RG 24.01.12 -Fiction: The Apothecary's Daughter / Theatre: Our New Girl / Art: Domestic Burlesque by Radio_Gorgeous on Mixcloud

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Gosh, I'm horrible at updating this thing...Let's see...

I ate way too much baklava last night.

Drinking coffee, eating eggs, and reading my weekly copy of The Stage has become my morning routine and I really would have it no other way.

I don't know what I would do without Skype. My mom is such a rock. A diamond of course.

I've been writing like a madman. Music, poetry, a one-woman show I'm collaborating with a friend on. I find that the more I write, the more junk I have, but also the opposite as well. I just force myself to write loads everyday. I end up throwing out half of it, but it's better to have ridiculous amounts then not enough I guess.

Next week is our showcase at Central. How quickly did that arrive?!? That pretty much means the course is over. I write my dissertation after this and then I'm done. Wow, how time flies. I'm singing "Here I Am" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and performing a portion of Three Women by Sylvia Plath for showcase. Who, might I add, is one of my favorite authors and if you have never read any of her work, you really should. Beautiful writing. We're also doing "Run Freedom Run" from Urinetown as our finale showcase. Good times.

Got a job working at a cafe in Belsize Park. Enjoying it so far I guess. Hopefully this will be my last job waiting tables... I always say that, but for real for real this time?? If anyone's listening...? The cafe also serves THE best coffee in town, hands down... and I can drink it while I'm working... If that's not incentive to go to work, I don't what is.

It's interesting being an American over here...especially at my work. Literally EVERY table I waited on last night asked me where I was from. Luckily all of them were quite nice as I have had my fair share of rude comments since I've been in London. People last night were saying I 'looked' American cause I was so smiley, another complimented my teeth and then went and told their friend to come look at my teeth (haha)... and I also got the comment "You've got a bloody good sense of humor for an American".... The last one I went ahead and took as a compliment, but I must admit that isn't the first time I've been told that here. I really don't get this whole "Americans aren't funny and don't get sarcasm" thing. Very misguided stereotype definitely.

Absolutely love my bandmates. When I look back over the past few months, I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them in it. It sounds silly, but they really are amazing guys and I'm so thankful to be surrounded with friends who I know would do anything for me. Plus we have the most ridiculously fun times together. Amazing.

We just finished recording our EP in Brighton a few weeks ago. We're just waiting for the final mixes from the producer at the moment. Hopefully we'll have them soon as we're getting a bit antsy! We've got a gig coming up in May as well. Very much looking forward to it!! It's been almost two months now since the last one as our schedules have been so packed full with work and recording. Can't wait to get back out there. There really is no feeling like performing. Period.

I'm going to teach Matty how to do yoga. Quite excited to get my hands on Mr. Dangerously Inflexible himself.

Auditioned and got into The Actor's Centre here in London and start classes there soon. REALLY looking forward to it. Apart from the fact that I feel my course is lacking in several ways, it's really important to always continue your training as an actor. Some people I've mentioned this to before don't really understand the concept, but I've told them it's kind of like how a pianist needs to keep practicing their skills everyday... It really is no different.

Looking on... The next step is just getting out there and auditioning. I may or may not get an agent from the showcase as it kind of seems like a difficult thing to do. Either way, I'm not bothered. Honestly, being stuck with an agent that isn't a perfect fit is worse than having no agent at all, so I'm not too worried about it. It is possible to manage yourself without an agent. You may have to try harder, but it definitely isn't a make or break kind of thing. That being said, I really can't wait to have more of an open schedule from school so I can start putting myself out there and auditioning.

As far as friends go here in London, I can definitely say it's been an interesting journey. It's amazing how things can change in an instant and you suddenly don't feel as close to people or you suddenly feel incredibly close to others that you just never expected. It really is a process. In Nashville, it seemed to take me forever to figure out the people that I needed in my life. When you realize certain people have a negative impact on you, it's important to not rely on them. It sounds silly but the friends I have back home were ace. Honestly. It's almost like for years I had been sifting through people to find these really genuine friends and I finally did. It's just going to take some more time here. That being said, man I sure have some great friends here already! You know they're amazing when you can just sit around and giggle for hours. Love it.

Speaking of amazing friends, a few of us are going to Marrakesch next month. EEEK! We're staying at a super fancy resort and living it up... a much needed break I will be needing from dissertation writing indeed!

