ESOL Magazine June 2014 | Page 27

Nothing is impossible. Everything began with preparation for the trip. I had decided to spend a year in Scotland with my mum and to think a bit more about what I wanted to do in the future. Unfortunately, everybody else whom I loved was left in Latvia. Have you ever been ill because of stress? I think you understand me. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing and what was more important at that time. As a result, I got really bad tonsillitis. I couldn’t eat and drink normally. Luckily, just one day before the flight I ate well and I thought the worse is in the past. But I was wrong. It was my second trip to Scotland, so I knew what to expect. You never know what could happen, that’s why I was at the airport much earlier then I should have been. And I was right. It wasn’t my lucky day. First of all, I found out that I should have paid Ls 5 for some kind of new fees for security at the airport. Fortunately, I had some money left in Latvian currency and was in time for checking despite a long queue. Parting with my closest people was heartbreaking. I felt terribly sick but that wasn’t the worst thing that day. When I arrived in Scotland, something happened with the passport checking machine. They couldn’t check my identity. They tried a few times. - Have you any other ID documents with you? I fell into a panic. I don’t have a driving licence or ID card at all. - No, I said. Ok. I’ll try again. Luckily, it worked. I thought it was the worst day ever. But the day wasn’t finished yet. I knew I would have more challenges to get from Glasgow Prestwick to Arbroath with a couple of changes plus a poor level of English and sore throat. It was challenging, but I made it. When my mum met me in Arbroath bus station, I could hardly speak. When we reached home, I only managed to utter something to her for the last time and for the next few days I wrote down everything I wanted to say. I didn’t eat for a week. I even pushed myself to swallow a pill and drink water through the pain and tears. Anyway, I’m happy I had this experience, I got to know a lot about myself. Before this happened, I’d never believed that this story would be about me. Now I know – nothing is impossible. Do not be afraid, just do it. And you will see you can do more than you think. By Alliina Viinogradova By A na V nogradova Photto was made by Alliina Viinogradova Pho o was made by A na V nogradova