Time Flies.

Today was my first day of classes back in boring old Glenside. I officially changed my major to Global Media, which means not only a completely different academic plan, but also two more semesters abroad in the not-so-distant future (YAYY!!). But before I get into that, I probably should catch up on my posts about London...or, rather, my last few vacations away from London!

With December came buildings decorated for Christmas, finals, and most strangely, days full of "lasts".  Last study session at Senate House, last excursion, last vacation, last tube card, etc. It was such a strange feeling; I couldn't wait to go home for the holidays, but I could not wrap my mind around the fact that I was actually going to have to say goodbye. I kept saying to Claire, I wish London was in this bubble right next to Ellington...then I could go home to my bubble and come back any time I wished. Of course, the idea that I would probably never see the same buildings or people in those buildings again was not something I wanted to think about!

**My heart belongs to Senate House Library**

That's probably why this moment made my day.  A few weeks after buying this scarf in Hyde Park with Zoe (intended as a gift), I decided to wear it and keep it for myself. On my way out of Sainsbury's, I was met by a girl handing out flyers advertising a local gym. It took us both a second to realize that we were wearing the same scarf! We figured out that we had both visited the same vendor, an alpaca farmer, but at two different years and two separate festivals inLondon. 

I left Sainsbury's and then turned around and came back to take this picture, saying it was just too cool a moment to not put on the blog :)

My final excursion through Arcadia was on December 1st: Ice Skating at Somerset House. It was beautiful, but a bit crowded and a little unsafe...maybe I'm an ice rink snob but the ice wasn't quite the same as the ones at UConnn and Twin Rinks.

We had a blast, though. Here are some pictures of us waiting to get on the ice:

It was especially memorable for us FYSAE girls because one of our flatmates, Kat, tripped and fell, breaking her nose and losing her two front teeth (in the ice. like stuck.). Needless to say, she was rushed to the hospital. Here's a picture before that happened:

Kat, Ally, Anna, Me, Claire, Willie, Abriel, Eli

And here's one of Claire and me. Yes, we have matching outfits from Primark :)

This may or may not have been the moment Kat fell:

One last picture. Willie, one of our Princess Elizabeth housemates from Franklin & Marshall, plays hockey and easily weaves in and out of the stumbling city dwellers who can't skate. He took me for a ride and Claire managed to take a picture :) 

I ended up pulling my last all-nighter of the semeste; our Uber driver, ready to bring us to the airport for Venice, arrived in our driveway before the sun came up the next morning. Next stop: Italy!

Back at Square One

Today, I decided to set out to study at Senate House Library (the library with the comfy sofas). A few days ago I did this, but wasn't prepared to stay long, and didn't have my books with me. [Add in the fact that my UK phone kept buzzing. And I had no idea how to turn it off. And the room was full of people who were completely silent. And the "turning off" alert is even louder than the text alerts.] I left after just a short time. But this time, I planned to stay several hours.

I knew the library was several blocks away from the Arcadia center, so I planned to head to take the tube to Holborn Station (located on a corner of the street just across the center. So I set out in an organized fashion. I packed my assignments, my laptop, and even some snacks. Walked all the way to the station. Stood patiently on the escalator for the Picadilly line. And arrived at Holborn. Once there I patiently waited for tourists who were surrounding the city map, and instead admired the flowers for sale in the adjacent booth. Feeling like a true Londoner, I casually looked at the map, snapped a picture of it to reference on my phone if I needed it, and turned away. Then I set out for the library. 

Fifty-three minutes later, I found myself facing the back of a very familiar flower booth.

I had circled around in a perfect loop just south of the Arcadia center, completely unaware that I hadn't been going straight. Not only had I gone in circles, but I had circeld the wrong way: The Library is a few blocks north of the center. I had walked in an entirely opposite direction.  

Nothing like a little humility-check for this novice Londoner!

Nevertheless, I had a very restful and reflective walk. Here are some pictures:

Again, really old buildings next to brand new, sleek ones.

 I found a really beautiful park called Lincoln's Inn. I ended up sitting under a tree and managed to get some of my reading done.

And that's been my Monday so far. Rather than chancing another walk to the library, I decided I'm going to finish the rest of my homework at the center. I've had enough exploring for one day :)