Fun to be had.

One thing that’s both good and bad about living in New York City is the sense that I could be doing so much—going to the ballet, going to an off-off-Broadway play, taking a graphic design class, shopping in Williamsburg, eating in Astoria. But I almost never do those things, so the possibilities are exciting, but also a reproach. I’ve been haunted for years by a public service poster I saw just one time, in the subway. It was a photo of a Chinese food take-out container sitting on top of two videos. The caption read, “If this is how you spend your time, why are you living in New York?”

Fun abounded in New York City, if only I had the largeness of spirit to tap into it.

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A friend of mine posted this quote the other day. It's from Gretchen Rubin's book, "The Happiness Project." I hadn't heard of this book before, but now I think I want to read it.

It's exactly how I feel about London. 

The other day, I was walking across the Golden Jubilee Bridge (doesn't that sound fancy?) toward Waterloo. There are always a ton of tourists there, because it's the perfect spot to take that classic London-Eye-and-Big-Ben-over-the-river photo. And out of nowhere, it hit me. I live here. It's still weird when I stop and think about it. I live in London. Crazy.

Like that quote says, there's just so much I could be doing. It's such an exciting place to be, but it also leaves me feeling a bit guilty. I've been here eight months now -- have I taken advantage of it? Surely not as much as I could have.

I live here.

Part of that has to do with being a student. Most of my time is spent reading journal articles, writing essays, and looking up how to reference in the Harvard style (for the millionth time it seems...have I mentioned that I really miss MLA?)

The other part has a little to do with the fact that I'm living off my savings. Now that classes are over, hopefully that'll change. I've been sifting through job openings the past few days and will start applying once I've got this last essay in. Fingers crossed.

So yeah, there are plenty of things I haven't done and haven't seen...yet. But there's a lot I have, too. I've seen the touristy stuff, visited museums and markets, seen a show on the West End, and found some great little restaurants and parks. Plus I've done a fair bit of traveling...with more to come soon. And I've met some truly wonderful people.

Still, I plan to tuck this quote in the back of my mind. Once I leave, I'll probably never live in London again. I want to make the most of this. So, roll on summer. 

There's fun to be had.