Honestly, other than my empty cup of coffee I'm staring at, I've got no complaints.

fire it up

Right where I need to be. That's how i feel. Happy. Content. Doing exactly what I want to be doing. Happy with the person I've become after all these years. Happy with all the amazing people in my life. Really wouldn't give it up for the world.

Ended up home for Christmas. Such a relief. It was incredibly crazy stressful getting back. Three airports, a taxi, some trains, buses, two planes, standby, flights cancelled, snowstorm, Manchester. Eventually made it! :) And, man, has it been worth it!

It's nice to see all my friends and family again and know that nothing has changed at all. It's just so comfortable. I really am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. They are beautiful. Hearing my nieces yell "Aunt Alli" was enough to make the trip worth it. On top of that I found myself so lucky as to be able to modi gleep with my lovelies (well, some of them! A lot left to do!!) and chill with my fam...and by chill I mean get crazy.

Am a little worried about my Sissy. They think she might have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which would really really suck. I'm just praying the doctors have good news and/or ways to make it easy for her to deal with it. Love her.

As much as I love being home, I do miss things in London. So much going on I have to get back to! We've got our mainstage show coming up--Sigrun's Fire. Should be a good time. And my band has our first gig on January 21st when I get back! At The Albany in London. Cannot be more pumped about that. And not to mention I've got some wonderful people in London to get back to as well!

In the meantime, I've got some not quite as exciting papers to write for school. Bleughghgaihiing. Trying to interfere with my modi gleeping. Needs to go on elsewhere. I would much rather spend my time as I am right now--listening to music in the bathtub.... I really should get out now...

Cheers Darlin'

When you've finished getting yourself ready in the morning, you must go get the planet ready.

Been reading The Little Prince. Such a good book.

Getting into the Christmas spirit! As much as one can without being near their family I suppose. This will be the first time I won't be able to be with my family during the holidays. Eh, I might cry once or twice. But I will be alright. I'm learning that it is completely possible to still be close to everyone without actually physically being with them. the hardest part is missing my nieces growing up. Trying to find them a really cool Christmas present though. That makes up for it, right?

Life is going really well. Just got my headshots printed off and bought the newest Contacts book, so I can start contacting agents and whatnot. Not going to be fun. But anxious to get on with it. Working on finding a good accent coach as well. Gotta spiffy up my British.

Band stuff is going really well. Think we're going to start gigging really soon. Pretty pumped about it. And my bandmates are great. So all is good on that note.

This is a shout-out to my most dedicated reader, BaileyCakes. He never fails to read a blog entry and is upset of his not being mentioned, but needs to know that he has never gone unnoticed.

Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye. -The Little Prince

appasionato

finally gotten a grip. i think.

Developed new friendships that are turning out to be really lovely. When I first got here, I felt like no one was going to be able to be anything close to what I had back home. Maybe I was in denial. Dunno. But the truth is, you just have to spend time on these things. Of course I'm not going to be able to move to a new country in a completely different culture and just find people that I mesh with like the people back home that I've been friends with for years and feel completely myself around. I do feel like I've (finally) become myself here now though. What I was back home. What I was attempting to be again. It's weird how much a change of setting can make you feel so much not like yourself. I finally feel comfortable in my own shoes here is this big city.

London really is a lovely place to be. There's just so much going on all the time. I almost feel like there's so much that when I do have free time, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.

School is going well. It has its ups and downs, but I think I'm where I need to be. I know the progress that I've made and that is enough for me. To be quite honest though, I'm getting really antsy. I want to get out. And just go. Audition. Rehearse. Perform. I miss being in shows. Doing theatre.

Also ready to start performing my music. It's so hard to find the right people to collaborate with and really mesh those ideas together creatively. I think I'm on the verge though...New project on the way. More soon.

Hmm...what else?? I haven't updated in over a month, so I know there is plenty to tell you guys...

I have a breeze in my room. Which is annoying. And cold. It is absolutely freezing in London now. Shockingly cold already. And I know it's going to get worse. Time to bundle up!

Seen some good theatre lately. Blasted by Sarah Kane at the Lyric Hammersmith was astounding. It's one of those shows that is almost hard to describe without you just watching it... and if I even attempted to tell you about it, you would think I'm crazy. The actors were incredible. I love theatre that, no matter how affected the characters, the actors are able to find the humanity within them and bring the audience to a level in which they can empathize with them. I left that show thinking 'this is why i love theatre'.

