romance and poetry

So, I'm the kind of person that has quite a bit of confidence until it comes to flirting and actually making a move. This will explain why my experiences here in London with men haven't really existed except in small brief moments. I enjoy observing people which means while I'm on the Tube I'm looking around and waiting for people to make eye contact, so this allows me to notice people. and some of those people happen to be attractive men, I guess I just never expected them to notice me! One day we were riding the Tube to school and this cute college looking kid was standing across from me in a packed carriage. The ride was a bit bumpy and at one point it caught both of us off guard. He almost tipped over, noticed that I was watching and smiled at me. We had a moment. Our toes touched. Yesterday I was waiting at a station to get on to the train and this guy was staring at me. He was cute, so I looked back and smiled. We got on the same carriage. He got off a few stops before. While standing on the platform waiting for his next train he could still see me and with a goofy grin and a bit of a giggle he waved to me. The only thing I could think of to do was just smile back and nod my head a bit acknowledging that we both just shared that moment. My most promising (but of course I didn't follow up) experience was Tom from the theatre. He helped me and Shauna get amazing tickets to one of the most sold out shows in London right now. With exhaustion and stress apparent between me and Shauna he made our night. He sneaked us to the back door and got us tickets before the others in line. And he said I should come and visit him some time at the theatre. and he was really cute. So, as much as I complain about love not being there... I'm still attractive. I just haven't been in the right situation to really make it happen. I'm hopeful. All of these experiences have really just made me realize that not all men prefer ditzy skinny girls. They can see beauty in something other than what the media tells them to. Yea, I consider myself one of those quirky not perfect people. I'm glad that London has made me feel this way. It makes me feel less down trodden about my current "single" status. Am I really single when I have so many amazing friends and family?

Poetry. Sometimes I feel like our modern world lacks the poetry of past times. We went and saw Bright Star this past weekend. Its the love story of John Keats. Every moment to them was poetic. The woman falls so deeply in love with him and feels that their love is represented through butterflies so she catches butterflies and keeps them in her room. There is a scene where she is literally covered in butterflies. The sheer poetry of this moment makes me long for something like that. John Keats also talks about laying on top of treetops and there is a scene where he does exactly that. He climbs a tree and lays for awhile. What I am also finding is that poetry exists now. We just have to find it. There is poetry in the clacking of heels rushing for the next train. There is poetry in autumn leaves falling. There is poetry in letting the rain drops collide on your skin after a long day. There is poetry everywhere we just have to see it. Nature provides the perfect setting and nature can be found even if it is just a square foot of a barren tree on the edge of the sidewalk. I also love human interactions on the Tube. They're fantastic and allow for so many possibilities! We just have to remember that everyone that rides the Tube is human and has a story. Maybe they had a bad day. Maybe they've had the best day of their life. We'll never know. Sometimes I wish more people talked on the Tube. Maybe I'll strike up conversation. You never know.

I have one month left here. Time flies so fast. I also have incredibly mixed feelings about this. I cannot wait to be home and be with my family and then on to my second home at UPS. but I'm also just starting to really really love it here. I'm finally comfortable with all the people here and I truly feel like I've made some great friends. Its funny how it just suddenly happens like that...

This weekend I am going to Paris with Sara and Melissa. I CANNOT wait for some stinky cheese, wine, crepes, and baguettes. Also, perhaps I'll find some more poetry in the city of love.


Cheers!
Kaitlin