and again I say, rejoice!

My departure to London has taken a few rough turns. Everything went smoothly getting to DFW and finding my gate, and despite the delayed flight that left just before mine, Flight 1274 boarded on time. We then sat in the plane for 3 hours before finally departing for Philly. The three-hour layover I was originally anticipating to precede my connection to London Heathrow was no longer sufficient; I missed it. US Airways booked me for the next flight to London - 24 hours later.

So now I'm hanging out in the City of Brotherly Love until precisely 9:50 this evening. Rather than having a weekend to acclimate to London, I'm down to about an afternoon before classes start. I'm determined not to prattle further about the inconveniences incurred by these changed plans. (See below)

I've always dreamed big, and along with that I want to be the kind of person who isn't afraid of adventure. So as I frequently had to calm myself down while waiting on the plane, flying on the plane, and speaking to the booking agent, I tried to remind myself of this aspiration. Even as my plans have changed, I will eventually arrive in London. I will eventually see a dream come true. And blessedly, the Lord has given me a peace that passes all understanding, especially mine.

I'm ashamed to admit, though, that I have still had weak moments of despair, mostly of frustration over little details, rather than the bigger picture. My prayer eventually became that whatever travel detours He had in mind, I would humbly accept, asking that He would show me and teach me what He desires and that I would continue to trust in His faithfulness and provision. He didn't promise a smooth journey, just a safe landing (pun intended). And ultimately, everything in this life is fleeting (ooh! another pun!).

I'm still not looking forward to waiting eight hours in the Philadelphia airport, but I'M GOING TO EUROPE! And, I got to stay in a really nice hotel, free of charge. And, I can now tell you from experience that true Philly Cheesesteaks are incredible.

My dream to study abroad and to see the world (cliché as they may be) has always stemmed from a desire to be a person, a servant, willing to step out of my comfort zone, to trust in the Lord's guidance and sufficiency. It's taking baby steps (although this has felt more like leaps-for-mankind to me), but I will trust in Him. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Man U!

Yep! Latest on my list, Old Trafford.

If we're being honest, if I wasn't with Brian I probably wouldn't include this stop, although I'm pretty certain I would have wanted to see something of Europe's famed "football" culture. This will definitely be a souvenir stop.

Postagrammm!

I'm becoming the enthusiastic digital media consumer that I learn about 18 hours a week in advertising and public relations classes. And it feels great. Today, while scrolling through news on my Google Reader RSS feed, I flipped past an article about Justin Bieber and Instagram. (I wasn't much interest, seeing as how Instagram has yet to reach Android, and I couldn't care much less about Biebs.)

However, at the bottom of the article was a list (and I LOVE lists) of items you can purchase/make using your Instagram images - bracelets, books, etc. This caught my interest, so I clicked to the actual article and clicked through that gallery. While there, I discovered an app called Postagram, which uses your images from Instagram, Facebook, and even your phone (which is nice, because I'm still rather impatiently waiting for Instagram to reach Android). You can send an image as a postcard to anyone your heart desires.

I then immediately got the app and set everything up on my phone. I even sent one to myself to test it out. (Guess who can't wait to check her mail in 5-7 days...) I then proceeded to tweet about my new find, and a friend replied to me out of curiosity. Thanks to RSS, blogs, and micro-blogs (a.k.a. Twitter), a business now has one (actually, make that two) new consumers - very excited consumers at that.

Seing the connection to travel yet? I'm more psyched than ever to go to Europe. Now, I can send pictures of places that I go as postcards to my loved ones back home.

Announcement

For many months this blog served as a vessel for class reflections, specifically for my design class. I am now in the process of converting it into a travel blog. (I never thought I'd see the day!) I leave for London in May, so until then I'm going to use this as a sort of planner. And while I'm there, my wonderful family and friends can keep up with my adventures here.

I have a growing "To Do" list, including multiple castles, scenic routes, and shopping markets. Hopefully I'll be able to better plan and choose from among these options along the way. In the mean time, I eagerly await my departure date! Although to be honest I also dread it in a way. I'll be leaving behind my boyfriend, friends, and family for a long period of time, and part of me is scared to the point of simply not dwelling on it too much.

Top of my list, Oxford!

Final Project: Undeserved Equality

That pesky fourth image...

I am currently still in a debate, a quandary if you will, about my fourth image. "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!" has run through my mind a few times. I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just wait until my photo shoot to determine what message my argument is still missing. Perhaps my lovely friends/models will provide inspiration.

To tell the truth, though, I hate not having all of the images already planned, but perhaps organic is the best way to grow the thought.

My images will require interpretation; the differences between the two characters of my presentation will be subtle; the viewer will have to think to determine where I am going with my message. In addition to that strategy, I am going to use juxtaposition of additional images on top of the images of my "models" themselves to encourage further thought.

Frustrations

After today's feedback I am, not surprisingly, unconfident in my subject choice. I was very confident in three of my image "visualizations" and the meanings that they carry; however, the fourth I am not completely sold on. I of course want to avoid illustration, but at the same time I am going to avoid ambiguity. To aim for ambiguity when attempting to persuade or make a particular argument is foolish.

I don't know what I'm going to do for the fourth one. And I am confused as to whether I'm supposed to have a specific argument or a broad argument, because the answer to this is quite important in my determination of that fourth image. It will make or break the slideshow. My original idea is a bit literal; that's why I wanted to avoid it, but I do not believe the other sketches are too illustrative; they leave room for interpretation.