I called it home.

Last night I referred to London as my home. This is the first time that this has happened since I’ve been here, and to you, it may not seem like a big deal, but to me this is monumental. I went to Brighton with a friend yesterday, which is close to two hours outside of London. 

Brighton and Hove is a gorgeous town with a nice beach front and wonderful wonderful hot chocolate. It was a cool day, close to 60’s but not quite reaching. We got off our coach and walked straight to the pier to watch the waves crash on the pebbled beach. It’s been so long since I’ve seen “never ending” water. The English Channel is freezing and I wouldn’t dare step my feet into his depths. 

We watched as people went for a run and dive into the icy water and stared dumbfounded as they actually seemed to enjoy their swim. Here we were, wrapped up in jackets and scarves while these humans are in swimming trunks and bikinis jumping into the Channel. Crazy!

Cat and I left the pier and the beach to walk along other areas of Brighton. We walked to the Royal Pavilion, but instead of being welcomed inside for free, we had to pay 8 pounds, which unfortunately, we weren’t prepared for, and instead walked around the estate. Across the stretch of grass, stood the Art museum of Brighton. In the cute little space was ancient Egyptian artifacts, kitchenware from the royal families, and art projects from local residents that were absolutely stunning. 

Brighton had a lot to offer on a Sunday. They had farmer’s markets, a Japanese festival, vintage festival, and lots of little bookshops for us to venture to. I stumbled across an old book that I had been meaning to read and bought for only 2 pounds. 

Being outside of the city was refreshing. It was not as overpriced and touristy as London is. There were moments where we could walk the street and not see a soul which was strange but relaxing.

As we walked along Trafalgar Street, we turned the corner and saw a stretch of wall with lots of graffiti covering the wall. At the edge of the wall though, there was a Banksy piece. I was actually seeing a real Banksy with my own eyes. It was beautiful and covered so no one else could spray paint over it.  

By the end of the night, Cat and I were ready to go. We went back to the beach and bought another hot chocolate to warm us up and waited for our bus to come back. Brighton is a beautiful city, probably for a whole weekend I would love it, but I was ready to go back to London.

I turned and looked at her when the bus pulled up and said, “let’s go home”. Not “let’s go back to the school,” but home. As we weaved in and out of the city on our journey back, I felt a pull because I honestly feel like I belong here and I don’t ever want to leave.

Does This Mean I've Made It?

Right after class today, Caitlin and I rushed to the tube station amongst the hot, sweaty crowd of Londoners and headed to Liberty London on Oxford Street to have our IT book signed by the author herself, Alexa Chung. I’ve been a massive fan of Chung for the past five years. She’s been a huge influence in my style and her music taste is inspiring. She always appears to have such an orderly life and seems always put together, even after hardships, drunk nights, and mean comments on instagram and twitter.

I’ve been looking forward to this book, not only for the photos, but for the insight into her character. Waiting in line was fine, going up the stairs to meet her was fine, being physically in her presence was nerve wracking. She’s breathtaking in person. Smaller in stature than I imagined, but isn’t that how most people on television look in real life? Smaller than you think?

Before my turn, she stood up to stretch and pose for more pictures with her book. Everyone was loving it. She’s graceful and light on her feet, knowing exactly how to position her body into a camera ready photo. I couldn’t help but think that it must get tiring. All these cameras flashing in your direction. All these people shouting and shouting, getting nervous in your presence because at the end of the day, you’re only a person. 

As she was about to sit back down, a dark, long haired beauty, with a pale blue dress came rushing forward to hug her and my nerves sky rocketed. Meeting Alexa was one thing that my mind was FINALLY wrapping around, but seeing Daisy Lowe walk in made me nervous once more. About a year ago, I noticed the stunning model in a magazine I had been flipping through and tried to find everything I could about her. She had great style, was a natural leader in making women more comfortable with the bodies they have, and just poetically graceful. I was officially nervous about both encounters.

When it was my turn to have IT signed, Alexa shook my hand and asked me how I was doing. She was incredibly, incredibly nice. Sweet and making jokes. Complimented my eyes. Just one of those people that can naturally make anyone feel at ease. She posed for a picture with me and then said goodbye.

As I was walking towards the door, one of the girls noticed that I may want to get a photo with Daisy. She approached Daisy and asked if it would be okay if I got one, and she agreed politely, saying it was no problem at all. She exclaimed that she was so happy for Alexa and so excited to get to read IT. 

And I agree, I think we all are. We’re ready to delve into a mind of creativity and heartbreak, and mate, and nights out in both London and New York. DJing and going to karaoke. We’re ready to see the fashion and the cameras and the lights flashing and not being able to have a peaceful moment because everyone’s eyes are being trained on you.

It seems like hardwork, but one thing is for sure, Alexa does it with class and style.