Yesterday was one of the most amazing days of my life.
Bath, to begin, is completely exquisite. No wonder Jane Austen spent so much time there and based so much of her novels around this city gem. Getting there was quite easy; I had to make an early start (caught the bus at 6:50 am!!), but it was completely worth it. After a few hours of reading Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and switching trains a couple of times, I emerged on Bath, went through City Centre, passing fruit and flower vendors, and, consulting my trusty guide book, I found the Roman Baths.
Actually, the Baths weren't very exciting, to tell the truth. I mean, as exciting as Stonehenge was, in the sense that I was finally viewing something firsthand that I've read so much about and that is so unbelievably ancient and preserved. Well, being preserved; that's probably why the Baths didn't seem worth the £9 to get in: they're currently undergoing a MAJOR restoration process. Oh well, still, it was incredible to see a site that has been in Britain for hundreds and hundreds of years, and it's still functional to the city of Bath today. The Romans really knew their stuff, apparently.
After the Baths, I had a bit of time to kill before the lecture at the Holburne, so I wandered around City Centre and over to Prior Park and the Avon. Unfortunately, yesterday's trip was the first day of not-so-fortunate weather for a day trip, but, although it was cold and overcast, the day was still pretty conducive for walking around. Thankfully, because Bath is absolutely breathtaking. And Prior Park? Extravagant and wonderful, and I wish I had been in Bath 150 years ago, promenading around in hoop skirts and strolling with some handsome character from a Victorian novel.
Crossing the Pulteney Bridge, I made my way to the Holburne Museum, one of Britain's great small museums. The museum currently has an exhibit of Penguin Book covers to mark the publishing company's 70th anniversary, which occurred 2 years ago. I went to the museum for the exhibit, as well as a lecture on the life of Allen Lane, the publisher who started Penguin Books and revolutionized the publishing industry by "opening excellence up for everyone," as the lecturer, author and book editor Jeremy Lewis said.
Experiencing the beauties of Bath was wonderful, but the best part of my day yesterday was definitely that lecture. The intellectual in me emerged once more, and I can say with almost complete certainty that my career path has altered to book publishing and editing. Prior to the beginning of the lecture, I spoke to the woman sitting next to me, probably in her 60s or 70s, who was attending the lecture with her husband and told me it was nice to see a young face at an event like this. Coincidentally, she went to the University of Leicester, as did her daughter, and she told me stories about her time at Uni, living in Bristol and Bath, and excursions to the US (while in NYC, she and her husband wanted to walk around a park, but were confused when they saw a sign that said "no strollers"---she didn't know strollers were pushcarts!!). When she asked me if book publishing was a career I wanted to get into, I thought about her question and realized that I love publishing so much more than writing; I love assembling all of the pieces that have been given to me, rather than creating them myself, and producing a finished element worthy of praise. So, while I am still definitely interested in journalism, or at least being a journalism major, I can't say I'll ever actually be a writer. Hmm, that is so strange to say (or write). But we shall see.
And then last night, on the train ride home, Robbie informed me that we were going out, so a perfect end to a perfect day. Yesterday, I completely combined all elements of my personality--loner, wanderer, adventurer, intellectual, dreamer, partyer, dancer. Bliss, indeed.
Well, I guess there were two glitches in yesterday's perfection--1. I lost my gloves. On the last train I was on, no doubt!! Oh well, at least I had them all day!!
2. It was too foggy to see the Lunar Eclipse!!! Damn English weather.
Oh well, I guess I can let it slide.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
beauty.
Being at Salisbury on Saturday really made me want to take more Art History classes as soon as I get back to KU. Since this semester is such a joke (sad but true) academically, I continually find myself patiently (and impatiently) awaiting summer and fall enrollment for 2008. I can't tell you how excited I am to scroll through the timetable, trying to figure out which classes to take and to once again plan out an immensely busy schedule, much like last semester's, but with a bit more flare.
I guess I'm not saying I've got loads and loads of free time here; if I'm not catching up on reading, I'm usually surrounded by everyone, leaving me little time to myself and my thoughts. I'm hoping that this summer and next fall when I'm back in Lawrence, that time will come back to me, because I really miss it so.
It's funny. Robbie and I were discussing at lunch yesterday how our study abroad experiences really aren't what we thought they were going to be (not in a bad way) and how there are some people here who are leading the lives we thought we would be leading: ie, people who are getting work done. People who have actually been taking the coursework seriously, even if it is extremely difficult to do so.
