I pulled into King'ss Cross train station at approximately 2pm on the 7th on February ready to meet and greet Angie with a HUGE hug and then meet up with Morgan later.
What a lovely time we had. This was my first time away from Edinburgh without having to go to a conference or be anywhere in particular. It was a true holiday and I did not realize just how much I needed it. Lately, I have had a good amount of things weighing on my mind because, unfortunately, I am an over-thinker. So when I got to London, I got this odd sense of relief and relaxation.
London is a HUGE city. Especially compared to Edinburgh. There were people everywhere and it can get a bit overwhelming, but it was worth it with the sites throughout the city. Morgan, Angie, and I spent a lot of our time catching up and just enjoying time together. They are truly amazing women that I am so proud to call dear friends. They let me stay in their house, which was also nice because that made the trip cheaper for me. Over my time there Angie and Morgan showed me where they lived and worked as well as some of the major sights: Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, London Tower Bridge, The Globe, Millenuim Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and China town. The buildings in this country are so incredibly beautiful. Things aren't made this way anymore.
Personally, my favorite was Big Ben. In case you didn't know, Big Ben is actually the bell within the tower. No, it is not the clock face or tower itself. And let me tell you, he makes a beautiful sound when he rings.
When you get off of the Tube at Westminster, this is your first view!
In London, Morgan, Angie, and I had a moment of "You guys, we are living in the UK. And walking around London right now like it's no big deal. People take weeks off of work to come here and we get to just be here!" It was true. And even for me, though I don't live in London, it only took about a 4.5 hour train ride to get there.
I think it is easy to become to comfortable in a place that you begin to take it for granted. I know this has happened in Edinburgh for me sometimes. I live in one of the most beautiful, old cities in the world and it has become so normal to me. The original newness and sparkle has left and now I'm just doing every day things. Don't get me wrong, I love where I am and what I'm doing, but it has just become so normal. Going to London was a good reminder of this and a reminder that I have much to be grateful for. Yes, it can be extremely difficult being here. I won't lie about that. But it also has provided beautiful moments of growth and change as well as relationship.
On the train ride home, I was able to think about many things going on right now (plus sleep a bit). I am going to try to get back into life in Edinburgh with a new pair of eyes: ones that notice the little things and that live in the moment as well as ones that give thanks daily. I am so thankful for my time in London and the hospitality of Angie and Morgan as well as deep conversations with those girls and Michael as well. And I am also so thankful for being able to come back to Edinburgh and have a sense of coming home and that I get to go to a job that allows me to be in community and to encounter new things daily.
Who could have thought that a wee holiday to London could bring so many things? Either way, I have a good feeling about the months to come.
About 5 more months!
St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge
Platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter in King's Cross
Notting Hill
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