Day #11
LAUNDRY TIME! What an adventure. Since one wash cycle is 2.60 pounds (highway robbery) and a dry cycle is another 1.80 (ridiculous), one of my house mates and I went in on a wash together, and decided to forego the dry. Consequently, we have transformed our rooms and the stairs railing into out drying racks. It may take (MUCH) longer, but I'm happy knowing I've saved enough money to finance a one-way bus ticket into town. Also, my room smells pleasantly like detergent. Hooray!
My tickets have been ordered for the 6 plays we are seeing in my theatre (note the British spelling) module (note the British word). First show is this Thursday!
I am Canterbury Cathedral bound tomorrow! Still deciding which character I should impersonate while pretending to make the pilgrimage. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Day #10
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Although I had to get up at 7 this morning (and did not have access to any caffeine), my first day of classes went swimmingly (heh heh)! It turns out that I only need to actually buy 2 books, one of which was only 2 pounds! I also walked to the City Centre today (saving them moneys where I can) and got to pet a total of 4 dogs. Needless to say, today was a success.
After we got back to our house, one of my house mates and I made tacos for dinner, complete with cucumbers, cheese, lettuce, toasted taco shells, and some day old (code for still delicious but much less expensive) baguette. And for dessert, chocolate chip cookies! I promise I didn't eat all of the batter.
Time for some homework, Buffy, and well-deserved rest. Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Day #9
The trip to Leeds Castle finally arrived!! Even though the bus was slower than molasses (I thought we were going to come to a standstill and start rolling back down the hill), we did eventually get there and it was definitely worth the wait. Our trip coincided with the Festival of Flowers, so we were able to see 30 gorgeous arrangements in and outside of the castle. I took some pictures with friends, some of whom are international students like me, and others who decided to create their own religion so they could divorce and marry again in an attempt to produce a male heir.
The trip to Leeds Castle finally arrived!! Even though the bus was slower than molasses (I thought we were going to come to a standstill and start rolling back down the hill), we did eventually get there and it was definitely worth the wait. Our trip coincided with the Festival of Flowers, so we were able to see 30 gorgeous arrangements in and outside of the castle. I took some pictures with friends, some of whom are international students like me, and others who decided to create their own religion so they could divorce and marry again in an attempt to produce a male heir.
With classes starting tomorrow, I'm turning in early. Wish me luck!
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Day #8
The study lounge has been located, and I want everyone to know that I have already picked out my favorite seat. I did a little pre-course reading so that I can impress my professors and they won't think that I'm an ignorant American. Fingers crossed!
Just as important was our discovery of how to work our oven, and our pizza success! Appetizers for dinner included bread, butter, and Buffy. Needless to say, a perfect meal.
My new go-to friendship pitch is to say "wow, I was really hoping to meet some people tonight, but I haven't met anyone yet" loudly enough for people to hear me. Tonight, this resulted in two friends who are also Doctor Who fans, which automatically qualifies them for "Insta-friend" status.
Tomorrow is the university sanctioned trip to Leeds Castle, during which I plan to appreciate lots of architecture and eat lots of good food. Cheers!
The study lounge has been located, and I want everyone to know that I have already picked out my favorite seat. I did a little pre-course reading so that I can impress my professors and they won't think that I'm an ignorant American. Fingers crossed!
Just as important was our discovery of how to work our oven, and our pizza success! Appetizers for dinner included bread, butter, and Buffy. Needless to say, a perfect meal.
My new go-to friendship pitch is to say "wow, I was really hoping to meet some people tonight, but I haven't met anyone yet" loudly enough for people to hear me. Tonight, this resulted in two friends who are also Doctor Who fans, which automatically qualifies them for "Insta-friend" status.
Tomorrow is the university sanctioned trip to Leeds Castle, during which I plan to appreciate lots of architecture and eat lots of good food. Cheers!
Friday, September 26, 2014
Day #7
Into town again today, this time to visit a proper English grocery store and buy food to prepare in our kitchen! In the absence of a meal plan, I am learning very quickly how important my few skills are that I acquired from the Field Club this summer (thanks, Eileen!). Armed with chicken breasts, celery, cranberries, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and fresh lettuce, I set out to make The Perfect Chicken Salad Sandwich Ever. Achievement unlocked: master chef.
After the excitement of new food, I went to the club fair to check out what the University of Kent has to offer. It turns out, a whole lot (including my favorite: free merchandise). I signed up for a few mailing lists, got a couple stickers, saw a lot of strange and exciting clubs.
