The Beginning of the End

My time in London is coming to an end.

Two weeks ago and even at the beginning of this week,I was thinking about it but it really hasn't set in until now.I feel like there are so many adventures left to have with my London friends and now as it is the beginning of the end,I feel an overwhelming sadness and disbelief.

This week has been full of work for me.Having barely any work during the semester seems awesome until you have four 4,000 word essays at the end.4,000 words is a lot more than you think it is.

In between all this work though I have had little moments of realizing how much I'm going to miss London.Last week I went ice skating with friends at the Natural History Museum and it was spectacular,beautiful,and just fun (student night means chugging your free beer right before you skate so you don't waste your skating time!).I also said goodbye to one of my very very good friends after going to see the Nutcracker and the gorgeous English National Opera.We were also forced to say goodbye to one of my favorite pubs,The Princess Louise.

This weekend was my last true London weekend (any other remaining weekend,I'll be in another country or flying home) and it was full of joy: introducing friends to Rocky Horror Picture Show,making friends with the guy at the liquor store,a Goodbye Party at a flat I don't even live at (thrown by one of my friend's lovely British flatmates),going out to a big London nightclub I had missed for a friend's birthday,and finishing with British Chinese food while watching the British Jersey Shore (no joke - amazing).

This week I had no classes but was up to my eyeballs in work.Still,I feel like suddenly the fact that I'm leaving is hitting me...at random small moments.I walked through Borough Market to pick up my favorite fudge for my hallmates as a goodbye present and realized how the place has become part of my daily life - I stop by once a week if not more.I spent 2 days in my favorite coffee shop Cafe Amano and realized I am a regular; one barista gives me free things (though I'm pretty sure he's continuously trying to pick me up).I went to my favorite pancake place My Old Dutch with my friends for our last Pancake Night and the woman recognized and commented on how we come every week.I went out tonight with the biggest group of people ever to Brick Lane,an long street in London with TONS of Indian places for authentic Chicken Madras,good American and British friends,and a hipster-ish bar afterward that may or may not have been having a gay night.And it was just good.These are moments I take for granted because I take the feeling of just plain quiet peace and happiness for granted.

Tomorrow is Friday and tomorrow night is a Goodbye London Dinner which I literally just organized this morning.I refuse to admit it's goodbye though.I still feel like next week I'm going to have adventures in London with my friends even though all but two of them will be gone by the time I get back from my non-London adventures.It really can't be over,CAN IT?!

At the same time,I am super excited about Salzburg,Vienna,and Sweden.I am excited to travel alone (but get the company of an old friend in Vienna and family in Sweden).It comes at a nice time because I will be forced not to sit around and mope about how sad I am about the end being near.

I go home in two weeks.One of those weeks will be spent in other countries.Tonight at our massive Indian dinner,many of the Brits kept asking me if I was excited to be going home.It was a hard question to answer and I did struggle.I am excited to see family and friends,my lovely NYC,and my home away from home Wesleyan.But London has become a home away from home as well and hey,it's always sad to leave home,isn't it?

:(