So, basically, every day is an adventure with Elizabeth. Thursday afternoon, I packed my bags into the car and headed to the airport in Columbus. I went through TSA for the first time and didn’t die. In fact, the TSA agent who was standing by the scanner starting “cursing me” with Harry Potter spells. It was quite hilarious especially because he had to explain to his co-worker what he was doing. I got on plane, and everything was good…until the lightening storm hit. It was so bad with no sign of stopping that eventually the pilot just had us all get off. An hour and a half later, we were finally off the ground.

However, because of the delay, I missed my flight to London by about 10 minutes. I cried a little, and then waited an hour and a half rebooking it because United was having a lot of rescheduling due to storms. They tried rerouting me, finding me a seat on any United plane but because of the weekend, they were all full. So they switched me to American. Just as a side note, if you ever fly, put duct tape on your luggage or a colored string because that way if they ask you to describe it, you have something very different on your bags. I did not lose my bags because of this; they were able to transfer them fine!

Luckily thanks to our family friends, I had a place to stay in Chicago, and I found a flight leaving the next day at 4:30 pm. I had a small break but was still really nervous and exhausted. I made it through TSA again (this time the scanner showed I had metal in my arm…no idea where that came from. Even the TSA agent laughed and we both shrugged. (Yes, he laughed)). And I successfully navigated Terminal 3 of O’Hare. I loved watching the planes take off and land because that is one of my earliest memories of childhood before 9/11. I got to see my plane come in. It was a huge plane (I forget the number, 777 something).

I made it on, and it made it in the air and suddenly, I found myself on the way to London Heathrow! The flight it took was cool because we ended up flying over Canada and Greenland. The guy who sat next to me was from Kent England, but had lived in Columbus for 7 years. He was able to answer some of my questions which was nice. 🙂 I watched Tomorrowland (which was pretty good) and sort of fell asleep during Inside Out. I didn’t properly sleep mostly, I just sort of dozed, which I hated. I was woken up about 5:30 am London time and felt miserable, and questioned why on earth I was here. Then I had 2 cups of tea which helped immensely. So, basically the British are right: tea helps everything. I got in at 6:30 am London time.

I made it through passport check very very quickly because I was a student and didn’t have to wait in a line! Bought my coach ticket, and talked the whole way with a university student named Lewis who goes to Magdellan College (Mauh-da-lyn). Finally found the Vines and Ali made me coffee. 🙂

Now, I am all settled, not as jet legged as I was yesterday, and feeling so surreal about this experience. I’ve had the chance to walk around downtown Oxford and Headington (which is right next to it…strictly speaking they are the same thing but called different names for the different parts). I’ve biked a bit, and enjoyed the rare beautiful sunny and high 60s F weather today!

Although fun fact, British WIFI takes over your electronics. Spotify is now playing commercials with British Accents, and my texting app says that my mother is: Michelle – Mum or Mom to U. I think that’s so funny. 🙂