Winding Down

After a busy month of travelling in March/early April, the next month I was more than happy to stay put in London. It’s crazy that after so long, there is still so much in England that I have yet to do or likely won’t get the chance to do, but I tried to squeeze in as much as I could in my after-work hours in April. I’ll touch on a few highlights.

Dylan and I went to the annual Cambridge vs Oxford boat race. I am happy to say that our cheering helped contribute to a sweeping Oxford victory!

We went to more concerts at the National Gallery.

I went out for birthday drinks with my coworkers at Vertigo 42 (amazing overlooks of the city).

Our program took a day-trip over to Brighton. Unfortunately we went on a bit of a rainy day… However, we still enjoyed touring through the Royal Pavilion and afterwards dining on an insane platter of delicious seafood. After lunch, we went over the pier, and stumbled into the arcade just long enough for me to win a friend for Nim on my first attempt at the crane game!

Alex, Arushi, and I at the Royal Pavilion

Dylan and I are normal

Seafood Extravaganza! ... before ...

.... after!

Nim's new bestie

As a program, we all went to see a football match: QPR vs Stoke City (still Premier League, but not likely to stay up…). This was pretty cool, but disappointing because initially we were supposed to spend a weekend in Manchester and get to see a Manchester United match because of an alum that works there (last year they got to go out onto the field and such after). However, the match got moved to a Monday to be televised, and we were not allowed to skip work to see it.

QPR lost :/

We went to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to see a performance of the Tempest.

Dylan and I took advantage of the finally nice weather (well, a couple nice days spread out between the typical cold/rainy days) to go picnicking in Hyde Park/Kensington, and utilize the Barclay bikes (more colloquially known as the “Boris” bikes) around the city.

We picnicked.... right here!

Walking/biking through parks

Dylan's beautiful hair billowing in the wind

I got to enjoy some delicious dinners with friends visiting London, such as the lovely Ali Slaight and Katie Bush.

Dylan and I took a trip over to the British Museum, which was overwhelming in its contents.

Dylan and I also took a nice trip over to Spitalfield’s Market for some delicious lunch and a bit of shopping. Then, we walked by Brick Lane, and down over to this wonderful oasis in the city called the Spitalfield’s City Farm. For those of you who know me well, you can only imagine my joy at the sight of some wonderful friends!

I spy, with my little eyes... :)

So much happy, petting a goat in each hand, how can life get better?

This I know for a fact!

Meanwhile, things were wrapping up at work as well. I’m so grateful to have worked for such a great company with such great people. And in a way I really started coming into my Londoner swag, comfortably navigating the city in my suit and oftimes even choosing to walk home from work. Before I knew it though, it was my last day at work. I am so grateful to have worked at a great place like Beazley!

It’s crazy that after so long in London, my time really is wrapping up. Not to jump ahead too much, but as I write this I am sitting on a train passing through the stunning mountains and lakes of Switzerland, and it’s hard not to reflect back upon my time. I am so pleased by all that I have been able to do during my time in London, but on the other hand it has made me appreciate a lot of things about home that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

I miss you all, and will post soon about my end of semester travels (still currently underway!) as time is running down and I don’t want to put off these posts until after arriving back in the States. Hope all is well, and I’ll be back on here soon!