Although I’ve settled here properly and continue to fall in love with London every day, I’ve found myself missing home a lot. I’m very close to my family, so being away from them has been rough. I speak to them every couple of days, but London and Orlando are two very different places. I can’t seem to reconcile the two.
On a lighter note, I went back to the first landmark I saw in London after a month: St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s crazy to see how much I’ve changed and matured since I’ve gotten here. Along with the freedom and self-confidence I’ve gained since being here, I’ve mastered the underground, the dollar-to-pound conversion, and I’m even beginning to pick up some of the mannerisms/phrases around me. At home, my flatmates and I have grown closer and are able to communicate effectively with each other to solve problems, like who left their dishes out, who made a mess, etc. I’m glad my home environment is comfortable because I spend so much of my time in my room/kitchen. I’ve found it’s crucial to get along and be honest with flatmates, even if you aren’t necessarily friends.
Basically, if I could fit my family and the best parts of Orlando/Winter Park into London, I would in a heartbeat. I miss being close to home and seeing my family every day, but being away has made me appreciate them tenfold.