The End is Not Near, It's Here

Well, I'm 'home.' If you can call it home. I mean, it's home, but I don't feel 'at home.' 

The day before I left I had my graduation. Katherine came with me.

 The luncheon was held at the 'Landmark' Hotel. The Hotel was amazing. I had never been inside a place so opulent, besides Versailles. 

Katherine and I exchanged looks, jaws dropped and we started to whisper. 

It felt too expensive to speak loudly. I was beyond mystified. This place was unbelievable.

 I honestly could not believe that someplace like that existed, and people stay there! 

We went into the ballroom for canapes and champagne (sparkling water for me), and enjoyed the splendor and spoke to Lauren and her family. Liza Minnelli showed up. ;)

After a bit they ushered us into the other ballroom outfitted with tables and such. 

We felt glamorous. Everything was pristine, and there was real silver utensils. When each course was served a man would subtly walk to the table and raise his hand slightly, then an entourage of waiters would march from the kitchen and circle the table as the man subtly walked away. 

In an instant he raised his other hands and everyone was served their plate at once. We enjoyed the three course meal of Duo of Duck, (one in pate form with crystalized sugar on top...)

Halibut with ginger foam and sweet potato puree,

 and five spice spring roll with coconut panna cotta. 

Not all of it was delicious, but it sure looked amazing. The panna cotta, however, was glorious. 

Luckily for me, two of our table guests left early and I got extra. :)

I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with the Ostlers and we had an impromptu going away party. Since we didn't have a lot of time only a few people could show up, including: Angus, Trey, Daniel, Kevin, Lauren, Michelle, The Ostlers (of course) and Hilary! We played spoons and hung out and talked, and then for the last time, I pulled out a guitar and Hilary and I sung to everyone in our native tongue: Bluegrass. It was lovely and I am pretty sure everyone enjoyed it. They joined in as they could and a good time was had by all. Everyone was out by 11p, and as I took my last tube ride home it started to rain. 

I woke up to sun on my last morning. I got everything together and hopped a bus, then a train (where my heart broke as I realized that I was leaving this land that I dearly loved),

 then a plane, to the states. I had a bit of a row in customs (well not really, but I would have liked to yell at that woman) I understand that they're just doing their job, but in this world of bureaucracies, the human element is lost. A very nice receptionist helped me reorganize my things so I wouldn't have to pay extra, but the mean woman at customs threw away my HP, marmite, golden syrup, and black treacle. As if I can make a bomb with MARMITE! Come on! Everything was sealed up tight too, so there weren't any explosives. I was annoyed. But I got to the states alright. I had only 20 minutes between my flights in Cincinnati, and my flight into San Francisco was nearly an hour early!

 Perry's dad picked me up from the airport and we had a very nice ride home. We stopped for Mexican food in Vallejo, and I was on my doorstep by 11p, exactly 24 hours after I had awoken in London. 

I can't believe I'm home. Today I felt more at home, unpacking my things and sharing it all. Jared looked really sharp in his new clothes from Uni Qlo. I tried to run today, but I didn't realize how much of a difference the elevation really makes! I had a lot of trouble, so I'll have to work twice as hard to get back to the point where I can run in SLC in a few weeks. I got my hair cut FINALLY and I had a nice time making a black forest cake for my mum. Redding is beautiful, green and warm. But London still has my heart.