define your destination: July 2012

London, Windsor Castle, Oxford and London (June 21-26)

For many years now, I have felt my lofty list of travels had a large hole: London. Yet, to tell you honestly, I had little desire to go. I can't really explain why, but I've always said if someone handed me a plane ticket, I would go at least 200 places before deciding on London.

Then something interesting developed. Pepperdine has a semester abroad program there where I can complete my certificate in International and Comparative law. Since this certificate is something I am very serious about getting and I love the idea of living in Europe again, I recently became convinced I couldnt leave Europe without checking it out.

Combine this idea with the stroke of great luck that I had a friend from junior high and high school with a free weekend, after a cost analysis and brainstorming session over Facebook chat, I had purchased a plane ticket to London as my last European trip of the summer.

Let me start by saying, it was AWESOME to see Arleta. We go way back. Arleta is currently working on her masters in Public Policy at American university in DC. DC has done her well. She looks great and is the ever intelligent, bright, bubbly, talented Arleta I know and love. In high school, I had the pleasure of sharing a locker near her, having classes together, acting with her on stage and directing her in competition play. Perhaps more interestingly, we went on what feels like thousands of double dates and group outings with our circle of friends and boyfriends at the time. How long ago that seems now! We were also roommates to Vienna my senior year. Since her undergrad at UGA, my frequent Athens excursions while I was at Bama and numerous gatherings throughout Atlanta, we have remained good friends. With no lack of subject matter to be discussed, our friendship feels like a cozy sweatshirt. We had the best time and were at full speed the whole trip.

With our theater backgrounds, you shouldnt find it surprising a large portion of our budget went to seeing shows at night.

We got in late Thursday and met up at the hotel. We talked until nearly 4 am and woke up just in time to be served the last cups of coffee at 9 am. We were gently scolded for a neighbors complaint that we were loud, to which I blurted out, "sorry, sir, it's just that we haven't seen each other in three years!"

Fridays itinerary: Picadally Circus, Trafalgar Square, The London Eye, getting very rained on and nearly carried to Ireland by the wind, Baker Street, Madame Tussands Wax Museum, the Tower of London and London bridge with a delicious royal cappuccino and chocolate cake break. For the evening, a great Italian meal and Sweeney Todd

Saturday: For a great deal, we were ultimate tourists and joined a guided tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and

Oxford. As we were on an incredibly tight schedule, we didn't really have a lot of time at any one place but we got a nice taste of everywhere. From entering the castle we only had an hour so just imagine the crowds of Asians with their audio guides and other tourists filling each room and Arleta and I LITERALLY border line jogging through each room saying "sorry, excuse me/pardon/pardon me/PARDÓN/excuse-muaa/MOVE!" in any language it came out, every few seconds. I almost ran over at least three people. Pedro, the guide made it incredibly clear the bus would leave us of we weren't on time and they wouldn't be sorry. We were also instructed to get lunch before climbing back on board and no tourist was going to prevent me from eating that afternoon. We made it with three minutes to spare, even with the big hoooopla of the changing of the guard. Which is no small ordeal, let me tell you. And when a police man asks you to stay there on the sidewalk, you take that machine gun seriously and forget you're about to be abandoned by your 70 pound tourbus, trust me.

It was an adventure we soon realized was just beginning. Two hours later armed with a coach bus nap, we got a history lesson over the microphone and caught our first glimpse of Stonehenge. Thanks to traffic, we had just over 30 minutes at Stonehenge. certainly not as big as I was expecting, it was still super cool to be there. After walking allllll the way around thinking it was a circle, we realized we were at a dead end and had to walk allll the way back around. Again, causing substantial stress regarding missing the bus. This time a little more so, since we were in the middle of no where in fields. At this time, I'd like you to tell me if you could point to where Stonehenge is on a map. Because, before pursuing the brochures on London I seriously thought Stonehenge was in Scotland. So did Arleta. This is rather embarrassing to admit. But just tuck this away for the next time it's relevant. We laughed and laughed and laughed about this all weekend long.

Last but not least, we arrived in Oxford. Just walking around these buildings, I felt my IQ rising. Wow the history and intelligence that has been born and cultivated in that quaint little town. For the first time we realized we didn't care if we got left in Oxford because we were in love with that city. Securing Oxford sweatshirts for good vibes on next year's late library nights, we had a decision to make. Stay and enjoy Oxford or take a chance at getting back to London in time to make a show. Our day had been near perfect so far so we pushed our luck a little further and got back on the coach bus. We got into London, passing Alfred Hitchcocks house and the hospital where William and Harry were born and went straight to the box office with fingers crossed there were still tickets. Seated comfortably we breathed a sigh of disbelief at how incredible our day had been. And then Billy Elliot blew us away. A perfect day indeed.

Maybe you know, maybe you don't, but last Saturday was the 23rd, marking 4 years since Mom upgraded to her mansion in heaven. This post would be incomplete without mentioning that even with the great adventures and sights, naturally this was on my mind. I miss Mom everyday. As some of you who I've clued in already know, I think I've missed her more this year than any other time. Grief is a really bizarre thing and unfortunately it's not something you can hide in a box under your bed and pull out when convenient. Like I always say, some days are good, some days are super good and some days are really rough. I just want to take a second to share how deeply grateful I am for the amazing network of friends she left here who bless me incredibly. I can't explain how much easier you make her absence and how blessed I am that she lives through you all and that when needed, you're all still there. Though I couldn't call you, just know I was thinking of you missing her too.

I was with a great friend in a great city and I really am looking forward to a hug in America. And I can't wait to take advantage of being just a call away next year. I intend to use and abuse that, so be warned!

Sunday: After snoozing for an hour, we rallied and set out to go shopping. We shopped, explored Covent Garden and had Fish and Chips for lunch before Arleta had to leave for her train back to Brussels. Since I am finished with work, I chose to stay in London another two nights.

One of Dads Biolase connections and her ADORABLE boys met me for lunch. Jackie and I met in Hungary but I had been hearing her praises and stories for years before that. She is just great and I was SO honored that she drove into the city to meet me. To make it even better, I was thoroughly entertained by her boys (age 8 and 9) for an entire afternoon. Their British accents are the

greatest thing. It's like anything they say is a movie line. I loved them. After receiving the greatest London souvenir- table napkin art by the youngest boy, we walked along the Thames then said goodbyes.

The high school where I work on Mondays and Wednesdays was doing an exchange outside of London this past week so Silvia and Melania were already in the UK when I landed. Sunday was Melanias birthday and their only free day, so we met up in the evening. We walked ALL over that city. From one side of the river to the other, waving to all landmarks, skipping through the parks and stopping to peek into shops and for coffee. Susana, one of the English teachers, and I didn't have class together so I didn't work with her other than in passing a few times. She is so sweet though and it was awesome to have these pre-goodbye memories in London with Silvia and Melania. Oh Lord, I will miss them both so much next year.

Symbolically, the weekend in London ending marks the beginning of the next chapter called "Saying goodbye in Madrid and moving to California" which will span until the first day of law school on August 20th.

Here are some pictures from the trip. Enjoy!