I leave in a matter of hours. All my bags are packed, my leftover food redistributed amongst the scavengers more commonly known as starving college students, and my belly full from my last pub meal at the Dickens Tavern.
The end is bittersweet. I love this city and all that it has gracefully shared with me. But, then how can one start a new adventure if I never draw the exclamation point at the end of this one? I am ready for a new adventure. But I sure have loved this one.
My last night in London I went to the HardRock Cafe with a big group of the friends I've made here. That was the first time it truly hit me that I would be leaving.
After dinner I went to see Lion King with my flatmate Jasmine. It was the perfect way to end my time here. I saved the best musical for last. I was sobbing within the first 5 minutes as the elephants and giraffes walked down through the aisles, embracing me with the Circle of Life.
Today I walked through the park and saw my last London dog party. I just stood there for a few moments, at the edge of the path, gazing out onto the open field, realizing that soon I would not belong here anymore, that this scene of canine bliss would continue on without me. But I smiled with joy as I gazed at the trees hiding the cityscape, listened to the birds sing their song of spring, smelled the fresh green smell of new flora, and felt London penetrating my being.
Writing this is bringing me to tears. I am so happy. Thank you for going on this journey with me. Be blessed and now go out and have your own adventure!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Always Love
To make a mountain of your life is just a choice
But I never learned enough to listen to the voice that told me
Always love
Hate will get you everytime
Always love
Don't wait 'til the finish line
--Addison Road
I think that message really speaks to me right now.
This semester has been an interesting one as far as living situation goes, and I've learned so much about people and social dynamics. And, I think the biggest lesson I've learned is that when you get upset with someone for the way that they are, then really you are only hurting yourself. They will never change, and so why not just love them for who they are?
It is strange to be wrapping up my time here. I am ready, but at the same time I'm not. I know that as soon as I'm gone there will be things that I yearn for. Like running through Regent's Park, or walking 200 meters to Tesco at 10 pm to get a treat, or watching the dog parties, or going to the theatre twice a week, or AllSouls Church.
Sheesh now I'm getting sad.
Saturday I went with Ginny and Helon, two girls who live upstairs, to a used book fair along the southbank of the Thames and got a book for the plane ride home. Yippee!
Then I went to see the musical called We Will Rock You, and obviously it has all music by Queen. It is one of the most popular West End shows, it has been running for 8 years, and the Brits love it. And, it has never been to Broadway, so I was like "Well, I wanna see this show cause it is uniquely British." Well folks... it was WEIRD. Just as an example... it took place in the year 2300 and it was in the land of Gaga. A lot of the British humor was lost on me and so were a lot of the pop culture references. It was fun though, and of course I loved the music.
Saturday night Linda and I went to the Dickens Tavern for dinner. I am gonna miss that place!!! Veggie Fish and Chips YESSSSS. I am gonna have to go one more time before I leave. Then I came back to another night of sleeping over upstairs and another night of delicious baked goods. BAKED APPLES. My new FAV dessert.
Yesterday was my last Sunday at church, which was another sad goodbye. After church I came back to work on my final for Beatles class. After a good 5 hours of it, I was almost totally fried, and needed a serious break. It was FREEZING AND RAINY AGAIN CAUSE LONDON IS BIPOLAR and so I didn't want to run outside, but my gym membership expired Friday. But, I decided I would go and just pay for an individual session.
Well I get there and my friend Khadija (who is from Kenya and her dream is to move to the United States and be a pharmacist (she already has all the degrees, she just needs to take her exams)) was working. She is the sweetest woman and I told her that I wanted to pay just for the day and she said "no, you cannot pay, you just train and come in tomorrow to train too, I work from 6:45 to 2:45." She was very sad to hear I would be leaving because she loved seeing my smiling face in aa city where it is rare. I went back this morning and took a picture with her after I trained.
Today Linda and I went to the Museum of London and I felt cool cause I already knew loads of the stuff. I guess I've learned a lot about my city in 3 months. :) That was the goal.
Tonight I am watching "Glee" for the first time with Linda and Kathryn as we make dinner.
Three nights left here....
This could be my last entry while in Londontown.
Whoa.
But I never learned enough to listen to the voice that told me
Always love
Hate will get you everytime
Always love
Don't wait 'til the finish line
--Addison Road
I think that message really speaks to me right now.
This semester has been an interesting one as far as living situation goes, and I've learned so much about people and social dynamics. And, I think the biggest lesson I've learned is that when you get upset with someone for the way that they are, then really you are only hurting yourself. They will never change, and so why not just love them for who they are?
It is strange to be wrapping up my time here. I am ready, but at the same time I'm not. I know that as soon as I'm gone there will be things that I yearn for. Like running through Regent's Park, or walking 200 meters to Tesco at 10 pm to get a treat, or watching the dog parties, or going to the theatre twice a week, or AllSouls Church.
Sheesh now I'm getting sad.
Saturday I went with Ginny and Helon, two girls who live upstairs, to a used book fair along the southbank of the Thames and got a book for the plane ride home. Yippee!
Then I went to see the musical called We Will Rock You, and obviously it has all music by Queen. It is one of the most popular West End shows, it has been running for 8 years, and the Brits love it. And, it has never been to Broadway, so I was like "Well, I wanna see this show cause it is uniquely British." Well folks... it was WEIRD. Just as an example... it took place in the year 2300 and it was in the land of Gaga. A lot of the British humor was lost on me and so were a lot of the pop culture references. It was fun though, and of course I loved the music.
Saturday night Linda and I went to the Dickens Tavern for dinner. I am gonna miss that place!!! Veggie Fish and Chips YESSSSS. I am gonna have to go one more time before I leave. Then I came back to another night of sleeping over upstairs and another night of delicious baked goods. BAKED APPLES. My new FAV dessert.
Yesterday was my last Sunday at church, which was another sad goodbye. After church I came back to work on my final for Beatles class. After a good 5 hours of it, I was almost totally fried, and needed a serious break. It was FREEZING AND RAINY AGAIN CAUSE LONDON IS BIPOLAR and so I didn't want to run outside, but my gym membership expired Friday. But, I decided I would go and just pay for an individual session.
Well I get there and my friend Khadija (who is from Kenya and her dream is to move to the United States and be a pharmacist (she already has all the degrees, she just needs to take her exams)) was working. She is the sweetest woman and I told her that I wanted to pay just for the day and she said "no, you cannot pay, you just train and come in tomorrow to train too, I work from 6:45 to 2:45." She was very sad to hear I would be leaving because she loved seeing my smiling face in aa city where it is rare. I went back this morning and took a picture with her after I trained.
Today Linda and I went to the Museum of London and I felt cool cause I already knew loads of the stuff. I guess I've learned a lot about my city in 3 months. :) That was the goal.
Tonight I am watching "Glee" for the first time with Linda and Kathryn as we make dinner.
Three nights left here....
This could be my last entry while in Londontown.
Whoa.
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