Oh yeah.

I must be on top. The hottest web designer around takes my calls on his day off.

If you log into my website and it’s daylight where I am you get blue sky.

Believe it or not, this is more common than grey sky and rain. I digress.

If I am in the dark, so are you.

And when I need to know how long I have to get the flat clean before my sister gets here, you can count down the hours with me.

I am not really sure when I ascended to stardom, but it’s oh so nice to be on top.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

WICKED is absolutely everything the discerning West End crowd demands. The posh Apollo Victoria Theatre lobby has taken on a certain green glow since WICKED came to London. The stage has been expertly transformed into a great gateway to the famed Emerald City.

Though I refused to be swayed by hype and mass hysteria before I had seen the show myself, I did wonder what life new voices would lend to the characters I had only met in the soundtrack. I should have known better. Our cast was flawless. The talent of the London artists is stunning, each character is a three-dimensional, familiar persona of someone I already know. I’m convinced I was really there; you, and you, and you – and you – were there too.

No doubt the success of the show is directly linked to the amazing story and music which lay the foundation for the characters to engage us, but the creatives involved in the production of the show cannot be faulted. The show really is spectactularious through and through.

I could say more, but it wouldn’t be enough. I’m limited. But I have been changed for good.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

WICKED is absolutely everything the discerning West End crowd demands. The posh Apollo Victoria Theatre lobby has taken on a certain green glow since WICKED came to London. The stage has been expertly transformed into a great gateway to the famed Emerald City.

Though I refused to be swayed by hype and mass hysteria before I had seen the show myself, I did wonder what life new voices would lend to the characters I had only met in the soundtrack. I should have known better. Our cast was flawless. The talent of the London artists is stunning, each character is a three-dimensional, familiar persona of someone I already know. I’m convinced I was really there; you, and you, and you – and you – were there too.

No doubt the success of the show is directly linked to the amazing story and music which lay the foundation for the characters to engage us, but the creatives involved in the production of the show cannot be faulted. The show really is spectactularious through and through.

I could say more, but it wouldn’t be enough. I’m limited. But I have been changed for good.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Maybe it’s the warmth of budding friendship or the wine- or maybe it’s the effect of having been so near a precious miracle- that gives me the feeling that I am going to be fine.

Faces like these… I am glad we got away before I completely melted.

Despite the way it looks, there was intelligent and stimulating conversation. Bless him, it was a lot to process.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Every last family in London with small to medium children remaining in the city last Thursday morning, took an Easyjet flight from Luton to somewhere. It is no wonder why I went on holiday to Portugal and my luggage decided to enjoy a break in Spain; it was either confused to be packed among the mass of cute little Trunki or running away.

Eventually we made it the safety of the pool. (Thanks to Mel for loaning me clothes, bags, sun lotion, hair care, bodywash, toothpaste, bathing costumes, towels, sarongs, etc.)

My theory is that she clothed me because she couldn’t bear to have me sun bathe nude. (I couldn’t stomach it either.)

Thanks very much to the Lyons family for letting us stay in their home.

Thanks to Ade and Mel for taking us to the western most point of Europe.

And thanks to the sun for never giving up on us.

Even Drew soaked up sun and waves.

He’s so handsome in his new pinky brown skin. In fact, I’ll see you all later…

You can only get the word of the day at www.drewandjengotolondon.com

(Creation is fruity, if you will.)

(Yeah, me too buddy.)

This last pair of hands makes my heart pound and my palms sweaty. Among other things. I am gonna create amazing things with the owner of these hands.

That wasn’t my point was it? No. (And yes.)

Do it, make it, shout it, be it, sing it, raise it, shake it, live it, have it, throw it, soothe it, shape it, give it, get it out. Set it free.

It’s funny to look down and watch her hands type this letter to you. And it is strange to see myself in the mirror and find myself longing to touch the reflection of my own bare lips. Flashes of recognition strike me – she was my age when I born; at my age she had not graduated nursing school yet. My children will never meet her. When my stomach hurts I cannot call her. My stomach hurts.

Cake anyone?

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like Champagne or orange juice before take-off?” Yes. Yes I would.

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like some swag to make your journey comfortable and enjoyable?” Yes. I would. (Are you sensing a pattern?)

Yes.

I will put my feet up until dinner time, thank you.

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like help converting your…” I am going to stop you right there. Yes.

Singapore is, in my estimation, not entirely unlike a tropical suburb of New York City. Food stalls, open air markets, late shop hours, high rises, international travellers, posh looking locals… Check. The theatre district isn’t comparable, though there are museums, historic bits, seaside, riverside, tours, and the like. On second thought, if New York City London (?) and some efficient tropical Swiss or German metropolis met on a hot summer night for drinks and one thing lead to another… Perhaps Singapore is the long lost love child of such a pairing. I thank you to remember that most of the world is still very new to me.

Without a doubt I enjoyed a Singapore Sling at Raffles hotel, suggestion courtesy of my tour guide Sian, who poses as my colleague for quite a few hours each week. (What can I say? I’ve got people.)

Sian also serves as a reliable source for advice on such things as Cantonese vs Japanese cuisine and UK vs Sinagpore sun. There is a big difference, you know.

Meetings are better poolside.

English is the national language. Signage is not on shortage. The city is spotless. I am at ease. Even in my bikini (well, that’s what I’m telling you, anyway). Yes, I brought sunscreen.

For more photos, visit the Huddleston flickr album.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

We saw a smidgen of Belarus. Grodno, Vitebsk, and Minsk. The landscape looked a lot like Tennessee, except that the buildings were mostly different.

With a more than gracious host I laughed and struggled to understand the people, the country, and the menus. The landscape was incredibly similar to Tennessee. The cityscape felt vastly different though. Having watched one too many 007 films, I was overwhelmed by the friendly openness of the team we had travelled to meet.

We stopped for the blink of an eye in Berlin, Germany. Checkpoint Charlie was a lighthearted rendition of its former self.

But the section of the Berlin wall left standing is more stark reminder of days gone by.

The city itself is modern and international, feeling a bit like London. The history is palpable, offered openly to anyone willing to take the journey.

Though there was little opportunity for unstructured free time, I came home with my head full of wonder and new information. Gina came back rested.

Thanks belong to my colleague and mentor Sian. Not many people can put up with me for a week – let alone provide training while working such long days herself. Step aside Superwoman; I’ve met your match. And there are more strong, talented women on the team we represent. (Yeah, ok – we’ve got talented men, too. They are just outnumbered.)

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

The queen has a big old house.

The garden is kind of nice.

Church is closer than the front doorstep.

I think there would be room for us to stay if we were invited for Thanksgiving.

You could probably come, too.

And there are some serious looking dudes wandering around.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com