me.

I can say with certainty that I return to NY with my Brooklyn-American accent in tact. However, I have adopted some rather British words and turn of phrases which sound a bit off when spoken all 'New Yawky'.  Nevertheless, I love my new lingo, some of which better express a particular mood or moment than any one word I had before. And I already stress that I will lose these words when they are no longer part of the soundtrack of my life.

But an enhanced vocabulary is just one outward manifestation of the many ways living in London has enhanced my life. I hope to continue learning from this journey long after I've settled back into a New York state of mind.  I must accept I will likely switch from saying flat to apartment, lift to elevator, and buggy to stroller. But I will find comfort in the knowledge that losing those words does not erase this experience, it does not undermine it's impact, and will not diminish the lasting impression it has made on my heart.