Day 1

A few people have asked me to update them as my time goes by in England, and while I will send private messages, I thought why not start a blog as well?

To let you all know I landed safely. Numerous tears were shed as I said good bye to my puppies at home...and it didn't get any better from there. I got to the airport, and had a Frappuccino with my mom which was fine...but we knew what was to come. We had a long TEARFUL goodbye, and the next 20 minutes consisted of me going through security and walking through the terminal to my gate - tears strolling down my face - and a number of concerned employees asking too many questions. Yes it was nice that they cared, but each time a new question came, so did more tears.

Anyways, sitting there waiting to board...other passengers looking at me as if I had 5 heads. (Guess they've never moved away from such a loving family before). They called my seat number and that was that. No turning back, hit the power button on my phone...This was it!

All buckled in now, waiting for the seats to fill up so we can prepare for take off. 2 men walk on and as they pass my row, one says to the other "It's good to sit at the back...Means you're last to die". GREAT! Thanks for that guys.

Cute baby in front, aisle seat, skinny/non smelly guy beside me...Good to go....and I'm asleep. Must have been a peaceful take off. Woke up a little while later, watched the end of Pink Panther 2...didn't want to hear it. Then waiting for 17 Again to start but they serve dinner...

Dinner...can you call it that if you're not really sure what it is? I think there was some roast chicken, peas (cold but pretty good)...a dumpling of some sort...I think...Jury's still out on that one, and what seemed to be some form of potatoes. Anyways...I ate it, the brownie was delicious, and the crackers were unmistakable. That much I knew. Referring back to the on flight magazine I thought "Zac Efron! what a great way to end this dinner". Then Star Trek started. It's ok though, no need to panic...Great movie and Captain Kirk is definitely nice to look at.

Fall back to sleep at the end of that, and wake up with just an hour left of the flight. Didn't feel like 8 hours and 50 minutes. About 30 mins in line for customs, 20 for luggage and out the doors. Feels like I'm starting a new life. Scary, but kind of exciting. Nervous and home sick already...but then I look over and that little smile put a big smile on my face. My littlest cousin of the 3 I'll be watching, (Zach) standing there waiting for me.



Drive "home", he introduces me to the cat Jelly, and shows me my room. Perfect little host. Accomplished some levels on his DS for him, but not before putting up window flaps on his cardboard home - newly extended to have a living room as well as a bedroom/front entrance. Our next mission is to put a staircase in it. We're going for the cardboard mansion. Should be interesting. We think we may put a flower bed underneath the window to spruce it up a little. Josh and Nathaniel (8 and 6) get home. The excitement starts. 7 people talking at once, myself not included. So many questions to answer. Get a tour of the rest of the house to see if anything's changed...full size Johnny Depp in one of the rooms. (It may not be there when I leave in a year's time...Shhh). Mario Galaxy on the Wii was beckoning...after a few VERY short minutes though it was Spongebob on TV and a Pirates of the Caribbean lego dock to build. It turned out quite nicely if I do say so myself ;). A nice lunch and a short stint in the front yard with the zip line. Uncle and Aunt came over for dinner (I'm lucky I didn't pass out on my plate). I've been falling asleep all day. SO, after a delicious meal, I said my good nights and here I am.

Tomorrow's another day, lots to do. Up at 7:30 to take the boys to school and then hopefully grabbing a new cell phone, etc. I'm sure I'll be very busy this year, and will also have a ton of fun! For now though, I need to catch up on some sleep so I don't get stuck with Jet lag.

I promise to write more tomorrow.
<3 Maija