London Calling

So I was all set to go Tuesday morning. Packed. Prepared. Confident. Only to have my little world shattered by a Continental Airlines representative who called at 7:15 a.m. to tell me my flight from Norfolk to Newark had been canceled. All I could think was, "of course this would happen."

My dad, being the awesome super hero that he is, saved the day and booked me a flight out of Richmond with the same connecting flight to Heathrow. However, when I got to Richmond, I was able to get on a 12:55 flight (legit set to leave 20 mins. after we arrived). So my dad and I practically ran to security, said a quick but tearful (on my end anyway) goodbye and I headed off to start the biggest adventure of my life thus far.

The flight to Newark was ok. I just read The Perks of Being A Wallflower the whole time. It kept my mind off of the people I love.

Once I arrived at the airport, I experienced my first shuttle ride alone, my first flight board alone and my first gate searching alone. So I say at gate C92 for a good 5-6 hours and waited. In between calls from my dad, my mom, Sarah and Dan it was al I could do to keep from crying my little eyes out.

The flight to Heathrow was actually really good. I had a window seat and only a small Asian man who did not speak English very well in the aisle seat. I watched episodes of 30 Rock, The Office and The Middle and then fell asleep watching the movie Valentine's Day. Sleeping is never easy on a plane but I managed fairly well.

Finding my group was not a problem at all. But I was so tired! We took a coach to our new home, Madison House, and started to get acquainted with the place. Then we walked over to our classrooms a few blocks away at Florida State University's facilities. We all received Oyster Cards to ride the tube and a mobile phone, along with tons of great info. and maps.

I also had my first taste of food in London. At the airport, I got a Diet Cherry Coke and it tasted nothing like I thoought it would. Ew. Then at the meeting, we had sanwiches and grapes and some crazy soda. Yoga Bunny something. That was pretty good.

I have another meeting in a few minutes about my internship. I will find out when I need to go interview tomorrow! I'm so excited.

Tonight, I am going to the Eye with my flatmates and out to eat.

-APC