Tag: England

The start of Christmas in London

Published on by miadervisevicLeave a comment

In London, Christmas starts on November first. The lights are shinning, and the markets start getting set up. Everything has decorations, and the joy of the winter holidays are in the air! Its so surreal to experience Christmas (or the start of it) in a big city like London! While Denver may have one or two small Christmas markets, and an iceskating rink, London goes big or goes home. There are at least 7 markets close to me, as well as iceskating rinks in the making. Not to mention, the famous Hyde Park Winter Wonderland!

It’s so fun to walk around the city and look at all the lights and decorations. It brings so much joy, and on every corner you can see people laughing, taking pictures, and enjoying time together. Scarfs, sweaters, and hats, have become the staple fashion over here now, where people bundle up cozily and spend time together. I love experiencing this kind of atmosphere, as its so different from my hometown. I find myself comparing aspects (such as holiday festivities) to my hometown life, and how it’s similar or different. London is a huge city, and in some way, with all the lights, and decorations, it seems to almost appreciate the holidays more. I do find some similarities though, and its fun to find a piece of home. The smaller markets are very similar to the German one we have in Denver, and it’s fun to walk around and think of home, while also experiencing something a little bit different. I find myself appreciating the winter season more and more while I’m here.

The first snowfall of the season happened on Sunday, and it was beautiful to see the little flurries of snow falling down. People tilting their heads up to watch it fall, and enjoying the phenomenon. The snow doesn’t stick here, as its kind of a mix between rain and snow, but its fun nonetheless, and exciting to experience. However, the cold here sets in quickly, and it doesn’t take long for one to get cold, if they don’t have a proper jacket.

School has started to slow down a bit, and my friends and I have started to focus on our projects and final papers. Because of the drop in weather and temperature, theres not much one would want to do other than go to the markets at night or on the weekends; So, I’ve been spending my days focusing on the four papers I have to write by mid December, and going to classes. However, this does give me and my flatmates an opportunity to plan what markets we would like to go to, as well as talk and catch up. So far, my flatmates and some other friends have planed a few markets as well as iceskating, that we are so excited to go to!

I used to not like winter, because of the cold, and the lack of things to do, but experiencing winter here in London makes me want to rethink. Even the darkest of nights so far, have been brightened with all the lights in central London as well as the company of friends. Its interesting to see how being in a different city (and studying abroad) can change perspectives and ways of life. I enjoy seeing the differences in myself, and influences of the city I am in, and cant wait to experience more in the last month I have.

https://www.instagram.com/mias_abroad/

Its okay to relax at home

Published on by miadervisevicLeave a comment

While I’ve done A LOT in these past few weeks/months, I also feel like I haven’t done anything. It’s a weird in between where I feel like I always have to always be doing something, and where I have to remind myself it’s okay to relax. I see people going on trips every weekend, and it makes me wonder if I’m doing everything I can.

I occasionally get this feeling, that I feel like I have to be doing something, traveling somewhere, or seeing something. After class, before class, on my off days, and weekends. I have to remind myself that part of enjoying studying abroad, and life, is taking time for yourself and relaxing, even if that’s in bed, at home, watching a movie. I have to remind myself it’s okay to not always be walking around the city. While that’s definitely important, and exciting, you don’t have to do it every day. After a while, I’ve seen and done so much in London, I don’t know what to do on my off days. Today is one of those days.

Today, I woke up late and started my day slow. I had to remind myself that it’s okay, to not have a plan, and to not always go out into the city. I decided to retake some notes and remind myself what I have to do for my finals. I still feel a void, where a voice in the back of my mind is saying to do something, even though I don’t know what to do. “You’re in London and studying abroad! go out and do something” it says. But I am doing something here at home. I’m talking with my roommates, making food, doing schoolwork, and relaxing, which are all very important to life and studying abroad as well.

I feel a common consensus is, if you’re not going out and traveling all the time, you’re not taking advantage of this opportunity. But that’s wrong. You can enjoy your time abroad, relaxing and enjoying you time, just as much as you can enjoy time abroad, traveling. It’s okay to stay home once in a while, and not worry about what you’re going to fill your day with.

I sometimes forget just how much stuff I’ve done. I feel as though I haven’t done enough, but then I reflect and rethink what I’ve done, and it’s a lot! I’ve seen all the great tourist attractions like Buckingham palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. I’ve traveled to the countryside and enjoyed a quiet day. I’ve spent time at parks, museums, and cafes, as well as hung out with friends. I’ve even traveled to Scotland and France! I have to remind myself that I’ve done so much, even if it doesn’t feel like it, or there’s still so much to do. While I still have a bucket list of things I want to visit to complete, it’s okay to take this day for myself.

So, I’m here to remind you, that it’s okay to take a relaxing day at home, cozying up in bed, watching a good movie. It’s okay to not have plans and focus on schoolwork. While it’s amazing to go out and enjoy whichever city you’re abroad in, there’s a healthy balance of the two. Today, I will focus on my schoolwork, and myself, and remind myself that I have great plans tomorrow and the rest of the week, that a slow day like today is needed.

https://www.instagram.com/mias_abroad/