Babes did Baltimore

And we did it up right!

Good morning, Baltimore!

Seriously, if you ever go to Baltimore, do what we did because we basically won at life this weekend.

Not so secretly, I had some feelings about him taking the job and moving to Baltimore, because hello, I live in Dallas, and, also, Baltimore? But, this weekend proved us both (he wasn't so sure either) wrong and basically, Maryland has won me over and I cannot wait to go back!

I arrived late Thursday night to this face.....

Received as part of a "I can't believe you're almost here!" text message. 

Upon arrival, I was armed with a list of suggestions from the amazing Duchessbelle (dude, I need your new blog address lady), who I've hung with in NYC so I KNOW girl has good taste. Plus, she's a little fireball Italian, like someone else I know and she would never steer us wrong.

On Friday, T went to work and I set up shop at Starbucks hogging their free wireless to write essays and work. It wasn't incredibly exciting, but, it was good and I managed a bit of sightseeing and of course, Chipotle-ing while the boy was busy designing buildings and some shit.

That night, despite the freezing weather, I gussied myself up for my first date in 8 weeks! T and I do dating really, really well. There is nothing better than a nice meal shared with someone you adore and catching up on good conversation. Friday, we did just that! After a trip to meet the roommates we headed to Annapolis and wandered the streets for a bit and just held hands and talked. Basically, heaven.

Sushi dates have always been "our" thing, so, we found a sushi joint, over ordered on the food (standard practice) and chatted for two hours. I'm telling you. There's nothing better.

We killed this entire thing

Post dinner demanding girlfriend screeching "SMILE FOR PICTURE!" resulted in this

Saturday we slept in--or, well, he slept in and I was awake at 5 am working because I am an insomniac, and also really know how to win at romantic vacations, obviously. When it was a decent hour, we trekked to Woodberry Kitchen, which, just, oh my god. T is not a brunch person, as most dudes aren't, but, he likes good food and I wanted a damn eggs Benedict so off we went. Again. Oh. My. God. It was the best food I've ever had and the building was gorgeous. Naturally, T being a designer was in heaven with the exposed brick, the old silos, the copper pipping. It was gorgeous. And, again, best food ever--T even found a bloody mary he liked!

Food dreams come true here

No more Bloody Mary!

How cute is this guy, seriously?!

Because designers need to take pictures of everything. 

Parking garage. I mean, it was pretty rad. 

From there we walked around the area, taking pictures in an old abandoded factory and finding townhomes to buy in ya know, dreamland.

We went back into the city where someone took a little redhead to the Peabody Conservatory and she died because MUSIC, and then to the George Peabody Library which was basically Belle's dream and I twirled around like Belle and geeked out for a good hour and a half. It was absolute magic.

Peabody Library 

Y'ALL. Belle is jealous.

 I may have twirled....

First books I found when we walked in. T thought this was HILARIOUS. Which, it kinda is. 

From there, we wandered a bit to the Walter's Art Museum and both got to geek out on art. It was SO fun to be there with him and watch him get excited about brush strokes and lighting and! And he allowed me to spaz out over the Roman world and Byzantine Empire. He really gets me and I absolutely love that (mostly he just likes to brag that his girlfriend is getting her MA in Classics at King's College London and she writes about Homer all day).

Classicist geek moment here. 

 Reflection selfies while admiring the jewelry....

I adore us together. We are nerds of the first degree! (seriously how cute?!)

 I adore this guy more

The real guy, not the knight. I don't know him, but I'm sure he's lovely. 

We did a little walk and talk in the Inner Harbor before dinner at Chinghiale, which was amazingly recommended by the Duchess. Y'all. Basically, it was to die for and awesome and I got to have a fancy dinner night with my guy. I have no pictures because I ate too much and was way too happy enjoying the company of an extremely handsome Italian man, that for some reason actually likes me!

Sunday was total Sunday Funday for the Italian and Scot! Breakfast in Little Italy (all.the.canollis!), followed by running around the harbor and eventually the National Aquarium and Federal Hill, coupled with dinner with the duchess and her man. I couldn't have created a better day if I had tried!

Nevermind we'd just eaten paninis the size of a small house 

We ran around the parks in the harbor, I proved I could stand up in a tunnel, he could not, we jumped on merry go rounds, made Finding Nemo references, took a paddleboat out, and enjoyed drinks on the docks. I've not laughed so hard or smiled so much since I don't remember when.

