Thoughts on Traveling

Today we visited London for an excursion! We visited Westminster Abbey and saw Poet's Corner along with all of the famous people buried there such as George Eliot, Mary I and Elizabeth I, Issac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, and George Frideric Handel. It was sad that we were not allowed to take pictures but still really amazing to be able to see proof that these myth-like people were actually real. After touring Westminster, Downing Street (Parliament, etc.), and visiting Harrods (apparently, this is a world-famous department store?), I wandered away from the group--shh! don't tell my dad--and visited Notting Hill. So, I won't hide it. The main reason I wanted to see Notting Hill and Portobello Market is because I read about it in one of those Mates, Dates,... books. I know. I am so cultured. But, it was pretty cool; the clothes, instead of being 1000 pounds like they were in Harrods were about 10 pounds. Score. I didn't buy anything, but, still, it was fun.

When I first came to England, walking around Oxford City (something like a fancier version of a college town) in a group made me feel nervous. I was afraid of getting run over by a bus when I looked right instead of left (that driving on the left thing is really confusing, by the way) or getting mauled by some crazy drunk student. True, these things can still happen, but it's easier to deal with it and work around it after wandering the streets a couple of times. Walking around London alone, where there were more people, buses, and chaos, really helped ease that anxiety for me. I realized, after all of my worrying this past year about how things have really diminished since high school in terms of my involvement and network at UGA that it really is okay. In a new situation or even a new country, we are all weary of something be it buses or getting lost. But, taking a new perspective on the situation or trying it in a new light makes the previous seem not so bad. Also, adjustment comes in steps. It's not like we're going to get to college and everything is going to click. I mean, I am still young. How am I supposed to know the rest of my life? I haven't even fully developed as a person.

So, in retrospect, I am glad that I had a relatively chill (except again, math3500) first year. It's good to have time to take a step back and evaluate the situation. This way, I can truly find the things I love in life and dedicate myself to them. Also, it is an opportunity to find new things that I would let to include in my life and a way of developing personal growth.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Besides, would it even have been as worthwhile as it was if it were? (Oy. I really need to work on my Engrish. =P)