Way Back Yesterday

A year ago today...

We started out as a group of Batman villains and of course, Scream. We had a Batman. We had worked hard on our costumes and had brainstormed on our themes until October 30th.

We made our way into Central London, a group of costumed merry-makers taking up a whole cart. You would not believe the looks people gave us haha

There was a little of this

A little of that

And A LOT of ridiculous dance moves and impromptu photo shoots as our makeup started to run and our costumes got a little scarier. At least J's definitely did. Did I ever share the story of his run-in with the pedestrians? We were leaving the club and a guy walking by called out to J, asking him why he was so serious. J, in all his creepy splendor, limped towards him, laughing maniacally. Needless to say, the minute J got within 10 feet of him, the guy BOLTED.

By the time we left, my feet were killing me, I was freezing and super excited about hopping into my nice, warm bed. We walked to the bus stop across the street and waited. Waited. Waited for about half an hour and no bus came :( Half of us decided the bus probably wasn't going to show up and so we started our trek in search of the next bus stop. For reasons I don't even remember, none of us had a smart phone with us so we wandered, analyzing the bus routes posted on each of the stops. Can you believe that it took us about 45 minutes of walking before we found a bus headed our way? We literally walked over half of the way home. It was slightly ridiculous.

But all of this was a year ago today :) Happy, happy times.

Moving On

I try to not be one of those people who live in the past. Really. For the longest time, I held on to my senior year of high school like it was the last donut in a Shipley's (I know they're horrible for you, but I am a fan). It wasn't until about halfway through my college career that I realized it was becoming increasingly difficult to cling to something that had already happened while trying to blaze forward. So, I figured, in order to enjoy the present, I was going to have to appreciate it. Maybe every moment wouldn't be my greatest but it would always be that irreplaceable moment that would never happen again. And I'm glad I did let go because my junior year was pretty fantastic. In fact, looking back on it, 99% of my college career was amazing.

But now, going into my senior year, there is another something I can't quite seem to let go.

o

I fell in love with this city. With this crazy, wonderful, now-rioting city. And I absolutely loved my semester there. Now, frying in this INSANE Texas heat (highs of 110!), I can't help but fantasize about the cold, and the snow and boots and scarves.

I know I don't want to spend my senior year lingering on things and people and places 2000 miles away but I figured I'd pay it one last homage before I finally put it behind me and carried on.

London Calling

I won't even lie to you, today I accidentally missed Pyschology. See, I had woken up early to finish up a paper which (as always) took longer than expected. Then my Internet frazzled out and it took me 20 minutes to print the thing. Needless to say, I'm a mess and it's only nine in the morning. But I digress. So I missed class and found myself with an hour of free time. Granted most of it will be taken up by showering, trying not to look like a mess and eating waffles but do you know what I did with the rest of that time? I Google-map stalked this place. (Am I the only one who does that? Plunk that little yellow person down and stalk the places that I love? Maybe I am a creep :x)

My old London home. And I miss it. I don't think I realized quite how much until just today, 'strolling' down the virtual street and taking in the sights that are still so familiar. It's only been three months but I'm ready to get back. I don't know know if it was the people or the experiences or what contributed to a truly unforgettable semester but all I know is that I'm ready. Pack me up and ship me off.

I absolutely adore Texas, don't get me wrong but there's something about London that has my heart, too and I'll tell you it's not the outrageously priced everything over there or cold and foggy weather.

I never had a bucket list but I think writing one might be pretty cool and to start it off, here's something: Live in London again. Even if it's just for a month. Even if it becomes a few years. I want to go back and get my fill of the city.

I'll probably be all nostalgic today which will hopefully keep me sane in the midst of what promises to be a HORRIBLY HECTIC WEEK. Caps for emphasis.

Wish me luck!

2011

It's time. It's time for that 'goodbye 2010, hello 2011' post that seem to be all the rage right now. So far, I've spent 2011 in the company of good friends, good family and stabbing myself continuously with a sewing needle as I try to finish up J's Christmas present. I am, actually, that un-domestic. Anyway, as I've already kind of reflected, I've decided to type up my New Years' Resolutions so that they exist somewhere in the world, so that I don't completely forget what they are.

Last year, my one resolution was to be more like Sherlock Holmes. To learn marksmanship, self-defense and pick up the basics of another language or two. I am sad to say that none of these things happened. But if there ever was a time for re-invention, it would be the turning of a new calendar page and, with that in mind, here I go.

