Love, Actually.
One year ago today I left London. I packed my bags and took a long walk along the Thames, from the Millennium bridge to Vauxhall, soaking in the city and swearing to myself that I was not yet finished with this city, that I would one day return. I boarded the plane, unsure about my future and trying my best to be excited, trying my best to be a patriotic and proud american, ready to return to the homeland.
Trying my best wasn't good enough to keep me in America. Instead that flight home turned into an extended vacation as opposed to the start of a new era in my life. Two months after returning home I bought another ticket. A one way ticket. A ticket back to the place I was most comfortable. A ticket back to London.
Over the last year London has become home. This city brings me to life each day with all it has to offer. Everything from its' parks, to events like 'The Secret Cinema' and roller discos, to dancing at clubs in East London, and shopping on the King's Road or looking for antiques at Portobello Market, to eating at fabulous restaurants or taking a quiet evening at a pub. I feel more at home here than I have anywhere in the world. It is my own. It is my city. I have grown into myself in London, and for that reason it will always be home. I have challenged and fought with myself here. I've been through good times and bad. I've made lasting friendships.
I love america, and I love american-ness (there is nothing better in the world!) and yet, I find myself more at home in England and in Europe than anywhere else.
A lot has happened in the last year - moving across the atlantic (twice), finally being out on my 'own', my first real job, my first real bills, funerals, weddings, baking cakes, friendships found and friendships lost - and the end result? I am happy. I am content. Buying that one-way ticket is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
A year on and I am still constantly falling in love with London, all over again, every day.
Trying my best wasn't good enough to keep me in America. Instead that flight home turned into an extended vacation as opposed to the start of a new era in my life. Two months after returning home I bought another ticket. A one way ticket. A ticket back to the place I was most comfortable. A ticket back to London.
("God save our gracious Queen- oh, wait. I mean, "Land where our father's died...")
Over the last year London has become home. This city brings me to life each day with all it has to offer. Everything from its' parks, to events like 'The Secret Cinema' and roller discos, to dancing at clubs in East London, and shopping on the King's Road or looking for antiques at Portobello Market, to eating at fabulous restaurants or taking a quiet evening at a pub. I feel more at home here than I have anywhere in the world. It is my own. It is my city. I have grown into myself in London, and for that reason it will always be home. I have challenged and fought with myself here. I've been through good times and bad. I've made lasting friendships.
gotta love Portabello
(A gig at the Proud Galleries - Camden)
A lot has happened in the last year - moving across the atlantic (twice), finally being out on my 'own', my first real job, my first real bills, funerals, weddings, baking cakes, friendships found and friendships lost - and the end result? I am happy. I am content. Buying that one-way ticket is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
(Taking friendships to the international level)