This really is the freshman year experience I didn't have last year and sometimes complain about not having. But, looking back now, if my first year at KU had been like this, I wouldn't be here right now. For many reasons, actually, and not just because I probably would've flunked out from all of the heavy drinking and lack of heavy studying.
Last year forced me to reevaluate my priorities and myself as a person. I found out that I honestly am a loner at heart, a trait I like very much about myself, and that there are so many different facets to my persona (but not in a schizo way). If I had ended up in a typical freshman experience, or, worse, if I had ended up at UGA, I feel like my high school self would still be dominating my life. And I am so happy that has not happened at all.
If anything, I have become closer to my friends at home by leaving them. I have become more secure with myself despite sometimes wondering if this is exactly what I want. And now I am here, making even more wonderful memories and spending time with some of the greatest people ever in some of the world's most beautiful and interesting places. And I couldn't ask for more.
Tomorrow's exploration: The intellectual in me is emerging once more. I'm off to Bath for a lecture at the Holburne about the making of Penguin Books. The museum has an exhibit on right now of all these amazing Penguin book covers, and I cannot wait to roam. Speaking of roaming, I am also going to take a gander at the Roman baths (sorry for the lame pun, but I had to do it...). Hopefully I won't fall in, and hopefully I won't get sick from drinking the spring water. Bob says it's pretty narsty.
I guess I'm not saying I've got loads and loads of free time here; if I'm not catching up on reading, I'm usually surrounded by everyone, leaving me little time to myself and my thoughts. I'm hoping that this summer and next fall when I'm back in Lawrence, that time will come back to me, because I really miss it so.
It's funny. Robbie and I were discussing at lunch yesterday how our study abroad experiences really aren't what we thought they were going to be (not in a bad way) and how there are some people here who are leading the lives we thought we would be leading: ie, people who are getting work done. People who have actually been taking the coursework seriously, even if it is extremely difficult to do so.
This really is the freshman year experience I didn't have last year and sometimes complain about not having. But, looking back now, if my first year at KU had been like this, I wouldn't be here right now. For many reasons, actually, and not just because I probably would've flunked out from all of the heavy drinking and lack of heavy studying.
Last year forced me to reevaluate my priorities and myself as a person. I found out that I honestly am a loner at heart, a trait I like very much about myself, and that there are so many different facets to my persona (but not in a schizo way). If I had ended up in a typical freshman experience, or, worse, if I had ended up at UGA, I feel like my high school self would still be dominating my life. And I am so happy that has not happened at all.
If anything, I have become closer to my friends at home by leaving them. I have become more secure with myself despite sometimes wondering if this is exactly what I want. And now I am here, making even more wonderful memories and spending time with some of the greatest people ever in some of the world's most beautiful and interesting places. And I couldn't ask for more.
Tomorrow's exploration: The intellectual in me is emerging once more. I'm off to Bath for a lecture at the Holburne about the making of Penguin Books. The museum has an exhibit on right now of all these amazing Penguin book covers, and I cannot wait to roam. Speaking of roaming, I am also going to take a gander at the Roman baths (sorry for the lame pun, but I had to do it...). Hopefully I won't fall in, and hopefully I won't get sick from drinking the spring water. Bob says it's pretty narsty.
Friday, February 15, 2008
month 1 = success.
I cannot believe I've been in England for a month now. Exactly. Insane.
Looking back on the past 4 weeks, it really all just seems like a dream. As Bob and I were walking to catch the trusty 31 this morning (and prior to almost getting run over several times because people in the UK don't know how to drive AND we were running across lanes of traffic to catch the bus...hehe), we both remarked on how absolutely crazy things have been since we've gotten here. And even if we left tomorrow, we'd have stories to tell for YEARS. Years and years.
I sent JJ an extremely tragic e-mail a couple of days ago, and the truth is, it really wasn't necessary at all. Maybe because he's a study abroad student and I am too, I feel the need to let him know when things are going less-than-stellarly, but, honestly, I have nothing to complain about. I am fortunate enough to be here and to be having the time of my life, and even if things get a little rough sometimes, who really f-ing cares?? Honestly, I wouldn't trade this life for anything.
Sitting in Shakespeare yesterday really put everything into perspective for me, particularly since Wednesday night was less-than-desirable. The Bard really got it right when he wrote that all the world's a stage...Everyone just puts on a show for other people, and if you don't give the show others want, or you don't like theirs, it is very easy to write people off, even if you don't have a legitimate reason. AT ALL.
