Feeling 22

By Ladazhia Taylor

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Ladazhia. Happy birthday to you!

This March, I celebrated my 22nd birthday in London. Since 22 isn’t a prime birthday, and it’s one of those in between years, it didn’t really feel like I needed to go all out for it. Nevertheless, I had tons of things to get through during my trip, and I was determined to experience many firsts in the Square Mile.

Feeling 22 Bucket List

Study abroad in London

Go to Europe’s ‘time square’, Piccadilly Circus

Go to a Lizzo concert

Find out which Hogwarts house I belong to

Fit eleven outfits and essentials in a carry-on suitcase + personal bag.

Let my inner child out by doping up on dopamine

Get solo experiences in a big city

Fill a bubble waffle with sweetness

Take a ten+ hour flight one way

Go to SkyGarden

Use an underground train as my sole means of transportation

Try a beer

Accidentally call Great Britain Pounds ‘Euros’ every chance that I get.

Go to AMAZE and the pancake bakery

Order fish & chips, although I don’t enjoy fish.

Go to at least four museums in one week

Eat salami, croissants, and Nutella for breakfast seven days in a row

Say “pardon” instead of “excuse me”

Go to Little Venice in North London

Shop at a street market

Go through an alley at night (the shortcut)

Almost get hit by a car every time I cross the street

Mind the gap

Go to Heaven- the night club, of course

TURN 22

As noted, there were just a few things that I didn’t have enough time to experience. My impromptu events made up for the loss, and in the end it was all worthwhile. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling twenty-two.