Here to stay, for a while

So, I arrived in Swansea on Thursday night, and first thing Friday morning went to move in my bags to my room. I'm up the hill and to the right. (hills, so fun for pulling luggage!) anyways I met my first flat mate when I brought in my luggage. Then it was off to Tesco (their super walmart, but much much better!), unfortunately they didn't have a phone for me to buy, so we took a bus to another part of town and on the bus my mom said I wonder if they have a Barnes & Nobles or something of the sort around here. Olivia said that she remembered seeing a Borders in London, and as soon as we stepped off the bus to go to Tesco Extra (it was even bigger, hard to imagine) there was a Borders right there. It was such a relief. I was in need of a Bible because mine from the States was too large, anyways we seriously thought we wouldn't find one, finally we did and there was only around 7 to choose from. Shows how religiously dead this area really is. That night I went on a taxi with some freshers back to the student village when we realized that the bob (bright orange bus - student bus to the city quadrant centre) wasn't running anymore that night. It was hard to say goodbye to my mom and sister, but also exciting at the same time to start a new adventure. That night I met two of my flat mates, Ceri-ann and Danielle, they are such sweet girls. I live with all freshers, so everyone is 18 or 19 except one of them is 21, he took some time off before coming to school. I also met some really neat people that live in the houses near me, also all freshers. They had so many questions it was crazy. They wanted to know all about me, and right away they said you're a Christian aren't you? and I was shocked, so they also wanted to know all about my faith and beliefs and the Bible too. It was a really cool experience, very scary at the same time. One of the guys was gay and told me that he thinks that I'm going to make him straight by the time I leave, I'm not really sure how to take that. But they all repeatedly tell me how much they love me already, its so awesome how they have taken to me, they have so much respect for me because of my beliefs and are interested to learn more. And I'm excited to share. We stayed up late that night just talking, and crazy thing is all their favorite show is Charmed, same as mine, and they love Friends too. And to top that they love my favorite movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I couldn't believe they've seen it, because very few people back home have. I woke up early the next morning, barely on time because my phone was set in pm rather than am so my alarm didn't go off. Anyways at that time I didn't know there was a shower downstairs and had to take a bath. Then I ran to the bus stop for our fieldtrip around Swansea for all the US students. I met alot of nice people, mainly from Iowa (reminded me of you, Jeff). And saw some beautiful landscapes of the coast, then we had time in town where I had a tour of the town to get a feel for everything. Then I went back to the flat around 4 and made cookies (the house desperately needed to smell like them rather than the smell it had) and some soup for dinner. My flat mates were absolutely amazed they said they had never had homemade cookies. This is when I met a few more of my flat mates. They are all really cool people, I like them a lot already. They are afraid I might want to leave because they've had several girls move in and out of my room since they've been there (which has only been a semester). But I like them. We stayed up really late, o my dear, I was so tired. Anyways they are very excited for me to turn 21. Also, there are a few Americans that live near me. Nick from Iowa and some guy I never want to see again from Oklahoma, he is so annoying and was absolutely wasted and gross. Anyways everyone is really great. I met up with some girls from University of Iowa today in town, my flat mate gave me a ride because she works here. We are at a local cafe using the internet until ours is set up at our flat. I'm very excited to continue to meet people. I'd love to hear from any of you!