So I was supposed to be in London seven hours ago, but instead I’m back in Joplin. But not after spending five hours in the airport in Springfield yesterday for no reason. Honestly I’ve had really good luck traveling up until now, so maybe it was just my turn to have something bad happen. In my case, “something bad” was a huge snowstorm that messed up all of United’s flights into and out of Chicago. Naturally, the plane I was supposed to take to Chicago was actually coming from Chicago as well, so it was doubly delayed.
But it seemed like it might be okay- my flight to Chicago was delayed by four hours but my flight to London was delayed by three and I originally had a two-hour layover, so it seemed like it would work out in the end. Just an hour less to wait around in Chicago and I would arrive in London at a more reasonable time- 11 instead of 8. But after delaying for four hours, my flight was just canceled entirely.
I thought the canceled flight and the two-hour line to rebook would be the worst part, but the worst part was trying to find an alternate plan. The ticket lady suggested I leave for Chicago last night, later than planned (9.30 pm instead of 2.30), and then spend the night in O’Hare by myself. Also all of today, because the flight to London leaves at 5 pm tonight. I was not in favor of this plan. I wanted to just start all over this morning, but there were no flights from Springfield to Chicago today. None at all.
So. I am going on Monday and arriving on Tuesday, two days later than planned. I thought I was being clever when I asked if we could push my return flights back as well, but then Sam reminded me that he’s going on a business trip the day after I was scheduled to leave. Which is…now the day before I leave. I’m not really sure what’s going to happen there, but we’ve got a week to figure it out.
Fingers crossed that’s the last of my bad luck, and everything goes smoothly tomorrow. Just in case, I’m being more prepared this time- downloading some podcasts and things to watch on my iPod and bringing better snacks. No more $8 airport turkey sandwiches for me.
I just took exam #4 and I have honestly never felt worse about an exam. Ever, in my life. And I’ve been in school continuously since age 5, so I’ve taken a lot of exams. Afterward I went to the grocery store because I’ve been out of food for like two days. And it’s good to know that no matter how much life is sucking at the moment, the grocery store tabloids will be there to cheer you up:
I think people should use the word “hotbed” more often.
…I can’t quite see it yet. But I’m halfway through exams, so I’m getting closer. Almost there. After exams, lots of fun things happen: trip to Kansas City for my mom’s graduation from her master’s program, trip to North Dakota to visit family, trip to London to visit Sam and also London. I mean, y’know. Mostly Sam but also London just on its own.
I’ve made a list of things to do in London, because when in doubt I make a list. I even have a small notebook that stays in my purse for the express purpose of making lists on-the-go. The notebook is part of a little boxed set of notebooks that Sam bought for me for no reason, because he does things like that. Here is what the list says, so far:
Ice skating at Hampton Court
Watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks (on TV, because I don’t really do crowds)
Visit the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
Dans le Noir with Sam’s work colleagues
Eat macaroons from the little Ladurée boutique in Harrods
Buy something delicious from the Harrods food halls
Then avoid the fur protestors outside Harrods
Have afternoon tea, perhaps somewhere other than the British Museum because life is really about broadening your horizons and we’ve had afternoon tea there like three times
Visit Covent Garden to see the Christmas lights
Celebrate Sam’s birthday with his family, preferably at a pub with paper crowns from Christmas crackers
Stop by the V&A to see the Chihuly sculpture in the lobby and get a snack in the cafeteria, because any “cafeteria” with multiple chandeliers is fine by me
It’s one of my best lists yet. I’m especially excited about ice-skating, because the rink at Hampton Court is gorgeous, and about Dans le Noir because it sounds crazy. It’s this restaurant that’s entirely in the dark: you have to hand over cell phones and whatnot and then it’s pitch-black indoors. And the waiters are all blind, so they can navigate around the tables without falling over. So you pick a type of dish (I think your options are vegetarian, meat, and “surprise”), and then you eat in the dark and afterwards you’re shown a picture of what you’ve eaten. The reviews indicate it might be overpriced for the food you get, but I think the experience itself will be worth it. Although my bravery has its limits; I’m definitely going for the vegetarian.
So! Lots of fun things. All I have to do is make it through the last three exams. The rest of finals period is going to be terrible, but there have been bits and pieces of good news to help me through. Yesterday MPRE scores were released, and I passed, so that means I’m one step closer to the bar exam and also apparently meet the requisite ethical threshold. In fact, I’m like 31 points more ethical than the state of Illinois requires me to be, so hooray. Also? This year I’m super on top of things (via the magic of Amazon one-click) and all my Christmas shopping is DONE.
Y’know what sucks? Exams. Especially exams that start the week after Thanksgiving. Especially law school exams. Especially SIX law school exams that start the week after Thanksgiving. As of this afternoon I have one down and five to go, which is…good? I guess? It still feels like a drop in the ocean, but I am trying really hard to power through. It’s just so hard this time. Sam left right before so I was sad, and then I came back to my apartment after being home with my mom so I was sad plus lonely, and I just couldn’t make myself start studying. Plus, I’m just feeling so burnt out. I’m so over this law school business.
So exams suck. BUT. Do you know what does not suck? Holiday commercials! These make me happy every time I see them. I officially love holiday commercials. I realize I am largely alone in this, but here, I will try to win you over to my side…
First, this Target commercial. Actually all the Target ones are pretty funny, but this one is my favorite:
Next, this Gap commercial. The ones with the adults are annoying, but these little girls crack me up. The sassy hand motions, the flip-over-the-back move, the cartwheels…it’s all so Little Girl. My favorite is the girl at :21 who screams at mention of girly dresses. Because comfy sweaters are clearly superior, see?
Finally, my very favorite, this Illinois Lottery commercial. Be warned, it’s catchy: the other day I couldn’t figure out why the line “plus the butcher who sliced your meat paper-thin” was stuck in my head, and…this was why.
Hooray holiday commercials! Yes, that’s right, I said holiday commercials. I am part of the vast left-wing conspiracy known as the War Against Christmas…[insert evil laughter here].
Today was my last day of work for the semester. Sam arrives tomorrow, Wednesday I have my last class of the semester, Thursday is Thanksgiving. Then a brief rest period, but only brief because finals start on Tuesday, December 1. I’m trying to enjoy this last bit of relaxation because finals are always terrible, and this semester is extra-terrible because I am a crazy person and enrolled in six classes. Six! Six exams! I probably should have rethought this plan in August, when I called the bookstore to order my books and the lady on the phone actually said “I didn’t even know you could take that many classes.” So yes, this is going to be really bad. It’s terrible, but undergrad and now law school have actually made me dread the holidays. I think about the general Thanksgiving/Christmas season and feel nauseous, because I just associate it with a continual low-level panic that sustains itself for weeks on end.
But. It’s not time for finals yet. First, it’s time to clean the apartment and get my hair cut and go out to dinner with Sam and bake pies with my mom and watch the Macy’s parade while half awake because geez, East Coast, why do you insist on being an hour ahead and also starting the parade so early?
