Sorry, no pictures yet.

Looking up from my laptop I see the familiar surroundings of Starbucks that I've come to love and expect...comfy chairs, warm blonde tables, eclectic coffee-related artwork on the wall..and then I look towards the window. A double-decker red bus zooms across my horizon. Behind it, a wrought iron fence encasing a green park with green trees and green plants with yellow flowers. The cars even blink differently here. I'm in London. My first trip to London took place just over 10 years ago. And here I am again. All grown up and living the dream, I guess. And in Starbucks. Don't judge me, I get a discount.

Shiver. Someone was holding the door open and a crisp autumn breeze swept through the building.

The flight here was one of the most pleasant I've ever experienced - even though I was in the middle seat and even though the food was especially unappetizing. I watched Snow White and the Huntsman, was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, (and upon reflection realized that Kristen Stewart had the least amount of lines of any other actor in the movie and that may have been why it was better than I expected) then started to watch Moonrise Kingdom (again) and immediately nodded off (I expected to nod off during this one since I had seen it already and knew that the soundtrack would probably make for some interesting dream music..)

The English countryside is one of my favorite things to see from a plane window, second only to London's skyline. I've flown into Heathrow three or four times now and it is by far my favorite airport (and not just because of Plane Food, Gordon Ramsay's exquisite airport-restaurant triumph.) Due to high aeroplane traffic at all the gates, we de-boarded our plane off a jetway and were directed onto buses which took us to the arrivals terminal, and from there it was a short walk to customs.

While I was standing in line, I picked out which immigration officer I hoped I would get and focused all my mind-forces on it. And it worked! He was extremely polite and friendly and inquired about the instrument in my backpack (a ukulele) and we chatted about it for a little bit while he stamped my visa (eep!) Then it was off to retrieve my luggage - an easy feat. My bags practically followed one right after the other and I was the first one to make it to the exit. Mr. Philip Quenby, my host-dad, greeted me promptly and we proceeded to the car, where we played a life-size game of tetris in order to fit my two suitcases, duffel bag, backpack and carry-on into his red convertible (and we won.)

Onward to the Quenby residence, a charming three story house (the third floor is a recent extension) and to meet the rest of the Quenby clan. I remember Catherine Quenby from when I first lived here - she is just as charming and considerate as I remember. A little while later, I met Naomi and Hannah Quenby.

 Can I just go ahead and say I'm gonna talk to my children in British accents so that grow up with that accent?It is the best thing ever to hear a little voice speaking so properly, so eloquently. They used phrases like, "Very clever indeed" and "An unusual amount of work for one so small."

 Naomi and Hannah are 9 and 7 respectively. They have a deep love for drawing, writing and Star Wars.

...And they have created a unique adaptation of episodes 1-6 in storybook form.

The main characters, Stella and Robert, go on adventures nearly identical to those that happen in the episodes, but in a slightly different universe. The Jedi's have become Umbi's, and there are two types of Umbi's - good and evil. The good ones have rounded ears and the evil ones have pointy ears, but sometimes the evil ones cleverly disguise their ears with a hood or a special powder that dissolves their ears entirely.

Naomi and Hannah have each written and illustrated several books already, and last night they read all of them aloud, doing all the voices and explaining all the pictures. I must say I was incredibly impressed, especially with the lengthy speeder chases and battle scenes. These girls rock.

 After dinner, Hannah, the younger, had to go to bed so Naomi and I stayed up a little bit longer to play music and draw some more (Hannah is making me into an Umbi character, I shall be used as a decoy for Queen Stella, although she has assured me I won't be killed off like the others.) I played my ukulele for a bit, and then Naomi showed me her killer harp skills by playing "twinkle twinkle little star." It was beautiful. I slept deeply and didn't wake up until 9:30 this morning.

 Today's list of accomplishments has included unpacking, showering, and opening an HSBC bank account (hooray!) Tonight is drinks at the Churchill Arms on Kensington High Street with a few LAMDA people.

A lot has changed in London, but one thing has remained the same: the need for a nice pair of warm socks.

Tiny Victories

Scraping the bottom of the ranch dressing dish with a baby carrot stick as if it were a bowl of ice cream and a spoon. My stomach is full of water, vegetable, and who knows what else it is that makes up ranch dressing. In my ears is a new band: Tiny Victories. The name is quite apropros, might I add. I've been accepted into the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for the MA in Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre. I move September 30th. I have a place to stay. The first payment has been made. I've been fingerprinted. All that's left to do is send off my paperwork to the UK Consulate and buy a new umbrella. England. My heart's ambition. It's happening. It's really happening.