Homecoming

I'm back from my year in Europe. I've been back, actually, for awhile. But not only has my schedule not really allowed, I haven't quite known how to sum up the experience beyond the "I'm so glad I went, but I'm so happy to be home" phrase I've heard coming out of my mouth a lot lately. I will say it was perfect timing for me to have made that step away from working full time. An intellectual reset was exactly what I needed, and a social shakeup wasn't easy but was probably pretty important. 

It was also a weird year in the west, politically and socially, an especially weird one to have as an American with a European vantage point. But this is not the place to talk about that. If any readers of this post want to talk about that IRL, I'd be so happy to -- I'm just not quite ready to put that all down in writing, though I'm hoping to at some point. 

A spattering of photos below, from Morocco to London to Nevis to Formentera to Berlin and back. click through :)  

LDN PT 2, "the" LSE

It's been a perfect autumn (still trying out the word at the behest of English friends, it won't stick) week weather-wise, living up to what the first week of school should feel like.  

The past week was full of more questions than answers, and full of head-scratching administrative process. Even the professors seem confused as to why things work the way they do here. Classes themselves, on the other hand, started off well, though I am already drowning in reading. I've always suspected that most academic writing is purposefully evasive, a suspicion that arose again during this week's readings. A real slog, but I'm sure it'll get easier. This term my classes are in media theory, globalization, journalism critique, research and statistics. It's a heavy load but very interesting.  

I've been taking runs to and around Regent's Park via the Regent's Canal Towpath. The canals are really interesting, part of London's revitalization efforts, though there are still house boats and the water looks absolutely terrible. I found a yoga studio nearby, and will probably join the LSE gym when the weather turns for something closer to school. 

It's difficult with my apartment over St. Pancras station to focus on much other than the fact that I could be on a train to Paris in 10 minutes, but I've resisted so far. I have a trip coming up in 2 weeks to Marrakech for a friend's wedding, which will be great. 

I'll write more about classes as we get further into it, and make sure to pass along any relevant things to read.  The goal today is to read more, and then to go see what's on at the Tate Modern later on. xx

London, part 1: Back to School.

Autumn in London isn't a real autumn in the way it is in the mountain west, but surely it's an adequate replacement for whatever season it is in LA right now. Plus, fall = school's back in. 

I'm starting off at London School of Economics this week and I'll be using this space to write a little about my time abroad and share some photos and thoughts of my new city, new school and other experiences of note. 

It's been a week since we (mom and I) landed. She flew home yesterday after days of errands, administrative headaches, lots of walking and more than a few glasses of wine at London lunch counters and the couches of the Airbnb in Notting Hill while whichever game show happened to be on arrested our attention. 

Biggest Ben.

Biggest Ben.

The green package is meat. This is the welcome pack from the student housing. 

The green package is meat. This is the welcome pack from the student housing. 

Kensington

Kensington

Portobello Spoils

Portobello Spoils

wine

wine

Regent's Canal towpath

Regent's Canal towpath

view from my room in Kings Cross

view from my room in Kings Cross

Hi London! 

YOLO Summer

Exploring Los Angeles during the daytime (and night too). 

Angel's Point 

Angel's Point 

Utah Visits

It's been great to have a flexible schedule this summer so I can visit home more often. Weddings, new best friend babies, dog heaven, Salt Lake really is the best. 

The view from the top of the tram at Snowbird. 

The view from the top of the tram at Snowbird. 

Biarritz

My first visit to the Basque Coast was incredible. We'll be back soon, with a long list of more we wanted to do. 

La Grand Plage

La Grand Plage

France 2016

B and I went to France, first Paris, and then Biarritz, during the knockout rounds of the European Championships. I was so fun being in that atmosphere, especially considering what the country has been going through, and seeing people from all over Europe (for the most part) come together and celebrate. Below are a selection of shots from Paris.

72u camp time.

This is skipping ahead a bit, since I have like 40 other photos to post from November before this happened, but it's too good not to share immediately. Me and everyone, minus Reilly (who took the photo) and plus Karen, Justine and Aris, 72ers and more importantly, amazing people who wanted to join us in our camping adventures.

