It slips and spills away, especially when we most want it to stay. Then again, at other times it sticks fast and refuses to melt, keeping us lodged in the moment until we fight ourselves free.
Excuse my dramatics, but I'm feeling quite inspired by this evening's literary event (which I'll get to later) and can think of no better way to describe my final days at home and my first few here in London town.
In a sense, I feel like I've been here for centuries. My days are dragging, perhaps due to the combination of jet lag and feeling overwhelmed by this big city and a to-do list the length of the Thames.
But between the desperate dashes to John Lewis for sheets and the constant barrage of orientation lectures, "you're American too?!"s, and constant fear of having looked the wrong way before crossing the street, I'm certainly having some fun!
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| London was bursting with NFL jerseys, making me wonder if I'd taken the wrong flight! |
The day I landed, the Miami Dolphins played the Oakland Raiders here in the UK. Of course. So there I was, exhausted from the red eye flight and schlepping up Regent Street to buy all my first-day essentials, surrounded by Americans boasting their team jerseys and furrowing their brows at Tube maps. I felt like I had been transported to a more architecturally inspiring New York. A more fitting welcome I could not imagine!
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| View from my window! |
But the first day wasn't all confused scampering from mobile phone shops to pharmacies! I met an old friend for a walk (lovely, to see a friendly face), put away the rest of the "bits and bobs" from my suitcase, and skyped mom and dad right before bed. Level of homesickness: red alert.
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| Lincoln's Inn Chapel -- see that blue crest on the bottom row? |
But inspired by generous words of support from family and friends, I arose the next day -- Monday morning, baby! -- fresh with excitement and purpose. I maxed out the orientation activities, made a friend from my program, and nibbled on my first pub supper.
One of the tours sponsored by LSE took us around Lincoln's Inn, home to London's largest public square and a pedigreed society of lawyers. The society's chapel is decorated by stained glass shields representing each Treasurer of the past 400 years, up to the present day. Take a close look at the blue panel in the photo above. Yes, it is what it appears to be: a sailboard with a golden retriever. I'm pleased that some modern Brits have a sense of humor concerning their country's rather uppity past!
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| Dream. Come. True. |
The following day (today!) even included a big check on ye old bucket list: I went to a performance at The Globe! Happily a "groundling," I stood in front of the stage and watched as first-rate actors in Renaissance costumes performed the trousers off of The Comedy of Errors. Many thanks to the UPenn English Department for sponsoring this proud alumna's fantastic first Globe experience. Whenever I can, I shall be back!
Another full day of adventure awaits tomorrow! Thanks for joining me on this wild ride :)
L
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