My dear Deutschland friend, Anna-Lena, is coming to stay for a few days soon. Haven't seen her since I left Germany over a year ago! Cannot wait!

Joined a gym here in Swiss Cottage recently. Getting addicted again. It's what I do.

I know I say it often, but life is good. I really can't complain about anything.

Back to Normal

Or close to...or next to? hmm.

Life before this summer was so full. Go go go.. was me. all. the. time. But that's the way I like it honestly. I find things to fill my time. I don't like slow. Err.. Okay, I do like slow... slow time.... so I have time to fill it with things I like to do. Anyways-- point is, I feel back to me. A life filled with things I like to be doing.

Classes are holding much of my focus. I've learned to ask questions all the time. No, not in class... ha. To myself. About my art, art in general, life. It's nice. A very reflective process.

I've been writing music all the time and it feels really good. I went through some dry spells back in the States and I like the wet ones much better. Ha. I think the move has inspired a whole new burst of creativity for me. A change of perspective.

Looking back on what I wrote last time, I sounded so lonely! Ha! It isn't that I'm lonely, it's just that I don't have as many loved ones surrounding me all the time...something I am just not used to. But change is good. It will be even sweeter when I get to see everyone again. In the meantime, man my hand hurts from writing postcards....

so many thoughts that I can't even share them.

London is beginning to grow on me more and more. I must admit that it was (is) not easy leaving my friends and family. I literally think about all of them everyday, yet I still know this is where I need to be. Even though I've made a few friends here, I tend to spend a lot of time on my own. Which is probably a good thing. Hey, if you're ever going to be fairly anti-social, why not do it in grad school when you're supposed to be focused anyways, right?! It is quite weird though still... at home I spent so much time with my friends...Just looking at pictures this morning from my going away party made me sad. : (

Well, no time to be sad is what I say! ha! Now I'm off to work out a bit, read some Shakespeare, and plan my week! I'm going to start taking mime, dance, and yoga classes outside of school. Woo! Can't wait!

phew

What a day! My third day of grad school and I am already feeling incredibly tired. But I look at that as a good thing! The program is already pushing me and I feel like I've already learned so much--and not just about theatre either, about myself! It's bizarre.

These past few days were labeled as "Inductions", referring to each session, such as voice, acting, movement, and dance--but they were by no means "inductions". We just jumped right in and got to work really. I kind of left having many questions about our schedule and specifics of projects as in what we are going to be doing after today and yesterday, but I feel like time will tell? ha. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as I'm getting something out of it...which I have intensely done thus far. Maybe tomorrow when we meet to have tea and biscuits we will learn a bit more. Everyone on the course seems so lovely and the teachers as well. I feel like we're all going to bond :)... hey, some of us already have even! It's nice to have people that I feel comfortable around being as I am millions of miles away from everyone in my life.

As for settling in, I am definitely still a bit jetlagged and quite sick from the change in weather. I am praying this goes away soon (hopefully by the morning!) as I have to perform tomorrow. I've been drinking lots of tea with lemon and honey, water, and OJ, so I'm hoping the natural methods will help with this one! I finally set up a bank account over here which is a nice relief, but I haven't gotten a card yet, so I can't get a phone... sooo... waiting!

Other than that, my room is beginning to feel more like MY room. And my flat, very much like home.

finally home... home?!

I finally made it... and, let me tell ya, it was for sure a feat. After finally getting my visa and a very long flight over, I hopped on the tube with my two suitcases and incredibly heavy backpack thinking I was homefree... Got off the tube to switch to the final tube that would take me to Swiss Cottage. The line was shut down. :( So I began to improvise. I ended up walking the streets of London for a good twenty minutes without money or a phone (with all my luggage mind you.. jetlagged and sleepless! ha!) until finally I hailed a cab with the intention of just sucking it up and ALREADY using my emergency credit card... Driver doesn't take cards...go figure.. So he directed me to an atm and I finally reached home. HOME. What a weird concept. I was greeted by an incredible group of roommates, and, even though I was EXHAUSTED, there was no way I was getting to sleep anytime soon.

Adam came over and went with Claire and I to the grocery store... EVERYTIME I got in Claire's car, my mind was telling me to get in the passenger's side... which is actually the driver's side here.. This will take some getting used to. Grocery shopping was also a feat in its own. You would THINK that it would generally be similiar...umm no. HA! It was fine though--Definitely had some ridiculous moments of laughing with Adam and Claire. Then we went to the mall to buy some sheets and then drove around for a while... SCARY! Ha! Driving in London is definitely comparable to driving in NYC. And Claire is not one to be reckoned with on the roads by any means! It was pretty hilarious...