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Settling in, in LA

October in LA is lovely. 

Nephews. 

Nephews. 

Staged nephews. 

Staged nephews. 

Ducks in the sun!

Ducks in the sun!

Griffith Observatory.

Griffith Observatory.

New home. 

New home. 

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Dog in a bag. 

Dog in a bag. 

New commute.

New commute.

Ducks fly together

Ducks fly together

Smoosh face. 

Smoosh face. 

En route to vegas! 

En route to vegas! 

Vegas is a smokey place.

Vegas is a smokey place.

<3

<3

We were on youtube!

We were on youtube!

Messy everything, but selfies happen more often when your boyfriend&#39;s in SF.&nbsp;

Messy everything, but selfies happen more often when your boyfriend's in SF. 

girl&#39;s night to Oh Land @ the Troubadour

girl's night to Oh Land @ the Troubadour

These are the girls. Sylvia + Ashley.&nbsp;

These are the girls. Sylvia + Ashley. 

Chewie-sitting

Chewie-sitting

Chewie-napping

Chewie-napping

This is what a USC tailgate looks like.&nbsp;

This is what a USC tailgate looks like. 

Chewie-walking

Chewie-walking

chewie-looking

chewie-looking

Catching up

Hello! I have been SO insanely busy with 72u that I have entirely neglected my personal internet space. Here are some updates, via my iPhone photos. 

My tiny contribution to the 72u house.

My tiny contribution to the 72u house.

The beach near my temporary digs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The beach near my temporary digs. 

 

Brad, before he left me here.&nbsp;

Brad, before he left me here. 

John.

John.

Ashley.&nbsp;

Ashley. 

Taking a break from 72 for old friends in La Ca&ntilde;ada.&nbsp;

Taking a break from 72 for old friends in La Cañada. 

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Pool time at the Mitchell&#39;s

Pool time at the Mitchell's

Reilly.&nbsp;

Reilly. 

Maria took us sailing for a day.&nbsp;

Maria took us sailing for a day. 

Maria.

Maria.

Branded.

Branded.

Welcome party behind the scenes!&nbsp;

Welcome party behind the scenes! 

Filling the 72u room with 3000 balloons. Day 1.&nbsp;

Filling the 72u room with 3000 balloons. Day 1. 

Dan. (and my foot)

Dan. (and my foot)

Filling a room with balloons, day 2.&nbsp;

Filling a room with balloons, day 2. 

Balloon party!

Balloon party!

Jeremy.

Jeremy.

One of many sage balloons.

One of many sage balloons.

Last balloons.&nbsp;

Last balloons. 

More of the last days in Frisco

Much like my last days in New York, my last days in SF have been amazing (ly exhausting). 

Joe challenged the three of us to complete a boot before he did.&nbsp;

Joe challenged the three of us to complete a boot before he did. 

Couples boot drinking at Leopold's

Couples boot drinking at Leopold's

I'm going to miss her.&nbsp;

I'm going to miss her. 

Yep.

Yep.

We go way back.  

We go way back.  

Still excited about football season, I guess.&nbsp;

Still excited about football season, I guess. 

The windiest hill in San Francisco.

The windiest hill in San Francisco.

We were cold.  

We were cold.  

I wanted to take her to dinner, she wanted Subtember.&nbsp;

I wanted to take her to dinner, she wanted Subtember. 

NFC 2013 pt. 2

Pointing out smells.&nbsp;

Pointing out smells. 

first trip on the dock.&nbsp;

first trip on the dock. 

first trip into the water! (there were a lot of firsts on this trip)

first trip into the water! (there were a lot of firsts on this trip)

feeling a little better about things, but not much.&nbsp;

feeling a little better about things, but not much. 

Summer days with Brainless on Peaches from Epic Brews in SLC.&nbsp;

Summer days with Brainless on Peaches from Epic Brews in SLC. 

SWIMMING! sort of...&nbsp;

SWIMMING! sort of... 

Tired from her first day as a nature dog.&nbsp;

Tired from her first day as a nature dog. 

Not a bad view.&nbsp;

Not a bad view. 

Until next time....&nbsp;

Until next time....