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| At the base of Bronte Falls |
Friday to Monday were the Easter Bank Holiday in the UK, so pretty much everyone had a 4-day weekend. May (one of my friends from Bethesda who has been living in the UK for the past 5 years) asked me whether I'd want to take a hiking trip with her since neither of us had work. My response: YES.
So we planned and set off for the Yorkshire Moors, where we spent 3ish days walking, talking, singing, drinking cheap wine, eating pizza, taking photos with sheep, waterfalls, and countryside, and reflecting. It was--in one word--incredible.
It was on this bridge (pictured to the right) that I took a moment to reflect on the date: the start of April, which is one of two times of year that I become sentimental and reflective about the passage of time and the nature of change.
Without going into too much detail, I will say this: the start of April of 2009 was perhaps the lowest period of my life. I've certainly had my share of ups and downs, but that period felt like the darkest because I truly saw no potential for change, no future beyond that miserable "present." And so each April since, I've taken stock of where (and who) I am: settling in to my first semester of Dickinson, planning a grant application to spend a summer in London, thriving during my academic semester in Denmark, working on a Senior Honours Thesis, and now, this year, living in and exploring the UK.
It seemed particularly meaningful to be on a trip with May (which we planned and funded entirely independently), eating a massive picnic lunch on a 19+ mile hike across the Yorkshire Moors when this realisation hit me. This independence and engagement, this passion and opportunity, were beyond my wildest dreams 6 years ago. These feelings and experiences leave me feeling proud, grateful, humbled, and on top of the world. I am grateful for them each and every day.
This week I want to post about my trip to Yorkshire! Check back later in the week for photos and stories. Love sara xxx
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