Hello! Well, I figured I should go ahead and create a blog before I forget about everything that's happened so far since I arrived in the UK. I don't really know where to start or what all to include in this blog. There's so much to tell. I'm sure I'll forget some things.
My plane ride from DFW to London was pretty smooth and enjoyable for the most part. The plane was huge- a Boeing 777- but there weren't a whole lot of people flying with me. It was nice though. Everyone had some space to stretch out or lay down. I couldn't really sleep on the plane since there was a young child in the very back of the plane who kept whining about things, but that's okay- I got to take some pictures of flying and kept track of where we were overseas on the t.v. screen. We flew over so many places, I don't remember them all. I enjoyed flying over Ireland though. I really hope I can travel there, but we shall see.
Once I landed in London, I went through customs, security, and went to go find my gate for departure to Manchester. Customs and security went by really quickly and smoothly, which was quite shocking since I've heard it takes a long time to get though them. However, I ended up going to the wrong gate because my ticket didn't actually have the gate listed on it, so I got lost. It was a bit of a traumatic experience being lost in the airport and not knowing how to get back to the correct gate in a rushed amount of time and having bad directions. And of course, the elevators in England are called "lifts." However, I finally got good directions and made the flight for the plane to Manchester just in time, after going through customs and security again haha... Praise the Lord for the woman who had decided not to fly to Manchester with us- it gave me time to get there while they were searching to retrieve her bags from the plane. I really wish I could have taken some pictures in the London Heathrow Airport. It looked very much like a mall on the inside. Very beautiful.
Once I landed in Manchester, it was only about a 35 minute flight- an hour total taking off/landing, two sisters from Manchester picked me up. We ate some breakfast pastries in the airport and then headed to Leeds. The ride there was good. We were all a bit tired. When we arrived at Bodington Hall, my accommodation for the semester, the sisters helped me check in and get settled in my room. I had to change rooms and keys and everything. lol. I'm looking forward to seeing them again at the Christian Conferences in Wales and London. <3
Today (Sunday) is my 4th day in the UK. So far, I have been enjoying my stay here. I've met so many people, both from the U.S., U.K, and other international places, such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia, and Canada. The people here are usually pretty friendly and sociable.
On Thursday morning, I attended my School of Education orietation, as well as the International Student Orientation. I traveled into the city by myself to get a go-phone w/ a UK phone number. Of course, I managed to get lost on my way back to the Uni for the Orientation for International Students, but thanks to some kind British people along the way who pointed me in the right direction, I finally made it back.
On Thursday afternoon, I traveled around the city centre with some friends from the U.S. We got lost a few times, but it was a lot of fun! Except for the freezing, rainy weather. My socks were totally soaked. So much for my old converse. However, my boots work really well. We finally managed to get our bus passes for the term. Since we were going to be too late for dinner (really weird dining hours), we went to the Union and ate at the Old Bar. That's been my favorite place so far. It's wooden on the inside like a pub, and has a pretty laid back and calm atmosphere for the most part. I had lasagna, fries, and a small salad. It was good, but a little different than the U.S. lasagna I'm used to. It was only 5 or 6 pounds for that- a pretty good deal.
On Friday, there was a social event at the Terrace in the Leeds Union, where I met up with a bunch of the students from UNT, as well as some other students I had met earlier at the dining hall, bus stop, and orientations. The music was much too loud for a social event. However, it was a lot of fun. I met a lot more students from the U.S. Some random British guy who had a bit too much to drink kept hitting on me and wanting me to dance with him saying, "I fancy you a lot. I love you." lol. Let's just say my friends and I got away from him. (Thanks, guys! (: ). Anyways, while we were there, we met the Leeds Celtics, who play American football at Leeds. They were very cool and friendly. They asked lots of questions about American football and Texas. After the social, we all went to Halo with them, which was a dance club place in an old church. How ironic. It was pretty crazy, crowded, and super loud, but it was a lot of fun.
On Saturday, I traveled around Headingley with some friends from the U.S. and bought some much needed essentials- groceries, school supplies, and finally- a hair dryer! (My converter sparked my U.S. one...) Thank goodness for the cheaper stores like Sainsbury's, Superdrug, and Wilkinsons! I only spent about 40 pounds/ $60 for everything. I still need a few things like trash bags, a lanyard to put money and my I.D.s in, textbooks, hot chocoloate or tea, and a laundry bag. At dinner, I ate "chicken fajitas" which was definitely NOT chicken fajitas. It was more or less like rice with chicken and soup with a crispy piece of taco shell. lol. I'm going to miss real Mexican food. The dining hours are odd and very un-flexible.
Mon-Fri:
Breakfast 7:45-9 AM.
Dinner 5:30-7PM.
Sat:
Brunch 11:30 AM-1:15 PM
Dinner 5:15- 6:45 PM
Sun:
Brunch:
12:15-1:30 PM
Today, I haven't done a whole lot. At brunch, I met a really nice girl from Germany who's studying here. Other than that, I've just been getting my things organized, figuring out where I can buy my books and which ones I really need, meeting people in the kitchen (which is incredibly messy and gross), and Skyping/ phone calls. It's kind of been a lazy day I suppose.
Tomorrow I have my first day of classes, 10 AM -12 PM. I have classes Mon 10 AM-12 PM, Wed 10 AM -12 PM, and Thurs 2-5 PM. I'm excited and looking forward to meeting new people. I already know a few people in my classes, so I'm really happy about that. After class, I plan on buying some more essentials, attending the GlobalCafe from 5:30-7:30PM for international students, then meeting the Leeds Union Chrisitan Union students at 7 PM. (:
A few random things- it's so weird riding on the left side of the road. And the steering wheel is on the right side. The buses feel like they're driving so fast. It takes 25-30 mins to get from the Uni to my dorm, and the food here is so different. It'll take some time to get used to. But so far I'm really enjoying my time here.
Anyways, I think I've probably written enough for now. I'll update on my travels soon.
Until then, cheers. (:
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