When we got home, Claire, Adam, and Aneta all decided my room (that was a MESS and totally not unpacked yet!) would be a good place to hang out. Adam does some killer card tricks... And not just card TRICKS either... I'm talking serious mind reading here. No, really. I have to admit that everyone is exactly what I thought they would be like. And I mean that in the greatest way possible. Cause I already thought they were pretty freakin awesome. :)I can tell this is going to be one of the greatest adventures of my life.

I went to bed at a fairly reasonable time as I don't think I would've made it any longer, and here I am--sitting at my desk at 6:13am drinking tea and listening to musicals. :) I got everything unpacked this morning...as I was up at 4AM! Even got to Skype my sissy today already! Been working on school stuff since I have to perform on the first day, which is a little scary as I am definitely stuffy from the change in weather and yucky plane ride.

Today we go to uni at noon to register. Cannot wait to meet everyone else in the program and actually get started on the course!! So pumped. I definitely miss everyone back home already. All of this is still a bit surreal. And my room is still a little bare, but I'm working on it.

Love from the UK,
Alli

and the journey begins...

Catching my flight to London in a few hours. So ready. It's a bittersweet time here in Nashville. It is so hard leaving my loved ones. :( But, I have to admit, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! London, look out!

Who woulda thunk it?

Definitely did not think I would be in this place at the moment.

My Visa still hasn't come, so I am waiting. With not much patience, I must admit. I don't know if I've ever been this stressed out in my life. Here I am--everything in my life has been sold, I have no bed, I am living out of two suitcases, I have a plane ticket for tonight that I can't use, I have a flat (already paid for!) waiting for me in London that I can't get to, school is supposed to start on Monday, as of today I have nowhere left to live in TN.... this pretty much sucks. What do you do when you're at the end of your rope? Well I assure you I've already been praying... And I WILL be going to London no matter what-- it's just a frustrating matter of time. I really hope I can find more patience within the next couple of days...

On a lighter note, I had the most amazing going away party imaginable. It's so nice to know that I have the greatest friends and family in the world. The cops told me my house was "over capacity"... Who knew houses had a capacity??? It was soooo good seeing everyone. And I thank them all for the lovely presents and cards...Jimmy for the pineapple, Sarah for the hemp necklace, Nicole for the framed picture, Timmy for the moola (unnecessary!), everyone else for the cards and ridiculous amount of bottles of wine. :) It literally brought tears to my eyes thinking about how much I will miss everyone. But like I've been telling people-- Good friends are the ones that no matter how much distance and time is put between you, when you see that person again, it's like nothing has changed. I know that's how it will be when I see everyone again. Love you all.

Now let me out of this country right now!!! (see.. I am so patient. :))

like a riot

10 days left in tennessee, 6 days left waiting tables, 3 going away parties to go, lots of packing to be had, some yard sellin' to do, a reading list to destroy, but, most importantly, lots of living left to do before I leave this place I call home. This next week and a half is going to be so bittersweet.

I've thought about it and I don't think there is anything I would change about my life if I could, except possibly having a tad bit more money, but even then I just don't know. Being broke has and probably will continue to force me to experience some very interesting situations. My car is literally falling apart before my eyes. I would prefer it to last me 10 more days if possible and then I will never own a car again unless forced to.

Life is just good though, ya know?

but you can dip your feet every once in a little while

It worked itself out.

Oh my.

I leave in 17 days. My loan came through. Waiting on my Visa but it shouldn't be too long. I found a flat with Claire. It's a ten-minute walk to school. It's affordable. And I'm going to be living in the center of London. What? Could not be happier at this moment. The other flatmates seem awesome so far. All creative types as well so this is going to exciting! :)

I have to admit I am quite exhausted from working and every day that I am there, I am counting down until my last day. I do try to make it enjoyable though. There's a weird state of delirium I enter after working all the time. I just become goofy. I mean..not that I'm not already.. but, ya know... it's fun.

So much left to do before I go, but trying not to stress over it. Really trying to just enjoy my last couple of weeks here with my friends and family. I feel like I'm so busy working and planning that hanging with my friends has been a task. People keep trying to plan stuff with me and it's not that I don't want to hang... I really do! I just am that busy right now. Which kind of stinks. The next two saturdays are going away parties. It is going to be very difficult to say goodbye....because I am a big cheesehead.

