Going to the Airport

I took a bus to Heathrow Airport. At some point we had to stop for a passing train (but didn’t realize the train was the reason). We just sat still for what seemed like an eternity--enough to drive me batty. Soon I began laughing because I looked out the window and saw a really old man on his electric wheelchair passing us by on the sidewalk! It was so funny! I felt like I was in the movie "Office Space."

Then I noticed another passenger’s on the bus was wearing a blouse that had a pattern almost exactly like the pattern on the seats of the bus. Royal blue with small speckled geometric shapes in red and yellow. I struggled to retain my giggling, she really blended in! And when she got off the bus, it was as if a seat was going with her. Haha, this was too funny. All this is to say, I kept myself amused on the long bus ride. :)

This was my first time to fly with Aer Lingus. My flight cost 1 euro going and 19 euro returning. Well, plus 50 euro in taxes/fees. Also, you're not allowed to check any bags, unless you pay a fee--5 euro (each way) if reserved online, 8 euro if upon arrival. Interesting, eh?

Foot & Mouth Disease

I was staying in Egham which is right near the Windsor Great Park, vast property of the Crown, so I had been eager to go for a long run through the park on this sunny morning of around 52 degrees. However, I learned that the park was closed due to the Foot & Mouth disease. It seems they want to protect the Queen's deer from getting infected. So I decided I'd run through the nearby Runnymede Park, the grounds on which the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. However, when I reached it, I found signs declaring all entrances to be closed because the cattle in those fields actually had Foot & Mouth. So I continued on the path outside the fence. Eventually I made it to the Air Force Memorial (honoring the 20,000 people with no graves who died flying in WWII), which had a great view of the area. I saw the River Thames in the distance, lined with colorful trees and decided I'd run to the town of Old Windsor, then run along the river back to Egham.
Well...I ended up taking a few detours along very windy and hilly roads...fortunately various elderly people out for a morning stroll helped to point me in the right direction...only to discover that portions of the "toepath" along the river was closed due to Foot & Mouth.
Nevertheless, throughout this 11.5 miles, I did see some lovely sights! I was carrying my camera, and it was quite a pleasant adventure. Eventually I ended up in Egham, and enjoyed a blueberry smoothie and mozzarella/tomato/pesto panini before heading back up the hill to the university.

Traversing London

After fulfilling my work responsibilities, I spent a day traversing the city of London. I had no map, no guidebook, and no real plan of action. I just too the only train that goes from Egham (where the university is) to London (Waterloo station) and sort of spontaneously decided what I'd do as I went along.
Sound ridiculous, to have made no preparation for managing in this enormous city? Well, okay, so 8 years ago I lived in London for 4 months, so I was prepared to rely on my memory...
The day went amazingly smoothly! I hit all the sights that I would have cared to see, and with great ease!
First, I went to the Holy Communion service at Westminster Abbey. Then I walked past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then along the River Thames, past the London Eye (ferris wheel in back left of Big Ben picture), up to Trafalgar Square, then up to Leicester Square. I walked through Chinatown and had a great lunch in a Japanese restaurant. Then I walked to Piccadilly Circus, then took the Tube to Hyde Park and walked the length of it to Kensington Gardens. The colourful Autumn leaves make it a delightful place to be this time of year!

Then I took the back streets to the area where I lived and had fun visiting the house, the same cafes, markets, etc. Now then, my favorite place in London back then had been the Tower Bridge at night. It just happened to be sunset at this time, so I took the Tube to the Tower of London, walked alongside it--in all its ancient and gruesome mystery at dusk--then to the Tower Bridge, crossed it and walked along the River Thames, now nighttime. Indeed this is still my favorite place (and it's only such at night), for this is when the magic and wonder emerges. It is at moments like this that you marvel at the opportunity to be in London, which enjoying the peaceful, crisp night air with such a glorious backdrop.

Remembering Past Days in London

I sat outside the house where I lived in 1999 and remembered what a formative experience that time studying in London had been. Actually, it was in the Fall, just as now, so now I could even feel the same weather and sensations in the air. I remember the excitement I had about living abroad. I loved exploring the city and traveling with every opportunity. This is when I gained a sense of confidence and independence. I had never previously really embraced life as a single adult in a big city, and so there I was having such freedom and so much adventure at my fingertips--for me to decide what, where, and when I was going to do something. I realized then that it was up to me to seize every opportunity—academically, culturally, spiritually, relationally. I could pursue what I wanted, be anything, go anywhere (by God's grace)—the whole world had opened up to me. Yes, eight years ago this is what planted the seeds that enabled me to go and do and be who I am now.

I remember the day I left London, it was so sad, as I wondered if I’d ever be back. I behaved as if I wouldn’t be. As far as I knew, I was returning to school in Alabama, and otherwise had family in Texas. Back then I was working on my Bachelor's degree, having no idea I would ever pursue, much less have completed, a Ph.D. at this point...and little did I know then that now I’d be living in Dublin, working in London...indeed it is so interesting to have these moments of looking back, reflecting on where we've come from, where we're going, and all the formative experiences that have helped to shape who we are--fostered our desires, developed our character, challenged our worldview, instilled a sense of calling or purpose in life...

In some sense, I feel like I've come full circle. I am somehow at another crossroads in life. (Are these two geometric figures of speech conflicting or is it okay to use them as I have...?)
There I sat, in the same place--geographically, seasonally, metaphorically--yet from a different angle. And similar questions arise...I am wondering what the next adventure is that life will bring?

Royal Holloway University of London

I am at Royal Holloway University of London this week, giving a talk at a seminar among other things. The above photo is the university's main ("Founder's") building, built around 1880. It's a beautiful campus, near Windsor Great Park, the royal hunting grounds and gardens.