Basically, I know that I am always myself, regardless of where I am or who I am around. I'm not going to change just because people may not understand me. And I am definitely not going to buy into some worthless "idolatry" that really makes no sense to me at all. Just because a person fancies himself to be the shit, it doesn't mean you need to fall down at his feet every time he enters a room. Just throwing that one out there.
However, this week, despite the bit of a bump on Hump Day evening, has been particularly wonderful. Valentine's Day last night was lovely and low-key. I am so lucky to have found my "family" here, and I really don't know what I'll do when I get back to the States and don't have Bob and Jer at my side 24/7. There I go thinking about that reverse culture shock, again.
On a side note, who really nicknamed Nottingham "Shottingham"? Our day trip to Robin Hood land was amazing and chalk full of adventure, not flesh wounds. Hahaha, the fam (well, 3/4 anyways...Spencer, where the hell are you?!) robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, and ate a bit of yummy ice cream, which unfortunately forced us to miss the bus to Newstead Abbey. Oh well, the Abbey doesn't open back up until April, and the ice cream was DEFINITELY worth it.
Tomorrow--Stonehenge and Salisbury. I am absolutely amped about going to Salisbury Cathedral. I hope it's warm so I can go lay on the lawn for hours and hours. Forget site-seeing; I'm all about sacred patches of grass.
Looking back on the past 4 weeks, it really all just seems like a dream. As Bob and I were walking to catch the trusty 31 this morning (and prior to almost getting run over several times because people in the UK don't know how to drive AND we were running across lanes of traffic to catch the bus...hehe), we both remarked on how absolutely crazy things have been since we've gotten here. And even if we left tomorrow, we'd have stories to tell for YEARS. Years and years.
I sent JJ an extremely tragic e-mail a couple of days ago, and the truth is, it really wasn't necessary at all. Maybe because he's a study abroad student and I am too, I feel the need to let him know when things are going less-than-stellarly, but, honestly, I have nothing to complain about. I am fortunate enough to be here and to be having the time of my life, and even if things get a little rough sometimes, who really f-ing cares?? Honestly, I wouldn't trade this life for anything.
Sitting in Shakespeare yesterday really put everything into perspective for me, particularly since Wednesday night was less-than-desirable. The Bard really got it right when he wrote that all the world's a stage...Everyone just puts on a show for other people, and if you don't give the show others want, or you don't like theirs, it is very easy to write people off, even if you don't have a legitimate reason. AT ALL.
Basically, I know that I am always myself, regardless of where I am or who I am around. I'm not going to change just because people may not understand me. And I am definitely not going to buy into some worthless "idolatry" that really makes no sense to me at all. Just because a person fancies himself to be the shit, it doesn't mean you need to fall down at his feet every time he enters a room. Just throwing that one out there.
However, this week, despite the bit of a bump on Hump Day evening, has been particularly wonderful. Valentine's Day last night was lovely and low-key. I am so lucky to have found my "family" here, and I really don't know what I'll do when I get back to the States and don't have Bob and Jer at my side 24/7. There I go thinking about that reverse culture shock, again.
On a side note, who really nicknamed Nottingham "Shottingham"? Our day trip to Robin Hood land was amazing and chalk full of adventure, not flesh wounds. Hahaha, the fam (well, 3/4 anyways...Spencer, where the hell are you?!) robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, and ate a bit of yummy ice cream, which unfortunately forced us to miss the bus to Newstead Abbey. Oh well, the Abbey doesn't open back up until April, and the ice cream was DEFINITELY worth it.
Tomorrow--Stonehenge and Salisbury. I am absolutely amped about going to Salisbury Cathedral. I hope it's warm so I can go lay on the lawn for hours and hours. Forget site-seeing; I'm all about sacred patches of grass.
Monday, February 11, 2008
I wish I were home.
No, not because I'm feeling homesick.
But because I am missing out on the revolutions that are happening in my nation. Something is happening, something so great, and I'm not there to be a part of it. Something called change, and all I can do is watch from across the pond.
I've never been really into politics, never into any of that jazz. But I feel completely inspired now, and I am not afraid to admit that I am completely devoted to one side. Completely devoted to change, and, for once, I seriously think it can happen.
On March 16, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy declared his candidacy for President. Against many great odds and the words of cynics, he championed change amidst the turmoil and gave hope to a nation desparately in need of it.
