Moving. First Days. Etc.

(hello friends. Sorry it has taken me so long to post to my blog. The following is a compilation from my first day in a half of this journey.. coming from my hand-written journal, as well as my typed journal saved on Word. enjoy.)

saturday. december 29.
6:01 p.m.
cincinnati airport.

I am still approximately 3 hours from departing the U.S. and already I’ve spent $10.82 on a combination of SourPatch Kids, over-priced bottled-water, and Chick-fil-A.

I am quite a sight because I tried to layer on as many clothes as possible: grey sweat pants, tube socks, black boots, teal long-underwear shirt, pink scarf, and my heavy long brown toggle coat (the coat would have taken up 1/3 of a suitcase by itself). Wow, I look good.

Mom, Dad & Nate left me at the Delta Airlines escalator nearly an hour ago. It’s beginning to hit me how alone I really am in this journey; I’m already reaching out to make random friends. I met Sonya, the security bin stacker-upper lady, who told me of her step-daughter, also a communication major, who wants to travel the world upon graduation. Then there was family of three from San Francisco who was looking forward to their return to the west coast, as they were forced to visit the Midwest for the holiday season. Tall-blonde-pilot-lady rode next to me on the train to Concourse B, giving me travel advice and such. But now I sit alone again – typing, eating bad-for-me food, with feet propped on the windowsill, watching airplanes come and go.

Coming and going. It seems like I’m always going. It’s all I know. I don’t think I’m capable of sitting still for a long period of time, and the same holds true for my residency.

I’M MOVING TO LONDON. Holy cow. I can’t believe I’m really doing this. No turning back now. The rumors you’ve heard are all true. I’m flying over to London with nothing more than some luggage, a passport, and a work visa. I will arrive at the Bunac Hostel Sunday morning where I will reside for a week. Wednesday I will travel to the Bunac Office to attend an orientation. There (or so I’ve heard, anyway) they have a wall of postings: potential employers, job openings, apartments (“flats”) for rent, people searching for roommates.

It’s pretty intense when you think about it. It’s like I have a little bit of a guiding hand (Bunac – http://www.bunac.org) in all of this, yet nothing is guaranteed. People back home are saying I’m a tad bit crazy, or maybe just plain stupid. I prefer BOLD, BRAVE, ADVENTUROUS, INDEPENDANT. However, the more I think about it, I believe the word that best sums up this journey (and me) is BALLZY. Yes, ballzy...with a “z.” Ballzy: It’s a little crazy with a little brave/bold. It’s me, or at least me right now in my life.

The great thing about going over without a permanent job or housing lease is that if I hate it and decide maybe I’m not quite as “ballzy” as I thought, I can always return home. So if you see me home in a few weeks, don’t assume I gave up. We’ll just say London wasn’t for me. I’ll never know unless I try, right? So here I go… doh tee doh tee doh… off to jolly ol London. Wish me luck!I

on the plane.
1:45 a.m. (London time)
We just took flight. I'm on my way. No turning back. Shortly after my last journal excerpt, I met Sara Ashley, an NYU graduate currently obtaining her Master's in Economics at Oxford. She was awesome. We chatted for an hour or so until our plane was ready to board. On the plane I sat next to British Brad (my age) who was returning home to Essex, England, after working a month in Utah as a ski instructor. He was pretty neat. We talked for awhile (mostly him reassuring me that I had mad a good decision by coming over).

later on the plane...
As the plane descends to England I still can't believe I'm going to live here. I look out and see every shade of green, and a variety of sizes and patches of land. It's like a beautiful mosaic... spotted with random forests and cottages (just like the ones you've seen on Love Actually and The Holiday). Girls, I know you know what I'm talking about. :) It feels like a dream. How could I be so lucky to pick up and move to one of the most beautiful and spotaneous cities in the world?!

2 p.m. sunday. Bunac hostel.
The flight wasn't bad, but I wasn't able to sleep as well as I normally do on those extended flights. At the 'baggage claim' I found myself feeling not so lonely... New friend Brad on my left, and Sara Ashley on my right. I collected my two bags (I overpacked as usual), and I was off to ride the train to central London, when I ran into Dr. Weiss. I had him for a couple psychology classes back at UE. He had been on my same plane, traveling to Harlaxton College (Grantham, England) with his son, also a Dr. Weiss. Weird. Small world.

I paid 1 pound ($2) to get a trolley to push my luggage on. Out of 150+ trolleys, I managed to pick the one that veered stubbornly to the right. It was horrible. You know in the movies where everyone waits in the "arrival area" for their loved ones? Well imagine coming around that corner and steering your trolley full of luggage into a wall. Ha. I felt awesome.

I just moved into my room. The trip from the Gatwick Airport to here wasn't bad. I took a train and then a taxi. My taxi driver, Rob, was great. He gave me tons of helpful advice and he lifted my terribly heavy luggage. Did I mention one suitcase already broke? The pull-out handly that you use to drag your rolling luggage has decided to stay out and not go back down. bummer.

Two girls have already stopped by my Room#10 and introduced themselves: Beth & Jenny from Minnesota (They attended St. Thomas University -- coincidentally, a law school I was considering). They are really friendly. The Bunac Hostel is alright. I mean it's super reasonalbe, and I'm minutes from Piccadilly and Oxford Street. You can't beat the location, but it's a bit cramped and not the most sanitary place. It's a great place to start and meet people, but I will be thrilled to get my own apartment or room in a house.

Monday.
Bunac Hostel.
noon.

Yesterday I ended up buying my new mobile phone, a hair dryer, and a hair straightener. I also attempted to overcome my jet-lag. Overall, I consider it a pretty productive day.

I was ready to go to bed around 7 p.m., but my new Minnesota friends made me go out with them, just to keep me awake a bit longer to help with the jet-lag. We went to the "Rising Sun," a pub just down the street. These 3 Australian guys were on the start of a young person's Contiki Tour. They will visit 11+ countries in a matter of 23 days. It sounded fabulous. Anyway, they had been drinkin all day and were in a very friendly and generous mood. They wanted to buy us drink after drink after drink. However, being tired and jet-lagged, I requested water. They couldn't understand why. Silly Aussies.
I turned in to bed by 10 p.m. It's now noon and I'm just getting up. I hate jet-lag.

I'm off to do the touristy sights with my MN girls.

5p.m.
What a fantastic day.
Jenny & Beth & I went for coffee and sandwiches outside of Trafalgar Square where the police and city workers were busy setting up for New Year's Celebrations. We took pictures with Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, adn some other random fun things. AGAIN, I ran into Dr. Weiss and his son. How many millions of people are in London? And I still ran into him? Veird, no?

The girls and I also found a Carnival in Leicester Square. We paid 5 pounds ($10) to ride this crazy upside down thing. I took pics and video recorded part of it. Copy & paste the link below.

We're out for New year's Eve this evening. NEW YEAR'S IN LONDON!!!!!!!!! I'll let you know how the Brits do New Years.

love you all. Sorry for the super-long blog. I'll try to update it more frequently.

Pictures:
http://evansville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028410&l=a3131&id=50400376