Yesterday a friend and I made the decision to journey into central London. Tired of exploring Kingston and being disappointed that we couldn't make it to Germany for the Frankfurt International Book Fair, which is the biggest book fair in the WORLD, we set out for Central London.
We had just started climbing the steps to the train station when our train pulled in. "Fantastic," I thought. "Let's make a run for it." And so I did.
I managed to swipe my card and jump on the train only to hear my name called out in the saddest and sweetest way I've ever heard it said in my life. Almost as if a puppy was calling my name.
"Leeesa!"
I turned around just as the doors were closing with my friend and I standing on different sides of the door. I tried to reach my hand out to her but the red doors were closing so quickly I yanked it back. They closed with a thud as I heard the conductor blow his whistle and the train lurched into motion.
"OH NO! I'M SO SORRY! I'LL TEXT YOU! MEET ME AT VAUXHALL STATION-I'LL WAIT FOR YOU THERE!" I shouted through the closed doors.
I dragged myself to seat as a few people were tossing me quizzical glances no doubt wondering why this loud American girl was shouting on their train. I reached into my bag for my mobile when I realized that my purse was feeling a bit 'light.' After looking around in it for five minutes, it's a big bag, it hit me.
I forgot my wallet.
I laughed in spite of myself, found £1.45 and realized I was about to find out just how much I could do in London. With nothing....
10.10.11
Routine...
It's half past 11 and the fact that I am:
1. Up
2. Showered
3. Dressed
4. Eating Breakfast
5. And blogging
is a bit of an accomplishment. For the past weeks I've gotten into a horrible routine of sleeping till noon, only to struggle up and watch episodes of Outnumbered on BBC iplayer for another hour, before dragging my lazy butt out of bed to make breakfast, at 1300 mind you, and finally deciding to 'get serious' about my day at 1600. (That was 1pm and 3pm for you Americans. Believe me, adjusting to "Military Time" was difficult.)
The last time I had this much free time was when I was in the womb.
So, I made a deal with myself. I'm allowed one day a week to lounge but the rest of the week, I should be up, showered, dressed and ready for the day by 10:30 a.m. There is way too much to do, see and experience for me to be lounging around in my PJ's all day. I live in London folks. L-O-N-D-O-N.
So this morning, as my alarm clock went off at 10a.m. and I awoke to the sounds of the children across the street in Catholic school playing, I showered, made my bed opened my windows and enjoyed it. This is my life now and I plan to fit in as much as possible.
1. Up
2. Showered
3. Dressed
4. Eating Breakfast
5. And blogging
is a bit of an accomplishment. For the past weeks I've gotten into a horrible routine of sleeping till noon, only to struggle up and watch episodes of Outnumbered on BBC iplayer for another hour, before dragging my lazy butt out of bed to make breakfast, at 1300 mind you, and finally deciding to 'get serious' about my day at 1600. (That was 1pm and 3pm for you Americans. Believe me, adjusting to "Military Time" was difficult.)
The last time I had this much free time was when I was in the womb.
So, I made a deal with myself. I'm allowed one day a week to lounge but the rest of the week, I should be up, showered, dressed and ready for the day by 10:30 a.m. There is way too much to do, see and experience for me to be lounging around in my PJ's all day. I live in London folks. L-O-N-D-O-N.
So this morning, as my alarm clock went off at 10a.m. and I awoke to the sounds of the children across the street in Catholic school playing, I showered, made my bed opened my windows and enjoyed it. This is my life now and I plan to fit in as much as possible.
7.10.11
The sweetness of this life...
I'm currently lying in my bed at 2 in the afternoon, with a scarf wrapped around my neck and 'loo roll' next to me snuggled up in my down comforter listening to Miles Davis. I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Obviously.
It's almost been a month since I've moved to London and I still can't believe that I Live here. I have the pleasure of calling this lovely city home.
I've tried to journal, to get my feelings down on paper, to remember the little moments that make me smile, and capture my thoughts, but I'm almost always writing the same sentences:
"I can't believe I am here."
"I am so blessed."
"I live in London!!"
...and since none of that is particularly profound, I try my best to Live in each moment, to savour conversations, laugh easily, and see everything.
I've made some friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I indulge a little more in wine. I ride on red double decker buses everyday. I'm constantly surrounded by people from all over the world who can speak at least three languages. And, my vocabulary is slightly changing as well. I mean I just called toilet paper, 'loo roll.' I walk everywhere now, and even though the cold is starting to come, I don't care.
I've had moments of homesickness and boredom but I can't imagine living any other way right now. I have this overall sense of freedom, something that I don't think I've ever felt before. Each day I stretch and smile to realize that this is not a dream. This is my life. And I'm more blessed than I know.
It's almost been a month since I've moved to London and I still can't believe that I Live here. I have the pleasure of calling this lovely city home.
I've tried to journal, to get my feelings down on paper, to remember the little moments that make me smile, and capture my thoughts, but I'm almost always writing the same sentences:
"I can't believe I am here."
"I am so blessed."
"I live in London!!"
...and since none of that is particularly profound, I try my best to Live in each moment, to savour conversations, laugh easily, and see everything.
I've made some friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I indulge a little more in wine. I ride on red double decker buses everyday. I'm constantly surrounded by people from all over the world who can speak at least three languages. And, my vocabulary is slightly changing as well. I mean I just called toilet paper, 'loo roll.' I walk everywhere now, and even though the cold is starting to come, I don't care.
I've had moments of homesickness and boredom but I can't imagine living any other way right now. I have this overall sense of freedom, something that I don't think I've ever felt before. Each day I stretch and smile to realize that this is not a dream. This is my life. And I'm more blessed than I know.
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