Another year’s over. As usual this school year went even quicker than the one before, although the end seemed to go more smoothly in a way. It wasn’t as hot as prior years on our graduation evening and I didn’t have to worry about my job. Next year I’ll be doing more or less the same classes, but with new students and a new schedule. Before we’ll dive into this though, there’ll be a summer break to enjoy (and to study in)!
I’ve already had a taste of this as my uncle made my eyes black and blue during a spontaneous play party at my cousin’s. I also went swimming with Steven, where we’ve established that I’m half mermaid. And we went for a night camping, as you might have seen when you follow me on twitter. Steven and I met during the Sterrenwacht weekend, where I gave a lecture and where we looked at the stars together…
We’ve been together since, pretty much. Now since the Voorwerp and especially the press attention that followed, I’ve been a bit shy in mentioning personal details like this. I never told any of the journalists back then that I was dating one of the astronomers, as it felt like I wanted to be in control of what was written about me (this was also the advice I was given back then). And although I’ve had my share of weird responses which I’ll not go into, I’m less paranoid now.
The point of having this website, besides answering a lot of questions from journalists and other interested souls beforehand, is that I can ‘tell it like it is’. I also often get asked what life is like now I have an object in the sky named after me and although that’s pretty cool indeed, life’s still as amazing as it was before that really. And with these blogs I share, friends and other interested readers can find out what it is like. From me. Not from ‘quotes’ in newspapers I never actually uttered.
It’s not very gossip magazine worthy, but many people find my site searching for ‘hanny van arkel SINGLE?’ So, I was. After a lovely time with the astronomer I had been single for a while and now I’m not anymore, because I met a great guy at one of my lectures about my Voorwerp. And that’s all folks. I had already planned to spend some time in London this summer and Steven (who turned out to be a Zooite too!) will join me for some of it. If you’re a frequent reader of these blogs, you’ll probably come across the boyfriend’s name a couple of times, so there you have it. Happy Summer!
3 Comments
Nice story, and we (H en M) are so happy for both of you, you make a nice couple. And Son in Law, again, welkom to the family!
I’m also very happy for you both
I am also very happy!