I just hope these people outside my window either relocate or go to bed soon. On the flip side, this is the first time it's been even a little loud near my room, so the rest of the time has been great!
Into town again today, this time to visit a proper English grocery store and buy food to prepare in our kitchen! In the absence of a meal plan, I am learning very quickly how important my few skills are that I acquired from the Field Club this summer (thanks, Eileen!). Armed with chicken breasts, celery, cranberries, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and fresh lettuce, I set out to make The Perfect Chicken Salad Sandwich Ever. Achievement unlocked: master chef.
After the excitement of new food, I went to the club fair to check out what the University of Kent has to offer. It turns out, a whole lot (including my favorite: free merchandise). I signed up for a few mailing lists, got a couple stickers, saw a lot of strange and exciting clubs.
I just hope these people outside my window either relocate or go to bed soon. On the flip side, this is the first time it's been even a little loud near my room, so the rest of the time has been great!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Day #6
Today three of my friends and I adventured to Brighton! Not only did we successfully navigate public transportation, but I had my first official fish and chips, and was nearly eaten by hungry seagulls! And, just in case any of you were wondering, I did not pull a Lydia Bennet and run off with a man from the militia.
We took a lot of artsy pictures (I mean a lot. You might even get the wrong idea and start thinking we were a little bit hipster.), and walked along the beach and the Brighton Pier. Strangely enough, I keep finding that people think American accents are interesting. I don't know why, but I'll certainly take it!
Today three of my friends and I adventured to Brighton! Not only did we successfully navigate public transportation, but I had my first official fish and chips, and was nearly eaten by hungry seagulls! And, just in case any of you were wondering, I did not pull a Lydia Bennet and run off with a man from the militia.
We took a lot of artsy pictures (I mean a lot. You might even get the wrong idea and start thinking we were a little bit hipster.), and walked along the beach and the Brighton Pier. Strangely enough, I keep finding that people think American accents are interesting. I don't know why, but I'll certainly take it!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Day #5
Today started off with another informative international meeting, followed by a trip into town where I met a few young chaps who seemed pretty cool I guess.
Today started off with another informative international meeting, followed by a trip into town where I met a few young chaps who seemed pretty cool I guess.
After a fun day in town, we went to the FREE (this is key) welcome dinner for Eliot College, the oldest school at Kent and the college of which I am a part. Since we stayed so long, they gave us some food to take home as well. Hello dinner for the upcoming week!
Tomorrow I head off to Brighton early, so turning in early is essential. So are a few episodes of Buffy.
Pictured below is the wonderful sweater- sorry, i mean jumper that I purchased for 8 pounds in the boys section in a store in town. Not too shabby, eh?
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Day #4
A day jam-packed with events! Here's a bit what my schedule looked like:
11:30- International Students Welcome Talk.
Highlights: The presenter acted out an English bartender being really annoyed with French people and vice versa. Hilarity ensued.
3:00- Theatrical Introduction.
Highlights: Picture a dude with shaggy hair and glasses and a curly mustache and goofy goatee and a suit far too large and a weird accent that was supposed to pass as American. They tell us this guy graduated from Stanford and Harvard with a PhD by the age of 23 and is doing research on alcohol in university students. He tells us that they've done studies proving that students who drink casually generally do better in school because they are under less stress.
THEN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT HE RIPS OFF HIS TIE AND JACKET AND WIG AND GLASSES AND IS STILL GOOFY BUT WEARING A T-SHIRT AND JEANS AND GUESS WHAT THE UNIVERSITY TRICKED US HARDCORE. Then he proceeded to tell us about university life and we all had a good laugh together.
7:00- International Welcome Dinner.
Highlights: Meeting friends, a 3 course meal, and the entire thing was free! Pictures to follow of my beautiful salad with beets and delicious cheesecake.
9:00- 90's dance.
Highlights: Spice Girls and Backstreet boys, here I come.
It's only day 4? Seriously??
A day jam-packed with events! Here's a bit what my schedule looked like:
11:30- International Students Welcome Talk.
Highlights: The presenter acted out an English bartender being really annoyed with French people and vice versa. Hilarity ensued.
3:00- Theatrical Introduction.
Highlights: Picture a dude with shaggy hair and glasses and a curly mustache and goofy goatee and a suit far too large and a weird accent that was supposed to pass as American. They tell us this guy graduated from Stanford and Harvard with a PhD by the age of 23 and is doing research on alcohol in university students. He tells us that they've done studies proving that students who drink casually generally do better in school because they are under less stress.
