Thursday, 3-7-96
9:00 PM London
3:00 PM E-Town
My perceptions are extremely heightened at the moment. In the distance thru my window, open just a crack, here at Pembridge, I just heard church bells ring for the hour. I have heard the bells at least 2 other times today.
I have been home all day & spent most of it in bed. I am recovering from last night’s celebration of my 21st birthday! But before I try to recall what I can of my “Birthday party,” I want to recount all of the wonderful events that made my 21st birthday so special here in London…
I woke up about 8 AM to find Lori on her way out the door to school. She wished me a “Happy Birthday” & left. I then leaned over to turn off my alarm & saw on the floor next to my bed a card which read, “Happy Birthday Kathy! Have a great day!!! If I don’t see you later I’ll see you around 9:30 (PM)! ❤︎ Lori!” Then I unwrapped her gift to find a book, that she knew I had been wanting to read, called The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield! (Alex had mentioned it when she & Debbie were here as a story that might interest me knowing how I think etc. — When I told Lori what Alex had said, she too agreed that I would enjoy it…) I was so excited & it really helped to start my b-day off well! From the time I left my room, after showering, to go down to breakfast I ran into housemates who wished me happy birthday! ☺︎ I rode the tube to London History Class w/ Anne & Aimee. They hadn’t known it was my birthday, but were happy to wish me the best when they heard Paul say, “Happy Birthday” to me at breakfast! We had a nice talk waiting for the tube to arrive. Before they had met me at the platform, to catch the circle line to campus, I had walked up to a group of seats I like to wait for the tube at… On the seat that I for some reason like to sit on the most (the farthest of the four green seats in a row) was lying a copy of The Times for that day — my birthday! It didn’t appear to belong to anyone around, so I decided to take it & save it for my scrapbook, since it has my birthdate on it! On the tube I ate one of Deb’s PEZ (as her kit had instructed in her card) & then read the 1st few pages of The Celestine Prophecy. I was drawn to it instantly! ☺︎
When we arrived at Euston Square Station, Anne, Aimee & I talked of our experiences on the “Adventure Weekend” this past weekend in Wales on our way to 43 Gordon Square for class. When we entered the building, where we have all of our classes at Birkbeck, I saw Jill standing by the stairs that lead down to the bathroom… She was holding a bouquet of flowers… for me! I was so blown away by her thoughtfulness & instantly was beaming, glowing, so happy! When we got up to the class room I smelled and admired the bouquet of yellow, orange, & purple flowers… Then I opened the card she had given me, The front of the card bore a sketch of Winnie-the-Pooh titled (at least it said on the back of the card): “So he sat down on the stone in the middle of the stream!” I instantly thought of us gorge walking this past weekend & how the stream running along the rocks we walked through resembled the illustration of Pooh on her card! I read the card and was overcome w/ joy! Because her sentiments mean so much to me so I will share them:
6 March 1996
Kathleen,
Happy 21st Birthday!
I know what you’re thinking, why didn’t you get a real birthday card. Well…. I like this a lot better and I know how much you love Winnie-the-Pooh. So there…
I tell my friends and parents that you are my saving grace. I’m not sure I know what I would have done without you these past couple of months. You have been there for me and I do appreciate that. I consider you my church partner, my classmate (yes, all 4), my work-out buddy, but most importantly, my friend.
I know it will be hard not having your family around on your birthday, but your friends will be with you… To carry your ass home, when you’re too drunk to walk! That’s right… Let’s get pissed!!!
Love, Jillian
I was so touched & had no idea our friendship meant so much to her! ☺︎ While sweet sentiments are on my mind, Lori’s inscription in the book she gave me was very thoughtful & meant a great deal to me as well…
So before class had even begun (not even 10 AM) I was feeling sanfrantastic! The flowers were the conversation piece of my interactions with everyone I met until I got home at 3 PM! Jillian enjoyed the attention it gave me & I too liked the smiles & comments carrying them about evoked! My classmates all wished me a “Happy Birthday!” Even our awesome & cute London History professor got a kick out of it being my birthday & told me how here in England at 21 you are “given the key!” I always thought it was the key to knowledge or something deep like that… But she said it was actually the key to a 21 year-old’s parents’ house! ☺︎ She also said here at 21 jewelry is often given as gifts & a big party is held in the birthday girl’s (or I suppose woman’s) honor! ☺︎
We had a field trip for class to the “Soane Museum.” It was a beautifully decorated house w/ very enthusiastic security guards/guides to the house! I got heckled a lot about the flowers which was fun! The guides were very eager to talk about what the house had on display! That was a delight! One guide in particular upstairs in the house, in bright yellow room, was especially taken by my flowers & got me into a long conversation! Katie was w/ me & we were both very amused by the man & all he had to say… It turned out his birthday was on March 21st & he was excited about it coming up!
