Looking Up

Ok, I don't want anyone to think that I will be posting every day, but today was particularly eventful, so I thought I'd share it. Last night I was really low. I felt sort of like I was on the outskirts of various groups of friends, and my boring night in did nothing to assuage that feeling. Also, I got into bed at 11pm and didn't get to sleep until 3:00. I was frustrated and crying and stressed, so there you go.

This morning, I woke up at nine and went grocery shopping at Spar, a closer little grocery store. Then, I came back and took a much needed nap. In the afternoon, there was a lot I had to get done, but first I stopped into a coffee shop called "Middleton's," which some of the girls recommended to me. Middleton's is a small room with only three tables. The owner and his wife are both chefs and they told me that, if there was any sort of food I was homesick for, I could request it and the next day it would be ready for me. He gave me this little chocolate candy stick which was really good. Then, when I was ready to pay, I asked if he accepted tips. He said yes, so I handed him a pound. He said, "But if you tip, you have to take this," and he gave me a bag of homemade cookies! I was so tired and grateful that I almost started crying right then and there.

I went to Little Apple Bookstore to buy a class book, to the library to get a card (it was Narnia Day so everyone working there was dressed up as a character—there was even a wardrobe to go through!) to the rail station to buy tickets to Edinburgh (which was a disappointment because I ended up forgetting an ID picture), and to Boyes to buy some more kitchen supplies. I'm from the Midwest, so I know polite, but I was overwhelmed by how nice everyone was. It's all people holding the door for you and apologizing when they realize they're walking too slowly on the sidewalk and apologizing when it's your fault for standing in their way. Today was "just the ticket."

Another thing: I know I told Mom big deal, so there's a cathedral in York, it's not like I've never seen one before. Well, let me tell you: it's enormous! I had only seen the front of it, but today I walked along it and it just keeps on going! The church bells were chiming for about an hour and it was so magical. I couldn't stop myself from going into the side door. I didn't go into the main worship space, since it was huge, but the short cross-section that I did see still looked like the biggest church I've ever seen—and that's only about a quarter of the size!

This evening, we went to a neighborhood church that had an event called "Tea and Toast" where people from the congregation served us…tea and toast. The pastor was there (priest?) and sat down and talked to us. I just feel like everyone is so welcoming and hospitable.

Anyway, I'm pretty cheery now—especially since I'm about to go and watch some Jane Austen.