A Day of Small Victories

1. My first ever international flight went without incident. I was nervous at first when I realized it was one of those big planes like the one on LOST. After surveying the area and some careful consideration, I came to the conclusion that the plane was probably going to make it to London. And if it didn't, and somehow a handful of us made it to a magical island, I'm totally a "main charecter." I'd at least survive the first season.

2. I was able to watch free TV and Movies on the flight, making my insomnia less painful. I watched "About a Boy," a classic I've seen 2 dozen times and it was still just as good. As for the less pleasant parts of the flight–I made the best of them by writing Haiku's in my head. For example:

Screaming Baby Wah

Would someone shut it up please?

Wah wah wah Ipod

Chicken dinner poor choice

The bread tastes of damp cardboard

Add butter, don't cry.

3. Chrissy and I successfully made it through the border and customs without screwing anything up. We met with a Middlesex University representative and he complimented me on my "British humor." Apparently, british humor just means sarcasm and I am relieved! In America, many people misinterprut my jokes as me being rude or annoying or moronic. But not here! They like me. They reall like me! You think the Queen is looking for a court jester? Cause I'm down.

4. I borrowed a travel adapter from my Aunt but it refused to give any power to any of my appliances. The rude thing about that is providing power is literally a travel adaptors ONLY job. I fired it after a series of failures and joined a few other lost Americans in navigating our way to some stores. I bought a new converter for 8 pounds and wouldn't you know, almost electrocuted myself six (yes, six) times by trying to force my MacBook charger in without it falling out again. Sparks flew. The Mac plug was just too heavy... so my genius solution/fire hazard is show below. Success!

One big failure:

It's past 11 UK time, I've been awake for 36 hours and I'm up posting this instead of sleeping. Good night, world. Tomorrow, without jetlag, I rage.

Smell ya Later, America!

About to board the plane with Chrissy. I'm pumped.

Enough said.

Return of the Old School Blogger

I was encouraged by friends to start a blog so that I can chronicle my adventures while I'm in London for the summer. At first, I hesitated. I used to blog when I was 15 and the entries still haunt me––weird stories and teenage heartache on display for the whole world to read. Apparently I thought I was pretty funny and important at the time but of course, I was wrong. Forever, publicly wrong.

Why would I want to travel down that road again?

I was inspired by one idea. It was suggested that blogging would relieve me of some of the one on one emails and phone updates that I was not exactly looking forward to between myself, friends and family. If I tell my tales in a central place that anyone can see, I won't have to write as many individual letters. Thats where I was sold. Hello, blogspot- thanks for the assistance!

Don't get me wrong, its not that I don't want to keep in touch with everyone. It's just that... I'm tired. Very, very tired.

I've been planning this trip for months and I haven't exactly tried to hide the fact that it is indeed an escape. Despite how I describe it, I am not as much "studying abroad" as I am "fleeing the country in hopes of recovering from the past 21 years of my life."

I look forward to being in a new place and finding some new perspective. I look forward to being alone. I look forward to relaxing and for the first time in a long time, just doing what I want to do, whenever I want to do it––without feeling guilty or obligated to something else.

I hope to come back rested.

Only time will tell how often I actually use this thing but I'm going to give it a shot. And as for the title? Its a knock off of the old Brand New song "Jude Law & a Semester Abroad"–my favorite when I was in 8th grade. Since I'm blogging again like the old Alison, I thought it might be appropriate.

Less than 48 hours until take off.

Cheers, bloggers!