Laughter that makes your stomach hurt

Hello,

I just want to start this by saying that the worst week of my life turned into one of the best weekends in recent history...so life is on the up and up. (I don't want to be TOO negative to start this blog off!)

Basically, the week started off really roughly. Clearly, I didn't sleep much on Sunday night because I was worrying about my family and everything happening at home. The car accident put into perspective the reality that I am so very, very far away. My parents reassured me that "everything was going to be okay and everyone was going to be fine" but that didn't change the fact that this is the first time I have encountered the realization that choosing to live far away means being completely and utterly helpless. There is absolutely nothing I can do if anything bad happens in the United States. It is really hard to be this far away, and this past week was the first time I have felt that in the year that I have been gone. Of course I've wanted to be near my friends and family and have missed them, but put in perspective, it has all been rather superficial: "Oh woe is me. Woe is me. Boys hurt my heart. Wah Wah Wah." That's all been nothing compared to this past week.

On Wednesday I finally lost it completely, and called Regina in hysterics. I can honestly say that I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. Being far away from my family was getting to me, work was rough (a student of mine is going to juvy for assault and he is taking his anger out on everyone, myself included), and there was some other stuff going on here that was causing me a lot of stress. It proved to be more than I could handle. I considered calling my mom but I didn't think she could handle me being so upset, so far away. (sorry mom!) I'm so thankful that there are people I can always count on regardless of the time of day that I call them and the fact that I'm blubbering into the phone and they can't understand a word that I'm saying. Also, I'm seriously thankful for my housemate Jason, because he has now seen me cry, and has taken over the James role in my London life. (The James role = Boy that awesomely lets me babble on about girl things and supports my nonsense even if I am being a "crazy girl.")

After four nights of hardly sleeping at all, I woke up on Thursday feeling worse for wear, to say the least. Apparently, a naturally happy person can only be miserable for so long. (I'm currently thinking my absolute maximum is four days of hell.) I woke up from a tortured sleep, and though overtired, I had the feeling it was going to be a good day. The day did not disappoint. Some things here that were going poorly straightened themselves out, I got an email from my mom telling me that things with the sis and the smirky-monster were doing well, I taught a brilliant poetry lesson at work, and then Hanne came to town! Thank you to everyone who has been keeping me in your thoughts. Life is very much on the up-and-up right now, and all the emails and telephone calls have been so much appreciated.

Friday at work was a write-off...not the best day, but Friday noneless. After work I met up with Jason, Hanne, and our friend Milena, who was also staying with us. I would just like to say that my housemates are ROCKSTARS who constantly cook amazing meals, and I get to eat them! Lucky me! Anyway, we went out to Adam's leaving do. I'm sooooo sad he's gone, because now he is the last of my two lovely Irish friends here, gone forever.

Here you can see my amazing art skills. We all had to draw ourselves for his leaving card. This photo is a clear reminder that I.Am.Awesome.

On Saturday I braved Oxford Street with Hanne, who is a shopping fiend! We got a fabulously 20's dress for my birthday party, which I'm SO psyched for! Have I explained that the Brits LOVE their "fancy dress" parties? Basically, they love any opportunity to dress like it's halloween (except for halloween, which they don't really celebrate). Anyway, we went to a "double denim" fancy dress at Dan's house (my american friend from the Israel trip) on Saturday night. Double denim, for those of you that are unaware, is also called a Candian Tuxedo.

We didn't look ridiculous...at all...did we? I think I had a very serious J-Lo thing going on...

It's always nice to have guests around, because it is the perfect excuse to be a tourist in your own city. On Sunday we went to the Globe (which I've been dying to do!!!) and saw Troilus and Cressida. First of all, it was only 5 pounds in (what a steal)! Second of all, it was Brilliant. And third of all...I had no IDEA there was so many attractive men in London. The entire cast was made up of scantily clad, handsomely chisled men. Who would have thought?! Every single person in the audience was seriously giddy. It was pretty hilarious.

That pretty much sums up last week...and I know we are playing catch up...but I'll get this week up soon.

I'd love to get some comments. What happened to comments???

Love,

Sarah