and on the seventh day...she sort of rested.

my first week is already gone! it's been a rough couple first days, but as of thursday afternoon, i've been feeling much more settled in. and as of last night, it finally hit me that i'm in London!

i went out to dinner last night with Jiwon and Esther. it's always nice seeing familiar faces in an unfamiliar setting. we went to a wooden themed thai restaurant called busaba.

(they had really pretty bowls...)

afterwards, Jiwon and i were feeling spontaneous and decided to walk around in Soho. never in my life have i ever felt so...baby-ish and uncool! i didn't dare take pictures while i was there, out of fear that someone would jump me for being such a tourist. i wish i did take pictures though! so many different pubs, cafes, restaurants, clubs, shady looking stores, and yummy looking windows! the thing is, i seriously need to age another 10 years to look like i could fit in with the crowd that hangs around those parts. we tried mustering up courage to go to a pub, but we ended up just getting a bottle of beer each at a bar and taking it out. we must've looked like little high school punks trying to be rebellious, walking those streets on a friday night. note to self: next time you go out at night in london, at least put in SOME effort in what you're gonna wear. don't just wear comfy tights, t-shirt, and a cardigan.

for the first time this week, i slept in till 10:30. i woke up laughing about how silly and bashful i felt last night. had a light breakfast: a scrumptious Pear Puff that i picked up at a patisserie last night, a glass of milk, and a crispy Pink Lady Apple.

then i went out for a walk around Regent's Park. what a beautiful park! i promise i'll take more pictures when i go back. on my way back, i stumbled upon a bridge and watched these people playing a peculiar game on kayaks...i couldn't quite figure out how the game worked.

i'm off to a little dinner party to meet some new people tonight! wish me luck! i've been so awful at meeting british people and socializing since i've been here. i missed orientation, so i didn't get to meet the other study abroad students. i met a few people in my classes, and i actually bumped into some girls from bryn mawr, which was a nice surprise! but i've been so busy trying to figure out how to function in London that i haven't had the energy to branch out. plus, i'm not the most outgoing person in the first place. i've always been more of a wallflower.

i was talking to Edin the other night about how awkward i am...he always knows how to make me feel better about any situation.

conversation w/edin

Me: edin...i managed to sit with a full table of people during breakfast and ended up talking to no one around me by the time i finished eating.

Edin: oh no! rachel that is so awkward haha. just remember--they lost the war!

here's to socializing!