THEN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT HE RIPS OFF HIS TIE AND JACKET AND WIG AND GLASSES AND IS STILL GOOFY BUT WEARING A T-SHIRT AND JEANS AND GUESS WHAT THE UNIVERSITY TRICKED US HARDCORE. Then he proceeded to tell us about university life and we all had a good laugh together.
7:00- International Welcome Dinner.
Highlights: Meeting friends, a 3 course meal, and the entire thing was free! Pictures to follow of my beautiful salad with beets and delicious cheesecake.
9:00- 90's dance.
Highlights: Spice Girls and Backstreet boys, here I come.
It's only day 4? Seriously??
Monday, September 22, 2014
I took the bus into the City Centre (spelled real British-like) to buy the necessities I didn't bring with me. Not only was Wilko a roaring success of a store, but the stops are "totes adorbs," (see picture above) which is apparently how British people think Americans talk. All of the buildings are massive, ancient, and very close to the road which made me nervous on a double decker bus. University of Kent is uphill from the City Centre, so on the way back I was treated to the gorgeous rolling countryside with the city, complete with castle-like architecture and a cathedral, in the background.
A very nice man selling fresh produce also complimented my accent and wished me happy studies, which was very nice of him and made me feel much better about my ignorant American ways.
My friends and I did not technically win at quiz night in the way that we got the most points... but I like to think we won in the way that we had the most fun. And really, that's what's important.
Watching Mean Girls in pajamas was an ideal way to close out the night, as always.
Cheers!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Day #2
Lots of airport. More sleep than expected, but still nodding off everywhere. Extreme jet lag. Financial aid. No functional outlet converters. No sheets. No floss. Logistics.
HOWEVER
My room is wonderful, my flatmates are from Vermont, Sussex, Norway, and Japan (Kayla, she was very impressed with the 4 phrases I knew), the pizza is delicious, the campus is beautiful (even in my groggy state), and I am making a list of upcoming events while we plan how to decorate our flat and achieve our goal in being simultaneously the most adorable and the classiest flat on campus, possibly the world. We each have a cabinet in the kitchen which we plan on using to leave each other adorable and classy notes.
I have learned quite a few differences between American and British slang. For example:
#1. "Pissed" does not mean angry.
#2. "Pants" are not interchangeable with "trousers".
#3. "IT'S A FOOTBALL PITCH, KIM."
Also, happy almost 50th birthday, University of Kent!
Lots of airport. More sleep than expected, but still nodding off everywhere. Extreme jet lag. Financial aid. No functional outlet converters. No sheets. No floss. Logistics.
HOWEVER
My room is wonderful, my flatmates are from Vermont, Sussex, Norway, and Japan (Kayla, she was very impressed with the 4 phrases I knew), the pizza is delicious, the campus is beautiful (even in my groggy state), and I am making a list of upcoming events while we plan how to decorate our flat and achieve our goal in being simultaneously the most adorable and the classiest flat on campus, possibly the world. We each have a cabinet in the kitchen which we plan on using to leave each other adorable and classy notes.
I have learned quite a few differences between American and British slang. For example:
#1. "Pissed" does not mean angry.
#2. "Pants" are not interchangeable with "trousers".
#3. "IT'S A FOOTBALL PITCH, KIM."
Also, happy almost 50th birthday, University of Kent!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
"This could possibly be the best day ever, but the forecast says that tomorrow will likely be a million and six times better!"
-Phineas and Ferb
Airports are fascinating. All the accents, languages, agendas, and people, all living lives independently of one another. And outlets. Outlets are good.
According to a cool hipster sign in a Starbucks next to me, London is approximately 3280 miles away, Frankfurt 3671 miles away. Less than two hours left until my flight.
As a sign off, have a picture of my father wearing Hufflepuff paraphernalia. How great is he?
-Phineas and Ferb
Airports are fascinating. All the accents, languages, agendas, and people, all living lives independently of one another. And outlets. Outlets are good.
According to a cool hipster sign in a Starbucks next to me, London is approximately 3280 miles away, Frankfurt 3671 miles away. Less than two hours left until my flight.
As a sign off, have a picture of my father wearing Hufflepuff paraphernalia. How great is he?
Friday, September 19, 2014
320 days of traveling starts tomorrow with my flight departing from Logan at 10:40pm and landing in Heathrow at 10:05am. Excitement is building. Suitcases are packed (mostly?). Documentation is printed. As a very wise Doctor once said, "Allons-y!"
To quote one more eloquent doctor,
"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"
Right on, Theodor. Write on.
To quote one more eloquent doctor,
"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"
Right on, Theodor. Write on.
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