Having been in London a full week, I have been able to take in the things around me incrementally. The city is alive, diverse, constantly moving, it pulsates with a kind of tangible energy. Needless to say the ADD child inside of me is easily distracted by all the stimuli and I'm constantly having to reign myself in, as no one else around me is as elated to be here or impressed by their surroundings. I'm sure this will wear off, but I'm not anticipating it anytime soon.
At this point I've worked out a routine and have set routes from here to there. I have class three days a week, but there are also lots of day trips and optional outings allowing opportunities for me to see more and more of the city and surrounding area. Although I only have class three days a week, the reading is extensive and I worry that if I don't take every opportunity to read, I'll get behind. It's a balancing act. Often the trips we take are on our off days so I have to make decisions based on my progress on the classwork. These trips have become my incentive to get things done right away. Essentially they are the cheese that keeps me motivated. And yes, I said cheese, not carrot, because lets just be honest here, I LOVE cheese and would get so many more miles out of a piece tied in front of me than I would a lousy carrot!
I'm still staying in the hostel which is itself a microcosm of the city and possesses an almost hive like busyness. People coming and going, meeting and talking, out late, up early, new faces daily. As there is no place I am able to be alone, or a place that is quiet, I have struggled to feel settled. I have, however, found a place near campus to study. The Kensington library has an incredible collection of art books, as well as a huge study area that requires quiet at all times. I have never in my life been happier to be in a library. This will be the place over the next few weeks in which I will spend countless hours, as it feels like a refuge. That being said, it has also made me keenly aware of just how easily entertained I am. When registering for my library card, I was given a choice of designs, NO JOKE! It's like picking the design for your credit card, but much nerdier. Yeah, needless to say, I was pumped. Then I began to realize what this card represented and what it would say about me. I started sweating, okay, honestly, I'm in a perpetual state of perspiration, but I did get a little nervous. I looked over the cards and eventually picked the edgy and modern graffiti card. Yeah, that's me! However, the girls in my cohort thought, without a doubt, I was a dead ringer for the dinosaur card? PSH, whatev, they obviously don't know how HIP and COOL I am.
Yeah, I scream dinosaur, I've accepted it! :)
I have had a hard time sleeping, but take every opportunity to do so in my oh, so cozy bottom bunk, yeah, that's right, bottom bunk! As I've been told by Alex, whom I refer to as the social director of the room, "only the cool people have bottom bunks". YES, FINALLY!!!! With this knowledge I immediately rebooked my room in order to nail down my cool status for at least 5 more days. Whew! I'm earning this library card one day at a time.
As I've said before, I love the girls in my cohort. They are smart, beautiful, determined women who have so much insight and experience to bring to every discussion. I feel privileged to be sitting at the same table. They are also warm, considerate and caring. After a night of very little sleep, Amity asked if I needed a hug. I did. I am so lucky to be in the midst of these women and have so much to learn. I can only begin to imagine what this year has in store. So far I've spent a good deal with Julia and Sara. Both girls are in their 30's and made me feel right at home almost immediately. They are my go to girls and we seem to understand each other and connect on many levels. They navigate the city and all it's challenges with ease; I tag along. I am so thankful for them!
I have been provided for in every way possible and I'm thankful daily for the Lord's provisions, whether it be a warm bed, hot shower, a quiet place to study, a friendly smile or a hug, His provisions are abundant and that has been clear from the beginning.
So I'm reading the title of your latest entry and I'm like "finding balance, losing sheep?" Oh for heaven sakes my Steph how did you get Bo Peep's sheep and lose them? Then my eyes gazed across the title and blurringly refocused in. However befitting losing sheep would be in the encompassed surrounding you now call "home away from home" it may actually serve two purposes. The lost sheep is funny. As they fly over your bed they may endlessly bah bah in your direction. You may feel overwhelmed as there are so many to deal with. At the same time, frustrated as they won't go away. They may even break the "gate" and come uninvited. But as time goes by these sheep will visit more than once, yes they may be a disruption, making you "Lose Sleep", but they are also funny, as each one a reminder of new friends, new situations, new puns, new books, new places, people, and pubs. So as you may feel you are losing sleep, remember that losing sheep isn't really so bad after all.
ReplyDeleteLove you Stephy!
Love Jeanz