Although Sunday was included in the last blog, I just wanted to mention that I started my week with a Thanksgiving meal at my friends Matt and Sam's house.
Monday morning I had literature class, which was its usual entertaining self. Then I spent the afternoon finishing my math homework before it was due at 5. Then I had a pretty open evening, which is my way of saying I don't have anything written in my calendar and I can't remember what I did. So I'm going to go with I probably just worked on my reading for my Social Movements class once I finished my math homework.
Tuesday I spent my pre-class time preparing for my presentation with Matt for our Social Movements class. I have never been quite so proud of my ability to number, label and color code a 13 page reading, it came in quite handy in our preparations. After that I had my Mass Media in America class, where we discussed local tv news in America. Then I got in some quality library time before it was off to British Culture Class. This weeks theme was sports, which was actually really useful and I feel like I learned a lot when I wasn't getting 'shushed' for trying to contribute to the discussion or glared at because I was discussing what was going on in class with my friends. During the class however I realized that I was feeling dizzy and light headed, after some thought my hypothesis was that this was due to not enough protein consumption, I have been paying attention to it for most of the semester (partly because my mom was reminding about it all the time for the first month) but I started to take it for granted because I had been doing so well and apparently not paying attention meant less protein which leads to me feeling like I may pass out, no good. This feeling returned over the next couple of days but now that I'm paying more attention I seem to have squashed it. Finally, I had Sacred Space, which this week was 'Bring and Share night' where everyone brings a poem or a prayer or a thought or anything really and we pray together, which I really enjoyed.
Wednesday after math class, the Christian Union was doing Text-a-Toastie, where for 2 hours you can text your Name, Location, sandwich fillings (ham, cheese, tomato or chocolate spread) and a question about God and someone will bring you your sandwich and answer your questions. I absolutely love this idea and I hadn't heard of anything like it before but it seemed to be a great success. They said they had almost 60 people text in. Then it was off to meet with Matt and finalize the details of our presentation (which continued to be finalized over facebook up until Thursday morning) and to try and get some math homework done as well.
Thursday was a pretty big day, first we had our presentation which went relatively well with one notable exception: Matt and I were the only ones who could talk about the reading. The professor opened it up for discussion after our presentation and no one said anything, it was a little bit weird. Then I had Math class, after which I picked up my Literature paper (I got the equivalent of a B, which I am happy with) and made an attempt at a nap which didn't work and then headed down to the KPA for thanksgiving. SO MUCH FOOD. When that many people come and each person brings a dish, it was a lot of food. I was stuffed. After Thanksgiving I went to Jesus Jam which was amazing as always and I even got to run the slides during worship. Finally, I closed out the evening by skyping with my family at their thanksgiving, which honestly made me pretty homesick, I am so used to the big family tradition and celebration that seeing everyone else there but not being there myself made me feel a little lonely.
That lonely feeling carried into Friday morning because I had a dream about going home and expected to wake up in my own bed and when I woke up not in my own bed and had to figure out where I was I got real sad real fast. That was especially rough. After math class, I went to the math building (my math class in the physics building for a reason I cannot explain) and not only worked on my homework and asked the professor questions but got it turned in early (its not due until monday) I celebrated by writing 5 letters while sitting in a cafe before heading back to my room. Then I spent several hours watching big bang theory and relaxing in celebration of finishing my homework early. Essentially I had a boring Friday night in my room.
Saturday was football day. First I went to Alyssa's dorm for our version of tailgating, beer and hot dogs in her kitchen. Then after two buses with a short trip to a coffee shop in between we were at the Stadium. Britannia Stadium home of the Stoke City Potters. We were sitting in the 3rd row from the pitch which according to our expert Wesley (he plays football for Keele and actually watches football) is the closest you can get to the pitch compared to other European stadiums. The downside is we got ALL THE RAIN. It was so cold. I have never been so grateful to have a pair of gloves in my life. The rain after it dripped on my hair started to run down my face so you know that was interesting and COLD. I opted for chips (fries) and hot chocolate at the half because I needed something warm. It had to happen. STOKE CITY WON!!!! After a hot shower and the great battle to change out of my warm yoga pants and fuzzy socks (I left them on) I walked over to Alyssa's dorm where Hannah, Alyssa and I had pizza, ukulele time and a pathetic attempt at homework.
