Weybridge, Surrey

Last Thursday, I visited the past. Where memories surprise you when they flash out of nowhere and the beginnings of your journey are rediscovered. I woke up early (though not as early as I wanted to due to my temperamental alarm clock) and took the train out to Weybridge, Surrey, about a half hour outside of London. I used to live here in 1993-1998, from when I was three to eight years old, and while I don't remember too much, it was fun noticing the things I did.

First off, I got to see Phil, my kindergarten sweetheart and best friend, first when he picked me up at the station (note: first time for me to ride in a car in England!! I kept wanting to yell at him to get into the

other lane...). He looked so different and yet, still the same. Except now he's taller than me. Weird. After chatting for a bit we drove out to TASIS, both of ours old school. We talked our way past the security guards, then walked around the campus, noticing how so many things had changed but remembered things like the stairs, the park, the field (where I learned to joust and dance around the maypole!), the lower school, where we always took our yearbook photos, the theatre, and the art classrooms.

Next, we stopped by my old neighborhood, and I even got a bit teary-eyed as we traveled down 4 Park Drive. Our street was small; it only had 5 houses on it including ours. I was hit by a wall of memories and wished my family were there to see my house again with me. No one was home, so Phil and I couldn't go inside, and I wanted to sneak into the backyard, but Phil wouldn't let me (something about trespassing?). It was both bittersweet and warming to see my old home again, and the big tree that marked our neighborhood. They will always hold a place in my mind.

At Phil's house, I got to reunite with his whole family as well, which was unexpected and great! They've grown up, but still look the same. I can remember the Christmases we spent together and days out playing on the golf course. It was also funny hearing the different stories that we each remembered. I remember some things, that they don't remember at all, and vic versa. For example, at lunch, Anna told me this story:

"I remember when you stayed over once and it snowed only about a half inch to an inch. You were SO excited! You got up early, by yourself, and went outside to build a snowman. When you finished you were so happy and glowing. Then the two little girls who lived next door came outside and started to cry, because you had taken all the snow for your snowman and there was none left."

Whoops.

On the train, heading back to London, I realized how much I really did miss this place. Maybe I'll live here Pederson's one day, because I feel like this was a place I can always call home. It was also great seeing the, and hopefully I'll get to see them again sooner that we think!

Right after I got back, it was off to Blog class again, and to the Borough Market for the Thursday shops. It was a bit smaller than the Saturday market, but they still had many fun, exotic things. We saw fresh squid, barrels of cider, duck casseroles (pictured left), pink pineapples, and goose fat. Sarah and I bought some chocolate covered almonds and cashews, which were wonderful, and Jackson was content with his giant box of Turkish Delight. We also saw two places from the HP movie: the entrance to Diagon Alley (pictured below) and the Night bus stop.

On the way back, Sarah and I made a spontaneous decision to go see the 'Eclipse' premiere for the UK. None of the main stars were going to be there, but we thought what have we got to lose: let's go see lots of insane fans and get to experience a premiere in Leicester Square! There were indeed lots of crazy teenage girls, but not as many as I thought. And no one asked to be bitten, thank goodness...Sarah and I just grabbed a random spot on the side outside of the square away from the red carpet area. Little did we know, we were right next to the street the cars came down to drop off the stars. We saw Ashley Green (Alice), Booboo (Seth-a werewolf), Alex (another werewolf), and some random British stars.

But the best part that made this whole thing worth it was getting to hug actor Kellan Lutz (who plays Emmett Culler)!! I feel like the biggest dork, but it was great:) Sarah and I were so surprised he even came over to us (he gave us both a big hug at the same time and wished us both a great night) that we both forgot to take a picture and just sputtered thank you so much's to him. But it was a fun night, and we made friends with the security guard, Richard, so we got two free billboard posters. This did, however, start a mini riot and a lot of girls and their mothers started

yelling at us so Sarah and I got out of there. Our "victory walk" home was a bit embarrassing though...yet it was worth putting up the posters in the hall at home and annoying the boys.

Sidenote: That night, I saw a mouse running around in our living room. Not cool. But funny when Rob tried to catch it using a plastic bag while drunk:)