Mediterranean here I come!

So exactly 25 minutes until we start our spring break excursion to Rome, Venice, Athens, Corfu, and Santorini! I'm nervous but also excited, running on a tiny bit of sleep and adreneline (notice our taxi comes at 1:30 AM)! But before I go, I just want to say that I have been so blessed to have Amy and Mom, UB and Ty visit these past two weeks...Seeing them really gave me the boost I needed to not be homesick. I love all of you and miss everyone! Please pray for me and the rest of my friends traveling with me, for protection, safety, good health, and fun! Ciao!!

Gold Cup Race Week!!

Welcome to Gold Cup Race Week!! It's the biggest, most famous week in Cheltenham because of the world-famous horse races going on! Every hotel and b&b is booked, and has been for months. It's a huge event, with thousands of Irishmen coming out. Ladbrokes, the betting store, is PACKED with people shellling out money like crazy. Every bar and pub in town whipped out "Guiness" signs and all the stores are hopping. It's like Black Friday at home...except with higher prices rather than deals lol. All the stores have fresh inventory and all the restaurants are totally soaking in the extra crowds. This restaurant/bar near Regency had a "Race Breakfast" this morning, in addition to a champagne breakfast and when I walked by it was packed. So many people talking horses with Racing Times in hand. There are even people parked on the side of the road, radio on, following the action. Not to mention so many expensive, even antique cars and limos around. When I was walking back from class today (which let out in a half hour because only 3 of us showed up!), there were throngs of men in smart, classy suits, newspaper in hand, heading to the Races. I passed dozens of Irishmen chatting in their tweed caps and women with their umbrellas and fancy hats. I must have looked so goofy with my huge grin but I really wanted to just say "top o' the mornin'" or something! It's just such a European event. I mean, there will even be members of the Royal Family at the races! There's just an air of excitement...maybe because people bet too much money and are afraid they'll lose lol.. I don't know. But I feel like I'm in an episode of Wildfire (was I the only one who watched that show? lol). But anyway, this week it's just exciting to be in the same area of all this action, even if I'm not witnessing jockeys and stallions firsthand :)

Stonehenge, Portsmouth, and my Birthday!

Continuing from the last post...

Last weekend we took a trip to Stonehenge and Portsmouth with BCA and it was a lot of fun. Stonehenge was really neat to see since it's so famous. The history behind it, like how the rocks came all the way from Wales somehow, is crazy. But it was cool, a little boring but now I can say I saw it at least!

Portsmouth is a gorgeous coastal town, the oldest port in England. It reminded me a bit of home because the buildings were more modern and there were outlets and stuff. I loved how they had so many cafes and outdoor seating areas overlooking the marina and all the beautiful ships. We went up in the Spinnaker Tower which was this huge tower that you could see panoramic views of the town and the ocean. Really cool. I even stood on a glass floor looking down at the ground so far down...scary but cool. We ate a delicious meal (half a roast chicken, chips and vine roasted tomatoes!) at the Old Customs House which was so cute. It was nice to eat a great meal with a bunch of friends and just be near the ocean :)

On Sunday we saw the Mary Rose, this 500 year old ship that is being restored. They took it out of the ocean virtually intact and they are preserving it. Really cool. I'm such a history nerd lol. Then we went for a tour on the HMS Victory, a royal navy ship first launched in 1765 famous for its use in the Battle of Trafalgar. We got to see all the decks, hear about life on the ship, which was really brutal, and learn about the history. I loved it-so interesting! So the weekend was really fun and I really enjoyed just having a little retreat from Cheltenham!

So my birthday was wonderful because I have the best parents and friends in the world! Dad and Shari sent Steph and I a party in a box (which we will have soon!), a ton of yummy food, books, the Step Up 2 dvd, gorgeous jewelery, and the Compassionart cd/dvd. Check it out-it's absolutely amazing and all the proceeds go to dozens of charities!! I'm obsessed. Mom and Ub sent us beautiful jewelery and PEEPS! I can't wait for them to come in a little over 2 weeks! Our friends here bought Steph and I each a huge, amazing teacup and saucer and tea which was so sweet :) I got so many cards from friends and family, and just feel overwhelmingly loved and blessed. I could not ask for more!

