~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~: June 2011

Somewhere out there in the world
do you think that there might be
two little girls in pigtails,
like we used to be?
I wonder if they're wearing cowgirl boots-
white ones and bubblegum pink-
running and playing in frilly socks
writing stories in mud puddle ink.
I hope they're making up music
to sing the dandelions to sleep,
while they're weaving each other rings from thread
it turns out they will always keep.
Do you think they've found a secret place yet
along a brook or stream,
where they'll spend hours in the froth
like faeries do in dreams?
I imagine there's one with fire red hair,
the other with sapphire eyes, bright blue,
hand holding hand while hard years pass
as, once upon a time, when I was with you.

~ For Alyza ~

Scarborough Castle

It's been a while since I posted, but during my absence something important has happened in my British life...it appears that I have nearly run out of all of my American essentials - excedrin, toothpaste, deodorant, q-tips - the supply I stuffed my suitcases with before I moved to England, which has comforted and connected me to home these last 8 months has, at long last, run out. I think/admit what this means is that I officially live here now. A friend from college came to visit last week and brought me my favorite laundry detergent, so at least I have that luxurious smell of home to cling to, but aside from that, the time has come to give in. I knew this day would come, and admittedly dreaded it, but now that it's happened I have decided...assimilating is fun : )

Thinking back just a few months to Christmas I realize how much more settled I've become in my life here, in such a short time. I got very sick at the end of my European vacation during my Easter Holiday, and the last two months has been a struggle to get well between a number of misdiagnoses from doctors here in York. All of this finally culminated in a big scare and 5 days being kept in the emergency room at the Hospital with a blood infection. Much to my pleasant surprise they took incredible care of me. The National Health Service actually came through with flying colors. They really did save my life...and (you silly mistrusting Americans!) it was completely free. Thank you, God! My hospital stay wasn't the only thing that helped me realize just how much I really live here now. In between being sick and taking time to heal and get well again I have had amazing friends taking care of me, and helping me get out into fresh air again. I've started taking day trips around England whenever I have a chance. We've hopped in cars and stolen a few hours to get away and get to know this place better. In the last two weeks I've taken little excursions to Selby where I had a sleepover with friends at a Medieval cottage, and I've done two separate day trips to beautiful little coastal towns in North Yorkshire, along the North Sea - Whitby and Scarborough (of Scarborough Fair renown). Each trip has been completely wonderful. Whitby was surprisingly quaint and picturesque. It was completely worth every excessively windy moment, just to feel the sea breeze on my skin and laugh at being nearly blown away in the wind, all against a magnificent backdrop of abbey ruins. Scarborough is stunning. We found a hidden spot on a cliff, and tucked ourselves away there to look out over the sea below and the castle just off in the distance to our right. There was a somewhat devastating lack of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme actually, but finding Anne Bronte's grave, and playing on a sandy beach complete with £2 donkey rides and 60 pence homemade donuts helped me get over the initial upset. The company of beautiful friends has been the best part, of course, but it's also been nice thinking to myself, "there's no hurry in any of this. I have plenty of time to see anything I want. I live here now" Very basically, summer in England is awesome. Life here is so good. It really is the stuff fairy tales are made of.

Speaking of summer luxuries, I woke up this morning and went for my friend Lea's birthday breakfast at our favorite indulgent tea house in York. Sitting there felt completely natural. It's still special going to this perfect cafe, but this time I felt like I was right at home, sitting there contentedly with two Brits, one Canadian, and a Beijing beauty. On the walk home I passed five people I know heading into city centre - one married couple from my department, a friend on a bike, a classmate walking with his girlfriend, and another friend on his way to a wedding. This may seem a small thing, but it struck me. I'm bumping into people I know all over the city now. York is really beginning to feel like home.

~ Some sites from York: This is what my May and June have looked like ~