Customs

I never thought about how long we would be at the airport when we go. I really did not think about coming back to the United States. I have to work the next day at 7:45 a.m. and the flight gets in around 8:00 p.m. I think it is going to be an hour wait through customs. We will see. Chris' aunt just got back from Italy and she had a 45minute to an hour wait, so I guess that is a good bet. All I know is that it is going to be rough the next day at school.

Adam Garcia

I wanted to say that Adam Garcia is the Fieryo in the play Wicked that I will be seeing in London. He was the main guy in Coyote Ugly. My sister is very excited, as am I. Not too much is new with the London experience. But I did get an email that said that I could get 200 dollars off my ticket to London. But I have already booked it so I am wondering if I can still get that discount. I will have to look into it.

Aunt Mary

I called my aunt today to see if she and my grandma were coming for the weekend. They were supposed to come this past weekend, but did not come because my cousin was working or some other poor excuse. So I talked my aunt about coming for this next weekend. She was saying that she had no money and that she was interviewing for a new job. I told her that I started back at school on Wednesday of next week and that I have to work to pay for my trip. She flipped out. She was like you have to sell your tickets because it is too dangerous. Then she says what did your mother say. I told her that I was 31 years old and that my mother did not have a say in what I do. I am a big girl now. So she is afraid that terriosts will harm my sister and I while in London. Let's hope she is wrong! I watched the news and saw that they were searching the residences of some of the terror plot suspects. Scary!

Luggage

I went to Target today and saw some luggage that I wanted to buy. It was Eddie Bauer. I thought it was on sale but it was not. It was a duffle bag type of luggage. There were wheels on it that were easy to manuever. The luggage cost $44.95. I really did not want to spend it on it. So I did not get it and I left without it. I am still thinking of it, and I am considering going back for it. I talk with a friend and he said that when he worked for the airline that people would go through the bags and steal things out of them and keep them. I don't want that to happen to my baggage. I work too hard for my money to get anything just taken from me. I don't like that.

Hostel

I watched the movie Hostel yesterday. I am deeply disturbed by it. It makes me a little nervous to be an American traveling to another country. I know it is just a movie and we are not even staying at a hostel, but it is still scary to me. I do not like the kind of thing that can happen when no know know where you are or where you are supposed to be. It just does not seem pleasant to me. Yuck! I talk with my sister about it and she was not disturbed in the least. I have a feeling that this is going to be a real adventure!

The Wicked Set in London

Well, I entered my information from my passport today for my airline ticket. You have to enter the information to go to London otherwise you will not be able to board. So I am just waiting for my sister's civilian passport to come in the mail. Mine is ready to go. I just need all of her numbers and such. Then we are set to fly. Yeah! I do wake up in the middle of the night very nervous though, like I cannot breathe. I may try the pills for flying ahead of time just to see if they have any affect.

I got an email today called the ozmoploition. It is a newsleter describing what is happening with the cast, crew and the set of Wicked. Today there was a picture of the Time Dragon and a look at the stage. I am eager in anticipation for the play. I almost want to get another set of tickets. We already have two, but I think it is going to be so worthwhile that we may want to see it one more time. I don't think I can talk my sister into it though, so we will see.

No More Billboard

Well, I went to the zoo today with my friend and her children. On the way to the zoo, I looked and the Wicked billboard was up and of course I smiled as I looked at it. On the way back, I looked and it is now a beer advertisment. It seems to me that it did not have a very long life there. I am saddened by that, because it was cool and I wanted to take a picture of it. Oh well, maybe they moved it to another location. I will keep my eye out for it.

New jewelry

I talked with my friend from London today and we are meeting for lunch on Friday. It is kind of funny meeting with him just because he is married and he is a very friendly, flirty guy. I am not sure how to take him sometimes and it is just weird. I like having lunch with him when other people are around. He has three kids who are 3 and under. His wife is in the military and is going on deployment in a week. I have a feeling that he could be one of those guys who would cheat on his wife. I do not like being 'that' girl. I have been on the other side of known 'that' type of girl and I don't like it. I don't like myself being 'that' girl even though I am pretty sure that I would never do anything with him. I am just uncomfortable about it. I do wish he was not married and that he did not have kids because I do like him and I am attracted to him. I love the accent and how he says, "Alright, Love" to everything. Well, enough about that, maybe I will be lucky and find a great man in London.

