“I’ve learned that home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.”

“Home isn't a place, its a feeling”

“I learned something important that night. You shouldn’t try to stop everything from happening. Sometimes you’re supposed to feel awkward. Sometimes you’re supposed to be vulnerable in front of people. Sometimes it’s necessary, because it’s all part of you getting to the next part of yourself, the next day.”

“Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided tobecome a heart surgeon!Rosie: Cool, does it pay well?Alex: Rosie, it’s not about the money.Rosie: Where I come from, it’s all about the money. Probably because Idon’t have any.”

“I love it here in Boston and I love studying medicine. Butit’s not home. Dublin is home. Being back with you felt like home. I miss mybest friend.I’ve met some great guys here, but I didn’t grow up with any of themplaying cops and robbers in my back garden. I don’t feel like they are realfriends. I haven’t kicked them in the shins, stayed up all night on Santawatch with them, hung from trees pretending to be monkeys, played hotel,or laughed my heart out as their stomachs were pumped. It’s kind of hard tobeat that.”

“It’s hard for everyone isn’t it? Anyone who says it’s easy is a liar. There’sthis huge divide between me and Alex right now because I feel like we’re livingin such different worlds, I don’t know what to talk about with him anymore.And we used to be able to talk all night. He phones once a week and Ilisten to what he’s been up to during the week and try to bite my tongueevery time I go into another Katie story. Truth is I have nothing other to talkabout but her and I know it bores people. I think I used to be interestingonce upon a time.”

“All I need isbackup. He’s the little angel that sits on my shoulder whispering in my ear,“You can do it!” It’s funny. I’m thirty years old now and I still feel like a littlegirl. I’m still looking around to check and see what other people are doingto make sure I’m not completely different; I’m still looking around for help,hoping for a quick nudge and a whisper of advice. But I can’t seem to be ableto catch anybody’s eye. Nobody else around me seems to be looking aroundand wondering what to do. Why is it that I feel like I’m the only person whois confused and concerned about the choices I’ve made and where I’mheaded? Everywhere I look, I see people just getting on with it. Maybe Ishould just follow suit and get on with it.”