After our field trip I went to a fast-paced, full of culture, sit-down Japanese food restaurant here called “Wagamama’s!” I went w/ Rachel (Lauren’s roommate who goes to U of I & is from a suburb near Evanston) & it was a real experience! I had heard so much about this restaurant from Joanne and Birkbeck friends that I was glad to finally go! The atmosphere was a delight — we were seated at one of many long tables (picnic table like) among strangers. We ordered from menus where everything was numbered. The waitresses take your orders there by punching the number meal you select in a hand held computer! Then your food is served rather swiftly! I had the #5 (a ramen noodle soup w/ yummy chicken)! The portions are very generous & you eat w/ chopsticks which was fun! ☺︎ Rachel & I had a great talk throughout lunch & on our way back to school to do e-mail… We spoke of our ideas on life, love, spirituality, & religion! It was interesting & enlightening to hear her philosophy on everything…
When we got to the computer lab I logged in to see that I had 6 messages on e-mail! I was most excited to see one from Meg, one from Ruth, one from Sophia Portokalos, & one from Jim Warren! But when I went to click on each one a little square appeared which read an error had occurred! Much to my dismay I realized I would not be able to read my messages. This was a disappointment. But I tried not to let it get me down for I was so enjoying my birthday & it wasn’t worth it to get upset. I did go to the computer center help room & a guy tried to figure out the problem. But by 3 PM I was ready to just go home & rest up for the big night! I also wanted to eat dinner & get my flowers in water! ☺︎
When I got back to Pembridge I had 2 b-day cards in my mailbox! One from Ron Weasley & the other from Sue Gorman! Both sweet & both thoughtful! ☺︎ The actual cards were also both funny, as Ron & Sue are… But the written sentiments dear, as they both are inside!
After putting the flowers in water, they look so beautiful on my desk near our big window, I headed down to the kitchen for my birthday dinner of American style Kraft Mac & Cheese! Yum-yum tasty dinner! ☺︎ Lori arrived home early from school just in time to sit with me as I made my dinner & ate it! It was great to have her company & discuss our days! I thanked her for the book & then we finalized our plans for meeting up later at the ULU pub the “Duck & Dive!”
Then she left to go work out & I went to take the tube to Spitalfields for a special London History field trip! I met up w/ our great history teacher outside of the Aldgate East tube stop & most of the students in my class that were due to go on the field trip. She reminded us that the house & home of Dennis Severs at 18 Folgate Street had no toilet. So Lauren, John Tyler, & I quickly took off down the St. to find a loo! ☺︎ We did & returned to go to the house! When we arrived we were greeted by our eccentric guide! He told us that our experience in his home would last 2 1/2 hrs. & was timed perfectly… We began in the basement of his home! He told us how his home is very old & the only in London to be lived in as it was in 1724 w/ candles for light & fires for warmth etc. He put a great deal of emphasis on atmosphere & exciting our senses through smell, sound & light! The tour of his house was more than just a visit to an old house decorated in old time style… It was like we were stepping into a picture frame, as he liked to describe it, & he had us almost traveling through time as he led us from room to room each set w/ 10 seats & each w/ its own distinct flavor & story to be told… Sometimes he would talk to us in the rooms & other times he would disappear & leave us to absorb it all while he worked special effects! It was an amazing way to learn about London’s history & in many ways at times I did feel like I was traveling through time! When we left Katie, Sarah, Sally, Jillian, Rachel, Lauren, Paul, John, Mary, & I didn’t know what to think, we were in awe!
Rachel, Jon, Mary & Lauren were tired & hungry. They went off to get bagels & said they would meet the rest of us at the pub later! When the rest of us arrived Adam was waiting in the ULU lobby for the Pembridge contingent to arrive! We went in upstairs to find us a place to sit! Magically a group was just leaving when we arrived at the “Duck & Dive” so we had a whole section of the pub — table, chairs, & all to ourselves! ☺︎ As Jill, Katie, Sarah, Sally, Paul & I were getting settled… Adam came up bringing Lori, Ruth, Erica, & Erin! Soon they were followed by Mel & many others who I will list, but am not sure who came when exactly: Lauren (w/ out the others who had gone home & sent their regards), Nick, “Mos” (Matthew Mosley), Leslie, Ryan, Tim, Jack & Bill! I was so excited that all of them had come to celebrate with me!