On another note, I went to a jewelry party the other day. I bought a few pieces of jewelry, some necklaces. I thought about taking them on my trip with me. I want to look nice while I am there. I am having a jewelry party myself on Oct. 13, so I should be able to get a few more cool pieces. I also talked to my sister today and suggested she start selling the jewelry as a sort of money making business. I think she would do well with it. She said she will think about it.

Martin Ball Wicked Diary

I am trying to get into shape for the up coming school year and for my trip to London. I began walking on the treadmill again today and plan to walk everyday. Hopefully I can keep this up again. I need willpower. I read Martin Ball's Wicked Journal today. He is Doctor Dillamond in the West End production of Wicked. He is so funny. He had made a comment in his journal today on how Idina Menzel and Helen (not sure of her last name) are so talented and so good looking. It is true with people who are so good looking. I think this will be my inspriation. I want to look good like Idina Menzel. I know I will not look like her, but she will be what my image in my mind thinks when I feel like not walking on the treadmill or not working out.

If anyone would like to read Martin Ball's Journal, here is the address:
http://www.wicked.lastminuteliving.com/

Wicked Billboard

I had spent the weekend at my parents. It was a long weekend filled with lots of kids and of course the dogs. On my drive home, I was listening to the Wicked Soundtrack. It is about an hour and twenty minute drive, so I listened to many different songs from the cd a couple of different times. When driving past Oak Creek today, I saw the billboard for the play Wicked in Chicago. It makes me smile each time I see it because I think of our trip each time I see it. It may be silly, but it makes me happy, so I don't care. I love the billboard and it is just a simple billboard that says Wicked and has the two witches and says the Oriential Theatre. I like it!

On another note, I got a new computer on Friday. I was a good investment and I love it. I wanted a new one so that I could take it to London with me. Now with all of the turmoil that has arissen, there are no laptops or ipods allowed to be taken on board for carry ons. This is no good for me as I want to bring both of them. I hope that this will be lifted, but will not be sure until later. But for security purposes, I hope everything remains safe!

Money to Save

Well, I worked at a company picnic today. I am an elementary school teacher and now that summer school is done, I am practically free. Although I really enjoy working, so it is not so bad. Today, I helped my dad's bounce house business, by being an attendant for the bounce house. I started at 11:00 a.m. No one came until 12:00 and that was only one lady. I helped her set stuff up. Then no kids came until 1:15. Well, once the kids came, it was in and out and making snow cones. They were pretty excited about everything. They were funny kids. The parents were very appreciative. They thanked me and said I was awesome. I guess I could call myself today a make shift babysitter while they socialized with their friends. Well, I was supposed to make $100 for the day. When Phil came to take down the bounce house at 5:00, they asked Phil if I could stay another hour and they would pay an extra $20. So I said that would be fine, I was already there and the kids that were left were the funny kids, so it was okay. So I made $120. Now, this should be money that I save for the trip. I am hoping that I can save it, but we will see. I am thinking that maybe I will do more of these gigs, to earn a little extra money. Lord knows I could use it. So if you want to rent a bounce house for a party and you are in southern Wisconsin or northern Illinois, here is the address
http://www.wisconsinbounce.com/

Excited about Wicked - scared to fly

Well, I have been talking to a few people who are from London and some people who are here in the United States about the trip. I am very nervous and I guess so are some other people who are going to be making the trip over. I am also not sure about things because I really want to bring my new laptop to the hotel with us. I just got it today and want to take it with us. I would like to instantly download my pictures and also be able to access the internet if we need to. As of right now they have banned all ipods and laptops from traveling to England and back, as a carry on. Well I can tell you now that I will not be checking either of those things. That is just not an option when I just paid an arm and a leg for the computer. I don't think so. I am wondering if that will relax in time. We will see.

Well, I was listening to the Wizard and I at the dentist office yesterday to distract me from the sound of the drill. And it worked. I guess that is a soothing sound to me?! I really want to go to see Wicked in Chicago before we go to London, but I also do not want to ruin the experience of see one of the original performers in the West End Theatres. It will be an incredible experience. I cannot wait.

Heathrow Airport

Well, the news today was that a bomb plot for the airplanes headed for the United States was twarted. This is very good news for all of us, but it is very scary for me. I have thought and rethought about making this trip. I already have the tickets and am excited to go. I have been reluctant to fly for many years because of a bad experience on a plane. Well, it comes to remembering bad things that happen in London. Last year they had the bombing on the Tube, now they have people trying to blow up planes headed for the United States. It puts me in a state of unease. And I do not like it. London seems like such a great place and I really want to experience what it has to offer. I am scared though. I will say that.

