Oi! What a day...

Coffee on an empty stomach is never a good thing. Especially after travelling on the tube standing up for 75 minutes, early in the morning during rush hour. Doesn't even matter if it's good coffee, it still has the same stomach-churning affect. But on the bright side, it was my first of many cups of coffee in London, so I guess it was worth it. Coffee will probably become a norm for me if I have to spend 3 hours of my life on public transportation every day.

I visited the Laban Conservatory this morning. I honestly can say, it was pretty much love at first sight. The facilities were built by the same Swedish designers who built the Tate Modern. The exterior architecture reflects dim shades of blueish greens and purples, while the interior is a different color around every corner and on every wall as well as being decked out in modern art. All three floors are comprised of windows, so everyone can see everything that happens inside this wonderland. The pictures are surprisingly a good reflection of what the building actually looks like, but nothing beats the real deal. We even have a grass-covered ampitheatre outside. How could you not be happy in a place like this? I had a smile on my face the entire time, which came in handy when meeting other students... from all over the world. The location is in an older, more run down part of the city called Deptford where the damage from the world wars remain, but right next to Greenwich Village where you can spend a nice afternoon shopping and eating cheap food. Today, MK, Emily, and two of our new American friends who we ran in to as we guessed our way to the center, ate at Noodle Time. It was actually good Asian food, cheap as it comes, and reminded me of the Peking Restaurant back home. Anyway, the staff and students at Laban are super nice, artsy, and positive. They are world renowned, and I have the honor of studying with them and under them. Laban really prides itself on diversity, which gives people from all over the world who have potential and a passion for movement the chance of a lifetime to perfect their craft and gain much knowledge about the world, life, and dance. That's what higher education should be about, in my opinion. I will be challenged and pushed to the edge of my limits here, and I may fall off. But if I do, it won't be because I am overwhelmed by the weight of the world or the devil creeping inside of me whispering, "You can't do this, you're not good enough." It will be because I have found something in life that surpasses all the good experiences I have had thus far...because someone believed in me and cared enough for me to challenge me to be better and showed me a path to my potential and greatness in a positive way...because I finally found God in my art and now know what it's like to be completely dedicated and passionate about something, giving it all of me. Laban will be a healthy, positive, and beautiful atmosphere to learn in and bring something to, instead of a competive one...and I can't wait to get started. I'm going to make dance friends from all over the world, which will make classes rich in context, and I will walk away having learned something new about a different culture, way of thinking, or new approach to a concept. This next week is induction week when we are introduced to the staff and classes in depth. They really care about the students getting to take what they want to take, and get what they pay for, which is very rare. I will also be auditioning for technique classes during this time. Seriously, it couldn't get any better than this. I believe I will be growing more in the next few months than I ever have in a year's time. I will be experiencing life changes, heart changes, a complete transformation, and I am so ready. I feel honored to be here, and I now know God has bigger plans for me than I could ever have for myself.

This may have been one of the best opportunites I've been offered, and one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's about time that God and I are on the same page. I already want to extend my stay. I can finally say that I love my school and what I do. I am blessed. Thank you for journeying with me. Cheers!