City of... Bicycles

So, last weekend I went to Amsterdam with about 80 other Americans. It was absolutely incredible. We left Thursday evening around 5:30 via coach and ferry, and we didn't arrive until 9:30 am Friday morning (8:30 am British time). We watched Under Siege, which is actually a very entertaining movie. We weren't able to move into our rooms until after 2pm, so we were able to store all of our stuff into a room the hostel has. So, a bunch of us decided to go ahead and change in the restroom before going out. The people that I was planning on hanging out with ended up being in the second hostel, so I just joined another group where I really only knew these two guys. So, we all went to breakfast at this place called the Pancake Corner. It was lush, I had the Dutch specialty of Pofferjes, they are like tiny pancakes with powdered sugar. It started to snow at that point. And, we had to decide what we wanted to do for the next 3 hours that didn't include being outside. Most of the people wanted to go to the Anne Frank House, but for the price it didn't really peak my interest, so these two girls and I decided to go to the Van Gough museum. It was awesome, sadly though they had the Starry Night and blue phase in a special section that was not very obviously advertized, so we missed that. However, it will be flown back to New York soon, so it will be on my to see list. Then after the museum we explored briefly and then headed back to the hostel to move our stuff back in. After that it was right back out to walk around and see the city. We just walked the streets. The funny thing about Amsterdam is that each street pretty much is all one type of shop, for instance, we found antique shops and the whole street was full of it with all different focuses, like clocks versus tiles. It was really cool, I bought a swan figurine for ,50 euro. Which most of the places were around 700 euro for a tiny tea pot, granted it was from the 18th century. Then we went into the best priced souvenir shop, and the lady was talking to us and her son is currently a student teacher in Indiana. Which was cool because the girl I was with is from Illinois. And, this lady made all her own chocolates, but at this point we had to pass, but promised to come back Saturday. Then we found the largest floating flower shop, oh my, the flowers were gorgeous. We also, decided to go into a Cathedral. She had never been in one, and I wish it allowed photos, because it was exquisite. It was full of color and had 3 story high ceilings. It had beautiful stain glass windows and paintings on the walls. We each bought and lit a candle for someone we knew that had died. I lit mine for Grandma Daisy. Then we were going to meet up with some other people for dinner, but they didn't know where it was that we were telling them to meet. So, we just ended up going to this Italian Ristorante and had mushroom pizza, it was super tasty. Then after that we met up with two guys that came on the trip that are German, but also attend uni with us. And, we pub hopped our way to the middle of the town where the red light district was. We just briefly walked through it, just to see what it was. The funniest thing was that the canal in the middle of it there were swans just swimming around, they were absolutely beautiful. Then we made our way back to the hostel. I originally didn't want to go to Amsterdam because I was afraid of all the drugs since they were legal. And, well, people can't legally do them on the street they have to do them in a 'coffee shop', so it was extremely easy to avoid. The pubs/bars are not allowed to serve or let people do drugs in them and the coffee shops don't allow alcohol. So, I suppose since they regulate it its safer, I'm not sure. But, I was able to avoid people trying to sell stuff to me. There were plenty of people who did decide to try stuff. This girl and guy friend of mine tried for the first time a hash brownie, and since the marijuana is so much more pure there, it really ruined their night. They were in bed by 7:30, and it caused them to be ultra paranoid and the girl had an anxiety attack. Well, the girl they were with was staying in my room and she didn't do any of it and decided to babysit them in our 7 people room, which then meant 9 people in the room. So, turns out see felt like it was only fair to ask to share my bed with me, so needless to say I didn't get any sleep that night, and people decided to wake up at 7:30 am. But, Saturday was great and made up for it. First thing we did was rent bicycles and go to breakfast. Where I had a banana pancake with cinnamon. YUM! Then we biked from the west to the east, we were going to go to the zoo, but when we arrived we realized it was wayyy to expensive. So, we just rode around, which it was so nice rather than snowy like the day before. I had to, however, by a hat and gloves because it was a bit too nippy for anything but that. We also had the best hot chocolate at one place, and the night before I also had a chocolate mousse cake and before that a chocolate non-american style doughnut. They had the best desserts! Then that night I met up with all the other girls that I planned a secret Valentine's dinner with. There were 19 of us. We all met up and switched our gifts for our Valentine then went to another Italian ristorante. I had wanted to get Greek, but some of the girls had never had it and were afraid. So, currently remembering this I am now craving some Greek food. Anyways, then afterwards we all just sat in this Irish pub for pretty much the rest of the night. Later around 2am, a group of us decided to get pancakes from the Pancake Corner. Which then I banged my knee into a cement post, what happened is there was a huge group of people we were avoiding running into and had to move over, but in order to not walk on the streets had to weave in and out of these posts, well the two people I was behind quickly at the last second moved to avoid it and I didn't even see it at that point and BANG! So, that was discomforting. Then the next morning we ate breakfast at the hostel and made our way one last time on our bikes, we went and saw the windmill and came back, we only had an hour and a half. It was a lovely time. So, bicycles are the main way of transportation in Amsterdam, they have special bike lanes and lights. Also, it is so safe that no one wears helmets. And bikers have the right away even to pedestrians. They also have trams that run like buses, reminded me slightly of San Francisco. The canals are what separate every block and it is just beautifully set up. And, the architecture was so neat, between all the different houses and such. Oh, and they had public urinals, so weird. But, I guess to keep it clean. Also, bikes are locked without a rack, I mean they have them, but what they do is lock the back tire and the front, so then no one will be able to ride off with it. And, since no one really has cars they can't steal them that way. It was really cool. Anyways all in all it was an amazing city. And I recommend it to anyone. The bus ride home seemed to take forever, I was in and out of sleep. And, knit most of the time I was awake, I'm almost finished with my scarf. We also watched a whole season of Montarage (spelling?). It was interesting. Anyways I was put in charge of convincing the bus driver of dropping us off at the place where we all live, the guy in charge tried and the driver wouldn't listen to him, so he told me to try. I'm not really sure how it worked, but I luckily was able to convince him, the other bus wasn't so lucky they all had to get taxis or walk 2 miles back. So, school came back fast, I had most of my lectures on Monday, and then went to the CU (Christian Union) that night. Then today I woke up and ran with my friend Molly. And, tonight we are going to have a Bible study in Woody's, the local pub, I know the managers and they are going to let us in before hours, so we have a quiet, clean place to meet. Then after that I might go to this speed dating event which is entirely for charity. My friend and I were going to make up fake names and tell funny stories the whole time. Should be a blast. Anyways that's about it for now!