Giant men cannot stand up in a tree tunnel, as demonstrated by T

Maybe I quoted Finding Nemo a time or two. Or, two hundred. 

"Smile!" "Stop laughing and just take the picture!" "We look stupid." (WTF with my squinty eyes and mouse nose? WTF is he doing with me?!) (don't answer that)

I found a cannon (and a very cute boy) on Federal Hill (y'all know my love of cannons, yes?)

Hiya, harbor!

Baltimore view from Fed Hill aka where I'm trying to get him to move 

Dinner with Duchess and J was perfect. We laughed, we enjoyed great food, we got to learn a little more about the area--it was just, anything you could have wished for. After dinner, we spent some time at the bar just talking and he gave me a present. Because he's the best boyfriend ever.

Which basically killed every gift ever for the rest of my life.

He had his friend, a jewelry designer create the charms for me--one for each of my pups so that they are always with me even if I am in London. I mean, y'all, seriously. Sweetest thing ever.

Monday I ran around town, went to a proper mall, found a McDonald's, drove a car--basically, awesomeness--before I had to pick my love up from work and head to the airport. So, the worst day ever. But, he took me out for oysters before I got on a plane and that made me happy because, ya know, OYSTERS! I think I'm going to like visiting Baltimore...

But, we ate amazing food, we saw museums and FISH and made dirty rowing jokes ("you'll never catch a crab from me!"--only rowers will get this), caught up, laughed until we cried, and I got to hold my boyfriend's hand while I walked down the street, OMG!

Can't wait to go back and see this idiot again.

Can't wait to explore DC with him on my next trip (Christy. End of December. I'm there. Let's make it work!). Can't wait to celebrate his birthday and New Year's. Can't. Freaking. Wait!

Post pond hop check in

Greetings from AMERICA!

Oh man. I've only been away 8 weeks and it's so good to be home--even if "home" is somewhere I've never been and I'm currently trying to figure out why it's so damn cold here! Seriously, it was warmer in London.

I flew in late last night and we came in over NYC and could see all the city lights and I definitely got teary. As much as I adore London and love it more than words, I don't think I could ever live abroad forever, I just love the good ol USofA too much.

That said, I'm currently holed up at Starbucks working on my first big essay for King's (making it my bitch--writing about the badass warrior queen Boudicca, a redheaded celt like me!) until J. Crew opens and then heading out for a day of shopping and sightseeing and most importantly, McDonald's Diet Coke-ing until the boy gets off work and then it's date night! I get to go on a date with my boyfriend! I haven't done that in 8 weeks!!

Excited is an understatement. It's freezing here but I am wearing a dress damn it--I feel like Phoebe on her and Mike's anniversary--needing to wear something fancypants, ha!

So, I'm alive, I made it to Baltimore, I'm finally back with the boy, I have ice in my drink and it's a dang good day!

London Life

Molly and I spent Sunday road tripping it to Cambridge to get the last of her things from her old place. I think it was a hard day for her, but now she says she feels settled here (even if she still doesn't have a bedroom, FML) and has no reason to be back in Cam, so, that's good! We're Londoners together now!

We're both runners and while I've done some loops of our neighborhood and a jaunt or two to Regent's Park I haven't been running that much. She's been trying to get me to come out with her, but, it's usually after I've been to the yoga or barre studio and I just hurt too much.

Well, yesterday--even after a two hour water session on Saturday, moving all day Sunday and yoga in the morning, I decided to suck it up and go out for a run with my roommate.

And let me tell you, on that run, we decided there is no place in the world we'd rather be. London in the fall is the most beautiful, magical place and we? We get to live here!

We were meant to run, but, we'd run for like 5 minutes and then "ooohh! Let's go over here!".

 I'm telling you, there is no more beautiful place in the world. This is two stops away from our house. How lucky are we?!

We were the only people out and about--here, which was awesome!

M frolicking through the leaves

I'm pretty much obsessed with this bridge and if you come visit, I will make you go see it.

I mean, come on!

It's a face in the tree! I'm 99% sure the Heath is actually an enchanted forest. Legit.

London skyline! You can see the Gerkin and the Shard. Holy smokes!

We weren't quite as chipper when we realized Molly had literally no money on her Oyster and we'd both left our wallets at home. So, we walked the two miles back from the Heath to our apartment after running around the park for an hour and a half.

Needless to say we came home and ate ALL the food in the apartment. So, I won't exactly be as Hot in Baltimore as I'd hoped. But oh well! 'Twas worth it.