Sunday morning I woke up with a stuffed up nose which I think is a curse from my mom who said I sounded sick over skype a few days ago. I heard Bishop Geoff preach this morning and then had lunch at Lindsay bar with Jo and Nellum. Finally Jo and I went to the library and actually got work done. Okay let me rephrase, Jo got work done while I tried to read The Europeans by Henry James. I was doing that thing where my eyes would close and I would shoot awake. So I got some reading done but not enough. Then I headed back to my room for (seriously) hours and hours more. Finally finished the reading at far too late, with the help of encouragement from Suzie via video chat, Mariah via Skype, Mykel via Skype and Alyssa via facebook. Yep it did take all of that to finish the 100 plus pages I had left to read today. I did find a quote I enjoyed though:
"I came for many of those reasons that are no reasons--don't you know?-- and yet that are really the best: to come away, to change, to break with everything. When once one comes away one must arrive somewhere, and I asked myself why I shouldn't arrive here." - Eugenia from The Europeans by Henry James
She is explaining why she traveled from Germany to America and it really stuck out to me because it is a good explaination for part of why I wanted to study abroad. To get out of my comfort zone to break from everything, to try something new. The sad thing was she was the only main character who didn't end with love and happiness. We'll see how the discussion goes in class tomorrow.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Week I dyed my towels blue
Sunday morning, in Paris, after I had dressed myself and prepared for my day, I noticed 3 small bug bites on my left hand and thought nothing of it. A few bug bites, who cares, right?
I woke up Monday morning in my bed at Keele and these 3 "bug bites" were now all over. Both arms, my right calf, my left foot, my chest and shoulder, my face and my sides. It is not an understatement to say I FREAKED OUT. I thought there is no way in the world I got that many bug bites in one night and so clearly I had caught a flesh eating disease but I went to class anyway. After some discussion with my class mates, I had slightly less insane possibilities: allergic reaction, hives, stinging nettle, etc. Needless to say I went directly to the health center after class, and got an appointment for the next morning. The rest of the day I did homework and then basically hid in my room so as to control my freak out and keep myself from other people.
Tuesday morning, I went to the health centre, with its fancy digital check in and waiting room that tells you where to go rather than having a real person come and fetch you and make polite chit chat and tell you you've lost weight (I miss my home doctor, okay?). After telling the doctor my story of overnight arrival of the anything-but-bites. Her response was "Yep, bites." and in my state of disbelief I said something like "It can't be anything else? How could I get that many in one night" She went on to explain that she had seen a girl with a case of bed bugs recently and if it were hives it would have shown up in a concentrated area rather than everywhere. She gave me an antihistamine that was/is supposed to reduce the redness and told me that I needed to go to Student Accommodation and have them take care of my room. So I headed off to receive the news that I was in the wrong place, but its okay because she called the right place and the lady who would give the approval to call Pest Control is in a meeting. So when she was out they would call pest control who should be there later in the afternoon to take care of it. I headed back to my room gathered my stuff and went anywhere but there so that I could study and try not to think about it (WHO GETS BED BUGS?? I THOUGHT THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING YOU TOLD CHILDREN) Then to my Mass Media class, where to my relief I didn't have to hear anything about politics. Upon returning to my room I could smell some sort of chemicals and assumed pest control had come. Then it was off to have crepes with my friends and then closing out the day with some Taize Prayer at Sacred Space.
Wednesday morning, the bites seemed relatively the same and still relatively creepy (Hello long sleeves) After heading to math class, I decided that I absolutely had to do laundry including my duvet cover and pillow case and towels. To try and save space (because laundry is damn expensive) I had one load of jeans, one load of everything else, and a load that was my towels and my (never before washed) navy duvet cover and pillow case are you seeing what happened? I now have pretty light blue towels. That evening I went to Matt and Sam's house for our Social Movements discussion group, made myself some dinner and then went to the Main Meeting for the Christian Union.
