July 8, 1974 In which we go to Harewood House

Finally, here I am again. I have neglected you for so long.

Since the last entry I've told Jez that I love him after we decided that I didn't. I cried and cried. Yestersay at a place called Harewood House I said I love you to Jez: Boy was he happy. I do -- I hope. Love him, I mean.

Note:
With all of this I love him I don't love him, it is no wonder we eventually went our own ways.

21st June, 1974 In which I am finally there already!!!!

Friday

Guildford, England

11:00 am

Here I am — England. I'm sitting outside a cathedral in Guildford England. The site I am looking out on is most beautiful, just as I pictured it. I wish I could believe that I am here. In England! Finally in England.

On the way here, on a bus from the airport I looked out the window and saw 2 guys (lads) on a motorcycle. The on on back looked up at me and then did a double take. So did I. I said to Sue, "Doesn't he look like Chris Mealy?" She said yeah. Then, he was still staring and as we parted he waved. I went crazy. That was Chris Mealy! I know it!!!

We met this really fantastic man. I thought he was a student, but it turns out he an art teacher. He is so funny. He's from New Jersey. Everything he said was a joke.

Note:
I remember writing this post and taking some photos (not the one here, I borrowed that from http://www.picturesofengland.com/) Of course the boy could not have been Chris Mealy, we were very far away from his home at the time.

Don't recall the comical art teacher from New Jersey at all.

20th June, 1974 In which I fly to England

Thursday

Well! Here I am, in an airplane over Michigan!

This morning I got up at 7:00 (without the alarm) and realized what today was! My England Day, June 20, 1974. It began like any other day, bickering between my family, (little bit) and whatnot.

Then 9:10 came and we left for Larkin. Lori was there and I said goodbye to her. Then Cindy came and I said bye to her.

What a strange sensation, flying is. I really should do it more often! In an hour and a half I will be in New York! I will see the Statue of Liberty! Wow!!! Then I will be on my way to England! Over the ocean. The Sea! Oh my gosh, I really don't believe what is happening to me. I remember when I first heard about England. It really is unbelievable that I'm here.

Note:
I remember being excited about the flight, singing "We're going on an airplane!" with Sue B. I don't really recall much of the flight except that the plane had two stories and Sue and I got up and walked around. We asked if we could go to the other story, but were told not in flight, maybe later.

It was pretty unbelievable I was there. Things like that just didn't happen to the likes of me.

19th June, 1974 In which I use many exclaimation points and visit with an old friend

Wednesday

Tomorrow is the big day! I leave for England at 9:30 am. I have a headache right now. Oh, woe is me. Nothing ever goes right - Ha, Ha. I am going to England!!! What more can I ask? I have received $270.00 this last week. Oh my gosh, what an idiot I am. I am nervous or something. I still have a lot to do.

3:40 pm

Well, wonders of wonders. Guess who I just saw! Stephanie K. (V.) I haven't seen her for years. I am so happy. She has invited me to come out sometime. I can't believe it at all! She is so great! Great!!!

Note:
I think my Aunt Ginny and Uncle Jack gave me another $100 for the trip. Not sure where the other money came from though.

Obviously I was very excited about the adventure upon which I was about to embark. I counted eight exclamation points in that short entry.

Stephanie was the daughter of a friend of my mom's. She was one or two years older than me and was a kind of free spirit. She'd moved to San Diego either during or after high school I believe she married young (she must have been married at this time as her last name was different from what I remember it to have been). I remember being awe of her and her accomplishments at the time. I don't think I knew anyone who had escaped Elgin like she did.

Many years later my then boyfriend, now husband, and I visited her in San Diego when we were living in LA one summer. We had delicious Mexican food.

I had lunch with her mother over this past Christmas holiday and she said that Stephanie is still into her music. (I remember she was in a band long ago)