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.