London Town

"You find no man, at all interlectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when man is tired of London, he is tired of life."
Samule Johnson

Season greetings and Christmas thoughts

Christmas time brings out such wonderful spirit in all. Maybe it was the excitement of the heavy snowstorm or just the joy of all being together once again. It had been five years since I was last in London and although being sad about leaving the hot African sunshine, I was immensely excited about seeing my family again.

Five years is a long time and so much has changed. The boys have all grown at least a foot and everyone's hair is much longer. We have all grown into these actual people with real thoughts, individual opinions and personalities that were never so apparent before. Standing shoulder to shoulder for the hour that everyone took photos, the similarities in all seven of us cousins were shocking. The same height, same noses, same figures and laughs. It was amazing. Eventually the whole family was bunched together while friends snapped away to document the occasion. Even the dog was lifted into a few shots. Later, we all stood around the massive pool table while Nana entertained us all with her games; awarding prizes to the winners of each round. There was plenty to drink and even more to eat and everyone had a permanent smile plastered across their faces.

Eventually we all had to say goodbye, no-one mentioning that it is unknown when we will all be together again. It was a great day. I wished it could have lasted all week but alas, we must return to our own individual lives.

Going into London is another novelty in it's self, especially now that the sales are on. Oxford street was just bustling with people dashing up and down to get to each shop before they closed or all the good stuff ran out. I spent almost two hours in one shop, only leaving with two things. I couldn't believe how big the store was! Every time I turned to leave I found myself in a new section with even more clothes!

As the sun set and the Christmas lights came on, I thought for a second about the snow. By now it has all melted but the icy air still lingers. It created such an atmosphere. Falling from the sky like cotton wool balls and covering all the stains on the ground. England was a winter wonderland, white in all directions, while Jack Frost nipped at our toes. It really set the mood for what turned out to be an incredibly memorable Christmas and a holiday that won't soon be forgotten.

The weather man says there's more snow on it's way so I'm hoping for one last snowball fight before I fly back home to the African sun.

To infinity and beyond

There's something about theme parks, the music, the screaming, the waiting in line. It brings out the child that hides inside on normal college days. Maybe it's the sunshine or the adrenaline pumping through your veins. It's hard to describe. In that one day, while you're soaring through the air at a speed quicker than light, no thoughts go through your mind. There is just that moment.

Yet when the sun dips behind the clouds and the cool breeze blows, it changes. The laugher doesn't seem so loud and your skin tingles from the water left there from the log flume. The bumper cars seem to hit you that little bit harder and the rides start to shake. It feels like your perfect world is going to fall apart. That that one loose bolt just isn't going to hold and your seat will pop out on the next loop. Then the sun comes back and those fears subside to the thrill of that last ride.

Summer brings so many changes. Not only the sun but the fierce South Easter that howls through the trees. Like the wind, there is so much movement. Traveling to far off destinations. The excitement of going home again to bask in the sunlight and spend days lying on the beach. Seeing friends and laughing like you haven't in so long. Sharing all the stories that you've told over the phone but are that much funnier when repeated face to face.

There is just so much joy in the air now that deadlines and projects are a thing of last semester. There is nothing but the endless possibilities of how to spend your day. Beach or lake? Club or bar? Dress or shorts? Oh and not to forget the timeless question of what to do about cash...

It Begins

So here it is. The beginning of a long and hot summer. It's been a long year, crammed with work and projects. It's flown by. I can't believe that tomorrow I will be embarking on my final year at college. One year. 365 days to figure out what I want to do with my life. It seems daunting, it is. I have no clue. Do I want to do this? Am I even heading in the right direction..

This holiday couldn't have come at a better time. Long weeks spent in the sun with friends then 3 weeks in the cold with my family in England. After five years, so much has changed. I hope some things are still the same, that after so long we won't be strangers.

Here I go, off into the wonderful two months of freedom. Life can't get much better than this.