AFTER having written more than 20 Family Matters columns, my time in this paper has come to an end. I started off with many good intentions and possibilities last September and have written about everything from pets and birthday parties, to the joys of renewing my lichna karta, but now, a-year-and-a-half later, I realise I only covered a fraction of all my ideas!

This column used to be the first thing in The Sofia Echo that I would read when I arrived in Sofia three years ago. It was (and still is) the part of the paper I like the most. When I started reading it, it was written by Kate Goggin. She had good, informative pieces that would always draw my attention, and had some useful phone numbers or web addresses attached. Then followed Michael Cohen whose style was more personal and political, but nevertheless very interesting to read, and I followed them closely every week. I have tried to make my own personal touch, with inspiration from both my predecessors, trying to cover issues that would affect our readers. I have now been sharing this column with Teanna Sunberg every second week, and I think it has been great to have two heads instead of one. Writing a column can really "dry you out", since it's one of the few places in a newspaper where you can express ideas, opinions and feelings.

A thing that greatly inspires me is to know there are actual readers out there, somewhere. I have met some of you, I know some of you, and direct feedback is always welcome, even if it's criticism. I know some of you read this column each week with great misery and a dictionary by your side, to improve your English skills. This alone is very encouraging. I need to visualise the reader. I need to know that I'm talking to someone. Because Family Matters is about YOU. There is a great potential for this column within the expat community. It could serve as a direct link between expat readers. I think there is a need for a place where people can connect. It is your column. My only regret would be that so few took the chance to give me feedback or ideas by email, it would be great if readers got more involved.

 
So, what did I have the most fun writing about? I think the second column I wrote was the best, about The Feminist Housewife. The fact that many of us come here as spouses, without work, and have to fend for ourselves and make the best out of being a mom, a housewife and a (former?) career woman. I liked the title Feminist Housewife, I liked the idea. And I dread the fact that I now will have to find a full-time job...

The story I should have done: Depression. I did one on the Blues in the Bubble, talking about how hard it is to be an expat, especially if you get psychological problems, but my column only skimmed the surface. We live in a surreal world as expats, very secure and disconnected from local (real?) life. The experience of expatriation can be overwhelming, and someone could probably write a doctoral thesis on this, but it won't be me...

I did one column on the Slow movement, having read (at least parts of) a book called "In praise of Slow". In line with the book's title, I never finished the book. I gave it to my Dad (who is in deep need of slowness. He will be retired in a couple of years and already fears the dullness...not like me at all!)

Another "fascinating" part of my life this year was my last meeting with the people at Maria Louisa Boulevard, trying to renew my lichna karta. I managed to squeeze two columns out of this. After they forgot to include me and the kids in my husband's application, all hell broke loose... what a complete mess! Anyway, I at least got to vent my anger on paper...luckily, or I might have done something stupid.

I also did a couple of columns about pre-teens (my own or others'), on bilingual kids, divorce, the challenge of school vacation, and last but not least, Bulgarian drivers. I probably could have written much more, but such is life. I could have gone into more depth on many issues related to being an expat. Many times I was scared of becoming too personal, and of unwittingly exposing friends (many close friends are relieved that the ordeal of my writing Family Matters is now over).

I have been lucky to have the possibility to vent anger, frustration, horror and other primitive reactions through the channel of a newspaper column. Not everybody has the chance to do this. I see it as a privilege, not a right - which gives me as a writer a responsibility. In the beginning, I was scared about how to tackle writing a column. What would I write about, how "far" could I go, who would I talk to for my stories, or did I have to talk to anybody at all, could I talk about my own experience?

I'm a journalist. I'm used to asking other people questions. I had never before done opinion pieces (except in Journalism School) and using your own feelings and thoughts in journalism is usually a big no-no. Writing Family Matters has therefore been a huge relief from this format, and it has been great fun to do. I have had the freedom to write about almost anything, and I have had a tolerant and appreciative audience.

I thank you for having made (part of) the journey with me. I am now moving on to teach radio journalism in Canada and will greatly miss Sofia and writing this column. Dovizhdane.