We might be semi homeless, we might not have the puppies yet, we might be missing our people, but, we are living out our dreams together. And that's pretty dang cool.

On having a swell Saturday

Saturday was one of those really awesome days.

The kind of day where you sit back and can't help but think "Oh my god. This is my life!". Which was really, really great, but, also, really, really painful because I absolutely HATE living 3,600 miles away from my guy and him not being part of those awesome moments (but, we cheer each other on from afar--today he starts his new job, so, naturally, I sent him chocolate covered strawberries because, I mean, chocolate). And he pitched a fit about my not being there to cook Sunday dinner with him, so, at least I know I'm missed too. Ha.

(we really are making this long distance thing our bitch thanks to FaceTime and the Royal Mail, for serious)

ANYWAYS. Sorry, I'm rambling, I'm just overly excited because I get to have an entire weekend of nerdy rower time with him IN THREE DAYS.

So. Saturday. Saturday was swell!

I went out on the river with the Putney Town Rowers Club, and, basically, they're the best people ever. It was so much fun and I think I've found my little home away from home here. I felt really comfortable and everyone was so welcoming and fun and funny! I can't wait to go back out with them again.

After I de-Thames-ed and Diet Coke-ed, Molly and I watched James Bond movies for a lazy rainy Saturday, then out to date night dinner in Soho (Soho is our place and no matter how crowded and gross it is, we won't ever stop going there!), followed by seeing The Commitments at The Palace Theater.

Oh. My. Heck. Listen, if you live anywhere NEAR London or have occasion to be IN London and do not go see this show immediately, well, you should be ashamed. It was, hands down, the best night at the theatre I think I've ever had in London. It was funny, smart, entertaining and oh, yeah, hi, it's all classic soul tunes so who doesn't want to rock out to I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Mustang Sally? All I'm sayin'.

I'm waiting anxiously for the soundtrack to be released so I can listen to it over and over and over again. Absolutely brilliant and I'm debating trekking everyone over there for my birthday--it was that good!

Here, give it a listen:


So, that was my weekend. Now I'm one barre class in for the day and my Molly is dragging me to the Heath for a run. I really might die because I am so sore from Saturday and class this morning, so, if I do, just know I loved you all!

So, anyways....

We are still living in a disaster area and it's stressful as hell and we have no idea when it will get fixed, but, we're alive and spent the weekend decorating the walls--because hey--that hasn't flooded, so, it's feeling more like home. Finally.

Anyways. A lovely reader (hiya!) noted on a post that maybe I kinda sorted hadn't mentioned a few of the goings on in my life, and, well, that's certainly true. So, because, of course, I always aim to please, I might as well fill ya in. 

You may have noticed a while back I mentioned a boy (all together now: awwwww), and then I mentioned him again. And again. And then he popped up on FaceTime when I moved to London (several times), is my personal cheerleader and sent me flowers--as you've seen--and, and, and. 

Embarrassingly happy picture alert

We met two weeks before I moved to London, because the Universe has a wicked sense of humor, spent those two weeks basically inseparable and have been together since (our first date lasted a good 14 hours, for real). Long distance is scary and hard and I miss him every single day, but, we are making this particular long distance relationship our bitch! (I don't know why I felt that was funny, but, I did)

It probably helps that we think the world of each other (him: "Well, you're awesome, I'm awesome, we're even more awesome when we're together!"), text all dang day and FaceTime as often as we can. God bless the iphone! We text pictures, share stories and support each other from miles apart (he reminds me that I can row and I text him funny stories while he drives cross country). We count the time between our visits (10 days!!), share inside jokes, mutual stories about growing up at the beach, rowing crew in college and laughing at one another.

I don't want to share too much, because although as much as I want to shout it from the rooftops and tell everyone everywhere about this incredible guy, I also want to keep what we have special, because, it is, just that--it's special. And it's ours.

Standard 

We have lots of laughs

My two favorites at my going away party, aka my favorite picture ever

And happy memories

Suffice to say, I wake up every morning feeling like the luckiest girl in the world and I'm so scared someone is going to pinch me and it will all be a dream. If that's true, it's a pretty awesome dream.

(even when we have reverse love actually moments at airports because I'm headed to the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport without him)

Not our most glamorous shot, but, that was a hard day

It's still pretty rad.

