I literally cannot believe that my time in London is almost over. It makes no sense to me that two weeks have already flown by, that this little flat we call home will no longer be our home... Incomprehensible. This is home. All of it, the flat, the tube station, the way Kilburn High Road has a slightly awful smell, the construction on the sidewalk, our Tesco, our corner pub, the creepy men who sit outside the shady liquor store and stare at every woman that walks by... All of this is home. The good and the bad.
We leave on Tuesday for Edinburgh, and I cannot believe it's already to that point.
Saturday was lovely. Kalen, Tiffany, Kristine, Alyssa, and I rose with the sun and headed for Portobello Road market, where I found a nifty present for my cousin Luke (not telling!). My best friends Elli and Caryn, who are currently staying on the opposite end of England with Elli's family, met me at Notting Hill Gate at 10 am...and anyone who was within ten yards of the station knew about it. As soon as we came into each other's vision, we started sprinting, and I got body-slammed into the craziest hug of my life. I just stood there holding them for awhile. I haven't seen them since May, and it has been a painful two months.
We spent the day shopping, then ducking into alcoves from the rain before finally heading back to Borough of Brent to show off our flat and get into dry clothing. I then stole Elli and Caryn away for awhile so I could show them the rose gardens at Regent's--so beautiful, even the second time!--and feed them some delectable English cafeteria/refectory food. Three meals for £16.50...that, my friends, is cheap food.
Then we saw the last Harry Potter movie, which blew my mind, of course. I need to see it again, because I spent most of the time either crying or gasping or grabbing someone's hand in suspense. I know what happens, I've read the book a thousand times, but seeing it on the screen...knowing who was going to die next...shudders. Suspenseful.
Before E & C had to head back to Sevenoaks, we had a few drinks at Queens Arms and I got to try a jacket potato (which I apparently need to try again, since Elli says the ones we had weren't English enough). I missed them so much, and I had a dreadful time putting them back on the tube to leave. I love London, but I really miss my friends and family. Can't I just bring you all here??
On that same thread, I got to skype my best friend Lauren today! :) It made me very happy to see her face and hear about all the silly things going on at home. I miss you babygirl! Hopefully I can skype the rest of my girls soon.
Backtracking a bit... Tiffany and I decided to brave the downpour today and go to Hyde Park, where we saw the Hyde Park Corner Screen, Rotten Row, and the Princess Diana Memorial (after much searching, since my map had it located in the wrong spot!). I wish the weather had not been so dreary, but oh, bother.
I bought a second suitcase at Spitalfields today, because I've purchased too many presents for people. Don't laugh, it's only a little suitcase. I also need it for Edinburgh and York, since I don't think my large suitcase would survive a coach and tube ride (see my first London post for a description of how our messy airline scenario resulted in a very broken suitcase for me).
And again, after a crazy day in this crazy life, we settled down to get some homework done, which I am pleased to inform you went rather well today. A good head start on both my response paper and my architecture "treasure hunt" summaries...gettin' ahead of the game, right?
Bedtime for the British, so I hope you all had a lovely weekend!
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