All right then?

The title of this post is taken from a conversation with a passing bloke yesterday. Acctually it wasn't a conversation. It was more like me goggling at another tall, attractive british man in construction clothes. Hayley took us on a walk around her neighborhood Highgate yesterday which includes waterlow park (burial place of George Eliot, Karl Marx) and Hampstead Heath. We ended up on a small lane walking up hill when I heard some whistling and looked over to see some young construction guys appreciating us. Another one walked past us within speaking distance a moment later, and I managed to stammer out a "hello". His response was, "all right then?" I wanted to yell, "yeah I am alright!" maudlin. I get it from my mom.

Well its been pretty fabulous in London so far, and I can't quite explain it or describe it except to say I feel really grateful I'm here. The moment I stepped off the plane I felt all these memories come rushing back from three years ago. I was suprised by how difficult a time I had just trying to get from Heathrow to Hayley's house. First I got lost in the airport (how embarrassing). then my credit card wouldn't work when I tried to by my tube pass. Luckily I'd packed a few coins that I'd kept from our study abroad. Then I sat on the tube for about 45 minutes (its along ride from the airport). I finally got off at archway, hayley's stop and was so engrossed in my surroundings I walked right by Hayley who was so engrossed in her newspaper, she didn't see me either. So, I walked out, waited at the wrong bustop, only to realize I didn't have the two pounds fare (still dragging my enourmous suitcase). I began to panic because I wasn't sure what was wrong with my credit card. Finally I realized that I was standing right next to a bank. I walked in and asked if I could exchange money (at this point I feel like such a dumb american tourist), but they wouldn't. I try the atm outside and hallelujah it works (its ironic that hayley was 20 yards away with my oyster card which gives us access to all bus rides). I finally got on the bus and rode up the hill, and with one more stop for directions I was at Hayley's door. That was noon yesterday, almost three hours after my plane landed!

Well, hayley, rochelle and I jumped up and down for about an hour from our excitement on being reunited. We went for the walk when i got sleepy. I got to meet Hayley's charge, Georgia and her parents Paul and Frances. Hayley made us pasta for dinner. We watched Hairspray singalong with georgia and then we headed out to South Kensington to see this lovely french film

at the cinelumiere, the french institute we spent alot of time at in '05. It was fun to see all the old places we walked by, and it made me miss Tash so much.

Today we registered rochelle for the marathon, did some carb loading at wagamamas, and then me and Rochelle checked out the national portrait gallery. Tonight is Hayley's dance party. I'm going to go get ready for that now. I forgot how well-dressed so many people (men and women) are here. and the chocolate! whooeee. more updates to come. I love you guys and miss the family especially the pig and the bird.