Thanks to Dickon, I have found the fuse box. And there is light!
According to the flight stats website, re: Air effing India, Flight 124, my mother's plane should be leaving at 7:05 p.m. ... TOMORROW NIGHT. That is not acceptable. I hope there is an uprising. She told my dad that people started getting really snarly after they finally canceled the flight at 2:30 a.m. yesterday, and the Chicago PD had to be called in. I love America!
I am a lot of things. I am sarcastic. I'm motivated. I can be kind of funny. I get told a lot that my face is going to freeze into a permanent smirk, but that's besides the point. The fact is, I'm a lot of things, but lucky is not one of them.
All I want for Christmas is my mom. I don't really think that's too much to ask. Sure, PhotoShop would be nice, and another pair of boots, and a car, and a Chi straightener. But when it really comes down to it and I only get to ask for one thing, I'd go with my mom. After all, it's been almost four full months and I knew I missed her today when I came back from doing laundry this morning and starting jumping around gleefully in anticipation.
My alarm went off at 7:10 am and I jumped out of bed and ran to the computer to check her flight status. Delayed. Interesting, but when Nichole's parents came, their flight said delayed, too, and they were right on time - early even. So I didn't think much of it. I called the airline and the automated answering machine said that the flight hadn't been confirmed but it looked like it was coming in at 10:15, right on time.
I took the tube to the airport, and as I was walking through the arrivals gate, I kept breaking out into a smile because I was SO EXCITED. I went immediately to the arrivals screen and there was a blank spot next to my mom's flight where the arrival time should have been. Hmmm. Interesting.
I went over to the Information Desk, who directed me to Zone F to speak to Air India. I walked up to the customer service desk to ask the status of the Chicago flight. "Oh, it's not coming," said the evil-looking Air India deskman. I literally felt my heart deflate. Apparently there was a last-minute technical error and they canceled the flight. A new flight would "probably" be coming tomorrow. I almost burst into tears.
When I got back to my flat, I called my dad and said, 'Why didn't you email me to tell me Mom's flight was canceled?' And he was like, 'WHAT?!' Apparently my mom hadn't told him either. He got ahold of her, though, and she said that they kept pushing back the departure time until they finally cancelled it at 2:30 a.m.
So right now, it looks likely that she'll take a 4 o'clock flight from O'Hare to Heathrow, putting her in London at the ghastly hour of 6 a.m, which means that I have to get up around 4 to take a shower, get ready and catch the tube to the airport. I hope nothing goes wrong this time! I literally laid around and did nothing this afternoon because I was wallowing in my sadness. And the only difference between this afternoon and this evening is that now I am wallowing in my sadness... in the dark. Stupid, stupid flatmates.
At the risk of sounding like a heartless ogre, today might be the greatest day of my life.
The flat is nearly spotless. I can see the floor, and the couch, and a huge, menacing garbage bag isn't blocking the entrance from the entrance way to the living room.
And oh yes, the flatmates are gone.
Not without a parting gift, however! I awoke this morning and stumbled into the kitchen to start up breakfast when Katie motioned me over to the door of our bedroom. She flipped one light switch. Nothing happened. She flipped the other. Nada.
I could hear Diana from her perch on the disgusting couch - "Oh, yeah... I decided to straighten my hair this morning (she has not once straightened her hair the entire trip) and I blew a fuse."
The lights in our bedroom are out. The lights in the living room are out. The lights in the upstairs midget room are out. One of our outlets is kaput.
The last final goodbye of a long, sometimes tedious, often entertaining, living relationship with our dear flatmates.
I am sure I will be thinking warm, fuzzy thoughts about my flatmates when the clock hits 2:59 p.m. and the sun begins to set prematurely over Greenwich time, and I am stuck in the dark for the rest of the day.
Yesterday my RJ family took me out to lunch to bid me adieu. We went to this very nice Italian restaurant in Exmouth Market where my alkie colleagues proceeded to drink five glasses of wine each during lunch and either a cognac or Baileys for dessert. They worried that I would go back to the states, thinking that I was employed by a bunch of alcoholics, and I assured them I wouldn't. I just decided to write about them in my blog so you can come to your own conclusions.
Jenni couldn't stay long, so they decided to present me with my going-away gifts first. They handed me a card, which they had all signed and added personal notes. Fran wrote that she was going to miss hearing, "Shut up, Fran!", which admittedly, flew out of my mouth on Tuesday after she dissed my taste in jewellery eleven too many times. Then Keya handed me two packages, each neatly wrapped in my December article torn straight from the magazine. I really find out what they think of my writing now. The presents were a piece of jewellery from each day of the photo shoot. The first was this massive, gaudy, multi shades of green necklace. It is intense. Diana helped me come to the conclusion that I can only wear it when I'm naked, but even then it might be over the top. But that's all OK because Lianna wore it in the photo shoot, so I can pretend I'm Britain's Next Top Model! From Day 2, I received the CUTEST pair of pink earrings, ones I seriously adored. They're hard to describe, but they're very girly, very frilly and decidedly me. And they match my pajamas so I can even wear them to bed!
I wrote them all cards before I left, and inevitably, all of the cards at Sainsbury's were various shades of pink. I knew Ash wouldn't mind. You know you've grown extremely comfortable with your boss when you find yourself writing 'Cheeky Bastard' on the front of her thank you card. She loved it. She said that she would write me a glowing letter of recommendation whenver I need one. I love her. I love them! I'm so sad!
Fortunately, we have one more shindig tonight - the annual office Christmas party. It's taking place at a bowling alley. Honestly, I thought the Brits were a bit more classy than us, but obviously I was wrong - we're on the same level. They assured me that things will get more exciting after a few drinks and karaoke rounds. Since I don't drink, I suppose I have the luxury of sitting back, relaxing and watching them dance on tables.
