London

Part of me still hasn't realized that I'm actually in London.

Unfortunately, I've been overseas for almost one week and this is the first chance I've had to write anything (between the jet lag and limited internet access for the past few days). So, I apologize to everyone who is wondering what's been going on over here! I will try to fill you quickly so I don't get behind again.

Our plan landed about 30 minutes ahead of schedule on Wednesday, June 30, at the Heathrow airport in London (one of the biggest and most traveled airports in the world), to what we all thought would be nice, cool weather. Wrong. It may have been a little cooler than home, but not much. Dragging our luggage around probably didn't help: it was HOT. Not to sound like I'm complaining, but it's just not very fun to run around with a month's worth of luggage, trying to get on and off escalators and stairs and into the underground with your dignity still intact. Somehow, I even managed to impale my ankle on my big suitcase. (It's a good thing I packed that first aid kit after all, Dad - I've already used it twice.)

After almost an hour of riding and jumping in the underground trains, we made it to Baker Street. Yes, I know what you're thinking: Sherlock Holmes. Well, my friends, this may disappoint some of you, but Sherlock Holmes didn't actually live on Baker Street - but there is a museum where is supposed residence was. Baker Street is actually right down the road from the college at which I am staying.

When we finally got to Regents College (which is located inside The Regents Park, a HUGE park in London), paid our key deposits and were assigned our rooms, we realized something dreadful: there is no air conditioning here! Ha - there you go, culture shock #1. I guess they never thought to tell us about that small part when we had our meetings about the trip. It made us realized how cool we have it at home, literally. Especially when you live on the 3rd floor, with no elevator, like Pam and I do.
Don't worry - we've gotten used to the air situation. It's taken a few days, and I finally gave in and bought a fan, but we're getting there!

I probably went to bed before 8:00 my first night here - I was so very, very tired from traveling. But the next day I walked out into town with Pam, Paul, and Nick, and we wandered through part of the park for a bit. It's absolutely gorgeous, and as far as I can tell, it never ends. I'll be taking some pictures of it soon. After a morning of walking, Ashley and I headed to the computer lab to finish planning for our trip to Dublin, and then went out later to a cute little Italian cafe for drinks.

And, well, that's pretty much it about my first "week" in London. Honestly, I was only here for about a day and a half before leaving for Ireland on Friday morning, July 2. And you'll have to read about that in another post. :)

I promise, my stories about London get better. And will continue to, I should hope, over this week. Until I leave for Scotland on the 12th. (We've heard it's much cooler there.)

Two Weeks Notice

So, here it is. I've been tempted to start one of these for a while now; I just haven't had anything too exciting to write about. However, I believe things in my world are about to change. Big time.

This is my official "two weeks notice" for you: In exactly two weeks, five hours, and and forty-six minutes I will be preparing to board my first airplane in three years, a plane that will take me to another airport, where I will board another plane, which will eventually land me in the city of London.

For 36 days, I will be spending my time halfway around the world - and I couldn't be more excited. Or, wait... maybe that's not excitement I'm experiencing at the moment, maybe it's just nerves. I might as well admit that I'm nervous, too. And more than a little:

I have never been to Europe.
I am terrified of flying.
I do not know how to "pack light."

Okay, you're probably laughing at me, but thoughts like this keep running through my mind whenever I think about my upcoming trip.

On the other hand, (the one that's not shaking from nerves) I know that I'm getting the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I absolutely can't wait to get over there and see it all.

In the meantime, between enjoying all the southern cooking and iced drinks that I can and crossing off items on my ever-growing "What to Get" and "What to Pack" lists, I'm going to do some planning. What good is traveling if you don't take full advantage of it?

I plan on going everywhere and seeing everything that I possibly can while I'm there.

For example, here's a little sneak peek at where I'll be venturing to first (after London, that is):

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
May the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the palm of his hand.