The One With All The Presents

Basically, the last week has sucked. Being homeless sucks. Not being able to go sleep in your own bed sucks. Not being to let your roommate unpack because her wardrobe is going to be ripped out anyway, sucks. 

Not being able to row because you have too much to do and are too tired and too stressed (oh, and missed the trains on Saturday and Sunday), that sucks too. 

So, it's all sucky. But, I mean, M and I have each other and we have our sense of humor and we're alive. Doesn't mean it's easier, just means it could be worse. 

But yesterday when I was feeling defeated and sad and hopeless, the postman helped me change my tune! (getting mail is THE GREATEST THING EVER for someone living abroad!) (send me things! Preferably, just, the entire contents of a Target) (how do these people not have a store with cardigans in every color, belts, shoes, DVDs, candy, cards, food, makeup and ya know, home decor? England. You're seriously missing out.)

Anyways. I got presents. And I cried--like, a lot because I was so humbled by the gestures. 

My best red and I call each other "Gibbon". It's a really long story. 

All that rainbow paper wrapped goodness was actually all of this:

That's right, Hugh Jackman action figure. And note the frenchie!!!

Then these showed up at the hotel because someone knew I was having a bad week:

No guy other than my dad has ever sent me flowers. I can't believe anyone would do this for me, I am floored!

The little sneak asked my favorite flowers awhile ago, and lo and behold, there they are--lilies! And he threw in some pink for the little Scottish princess he somehow puts up with. They're seriously the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen--and a massive, massive bouquet, y'all! (sorry, don't mean to sound braggy, I'm just honestly so touched and all mushy because it meant so damn much to me)

I've never felt so loved in my entire life and it's pretty much the greatest thing ever. I don't know how I got so lucky, I don't know what I did to deserve these amazing people, but, I'm really hoping I get to keep them because they make my heart do a happy dance on the reg!

It almost, almost makes up for being homeless and having no clean bed linen (we used everything we owned to clean up the flood--for reals)!

What's y'all favorite flower? I told you mine was lilies, any other lily lovers?

Weekend in Pictures

After the hell that was our Thursday and Friday with the flooded apartment, we packed up to a hotel and then packed up out of the city! (we are kind of fighting with London right now)

Due to TfL being a general asshat over the weekend, I missed the launch to row on Saturday, which threw me into a rage and we needed to run errands at Molly's old flat, so, to Cambridge we went!

It's no River Thames at Mortlake, but, this was my view when I left the tube after crying so many tears over the missed launch. Not so bad, I suppose :) 

It was hard on my girl to see her old haunts and know she won't be studying or living there any longer, and it was hard for me to see her sad--especially since we were already generally exhausted, but, it was nice to be away from London and away from our nightmare apartment.

We got to catch up with her good friend Mags who is also a classist so it was fun for me to talk Greek plays with her and she offered to help me on anything I might need while I'm at school.

King's College Cambridge

Sunday was a bit of a disaster as again, TfL was being an asshat and we couldn't take the tube home, so, our 20 minute jaunt turned into an hour+ to swap laundry and move the fans in Molly's bedroom. I'd missed another launch and was bitter at life basically, so, we spent the afternoon reading in the sun and enjoying the sights of our beautiful city.

A sunny day in Trafalgar 

Hiya, Ben!

Thai for dinner, with great, long, challenging conversations, then back to our hotel where I got a FaceTime from the Italian, complete with Jackie and Chandler's cat, Zuni--who, looks thrilled, obviously.

This idiot. 17 days till we see each other again!

I braided Molly's hair, we watched a few episodes of Sex And The City for lights out on an emotional weekend. Ending my day with a few minutes seeing my guy and a few giggles with my best gal? Not too bad. Actually, kind of, perfect.

Then, this morning I ventured out to Notting Hill for a barre class and got to see the sun come up in the city I love--even if we are in a fight. A fight doesn't mean a break up, ya know....

Notting Hill, you'll always have my heart 

So, that's what happened to us here in Lodontown. Not very glamorous, but, oh well! What'd did y'all do? Please someone tell me something that involves a trip to Target, or, even better, In N Out!

TGI freaking F

This week has been a roller coaster! Lemme tell ya. 

Between the high of Molly finally getting here last weekend and getting a late night surprise FaceTime from a few of my favorite people...

Roomie date night!

 ...to insane stresses with school, attempting to control a boat down the Thames (never.ever.ever.ever.again.ever)....

At least I have a cheerleader from 4,700 miles away. Nerdy rowers are nerdy.