Galway, Ireland

So I am really behind on blogging-sorry! Since it's been almost a month and so much has happened, I'm just going to briefly recap, with some elaboration :)

On the 19th of February, Me, Steph, Dan, Stacey, Heather, Mike, Mollie and Emily went to Galway, Ireland for a four day weekend...It was the most fantastic, beautiful trip ever. Our hostel was nice, with very helpful and friendly staff, free breakfast of toast and cereal, and free internet. It was our first hostel experience and it wasn't bad, although a bit interesting at points lol. Funny stories that I can share in more detail in person! So the town of Galway is so beautiful; the quintessential Irish town. I loved the accents, the hospitality of the people, it just has a unique and wonderful culture and feel to the town. We ate at the King's Head Pub, built in the 1500's, and had the best cheeseburgers with irish cheddar that I've had since I left the U.S. MMM! We went in the Cathedral where Christopher Columbus attended some services, walked along the beautiful coastline of the Galway Bay, checked out the Spanish Arch, and ate delicious crepes from Zatsuma, our favorite eatery. One of my favorite memories is eating a yummy crepe outside of Zatsuma at night, listening to street performers make sweet rhythms on their drums, watching two adorable kids dance to the music...so memorable and it made me feel so alive!

The third day, we took a nine hour bus tour to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher...Incredible landscape, countryside, coastline, and majestic rugged cliffs jutting into the Atlantic Ocean...Words cannot describe how breathtaking the views were...The landscape was exceptional, with dozens of miles of green pastures etched by stone walls, enclosing sheep and other cattle..We saw so much-definitely worth 18 euros! So that's Ireland for you...

If you ever get the chance, go to Ireland...it is amazing.

London on Valentine's Day!

On Saturday, we went to London for the first time and it was fantastic! Play-by-play: We woke up at 5AM and got the bus at 6:45 (running for it of course) and got to London a little after 10. LONG busride but fortunately I slept a lot. According to Heather, I twitch a lot in my sleep. I attribute it to the jerky Megabus. Anyway, we were dropped of at Victoria Station and headed straight for Buckingham Palace. It wasn't quite as big as I expected and there was no changing of the guards on that day, but the gates were beautifully detailed with real gold tips and the "bobbys" guarding it. The statues in front were also incredibly intricate. Then we walked through St. James park, kind of a let down because they were doing construction and the pond was drained. So it basically was like a big mud pit haha. From there we walked to Trafalgar Square, snapping pictures of everything along the way. I especially liked all the unique taxis, each advertising a different product. Colourful though! Trafalgar Square was equally as beautiful with the Gallery of Art juxtaposed with the fountain and large lion statues. Emily thought they looked like Aslan from Chronicles of Narnia and took a picture with the lion haha. Then we ate a yummy lunch at Lil Frankie's, an Italian place on Trafalgar Square. I had delicious spinach and ricotta canneloni (not British I know but I couldn't help myself!). Then Heather, Stace and I shared the "Godfather," a heavenly chocolate and vanilla ice cream plus brownies, whipped cream, fudge, etc....mmmm. We enjoyed the quaint atmosphere and heat, even though Dan had to constantly close the door to the restaurant because of the draft lol. Then we hit some classic tourist shops and picked out postcards. I also bought a beautiful purple and gold scarf, which I put on right away. Next, it was time for Big Ben...When we rounded the corner, there he was. Surreal. You see it in movies, The Parent Trap, What a Girl Wants, Winning London...but I was actually standing in front of it. WOW. It was gorgeous. The most gorgeous, gigantic clock I've ever seen. Like I've seen a lot. We glanced at the Parliament buildings and Westminster Abbey, but took ages taking pictures of Big Ben. Then, we headed to the tube..Dun Dun Dun.

The tube was scary, interesting, fast, and claustrophobic. We bought day passes and hopped on to get to Tower Hill-where the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge (commonly mislabeled the London Bridge. There is none, friends.)are; across town. The first ride wasn't bad, albeit a bit jerky. The Tower of London was a bit disappointing to just look at, although the history behind it is fascinating. We went to the Tower Bridge which was by far my favorite part of London. Maybe it's genetic from Dad or something ;) The Bridge was massive, detailed as ever, and had fantastic views of the whole city and the Thames River. We walked across the whole thing and then chilled along the one side for a while. It was sort of like a boardwalk (minus the funnel cake and shops), but with lampposts and strings of lights that I'm sure looked incredible at night. I took countless pictures and just sat there for a while taking it all in. We saw a couple taking their wedding photos in front of the bridge which was so romantic and beautiful. On Valentine's Day none the less. It was picture perfect!

