Miles and Miles
Well, I'm 21. Overall it's been a bit of a non-event (compared to what it would've been had I stayed at home), but that's fine by me. I don't really think the immediate consequences of this particular birthday will hit me until I get off the plane on June 17th. That can be my big party day. Saturday was very suprising and special nonetheless. Kat and I went shopping at Oxford Circus, which has a very apt name. I almost dropped dead on the spot from overwhelmedness (I'm coining that as a word right now), and Kat had to lead me to the nearest coffee shop for interveinous resusitation/cup of black coffee. Then I came to and we headed to Sam's, who had prepared a FEAST with her mom, including a made-from-scratch chocolate cake with big 21 candles. So we completely gorged ourselves (which caused some problems later) and had the cake with pink champagne. Fancy. Afterwards we just went to some bars in Camden. We were totally incapable of getting drunk because our bellies were so full, but I got to prance around in my birthday dress (bought during our shopping trip) and have people buy me drinks, so that's what matters.
I've definately had enough wasted nights this year to equal about 30 21st birthdays (Oxford students are actual alcoholics) so overall I'm totally content. The thing that spun me out most, much more than the number of my new age, was the fact that my 20th birthday was a year ago...how does a whole year go by in the blink of an eye? It literally seems like yesterday that I had super short flaming red hair and a new tattoo. I'd just barely gotten to know Rory and Bennett and Lee, Ryan, Tanner and even Sheila, really. I don't think I had much of a clue as far as Grant, Brent, Justin, Jason, etc....I don't even know if I'd met them...and I only met Carly on our mutual birthday. Wasn't close to Anders at all, hadn't seen him for about a year. I didn't really know Jim, and had only met Connor once. And now these are some of the people I care about most and think about all the time. The fact of the matter is that last summer was the best time of my life. I met people so good I didn't even know they could exist, and felt like I had really found my little place in the world. And then I left, and have been in England for 7 months. Shit, dude, this is some kinda world. My time over here has been one of complete saturation and stimulation, tons of challenges, and unexpected sweetness from unknown corners of my LMH life.
I feel like to a certain extent I'm earning a sort of adulthood by spending such a long time away from family and comfort and loved ones, although I fully intend to stretch out my youth as far as it'll hold. In a way coming home is going to feel like a return to free and easy childhood. That's how Minneapolis, and the people there make me feel. Like I couldn't have a care in the world, like everything is new and exciting. Which is strange, because Oxford hasn't created that kind of atmosphere, even though it's about as new and exciting to me as a place can get. I think it was accurate how I described it above, more stimulating and somewhat overwhelming than actually exiciting. Maybe to feel genuine child-like excitement I need to be absolutely comfortable and have less responsiblity, like I did at home. Whereas here I have to be on my guard a little more, since I'm constantly in new environments.
Anyway...lots of thoughts rolling around in my head, what with this big age-change upon me. Just a week until term starts again, and then only 8 weeks until I'm back home! Wow. It's been a whirlwind, like the year before it, and probably like lots and lots of years to come, provided I don't get hit by any busses.
I've definately had enough wasted nights this year to equal about 30 21st birthdays (Oxford students are actual alcoholics) so overall I'm totally content. The thing that spun me out most, much more than the number of my new age, was the fact that my 20th birthday was a year ago...how does a whole year go by in the blink of an eye? It literally seems like yesterday that I had super short flaming red hair and a new tattoo. I'd just barely gotten to know Rory and Bennett and Lee, Ryan, Tanner and even Sheila, really. I don't think I had much of a clue as far as Grant, Brent, Justin, Jason, etc....I don't even know if I'd met them...and I only met Carly on our mutual birthday. Wasn't close to Anders at all, hadn't seen him for about a year. I didn't really know Jim, and had only met Connor once. And now these are some of the people I care about most and think about all the time. The fact of the matter is that last summer was the best time of my life. I met people so good I didn't even know they could exist, and felt like I had really found my little place in the world. And then I left, and have been in England for 7 months. Shit, dude, this is some kinda world. My time over here has been one of complete saturation and stimulation, tons of challenges, and unexpected sweetness from unknown corners of my LMH life.
I feel like to a certain extent I'm earning a sort of adulthood by spending such a long time away from family and comfort and loved ones, although I fully intend to stretch out my youth as far as it'll hold. In a way coming home is going to feel like a return to free and easy childhood. That's how Minneapolis, and the people there make me feel. Like I couldn't have a care in the world, like everything is new and exciting. Which is strange, because Oxford hasn't created that kind of atmosphere, even though it's about as new and exciting to me as a place can get. I think it was accurate how I described it above, more stimulating and somewhat overwhelming than actually exiciting. Maybe to feel genuine child-like excitement I need to be absolutely comfortable and have less responsiblity, like I did at home. Whereas here I have to be on my guard a little more, since I'm constantly in new environments.
Anyway...lots of thoughts rolling around in my head, what with this big age-change upon me. Just a week until term starts again, and then only 8 weeks until I'm back home! Wow. It's been a whirlwind, like the year before it, and probably like lots and lots of years to come, provided I don't get hit by any busses.