....to homesickness and really missing my dogs (and they are coming to England, we just don't know when. It has to be cooler than 80F for them to travel and it hasn't been in Texas yet, so, we wait).

My doodlepups!! Get to mama!

It was just kind of rough.

Then, our apartment flooded! Which has been such a disaster and so many tears were shed, that it seems like something we could only make up. Sadly, it's oh so real and our gorgeous, gorgeous floors are ruined, as is Molly's bed and a her handbags and shoes. Nightmare.

Luckily, we have each other to lean on, and are planning a nice long dinner out tonight to unwind from the week, and I have plans to row again this weekend (god willing that I'm not too tired).

We've had amazing friends who came to our aid with legal advice and offering to house us in Basingstoke until our place is liveable again; we've had Buddhist words of wisdom shared; and jokes made. We've had giggly FaceTimes with people who want to give us hugs and offer to just listen when we cried.

It's been a week that I would not like to relive anytime soon. Thankyouverymuch. (we were laid on my bed crying last night saying how much we miss living in the States and how we are never ever renting again.)

But, that's ok, because in 20 days (which, I'm totally not counting), I get to see this face again.

Yes, I know you're all jealous

In 20 days I get to head back to AMERICA (land of ice! And Chipotle! And McDonald's Diet Coke for $1.08! And Target!) to spend a long weekend exploring Maryland with my guy. I couldn't be more excited! Four days of rowing talk, catching up, cooking and watching our favorite BBC shows (Ripper Street, start watching it, y'all!), beach trips and all the seafood this little redhead can eat. Omg, it's going to be freaking magic!

This damn apartment can burn down for all I care,  I'm getting on that plane. 

For very, very obvious reasons. 

That time I rowed on the river Thames (no really, I did)

About ten thousand years ago, I found myself eight seat or cox in a shell on White Rock Lake. I found a sport I could throw myself into wholly and completely. I could lose myself on the water. I could force a group of 8 girls to take the long way back because I wanted to look at the big houses--they loved when I coxed, for obvious reasons (they showed their love by dunking me in the lake once) (it's gross).

I love rowing. Crew. Whatever.  It saved my life. It's something that is so incredibly painful, so much work, so much TIME, but oh so worth it. It's clarity and water, and friendship and heaven and everything perfect. It's something you won't ever "get" until you've done it.

I will proudly say "I rowed crew in college", but, it doesn't mean anything to anyone. Until it does. Until you meet someone who looks at you and says "So did I! What seat were you?" and you discuss the early mornings, and the blisters, and the bruises, and the unis and the catch, and the oars and you can talk about it forever because once it's a part of you, it never leaves.

Ya know, just rowers on the Thames. WHY NOT

That happened to me twice this summer. I had a client at pure barre who rows and we would talk about it endlessly. She invited me to come out with her, which I couldn't do because of timing, but, it got me thinking.

Then, I met someone who shook me to my core and who, like me, rowed crew in college. Who, we figured out, was even at some of the same regattas and heads as I had been all those years ago! SERIOUSLY.

For example, we were both at this race. And we both hated it. 

I moved to London, where, obviously, preppy white people sports abound and I decided I would try my hand on the water again. I told a special someone about it, as I was so excited about the possibility, so was he, saying: "This is so awesome, I'd love to see you row!" which melted my heart.

I got the news I was two seat the following day and immediately texted, and then once it was over, I couldn't wait to get home to tell him all about it. Because he gets it. And thus, gets me. (we legit talked about it until 2am my time--nerdy rowers are nerdy)

Catching the early morning train from Waterloo to the boathouse. Oof. 

This weekend was one of the best in my life. I sat in a shell, rowed by some of the most talented, brilliant, dedicated women I've ever met--who all attend King's College London, and we rowed for two hours on the Thames. It was, honestly, a dream come true. A dream I never thought I'd have again. Sure, my rhythm is off and my catch was miserable, but, it felt amazing. My body knew what to do when my brain could get out of the way.

My body hurts like it hasn't hurt in ages, and I love it. I feel so lucky. Lucky to be hurting, lucky that my darling Molly is finally here, lucky for technology that allowed the two most important people in my life to meet from 5,000 miles away (yay Skype!). But, this weekend, I felt myself again. I felt what I did ten years ago, the first time I launched off and the first time I fell in love.

I want to steal and oar and blade and hang it in my house. But, noooooo, I'm ethical and honest or whatever. 

Love is a tricky thing, and, I'm lucky to have found it again.