Bitter Sweet

It's been a while since I've updated, I'm going to try to update more often. The weekend after my birthday I came down with an awful cold, running a fever and everything. Every American seemed to get sick, some are still starting to get sick. I suppose we just aren't familiar with the germs over here. I'm finally getting over the toll of the sickness, just still have the sniffles. Then on Monday last week it started our week of snow. Classes were cancelled Tuesday through Thursday due to around 3-4 inches of snow. On Tuesday we had a massive snow fight in the student village, there were 100s of people running around throwing snow. But, once that was over we were all over the snow. Yesterday was the first day it didn't snow, but it rained. Which we were very thankful for. Last weekend was a very relaxing one, more of just rest and hanging out. On Saturday 7 of us ventured to town to Indian food and the cinema. We saw He's Just Not That Into You, which I must say is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. It was fantastic. Next on our list is Bride Wars and Seven Pounds. Sunday my friend Leslie came over and we had pancakes and just hung out talking, then later I made shortbread cookie cake (cuz there's no where sanitary to roll out cookie dough) and it was lush. I made that with Courtney. Monday I had lectures, 1 one hour World History - we learned about the Reformation of the churches; then an hour break, then one time only seminar class for World History where we read a part of Luther's Appeal to the Princes. Then off to my favorite class, Intro to Dante's World. Which is two hours long. So, that was a very long day. Not to mention the fact that I ran to lectures that morning at 8:20, it's 2.25 miles. Then a bunch of us met to discuss the cruise that we are planning on going to for spring break. It leaves out of Athens on March 30, and is only 4 nights, and has two stops in one day sometimes, its just of the Greek Islands and Ephesis, so it should be amazing! The rest of the trip hasn't been planned out quite yet, but it is 4 weeks long and the cruise is the second week. I also made chicken pot pie (which Tam loved) which is going to last me until Thursday when we leave to go to Amsterdam for the weekend! A bunch of us girls, 19 to be exact, are going to have a dinner on Saturday (Valentine's day) and we drew names and are having secret Valentine's just to make things a bit more fun! We also plan to see the Van Gough museam and Ann Frank's house. It should be a great trip! Today I'm going to do my pilates work out and then head to town with Julie and Bethany and we're going to find some bleach and highlight my hair because the roots are awful, and we're going to create our own scattegories so that way we don't have to buy one! Should be tons of fun!