Wicked Soundtrack

Well today I was supposed to go to the dentist to have some old fillings replaced. On the way there I was listening to the Wicked Soundtrack. It is a really great soundtrack. I have not seen the play, but am in love with the music. I have gone back and forth between songs that are my favorite. A couple of months ago, it was For Good and I'm Not that Girl. Now I think I like the song The Wizard and I and What is This Feeling?. I have always liked the song Popular. I am not sure why, but I really like it. The first song from Wicked that I ever heard was One Short Day. I saw it in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I did not know too much about Wicked then. Well, that is my new car music, as I am preparing to see Wicked in December. I have sent my sister the cd as well. She has not heard it yet, so it will be interesting to see what she thinks of it.

Buying things for the trip

Well I have started getting ready for the trip to London. It is exactly 138 days until we go. I have started to think about things I want to bring with us. I have purchased a pair of opera glasses for us to use at the plays we attend. They are really cool with a little red light so that you could read your program if you need to. I also got new perfume today. It is not a new brand for me. I wear Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. I am almost out of the perfume, so I want to get more before school starts. I got a package deal with the perfume. I got a big bottle of the perfume, body mist, hand lotion and body wash for $65.00. I thought this was great, especially because the extras are things I can bring with me on my trip. Just thought it would be cool. So in the up coming months, I will purchase more and the excitement will continue to grow.

Ask the Dust

I watched the movie Ask the Dust. It stars Colin Ferral, Selma Hayek (?), and Idina Menzel. It doesn't have anything to do with going to London. But it just gets my anticipation up for going to London and seeing Idina perform. She is really a great actress. I am not sure why her talent has not been showcased before this. I have a feeling that she will become a huge star once getting back to the United States.

My sister called today. She wants to see Guys and Dolls in London. She wants to see Patrick Swazey(?) in it. She says it will be cool. We will see.

Piccadilly

Well, we have been learning a little each day about London. We do not have a subway system in Wisconsin, but I have taken the subway in Chicago and in Mexico City (don't take this one if you don't have to - way too scary!). We are supposed to take the Tube to our hotel. Now how will that work with all of our luggage? We have also considered taking a service that will take us to the hotel and back to the airport after our stay, but are now considering the tube. We will be staying right in the center of London right in Piccadilly Square. We want to experience everything while we are there, so thought this would be the best place to stay to do that. We also wanted to stay really close to the West End Theatres because we have tickets to see Wicked and are thinking of going to some others while we are there. We are still thinking about the ones we want to go to because my sister want to go to Guys and Dolls, but I do not want to. I would like to go to the Sound of Music Sing Along. And I think we both want to go to Mary Poppins. I would also like to see the Lion King. We will see what is available when we get there. We have our tickets for the two shows of Wicked, but are not going to buy anything else until we get there. We are planning to buy tickets from the half price booth which is close to our hotel. We will see what they have when we get there.

New Rent Movie Soundtrack

My sister is in the Air Force and is currently in Germany. It is cool when I am able to speak with her over instant messanger. I have been looking for the RENT movie soundtrack with Idina Menzel on the cover. Online they sell it for $40.00 or up. I have been going back and forth on whether I should get it. My sister instant messaged me today that she picked one up for me in Germany for $20.00. How cool is that! I am excited to get this cd. I do already have this soundtrack, but want to have the collectors edition.

We have made a decision about our trip as to where to sit on the plane. My sister is going to have the window seat and I am going to sit next to her. The flight back has already allotted the number of seats that they assign, so we have to wait to check in to see where we will sit. Now if my passport would come in the mail. I am going to get that hopefully in September sometime.

Yeah! We're going to London!!!!!!

Well, this is an exciting time for me. My sister and I will be going to London over the Christmas/New Year's holiday. We will be seeing Wicked twice and cannot wait. One of the days we will be going will be a question and answer session after the play. The next day will be the final performance of Idina Menzel, the lead in the play. It is exciting being able to see her live. It is too bad that we did not know too much about her before she started to perform in London. She has been in RENT and is on many soundtracks. I have many, if not all of them. We are now on a mission to meet her while we are in London. Hopefully that will come true. That would make it the best vacation ever.

I am going to try to post the things we may do and if any one reads this and has been to London, please suggest any good places to visit. It would be much appreciated. So this starts our London adventure.