I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!!

Hello All,

So another weekend has flown by. I swear time is flying by here and I am not happy about it. There is just so much I want to do and see, yet it’s almost December. But let’s not dwell on that. You’re all here to find out what I have done since I last wrote. On Wednesday, our entire group went up on the London Eye. It was a great experience, and we got a pod to ourselves. We joked, we enjoyed the sites, and we generally had a great time. On our way down, as I stood at the window by myself, it hit me that this adventure is almost over. I was so sad. I can’t believe how fast it has all gone. I had this incredible urge to just stay in London. This experience has been one of the best of my life. While standing there looking out over the city I’ve called home for a few months, a city that I have fallen in love with, so many thoughts ran through my mind. I flashed back on all I’ve been through and how much I have grown. It seems like just yesterday I was fighting packing my stuff and having my mother force me into the car. I remember freshmen year so clearly. I was lonely, I was constantly yelling and demanding my mother to come pick me up, and I was constantly coming home to visit and holding on to the past. I remembered how I felt I couldn’t do it all alone and the constant feeling of failure because I bombed a test. I remembered the nights I spent on the phone with my mother telling her I couldn’t do this anymore and that I wasn’t cut out for college. As I stood there looking out over a city thousands of miles away from home and friends, I realized that there was always strength within me. Just three years ago, the thought of going to school a few hundred miles and 2 hours away scared the crap out of me. I didn’t think I could do it, and I fought it with every breath I took. Yet I survived and I thrived. I made new friends and I managed to keep my old friendships as strong as ever. I kept my grades up and I joined different organizations. Then I undertook the biggest risk of all: I applied to study abroad. It’s funny that just a few years ago I couldn’t even go to college without my mother having to literally toss me out of the car. Yet I willingly decided to study abroad, and London is definitely more then 2 hours away from home. To be truthful, even this summer I had my doubts about whether I could do this trip. I’ve never been away from home, my family, and my friends for 3 whole months. I’ve always seen familiar faces and the people I love have always just been a short call away. In London, I knew that that wouldn’t be so. Yet I did it anyway. And I am so glad I did, because I have found out so much about myself, things I never knew. Three years ago I didn’t think I could do it alone, yet now I know I can. I know I can go far away, and I can survive. I know I can make new friends, be responsible, grocery shop for myself, and figure out directions. This trip has made me realize that there is an inner strength in me that I have kept hidden, but here in London it has flourished. Of course I get homesick, but I know that there is no reason to let fear paralyze me. I just go out and enjoy myself. I call or email home when I need to hear a familiar voice. I’ve kept all of my old friendships strong and I’ve made some great new friends. It interesting to realize that I’m not that same girl my mother dropped off at JMU only three years ago. I look the same, I talk the same, yet I’m not the same. I’m different; I’m older, more mature, and stronger. It was an eye opening moment when I realized that high above the city.

On a less reflective note, after we got off the London Eye we realized what day it was. Yes, it was Wednesday, which means karaoke at The Old Explorer Pub. The boys and a few of the girls are regulars, but I had never been. I figured since I was already out and I had no homework due, I might as well go. Talk about a fun time. The guys all have stage names it seems and love to perform. I decided to do a couple of numbers, so I began with “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” It was a big hit, though that might just be because college kids are wildly obnoxious when we clap for one of our own. I then sat and watched the guys perform a few numbers, some other regulars perform, and Nora my flatmate perform. Then I took to the mike again singing “Last Dance.” This was actually a big hit with the whole pub, and not just the college kids. We dance and sang the night away, then headed home.

Building projecting the message to wear Poppy's for Remembrance Day

Big Ben and Parliament

The Thames River at night

Me on the London Eye

Christine: I feel like I should squat when I stand next to you.

I'm the Queen of the World

Last Dance!

The Boys rocking out

(Rob, T-Rex, and Rich)

Oxford Christmas Lights!

Thursday I had one class. We went to the National Portrait Gallery and looked at some very moving photographs. Afterwards I had the afternoon free. I did some laundry and household chores. That night we had a play. We saw “Prick up Your Ears.” It was a very good play about the life and death of playwright Joe Orton. It left you thinking about life, love, and relationships.

Friday started one of our last free weekends. Hannah and I decided to go to Oxford for the day. We took the bus there. It was a typical rainy English day. We went up this tower that has the best view of Oxford. It also has the smallest staircase. Hannah almost bumped her head many times. Luckily I am short, so my only problem was the tight fit which made me feel fat. After that we walked around the streets and looked at the different colleges and shops. I got an Oxford shirt in JMU colors! We then ducked into a pub to get out of the rain and had a nice warm lunch. Finally we decided to tour one of Oxford’s main colleges. We did this college because not only is it famous for being a part of Oxford, but also because parts of Harry Potter were shot here. Yes I know, I’m a dork, but I thoroughly enjoy being a dork. We had lots of fun on the campus and got to see many different aspects of the college. Finally, it was starting to get dark, so we decided to hop on the bus and head back to London. We got here and dried off and then started having a dance party before going out for the night. I was dead tired after Oxford and our dance party, so I stayed in. I discovered “The Bodyguard” on TV and watched Whitney Huston’s debut film. It was a good night in my book.

On the way to Oxford. (we don't like pictures taken before noon)

I'm short enough for these stairs!

Oxford!

Standing on the stairs of Trinity

Courtyard

Enjoying the Rain

Me in the Harry Potter Hall

Even when raining it's pretty

Me saying a prayer in Christ Church

Saturday brought more rain, and lots of crazy wind. We decided to shelve our original plan of going to Cambridge for the day. Instead we hung out in the house and then we decided to take in a movie. It seemed like a rainy day activity. So we went to Leicester Square and saw “Couples Retreat.” It was a very funny movie and a good way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day. Afterwards we came back, and most of us did not want to face the rain and wind to go out to party. I decided to watch “Rent,” and my flatmates ended up joining me and singing along.

Sunday brought homework, and lots of it! It seems when you neglect all of your homework to go explore different cities and see movies, it piles up. I had to write my theatre paper and start my history and film journals. I took a break in the midst of all this work because my Aunt Cynthia was in town for the evening. I took the tube over to her hotel and we had a delicious dinner at the Holiday Inn. We talked, we laughed, and we caught up. It was good to see family and a familiar face from home. I then had to come back and finish up my homework.

Aunt Cynthia and I at dinner

Now it’s Monday morning, and I only have one more piece of homework to do (history journal), theatre class, and a play. Well, I better go start on that history journal. This week is another jammed pack week.

I'll write again soon.

Much Love,

KP