It’s Christmas
time here in London! Since term ends Friday, this week has been full of
Christmas festivities, essays, and goodbyes.
Last week was
the dorm’s James Bond themed Christmas party, but it seriously feels like
yesterday that they had their welcome party on my first day here, when I met all of the people that would soon become dear friends.
The next day,
Isaac, Felix and I went to Harry Potter Studios! There are no words to describe
how amazing it was. We stood in the original Great Hall, saw how flying brooms
work, took pictures next to all of the greatest props of the movies, and the
boys even had Butterbeer! It’s amazing how easily all of my Harry Potter
knowledge came back from reading the books countless times…maybe that’s why my
head doesn’t seem to have room for my essays…
My group of
friends here live upstairs in Flat number 6 and we had a proper Christmas
dinner on Monday night. Silverio and Joey cooked for hours: chicken, potatoes,
carrots, stuffing (American style), broccoli, gravy. You name it, they made it,
and it was all delicious. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts, had British Christmas crackers with toys in them, and ate until we
couldn’t move. It was one of those moments where everything was perfect. I am
so blessed that Flat 6 welcomed me into their little family here at King’s. They
have brought me such joy and I am going to miss them dearly. It was strange to
know that Christmas dinner was the last time we would all be together, since
people are starting to go home for Christmas break. And although I am having
trouble wrapping my head around the fact that these goodbyes I say here are a
bit more permanent than ones I’ve previously said in my life, that moment, that
Christmas dinner, was perfection.
This week I am
also drowning in essays. I have written 8,000 words worth of essays since
Friday and I have about 8,000 more to go. I haven’t written this much since
last May at GW, so I’m feeling a bit rusty and stressed. I hate that my last
week here has to be like this. But Alex comes on Saturday and then she, Sarah
(from Alex’s program in Amsterdam) and I go on our UK trip!
So in summary,
this week has been full of feelings – great, Christmassy, stressful, and
strange. But I am feeling blessed by all of it – by Christmas shopping, endings, laughter, great
dinners, unbelievable friends, and still more adventures ahead.
Much love to you
all,
Mandy
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