This past two weeks I clearly have not been spending my money as smartly as I thought. Before I had thought that I was this wonderful budgeting guru but then I realised that I had brought extra money with me from the States. So I'm not quite as good as I thought I was.
As a consequence I have been forced to eat sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner for the past two days. Tomorrow does not look any brighter from here. I have forgotten what fruits and vegetables taste like.
Haha, honestly I think tomorrow I'll have beans and mash or something to switch it up a bit. But these last few days have taught me a valuable lesson in managing money. Actually do it.
What else, what else...
I am relearning InDesign for my photojournalism class which is probably a good thing. When I was originally taught it at Temple I feel like it was very rushed and shallow in content. When I did my project that required me to use that programme I was totally clueless. The guy teaching us seems to be doing a pretty good job at explaining it all.
Wow, life sounds boring when you try and make it sound like you actually are doing cool things.
Cool things for this week to come: going to see a gig with some of my American friends and on Sunday the international students are going to Birmingham for Chinese New Year.
The gig is just a local thing but still mega cool. Then Chinese New Year is going to be amazing, I know it! I have been looking forward to going to see the celebration since I heard about it a month or so ago.
I think that's really it for my life right now. I'll probably post some photos and junk about my weekend adventures.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Who needs electricity?
Isn't this picture lovely? These are my flatmates whom I will name so you know who is who if you don't already know them. There is me, then Eric (making an interesting face), Ben (looking like a dweeb), Ryan (with the standy up hair), Hannah (with the long hair), Bri (green dress) and Kirsten (with the cast, haha). Us and a bunch of other kids in our building were celebrating Austin's birthday, who is an American student who has been in England since last term.
Also yesterday I managed to blow the electricity out of my room and two others on my flat. I plugged in my heating pad and then BZZZZZT! It was quite embarrassing telling the maintenance guy my whole story. Foreign people, jeez! It took him three tries to get the power to come back, I felt really bad about it all.
Go me.
Today my American friends and I went to the cinema down the street to watch a film. I have been dying to go to the cinema! We saw Philomena which starred Judy Dench and Steve Coogan. The movie was really good! My mom would have really liked it since it was based on a true story and just overall a quality film.
The entire theatre was two floors which blows my mind. I don't understand why there is two but there is. There were tons of theatres (like 12 or so) and their concession area had SO MUCH STUFF. You could get salty or sweet popcorn, ice cream, alcohol (so you don't even have to sneak it in) and a whole bunch of candy! There were little bags of Maltese's and stuff you could get but then there was this entire room of candy you could mix in a bag. Like what they have at grocery stores with the little scoops.
My mind was blown. It certainly put all of the cinemas I have been to in the past to shame.
I am hoping to go back soon to see Inside Llewyn Davis and August Osage County since they are coming here this weekend. I am anxiously anticipating Her but that has yet to come to the UK yet.
Things coming up in life...not really too many exciting things. I kind of just hang out around with my flatmates, other Americans, buy food and go to uni. That sums it all up.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Uni
Hello all! Alright so I've had my first day at week and it was the most awkward experiences of 2014 thus far. I was called out as being foreign numerous times and sat very awkwardly knowing that people were all wondering who the heck I was. I would not relive any of those lessons again. It's alright in America because if they're a new kid nobody usually knows especially in general education courses. But not here! Going to Temple wasn't nearly this embarrassing.
Luckily, I met a few kids in each one of my classes that were nice. In my Making Magazines module (that's class), we were put in groups to talk about programmes on the BBC to create a magazine out of. I was completely clueless about nearly everything they were talking about. They were really nice about my ignorance since there is no way that I would know all the shows they were talking about.
Other than going to uni, life has been lovely. I am getting along with my flat mates very well, they're quite wonderful people. I am so glad that I get to spend this term with these hilarious kids! They've been really fun to hang out with and they've taught me loads of stuff about the UK while I've done the same about the US. In this short amount of time I feel like I've learned so much, it's only been two weeks!
Before coming here I would never think of all of the things that are different about Brits and Americans. I think that a lot of people would naturally think we're the same because we both speak English and the whole history between the two nations. We say "stove", they say "hob". We say "popsicle", they say "ice lolly". We say "sweater", they say "jumper". Sometimes I have to rack my brain for the right word or phrase which has been interesting in a good way.
