it's bloody freezing up here!!

Greetings from London! I did come here to visit the Queen but she ended up having to go to the Palace Christmas Party so she cancelled on me! Seriously bad form, Liz! ;-)

After 40 hours of travel I finally made it to Europe (via Tokyo & Zurich) but overall had a pretty good flight. Was a strange feeling leaving the airport and saying good bye to my family and Leah - but not really knowing where I was going - strange but exciting! Don't worry, Joe, I am not feeling timid - hell I just took off around the world without knowing where I was going or what I will be doing! I think all the things you described from AIESEC days definitely help me to face this uncertainty with a strong belief that "things will work out" and that there'll be a heck of a lot of learning and fun along the way. I really like your friend's quote by the way.

After arriving in London with my friend Amy, whom I've known since I was 2 years old, meeting me at the airport, I took off for Dublin the next day. I went to meet my old school friend, Natasha, there, before she went to Norway for Xmas.

We had a great time catching up and hearing of each other's adventures over the last few months & we were both able to empathise alot with eachother as her working permit has just been rejected for Ireland. We definitely came to the conclusion that the reason "it has to be so hard" is because we are both striving for something that means a lot to us and that is part of our dreams, otherwise, more ordinary things would be a lot easier to get. We both have to just do whatever is in our control and then let go and leave it to life to happen. And anyways, it's not what happens to you but how you deal with it that is important - so either way, we'll both be just grand!!

We both had a grand time at a house party on Saturday night - there was quite good craic there - as well as REAL holly!!! One thing I noticed about Ireland is it's very different TV programing...EG there was a show called "The Afternoon Show" - it started at 9am! At the bottle shop there was a funny sign: "If you are lucky enough to look under 21, even though you aren't, then please do us a favour and show your ID card"

Today I had a bit of a sleep in and have been gathering info re planes, trains and automobiles for my onward journeys. Looking forward to catching up with a few more Aussies tonight in Covent Garden. I am staying with my school friend, Kelly - so nice to be back in the bosum of old old friends - people who have known you for most of your life and are still willing to be your friend!! ;-)

Warm hugs from Angel
x Zoe