It seems as though the illness that usually comes with traveling and this time of year has finally caught up to me. All of my flatmates are getting ready to hit the pubs for the evening and I’m like:

It’s just me and you tonight, you sexy decongestants you ;)

YOU GUYS. I was JUST explaining to my roommate my disappointment that I arrived in England after the stage adaptation of Birdsong, one of my favorite novels, was no longer showing in London. I was in the grocery store a moment ago and a magazine cover stopped me in my tracks as it was advertising a BBC film adaptation of Birdsong, airing here in just a few days. THIS IS VERY EXCITING TO ME.

Right now I am sitting in a small cafe a few blocks away from my flat, currently typing this entry into a TextEdit document to be posted later because there is no Wi-Fi here. One thing I definitely miss about America.

I just enjoyed a pastry and spectacular hot chocolate while I try to bang out an essay due this Wednesday. I can’t help but get distracted every now and then to people watch (and write haphazard tumblr posts) and take notice of the interesting characters that frequent this place. I know I’ve talked about this innumerable times before but I love cafe culture and experiencing it here in a foreign place has been an adventure on it’s own. So far what I’ve gathered is here it is much more the norm to pop in a cafe for an afternoon pastry or to sip tea with the morning paper, no matter who you are. Back home in the states I feel like that behavior is only evident in a certain type of person, for students and travelers and the kind of person that has managed to find a career in some kind of progressive job that doesn’t demand a 9-5 workday. Here I see students, families with children, elderly couples, businessmen, and teenagers. How do they do it? How have these people managed to construct a lifestyle in which one can earn a living while also enjoying such leisurely activities, and while I’m at it, stay so damn fit while consistently ingesting large quantities of pastries and coffee as thick as tar? It’s amazing. And certainly a lifestyle that I could get used to quickly.

Today RULED. I woke up anxious in anticipation of meeting my supervisor today where I will be interning during my stay here in London. When I walked in the building it was really nothing like what I expected. The motif was super modern and eclectic and the staff was all very trendy and energetic. I will be working for Capital Radio - Help A London Child, a non-profit within England’s biggest radio station. I am so stoked to have landed a job that is oddly specific to my interests. It is always fascinating to me how seemingly random and diverse experiences help you prepare for specific moments in your life. The Slumdog Millionaire effect - as I like to call it.

Then afterwards I spent a good 4-5 hours wandering aimlessly around the city. My job is within walking distance of a lot of really great locations. I accidentally stumbled upon Buckingham Palace just in time to witness the changing of the guards. That was really special. I spent most of my time just sort of observing in awe at all the architecture and people watching. Then I stopped in a Japanese restaurant for a late lunch. There were two women at the table next to me discussing their current qualms with the government and things of the like. I found it absolutely fascinating. The US and UK are similar in a lot of ways but they’re also very different and it’s so interesting to hear the opinions of people that are living in it right now and to learn of the areas they would like to see change in.

Now, I am going to rest these aching feet for a few hours before heading out to see a production of The 39 Steps. Life is good.

Right now I’m sitting in my London flat, looking out over the street as the sun is just starting to weaken and people seem to be returning home from work. It’s almost been one full week here and every day has been a whirlwind. It’s been great fun exploring the grounds with other people in my program, getting to know the area. The other day I went for a walk down main street and checked out a few cafes that I could potentially lounge in for hours on end and get some work done. I also got up today and went for my first run through Hyde Park. Sitting on my ass all winter break did more damage than I thought. Everything you’ve probably head about the weather is true, but it really is quite beautiful here. I keep having to pinch myself that this will be my new home for the next few months. I don’t want to waste a second.

I do not trust people who don’t love themselves and yet tell me, ‘I love you.’ There is an African saying which is: “Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt”

I do not remember the last time I agreed more with a quote.

(Source: karlareyes, via meganburkesleeps)

Well, here it is, three days into 2012 and I’ll be leaving for London in about 19 hours. I’ve been contemplating what to focus on in this entry - new year resolutions, 2011 in review, reliving the holidays. I guess I’ll do a quick hodgepodge of all three.

The holidays were great. Christmas was spent at our house this year and my sister and I trimmed the tree in 8mins 55secs which beat our time last year of 10mins (for those of you keeping score at home). New Year’s Eve was initially going to happen in Philly but ended up being spent in the corner booth at the diner up until just before the ball drop, in classic north jersey style which I am more than okay with. Also was able to attend Koji’s holiday show at Midtown Scholar with Chubb. It was killer this year and so great to be able to see so much colormake and philly fam in one place before I leave the states for a bit.

This year was full of crazy ups and downs, but I really see no reason to dwell on all of that right now. Whenever I go back and revisit a defining moment in my life I often find that the core of it consists of my relationships with certain people and what I learned about them as well as myself. I am blessed to have the people in my life that I do. In 2012 I would like to see that flourish. I want to make more of an effort to see friends that are far away and spend more time with ones nearby. Not just “hey, how are ya” time, but real valuable “let’s get the corner table and talk about our lives” kind of time. The only real “resolution” I want to make for 2012 is to get back in the habit of journaling. I used to journal all the time, but in the last few years I’ve just completely fallen off the wagon. I update this blog periodically but I mean, let’s be real. The last thing I posted was a screenshot of a young and disheveled Jimmy Fallon. There’s nothing that compares to the rich material that flows out of you when you’re writing for your eyes only, free of judgment or restriction. I highly recommend it.

Here’s to loving others, loving ourselves, and committing to whatever you may have set your sights on in 2012. It is achievable. Do not fear failure. Cheers.