Overall I love England. If you're not already here you should come check it out, it's pretty cool. And I mean cool as in it allegedly doesn't get over 20 C/70 F here. I can dig that.
Luckily, I met a few kids in each one of my classes that were nice. In my Making Magazines module (that's class), we were put in groups to talk about programmes on the BBC to create a magazine out of. I was completely clueless about nearly everything they were talking about. They were really nice about my ignorance since there is no way that I would know all the shows they were talking about.
Other than going to uni, life has been lovely. I am getting along with my flat mates very well, they're quite wonderful people. I am so glad that I get to spend this term with these hilarious kids! They've been really fun to hang out with and they've taught me loads of stuff about the UK while I've done the same about the US. In this short amount of time I feel like I've learned so much, it's only been two weeks!
Before coming here I would never think of all of the things that are different about Brits and Americans. I think that a lot of people would naturally think we're the same because we both speak English and the whole history between the two nations. We say "stove", they say "hob". We say "popsicle", they say "ice lolly". We say "sweater", they say "jumper". Sometimes I have to rack my brain for the right word or phrase which has been interesting in a good way.
Overall I love England. If you're not already here you should come check it out, it's pretty cool. And I mean cool as in it allegedly doesn't get over 20 C/70 F here. I can dig that.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Another day
Being in England has been really great so far. Tomorrow the term begins which should be awful because every first day is terrible. If I could skip the first day of every new thing in my life I would. I have an art history class which I'm really excited about; we're going to talk about modern and post-modern art.
But today was quite great! A bunch of us Americans went to church today, it was called Cambray Baptist Church. I don't know anything about being baptist but it was a good time. I got to meet some English students who attend the church and the University of Gloucestershire. The church had these horrid pews that were really small and had these wooden backs that made me wish for a chiropractor. Other than that it was fine.
Afterward we were invited to lunch which I guess they do every Sunday for the students which I greatly appreciated. A few of us went to this young couple's house and we had either pasta pesto or vegetable curry (it was good). Then once we finished we made pancakes (more like crepes not American pancakes) filled with ice cream and Nutella. We got to make our own which I had never done.
We sat around and talked about lemonade. Who would've thought it was different between two places? Here it's more like a more lemony Sprite, so it's carbonated and clear. Then they also have "cloudy lemonade" which is yellow opposed to clear and tastes a bit more like American lemonade (and it's still carbonated). Weird, huh?
What else, what else?
Basically nothing. I will inform the planet of how my first week at uni goes on Friday!
But today was quite great! A bunch of us Americans went to church today, it was called Cambray Baptist Church. I don't know anything about being baptist but it was a good time. I got to meet some English students who attend the church and the University of Gloucestershire. The church had these horrid pews that were really small and had these wooden backs that made me wish for a chiropractor. Other than that it was fine.
Afterward we were invited to lunch which I guess they do every Sunday for the students which I greatly appreciated. A few of us went to this young couple's house and we had either pasta pesto or vegetable curry (it was good). Then once we finished we made pancakes (more like crepes not American pancakes) filled with ice cream and Nutella. We got to make our own which I had never done.
We sat around and talked about lemonade. Who would've thought it was different between two places? Here it's more like a more lemony Sprite, so it's carbonated and clear. Then they also have "cloudy lemonade" which is yellow opposed to clear and tastes a bit more like American lemonade (and it's still carbonated). Weird, huh?
What else, what else?
Basically nothing. I will inform the planet of how my first week at uni goes on Friday!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Crossing the Pond
After driving around four hours to New York then flew a six ish hour flight into London Heathrow. Turbulence was plenty and leg room was sparse. But I survived! Then we took an hour and a half bus ride to Cheltenham. On the way it rained for a bit then it cleared up to beautiful blue skies! Then I fell asleep but before that I saw sheep. Loads of sheep.
This place is wonderful. I will have pictures of the town soon, you'll love it trust me. Just walking around briefly I immediately fell in love with the place! I have not felt so genuinely happy to be in a place possibly in my whole life. It just works for me and I'm very content in that.
In my short outing to Poundland (where I used pounds for the first time in my life) I asked these two girls what each colour of the milk caps signified and the one girl flipped. She screamed bloody murder, "YOU'VE GOT AN ACCENT!!!!" She must not have been expecting me to be American I guess. Then after that the cashier was from South Africa and the absolute best. I also got to get really cheap noodles, basically like Ramen. I'm excited for them.
