Photography: @iragib
Good morning everyone!
Where have I been the past few weeks since ch.2? Well, to put it plainly; planes, trains, and automobiles. But mainly trains, of course. I’m on a train right now, the first of a modest two part commute today. What’s changed in me since I’ve been living here in England is my gratitude towards the $6 all day parking I used to pay at work, and the traffic I endured in my max 20 min drive everyday. To get to work in under an hour and find the motivation to take the stairs at the Highbury and Islington station instead of the escalator are what now constitute a successful day of transportation.
Is that all you’ve learned Emily?! Maybe that’s what you’re wondering. No. I’ve learned wind can kill. I felt it literally piercing through my soul and attacking my skin like a thousand tiny sewing needles on the cliff tops of Northern Ireland. I’d never felt a sensation like it, and though my immediate fight or flight instinct was to clutch onto a hand rail and get to safety, part of me had never felt more alive. Another moment of, “I’m embracing the cold and wind and feeling ALIVE” took place on the beaches of Brighton. Running as fast as I could towards the frothing water, my feet sinking into the pebbles, and as the wave came into tide, running swiftly back up the beach to avoid getting soaked, like my friend Josee did.
Where have I been the past few weeks since ch.2? Well, to put it plainly; planes, trains, and automobiles. But mainly trains, of course. I’m on a train right now, the first of a modest two part commute today. What’s changed in me since I’ve been living here in England is my gratitude towards the $6 all day parking I used to pay at work, and the traffic I endured in my max 20 min drive everyday. To get to work in under an hour and find the motivation to take the stairs at the Highbury and Islington station instead of the escalator are what now constitute a successful day of transportation.
Is that all you’ve learned Emily?! Maybe that’s what you’re wondering. No. I’ve learned wind can kill. I felt it literally piercing through my soul and attacking my skin like a thousand tiny sewing needles on the cliff tops of Northern Ireland. I’d never felt a sensation like it, and though my immediate fight or flight instinct was to clutch onto a hand rail and get to safety, part of me had never felt more alive. Another moment of, “I’m embracing the cold and wind and feeling ALIVE” took place on the beaches of Brighton. Running as fast as I could towards the frothing water, my feet sinking into the pebbles, and as the wave came into tide, running swiftly back up the beach to avoid getting soaked, like my friend Josee did.
Tears have been shed since the last time I wrote to you. Some induced by great halls, cupboards under the stairs, and a two part play that was easily the most incredible theater experience I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. The witch in me was well nurtured over the weekend.
But other tears weren’t so nostalgic. Or maybe they were, but in a way reminiscent of past pain, only presented in a new way and in a new place. I like these tears, and thank God I do, because I bring them of, purposely listen to music that will force me to close my eyes and imagine things that have come and gone. Even if the feelings aren’t happy, I find comfort in them because they prove I'm capable of the strongest of feelings, and that makes me feel empowered.
I hope those of you who listen to my Spotify playlists don’t imagine me just sitting around, sobbing to all that music. Maybe one playlist here and there invokes the roll of a tear, but think of it as a reflective, “you may be a tad heartbroken, you may be growing up, but you can handle anything” kind of tear.
Another self discovery; I now find what’s become necessary solace in being alone. Whether I’m secluded by my dorm walls or my AirPods, the time I spend alone cooking, commuting, dancing or walking, is the perfectly lonely time I have to check in with the voice in my head. Did anyone else just start humming Perfectly Lonely by John Mayer? I certainly hope so.
What about fashion?! I’m happy, though not surprised to say that I feel I’ve grown into a new era of personal style since living here. It’s liberating, albeit, very expensive, to constantly be inspired by the passers by. My style hasn’t changed, but been honed. I find more joy than ever in T-shirt and jeans combos, body-con roll neck tops are now my biggest staples, and a leprechaun green vintage Nike hoodie was discovered to be the piece I never knew I needed.
I’ve firmly realized boots and sneakers are the only footwear I’ll ever need. Though just yesterday I woke with the urge to get Dr.Martin sandals. We’ll see if that materializes.
Many of the pieces you see in this post were strategically thrifted, or from charity shops, if you're from the UK. Low price tags take the risk out of shopping, and allow you to dress more boldly. How else would I have ended up in a silk blouse with a racing horse graphic?
In the coming weeks I'm heading to Paris, finishing off my assignments, and trying not let the inevitable emotions of the approaching goodbyes take me over. Wish me luck, and stay tuned for part 4.
Thanks for reading.
What you see in this post:
- Look 1 -
Jeans - Buffalo
Roll Neck - ASOS
Stripped Shirt - *Vintage Christian Dior
- Look 2 -
*Vintage
- Look 3 -
Skirt - TopShop
Puffer Jacket - Uniqlo
Shirt - *Vintage
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