3, 2, 1, Takeoff

I didn't realize the Newark-Liberty Intl airport was so close to NYC. That view from the air as we cruised past was the first I'd seen The Big Apple. I would've taken a photo but digging my camera out of my overstuffed bag would have been near impossible. That city skyline, compared to Cleveland's, is gigantic. Cleveland is just an ink spot in comparison. And then there's London. Much bigger by far than NYC. So big I can't hope to see all of it in a single lifetime, let alone in one year at school. I could spend every day walking the streets of London, morning and night, and never cover its whole expanse.

I was lucky enough to sit next to two friendly moms from Bay Village on that first flight, a pair who, themselves, were off to London, ready to shop and hit the town! The one, Debbie, was the bubbly blond who told me all about Las Vegas and the best shows to see, describing in detail some of the live nude scenes that popped up to surprise her. Her traveling companion, Kathy, was the quieter, well-traveled mom, who just raved about London. Naturally, both were jealous to discover I was moving there. I suspect this will be the first of many interesting introductions during the course of the year.

I have about two hours to kill between flights so I'm making all the necessary domestic Last Calls. No more cell phone for me after this, as hard as it will be to give up texting. That, even more so than phone calls, is what I will miss. Texting comes in third on the list of “US Things I Will Miss Most” after Family and Friends. The ability to communicate with people while “on the go” has become quite the addiction. Thank god for skype, email, facebook, and blogs. 

Here's My View of a Full Moon Outside the Airport in NJ

I'd like to thank everyone for the outpouring of well-wishes today. Even now as I stare onto the concourse at the flying boat, wondering how anything shaped like THAT can FLY, I'm receiving text messages and FB posts from all you guys, my lovely friends. I wish I could pack you all into my carry-ons and bring you with me. But as it is, I'm hauling luggage that weighs at least 1.5 times my own weight. I had to prioritize and shoes won out this time. Notice below the number of shoes I THOUGHT I could take:

Didn't happen... I have to severely downsize and then pack and repack everything to meet the weight limit. However, also notice the lovely black and pink color scheme that exists within my shoe collection. How nice would that have looked in my London apartment?

Mountains of STUFF!!!

I was lucky enough to have one last hoorah in the states before I packed up and headed out. I actually drove to Michigan two days before my flight to go to a concert that wouldn't be in Cleveland until tonight, Tuesday, the night I fly out. Go figure. And I almost couldn't go, anyway, because three different people backed out of going with me. Luckily my dad found me a new friend, and just in time, who was willing to drop everything and drive to Michigan with me to see Blink 182. If you've ever been to Blossom Music Center the Michigan venue looks very similar, minus the fact that the walk through the park itself to get to the stage is like walking the paths of a zoo, minus the animals. It's very manicured with walled paths and tall trees, dotted with food stands instead of wildlife cages. The place was stuffed to bursting and each one of those people packing the place up was going wild, dancing and singing along. My friend and I, by mere fortune alone, was handed two tickets for the front row. Meaning we got $250 seats for free! Up close and personal is the ONLY way to see a rock concert. Especially when the drummer does his solos on a flying platform that floats out over the audience's heads. We looked straight up and he was almost within reach. If only I'd been given the gift of height I could've grabbed on an swung out over the crowd too!

Close Enough to Get Frickin' AWESOME Pics!

Now, two days later, I'm in New Jersey.

There seems to be an unevenly distributed population boarding this flight, meaning an unusual majority of us are young females. I'd say about 50% of our small crowd at this gate fit that description. Apparently London is the place to be for college-aged youngsters. Maybe I'll get lucky and sit next to one of them on the flight instead of the man next to me right now who can't chew with his mouth closed to save his life.

The next time I write I will be in LONDON!!!

Au revoir!