queen-of-limbs:

Radiohead at Coachella by Natalie Kardos

reblogging myself because LOOK AT HIM. be my boyfriend.

“London is where people go in order to come back from it sadder and wiser.” -Martin Amis

Tonight is my last night in London, and I’m nearly speechless. I can’t believe it’s already passed, and that tomorrow this past semester will be over and done with. I’ll be home. But will I really?

London has grown to feel like another home to me. These last few months studying here have been greater than I ever imagined they might have been. I’ve done so much growing up and exploring, laughing and learning. I feel much further along from who I was when I left. Last semester, sitting in my apartment in Knoxville, I would tell myself, “Just get on the plane. You just have to get on the plane.” It was like I was nervous or something… Anxious but excited. Now I find I’m telling myself the same thing upon my return. Walking the steps into the airport, to the gate and onto my flight will be very difficult, but I’m telling myself that going home is starting another new segment of my life- just like when I left to come here. It’s all about closing one door and opening another. And although the door to this part of my life is definitely coming to a close, I think that I’ll always leave it a little bit cracked, just to let some light in.

x

Mom came and visited me last week!! It was so great seeing her- and surreal, too! I couldn’t believe I was walking around London and taking the tube around with her. We had so much fun hanging out for those few days, though. We got tea at Fortnum & Mason (delicious, the best tea ever!) and then shopped around by Oxford Circus. After that we got take out and ate dinner in her hotel until I had to go back to my flat. The next day I had class and then afterwards I packed up my things and Mom and I walked around Covent Garden, ate cookies, drank lots of coffee and I showed her around. I introduced her to my friends, took her to the study centre, and then we went back to the hotel to go to sleep- we had an early get-up the next day because we were going to PRAGUE for the weekend!

Our flight to Prague was at 8am and we arrived by noon. Prague was beautiful. Absolutely breathtakingly stunning. The cobblestone streets, narrow pathways, tall black steel lamp posts, cathedrals and spires with 24-karat golden tips, ice cream colored buildings and cheap beer… it was heaven. We had a tour scheduled that day at 2, and we met our tour guide- and interesting woman in her late 50s (or 60s?) named Stefi. She was… as I said, interesting. A bit of a racist (she was dogging on Jews, Blacks, Asians, tourists, children… no one was safe!) and much more into shopping than my mom and I (“Did I show you this shop? Very nice jewelry, I get you a deal. This place is good for snacks over here. I get you a deal. You come back in your free time”). However, it was a private tour and she showed us a lot of great things around Prague. Beautiful castles, gardens, a cemetery, Paris street, Charles bridge…

Later on the second or third night we were there, my mom and I trekked out to Charles bridge to see Prague at night. It was GORGEOUS. That city is so perfect.

We had so many great meals there too! I was able to find a lot of stuff to eat, even though Czechs are all about red meat & potatoes & bread & beer. So far being a vegetarian in Europe has proven to be much easier than being a vegetarian in the States…

Anyway, my mom and I were both very sad to leave Prague. It’s such an enchanting city, it seems like the sort of place that would be the setting for a gothic novel (like “The Shadow of the Wind” by Zafon). It reminded me a lot of Florence, Italy, too, but it was still it’s own place entirely, with something very new to offer. I can’t wait to go back there!

Finals week is this week. I’ve got one tomorrow and then another on Tuesday, so I’m loaded up with homework and have been for the past week. Sorry this entry is so late!! I’ve also been stressed about the fact that I’ll be leaving London this week. My flight out is on Thursday morning, which makes me really really really sad. I feel so at home here. The second day I was here, I had adjusted and was feeling totally comfortable. That says something, don’t you think?

Anyway, it will be nice to be home and see all my friends and family because I love all of you guys. Plus I have so much to look forward to this summer! However, this has for sure been the very best semester of my college career. In fact, it’s been some of the best few months of my life and it upsets me to think its over. I wish I could replay this semester over and over again. Or, better yet, I wish I could move to London. I guess it’s good to have goals, though, right?

London will forever be part of my heart. Forever. I love it here and I’m pretty sure it loves me back. I’ve enjoyed (and “enjoyed doesn’t cover it) being Lane in London and I know that one day I’ll resume that title. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of hearing Big Ben chime every day at noon like I do now. This city is absolutely perfect and I’m so glad my mom and Bart gave me this opportunity. It’s been one of the greatest things I could have possible done with my life.

See you all soon!!

x