I'm a nerd.

"Outside, everything has opened up. Winter clear-cuts and reseeds the easy way. Everywhere paths unclog… The woods are acres of sticks… When the leaves fall the striptease is over; things stand mute and revealed. Everywhere skies extend, vistas deepen, walls become windows, doors open… All that summer conceals, winter reveals…

It is winter proper; the cold weather, such as it is, has come to stay. I bloom indoors in the winter like a forced forsythia; I come in to come out. At night I read and write, and things I have never understood become clear; I reap the harvest of the year's planting." --Annie Dillard

Some of you, I'm sure, have had this quote forced down your throats before, since I love it so much. But I couldn't resist posting it. I miss nature; I miss wilderness backpacking. If anything, seeing the Highland mountains made me realize just how much I've missed it over the past six or so months. You can get anything in London--except mountains. The city is so bloody flat. I used to think I would love living in a big city, like New York or London. But living here has taught me otherwise.

I sound like I'm complaining. I don't mean to complain. London is amazing; I'm glad I decided to come here for the year. But I could never, ever live here permanently. I ache for countryside.

View of the London skyline from my window at sunset. Jane, words cannot describe how jealous I am of your mountain view in Aix right now.