Thursday the bites were starting to look a little better and I was less freaked out about them and focused on more pressing matters, I needed to buy a bible before House Party this weekend. After my Social Movements class, (especially awkward this week, we had our professor back and he kept shooting down the things we had to say and so eventually everyone just stopped talking and it was a mess) and my math class, Hannah and I caught the bus to Stoke-on-Trent and headed off in search of the Methodist Bookshop with my pathetically scribbled directions. After asking the information desk at the local museum and getting a real map from them, we found it. I found a bible I really liked, which also is written in British text (we asked, it means it has the British spelling of words which will be interesting to read later and remember where I got it) Then we spent a little time at the mall, okay we got cupcakes, before we came back. I closed out my night at the Jesus Jam social having delicious food (seriously, soooooo good) and great laughs with wonderful people.
Friday found the bug bites had increased in circumference by more than double and man did that freak me out. Seriously. They were supposed to be healing, who gave them permission to be huge? Whoever it was I'd like to kick they're butt. After class and some time in the library (still there almost every day but by choice rather than by demand and for many less hours) I went back to my room to relax, pack and have a wonderful Skype date with my little Katie (I miss her like woah!) Then it was off to the Chapel for the beginning of House Party. Friday night after we arrived (our coach got a little stuck and we had to jump, the boys in the back played a game where if they say the word "mine" they have to do push ups, and I read the first book for my literature class that hasn't at least partially confused me, bus rides are always an interesting factor in any trip) there were some games, worship, and an introduction to our theme/speaker for the weekend and then some hang out time. I chose to head to bed early (ha!, midnight) because the bug freak out had left me a little exhausted from the day. I did receive reassurance from some of the girls that often this is what bug bites do if you are allergic they get bigger before they heal.
Saturday morning the bites on my face had gone down which made me happy and the ones on my arms looked slightly less like a flesh eating disease. We spent the day totally engrossed in House Party. Breakfast, worship, talk, free time, worship talk, lunch, team challenges (I ate a whole jar (not small) of baby food fed by someone else and spilled some on myself as part of a competition) free time, dinner, worship, talk, talent show, many many card games (learned some new ones and even taught Dion one of my favorites) then bed. Spotlight on the Talent Show, I got to see Exec Club 7 (a parody of S Club 7) and other hilarious acts but I also realized that no matter how okay and distracted I feel, my homesickness can still rear its depressing little head. Andy (one of the guys there) played guitar and sang a song that he wrote about going home and his parents and leaving for Uni. Now he gave the description "This song is about going home and my parents" before he started and I knew that I didn't stand a chance but I thought I'd attempt anyway. By the first chorus I was up and out of my seat and in the other room crying, I missed my parents, I didn't like saying goodbye to them, but they aren't a train ride away like the parents in the song. Helen came over and was really supportive and understanding and I was back in by the time the next act started.
Sunday morning the bites were slightly better, but I was properly shattered (british for really freakin' tired) from the lack of sleep. Sunday at House Party, was breakfast, cleaning, worship, discussion with the girls, angels and mortals reveal, pictures and heading out. Now spotlight on Angels and Mortals reveal. You stand in the middle of the circle and wait for the person who has been giving you presents to come in the circle and hug you and then they stand in the middle etc. I got to hug Helen and she was excited that it was me which made me happy and then I found out that Lillian gave me the coolest Monkey socks ever which I wore that Sunday because I was so excited about them. Those, however, were not the highlights of the reveal. The highlight (purely for hilarity factor) was when Sam was in the middle of the circle (tall bean pole of a guy) and TSK (almost as tall and sharing some bean pole characteristics) runs and jumps managing to get his arms around Sam's neck and wrapping his legs around him knocking him to the ground. IT WAS SO FUNNY. I'm really not doing it justice. The whole room was in stitches, so funny, seriously.
After being back on campus it was time to shift gears. I spent about an hour in yoga pants before starting to get ready for the "Friends"giving celebration. I put on my nice dress, tights and boots, plus makeup and everything. I was in charge of the salad (I am my mothers daughter after all, (she is in charge of the salad at our family's Thanksgiving)) and so after picking that up I caught a taxi with Meredith and Sierra over to Matt and Sam's house and had a great Thanksgiving dinner, plus fun conversation. I really enjoyed it. Although it was unlike the Thanksgiving I was used to it was a new Thanksgiving with a different family and for now that is okay too.
We'll see how not being home for actual Thanksgiving on Thursday goes, but there is a celebration at the KPA so that should be fun and interesting, plus I am going to a (proper English) Football game on Saturday, which feels like such a normal thing for Thanksgiving weekend, except its all turned on its head since I am in the UK. Until then, don't stop climbing scary stairs.