Been writing music lately. It feels sooo good when I make time to do so. I am convinced it is a form of crack.

No Stress, No Stress, Decompress

This has been quite the trying week for me. Still no status on my loan. I was sitting in my bathtub the other day, drinking pinot noir, smoking a cigarette, wearing red lipstick....okay not really...let's try this again-- I was sitting in the bathtub the other day, drinking my cup of coffee, ya know, the usual... and all of the sudden I just broke down and started bawling my eyes out... A very straight out of a movie kind of thing...This continued for a good five minutes. Then all of the sudden I snapped out of it. Like clockwork really. And I thought "What the heck am I doing?"... I mean, yeah this London stuff is pretty depressing, especially if it doesn't work out... but there is no reason to cry over it. I guess it did feel good though. I don't cry often, so maybe those tears needed to get out of my system....I dunno. But I have decided to not let it get me down again. It's frustrating, but as everyone around me has been saying 'everything happens for a reason'. I just need to figure out the reason for these things. What is the reason for getting accepted to my dream school, or going to NYC for ten days to plan my postgrad move there just to find out in the airport I got into this grad school and the past ten days had been irrelevant...or maybe they aren't? I will figure it all out. Soon enough. I don't really have a choice... My flight is twenty days away.

Maybe I am a bit analytical, but I always wonder about these things... why things happen the way they do. One particular thought on my mind all summer has been regarding the people I've met. Practically living in Nashville all summer, I have met and grown close to so many wonderful people. And I always think 'how did I not meet these awesome people sooner?'... Or is there a reason why I've met them if there is indeed a reason for everything? What am I going to take away from this meeting with this person? When will our paths cross again? If they don't ever, is there some thing that I've learned from this person that will stay with me the rest of my life? I know I'm rambling... but this is really something I think about all the time. I cherish my friendships so much. Even if I am about to leave and potentially not see that person for a long time...or possibly ever again... It is still worth the time put into it. Most of these questions I don't know the answer for, but that is the one thing I do know for sure.

This summer really has been amazing. I always want to blog about the specifics but tend to stick with the general, but if i could explain the day-to-day specifics of my life and the amazing times I have, then maybe the jist would get across. I am lucky. Period. So blessed and so truly thankful for it all. Right after I finished filling my bathtub up with tears the other day, my phone practically blew up... My mom called, my sissy called...several of my friends text me to make sure I was okay. Simply that happening made me feel like a slight fool for crying. Such wonderful people surround me. Blessed is all there is to it.

Off to spend the day at Holiday World with my buddy Eric. Take in the sun and decompress. Not to mention that fact that ROADTRIPS ARE AWESOME! Especially when you've got a good playlist. ;)

When I am that cute old lady.

I have done everything in my power to follow my dream of going to this dang grad school in London and although I feel like it's going to happen (because I am overly optimistic about everything all the time), I still know that there is a slight possibility that everything might not turn out quite as hoped for... and this sucks... and I hate even admitting it... but it could happen...

So. I joke around about moving to Paris and living above Shakespeare and Company. But, in all seriousness, I am going to do something. Something enjoyable. I refuse to look back and have regrets. I don't want to stay here. I want to leave. I crave adventure. I crave meeting interesting people. Seeing interesting places. Doing things I've never done or ever imagined that I would do. Growing old? Pshaw. I want my body to grow old eventually, yes. I want to be that super cute old lady. But I want my heart to stay the same. I always want to want. Desire to do the unimaginable. Life is simply too short. I don't mean 'want' as in want what I can't have and not ever be content; I just never want to be content with settling into what I don't want. And what is content to me is wanting more and reaching for that want. Adventure. On this massive, beautiful place we call Earth. It is just so beautiful and there is so much out there to experience. I can't just sit back and let it pass me by.

So whatever happens happens, right? Whatever that saying means... Let's rephrase-- Whatever happens on whichever path my life leads me is going to be amazing and adventurous and I am not going to have any regrets...when I am that cute old lady...

