Night in London

I met up with Becky and Marie in LONDON last night.

I decided to navigate the underground for awhile -- explore....I eneded up in the shopping district -- do I have a nose for it, or what? I also stopped for a late lunch and had the best sushi at a litlte cafe.

It was a fabulous time - I loved hearing their stories of travel around Europe!

Life in Lynn

Mom and I went into London on Saturday -- her flight was Sunday morning so we decided it would be an easier commute if we just stayed down by the airport. We took one of those night bus tours and got to see all of the sights -- it was super fun. After mom was safely past securing, I had to fend my way to the Lynn by myself. It was a long trek, but I managed - successfully.

Currently, I'm living with my landlords until the house is ready. I've been vegetating for the past few days - watching movies and just lying around. I like it.

I went into school today and got my class lists. Holy 18 classes. More so - I have 275 students. That's a little bit differnet than how we roll in the states. So that's going to be a new perk.

I do have internet access - which is fabulous!

Anywho - I wanted "Employee of the month" - one of the 400 films my landlord lent me. Dane Cook -- such great memories. And I don't know if it's his voice, or just his general manner, but he reminds me so much of my friends from KSU. I haven't thought about my KSU friends in so long (don't take offense, it's really been a transition time) -- just triggering so many memories....

I kind of wonder what life would be like if I chose an alternative path. I changed everything. I sometimes wonder why or if life would be different if I hadn't changed. Of course it would be different - but to what degree? I'm not homesick -- not yet at least, but there are certain people I do miss. I do wish they were still in my life in the greater picture. I have to wonder if all of the events that have happened and things I have changed are all part of that "greater plan." Or by my choices, if I have meddled with that plan in some way...changing what should be.

How are we ever to know?

Out of sight, Out of mind. Right?

In London. Updates to follow.

Whew...

Well the good news is that I am currently sitting - ONLINE - at the hotel.

Everything that was looking kind of grey, well, let's be honest - black - has turned around. Little things like flats, running water, mobile phones, calling cards and internet....they always end up working in the end. And I even heard a rumor that the sun is going to be shining this weekend.

Nasty bruise on my leg - it trumps the famous bruise of DZ room 103 when I ran into the counter a record thirteen times in one night....completely sober...just sleep deprived and pre-occupied. The suitcases managed to do a number to my leg as I carried them up seven flights of stairs. I have since decided to ship everything back to the US....

Mom and I have gotten lost only twice and managed to end up exactly where we needed to be in the end, so I believe we have been quite successful.

Tomorrow we are exploring some more - I might even get to go see the school. The school, btw, is brilliant, beautiful and probably should be marked as the prettiest building in town.

England lost today in Soccer. No opinion has been developed...yet. I suppose if Brady Quinn like soccer.....

Come sail away - Styx

A gathering of angels appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said
They said come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me

Final Days...

Summer Camp wrapped up on Friday. It felt slightly strange today not going into work. I actually ran some errands with Ron and the day flew by. Much like the dodgeball - we almost survived! I heart the camp staff! It's hard to believe I won't be back. It was a great way to stay fit in the summer....when I wasn't being lazy and sitting on the stage yelling "Brian! KNOCK IT OFF!"



I was tagged in the cutest pic of Me, Jen, Gayle and Cass at the leaving party. I had to share.

Leaving Party

The Leaving Party was a success! There were about 45 people at the house throughout the day, so that was really exciting. Family, Delta Zeta's, friends from school, friends from work -- overall, I'd say it was probably the best part of the summer.

CDs did not take the cake as coolest thing at the party -- my dad got his hands on a football and had everyone sign it for me. Watch out, England -- the U.S. gets Beckham, England gets me - let's play some football.