The tube ride to and from Picadilly Circus (which was a lot like NYC to me; and we didn't spend barely any time there) was horrendous. We all held hands through the crowds so we wouldn't lose each other. We pushed and shoved our way onto a completely packed subway to get back to Victoria Station. Steph, Dan and Miranda didn't make in on but got the next subway and we all met up again, thankfully. It was an experience that I'll never forget. And despite the craziness, it made me more confident that we can do spring break on our own!

The rest is boring except that my Starbucks card worked and I got a Carmel Machiatto (thanks Ty!). But the busride back was longgg and I practically collapsed by the time I got back to my room. It was a great, memorable, day.

So up next is GALWAY, IRELAND on THURSDAY!! We leave early in the morning and get back on Sunday afternoon. I cannot wait!! It should be a great weekend :) Pray for safety! Love and miss you all so much. xoxo

Blessings

So I'm just feeling really blessed and wanted to share some of the ways God has blessed me in the past few days...

He's surrounded me with amazing, wonderful friends here with whom I can share so many fun experiences and laughs, not to mention my amazing friends back home who I miss a lot :)
He's blessed me with this incredible opportunity to study, live, learn and experience another culture and country-an opportunity that is so precious and priceless.
I'm so blessed that my family supports and loves me and that I have the financial means to do something like this!
I'm so blessed that God has a plan for my life that is bigger and grander than I could ever imagine.
God is doing big things here in England...which is amazing!
I'm so thankful that I am healthy and able to be independent.

So last weekend we went on a short-ish hike (not the 100 mile one) up to Cleeve Hill. It was the most breath-taking, incredible view ever. Wow. Words and pictures cannot describe God's creation and beauty! I could see for miles all of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds. Even though it was a long and rugged hike, I can't wait to go again tomorrow! If the whole Cotswold Way is this beautiful, I'm in for an incredible experience come May...

Tomorrow Stacey's friend from Switzerland is also coming for a few days so that should be fun! We're going bowling tomorrow night and to Bristol on Saturday. Spring break planning is well underway and we're about ready to book things..EEK! (that's for you Heather!) Right now, the plan is to go to Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Athens, and Santorini. We're also hoping to take weekend trips to Paris, Barcelona, somewhere in Ireland, and possibly Prague...So we'll see!

Lots of love xoxo

Bath Time! (and other no-so-interesting stuff)

Wow I feel like it's been forever since I last updated this! The past week has been eventful. I'm getting used to classes and they were better last week. I'm trying to work ahead and be productive, especially on my days off (mondays and wednesdays). My feature writing class (similar to like, newswriting) is actually my fav. class even though I was really intimidated by it at first. I think it might be really good! I've started running with Steph and Stacey too, which is good. I've been keeping up so far. We run every other day at Pittville Park, which is this gorgeous park close to our flat. I'm not sure how far we're running but all I know is I'm sore today! I'm trying to work up to three miles because Mollie, Mike, Emily and Miranda run to the foothills and hike up (about three miles). It's absolutely breathtaking at the top, so I'd really like to be able to do that. We'll see. Hopefully! We're also planning a week-long hiking trip after spring break. We're going to hike the Cotswold's Way, a 100 mile stretch of beautiful countryside here in England. Hopefully it will all work out! We're also trying to plan spring break and coordinate everything. It's proving wayy more difficult than anticipated.

In more exciting news, Friday entailed shopping with Carly (a really nice Brit who we talk to while making dinner every night), a dinner out at Golden Mountain chinese, and movie and ice cream (and more episodes of Friends!).

BCA took us to Bath on Saturday for the day. It is the ruins of the Roman empire's baths in England. They're these majestic baths built around a natural hot spring for a Roman goddess. Very sweet with lots of history. The town is also adorable with windy streets of cute row houses in unique colors and styles. We saw Pulteney Bridge which looks like this famous bridge in Florence. Beautiful! We also ate Cornish Pastys (traditional English pastry with meat and potatoes inside), were serenaded by street performers (clothed and in thongs with fire...interesting), almost got killed by psycho pigeons, and trekked up to the Royal Crescent-this awesome crescent shaped set of buildings overlooking the town. It was quite a day and I was soo pooped by the time I got home.