And then, as quickly as he appeared a beacon of light, RFK was gone, and so were the dreams of many, eliminated were the possibilities of change.
It may be the bit of idealist in me, but I feel like those possibilites have returned. I feel like there is one man who can pave the way towards freedom and change and hope and love and responsibility and respect.
Barack Obama is here, and he isn't going away. And I only wish I were at home right now to feel the passion and to voice my opinion and to assure that OBAMA is the candidate who changes this country in 2008.
We know the battle ahead will be long.
But always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way-
Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices
CALLING FOR CHANGE.
In the unlikely story that is America
There has never been anything false about our HOPE.
I want change.
Together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story,
From sea to shining sea, YES WE CAN.
But because I am missing out on the revolutions that are happening in my nation. Something is happening, something so great, and I'm not there to be a part of it. Something called change, and all I can do is watch from across the pond.
I've never been really into politics, never into any of that jazz. But I feel completely inspired now, and I am not afraid to admit that I am completely devoted to one side. Completely devoted to change, and, for once, I seriously think it can happen.
On March 16, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy declared his candidacy for President. Against many great odds and the words of cynics, he championed change amidst the turmoil and gave hope to a nation desparately in need of it.
And then, as quickly as he appeared a beacon of light, RFK was gone, and so were the dreams of many, eliminated were the possibilities of change.
It may be the bit of idealist in me, but I feel like those possibilites have returned. I feel like there is one man who can pave the way towards freedom and change and hope and love and responsibility and respect.
Barack Obama is here, and he isn't going away. And I only wish I were at home right now to feel the passion and to voice my opinion and to assure that OBAMA is the candidate who changes this country in 2008.
We know the battle ahead will be long.
But always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way-
Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices
CALLING FOR CHANGE.
In the unlikely story that is America
There has never been anything false about our HOPE.
I want change.
Together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story,
From sea to shining sea, YES WE CAN.
Friday, February 8, 2008
new soul.
I'm a new soul
I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But since I came here
Felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake.
(Many thanks to Brit for sending me the YouTube clip of "New Soul" and introducing me to the wonderful Yael Naim.)
I feel like this song couldn't have come to me at a better time. Lately, I've been asking myself if the way in which I'm going about my study abroad experience is at all how I want it to be. It's like I've willingly allowed myself to become the typical American-student-in-England that I swore before coming here I wouldn't turn into. I am having a wonderful time, accumulating hilarious stories and racking up the photos, but is this really what I want to remember about England? I think it's quite ironi that, before coming out here, I told myself that I probably wouldn't come away with many close friends, and that would be OK, because I'd be experiencing a new world and, subsequently, learning more and more about myself everyday. However, it's like the complete opposite has come true. Well, almost complete opposite.
I've met these amazing people who I already can't imagine not having in my life. But, because of it, I feel like I haven't experienced this world to its fullest and, what's more, I haven't become a new soul at all, I don't think.
I'm usually the girl who finds exciting things to do, wanders around and explores, looks for unique ways to live her life. But lately, rather than embrace that mentality, I feel like I've fallen into this persona (possibly the persona I was looking for back in Kansas, who knows) that I'm not too certain I want to embrace.
I'm hoping, though, that I can get back into the groove I was in prior to last semester, really. Honestly, as this school year has been, I really don't know what's happen to my propensity for wandering. I guess that's what happens when you find people you actually want to spend time with; you lose all of the time for yourself.
So here's my plan (and I guess I have to stick to it, since I'm putting it in writing, eh?):
I am going to find and explore something new everyday, no matter how small it is. Today I guess I had two or three adventures: Bob and I walked down to a costume shop so I could get some black hair spray for Pop Star Birthday tonight. Then, rather than take the bus back to Digby after seminar, I walked back, but not down London Road. I took the other route and ended up in the little 2nd hand book store I've been meaning to go in since we got here. So, success has found me already, I 'spose.
I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But since I came here
Felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake.
(Many thanks to Brit for sending me the YouTube clip of "New Soul" and introducing me to the wonderful Yael Naim.)
I feel like this song couldn't have come to me at a better time. Lately, I've been asking myself if the way in which I'm going about my study abroad experience is at all how I want it to be. It's like I've willingly allowed myself to become the typical American-student-in-England that I swore before coming here I wouldn't turn into. I am having a wonderful time, accumulating hilarious stories and racking up the photos, but is this really what I want to remember about England? I think it's quite ironi that, before coming out here, I told myself that I probably wouldn't come away with many close friends, and that would be OK, because I'd be experiencing a new world and, subsequently, learning more and more about myself everyday. However, it's like the complete opposite has come true. Well, almost complete opposite.