1. Go to the gym AT LEAST twice a week M-F and once on the weekend. Maybe three times during the week if I know my weekend's going to be busy.

2. Study for the LSAT. Then, subsequently, take the LSAT.

3. Apply to at least 4 law schools, in order to have choices.

4. Get 75% done with my thesis.

5. Finish writing my book and send it's query letter off to the agenting world.

6. Get an internship I'll actually enjoy.

7. Give respect to those who deserve it; patient tolerance to those who don't. Going along with that, refuse to be anything other than who I am. Surround myself only with people who's company I truly enjoy.

8. Keep the love of life that London's re-instilled in me. Appreciate the value of every single day and know, that, in the end, it's going to be a good life.

I won't lie, while I usually don't listen to much of their stuff, OneRepublic's song, Good Life, pretty much seems up the vibe and core of what I'm trying to accomplish this year. What I'm going to strive to always remember. Because, if I can do that, then the rest of the resolutions, I sincerely believe, will come easier. I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves. Happy new year, everyone :]

Woke up in London yesterday, found myself in the city near Piccadilly 
Don't really know how I got here, I've got some pictures on my phone
New names and numbers that I don't know,
addresses to places like Abbey road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want, we're young enough to say

Oh, this is gonna be a good life, this is gonna be a good life
This could really be a good life, good life
I say, "Oh, got this feeling that you can't fight," like the city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life, a good, good life.

Retrospective

While a lot of people spend New Year's Eve preparing for a new year, figuring out what they're going to do to make this year better than the last, I am choosing to honor the passing of what was a pretty good year with a list! I normally don't do lists because I freeze up and forget what I meant to put down but I'm hoping to succeed this time around. So, without further ado, The Bests & Worsts of 2010. [Please note, they are not ranked in any particular order]

Best

1. The European Escapades that branched from September to December. 

2. The cruise I was able to take in March with the best friend.

3. Another year of being surrounded with my wonderful family and friends.

4. J and mine's 6-month celebration

5. My family's vacation to New York which, sadly, I have no pictures of because my sister's hoarding them all. Truth.

Worst
1. The little guy's month-after-month medical procedures, which, ultimately left him completely blind and with one eye.

2. This. And it's repercussions.

3. My less-than-enjoyable bout with the swine flu.

4. My less-than-enjoyable, still undiagnosed, still incredibly painful... well, pain, in my lady region. 4 months later and it continues to wage war on the rest of me.

5. The still on-going divorce of J's parents. I know this doesn't affect me personally but it affects someone I love.

I know that, all in all, I've been incredibly lucky this year. Save for a few mishaps, nothing really bad has happened to me and I know there are a lot of people who couldn't say the same. But for everyone, good year or bad year aside, the year has little time left. 3 hours and 10 minutes according to my computer, who hasn't felt the need to adjust to Central time; 9 hours and 10 minutes for me. So even if this year has wronged you, has stabbed you in the back or has been your best friend, it'll be important to face 2011 as a completely new entity. It hasn't done anything to merit anyone's hatred or distaste. It's a new shot for all of us. Thank. Goodness.

London 2012

I won't lie. I really miss London. I didn't realize how much until I had a dream last night that I was wandering down Tottenham Court Road. That's all. Nothing exciting; no wonderful plot. I was just walking down this street, taking in all the lights. One of my best memories in London came when I was shopping for J's Christmas present. I was going at it on my own, popped in my headphones and walked. Looking at all the shops, the chilling wind and the bustling sidewalks.

See, London really is my kind of place. While this normally wouldn't be a bold statement it is because I'm one of those weird people who don't really belong anywhere. I mean that in the best, non-angst-filled way. I wasn't made for extended exposure to the country-side or small towns, which is strike one against my present university. I don't like cities like Los Angeles or New York because... well, in the short run they're wonderful but I feel I would get really stressed out staying there for too long. It's just so urban. And a little greasy. But again, that's just me. To me, London has everything I hadn't found before. Yes, it was urban. Yes, places like Piccadilly Circus was a lot like a little Times Square. Hyde Park could've been mistaken for Central Park from a distance but there was something else. Something that made it different. There was unmistakable history on every street corner. There was a different manner of doing things that permeated the air. I know part of that comes from being in a different country but maybe that's what I needed. A breath of fresh air.

And, I found it. Looking for a small reprieve, a change of scenery, I found the place I love. A place that reflects all the aspects of my personality. And I miss it a lot.

London 2012? Yes? Maybe? The hunt for tickets is on :]