What else, what else? I have been up for ages and want to sleep but I can't. I have a UK phone that's a Nokia. I have never had a phone this primitive in my entire life. It may be old but I am very grateful for it! Yay technology.
My Spotify ads are now all spoken by people with British accents. It's too fun!
Tomorrow we're going to the university and having a proper orientation where we learn the dos and don'ts of being an international student here. Only fun will ensue.
This place is wonderful. I will have pictures of the town soon, you'll love it trust me. Just walking around briefly I immediately fell in love with the place! I have not felt so genuinely happy to be in a place possibly in my whole life. It just works for me and I'm very content in that.
In my short outing to Poundland (where I used pounds for the first time in my life) I asked these two girls what each colour of the milk caps signified and the one girl flipped. She screamed bloody murder, "YOU'VE GOT AN ACCENT!!!!" She must not have been expecting me to be American I guess. Then after that the cashier was from South Africa and the absolute best. I also got to get really cheap noodles, basically like Ramen. I'm excited for them.
What else, what else? I have been up for ages and want to sleep but I can't. I have a UK phone that's a Nokia. I have never had a phone this primitive in my entire life. It may be old but I am very grateful for it! Yay technology.
My Spotify ads are now all spoken by people with British accents. It's too fun!
Tomorrow we're going to the university and having a proper orientation where we learn the dos and don'ts of being an international student here. Only fun will ensue.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Last Few Days
Four days and I will be flying over the Atlantic Ocean into the country of England. WWWHHHAATTT!!!! I'm not even ready, to be totally honest. I am still in this state where I don't believe that it's so soon even though I am completely aware that it's coming up.
I kind of packed for the most part, there is still a lot that I have to do regarding that. You know put socks in my bag and all that.
Am I excited? Of course, who wouldn't be excited to live abroad for five months and call it school?! I'm especially excited to be able to watch Sherlock along with the Brits (it already started for them yesterday) which will be great to have seen everything before my American friends. Sorry guys, I'll let you know what happens!
Also I have created a list of things that I want to do and all that jazz. It's not incredibly long but it's a good list of places to go and things to do. Here it is:
1. Make a good British friend (this is most important above all else!)
2. Celebrate the Chinese New Year
3. Go to London and visit my friends from Philly
4. Go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum (it's even at 221B Baker Street!)
5. Experience the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff
6. Go to Paris for my birthday
7. Visit my friend in Dublin
8. Go to a show (a British band would be preferred)
9. Take at least 5 half decent photographs
10. Go to Diagon Alley and get a butter beer.
Brilliant or not so brilliant, it is my list. If there is something that you think I missed let me know!
Also if you have my cell number and all that please do not text me! If you want to contact me, Facebook is the best way to do it. Skype would work too but I hate Skype, it's the worst program ever.
I'll post hopefully once more in the States but I most certainly will when I get a moment in the UK!
I kind of packed for the most part, there is still a lot that I have to do regarding that. You know put socks in my bag and all that.
Am I excited? Of course, who wouldn't be excited to live abroad for five months and call it school?! I'm especially excited to be able to watch Sherlock along with the Brits (it already started for them yesterday) which will be great to have seen everything before my American friends. Sorry guys, I'll let you know what happens!
Also I have created a list of things that I want to do and all that jazz. It's not incredibly long but it's a good list of places to go and things to do. Here it is:
1. Make a good British friend (this is most important above all else!)
2. Celebrate the Chinese New Year
3. Go to London and visit my friends from Philly
4. Go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum (it's even at 221B Baker Street!)
5. Experience the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff
6. Go to Paris for my birthday
7. Visit my friend in Dublin
8. Go to a show (a British band would be preferred)
9. Take at least 5 half decent photographs
10. Go to Diagon Alley and get a butter beer.
Brilliant or not so brilliant, it is my list. If there is something that you think I missed let me know!
Also if you have my cell number and all that please do not text me! If you want to contact me, Facebook is the best way to do it. Skype would work too but I hate Skype, it's the worst program ever.
I'll post hopefully once more in the States but I most certainly will when I get a moment in the UK!
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