Despite my recently developed swollen lymph nodes, today and yesterday have been SO AWESOME. Forgive me for this entry if I sound doped up because I think I have a fever and I think the package of lemon and honey lozenges I downed are making me nauseated.
We had our two photo shoots with our models. Yesterday was for our fashion jewellery supplement with Lianna and Holly. Lianna is a total doll and I love her. She has the cutest smile! We were doing one of our early shots and Lianna was wearing a black and white bead necklace with matching earrings. She put one of her earrings in, played around with the other one for a bit, and then said, "Um, I can't get it in." It turns out that she had gotten her ears pierced a few years back but hadn't worn earrings for awhile and the hole had closed up. So what happened next? I, Ashley Thomas, insignificant peon from Illinois, literally took the earring and pierced it through the ear of BRITAIN'S NEXT TOP MODEL. That is totally going to the top of my CV.
These past two days were totally my favorites of every day I've been here. If you'll remember from my earlier post on the tea near-fiasco, the photographer is Will and he is absolutely lovely. Photographers, I have decided, are the epitome of charm. I totally see why Julia Roberts fell for Danny Moder now. It's such a sensual job and they're such a reassurance - "Beautiful. You look lovely. Absolutely stunning. Turn this way a bit. Thatta way, doll." Their whole job is to make you look hot, and you are literally at the mercy of their mad skills. Will was so sweet to me and kept making sure I was okay and gave me a huge hug when I left and also a box of chocolates.
His assistant was Matt, and he was from Wales. The hairdresser was Bea. Matt was like a little leprechaun - running around, fixing lights, fixing the model's hair with his mad pencil skills. I kept teasing him over his horrible spelling when he was trying to name the picture files. "The next jewellery is by Coeur de Lion," I said. He wrote it down and said, "I think I've got this one!" So I looked over his shoulder and said, "Um, Matt - Coeur de Lion is actually more than one word." So cute. He taught me how to make real tea, too, after Will made fun of the first cup I made him. Bea was so sweet. Everyone was, "Hey, love!" and she is an amazing make-up artist. She does amazing eyes. I can't wait to get a copy of this magazine and all its pictures when it's released at the end of January!
Cliff and Thea were really great today. All of the girls were cracking jokes about Cliff, and I'm pretty sure they made him unbutton his shirt in all the shots so they could drool a little longer. He did this really cute shot with Thea where he's kissing her temple and she's smiling sweetly at the camera. He gave me a kiss on the cheek when he left. Siiiigh. Australians, Britons - I'll take both, please.
I almost started crying when I left Will's house today. Everyone is just so thoughtful and sweet and lovely, and I love it here. I don't want to leeeeeeeeeeave. Maybe Will would let me put a twin bed in the corner of his backyard studio and then I could live in Wimbledon forever. That's close enough to central London.
I had a glimpse into the future tonight.
I'm in my London flat, in what I guess to be three years from now. I grab two shirts, two hangers and a jug of detergent and walk into the bathroom. I place the detergent on the toilet and play around with the tap before I find the perfect combination of hot and cold water. Then I proceed to wash both of my shirts, wring them out and hang them from the shower rod. And then I plug in the hair dryer and give them a few runs of hot air before I put the shirts back on their hangers and let them dry for the night.
Why do I do this? I would imagine that three years from now, I'll be throwing all my money into rent and I probably won't be able to afford to go to the laundromat. I would also imagine, three years from now, that I'd rather spend my money on Starbucks cappuccinos and TopShop clothes than on laundry, too.
I hope I don't wake up tomorrow morning to find both my shirts permanently mildewed and destroyed.
Do you ever have moments when you realize just how thankful you are for everyone and everything in your life?
I got to see Sarah tonight!!! and we had a blast. I showed her my dilapidated living quarters, then we took the tube to Regent Street and meandered through the streets for a couple of hours, taking in all the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations. We stopped by Starbucks to grab the requisite muffin and Christmasy-flavoured drinks, then went back to the flat to chill with the girls for a bit. Then we hit up another coffee shop for the next two hours, talking and laughing with her friends Courtney and Kevin. It was just SUCH a nice evening. When I left the coffeehouse at quarter to 2, the streets were nearly empty (as much as they can be in London) and the night air was so crisp and a full moon hung in the sky. It was perfect.
I just keep thinking about how lucky I am. I have had the best experience. Look at me. I left my much-adored family, got here and quickly feared that I was going to turn into THAT GIRL - the girl who comes to London and leaves 13 hours later because she just can't make it. More than three months later, I'm just so content and happy. I love London. Sarah told me tonight that she can totally see me living here forever. I love that. I think I just fit. I think it fits ME.
I am so so so thankful for my family. My mom and dad have worked so hard for me to be able to be here right now. If I could change one thing, it would be that they would be here instead of me, but I know they wouldn't want that. Gosh, I can't wait until my mom gets here. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry because she will be SO excited. I feel like I'm getting the chance to rediscover my mom. I'm not sure that I know who she is away from 'the mom' setting. She so deserves this. So does my dad. So much more than me.
And my friends. I think they're the best in the world. As Carly once said, "If you think your friends are the best, then you must not know mine."
I think I just love everyone tonight. Also, I love staying up late when I'm really tired, so that when I finally do pass out, it feels like heaven. I'm planning to sleep well into the afternoon tomorrow, so I best be undisturbed.
When I was walking to meet Sarah tonight, some English guy stopped me and asked for directions to Earl's Court tube station. I explained that you take a left on THIS road, and then another left on so-and-so road, followed by a final right and you'll run right into the tube station. When I finished my diatribe, he smiled sheepishly and said, "I can't believe I just asked an American for directions." I LIVE FOR THIS.
