From Luton to St. Albans.... With my MP3 player on shuffle, I walk from school to Leagrave Station to take the train home. Alison Krauss's Down to the River to Pray comes on and my mind drifts back to my home in Tennessee. I see Nickajack Dam and the beautiful, green Sequatchie Valley surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. I taste my stepmom's famous fried chicken, creamed potatoes, sweet tea, beans, and cornbread. I see farms, over whose soil slaves used to bend in the hot sun, picking cotton, singing hymns, somehow finding joy in that miserable life. I hear the music of a soft, friendly southern accent. I've slowly developed a new-found patriotism. I've always loved my country, and I've always loved being a southerner. But now, I feel downright PROUD of my homeland and grateful ... read more

Autumn is the most romantic time to be in Oxford, England. The whole city flourishes with intellectualism and art. I feel smarter just walking around. And walk around we do! I'm with the Hungarians again, and (as always) no one knows where we're going or what to do. We try to tour the university, but it's closed on Sundays. We go into the beautiful university church and climb to the very top to take panoramic pictures of the city. It's beautiful! I want to see the Eagle and Child Pub, where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and others used to meet to read each other's work and critique it. The Hungarians humor me and follow along as I navigate through the city with my map, but it's obvious they don't give a damn about it. They ... read more

After the netball game, I go to Jodi’s and Deanna’s house, near the bottom of Farley Hill, close to my old bed and breakfast. We watch some show called Hollyoaks, which is the most depressing, melodrama of all time. I'm more interested in the microwaved Chinese take-out and "chips" courtesy of Deanna. After a couple of TV shows and glasses of wine mixed with cherry soda (Jodi's invention and you should try it!), we are upstairs, primping for our night out. I'm wearing my new high-heeled boots I got in Covent Garden for half price. A group of the teachers who competed in the netball tournament are going out drinking, so we'll be joining them in all our glory. The bar is huge, with lots of room to stand around the bar and talk, a seating ... read more

It's a Thursday, and I know that if I go into London after work today, I'll get home late and be tired at school tomorrow, but I don't care. I need a get-away. By 6:00, I'm sitting on a ledge by the Thames, right across from St. Paul's Cathedral. The sun sets slowly, coloring the clouds with fuzzy smudges of purple and pink while the sky contrasts by looking like it's on fire. Pidgeons fly around looking for food, landing occasionally to peck at something, then fly off over the river. Joggers weave in and out of people. The train at Charing Cross rolls loudly across the river in the distance behind me. Girl friends walk by arm-in-arm, laughing, talking, high-heels clicking. I like how people actually wear barrets in this country. Those would be so ... read more

I read about the Borough Market, which is WAY bigger and better than the St. Albans Market. However, when I arrive to market place, everything is closed. Apparently, the big day is Saturday, but I wander around the empty stalls and make mental notes about where things are. I walk further north toward the river, enjoying the sunshine and the people-watching. I take pictures along the way from London Bridge all the way to Waterloo Bridge. As I cross Waterloo Bridge, the view takes my breath away. What a magnificent city! I freakin' love Waterloo Bridge. The other side of the bridge is an area where I've never been, on the north side of the Thames, Soho, and further north still is Covent Garden, which I've been hearing is the shopping Mecca of London. There are ... read more