After several anxious months of preparing Visas, accommodation, and materials, the time had come to make my way to Lalaland.

Woke up in a bit of a frenzy ensuring I had everything I needed for the next 19 weeks; I'm still unsure if I have or not. After telling my mother to grow up and stop crying, I did all the usual checking in things you do at an airport, followed by the obligatory duty free cigarette shopping and a quick beer or two before boarding.

The flight was one of the best I've had, bar the two annoying p****kids in front. Minimal turbulence and comfortable landing makes for a happy Felstead. Managed to watch a few decent films like The Fighter and Paul, as well as Battle Los Angeles, though after watching the first few minutes, I noticed it's supposed to occur on August 12th 2011; tomorrow.*

It was only when we landed at LAX that the guy next to me woke up and started chatting. Turns out he'd alread flown from Johannesburg that day, and was on his way to Phoenix after that. Oh yeah, and he's one of the close personal assistant's to Michael Bolton. Apparently, his band were on the same flight too. He did not offer me any tickets.

After landing at LAX and being allowed to enter the country, I met with another student on the same course as me. Several fags (sorry, "cigarettes") later, we took a cab to the apartments we'd be staying in the next 4 and a half months.

The landlady is a bit mental, but really friendly and very helpful, having introduced us to most of the other tenants in the first half hour. Fairly basic living, but I'm fine with that. So long as I have facebook, I'll survive. Did a quick bit of looking around the local area and some essentials shopping (bread and bananas for sandwiches), and generally started to find my bearings around the ghetto.

Slightly jetlagged. Early night. Explore more tomorrow.

*This was actually written on the 14th, so I know what happens...