Making the Big Leap

Well today I made the jump across the big pond, a journey I can honestly say was impossible to prepare for. Leaving my family and friends this time was entirely different than when I went to college. Rhodes was a new, exciting adventure, and while I am used to being away from my home base, before I always knew in the back of my mind that everything was just a short drive away.

 Not London. It took me over twelve hours of flying and a lot of cumbersome baggage hauling to get here, all to find out that I would spend the entire day (on less than half an hour's sleep) dealing with unruly assistants, complicated bank issues, and technological malfunctions. What a glorious start to my trip.

 PLUS SIDE: I don't have to sleep on the street tonight! My flat is very quaint and quiet, perfect for studying and working, which I should probably start doing again soon. It would be great if I could just Matrix-style lo-jack all of the art and history that I know is still floating around in the back of my brain somewhere. I have a little bedroom and study area to myself and share a kitchen and common room with other students, whom I have yet to have seen.

 Despite the lackluster start of my London life, however, there have been some fun aspects to my first day. I stopped into a Sainsbury for a few essentials, and if you know me, you know I LOVE grocery stores, especially in other countries. Not only do they have fabulous food assortments, figuring out the British colloquialisms for food products is like trying to decipher a foreign language. I gave up on trying to find crackers and peanut butter, but for all of you unaware, cookies are biscuits, chips are crisps, and there is an entire aisle devoted to tea (thank you VCP peeps for preparing me for those lovely Britishisms).

 All in all, things will be good once the primary things are taken care of. Stay tuned for updates on contact information and my fluctuating sanity. I've been awake for around 30 hours at this point, and it's finally getting dark on my side of the world. After a good night's sleep and a brain/emotions recharge, London will be brighter and more appealing for the adventure that is in store for this year.

 Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive of this journey so far. I wouldn't be here without you, and I love and miss you all so much already. Hugs and kisses from across the waters!