London Is For Lovers

Glorious London, how I love thee. After having lived in a city for the last three years, I am able to see London in a different light than when I first saw it as a naive small town girl. The mystery of the tube and bus system unraveled before my eyes, streets on a map made sense in real life, and the bright colors, sounds, and life didn't seem so startling. It was definitely a good time.
Friday:
Jess and I took the train down from Edinburgh and arrived around 7:30 at night. Ethan met us at King's Cross and we traipsed to Argyle Square, which is a few steps away from the station. I accidentally tried to check us into the wrong hotel, but recognized the right one a few steps away on the same street. Our room was pretty nice, especially considering that we got it at about $30 a night per person and that it was in such a great location. We got dinner and went off to Piccadilly Circus to taste some nightlife. We went into a pub called The Hogs Head (yes, very reminiscent of Harry Potter, but only in name) that seemed to be plopped into a piece of Chinatown. Sadly, they would not let me walk out with my bottle of Stella. After a drink there, we went to meet Kevin in front of the big flashy pseudo times square screen. It was fantastic! We made it into the Luicester right before last call, and I was able to buy Kev his first (and hopefully not last) pint of Stella. Then we finally found some of his friends who were traveling with him and went to The Warwick, which had a great cellar atmosphere and pitcher drinks. Try the Golden Delicious, my friends. Sooo tasty.

After drinking and dancing, we all finally got our acts together and managed to get home. I cannot believe how expensive minicabs are in London. Thank god for Edinburgh. Kev came back with us, and I had a great time with him that night and the next day. We walked around the Kings Cross area and got breakfast, and then parted on the Piccadilly line -- he had to meet up with friends and catch his flight to Amsterdam and I wanted to go see my Uncle's family. But it was really awesome that we were in London together. Almost mind blowing because it was so cool.

My Uncle totally didn't recognize me at the Hounslow West station partly because i was wearing sunglasses and partly because the last time I'd seen him was 8 years ago. I finally got to meet my aunt, who is quite possibly one of the nicest people ever. And then my little cousin, who will be three on the 17th. She is a handful, but
according to my mom, that's exactly how my uncle was when he was a kid. It was so funny to see him playing with her, because that's how he'd play with me with i was a little kid. Having grown up with my uncle, it's cool to see him with his own kids. Time is a fascinating thing. I'm going to be staying with them my last two-ish weeks in Europe once my exams are done. I'm really excited to wander around London with my Aunt! It also made me not rush my visit this time because I knew I'd be back.
Sunday:
Sunday was lazy. We slept in, got breakfast, and then grabbed munchies and settled back into the hotel room. Ethan was sick, and I was getting sick, so it was a good way to spend the day. Batman and Robin was on TV! It was glorious. I met up with Emily for dinner. It was great to see how London had become a part of her. It made me realize that that's how I see Boston, and now, Edinburgh. We went to Wagamama, which is the BEST restaurant name I have ever heard. And they make kickass chilli chicken ramen. I suggest you all induldge. Em came back with us and hung out, and it was bliss. Saturday:

Life Outside of Spring Break:
Today, I returned to Edinburgh. On the 4 1/2 hour train ride, I read Smashed: Growing Up A Drunk Girl, which was a really, really good memoir. I also bought Sickened, an autobiography of a woman's childhood who was a victim of Munchausen By Proxy (by her mom), which Ethan told me was actually a small percentage of child abuse cases, but seemed to dominate media and literature. Cool. I am excited to read it, since we briefly studied Munchausen By Proxy in abnormal psych freshman year. But it may have to wait, because I start studying for exams tomorrow, and I am going all out for it. I managed a 69% for the semster in philosophy, so i am exempt. Yay!!! I'm really, really happy that I managed to get exempt and also do relatively well. I enjoy working hard as long as I get rewarded for it, just like any other person. I hope the same perseverance pays off for my finals.

I just got off the phone with my mom. We were catching up on gossip and my break. Apparently, my older cousin is finally getting married, and (gasp), it's a LOVE marriage. I am really happy for her, because this arranaged marriage crap is literally that; crap. My mother is a firm advocate of choosing someone you want to spend your life with, rather than having someone you don't know suddenly becoming your lifelong spouse. She told me that it is something that ruined her life, and she'd hate to see it happen to me. She is great. Apparently, a family friend in CT got married in January, and there was a big dinner party on saturday to meet his wife. My mom said they didn't seem like they belonged together, but they picked each other, so who knows. More remarkable were the young Indian women there with their American husbands. my mom and her friend thought it was great, and surprisingly enough, my dad did, too. These are all good things. Because I know I cannot guarantee I'll end up with an Indian guy. I'm lucky that my parents, or at least my mom, put my happiness before stupid things like race and religion.

I like that people don't stop learning and growing up once they stop being kids. It's quite reassuring.

(pictures are of London, my little cousin, and Jess's visit to Edinburgh)