Lori, Ruth, & Mel had bought me a great chocolate birthday cake shaped & decorated like a caterpillar! ☺︎ It was so cute & fun and meant a lot that they got together to get it for me! ☺︎ The shots began w/ a toast w/ Jillian… She bought us each a shot of “soro!” From then on they came quickly! Katie bought me one, as did Sarah, Jack got me 2, Jill got me another, Lauren got me 1, Ruth got me a beer, & Leslie got me a mixed drink she said was from Dave Heron (who told her to tell me he wanted to come but had too much work to do…)! ☺︎
After all that I was a very “happy camper!” I really did have a blast w/ all my friends & Lori (my designated photog for the evening & chaperone in general…) took lots of pictures of the great event for me! I don’t remember everything about my lil’ ol’ Birthday party… But I remember most of it & having lots of fun w/ everyone! They tell me I was a “very happy drunk” & was hugging everyone! ☺︎ When the Canoe Club arrived after practice I got all excited & I guess they were amused by my actions! ☺︎
Well, lots of fun it was & a very wonderful end to a nearly perfect day commemorating my birth 21 years ago… ☺︎ Lori & Mel escorted me home & had to almost carry me on either side of my arms, for I was falling & stumbling a lot! When we got on the tube I felt sick & Lori conveniently still had the sturdy “Marks & Spencer” bag — all the more perfect to puke in… So I did the whole way home! Lori & Mel were great sports about the whole thing, as were the strangers on the train! Next thing I knew I was in, rather on the floor, of one of the big bathrooms in Pembridge hurling for all it was worth! I felt like shit, but that was to be expected…
Luckily though it was a great celebration & if I don’t want to, which I don’t, I will never have to go through the whole silly tradition of friends buying me shot for my b-day to get me drunk again!!! I am 21 — I am legal in the States & next year I believe I will spend my birthday in a nice restaurant w/ close friends and/or family sipping wine or something…. But who’s projecting?!
Lori & Ruth took care of me the rest of the night & finally got me in my PJs & in bed about 2 or 3 AM Ruth says… I woke up this morning & opted not to go to Architecture & no one could blame me! Friends checked on me throughout the day as I rested & dealt w/ my hangover… I am feeling better now & a super surprise came last this afternoon via FEDEX! A sweet b-day card from Roths & a generous amount of American Express Travelers Checks!!! They are too much & so thoughtful and generous!
Whatta birthday…. Here’s to another wonderful year in my life! ☺︎ CHEERS! ☺︎
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note from Present Day Kathy: This was a long one… I typed the entry in at least a week ago, added the pictures not long after that, and then got sick with bad allergies and/or a cold and the time got away from me. Today it is very rainy and gloomy here in Chicago, Abby’s first after school running club practice was cancelled, I’ve been in a bit of a funk much of the day, and not super motivated to do much of anything, after having a fairly productive day around the house yesterday. So I thought returning to this post and reflecting on a really awesome day in my young adulthood, when I turned 21 and celebrated with my friends overseas, during my London Semester Abroad, might cheer me up!
I struggled with whether to share every detail from this entry, as well as all the pictures from the Duck & Dive that night, as they both show that I didn’t make the best decisions in terms of doing shots and drinking a lot the night I turned 21. I get that it isn’t unusual to have celebrated that way and I did have a blast, in spite of getting sick at the end of the night and throughout the early morning. I think what was a bit hard to reflect on was that I seemed to believe I had to do it and/or that I was somewhat cool for having played along with the tradition.
Some of the pictures, where I look pretty silly, are also embarrassing for me. Yes, I was a “happy” drunk, which is better than being a mean one. However, at 44, I recognize what a goofy and relatively dangerous way it is to celebrate a milestone birthday. I am proud of myself for expressing my intention not to behave that way in the future, on my birthday or for any other reason, back then in my journal entry. And, from what I recall, I never did.
I remember returning to my college campus in Illinois, when I got back from my semester abroad in May, and going out to the bars with friends. Someone wanted to buy me and/or a group of our friends shots and I said, “No, thank you!” From my 21st birthday on, I associated shots, as well as most hard alcohol, with puking and thus didn’t see the need to repeat that experience. I remember at least one other time that I did maybe one or two shots at most, while out dancing with a friend, post-college, but feeling very leery about it. I am pretty sure I was fine, but still have mostly avoided shots and hard alcohol ever since.
