Take offs and landings.

It is here. I am here.

It seems so surreal…that this dream I've had for so long is actually unfolding before me.

I still don't really believe that I am in England. Partially because it feels so right—I feel like I'm in a place I've been all my life, or at least a place that I've been before, not in a brand new home with people I have never met in a completely unfamiliar town—and partially because my commitment to not have expectations is not allowing me to think very far forward. Once I was on the plane, all I could think about was making it through customs. Once I was through customs, all I could think about was finding the representative who was picking me up. Once I was picked up (after a 45 minute wait), all I could think about was seeing my new and temporary home for the first time. And now, after meeting my wonderful landlady Debs, her kind partner Drew, and my awesome housemate Karee (as well as Anna, a student from last semester who is leaving tomorrow), I can scarcely think of anything else. If this is all my trip consisted of, I would be content.

I have learned so much in 12 hours. I have eaten sweet toffee pudding, which is nothing like American pudding, but more like a cake soaked in a very sweet sauce. I have stuffed more clothes into a tiny drawer than I ever thought possible. I have discovered that a 2-hour (no more, no less) nap shortly after arrival can make all the difference in dealing with jet lag (it is now nearly 22:00, and I will be going to sleep as soon as I finish this post, thus putting me on a normal sleep schedule straight away). I feel this strange, odd connection to the former tenant of my, lovingly dubbed, "little room" (which is about the size, if not smaller, of my bathroom in my Queens dorm); Anna tells me that Ruthie "was hardly any taller" than me, and everyone is quite certain she was also a Literature major. I have learned that in order to properly flush the toilets, one must lift the lever after pushing it down.

Tomorrow, we are going exploring around Kingston and shopping for essential items. I will be taking numerous photographs, weather permitting, so just be patient a bit longer. Before I go, I have a list…

Things I will miss about the USA:

• Sweet Tea
  
• Driving (without traffic)
  
• Cookout
  
• Ice
  
• Free refills
  
• My iPhone
  
• Dryers (for laundry)
  
• Target 

Things I won't miss about the USA:

• Large food portions
  
• Driving (with traffic)
  
• Public transportation system

That's all for now. I'm falling asleep on my computer.

Love,
lvp