One Month

Well, I've hit the one-month mark in my study abroad adventures. It's strange to think that I'll be returning to the world I left in just 4 short weeks. So much has happened, and so many things have caused me to change. I know the world to which I return is going to be a familiar, yet different, one. Still, I can't wait to return.

First, I'll start with the rest of my break. Mainland Europe is amazing! As soon as I arrived in Marseilles, I was taken aback by the beautiful, coastal city. This goes for all the places I've visited in April, as all included ports (I went on a cruise, for those who aren't in the know.) Absolutely gorgeous!

The cruise itself was a lot of fun! Since I was paying my own bar bill, I had to go easy on the partying, but I didn't mind. I had more time to enjoy the sights! The cruise ship was gorgeous! The passengers and staff were also very colorful; there were 5 languages spoken on the ship at all times. Even though 4/5 of the ship didn't speak English, I still had a lot of fun. It was a pretty humbling experience to have to communicate mostly via sign language and broken Spanish. I guess this is how the old traders did it? Europe is such an interesting place; all of these vastly different cultures and languages are right next door to each other. I try to imagine America in a similar situation, and it just seems silly. I mean, people in Texas and Mississippi talk funny, but at least it's still English (I think.) Anyway, the language barrier experience has inspired me to relearn Spanish and maybe even pick up some French. I still plan on carrying on with my Japanese, though!

Needless to say, the cruise was a blast. The news I received after my travels, however, dampened my high spirits. I'm not getting into all of that again; it's still too fresh for me. Still, if anything, it's taught me that sometimes I can't control the events in my life. This is not a reflection of myself; how I handle the situation defines my spirit. I was pretty close to coming home early, but I'm staying until the end. I want to finish this experience for myself; I want to feel that sense of accomplishment as I step onto American soil after almost 5 months of being away.

So, that brings me to the one month. I have one month left in England. I am on a VERY tight budget, and I can no longer travel to other parts of this side of the world. It's all right though; I regret nothing. I will be back to Europe in the near future, and I think I've taken all that I can from this trip. Now, I must focus on exams and do well in my classes.

Then I can return home.

But I have no fear, 'cause London is drowning, and I live by the river!

I know it's a little bit of a cliche title, but I couldn't resist! That catchy song by the Clash was on my iPod when I first flew into Heathrow, and it followed me back on my trip to London, which, by the way, has been the best time I've had so far! I can sum up my 4 days in London with a haiku (written by me, of course. And you thought you were going to be able to escape my crappy poetry this time..heh heh.)

Ride the London Tube,
Images before my eyes,
Black things in my nose.

I'll break this thing down into three parts.

The Underground/Tube pretty much dominated my trip through London. I mean this in the best possible way. Now, I'm not really used to underground transportation; it's pretty much impossible to do back home. Riding the tube my first time in London was a pretty stressful experience. I had just gotten off of a plane with two suitcases and an extreme case of jet lag. Needless to say, I was not in the mood to handle the crowds gushing into the cabin and being pushed around and packed in with smelly, loud people. This time around, however, the tube was a pretty nice experience. Sure, it was dark and hot, and deodorant was a rarity, but it was VERY convenient. After a few tries, I could successfully find the way to my next destination via the tube. I prefer London's underground transport to Manhattan's any day! Thanks to the tube, I got to go to all of the touristy places; I wanted to get most of my sightseeing done this week, so I can go back and enjoy myself later. I hate being a tourist. Back home, I can spot the tourists just by looking at the crowds in the French Quarter. Actually being one is a humbling, yet self-loathing, experience. Still, I did snap lots of photos and thought that all changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace was pretty neat! Next time, however, I'll work on my 'local' skills.

Needless to say, I saw lots of things while in London. Parliament/Big Ben is definitely something one must see in person in order to grasp it's magnificence. It's absolutely HUGE, and I couldn't get over how shiny it was! Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, London tower/bridge, and Piccadilly Circus are also must-see attractions. I think my favorite place in London is SoHo. It includes the fashion, theatre, and artsy side of town. Also, it has a lot of gay bars, which reminded me of home! Camden town is also one of my favorite places; you get all of your cheap shopping done there. I also visited Oxford, aka the world's snobbiest place. Sure, the colleges were nice, and it was pretty cool to see one of the best universities in the world, but the town itself has nothing special. I don't understand why the people in Oxford are so stuck up. OK, you live in a college town; sure, it's one of the BEST college towns, but still, you live next to university students. Congratulations, you couldn't live anywhere else exciting. Please stop taking your frustration out on other people. I did buy an "official" Oxford shirt. It made me feel slightly smug. Visiting the Burberry factory also made me feel smug. Even with the purses being on sale, I still couldn't buy anything special there. Sure, a 800 pound purse on sale for 300 pounds is a great deal, but it's not great enough for me. I'm just that special :p I DID buy someone something from the factory, but I'm not telling until June! Anyway, London was definitely a sight to see! I think the best images that flashed before my eyes were simply the glimpses of city life. Keele isn't in a very developed area; there's not much to do. I was starting to go a little stir crazy; New Orleans isn't anything like NYC or London, but at least there's always something to do no matter what time of day/year/month/life cycle/etc. I really missed just being able to go out and sit in a cafe or go window shopping at nice stores. I am definitely not cut out for the "country" life. The sad thing is, Newcastle is still a pretty decent town. I guess I'm more of an urban girl.