"only a rower knows the feeling"

The happenings in Hampstead

So, I've been here almost a week and I'm getting settled. My internet is supposed to get set up tomorrow and I will kill someone if it doesn't. Super spotty internet I've hijacked from my neighbor is NOT cutting it for FaceTime dates or ability to watch Big Bang on Amazon. Which, seriously, priorities people. I miss my nightly dose of Sheldon Cooper like you would not believe!

But, I'm surviving. I miss my puppies, my people and my large Diet Coke, for the love!

So, until I can get a printer and connect my camera to the computer, and really show you, here's a brief look at what I've been up to....

This is my block, so, if you want to ever be a creeper, just look for the ugliest building in NW London. The inside is fabulous, I promise!

I literally told my agent "no" straight away. But, I love it now. 

I've been goofing around and acting like a tourist on the Piccailly line. If you can't do it there, where can you?!

Going to see this show in October, very excited!

I take pictures of otters for my bffffff That Pink Girl 

Shawn and Gus forever (inside joke)

I hang out here pretty regularly. NBG, just, King's College. Gulp. 

 The seal of the place just ranked #14 in the WORLD for graduate arts. Um, do they know I'm an idiot?

No pressure. 

And then to calm myself down, I think "ohhhh, let's walk along the Thames to Big Ben". Which, I do, but want to stab myself because all.the.tourists.

But, it's a nice day, so, I take pictures and text them to everyone I know.

"Ben says hi"

And I miss my puppies. And then this is happening at Somerset House. I don't even care about the art, I just want to steal the poster. IT'S A FRENCHIE!!!

I want to squish its face!

It's cold here, and I planned to have my coats sent because it's not usually THIS chilly here, but, I froze the other night, so, naturally I had to head into town for some shopping. Also, Kate Spade is drunk. 598 POUNDS for a coat. A basic black peacoat. No. That's like legit $1,000. No. 

So, because that's ridiculous and I'm not that desperate, and I was missing a certain guy, I had to stop and say hello to the other Ted in my life, Mr. Baker. 

He never disappoints. 

I was feeling especially lonely yesterday, so, to cheer myself up, I impulse bought some theatre tickets. 

Living here is really going to make me broke. I hadn't eaten a proper meal until I decided to cook ravioli in my tea kettle last night--let me tell you, that didn't end well. (seriously think I burned off my fingerprints)

Anyways. Food has taken a backseat to theatre and pub-ery. So, I'll be broke, but, skinny. Hello, giant win!

Once. My favorite. 

I ugly cried for a few hours during the show, then called BFF Amanda (Ro) as I walked down Charing Cross (I was trying to use up time rather than take a taxi home even though my feet were killing me). It was nice to hear her voice and we laughed about how crazy it is that she was heading into work and I am halfway round the world and we're just talking like we always do. 

I got off the tube here around 11pm

Home sweet Hampstead

And then walked home the half mile to this.... 

Yes, yes, don't worry guys, we'll go to the zebra crossing and be The Beatles when you come visit

I got to talk to my old boss for a bit and we laughed about the ridiculousness of pure barre Arlington--which, London, Y U NO have barre classes? Gah, these fools need me! Anywhoodle, I chatted with Shawn for a bit, god I miss that woman--I miss my job! It was nice to feel connected to her again. I can't wait to get back home next summer and start our new studio adventures!

And then, after a whirlwind day of job interviews and travel, a certain someone hopped online to FaceTime me and I got to help my best guy cook dinner. 

It was just like being at home. Only it was 2am for me. And I was still dressed from the theatre. (sidenote, that necklace he's wearing? A St. Christopher I gave him at the airport. He hasn't taken it off. Seriously. I died)

Tonight I'm taking one of my new friends--yes, I found the only other kid from Montana in the whole of the UK--to see Phantom, and then hopefully will get to talk to my peoples in Dallas when I get back to my flat....A long weekend in October and holiday break in December....we might just make it. I might just survive. 

And to think, we were all so sure I'd fall in love with a Brit and stay here forever. Well played, Universe, well freaking played. 

So, that's what I've been up to here in Hampstead! What are y'all doing? How's life? What's a Target like? What's going on at home? Please tell me y'all are eating all the junk food and all the real Diet Coke because this shit they are trying to pass off as Diet Coke is soooooo not.

(yes, it's been a week and I miss Target. I've vacationed here longer, but, this time it just feels different)

xoxox