Week Seven: Budgets and Books

Well, I'd say that at this point I'm pretty accustomed to life in London. I know my way around Russell Square, the Tube, Southwark, and plenty of other neighborhoods around London. I've become particularly fond of the West End, where I've spent plenty of time seeing wonderful productions, and of the South Bank, where I worked, but I would get to work early every day and read beside the Thames. And yet, I've still learned and mastered some new skills this week, which will be able to carry over into my life after London.
One thing I've mastered over the time I've spent here is budgeting! A beautiful concept that I was not unfamiliar with before now, but which I've truly mastered while I've been here. Since British Pounds are worth more than the US Dollar, I've been keenly aware of the amount of money I've spent here, and making sure that every allocation is worth it. For example, I've noticed that my weekly shopping doesn't usually cost more than 40 pounds, so I know that I shouldn't spend more than that on the food I buy for the week. I've also made sure that I only spend a certain amount of money over the weekends on drinks and going out. And then there's travel and leisure expenses, like seeing shows and going to other countries. I have full confidence that after I leave London and college in general, I will be able to budget my life like a real live adult!
Something I've also had the pleasure and leisure time to do here, which I don't get during the school year, is time to sit down and read. There's something to be said for the good old imagination (my favorite books are in the fantasy/science fiction genre), and reading is one way to use your imagination that is more stimulating than watching television. As I mentioned, I've made it a habit to go to the South Bank and enjoy my book before going into work--this way, I get out of the house, I get to see London, I'm always on time for work, and I get to enjoy a leisurely activity that I don't always get the time to do. In celebration of my time in London, I've spent most of my reading time here with J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings books, which I've never read but always admired. It's been a wonderful addition to my time in London.
Though I don't have much time left in the UK, I have plenty of activities ahead of me before I go. I'm seeing four more shows in the West End area before I leave, hanging out with a friend from home who is in London, and I have one more week of work. I'd say that my last week here in London will be a successful one, not unlike the rest of the time I've spent in London so far.

Until next time,
Danny