Los Angeles to London
Saying Goodbye
"Be safe! And call me when you land, I don't care what time it is!" My mom told me before pulling me in for a hug, trying to fight the tears.
"Mom, I'll be fine, I promise to call you as soon as I land. Now I have to go. I love you."
"I love you too sweet heart."
I gave my mom one last hug and kiss before I headed for security, not knowing when I'd see my mom next. It had always been just my mom and I. My dad passed away when I was only 8 months old, it pained me that I never go to know him, and since then, my mom never remarried, much less dated another man. My dad was the love of my moms life. I wish to one day have a love like that.
I felt so guilty leaving my mom behind. I wish she could go with me. I got a job offer in London that was too good to pass up, my mom encouraged me and told me to go for it, that it was a once in a life time opportunity and if I didn't go I was stupid for giving up something so great.
I turned around and waved one last good bye to mom before heading up the escalator to security. I was going to miss her like crazy. I started to tear up but quickly reminded myself that I was in public. I stopped off to the restroom to regain my composure before going through security.
"Place all items in the bins provided! Remove your shoes! And take anything and everything out of your pockets! If your wearing a belt remove that too!" The security guard kept repeating over and over. Oh Lord, did I hate airports. I couldn't wait to just finally be in London, in my new apartment, or flat as Europeans call them.
I plopped my train case on the silver table and pushed it onto the conveyor belt. I decided against checking my train case, it was just too valuable to be hastily thrown in the bottom of an airplane.
I had received a job offer from Burberry to be their head makeup artist. I couldn't believe it when I got that email (I actually thought it was a prank or a scam or something) I knew I was a talented makeup artist, but to be offered a head makeup artist position for a brand that I had never worked with AND only being 20 years old was crazy!
I could already tell that working with Burberry was going to be amazing. They arranged everything, my flight out to London, my apartment, they even got me my own personal driver to use whenever I wanted. I couldn't believe it.
I retrieved my belongings, slipped on my shoes and head down the terminal to find my gate, 24A LAX to LHR flight 2194. Since I found my gate and still had time to kill I figured I'd grab a Starbucks. I waited in the lengthy line, scrolling through twitter. "Back to London! I've missed it." -@harry_styles. Oh lord. I loved one direction, Harry being my favorite. I knew it was a long shot, but part of me wished that I'd get to meet them while I lived in London.
"What can I get you?" the barista asked, completely pulling me out of my day dream.
"Uh yeah, just a grande black coffee."
"Ok, that will be $2.95"
I handed her $3.00.
I placed the nickel in the change cup as she handed me my coffee. I walked over to the sugar and cream table. I added one cream and one sugar and made my way over to my gate, train case in tow.
After waiting what felt like forever the attendant at the desk made an announcement for boarding.
"Now boarding flight 2194 Los Angeles to London, at this time we are only boarding first class."
I got up and walked toward the door that led to the plane. I handed the attendant my ticket, he scanned it and wished me a safe flight. I noticed that only a few other people got up to board first class.
I had never flown first class before, but I guess working with a brand like Burberry has its perks.
I stepped onto the plane as the flight attendants and pilots welcomed me aboard. One overly excited attendant led me to my seat. I stowed my train case in the over head compartment and took my seat next to the window, placing my purse under the seat in front of me. I liked that in first class there were only two seats to a row.
I waited (again feeling like forever) for the rest of the passengers to board the plane. Just when I thought we were ready to go a tall man with unruly brown curls and piercing green eyes stepped onto the plane. I recognized him instantly. It couldn't be him, could it?
He stopped at my row and smiled.
"Hi, I guess you're my neighbor for the next 11 hours."
I smiled. I couldn't believe it. I'd be sitting next to Harry Styles for 11 hours! 11 uninterrupted hours.
Right then I knew that taking this job in London would be the best decision I had ever made.
"Mom, I'll be fine, I promise to call you as soon as I land. Now I have to go. I love you."
"I love you too sweet heart."
I gave my mom one last hug and kiss before I headed for security, not knowing when I'd see my mom next. It had always been just my mom and I. My dad passed away when I was only 8 months old, it pained me that I never go to know him, and since then, my mom never remarried, much less dated another man. My dad was the love of my moms life. I wish to one day have a love like that.
I felt so guilty leaving my mom behind. I wish she could go with me. I got a job offer in London that was too good to pass up, my mom encouraged me and told me to go for it, that it was a once in a life time opportunity and if I didn't go I was stupid for giving up something so great.
I turned around and waved one last good bye to mom before heading up the escalator to security. I was going to miss her like crazy. I started to tear up but quickly reminded myself that I was in public. I stopped off to the restroom to regain my composure before going through security.
"Place all items in the bins provided! Remove your shoes! And take anything and everything out of your pockets! If your wearing a belt remove that too!" The security guard kept repeating over and over. Oh Lord, did I hate airports. I couldn't wait to just finally be in London, in my new apartment, or flat as Europeans call them.
I plopped my train case on the silver table and pushed it onto the conveyor belt. I decided against checking my train case, it was just too valuable to be hastily thrown in the bottom of an airplane.
I had received a job offer from Burberry to be their head makeup artist. I couldn't believe it when I got that email (I actually thought it was a prank or a scam or something) I knew I was a talented makeup artist, but to be offered a head makeup artist position for a brand that I had never worked with AND only being 20 years old was crazy!
I could already tell that working with Burberry was going to be amazing. They arranged everything, my flight out to London, my apartment, they even got me my own personal driver to use whenever I wanted. I couldn't believe it.
I retrieved my belongings, slipped on my shoes and head down the terminal to find my gate, 24A LAX to LHR flight 2194. Since I found my gate and still had time to kill I figured I'd grab a Starbucks. I waited in the lengthy line, scrolling through twitter. "Back to London! I've missed it." -@harry_styles. Oh lord. I loved one direction, Harry being my favorite. I knew it was a long shot, but part of me wished that I'd get to meet them while I lived in London.
"What can I get you?" the barista asked, completely pulling me out of my day dream.
"Uh yeah, just a grande black coffee."
"Ok, that will be $2.95"
I handed her $3.00.
I placed the nickel in the change cup as she handed me my coffee. I walked over to the sugar and cream table. I added one cream and one sugar and made my way over to my gate, train case in tow.
After waiting what felt like forever the attendant at the desk made an announcement for boarding.
"Now boarding flight 2194 Los Angeles to London, at this time we are only boarding first class."
I got up and walked toward the door that led to the plane. I handed the attendant my ticket, he scanned it and wished me a safe flight. I noticed that only a few other people got up to board first class.
I had never flown first class before, but I guess working with a brand like Burberry has its perks.
I stepped onto the plane as the flight attendants and pilots welcomed me aboard. One overly excited attendant led me to my seat. I stowed my train case in the over head compartment and took my seat next to the window, placing my purse under the seat in front of me. I liked that in first class there were only two seats to a row.
I waited (again feeling like forever) for the rest of the passengers to board the plane. Just when I thought we were ready to go a tall man with unruly brown curls and piercing green eyes stepped onto the plane. I recognized him instantly. It couldn't be him, could it?
He stopped at my row and smiled.
"Hi, I guess you're my neighbor for the next 11 hours."
I smiled. I couldn't believe it. I'd be sitting next to Harry Styles for 11 hours! 11 uninterrupted hours.
Right then I knew that taking this job in London would be the best decision I had ever made.
I hope you're okay, love. You can always talk to me if you feel the need.
8/11/14