Birthday

On October 18th I turned 21, a birthday that is pretty important in America -- I can drink. But that doesn't really matter here.

I started off my day with an excursion into Central London for my Hidden London class. We read Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, and traveled around the city in the exact footsteps Mrs Dalloway took. We walked past Westminster Abbey, and then ventured through a park. It was a beautiful walk; also it began to rain, which even though I ended up getting soaked I loved it because in California we barely get a drizzle.

After class had finished, my friends and I went to Newens "Maids of Honor" for High Tea. It was delicious, and we all felt very fancy.

I want to thank everyone who has wished me a happy birthday -- I loved reading all of your messages! Thank you Dad, for the annual birthday poem; your best work thus far. Kenz, for being the first to FaceTime me. Mum, for the absurdly large box full of balloons and the small cake taped to the bottom. Jayson, for the shirts which have quickly become my new favorite thing. And my abroad girls: Emma, Brenna, and Ashley -- thanks for joining me for tea.

Having a birthday in a foreign country is strange, but you have all made it that much more special. Until next year.

-Syd.