Now for the black things in my nose bit. Riding the underground will give you this experience. You can't zip halfway through London in the blink of an eye without getting some retribution. The soot in my kleenex after the first day sort of startled me, but then I remembered the same thing happened in New York. It's just a little souvenir from visiting a major city. Other things stuck with me after leaving London. One of them is the feeling of amazement from being in such an old and powerful city. Seeing things, such as the London Tower, helped me to attempt to put the world into perspective. I experienced something similar when visiting Bath. It's just insane to thing that you're standing before something that has withstood the test of time and remains in the modern world, especially in the middle of such a busy city! Hyde Park had the same effect on me. Outside, there was the traffic, people, and noises; but inside, there was calm. There were children feeding the ducks, elderly couples going for strolls, joggers, and people just lounging on the beautiful grass. It was comforting to know that amidst all the hustle, one can find solace. Another lasting impression was that of the city itself. I remember having my afternoon tea next to two men who were having a business interview. One guy was trying to merge his small business with a larger English one (yes, I am a very skilled eavesdropper.) I thought to myself, 'here's a place where the world happens. Where things start moving.' It made me want to start moving my own plans in life forward. Everyone has dreams he/she wants to fulfill. Being in a city that gets those things done makes you want to check things off your own agenda. It's a very empowering thing!

English city culture isn't the only type of culture I've experienced over these past few days. I also had my first hostel experience, in a Korean hostel. My friend, Soohyun, recommended that she, my other friend Kristina, and I stay at this hostel. It's run out of a Korean house that is close to Victoria Station (a pretty convenient location for those ignorant of London geography.) The price was 20 GBP a night (pretty decent price) and included two meals (makes the price pretty AMAZING.) The only setback was that the host knew very little English, and the hostess knew none. However, I took on the challenge as a learning experience. And learn, I did! I had to take my shoes off before entering the house, had my first taste of Korean food, and I even picked up a few Korean sayings. 안녕하세요! (the first greeting I learned upon entering the house) Since the hostess cooked dinner for us, we had to return to the hostel by 8:00 PM and could not be out later than 12:30 PM. She also woke us up (Mom-style by turning on the light and talking in a loud voice) for breakfast around 8 each morning. I didn't mind having the curfew and human alarm clock. There was something comforting about being woken up and served breakfast and dinner. Also, the beds were super comfortable and the bathroom was clean. Is it sad that I miss my hostel and would rather live there than my dorm room? Yeah, I thought so. The host and hostess were very nice. The host was quiet, yet sweet; and the hostess was quite the chatter-box. I didn't understand a word she said, but she spoke in a very exuberant manner and would sing to herself in the mornings. She also watched Korean dramas while we had our dinner. It was also comforting to be in a house after living in my solitary dorm room. I would recommend this hostel to anyone (who speaks Korean) that wants to be in a convenient location in London and likes Korean food! And to my Korean hosts, 감사합니다!

There are still many things I'd like to see in London. I didn't get to go into any of the museums, I would like to see Abbey Road, and I hope Kings Cross platforms 9-11 is open when I return. Also, I would like to experience the London nightlife above all other destinations. At least I got most of my touristy things out of the way. I feel the best way to gain a sense of a place is to walk and talk like a local. I look forward to my next trip to London!

Highway thoughts...

Hey, all!

Seems like I'm keeping pretty up-to-date with my travel blog, right? Yeah, I wouldn't get used to that. I just had some profound thoughts on my way home from Bath today, and I wanted to jot them down (on the computer; yes, I'm that talented!)

First off, Bath is by far the prettiest city I've seen...ever. It's situated in a valley in the South, surrounded by a river, and is in the perfect position for weather, culture, etc. Naturally, I went to visit the Roman Baths for which the city was named. That was phenomenal; I've no way to describe how I felt with prose. It was surreal to be around things that are almost as old as Western civilization itself. The baths were HUGE (yes, there were multiple baths in the same vicinity; those Romans enjoyed their baths!) When I get my amazing mansion after attaining my fame/fortune, I'm making a replica of these baths as my swimming pool. Absolutely, GORGEOUS. There were lots of Roman artifacts in the museum surrounding the baths, too. Those were pretty surreal to view. They even had a skeleton of some Roman guy, and they recreated what his face would've looked like. I love that kind of stuff! We also did the fashion museum (there was a combination ticket saver) but that really wasn't my thing. I did get to try on a hoop skit and corset, though. That's every girl's dream, right there!

The rest of Bath, as stated above, was just as pretty. It's definitely an old city; there was hardly any new architecture, which made the city that much culturally richer than the other places I've been! There were lots of savvy shops dotted around the city, but that didn't catch my eye, the street performers did. I sincerely MISS hearing music on the streets, and I didn't realize I missed it so much until now. It's those sorts of things that stick in my mind about a city; not the geographical settings. Mind you, Bath is EXTREMELY pretty, but the culture helps, too :) Also, I'm really getting into taking photographs. I think I'm starting to develop a little skill in photography, though I'm no (insert famous photographer here.) I'll put up the link to my photobucket after I upload some Manchester and Bath pictures!

Overall, I had a very good Saturday. I think I'll take advantage of these school-sponsored trips more often!

Anyway, back to my highway thoughts. The ride to Bath is about 3 hours each way, so it's a pretty decent trip. On the way back, I had two seats to myself, and I did what any college student in this situation would do; I slept. When I woke up, I swear I thought I was on an American highway. I couldn't see the driver in the front of the coach, I couldn't see any cars passing us on the "wrong side of the road," and I saw billboards everywhere. I had an immediate flashback to the countless family vacations I've taken every summer. I imagined that the coach was taking me somewhere in America. Was I returning home or was I going to another destination? Honestly, I still felt as if the coach was taking me to another destination, which means (to me, anyway) that I'm still thoroughly enjoying my journey this semester and that there's more to learn along the way. I'm not ready to go home yet; my vacation's not over. Still, I remembered how much I love road trips (and DRIVING) and I plan on taking a few over the Summer!

Two Months

Yep, two months.

It's been exactly two months since I boarded my first plane alone. Two months since I (somehow) found the courage to leave the city, family, and world that had been a core part of my life since I was born. Two months since I first landed in England, not knowing how it would be or what kind of places I'd see.

And I'm so glad I did it.

There have been many ups and downs, of course. This is essentially my first time living "on my own." Now, I know I'm in a dorm at a university, so I'm not completely alone, but Keele is very different from Loyola. First off, I have to take a bus to get to my lectures on time or I have to dedicate 15-25 minutes (pending on temperatures) to walk to the main campus. Also, there really isn't a meal plan here like American universities. Yes, believe it or not, I've been cooking for myself. Don't get any ideas, loved ones. You STILL wouldn't want to eat my cooking. But I'm surviving.

I've learned a lot about myself these past two months. Sometimes I find faults with myself that I seek to change; other times I find that I possess a lot more inner strength than I take for granted. I'm made of tougher stuff than I thought!

As for the traveling, I haven't been able to do much. I mean I'm in school, so there's not many places I can go for the weekend. Liverpool remains my favorite city that I've visited. I went to Manchester last weekend. It was a pretty city, and the shopping was good, but it lacked a sort of culture that I crave in a city. I don't care about your fancy shopping centers or fine dining (OK, well fine dining WOULD be nice.) I care more about the people singing on the streets, the locals going out for the day, the natural beauty around the city. New Orleans has definitely jaded me; I like a city with culture, what can I say?

I hit my first real bump in the road at the end of last week/beginning of this week. The two girls that I had planned spring break with (and got my friend Sue to accompany) bailed on me. At first, I thought it was shattering my break plans. After all, the girl who got her mother to book our cruises was the one who decided to drop of out study abroad completely. However, I stepped away from the problem and realized that I could make my own plans now; I could do my own thing. I haven't made any concrete plans yet, but I know I will probably enjoy myself more, because I'm the one making them. Also, I'm definitely doing the cruise. And Sue brought up a good point; we can do whatever we want on the cruise now. We won't have to worry about what the other girls want to do. Sue and I know how to have a good time together. It should be fun! I can't even fathom dropping out of study abroad, especially since we're more than halfway finished with school work. We seriously have 4 weeks left of classes for the entire semester. Sure, there have been times where I was extremely homesick, but I never thought to go home. I don't want to go home yet! How many people get the opportunity to study abroad in another country? Well, more than back in the day, but still not a lot. I'm very grateful for my opportunity to be here; lots of people invested support and money for me to be here. I'm not going to throw that away. I'm glad I didn't have any set expectations before coming here. Has study abroad been what I thought it would be? Yes and no. But the parts that I don't expect have been my favorites.

Such as assimilating into the English culture. I catch myself doing little things, eating with a fork and knife in hand, having beans and toast, drinking copious amounts of tea, saying certain phrases (like ya all right? and cheers.) Every time I catch mytself doing something English, I just smile to myself. People back home are going to be entertained by my new habits!

Alas, I have 2 more weeks of class before I can fantasize about sunning on a ship. I also have a lot of assignments coming up, but I don't mind. It will keep me busy.


I can't believe I'm basically at my halfway mark.

So much have I learned

and so much more have I got to go.

I'm loving every minute of it, though :)

I know what it means to miss New Orleans

Another blog so quick? This must be the MARDI GRAS EDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!

And since I'm not parading it up, I have the time to express how I feel about this situation.

(I placed this as a note on Facebook, but I feel like my non-Facebook friends should be able to read it, as well!)

It's about Mardi Gras and New Orleans in general. Now, anyone who's known me for a few years knows that I used to LOATHE Mardi Gras season. Sure, the parties, drinking, beads, drinking, seeing family, drinking was great, but the roads were blocked (God forbid you had to cross the river when they were moving floats) and the streets were filled with drunken tourists. Seriously, there ain't no place to pee (or park) on Mardi Gras day!



Also, I don't know if a lot of you know this, but I was getting kind of fed up with New Orleans in general. The constant road construction, the crime, the random functions in the city causing traffic (yeah, lots of these are traffic-related...I've been a commuter for awhile!) just caused problems. I was sick of school, sick of my routine, sick of my life.



But leaving this amazing city has made me see otherwise. Now, don't get the idea that I'm hating live abroad. In fact, I'm very glad I came here. The people are amazing, I've made great friends, and I've got to see lots of different places! Also, the life lessons I am learning here are beyond value. However, I never realized how much New Orleans meant to me. How much the city is a part of me.



This is the first Mardi Gras I have ever missed. I tried 'escaping' on a cruise when I was 14, only to get stuck in port due to a river accident. I've always longed to be away for Mardi Gras. Now that I have my chance, I wish I were back home.



There's just something about the atmosphere during the Mardi Gras season. Everyone in New Orleans becomes your family. Plus, the food is amazing. I HOPE my family members froze king cakes for me! I put in special requests! And, although the 'adult' side of Mardi Gras is publicized more, the parades really are mostly for kids. One of the greatest things I see during Mardi Gras are the kids playing football in the streets before parades. It's like the entire city becomes a family cookout in a backyard!



I suppose I should say a little about New Orleans as a city. I am sorry for ever doubting you. You will always be my home, you will always have my heart. New Orleans has been through so much trouble throught its history-- battles, natural disasters, political problems, decades of bad football seasons, BP-- and yet we keep bouncing back stronger than ever. I have fallen in love with what New Orleans was, is, and will become. There is great hope for New Orleans, and it's due to the fires that reside in its citizens' souls. Keep on shining, N'awlins. I'll be back soon!

__

Bring be back to Bourbon Street,

That funky jazz a'playin' when I'm tappin' my feet,

Walk on down around Old Uptown,

I miss you, New Orleans.



But the river rolls down to the Gulf Coast,

Whether or not I see it,

Lord, I know, this is for sure,

My heart aches so, I miss it.



So just a' bring me back for that Bacchus parade,

Play me the bands, and I'll hear it,

Although I may be far away,

Toss me that bead, and I'll catch it.



This trans-Atlantic romance,

As sweet as my Mint Julep,

I'm gonna be back before I know it,

But I still miss you, New Orleans.



The Mississippi rolls down to the coast,

I couldn't stick around to see it,

But I feel her run right through my soul,

Bringing me home again <3



--Lauren Frederick, travel journal, written February 10, 2010.



.

Midterms!

Hello, world back home!

It's been awhile, I know. I apologize! I WOULD say that I've been super busy, but that would be somewhat of a lie. I've just been finding my weeks slipping past me, as if I'm on a fast-paced train through my life that has no intention of stopping.

...also midterms and planning April have kind of been absorbing my life.

Keele's idea of midterms greatly differs from Loyola's. Instead of every teacher secretly meeting to discuss when the most INCONVENIENT time to place exams would be, Keele sort of gives you a layout of how the semester will pan out. There are roughly two assignments for each class: a final exam in May and a 1500-2000 word essay sometime in March. Also, my English class does weekly presentations on the works we read, so I knew which week I had signed up for well in advance.

That assignment was last Friday. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous...only a little, though. Anyone who knows even a tiny bit of me knows that I revel in the spotlight, especially when I'm presenting or performing. Needless to say, I think my presentation went very well. The professor seemed to enjoy it, anyway! Assignment one: check!

The next assignment was my psychology paper, which was due this past Tuesday (March 1, for those who don't avidly check for my blog's updates/can't read the date this blog was posted.) Now THAT paper took me FOREVER to finish. I had started it two weekends in advance, attempting to be a good student. However, I am NOT that kind of student, I never was. I perform best when under pressure. SO, I naturally finished the paper the Sunday before it was due. I let my professor check it over on Monday, and she said that it was very good. I made the technical corrections to my paper, and I felt comfortable turning it in. Assignment two: done!

The next big project I have is my philosophy essay, which is due on March 23. I already wrote a 500 word paper proposal on it, so I only need to add 1500 more! I'll attempt to work more on it maybe this weekend. Like I said, I'm not good with working ahead of time!

Now, enough of the boring school stuff. As I've said before, I didn't come here to STUDY! I CAME HERE TO LIVE!!

And I shall do so in April!

Our cruise is officially BOOKED. It wasn't the one that we originally wanted (that one was booked months in advance) but we got a pretty sweet deal on one that leaves April 16. The cruise will take us to France, Sicily, Spain, and Tunisia. That's a pretty sweet itinerary! Tunisia is where Star Wars was filmed, so my geeky side is jumping for joy! Just pray that Tunisia doesn't jump on the North African crazy train, all right?! We're attempting to go to Greece and Rome before our cruise. I'm pretty sure Rome will happen, since Cristina is AMAZING! But I don't know if I can afford Greece; plane tickets are a little more than I had anticipated. Still, I'm going to all of these other places, and I'd much rather see Italy than Greece. I'll make it to Poseidon's temple one day! I also plan on revisiting Liverpool and going to Wales, London, and Dublin in May! Hopefully I'll get to London before my cruise...I feel like I need to get more excited about visiting that city!

I guess I should add something about my social life for all you DYING to know! I'm getting really close to my blockmates. We have parties almost every weekend, and we go out to the local bar every Thursday. They're pretty much my family. Now, I'm not gonna lie; my dorm is the shittiest dorm on campus, and it's far away from everything. My blockmates, however, make me love this place. It feels like a home. I am very grateful for this!

I'm still singing in the church choir. It's nice to at least exercise ONE of my musical abilities! The guy, Jack, with the guitar never got back to me about playing his Crafter. I think I may have scared him just a little bit. I was just VERY excited to see/play a lefty guitar! I'm gonna have to reteach myself in the summer!

Although I'm enjoying myself and learning a lot whilst abroad, I am keeping an eye out for the summertime. There's lots of good things coming my way! I keep imagining myself working at Barnes and Noble again, so I think I'll shoot them an email right before I come back. It's a pretty chill job, I'm not gonna lie! I'm learning to budget myself a lot while overseas, which will definitely be a vital skill in the future.

Oh, and despite my constant social life, I've managed to start up one of my novels! It's not the one I had originally attempted to finish, but hey, I'm glad I got re inspired to work on this one! It's more of a steampunk/fantasy genre, while the other one is straight up psychological/sci-fi. I like how they're pretty opposite. Still, I think young readers will appreciate them!

Well, that's pretty much my life...at least the bit that I can turn into an enjoyable blog anyway! I'll keep y'all updated! Catch some beads for me!

Week 4?!

There's no way that week 4 of classes at Keele starts tomorrow!! I just got here?

Oh...my calendar says otherwise.

Anywho, there's one good thing that the rapidly passing time ensures: I am enjoying myself and actually living a life in the UK! Classes are cool, friends are awesome, and being independent is eye-opening and empowering! I even did my first load of sink-laundry! Now that's an important mark in a young woman's life!

This week was pretty nice! I'm getting to know my blockmates better, and I'm starting to make really close friends. Initially, I thought I would have a lot of free time, so I brought notebooks, video games, and books to occupy my time. However, now that I'm at the gym, meeting friends, and attending the occasional class (they're occasional because my schedule is so barren compared to the 7-course workload I have at Loyola) I find I really don't have much time to do a whole lot of those things! I'm sort of sad about this...I really want to start working on my novel more. However, I should make time for that and not write silly things such as this blog!

But then how would any of you cats back home know about my adventures?

See the dilemma I have!

Anywho, the best thing that came out of this week was somewhat solidifying Easter break plans. Guess who's going on a cruuuuuuise? ME! As most of you know, I feel most at home/peace/the brink of enlightenment when I'm at sea. Words cannot express how the ocean makes me feel, and a cruise (in my eyes) is simply the only way to travel! I originally wanted to do a Mediterranean cruise when I first looked into studying abroad. Now, I can find that dream turning into a reality, and I'm pretty PSYCHED! This break is going to turn more into the vacation I so desire!

Oh, another interesting thing: I sang in the church choir today. I was a bit rusty at first, but then I started throwing out some random harmonies and getting into the swing of things. People even noticed that there was a new girl (without visually noticing, of course!) and said that I sounded perdy :) that made my day! Speaking of music, I found a guy who has a left-handed Crafter...that's my guitar at home, folks. What are the ODDS?! I played his guitar a bit, and I had to fight back the urge of running away with it. It's an acoustic-electric version of the Crafter...Lauren knows what SHE'S saving up for this summer (after repaying all my debts to loved ones who have been funding this time abroad, of course!) The guy, Jack, said that I could use his guitar for folk night at KPA (post graduate bar at Keele) Folk night is kind of like an open mic night at a local pub/coffee house. I've got a few covers that I think they'd like to hear...can't wait for Thursday!

Saturday reminded me of how much fun a girls' day can be! My fellow E-blocker, Meghan; my friend Ana; and I went to Newcastle for some shopping. 80s night was that night, so we bought some funky clothes and accessories for the occasion! Then we started discussing Spring break plans (the cruise idea popped up then!) cooked pizza, and got ready! An all-girl (and one guy) pre-gaming session ensued, and then we all headed off to dance to some of the greatest tunes of the 20th century! I was applauded for knowing all the words to "London Calling" (and almost every other song for that matter) which I thought was funny, because that was the song I listened to when landing in London. I also got on stage for a dance-off to "Billie Jean." I did that one for my Uncle Charlie, who I miss dearly! I didn't win, but it was such a good night I didn't care (which shows you how great I thought that night was...I'm a pretty competitive person!) Saturday reminded me of all the good times I had with my girls, Kristi and Brittney, at the Republic! We MUST do that again when I come back!

Well, lots of good things happened this week! I hope next week is the same!

P.S. I did my wonderful VOICE for my blockmates. That's how comfortable I feel around them :)

Hello, routine!

Actually, the title is somewhat of a lie. Sure, the classes and gym help, but I still haven't found any set routine for my weekly tasks. But that's a good thing; I didn't come here to fall back into a routine.

I came here to live!

And live I shall! I went to Liverpool again last Saturday. I rode a train for the first time in my life!!! I must say, trains are pretty handy! You just buy your ticket, get on, make sure you get on the right connecting train (if applicable) and BOOM! I'm hoping the train from NOLA to Baton Rouge actually happens in the near future!

Anywho, back to Liverpool. I love that city...I mean I said that before, but this visit reinforced the innate feelings I have for the place! It rained ALL day, but it was a soft kind of rain; it wasn't even that cold! Really reminded me of New Orleans in the fall/winter (though, maybe not THIS winter, since I heard it's pretty brutal down there right now!) I went to the Tate art museum and the Liverpool National World museum. The best part of both? They were FREE! Absolutely free! That blew my mind...these museums are GOOD, too! Well, the art one kinda confused me...it's just not my thing, though I did enjoy writing poetry on the wall and in a notebook! The National World museum...amazing. I got to see all these artifacts from all over the world; there was also a tiny aquarium inside. You know me and my fishes...I'd like to be, under the sea...

Speaking of which, I finally got to go to the Cavern Club! That was the highlight of the trip! Words cannot describe how I felt when as I descended the stairs and drank in the sight of the stage. Yeah, I know it's not technically the 'original' (covers about 2/3 of the original place, though!) but it was amazing! One day, I wanna play on that stage. I'm gonna make this happen! I also played the tourist part and bought a "I <3 Liverpool" shirt and a Cavern hoodie. My zipper on my purse broke, so I HAD to buy another one, right? Lucky for me, I found a "Help!" purse! That's my favorite Beatles album, btw, so I had to buy it! It's really roomy, and I'm sure it'll come in handy sooner or later!

Aside from walking the streets of Liverpool and getting my Beatlemania on, my crew and I did some shopping and I got to have my first 'real' taste of Mexican food. For all my TULU people, think that Baja Fresh! place in the LBC. There's no difference, only this place's spicy tacos were not nearly spicy enough! For everyone else, it's basically REALLY fresh Tex Mex. Decent, but not what I had in mind! There's also a sushi conveyor bar across the street, which is what I wanna try next time I go (yes, there will definitely be a next time!) I'm DYING for some sushi, and I think my best bet is trying it somewhere by a river!! Overall, Saturday was very productive. I went back to my dorm feeling content, and I even played some beer pong! It reminded me a lot of Tuck's...God rest its bricks. The British are VERY strategical when it comes to drinking games. They were concentrating way too hard. The American guys in my block pulverized them, of course! So at least the US has that title...God bless America!

Anywho, Saturday was (obviously) the best day of last week. The most eventful anyway. I forgot that I came here to STUDY abroad, so school kind of puts a damper on things. But I can travel to cool places on the weekends, right? I'm also learning a lot about myself and becoming more independent with each day! By the end of this trip, I'm gonna be a strong individual...literally, because I have to walk all over God's creation to get somewhere!

Keep it real, NOLA! I'll be sure to update soon!

Another Blog Already?!

Yeah, I know it hasn't been long since I last posted. But I miss y'all and I wanna keep you informed.

You got a problem with that?!


........

Didn't think so :p

ANYWAY, I just wanted to say that my first day into my second week [at Keele] has been great! My classes are going smoothly, and I signed up for the gym! It felt great to just get on that treadmil and run all my stress away! (Actually, there isn't much stress, as I already did most of my work for the next few weeks because SOMEBODY told me my classes were going to be hard!)

Lemme rewind a bit. This past weekend was AMAZING! I went to the SU (Students Union) on Friday for Refresher's ball. That was pretty fun, but Saturday was the best. All I did Saturday was wake up at noon, clean my room, do laundry, and hang out with my blockmates. Why was that better than a ball/concert you ask?

1. I felt very self-sufficient; that was my first time using a public laundrette (it went off without a hitch, if anyone was wondering!)
2. It was cheaper than going back to the SU (the alcohol I bought was a fraction of the costs at the SU)
3. I got to just hang out with my blockmates and get to know them better! And that, to me, beats any day out! (Plus, I just got to lounge around in my yoga pants and slippers :p)

Sunday was also very nice. A bunch of friends and I met up at ye olde Snyde Arms for a dinner. I really like that little tradition we have going! Plus some of our friends went out to Manchester for the weekend, so it was nice catching up and sharing stories :)

I'm glad I'm starting to settle into life abroad. At first, I was really skeptical, homesick, and almost regretting my decision to come here. Now I'm remembering why I did this trip in the first place; to find myself. Yeah, I may have left some important things back home (one very recent event in particular!) but I know a world that is both familiar and new will be awaiting my return! One thing my Mom taught me was to stick with something once I chose it and to follow through. I wasn't about to let a few days of homesickness change a once in a lifetime experience! I'm saying all this because one of my friends here who is also studying abroad is contemplating bailing out and going back home. Don't do it! You put so much time and money into this trip, and it will be well worth it in the end! One day you'll look back and feel proud of yourself for following through! Yeah, times may seem hard right now, but those are the times that make you stronger!

OK, enough Oprahesque empowerment (although that's better than ANY medicine!) I think I may have a domestic streak inside me, afterall. I recently bought groceries (cold groceries...which means I actually HAVE to go to the kitchen now) and saw a world of opportunities! I actually caught myself planning recipes to cook with my fellow Americans in E-block! I suppose this isn't a bad thing...or it could be; I'm the only girl in this kitchen-alliance, and I have a feeling I'll be the one volunteering to cook. But it's OK, I need the practice! And watch out, Mimi, I might be the one cooking the gumbo next year ;) [if she doesn't yell at me to GET OUT OF HER KITCHEN!]

Well, I'll keep you all updated on my next adventure/enlightening moment! Until then!

First week: Completed!

Hey y'all!

Well, my first week of actual class at Keele is coming to a close. I went through three different stages in this week, which ended up making it a crazy and new experience!

The first stage was disbelief...I don't have classes here! There's no way! My school's waaaay across the Atlantic Ocean, and I'm waaaay over here on extended vacation---oh, hello 9 AM psychology lecture! Yeah, it took me til about Thursday to accept the fact that I AM in school and I HAVE to do work!

The second stage was a bit of a downer; I didn't understand why I came here in the first place; if I wanted to go to school, I should've just stayed home where I had all of my friends and I knew all of my professors already. Made no sense to me to just become a freshman again.

The third stage was acceptance and enjoyment. I decided yesterday that I really like it here! This past week has been "Refreshers week" which is similar to Loyola week back home but with cooler events, because Keele has bars and clubs in their student union. The events range from a "skins" themed party to a ball that took place last night. Overall, they're just excuses to dress up a bit and go out! We also had a Keele reception in the fancy-fancy building that is Keele hall. They were passing out wine and h'orderves, and it was a very good night! We all went to a bar that's close to my dorm after for 1.10 drinks, which is a pretty good deal! I went to quite a few events, and I'm really glad I did; I made a lot of new friends and got to know my blockmates and the internationals better.

Speaking of the other internationals, they're making this trip for me! We do almost everything together and provide such a great support-system for each other! Plus, they're all really fun people! A bunch of us went into town last Wednesday and easily made it the best day here so far. It's just great knowing that other people here are going through the adjustments and changes that I'm experiencing.

Anywho, I guess the classes are important. I absolutely adore my philosophy class! We had a seminar yesterday, and I totally owned the debate (go Aristotle!) I like how the classes are set up with a lecture one hour with a seminar as a separate class. My English class is going to be really fun, as well! Psychology seems to be my least interesting class, but it should be an easy-A! I swapped my history course for Japanese, and the sensei put me in Japanese 6!! That's the highest level Keele offers, but she thinks that even that class will be too easy for me! I'm not complaining; I'm on vacation, remember?

I can't believe January is coming to a close! That means Mardi Gras season is starting soon, which I know is going to make me extremely homesick! I miss all of you dearly, but find solace in the face that I am having a great time here!

Happy hump day!

How's everyone's Wednesday been? Mine's been GREAT. Wanna know why?

Do ya...?

I didn't have class today :p Apparently Wednesday is free for most students, so we can catch up on work, participate in clubs, play sports, etc. So, last night, I went out with Sue and her roommates to Revolution's which is sort of like a pub-club hybrid. It just so happened to be 2 for 1, so we got some pitchers and just hung out. I was glad I went out with them, because I had been feeling really down earlier. I guess it's just adjusting to England...also, the weather here really is dreary. I've only seen the sun once since I moved onto campus...and it was only out for 30 minutes! I need my sun! Also, my hair seems to just go curly while I'm here, as well. I wonder if that'll continue when I come back home for the summer...
Speaking of summer, I'm already missing my NOLA weather. What's that? It's cold over there, too? OK, well come to England for a week and let me know how you feel about your 50* "chill" I am going to bask in the sun for an entire week straight when I come back. OK, that's a lie...I'd look like an alligator if I did that!

Anywho, I'm getting to know the other int'ls very well. They're all really great friends! A bunch of us went to Newcastle today to do some shopping, and I figured out my phone plan. I only pay 10 pounds/month for unlimited texting and 100 minutes. That's a pretty sweet deal! Some people were talking about not getting a phone, but I really think I need one...just in case, you know? I also went out with some of my blockmates Monday night. They're all really sweet (guys and gals included) and take good care of their friends!

I also got the rest of my groceries and various goods today. It feels great having real pillows, mugs, bowls, and food in my room! I also bought some small postcards to decorate my room with. Whenever I get homesick, I can always write on one!
I've had most of my classes already, and they really don't seem so bad. English is going to be a lot of reading, and I already have a paper due tomorrow night for philosophy, but the workload isn't really that heavy. And with a lot of breaks in between, I think I can keep up my grades while enjoying myself! I'm probably going to swap history for Japanese tomorrow, so I just stay in practice and hopefully can continue with the right class when I return to Loyola.

We had a club fair today, and I saw a few clubs I'd like to join. Most of them cost money, but the magazine club is free...I think it'd be neet to submit some written pieces for Keele's magazine...there's also a karate club, but I need to save my money!

I can't believe my first week of classes is already halfway over! In 2 more months, I'll be leaving for my "adventures abroad" whilst on break. I already feel like time is flying by!

As always, I'll keep you cats back home posted! I miss you all dearly! I'll try to post some pictures of the school and surrounding places up soon!

Settled!

Yoooo!

Well, I'm finally settled into my new "home" for the next 5 mos. It's the absolute last dorm that I wanted, but it's really not that bad. The 20 minute walk every morning/evening is going to kill me, but I met some int'ls that are here, and we're gonna make a pact to walk together to most things. The people in my building are CRAZY though! In a good kind of way! I was greeted with a beer and alt. music, so they're all right in my book. Most of the girls keep to themselves, but I've met quite a few guys. I'll turn it into a proper co-ed frat house soon enough!

The first night, I went to the Snyde Arms, which is a quaint little pub (the kind one sees in theatres, mainly) that attracts a lot of locals, so I got to meet some non-uni people, as well. I had too much fun that night and overslept for my orientation the next day...it's OK, I was only an hour late, got everything I needed, and I won't be doing it again as I have an alarm clock now! I went shopping with the other int'ls, which was a lot of fun. I also got a lot of essentials that I needed, so I felt better after coming back (glad to have my phone, especially!) Tonight, I went to the Students Union, which has various bars, lounges, and nightclubs. It was toga-themed tonight...I'm so mad I left my toga at home! I would've been the only one reppin' the black and gold! WHO DAT! (I got into a fight with two Americans over the Saints...don't worry, I defended my boys valiantly!) Everyone seems really cool, though, and I can't wait to meet more of the actual Keele students!

School por la manana!

Yo all!

As most of you know, I went to Liverpool yesterday with Sue and Alex. It was fun having a "Loyola runion" while bumming around liverpool. By the way, I've found my city soulmate. Does love at first sight of a city exist? I think so! Liverpool is fantastic!!! With the mix of old and VERY new, it's the perfect city for me! It's also by a river, just like New Orleans! Naturally, I went to a Beatles museum, which was a kick in the butt! I got to see a lot of old things that belonged to them, and I found a replica of Paul's bass. If I have enough money in May, I'm going back to buy it...or I might just get the tiny replica that's cheaper...anyway, I'm definitely frequenting that place, as it's only an hour away.

Also, I got my first taste of the English family lifestyle. Sue and her parents have been amazing hosts! I had my first real pudding tonight, which was super! And homemade French onion, and spaghetti, and amazing hospitality! I think the South has some competition!

Oh, and I got to see the English Wal*Mart, ASDA. It's basically a more organized version of walmart with two stories and a sweet elevator (carries your cart up with you!) The prices are just like walmart at home, so I know where I'm going for groceries, supplies, etc. They serve SoCo in a can...I can't escape New Orleans! I also got to see this place called Argos, where you order your product from a catalogue and then wait to pick up your product (about 4 min wait.) ...yeah, it's still strange for the English, lol!

Overall, my stay has been great so far. Now the actual schooling begins...I'm just a little nervous to be starting a new school. I'm sure it'll be fine! I get to find out where I'm staying tomorrow, so I'll keep y'all updated!

TOUCHDOWN!

Yeah, I know the Saints are out. Funny story, though. The lady checking boarding passes in Atlanta wouldn't let me through because I had on my Shockey jersey. Too bad the dirty birds' wings have been clipped!

Anyway, both flights were OK. This nice man from South Africa sat next to me and helped me with a lot of things. He even got me a trolley and helped me load my luggage! Just goes to show you that there are nice people in this world! I hope he has a nice trip with his daughter :) Also, I'm officially and immigrant! Border patrol went off without a hitch...I'm envious

My girl, Sue, picked me up from the airport, and I got my first experience of the London Tube. It's basically a cleaner, nicer version of NYC's subway...but the people on there are just as unfriendly. No Southern hospitality around here, no siree! I didn't get to see much of London...I had no idea how HUGE that city was! Also, I'm pretty jetlagged, so I had to cut my trip short. I'll be back! It's just insane to think of how OLD that city is and how much history lives here...I like being a part of something that holds such a great and long legacy! I mean I thought New Orleans was old, but DAYUM!

Anywho, just wanted to see I'm here, safe, and well looked after! I'll have a permanent address by Friday, for whoever wants it! P.S. I ADORE snail mail :)

Peace out, girl scouts!

And so it begins...

Well, here I am...sitting in my room for the last night. Everything's packed...well, except for the laptop...and my makeup...and I need to load my carry-on. OK, so everything's pretty much packed! I guess I'm still in denial. I'm not leaving tomorrow. Hell no!

Oh,I am?

Heh...

I've been waiting for this ever since I started Loyola. I know it's going to be good for me. I'm a pretty sheltered kid...it's time to see the world on my own. Well, not completely on my own. I got my P.I.C. Sue, and we are going to feel so fly like a G6! And I'll get to go to other countries while I'm there! I guess I'm mostly apprehensive because I don't know what to expect. I'm stepping out into the world for my first time. It's going to be VERY strange being away from the only city I've ever called home...and I'm going to miss all of my friends, of course! (...some more than others :p)

But that's why I have this blog! I'll be able to recount all of my various adventures here (hopefully weekly) for your entertainment/knowledge/cure for late night boredom!

Anywho, the other posts will hopefully be more entertaining than this one, and don't forget to keep in touch! My Skype screenname is: smoketheforce. And I'll get whoever wants my address next Friday!

Keep it real!