I've met these amazing people who I already can't imagine not having in my life. But, because of it, I feel like I haven't experienced this world to its fullest and, what's more, I haven't become a new soul at all, I don't think.
I'm usually the girl who finds exciting things to do, wanders around and explores, looks for unique ways to live her life. But lately, rather than embrace that mentality, I feel like I've fallen into this persona (possibly the persona I was looking for back in Kansas, who knows) that I'm not too certain I want to embrace.
I'm hoping, though, that I can get back into the groove I was in prior to last semester, really. Honestly, as this school year has been, I really don't know what's happen to my propensity for wandering. I guess that's what happens when you find people you actually want to spend time with; you lose all of the time for yourself.
So here's my plan (and I guess I have to stick to it, since I'm putting it in writing, eh?):
I am going to find and explore something new everyday, no matter how small it is. Today I guess I had two or three adventures: Bob and I walked down to a costume shop so I could get some black hair spray for Pop Star Birthday tonight. Then, rather than take the bus back to Digby after seminar, I walked back, but not down London Road. I took the other route and ended up in the little 2nd hand book store I've been meaning to go in since we got here. So, success has found me already, I 'spose.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Moving out
Booking a bunch of trips today has made me even more restless to travel, and I've been thinking that Saturday (Stratford! wooooo!) can come soon enough. Trying to decide where I want to go around the UK, let alone the continent, has been so difficult because there are so many places I could ship myself off to for a day or so just to have a look around. But I've also come to a realization as I make these plans: there are SOOO many places in the States that I have yet to see but am desperate to see. I think people here are so lucky that everything's close enough for them to get to if they want to; in the States, it's much harder to travel around, but, then again, we're used to long trips. It's really amusing to tell the Brit students that I go to Uni 16 hours away from my home in Atlanta; most of them can't even fathom traveling that far away for anything, let alone leaving home to go to school. Yet another difference between us and the Brits.
And further still, while I think the continent is SO close to the UK, many Brits I've talked consider it a whole other world. Now, I know the UK is much different from Europe, and Brits would never have you call them Europeans--I'm not talking about cultural differences. I'm merely speaking in terms of distance. I consider Europe to be so close to the UK, and thus I guess that's why I say it's so much easier to travel around here than in the US.
It really is a state of mind, though, as well. Like I said before, many Brits (at least ones I've talked to--not trying to make blanket generalizations here!) consider themselves and their country to be completely separated from the European continent, and therefore, though it may be close in reality, to them, it's far away. For me, the US is a very vast place, and when you travel to different states, you definitely find so many differences--not as you would in Europe (ie, nationality, language, customs, etc.), but differences nonetheless. And you can't just do a daytrip to Chicago, for instance, from Atlanta. Too far. But I travel around the States regardless of the distances, and still there are so many places I haven't been that I would love to visit back home. I think I may have to start planning trips much like those I'm planning right now...
And further still, while I think the continent is SO close to the UK, many Brits I've talked consider it a whole other world. Now, I know the UK is much different from Europe, and Brits would never have you call them Europeans--I'm not talking about cultural differences. I'm merely speaking in terms of distance. I consider Europe to be so close to the UK, and thus I guess that's why I say it's so much easier to travel around here than in the US.
It really is a state of mind, though, as well. Like I said before, many Brits (at least ones I've talked to--not trying to make blanket generalizations here!) consider themselves and their country to be completely separated from the European continent, and therefore, though it may be close in reality, to them, it's far away. For me, the US is a very vast place, and when you travel to different states, you definitely find so many differences--not as you would in Europe (ie, nationality, language, customs, etc.), but differences nonetheless. And you can't just do a daytrip to Chicago, for instance, from Atlanta. Too far. But I travel around the States regardless of the distances, and still there are so many places I haven't been that I would love to visit back home. I think I may have to start planning trips much like those I'm planning right now...
