Back to London

I finally arrived back in London yesterday morning, after a relatively smooth trip home. The only real hiccup was when I tried to go through airport security with one last burrito from Anna's Taqueria. (Love that place, the best burritos in all of Boston, if not the world!) The airport security guy seemed to think there was something very suspicious about my foil-wrapped package, and so took it out of my carry-on luggage and insisted on running it through the x-ray machine TWICE. I even offered to unwrap it and show him it was a burrito, but finally he said that wasn't necessary, and sent me on my way with the parting words of, "I hope you enjoy it!" Trust me dude, it's from Anna's. I'm going to LOVE this burrito.

Once I landed at Heathrow, I had my first experience going through the IRIS optical scanner, where you walk into this futuristic booth, look into the scanner, and once it recognizes the pattern in your retina, the doors on the other side slide open and you walk out into the UK. So incredibly freaking cool, I can't even tell you, and I felt like I were part of a "Mission Impossible" movie. No more facing down scary immigration officers who always seem to be threatening to deport me! (Indeed, as I walked through, I could overhear an officer giving some guy the third degree, and it really didn't look like he was going to be getting in).

Back at my flat, there was no food as our refrigerator and freezer had broken whilst I was gone. My flatmate had gotten the fridge fixed, but there was nothing in it! Luckily I had my burrito from Anna's...

I somehow slogged through the workday (no fun on no sleep), and then for some reason decided it would be a good idea to go out to my running club since it was a Tuesday night. I suppose a part of me was hoping that the cute non-drinking guy would be there, but alas he was not. Yet the Adorable Anthony was there, who I met the week right before I left for Boston. I was charmed because he seemed so eager to talk to me again, and I have to admit it's no trouble when an incredibly cute, fit guy seems desperate to talk to you. Although alas while he is adorable, I was given the distinct impression that he was somewhat intimidated by smart girls (wait until he finds out about my educational background!) and a passing comment revealed that he was just 26. Not too young, I suppose, as four years is not a huge age difference, particularly as you get older (and I've always gone for younger men anyway). Yet I probably screwed it up anyway, as in my exhaustion, I let the conversation drift onto recent airplane movies we'd seen, and I mentioned how I'd really liked, "He's Just Not That Into You", but then led to an awkward conversation about men asking women out. (Note to self: Don't discuss asking people out with a guy you're hoping might ask you out!)

Finally ended up getting kebabs with the Adorable Anthony and a few others, but ended up spending most of my time talking to the guy in the group who I shall call The Ringleader. The Ringleader I think also likes me, but in the way that he likes a girl he can really match wits with, more than "like" likes me. Yet, I have to admit that there's something to be said for a guy who challenges you, who you know loves a girl who is just as clever as he is.

The Ringleader was giving me a lot of crap about not drinking however, claiming I couldn't possibly be having as much fun as he was having whilst I was drinking only water. Yet I suppose this is another fault of younger guys, who don't realise that there is still a lot of fun to be had (and less painful mornings), when you limit yourself to water?

Finally made it home, thoroughly regretted the kebab (Alka-Seltzer, here we come). But after 48 hours of being continually awake, it was finally time for bed!