Literally, the LONGEST Day of My Life...Part 1

Today is my third day in London and I have yet to update my blog. I know you are all anxious to find out what I have been up to. So here goes... (Sadly there will be no pictures as I forgot the connector cable to my computer, but they will come soon)

The day before I left I was a wreck, I slept only a few hours and had some packing left to do. I decided to only take one checked bag and had the 50 lb. weight limit to worry about. Many different combinations of shoes and tops and other items went in and out of my suitcase for most of the day. I have never had to pack for 4 moths before and it was hard, especially when I have no clothes for cold weather. Relieved to be finished packing, I went with my family to my aunt and uncle's house for Labor Day after getting some money exchanged. That was a hard experience as the Pound is almost twice as strong as the dollar. Then we wet to my aunt and uncle's to have Labor Day festivities. I said goodbye to most of my family. Then I went to say goodbye to my friend Manda who is leaving for the Philippines the same day I leave. When I got to her house, it was packing disaster but she finished in time.

After a little more packing and reorganizing I finally go to bed that night.

In the morning, I woke up and I was freaking out. All the uncertainties I faced had me scared stiff. I just sat in bed wondering what I had gotten myself into. I talked to my mom and called my brother and I felt a little better.

Around 10:30, Dad drove me to the airport. I called Manda and talked to her a bit as she was already at the airport. I would go in between moments of calm and nerves. I go to the airport and check in my luggage, super easy since I did online check-in the previous night. After a teary goodbye, I went through security (they were super nice by the way). I must have used 4 or 5 tubs to get my stuff through the x-ray machine. I almost forgot about my 3-1-1- bag and then I forgot to take off my shoes. I am glad there was no line because I would have held up the entire process.

Now that I was through security, I needed to find my gate. I was in the United terminal, number 7 and my gate was 77 which is all the way in the corner. I walked so far and my bags were beginning to weigh me down. As I walked past the duty free shops and newsstands I noticed a La Brea Bakery and a (drumroll please) Baja Fresh! I was so happy. I was planing on going to Chipotle before I left but did not get the chance. I finally arrived at my gate and sat down. It was only 11:45 and I had two hours before my flight left. After a few minutes I decide it is time to eat lunch so I lug my stuff over to Baja Fresh. I am going to miss good Mexican food. I talked to Manda and my brother one more time. Finally loading began. I had remained calm for a while but when the plane pulled away from the gate and we took off I was so excited. Take-off and landing are my favorite part of flying.

I was in seat 17A. A window and a bulkhead seat. Some older man was sitting next to me ad he was hogging the arm rest. Not much of problem except for a bulkhead seat where the tray comes out of the arm rest. He seemed completely oblivious to the situation and kept his elbow glued to the armrest when the food showed up. After a lasagna lunch (dinner?) they turned the lights down and I finished watching Sex and the City. I tried to sleep but that did not go so well. In total after a few 15-30 minute naps, I slept for maybe a total of 2 hours.

Around 2 hours out breakfast was served (fruit and a sandwich?). I had been watching the map/info view and when London came into view I began to freak out. We were arriving at least an hour early, 7:00am. Brutal. We had touched down with a very smooth landing. Overall the flight was way too long with a decent amount of turbulence.

But I had made it.

Step 1 complete.

Now I had to get to my residence.

To be continued...

Until we meet again,

-Maggie

I made it to London

Stories and pictures to come soon.

7 Days Left

It does not seem real yet. I find it hard to believe that in a weeks time I will be on a plane somewhere between LA and London. Leaving behind all my friends, family, and everything I have ever known.

I am having freak out moments every time I am reminded of my reality. This morning I received an email detailing how to get from the airport to my dorm. My initial reaction was 'I don't want to do this anymore. What was I thinking? I can't do this.'

I have to talk myself down. Lately it has been happening more often as my days left in Orange County countdown, but I just have to remind myself that God is in control and through Him I can do anything.

I have not started packing. But I have placed some clothes (like coats and business attire) in a pile ready to be packed. Plus I finally have luggage so I don't have to carry my belongings onto the plane. I don't think the security officials, flight attendants, other passengers would approve.

Time to get back to not packing.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

I Have a Home

Since the school year ended, information regarding London has been slow to come. Now that the beginning of the semester is less than a month away, emails are steadily arriving in my mailbox. The latest batch includes a list of contact information of the other CSULB students. A second email listed the address of the residence and my mailing address for the next four months.

This makes me excited as now I can look at maps and see exactly which neighborhood I will be living in and where the local tube station and shopping is located.

This makes me nervous too. I have a place to live and what I am about to do is becoming more and more real each day.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

One month...

Success

I am in. My visa has been issued and all my information was returned to me. I was nervous about having all that information just floating around out there, but now it is home, safe with me.

This summer is flying by and I am having trouble keeping up. This weekend I get to go be a corner worker at the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca, my brother's wedding is a month away, and I leave in a month and a half.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler

P.S. Check out my other blog, Through the viewfinder, to track the progress of my independent study project as it transforms into something of value.

Visa or Mastercard?

Because of my internship, I am required to acquire a student visa. There was so much that I had to send in, it made me nervous. They wanted my whole life it seemed. Some paperwork I sent in included:

• 3 months of bank statements
• 3 months of pay stubs
• My passport
• School transcript

Sending some of this made me nervous but I guess they want to know who is coming into their country to work.

It is amazing to think I only have 52 days left until I leave. At least Manda is leaving the same day I am so we can count down together.

I have so much to do before I go. I need to sit down and sort everything out.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler