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!