So I guess you could say if I managed to survive my 21st birthday celebration relatively unscathed and it kept me from doing much, if any, heavy drinking going forward, it wasn’t so bad. But before I move on to all the wonderful things about my 21st birthday and this entry, I felt compelled to address that.
It was so awesome to revisit the thoughtful things that my friends did for me that day, including the card and book, The Celestine Prophecy, that my roommate (not her real name) Lori gave me, which I still have and now want to re-read. I also didn’t recall that my old friend (not her real name) Alex had recommended it, which is extra special, as I have shared in previous posts, because she left this world too soon, almost 5 years ago, in 2014. (Not her real name) Jill also blew me away that day with the bouquet of flowers, the Winnie-the-Pooh card, and her words about what our friendship that semester meant to her. It was a wonderful reminder back then, and to this day, of how we don’t always know the impact that we may have on others.
I really enjoyed getting to read about the cool field trips we took that day, especially to Dennis Severs’ House. As I’ve done with so many of the places I visited during my semester abroad, I looked it up online and sadly Mr. Severs, our eccentric tour guide that day, died a few years later. That made me feel all the more grateful that we had the opportunity to tour Mr. Severs’ home, with him as our guide. I did find out that his home has been preserved, so the public can still visit and tour it. The website says that it will be closed this summer, during the month of July, for conservation work. I hope if and when Bob, the kids and I make it to London, this summer or next (depending on if Bob has a business trip there this summer, when we might tag a long in lieu of going next year), I am able to take them there.
One of the things I love about getting to revisit the entries in my London Semester Journals is that much of what I wrote about my 21st birthday, outside of the party at the Duck & Dive that night, I have little to no recollection of, because most of us just don’t retain that level of detail, even from milestone dates, in our lives. So its interesting for me to get to see how I ended up spending the rest of my birthday, such as having ramen noodle soup for lunch. I found that amusing, as I’m loosely aware that ramen restaurants are trendy now, though I haven’t been to one and this may’ve been the only time in my life I had ramen anything. I appreciate when I shared about things such as church bells ringing, as I did at the beginning of this entry, because that’s something I don’t really remember happening when I lived there.
These journal entries also help jog my memory. Through reading what I wrote about where I liked to sit and wait for the tube at our Notthing Hill Gate stop, when I was alone, I am able to somewhat picture it. I am also curious to look and see if I still have that copy of The Times saved from my birthday.
I found it hilarious, though not surprising, given my love for Kraft Cheese & Macaroni and the tight budget I was living on while across the pond that semester, what I chose to eat for dinner on my 21st birthday! My taste buds have matured since then, not to mention my understanding that it isn’t the healthiest choice for a meal, but I do admit to still having it now and then, as I still enjoy/find it tasty!
It was also interesting to remember how temperamental email was in its early days. I can imagine how frustrated I was to only be able to check for messages when on campus in the computer lab, which was a 30 minute tube ride from where I lived, and then not being able to access the ones that appeared to be there from family and friends on my birthday.
I appreciated my mentioning the birthday cards I received that day, as well, because (not her real name) Sue is an old friend from college, who I was close with then and am still in touch with now, and the other, (not his real name) Ron, is my old friend from camp and England, who died in September 2014. Learning about his death last summer (almost 4 years after the fact) led me to revisit these journals and eventually decide to share much of them here.
I got a kick out of my projecting how I might spend my 22nd birthday, the following year, in a more low key way. I am pretty sure, mostly because I have pictures from that night, that I went out to dinner with a few close friends/sorority sisters at one of my favorite restaurants in our college town, called The Courier Cafe, where I typically ordered a big chicken quesadilla with a yummy milkshake, which the restaurant was known for. Afterwards I believe we went out to a bar, where Bob (who I’d been dating for about 5 months by then) and other friends, met up with us to celebrate. But I don’t recall drinking very much or anything like that. So it was definitely a more chill night.
Finally, as I wrap up this, “Note from Present Day Kathy,” the sun seems to be peaking through the clouds outside, for the first time all day, which, along with this post, is helping to brighten my spirits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reminder: Unless I’ve been given permission to use people’s actual names, in most cases I’ve removed or replaced the names of the real people who were part of my journey/experience there, in effort to protect and respect their identities/privacy in my London Semester Journal entries. I will also not share details that I think and feel are too personal for anyone I interacted with, my loved ones, and me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s the back story of My London Semester Journals from 1996, including what prompted me to revisit and decide to share them here in 2018. And here’s a list a list of the entries, which I will update as I share them.
{ 0 comments… add one now }