London in 31

Oh gracious, I can't believe how quickly it's approaching. As nervous as I am, I am most definitely more excited than anything. I think it is time, ya know? I spoke with my soon-to-be-roomie, Claire, on Skype the other day for TWO HOURS. It's weird how you can barely know someone, but can still tell that you just click with them. Just talking to her about our flat and school and all the exciting things we want to do... like she found a hot yoga studio nearby that we plan to go to... and we're planning on taking extra dance classes outside of school and whatnot... :) Oh, and we're going to completely take over the city... and I'm going to marry Prince Harry... cause other boys are stupid and he dressed up as Hitler. :)

Been thinking a bit today... oh god, i know, ha!... I think I care too much about people. This sounds ridiculous, but I really mean it. I meet people and I think they're wonderful no matter what... I see the good and the bad things and learn to love both about the person...when really I should probably be like "hold up.. um.. this person is messed up..." I am especially this way with depressed people... which is not good. I take it upon myself to care about them and make them happy... because I live in "AlliLand" and feel like everyone should be as super happy as I am all the time. Then I open myself up to that person. This, I have learned recently, can backfire.

So am I doing something wrong? Is there a happy medium here in caring about people? Or is it just one of those live and learn kind of things? I mean, really I still don't regret anything but it does suck feeling like some time was wasted..? Life is too short to waste time... worrying... or being dumb... or whatever...Adventures are all I am after.

I guess no matter what exists around me, I just need to keep living in AlliLand and not let other people bring me down...?

I'll go with that. :)

I may be crazy in my own way but I really do like it here... in my mind... where the birds are sitting on top of rainbows and skittles are falling from the sky and rufus wainwright is singing French lullabies to me and ... and... and... and...i really could keep going, but I need to get out of the bathtub...

i hope they know

I've realized that I am one of the luckiest people on the face of this planet. I have such amazing friends and a wonderful, supportive family. Moving to London is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done emotionally. And the only part of it that is difficult is leaving my family and friends here. I have the most ridiculous family ever. And I mean that in the best way possible. Because I've realized how much of a crackhead I am myself. ha... Wonder where I got it? Seriously though, I always see my friends in these constant struggles with their families and it makes me so sad. Of course my family has their own issues, but when it comes down to it, we are all best friends and would do anything in the world for each other... Heck, so many people complain about "having" to hang out with their family... but I love it. I choose to hang out with my family when I can. Unfortunately I don't always get to see them as much as I would like, but when we do see each other, nothing has changed.

And I feel the exact same way about my friends. Sometimes I go months without seeing my best friends. It sounds sad and it is, but it isn't out of lack of care...and we always know that. We have that same understanding that even if we don't see each other for a while, that at any point we have each others' backs. Always. Even when I am overseas.

So after all this rambling... I guess all I'm trying to say is that I hope they know.... I hope my family and friends know that me leaving isn't by any means a jab at my love for them. Because this will be one of the hardest things for me to do. But I hope they know how amazing they are. And I hope they know that this is just what I have to do.

Transitionnnnnnns

I think I am ready for this transitional phase to be over. I kind of feel like my life is on hold and I don't think I like it. Not my life... I love my life. I am just not enjoying not moving forward. Being stagnate. Working a job most definitely not doing what I want to be doing. Kind of into someone. Can't act on that. That would just be stupid, right? Why do these things even happen? Hmmm. A mystery for sure.

In other news, I am getting much much closer. I have about a month and a half before the big move. Still waiting on loans to go through, but they have at least been approved. I've bought my plane ticket, paid for my Visa (although I still don't have it), got an awesome FlipSlide HD Camcorder and a Sony Cybershot Digital Camera that is amazing... sweep panorama and all... I also bought my parents a webcam and set them up on Skype. And made them practice since they are, to say the least, not at all tech savvy.

Other than that, just working too much... partying too much... and packing... and pondering on how to pack...

READY, SET, FLY. Okay, almost...

Timing

It's such an interesting thing really.

This Time in Two Months...

I will be moving into a flat with my lovely Londoner roomies. I kind of get chills down my spine when I really think about it. So anxious... Waiting on my loan and visa to get approved... Still have to set up a European bank account... Just dropped an extra 300 dollars today in visa fees and still haven't bought my plane ticket. I'm thinking by the end of the week I should be good to do that.

I did buy my Macbook finally! Not sure what to do with my G5 baby though... I can't take it with me, but I really don't want to sell it. Oh so torn. Part of me feels like "well, I will be back to the States at some point, right?"... but then the other part is saying "what if I completely fall in love with the city and want to stay there? Then I would have all this useless crap back home..." I dunno....

I've been really happy lately. Work can be frustrating at times. And it's even more frustrating trying to save up all this money that I know will be decreased by half once exchanged... But, as I was saying.... Regardless, I've been really happy lately. I feel I'm in a good place.