Monday, February 4, 2008
Searching for Tottenham Hale
Oh, goodness, to recount the past few days....Brenna came to visit me in Leicester and we proceeded to have a less-than-perfect but terribly amazing time in London, Audley End, and Bishop's Stortford. It was absolutely lovely to see her again; I can't believe the last time we actually saw each other in person was in December, in Lawrence, leaving Templin for good and setting out on our very separate but very related adventures. And it's also insane to think that a year ago, we were planning our adventures, and now they are truly becoming realities. We've both settled into these new lives we're leading, new lives of exploring and imagining and wandering, and I think this weekend showed us that we both have changed so much, and maybe returning back to the lives we led in Lawrence won't be completely possibly. Let me recap:
After frantically pacing around City Centre, looking for St. Margaret's Bus Station, I happened upon Brenz in the waiting room and gave her a GIANT hug, almost breaking the bench upon which she was sitting and dutifully reading Atonement. We had plans to eat dinner with her cousin Lianne, but first we hurried back to Digby Yellow to drop off her stuff since Brenna would be staying with me both nights. When we finally met up with Lianne at the train station, she took us to her AMAZING house (located in the Red Light District, apparently...so, if anybody needs a prostitute, I now know where to get them in Leicester...haha) and cooked us an amazing dinner. In fact, thanks to Brenz, I got many delicious home-cooked dinners this weekend! (but more on that later) Lianne's house was huge and wonderful and perfect for all of the girls living there, but, unfortunately, it was absolutely FREEZING. Brenna and I continually threw each other frozen glances, and after catching a cab back to Digby (because there was NO WAY I was walking out in the cold after spending HOURS in the cold!!), we fell asleep, only to both wake up absolutely sickly the next morning! However, we were well enough to make it to all of my classes, lunch and City Centre with Robbie, and then dinner, the usual trip to ASDAr, gettting ready, and then off to Black Block for a little pre-gaming and rowdiness. I hope Brenna had a wonderful time, because I tried my best to show her the utter party scene that is Leicester--I think she did!
But the past part of Friday evening, I should say, was walking out of the Union after Mad-Fer-It and being misted by snow!! Oh, it was truly magical. We returned home to Digby, and everyone frolicked in the (very little bit of) snow, attempting to make snow balls and pelt each other. It was one of the most wonderful nights at Leicester, I should say. Saturday, Brenz and I woke up, completely exhausted, feeling sicker because I ran around all night with no coat on, and a bit hungover, which was a first for me here at Leicester. Needless to say, we missed the 10:40 AM bus to London, which began my moody morning of impatience...Off to the bus station to make the 11:55 AM, only to discover that it, too, was all full. So we sauntered out to the loading dock, waiting to see if we could jump on the bus if people didn't show up. The line for the London bus was filling up, though, and our prospects were looking bleak, when Brenna luckily heard an announcement for a Luton bus. SO after chatting with the Luton driver and frantically switching our tickets, we made it on a bus shortly before noon, thanks to the kindness of others. Unfortunately, the bus ride to Luton was completely unbearable for me--I felt sooo sick, headache, soar throat, etc. Miraculously, though, my mysterious illness went away right before we arrived at Luton Airport. After exiting the bus, the Luton driver pointed us in the right direction to the bus that would take us straight to London-Victoria, and, luckily (seems to be the theme for this trip...all about luck, haha!) the bus was right there. SO we hopped on that bus, and, at last/alas, made it to London. Lunch in Victoria Station was amazing, people-watching and just talking. However, it took us sooo long to get to London and then eat that, at 4:30/4:45ish, we finally started making our way to the V&A, which was closing at 5:45. Determined to see the Fashion installation at the museum, we arrived at around 5:10ish, when we had our bags checked before walking in. The guy doing the search kept staring us up and down, and, after checking our luggage, said, "You know, we don't usually allow people to walk around our museum with bags that big." Assuring him we would check our bags, he let us go in and we proceeded to the baggage check, only to be accosted once more by the attendant, who didn't believe AT ALL that we were going to return to collect our bags in 15 minutes. After arguing for a bit, Brenna pleadingly said, "Please sir, PLEASE just let us look around the museum for a while!" He then told us to go up to the main baggage check because it was open until 5:45. So, instead of heading there, we just went straight to the Fashion exhibit and looked around. We were once again stopped, though, when trying to track down the photography exhibited, so we just decided to leave. After the V&A, we got back on the Underground and headed to Embankment. Which was beautiful, especially at night. Photographed the Eye and Big Ben, although the pictures didn't turn out too well, and then went off to wander by the river, where we stumbled across the British Film Institute and saw a very interesting exhibit of 68 short films from about 1898-1909 that illustrated the developments of cities across the world, with footage taken from train windows and aboard ships. The BFI was amazing, and hopefully we'll both be able to get back there at some point to see films and such.