Wow, Sorry I'm behind!

Mmmm this past week has been busy!!!! We finished up the last week of lectures for the American students only, and today started our courses. Here's a quick run through up til now. Last Monday was mainly just classes and going out to town. I make American pancakes and the girls I live with thought they were just lush, they had never had them before, their version of pancakes is the rest of the world's version of crepes. Which I also made this week. Tuesday was just a day of exhaustion, I could have attended an inaguration party and been on the news here, but I was absolutely knackered. So, I just took a really long nap instead then played some pool. Then Wednesday I was supposed to go to the boys' rugby game, but it was rained out, so a bunch of us, Americans, went to town, Jori and I went clothes shopping and then to Tesco. Then I made some brownies, which I'm going to make a different kind in just a bit. Then we went out to town again that night, but this time I left a little early with some friends and we signed up at this casino which gives you 5 pounds free for signing up, so we just gambled that and then left when it was gone, it was fun. Thursday was yet another day of relaxation, there was supposed to be karaoke at the pub, but it was cancelled since people were still in exams. So, next week. Anyways so my roommate and I decided to just watch a movie, then the other two girls joined us. We watched She's the Man. Friday night I couldn't be asked to want to stay out late, so I got ready to go out, but everything was so crowded that I didnt even stay to go in, I just came back with another friend who didn't want to wait either. I also decided to wash my clothes that day, quite the fun time, I washed them in the bath tub after cleaning the bath tub, cuz the machines are worthless and expensive, then I went to bring them down to the dryer just to pay for the heat not even to turn off, so just an hour of rolling my clothes, so I had to put them up in the boiler room, which is now going to be my standard way of washing clothes, hand wash and hang dry. Saturday we went on a field trip to the lovely city of bath. Oh, it was so fun. We were able to see these natural hot spring baths that are ages old. Then we walked around town, had a Sally Lunn bun, which is a famous place apparently. Then we went to this area where there are really nice homes called the Circus and Royal Crescent. Also, every building there matched, a white stone look, its so pretty. Then we played putt putt, it was so cold yet sooooo fun. There was one point when we were waiting for the green and I was standing on the number post, then when it was our turn I jumped down, not thinking oh wet grass it'll make me slip, and I did slip and land right on my bum in the mud. It was soo funny, great times. Then right before we left we stopped at this lovely, lush fudge place, named what? San Francisco Fudge. Oh they love American food here. Then that night I watched the Shining and part of Forgetting Sarah Marshall with my roommates before deciding to go to bed. Sunday, next week I am going to church with this new girl from Colorado that I met on Wednesday, she's really sweet. But this week we still didn't know of anywhere to go, so its our mission to find somewhere before this Sunday, which is superbowl Sunday! Anyways yesterday I went running, which I haven't been on a run in what a year and a half maybe? A long time. I ran to the beach with my friend Nathan who runs 15 miles often. It was a slow more like jog though, which was better on my ankle. It was 2.5 miles to the beach and then a 2.5 mile walk back. It felt so good though, even though I'm in so much pain right now from it. Then the rest of the day I just sort of lounged around with my roommates. Then at midnight the pub in our Village gave me on the house (its nice to know all the employees) my first drink ever. I had a slushie with a shot of cherry vodka and a shot of smirnoff. I didn't drink all of it by myself mainly cuz I hate slushies, but it sounded the best at the time. I told everyone to take a sip, so really I hardly had any at all, but it still counts. All in all its been a great week. Tonight we are going to TGI Friday's and then out to town again, and I started classes today, World History 1500-1800 and Intro to Dante's World (which seems really awesome). Oh yea, and Happy Chinese New Year, and its my birthday, 21! :D