1. “London Calling” The Clash
For my dad – the first to give me the gift of music.
2. “Learn to Fly” Foo Fighters
For the Terrace Crew: Aaron, Pat, and Scott– our times at Kent were always FF inspired
3. “Let Go” Frou Frou
For my Delta Zetas– especially Jillian Sue who always puts a smile on my face!
4. “People Watching” Jack Johnson
For Jeffy – I’ll miss those Arabica dates.
5. “Say You’ll Be There” Spice Girls
For Jen Lillash – after spending every day together, how will we live?
6. “I’ll be Ready” Sunblock
For Brian – I will never forget rocking out while driving to school.
7. “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Israel Kamakawiwo Ole
For my friends who believe in travel – hopefully my life will run parallel to yours!
8. “The Ride of Your Life” John Gregory
For Erin – Oh, how I’m going to miss you.
9. “A Foggy Day (In London Town)” Michael Buble
For Uncle John, Aunt Renee and Jayne –offering advice in all matters concerning life.
10. “Don’t Stop Believing” Journey
For my students at LC– for the lessons they taught me.
11. “Life is a Highway” Tom Cochrane
For Mandy and Brian – I don’t know what I’m going to do without my little breaks of sanity…
12. “Home” Daughtry
For mom – I will be coming home.
13. “With a Little Help from my Friends” The Beatles
For the Painesville Recreation Prison League – we survived.
14. “Don’t you forget about me” Simple Minds
For my students at Madison – it was the Breakfast Club every day.
15. “JCB Song” Nizopoli
For Mark Daly – my spiritual guide during my quest for World Domination.
16. “Hey there Delilah” Plain White T’s
For Nick – a new friend made the summer unforgettable.
17. “Here I go Again” Whitesnake
For my friends and family – thank you for the support – no matter what corner of the world I’m in.

The delicate manner of Sanity

In very depressing news, while trying to find some way of printing our summer camp yearbook, I have noted the disappearance of my jump drive. I can't help but think about the fact that I stored a very important document on that jump drive called MY NOVEL.

As you can imagine, I'm about ready to throw up.

Although I am incredibly organized (Martha, right?) I have no idea where the drive is or where I had seen it last. The only reason I am able to type this entry is because I am waiting for the yearbook to burn to the third disk in an attempt to print the blasted thing from our home computer. And after several failed attempts, I am pretty much accepting the fact that my 6 hours of work must be redone on a (crummy) alternate computer.

It's times like these when I must accept the fact that I am not technologically savvy - although I tend to argue otherwise. I don't really understand why it is a nightmare to transfer a file from one computer to another.

You know how life just tends to throw you a heck of a lot of lemons all at once? I'd really like to make some lemonade, but I'm afraid my head is buried and I'm unable to accomplish much of anything...breathing included.

Yea. It's been one of those weeks. And it's Monday.

Ideas Ideas

While cleaning today I was listening to the soundtrack and had a semi-brilliant idea. I am quite excited for the Leaving party and I have been chewing on various ideas for favors. What better gift than the gift of music? Martha Stewart would applaud my efforts.

Each song says "Hoopla! I'm leaving" -- but then I looked at each song and thought "Remember when Mandy and I sang this in the middle of the library" or "Remember when Brian and I would blast this song on the way to 6AM football practice?" So each song is dedicated to someone (or a group of people) and I wrote a little love note under the title of each song. The list will be printed inside the CD case with my contact information (Well, the little bits that I know).

The playlist has been altered since the previous post - but it is not finalized. Considering half of the people reading this post are mentioned on the CD, I will refrain from posting the contents until after the party.

OK - It's cheesy. But I like cheesy.

Next week is the final week of PRPL. I am not sure how I will live the rest of my life without playing dodgeball, but I am pretty sure I can handle it. As bad as some of the little ones were, I'm still going to miss them. Except for those who drew blood or inflicted serious pain upon me. I want them as far away as possible.

AND - in other exciting news (for those who I didn't call and scream the news to) - Mark won the election. He informed me that when I visit Ireland I get a tour of parliament. I'm really proud that my spiritual advisor accomplished his quest for world domination - or at least one of the steps.

As for me -- I'm still a work in progress.

Birthday Pics!

Jen took some lovely shots of my birthday -- so I had to pass them along!

Sarah, Jess and Myself at Paninis after dinner!


Travis, Jen and Jeff -- how did she end up with both the guys?


Jen and I were enjoying a Chocolate birthday cake....with lemons....


YAY for the Painesville Recreation Prison League!!


Jess and I are too cute


Jeffy is my hero :)

Soundtrack

I have created a Soundtrack for my departure. I call it "Travel." It's still a work in progress, but never the less, it's a start - observe:

Let Go (Frou Frou )
First Time (Lifehouse )
Home (Daughtry)
Who Knew (P!nk )
Forever (Ben Harper)
Somewhere over the rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo Ole)
Lights (Journey)
Learn to Fly (Foo Fighters)
I'll be ready (Sunblock)
Mr Brightside (The Killers)
City Of Blinding Lights (U2)
Jump (Madonna)
Undeniable (Mat Kearney)
Hey There Delilah (Plain White T's)


And I just have to post a picture of today. My little CB and myself:


Hopefully I'll have birthday pics tomorrow.