Tuesday, August 7th

Tuesday, August 7th... Home at last! I don't think I could even begin to describe how much I loved the city of London. The pictures don't even come close to showing you guys what I saw with my own eyes. I'm still in disbelief that this whole trip happened to me period. London, the Olympics, time to escape reality. Unreal. It was the best month of my entire life so far and probably the best month that I ever will have. I already miss it. So it's not "Goodbye, London!" it's "See ya later, London!". Here's to all the bus rides, tube stops, taxi rides, lost nights wandering around town, lovely English accents, being called "Love", hearing "Cheers!" instead of please or thank you, new friends from all across the world, kisses on the cheeks from everyone, the amazing sights and sounds that London has to offer, and to making new friends with some of the best people in the world. London was absolutely my dream come true and I can't thank thank all of you who were supportive and encouraging through all of this! Without that, I probably would've never done it. While I do love England and while I might say how much they've got their stuff together compared to US, I will still say that I am proud to be an American! Mushy, mushy. :)

Surprisingly, jetlag didn't set in nearly as bad as I would've thought. I caught up on sleep and woke up around 9am to get back to reality. I got unpacked, took a shower, got ready and headed to Shakamak to see what my work schedule was. Naturally, as I somewhat expected, there was no schedule for me. My less than favored manager hired someone else in my position saying that I was gone for too long... so I can't go back to work there this season but she said "we'll see you next year!" and it took all of my being to be nice and walk out. This had me all fired up at begin with, but I realize how much better things will be without working there during school. It's not worth the stress or the cost of driving from Terre Haute to this job. No one there likes her decision of hiring someone else which wasn't fair at all. She also terminated me stating that I quit with two weeks notice to return to school. Granted, that's better than saying I was actually fired, I still didn't quit. I had all intentions to return after London. Since her reason didn't happen, so I plan to look into seeing what I can do for her fibbing state official paperwork that will follow me forever. I left from there to go to Linton to talk to the Work One office about paying for my school books. Plus number one of the day! They're paying for my books which is nearly a grand! I left to go back to the park to get my stuff out of the gates I worked in. It was piddly stuff but I wasn't willing to leave anything behind. It was bittersweet to leave the park and buildings realizing that I won't be working there any more. But things didn't stay dreary for long.

I made it a point to stop and see my gramps and grandma. I didn't realize how much I had missed everyone! Then me, Becky, and my two favorite little ones made our usual trip to Terre Haute. I went to PetSmart hoping to at least get that job back. Of course, they said they would work me back in the schedule but that I wouldn't get many hours to start off with till someone leaves for school. I was okay with that. I talked to my PetSmart buddies and gave out their London goodies.  After we left, we went to play at Deming Park. I finally got the chance to talk to John and I told him what had happened with not being able to go back to Shakamak and that I had the whole week off till I could start back to PetSmart. Somehow, the stars aligned and we got me an impromptu plane ticket to Minot, ND to visit him for a few days before I go back to school! This is probably the most random, spontaneous thing I've ever done but boy am I excited!