rainy days of fun

So, yesterday we went to Cardiff for a few hours. It was really fun, except we were all shattered (really tired). There was an hour ride to this Welsh museum which was really cool because it was really just this old little village that you could walk through. And ceiling and door heights signaled status, so some of the door frames were less than a half inch taller than me. It was a lovely little play and it also had a "castle", which really was just a mansion house and beautiful gardens. Some of the girls and I just took our time mosing around this lovely place, it would be even more beautiful come spring when everything is blooming, but just imagining helped as well. Then we went to City Centre of Cardiff and walked around in all the shops looking for clothing deals, I didn't really find any that suited my budget and size and taste but a lot of others did, so it was fun to get on the bus and see what everyone chose! We were shattered because Friday night we went to the club on campus, can you believe it ON CAMPUS! It'd be like a club in Talley. There were a ton of people there but we mostly all knew each other. That's the best thing about a smaller school! Anyways so we came back from Cardiff around half past 5 and everyone split to go home, but almost all my flat mates went home for the weekend, so my neighbor mates and I decided to go play a little pool at the lounge area bar which is located in the student village where I live, best comparison would be Wolf Village but with a bar. Only students are allowed in this bar so its a very chill place just to hang out with some friends, watch rugby or music videos, play pool or fuseball. And then last night after heading down to Woody's (the bar) I met this girl from UNCW, UNCW sent around 15 students over here. Anyways the wild thing about meeting here is, well I didn't know this until just now, but... I left UFCA in the 8th grade, and I remember hearing about the new girl that came in 9th grade, well what do you know I meet that girl in another country! How wild? I'm actually excited to tell her I too attended UFCA. For those of you who don't know UFCA is a small private school, less than 30 to a class, so to have attended the same school is pretty rare! She's coming out with us for my birthday! Which is in a week, I'm so excited, everyone every day reminds me of the countdown. I made an event today and already almost 30 people are going to attend, its so awesome to have met so many amazing people, they are all just so fun loving and a great joy to be around! I also finally unpacked and organized my room, well most of it still a few more clothes to put away, but at least they aren't in suitcases. And already I have a load of laundry, that's what happens when it rains all the time and your trousers get muddy quickly. Oh, and another fun detail, one of my flat mates, Matt reminds me of my cousin, Kenny. It is uncanny, they make the same facial expressions and everything its great! Miss everyone talk to you all soon again!

living in a dream world

Class is quite neat, we are learning about British history, politics, music, cinema and culture. Last night most of us Americans we went out to the town, it was quite fun. A few of my welsh flat mates attended along with us. Tonight is going to be more of a quiet night, and hopefully going to sleep early. I have a feeling that it may turn into a girl night since one of my flat mates just broke up with her boyfriend today. Last night the girls straightened my hair, I forgot what I looked like with straight hair, and wow my hair is so long now! It's very exciting. There are a bunch of birthdays coming up in the next few weeks including mine, so its going to be very exciting! I love the language here, they say things like lush and call snobs posh and just all these fun words. I'm friends with practically the whole rugby team, so next Wednesday we're going to the rugby match, I'm excited to see my first match! Right now everyone is revising for their term finals, a lot of people are going home this weekend for a day or so. Their grading system if funny, the highest grade is a 70, so you have to get a 40 to pass. The phones are nice here, you don't have to pay for an incoming call nor incoming texts, only when you call or text someone yourself. And text is cheaper than calls, so text is the number one form of getting in touch with someone here, which is way different from how I'm use to. I also find myself saying darling and love all the time now, its funny how things just start to catch on. They comment all the time how when I'm not even trying to sound British (which I do on occassion) that some words I say are now always British. So, its a fun experience. If you have any specific questions shoot me an email and I'll be sure to answer them! xxx (the British thing to do at the end of a message, it means kisses aka much love!)

3 in the morning

Okay so, where did i leave off? It is so different here that everyone can drink at the age 18. All my flat mates are 18, 19, and one 21 and so they all drink. So, there's a ton of night life. Oh, and they stay up forever. So, every night I've been up just talking and hanging out til 3 amish. I've made cookies twice and they are absolutely amazed. One of them calls me Mary Poppins. All of the Americans are awesome. And every person is excited for me to be 21, in 13 days! I told them that I will only try one drink then, and that I won't be spending money on alcohol, and they assured me they'd be more than willing to pay. I've started orientation and the classes they have for us. Its going well. I'm about to be starting lecture now. I'm rather tired, so I can't really remember what all I thought I would say. They say really awesome things too, and I've convinced several Americans and one Welsh student I'm from here with my accent its so fun!
Anyways I'll try to update again soon!

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!