Overall, I've been learning a lot about British culture (including the EU), and how to love others as Jesus did and does. It's a humbling experience, but I really feel like God has a bigger plan for me than I have for myself. He has so much to teach me and I have to be willing to listen and learn. I'm so blessed to be building strong, awesome friendships and making memories. For these things, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude. I stepped back today on my way to FCH and was like, I'm in ENGLAND! How freaking cool is that?! Thanks so much for reading this-hope I didn't bore you to death :)

"Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love." -St. Francis of Assisi

Two interesting things about England:

• Tuck in means dig in (like dig into your food)
• Notes are what we would call dollar bills
• Quid is their slang term for a pound (like cash for us)

Gloucester and Harry Potter

So yesterday we visited Gloucester and the cathedral where they filmed parts of Harry Potter. Even though I don't read or watch Harry Potter, it was really neat to see the cathedral. It was absolutely breathtaking with huge pillars, an enormous nave and vaulted ceiling, and 18 little chapels through all the floors! Everywhere I looked was a delicate detail. It's just incredible how they built something like that so long ago and it's still standing and they had very few tools. No cranes or forklifts back then (construction started in 1089!). This adorable old man tour guide took us on a private tour into the crypts! Sounds extremely creepy, but crypts were really just the first part of the building that was constructed-not really tombs. However, many monks died down there and the bones of thousands of people were once housed there too. It was really cool to hear about each little room down there because our guide knew about everything. There was this courtyard within the cathedral with a fountain and just massive view of the steeple. The Cloisters were also amazing- long corridors with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. That's where they filmed Harry Potter. Words or even pictures can't describe the beauty of Gloucester Cathedral. I will try to put up some pics though.

After touring the cathedral, we walked around Gloucester in some shops, ate fish and chips in a pub called the Union, and made our way back to school via a 50 p bus. A cheap, fun, day trip all in all. We didn't see much but it was really cold out and there wasn't much else to see. But if I was floored by that building, I can't wait to tour many other amazing places in Europe and the UK!

Although I'm really homesick at points and miss being in my comfort zone, I do feel so blessed to be here. In church today we sang, "Blessed be Your Name" and it was just what I was feeling-blessed and overwhelmed.

Icy Falls and Awkwardness

Today was eventful again, with learning that my newly-added class didn't start until 10:15 ( I got there at 9) so I wandered around Pittville again. I'm getting really good at that haha! Finally I went to Feature Writing and my tutor was friendly, the class only 16 people, and me being very awkward. I talked to a few girls about Grey's Anatomy and such. The class is going to be stretching as it is a 200 level and everyone is very advanced, but I take pleasure in that it will only be 2 hours long. The tutor does lecture and then we have time to work. Nice. There is a lot of reading and stuff but I only need to buy one book. However, the rest of the readings must be read at the Learning Centre at Pittville, so tomorrow I have to make the trek just to do my homework. Bummer. On my way back, I walked back alone (which is completely safe, I promise!), but took a wrong turn and got lost. Thank goodness for my trusty map, which I am learning to use very well. No worries, I found my way back, after a few turns, looking like a tourist, and falling flat on my butt because of the ice. The passenger in a car had a good laugh; I would have too if it wasn't me! When I got back, I was so hungry so I made myself a good 'ole peanut butter and jelly and my first cup of tea since I've been here (SO good Mom!). In class my stomach growled so loud I swear everyone heard...! Then I napped for a long time. Felt SO good and the curtains block out all light which is very dangerous ;) . But it was a good day and even better because I don't have class tomorrow! The cleaning staff comes in tomorrow morning at 9 though so I can't sleep in. Boo. We're trying to plan a trip to London next weekend (for the day), so I hope that works out! Love you all, miss you, and thanks so very much for your prayers!!!

Uniquely British Things...