As it was getting late, we decided to hop on the Underground to Tottenham Hale in order to catch our train to Audley End to meet Brenna's Aunt Helen. And thus ensued the most frustrating portion of the evening. One stop away from Tottenham Hale, an announcement came over the loudspeaker on the train telling us that Tottenham Hale station was closed due to a power failure...SO, that meant Brenna and I had to travel backwards, switch trains and make our way to Liverpool Street...but first, we had to find the correct platform. After searching around, standing in the wrong place for awhile, and growing more annoyed, we finally realized that the platform we needed was above us. So we got on the Underground, succesfully made our switches, got to Liverpool Street, changed our tickets (since they were from Tottenham Hale, not Liverpool Street) and ended up on a train. Of course, this whole time, tension was building between us, with both of us growing frustrated and upset. Once we got on the train to Audley End, things began getting better, and, although Tottenham Hale WAS OPEN, as evident by the fact that we stopped at the station and picked up passengers, we made it to Audley End, where an extremely nice cabbie, who admitted to us that it was only his 4th day on the job, deposited us to Aunt Helen's and to another deliciously home-cooked meal, wonderful conversation and delightfully warm beds. The next morning, Aunt Helen and Brenna's amazingly hilarious cousin Adam dropped us off at Audley End once more, and away we went to Bishop's Stortford, where I met Brenna's delightful grandparents and explored the epitome of a quaint English village. What a wonderful end to the weekend, I should say!
Now, the reason I think that Brenna and I will definitely have trouble readjusting to Lawrence is because of the way our travels have already impacted us so much. On the train to Audley End, we talked about how, though we were both building these amazing lives, being around each other even for a little bit was bringing back little insecurities and annoyances we had back in Lawrence. However, I think that, as we continue to experience these new places and meet so many new people, as we always talk about, we are going to come out of our trips so much different than we were before. We've always considered ourselves distant from everything and everyone we often encounter in Lawrence because of the mentalities we have; living in England and France, respectively, is distancing us even more, both figuratively and literally. As she goes off to France today and I settle back in in Leicester (though I feel extremely ill, :(... ) this distances and differences make themselves even more apparent.
I just hope she realizes, and I never forget, that, though things may change, the memories we've had together and the friendship we've built will always be here. Even if we can't quite make it to Tottenham Hale.
After frantically pacing around City Centre, looking for St. Margaret's Bus Station, I happened upon Brenz in the waiting room and gave her a GIANT hug, almost breaking the bench upon which she was sitting and dutifully reading Atonement. We had plans to eat dinner with her cousin Lianne, but first we hurried back to Digby Yellow to drop off her stuff since Brenna would be staying with me both nights. When we finally met up with Lianne at the train station, she took us to her AMAZING house (located in the Red Light District, apparently...so, if anybody needs a prostitute, I now know where to get them in Leicester...haha) and cooked us an amazing dinner. In fact, thanks to Brenz, I got many delicious home-cooked dinners this weekend! (but more on that later) Lianne's house was huge and wonderful and perfect for all of the girls living there, but, unfortunately, it was absolutely FREEZING. Brenna and I continually threw each other frozen glances, and after catching a cab back to Digby (because there was NO WAY I was walking out in the cold after spending HOURS in the cold!!), we fell asleep, only to both wake up absolutely sickly the next morning! However, we were well enough to make it to all of my classes, lunch and City Centre with Robbie, and then dinner, the usual trip to ASDAr, gettting ready, and then off to Black Block for a little pre-gaming and rowdiness. I hope Brenna had a wonderful time, because I tried my best to show her the utter party scene that is Leicester--I think she did!
