Two weeks late, I think it's only appropriate.

So roughly two weeks ago, I attempted to write something like this in the Heathrow Airport. I couldn't. I wanted to talk about how much I learned, without really knowing it, while I had been abroad. I wanted to share how those 4 months had opened up my horizons and made me more inquisitive and interested, perhaps more interesting too. I wanted to say that I knew who I was better, I was a little closer to that asymptote I'm always grasping for than I was before, but I don't know if that is actually the case.

Now that I've been home for two weeks, I find myself right back into the same swing of things, serving the same burgers and watching the same movies. I went to London thinking that if I could put an ocean in between all things Concord and myself, I could maybe finally severe all the loose strings that the 700 mile difference between New York and North Carolina evidently can't make disappear.

I'm starting to think the increased distance only further strengthened my bonds to home. I appreciate not only my country more, but cannot even begin to express how loving and indebted I am to my wonderful parents (and friends).

And now, bizarrely enough, sitting here at my computer in my room (people know how I feel about sentences with opening structures like this - PLEASE read between the lines), my summer horizons and much less bleaker than I would have imagined them to be.

I miss New York immensely & I could live in London/the greater UK/Europe (*cough*PARIS*cough*) long term. For now, though, I am exactly where I need to be, spending a summer under a Southern sky. ('cause we all know that God made the sky Carolina blue for a reason)


one last cheers & all my love,
D

I may be no Nesta Jones, but I may be a contender for HBIC one day.

3 papers down. 1 to go. The opus looms.

Other things also looming (besides volcanic ash): the return of my two papers from last week, TOMORROW. It'll make or break my day as usual.

Alas, it is WEDNESDAY and THE FINAL Ladies Who Lunch (on NYU budget money since we each got a £5 Pizza Express coupon - thanks Sexton?). It also means a morning crash-course in Microsoft Publisher.

I think I might close down the Senate House Social Club tomorrow night & then after party in camp kitchen. I didn't make it to watching blasted Season 3, Episode 5 of The Tudors today, but I did manage to break the seal on the opus of all things related to war and modern British Drama (and take a solid/much needed 2 hour nap), so I can't complain.

I have a surprise to tell you, but I can't share because then it wouldn't be a surprise when my mom picks me up at the airport Saturday (Tracy knows & if you're in London you know - but none of ya'll will tell or I'll bust a cap on you and it won't be pretty). I will say that it's something I didn't see myself doing when I came here. Who knows, she may not even recognize me. No worries, though, it's not a jarring facial tattoo/piercing (or any tattoo or piecing for that matter). But it's definitely bangin' - at least I think so.

The days keep dwindling down - funny that it feels like its a RETURN TO WINTER HERE. (Seriously, I don't think the temp. got above 50 for more than 15 minutes today.) Guess it's just part of that cyclical hero's journey. If Saturday is The Return, does this mean I'm currently at The Atonement? I'd like to hope that I left The Abyss a long time ago. (:D) I can't get sentimental and retrospective yet, though, there are all those words looming.

Here's to all things shiny, tacky, wonderful and good.

xoxo & cheers,
D

give my guard away when it's loaded

I hope this is my last trip to the 24 hour store to buy writing snacks (I plan to get enough for both tonight and Wednesday night). Tomorrow my third final paper is due, which means that only my opus on modern British drama will remain. I'd rather not acknowledge the fact that it's almost time for me to return to the states and that I only have 3 semesters of undergrad work left.

xoxo & cheers, D

(Burp.) "You're excused."

I know I said that more would come yesterday. Well, it's now tomorrow and the more is here. I'll start with the most recent and work my way backwards. (Last night was our last date with DJ Mark. It was sad. "Eenie Meenie" has made it to the UK, though, so our Bieber Fever only continues to get worse.)

I bought groceries for the last time in London this morning. When I say "groceries," though, I really mean varieties of canned soup. I did buy juice and some fruit. That was a big deal. If you could see the state of my fridge, it would only attest to the fact that I'm in college and it's finals time.

Despite not having any final exams, 5000 more words stand between me, the states, and summer (you wouldn't think it's summerish here, though, it's gray and 50). 2000 devoted to Antony and Cleopatra as a meta-play and 3000 (hopefully perfected words) exploring depictions in war is modern British drama . . . or something along those lines at least. Unlike this past week, they're not both due on the same day (Thank you!), so I won't be quite so strung out on caffeine this Wednesday as I was last week.

Last weekend (forced transition, I'm aware), we went to the lakes. I have to confess we did absolutely no work; rather, we sat on the couch like sloths and watched television (the house we rented had SKY). It was awesome. I did get to see a little nature, though.



When I'm rich and famous, or at just some other point in my life, I really want to live in the English countryside. Looking at it, it makes total sense that it produces so many great writers/novels.



I also think it produces inherently adorable children.



I certainly don't want children yet. At this moment, I just want to be in the sun by the pool, or a beach, or a lake. And as much a I love the Londoners I'm excited to be home where, despite being a much younger country, I really think there's a stronger sense of culture. It's cool that the English are so sponge-like, a curry is now a traditional meal, but they don't have sweet tea and burgers and summer like we do. It'll be nice to return.

Because I'm not only returning to the states, but to that magical land that is the North Carolina Governor's School (West Campus). I think it's the closest thing to a magical English forest there is in NC. :)

Procrastinating is lovely, but alas, words don't just produce themselves, and even when they do spew out in word vomit, my syntax is always desperate for improvement.

xoxo & cheers,
D

Remember that time I went abroad & said I'd blog regularly

A week from today I will be trying to pack my life into 2 suitcases that weigh under 50 lbs., a tote, and a purse. I have 5000 words remaining, though, maybe I'll have more to say later.

xoxo & cheers, D

All I gotta say . .

I have 6000 words due (3000 words for 50% of two separate classes) in roughly 30 hours. I loved the lakes, but no post tonight.

xoxo & cheers,
D

she doesn't even go here

I swear I'm not TOO much of a freak. Dark & twisty definitely, overbearingly morbid, never. I got to tag along with my friend's Gothic Literature class to High Gate Cemetary on Friday morning. I know, I woke up early on a day I didn't have class to go on another classes trip, to a cemetery none the less. What can I say for myself.

It was bangin.



Alas, I have a large novel to read (and a scandalous one to finish . . oh Humbert).

xoxo & cheers,
D