Hello Hello,
I think I will go backwards with this post. Starting with today.
Today I became energized about my future. I have no set plans, no formal outline, to timeline, but ideas are churning. Ideas of grad school, working in organizations that share the same goals as myself and then perhaps branching into my own organization. I am learning the ins and outs, the dos and don'ts the struggles, and the frustration, but also seeing the reward. I went to PACE today, an organization that supports the LGBT community in London, more geared to the youth, offers counseling, youth groups, mens and womens groups, etc etc. They have about 20 paid staff. Wow. London Friend has about 3. It makes a huge difference. I met with Tim Eastwood, a young man clearly dedicated to his work with the youth, school, and battling homophobia head on. He spoke articulately, knew all about PACE, and took time out of his day to meet with me, (who had no agenda, I went because Rita and Frances wanted me to see a bigger organization work). I am so grateful that they sent me. Being at PACE, who does primarily work with youth, I saw how important London Friend is with their work for the older generations. Older people need a safe space too, and although I had comprehended that on a surface level, that realization struck me when talking to Tim, and hearing about all the outreach for youth, but funding, and interest does not lie within the older population. I could see myself as Tim in a few years. I think he was mid twenties, had already worked at a few other organizations, and started and is continuing to run a youth group at PACE, along with other projects that deal with school homophobia. I could do that. With other interests of course, but I can actually find a way to do what I want. That sits quite well with me, calms me a bit, I feel reassured that my future will be okay. My passions can seep out and become a reality. The trick will be remembering this feeling, knowing that I too can work and do something I enjoy.
Other than today I am not sure about my feelings. I have been more 'eh' than 'great.' Feeling reserved. A bit withdrawn. Or not, I am not even sure. I think I can feel the end coming here, less than 5 weeks. It will fly bye, especially with my upcoming trips (Ireland this weekend, Paris next weekend). (sidenote: to all Zac Efron fans...Erin just got his autograph...be jealous.....there is a lot of screaming in the flat right now, too cute) Anywho, I feel really comfortable at London Friend, I feel more relaxed there than I do at the flat, it is quieter, I have more of a purpose there, I like getting up and going in the morning.
Clea and Mik came last Wednesday night. They arrived, got the keys to the flat figured out, and then we went out for a drink. I think I surprised Clea by ordering a scotch, my taste-buds for drinky drinks have changed while being here. They seemed in pretty good spirits even after such a long trek (they came from Portland Oregon), even with the technological downfall between our phones, really just my phone. I did have to go to work the next day but they did a walking tour, saw some sights, and I met up with them for dinner and a drink later. That was when my phone died. Well, I would say it was a surprise death, slipped through my fingers and into my delicious wheat beer, and then without missing a beat I snatched it out, but the poor sucker was barely hanging on. When I plugged it in later that evening it screamed at me, and I just decided to take it out of its misery and leave it be. I got a new phone the next day. No worries.
On Friday, We headed over to the British Museum which I had not been to yet and saw the Rosetta Stone, pretty cool I must say. Mik was pretty excited about it all, he being a history major and all. We ventured upstairs to the Asian section, and I saw lots of pieces about Buddhism, the Himalayas, Tibet, and other things that I have studied from Eric's classes. And then I felt like Mik, because he actually knew the history of downstairs, and I knew what was going on upstairs, it is exciting to know something and then see it in a museum. Oh, I also pointed out what was around the Acropolis in Athens, because well, I have been there, hehe.
We found a place for lunch, then walked around Piccadilly for a while, found a really hip looking all organic, dairy and wheat free place that looks yummy and not terribly expensive. I hope to get back there again. It was raining. For most of while they were here it rained. It sucked. I think that took away a lot of the charm of the city. I like the rain, I do, but not when I am trying to show my sister around, and have to look at maps because I do not know where everything is yet.
Friday night, Kelsey joined us for a delicious Indian dinner on Cromwell Road, I was able to show them the FIE building. Food was yummy yummy yummy. Thank you David. Saturday I was so excited because of the fireworks show that night, I planned the whole day around it, we went to the Imperial War museum, and I feel like something else, but I can't remember (sorry Clea and Mik). From there we headed into the strong wind, the rain, the dark clouds, to the river, only to hear on a megaphone that the fireworks were canceled due to weather conditions. LAME. I was so disappointed. Oh well. We had a nice dinner, drinks, and then I crashed at their flat. I didn't want them to go. I really didn't. I want them to come back. I love my sister.
I will see them again this Friday for just a few moments as they come back for the night and I head out to Ireland.
Tomorrow I am going to the Pre Launch party for LGBT history month. I am pretty stoked. I am signed up for a couple interesting workshops, and then an evening program with prominent speakers in the community. I'll let you know about it, don't worry.
For tonight I think I will continue to watch my new obsession, the show Skins. Oh yes. It has the boy from About a Boy, except he is grown up now, well probably like 19 or 20.
Be well dear ones. Have a good night.