But the past part of Friday evening, I should say, was walking out of the Union after Mad-Fer-It and being misted by snow!! Oh, it was truly magical. We returned home to Digby, and everyone frolicked in the (very little bit of) snow, attempting to make snow balls and pelt each other. It was one of the most wonderful nights at Leicester, I should say. Saturday, Brenz and I woke up, completely exhausted, feeling sicker because I ran around all night with no coat on, and a bit hungover, which was a first for me here at Leicester. Needless to say, we missed the 10:40 AM bus to London, which began my moody morning of impatience...Off to the bus station to make the 11:55 AM, only to discover that it, too, was all full. So we sauntered out to the loading dock, waiting to see if we could jump on the bus if people didn't show up. The line for the London bus was filling up, though, and our prospects were looking bleak, when Brenna luckily heard an announcement for a Luton bus. SO after chatting with the Luton driver and frantically switching our tickets, we made it on a bus shortly before noon, thanks to the kindness of others. Unfortunately, the bus ride to Luton was completely unbearable for me--I felt sooo sick, headache, soar throat, etc. Miraculously, though, my mysterious illness went away right before we arrived at Luton Airport. After exiting the bus, the Luton driver pointed us in the right direction to the bus that would take us straight to London-Victoria, and, luckily (seems to be the theme for this trip...all about luck, haha!) the bus was right there. SO we hopped on that bus, and, at last/alas, made it to London. Lunch in Victoria Station was amazing, people-watching and just talking. However, it took us sooo long to get to London and then eat that, at 4:30/4:45ish, we finally started making our way to the V&A, which was closing at 5:45. Determined to see the Fashion installation at the museum, we arrived at around 5:10ish, when we had our bags checked before walking in. The guy doing the search kept staring us up and down, and, after checking our luggage, said, "You know, we don't usually allow people to walk around our museum with bags that big." Assuring him we would check our bags, he let us go in and we proceeded to the baggage check, only to be accosted once more by the attendant, who didn't believe AT ALL that we were going to return to collect our bags in 15 minutes. After arguing for a bit, Brenna pleadingly said, "Please sir, PLEASE just let us look around the museum for a while!" He then told us to go up to the main baggage check because it was open until 5:45. So, instead of heading there, we just went straight to the Fashion exhibit and looked around. We were once again stopped, though, when trying to track down the photography exhibited, so we just decided to leave. After the V&A, we got back on the Underground and headed to Embankment. Which was beautiful, especially at night. Photographed the Eye and Big Ben, although the pictures didn't turn out too well, and then went off to wander by the river, where we stumbled across the British Film Institute and saw a very interesting exhibit of 68 short films from about 1898-1909 that illustrated the developments of cities across the world, with footage taken from train windows and aboard ships. The BFI was amazing, and hopefully we'll both be able to get back there at some point to see films and such.
As it was getting late, we decided to hop on the Underground to Tottenham Hale in order to catch our train to Audley End to meet Brenna's Aunt Helen. And thus ensued the most frustrating portion of the evening. One stop away from Tottenham Hale, an announcement came over the loudspeaker on the train telling us that Tottenham Hale station was closed due to a power failure...SO, that meant Brenna and I had to travel backwards, switch trains and make our way to Liverpool Street...but first, we had to find the correct platform. After searching around, standing in the wrong place for awhile, and growing more annoyed, we finally realized that the platform we needed was above us. So we got on the Underground, succesfully made our switches, got to Liverpool Street, changed our tickets (since they were from Tottenham Hale, not Liverpool Street) and ended up on a train. Of course, this whole time, tension was building between us, with both of us growing frustrated and upset. Once we got on the train to Audley End, things began getting better, and, although Tottenham Hale WAS OPEN, as evident by the fact that we stopped at the station and picked up passengers, we made it to Audley End, where an extremely nice cabbie, who admitted to us that it was only his 4th day on the job, deposited us to Aunt Helen's and to another deliciously home-cooked meal, wonderful conversation and delightfully warm beds. The next morning, Aunt Helen and Brenna's amazingly hilarious cousin Adam dropped us off at Audley End once more, and away we went to Bishop's Stortford, where I met Brenna's delightful grandparents and explored the epitome of a quaint English village. What a wonderful end to the weekend, I should say!
Now, the reason I think that Brenna and I will definitely have trouble readjusting to Lawrence is because of the way our travels have already impacted us so much. On the train to Audley End, we talked about how, though we were both building these amazing lives, being around each other even for a little bit was bringing back little insecurities and annoyances we had back in Lawrence. However, I think that, as we continue to experience these new places and meet so many new people, as we always talk about, we are going to come out of our trips so much different than we were before. We've always considered ourselves distant from everything and everyone we often encounter in Lawrence because of the mentalities we have; living in England and France, respectively, is distancing us even more, both figuratively and literally. As she goes off to France today and I settle back in in Leicester (though I feel extremely ill, :(... ) this distances and differences make themselves even more apparent.
I just hope she realizes, and I never forget, that, though things may change, the memories we've had together and the friendship we've built will always be here. Even if we can't quite make it to Tottenham Hale.
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