'Ello mates! After a few days here I'm starting to think in a British accent haha. I just have to be careful not to speak with one because it would probably sound like mocking! I am doing well; learning my way around by foot, the University bus (aka. Unibus which is free!) and getting used to it getting dark at about 4:30 pm. It's 5:11 here and you'd think it was midnight! Here are some more interesting British tidbits:

• Shops close at 4:30 on most days; 6:00 is late
• You have to look Right, Left, Right to cross the street
• Queue=line
• You have to turn on a switch to give power to an outlet (we were wondering why the stove wouldn't turn on...)
• The 24-hour clock is really hard to adjust to...as is knowing that when I wake up it's only 3 am at home!
• To turn the heat on you must press the "boost" button repeatedly
• The girls here wear stockings or leggings with boots and jean skirts-I don't know how they don't freeze!
• Boots are huge here!
• The world stops at one inch of snow (aka yesterday)
• The currency is mostly coins and I feel like a jingling mess trying to count out .85 pence lol so I usually give them like 20 pounds!
• "O" is the ground floor, and the first floor is what we'd call the second floor
• Pants=underwear
• Trash=Rubbish
• Sweatpants=joggers
• Libraries are called Learning Centres
• Tutor=professor
  

Okay so now that you have a brief rundown of some unusual but fun British stuff, I'll clue you into my day yesterday. So Steph, Heather and I had class at Pittville (the Art campus) at 9:15. We walked there (about 15-20 minute walk but very pretty) and it has just snowed so it was really icy. We were with 3 other BCA students and ended up at Pittville School, not to be confused with Pittville Campus...Pittville School is a secondary school...haha. So mistake #1. We made it to Pittville Campus and found our room, only to discover that the Tutor was not there, nor were ANY of the students and the room was empty with only painting easels. Slightly freaking out after about 15 minutes. We went back and forth to the Student Helpdesk and Reception trying to figure out why the Tutor wasn't there or the students. Everyone was really nice and helpful. Finally, after a wild goose chase and getting lost several times within thebuilding, we found the tutor's office and left a note under the door. Then we waited, waited, waited. at nearly 11:00, he showed up (thank goodness!) and explained to us that Word and Image was a practical which meant it could last all day and there would be no instruction, just practice. Well that made up my already-hesitant mind and I decided to drop the class. I'm thankful that he was honest with us! Steph, Heather and I took the bus to Park Campus, found Denise, changed our courses, enjoyed delicious Mochas in the Refractory, and I hopped on the bus to the Town Centre. From there I shopped most of the afternoon for essential odds and ends, meeting up randomly with this really nice girl, Miranda. The rest of the day was filled with sore feet, food shopping in a ridiculously small Tesco, making pasta, and chatting with this really nice British student during our dinner. Overall, an utterly exhausting day-I was happy to conk out on my bed. Monday nights everyone goes out to this club, The Place for student night, but I really was not feeling up to it at all. I needed some chill time after going nonstop for days. More on the next post...

I'm here!!!

So I'm finally here! I got here around 3:00 (UK time) on Friday, settled into my room, unpacked, and watched Friends on Stacey's laptop with Stacey, Steph, Dan and Heather. I was really tired by the time I went to bed and slept like a rock! This morning we walked over to Frances Close Hall (one of the four campuses-FCH), and ate breakfast. The rest of the morning was filled with orientation: all the info we need to know about safety, contacts, our rooms, classes, etc. Denise and Sandy (our BCA "mom's") are sooo nice, funny and helpful. They made the info not completely boring. We toured FCH and then the town (Cheltenham). It's so quaint, like a cute mini-city. We walk everywhere which is nice. We went to High Street, ate at Hog's Head Pub (mmm!). I had Welsh Rarebit on a hot baguette...not sure what rarebit is but it was good! Then went to Tesco Metro for some necessities. We'll shop more on Monday because all the stores close by 6-and that's later than weekdays! It's weird but I like being able to walk everywhere.

It's freezing here by the way, but fortunately it didn't rain today. The cold goes right through all your layers. My dorm is really nice and cute. It's about 3/4 of the size of a Messiah double but there's a bathroom in the room. The guy who stayed in my room last semester left me a nice note giving me advice about what to do, where to go and to enjoy "the best 4 months of my life!" He also left some random things like silverware, a plate, bowl and cup, shampoo, and a few random hats. It was kind of nice haha. They're all about sustainability here so we try to save everything and the heat goes off if you don't press the "boost" button in your room every so often. It's kinda neat. Plus the cars are so cool and tiny. Just my size! haha. I LOVE the accents here by the way. I bought a mobile phone here and the sales guy was ridiculously nice, funny and personable. He made the whole process enjoyable. Too bad he was 36...lol

So I'm doing really well here so far. I wish I had more time to adjust before classes start on Monday because it's kind of overwhelming. I miss you all already and I want to hear how you all are so pleaseeeee keep me updated :) Love and hugs!