Hello again. The first post of November is a kind of a life update, following the almost three-week break I took of writing and making art. Posts like this won't become a regular occurrence: my focus isn't really to go over the current events of my life, but whenever a little explanation is required, like in the face of a sudden hiatus, I will be giving you a tiny update on what I have been up to recently. You will find all posts like this one under the label 'life updates'.

Pretty much all of November up until yesterday I spent with my girlfriend who I hadn't seen in six months. She lives in the United States, and because I live in Finland, our relationship is as long-distance as it gets. I visited her last May, and this was her second time visiting me in Finland. This is not the way things will stay for us though, because she is planning on moving to Finland relatively soon, possibly during the next year. There are several reasons for that decision, and I am not the only motivator for her either. The harsh reality is that if my girlfriend stayed in the States, they would not be guaranteed to stay safe. Federal politics as well as the state they live in do not provide a secure environment for a person like them, and with the way everything seems to be going in terms of elections and such, it would only be better for them to get out of the country as soon as possible. It's very concerning and heart-wrenching for me to watch from the sidelines how the home country of my partner is slowly cascading into deeper and deeper pits of polarization and political extremism. I just hope she will be able to get out before anything happens.

The two weeks we got to spend together were some of the best weeks I've had all year. Going out on dates, holding hands and giving each other small kisses without having to worry about anyone saying or doing something to us felt absolutely amazing. Everything about being with her makes me feel at home, like this was always meant to be, we were always supposed to be together. She is my home, and I am hers. Even my episodes and other symptoms weren't nearly as bad while they were here with me: having them next to me made it easier to recover, to cope. She will keep me safe, and I have never trusted anyone more than I trust her.

7700 kilometers, 4800 miles. An ocean and two continents. That is the distance between me and her, but our love has no distance. Our love knows no countries, no borders. Two totally different cultures, two very distinct ways of life. You cannot tell me that it was something else than fate, than destiny.

Going back to the airport is always the hardest part. I left her at the security check yesterday, and now she's back at her own apartment. Though we never say goodbyes to each other, it always pains me to see her turn away and walk to the security line. Thank god we already know when we'll be seeing each other again. Otherwise I think I would still be crying.

So now that I am alone again, I have time and space to create. Several sketches are waiting for the lineart, and many new ideas are brewing inside me already. I'm also very aware of the current situation with Twitter, so I might end up moving my art to a different platform at some point. I will keep you updated on that then. Now, back to work.

With no borders around my heart,

ichigonya

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