One Day in London

I was back home in London for one day between Stockholm and heading back to Canada for the holidays. It just fell so good to be back in the city without the stress of school and the newspaper and travel and applications. Weirdly, it seemed like I was the only one in London that day, and I kind of liked it. The last few weeks have been so hectic, and having a day to myself in the city I love was exactly what I needed.

This is taken on the Victoria Embankment on the Thames Path, along the route I take to school everyday.

Stockholm (again)

After a bit of a downer week, some close friends gave me a much-needed kick in the pants. With the ensuing attitude check, I had a fantastic finish to the week in London, before flying to Stockholm for the weekend. Between my friends and all of Tracey’s friends, there were a million people to see. A lot of friendly familiar faces, and plenty of new ones too. Everyone seemed to be in Stockholm this weekend - it was great!

On Monday I went into overdrive to finish my creative writing portfolio for Brown by the application deadline (11:59pm EST). With the help of some new-found inspiration, I was able to put a solid ending on a story I’ve been working on over the last couple weeks in London. I really liked the style and general direction of the piece, but somehow the plot had gotten away from me and I didn’t think I’d be able to include it. Alas, I was able to backtrack and take it in a new direction that - I think - worked quite well. It was a bit of a victory, and finally getting my portfolio in the mail felt great. It doesn’t matter so much whether I get into the program now, what matters is that I was able to finish some really good pieces that I am proud of. Very encouraging.

Winding, winding down...

My first semester at LSE ends tomorrow. It's been a great term. I've met amazing people and have had a really good time. It's gone by too quickly, of course, and it's kind of depressing to think I'm halfway through my program. I suppose the real goal of studying here is to attach an MSc to my name from a really prestigious university, but for me, going to school is more about the GOING, not so much the finishing. I don't really like the finishing part, particularly when you're having such a good time.

In other regards, I go back and forth between feeling good about things, and being terribly disappointed in myself. Part of coming to London was for me to have an opportunity to get closer to my best self. I love this city so much, but as far as personal goals, I haven't really moved any closer to becoming the person I want to be. I've got so much work to do on myself, it sometimes just feels just too overwhelming. And life here moves so quickly, if you don't really dig your heels in, it's quite easy to get swept along in the chaos. It's quite easy to move forward without really moving forward. That's part of what I love about London, though. Even though I recognize it's kind of dangerous.

I'm applying for a Master's program at Brown University. It's in literary arts, and it's hella competitive. It was my dream for the longest time, getting into Brown. Now I'm not so sure. I see so much potential in London, in the millions of faces walking through the streets of this beautiful dynamic city. I feel like there are so many stories here; so much to learn and experience. Even though the program at Brown is fantastic (and I would be LUCKY to get in), I can't help but wonder how hard the adjustment would be moving to Providence, RI. It's a lovely little city, and an Ivy League school, but... well... London has a hold on me. And I suppose only time will tell how strong its grasp is!

Weekend in Belfast

Went to Belfast for the weekend with some friends.  It was frosty and freezing cold, but thankfully the streets were lined with plenty of warm, friendly pubs.  Besides that, Belfast is interesting and also not too interesting at the same time.  Not a whole lot to see, but we enjoyed mulled wine and festive treats at a very nice Christmas Market in front of Belfast City Hall. 

I returned home on Monday evening (December 1st) to see that my local cafe had put up a Christmas tree.  Hard to believe I'll be on a plane for Christmas in Canada now in just over 2 weeks.  The fall has melted away.  Life does that when you're having fun. 

A Weekend in Sevilla, Spain

I had a really nice past weekend in Sevilla (Seville), Spain with friends from LSE.  We downed palate-pleasing pitchers of sangria and tasty tapas; strolled down orange-tree-lined streets bathed in warm sunshine, and sipped cafe con leche in lovely medieval squares.  Mucho relaxing.

23rd Birthday in Paris

I spent my birthday in Paris, staying with François and his family. Jean and his girlfriend Elodie came up from Nice, and Hana came down from Sweden. It was a really nice weekend.

We spent one day in Normandy, touring the beaches and the war cemeteries (and stopping to sample some cider along the way). It actually felt really important to be there. Seeing cross after cross of 18-year-old, 20-year-old, 22-year-old, row upon row, really put things into perspective.

Jean's lovely girlfriend spoke very little English, so Hana and I tried our hardest to speak as much French as possible. It was exhausting and made me realize how bad my French has gotten, but also it was a lot of fun. Every time I go to France I realize again how much I want to live there at some point, and how important it is to me to get my French up to par.

Also, yes, I'm 23. Two years from 25, which is only 5 years from 30. I'd like to say I don't have a problem with getting older, but part of me really believed I would've accomplished a lot more by this age. I think my 15-year-old self would be simultaneously proud and disappointed by where I am right now. I'm not 100% sure which side he'd be leaning towards; I suppose it doesn't matter anyway.

Halloween Magic

As the weather got colder and the days got shorter and the icy winds blew autumn leaves past my feet as I strolled the dark grey streets of London, it was more than apparent than Halloween was just around the corner.  But alas, I am no longer in Halloween territory.

I tried to round up some friends for an evening outing to an atmospheric english cemetery, telling scary stories by candlelight.  No takers.  I know I'm ridiculous, and I recognize that most people are not.

Luckily Jelena and I were able to go to a candlelit screening of Nosferatu (1922) in the old Union Chapel in Islington.  It was very cool, very gothic, very halloweeny.  But as we walked out of the church at the end of the film, our jaws dropped as big white snow flakes fell gently upon our faces.  It was pure magic!  A snowstorm in October!  

We found out the next day that it was the first October snow to hit London in over 70 years.  So while it was not the Halloween magic I was searching for, it was a great big slice of halloween magic nonetheless.