I woke up Monday morning in my bed at Keele and these 3 "bug bites" were now all over. Both arms, my right calf, my left foot, my chest and shoulder, my face and my sides. It is not an understatement to say I FREAKED OUT. I thought there is no way in the world I got that many bug bites in one night and so clearly I had caught a flesh eating disease but I went to class anyway. After some discussion with my class mates, I had slightly less insane possibilities: allergic reaction, hives, stinging nettle, etc. Needless to say I went directly to the health center after class, and got an appointment for the next morning. The rest of the day I did homework and then basically hid in my room so as to control my freak out and keep myself from other people.
Tuesday morning, I went to the health centre, with its fancy digital check in and waiting room that tells you where to go rather than having a real person come and fetch you and make polite chit chat and tell you you've lost weight (I miss my home doctor, okay?). After telling the doctor my story of overnight arrival of the anything-but-bites. Her response was "Yep, bites." and in my state of disbelief I said something like "It can't be anything else? How could I get that many in one night" She went on to explain that she had seen a girl with a case of bed bugs recently and if it were hives it would have shown up in a concentrated area rather than everywhere. She gave me an antihistamine that was/is supposed to reduce the redness and told me that I needed to go to Student Accommodation and have them take care of my room. So I headed off to receive the news that I was in the wrong place, but its okay because she called the right place and the lady who would give the approval to call Pest Control is in a meeting. So when she was out they would call pest control who should be there later in the afternoon to take care of it. I headed back to my room gathered my stuff and went anywhere but there so that I could study and try not to think about it (WHO GETS BED BUGS?? I THOUGHT THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING YOU TOLD CHILDREN) Then to my Mass Media class, where to my relief I didn't have to hear anything about politics. Upon returning to my room I could smell some sort of chemicals and assumed pest control had come. Then it was off to have crepes with my friends and then closing out the day with some Taize Prayer at Sacred Space.
Wednesday morning, the bites seemed relatively the same and still relatively creepy (Hello long sleeves) After heading to math class, I decided that I absolutely had to do laundry including my duvet cover and pillow case and towels. To try and save space (because laundry is damn expensive) I had one load of jeans, one load of everything else, and a load that was my towels and my (never before washed) navy duvet cover and pillow case are you seeing what happened? I now have pretty light blue towels. That evening I went to Matt and Sam's house for our Social Movements discussion group, made myself some dinner and then went to the Main Meeting for the Christian Union.
Thursday the bites were starting to look a little better and I was less freaked out about them and focused on more pressing matters, I needed to buy a bible before House Party this weekend. After my Social Movements class, (especially awkward this week, we had our professor back and he kept shooting down the things we had to say and so eventually everyone just stopped talking and it was a mess) and my math class, Hannah and I caught the bus to Stoke-on-Trent and headed off in search of the Methodist Bookshop with my pathetically scribbled directions. After asking the information desk at the local museum and getting a real map from them, we found it. I found a bible I really liked, which also is written in British text (we asked, it means it has the British spelling of words which will be interesting to read later and remember where I got it) Then we spent a little time at the mall, okay we got cupcakes, before we came back. I closed out my night at the Jesus Jam social having delicious food (seriously, soooooo good) and great laughs with wonderful people.
Friday found the bug bites had increased in circumference by more than double and man did that freak me out. Seriously. They were supposed to be healing, who gave them permission to be huge? Whoever it was I'd like to kick they're butt. After class and some time in the library (still there almost every day but by choice rather than by demand and for many less hours) I went back to my room to relax, pack and have a wonderful Skype date with my little Katie (I miss her like woah!) Then it was off to the Chapel for the beginning of House Party. Friday night after we arrived (our coach got a little stuck and we had to jump, the boys in the back played a game where if they say the word "mine" they have to do push ups, and I read the first book for my literature class that hasn't at least partially confused me, bus rides are always an interesting factor in any trip) there were some games, worship, and an introduction to our theme/speaker for the weekend and then some hang out time. I chose to head to bed early (ha!, midnight) because the bug freak out had left me a little exhausted from the day. I did receive reassurance from some of the girls that often this is what bug bites do if you are allergic they get bigger before they heal.
Saturday morning the bites on my face had gone down which made me happy and the ones on my arms looked slightly less like a flesh eating disease. We spent the day totally engrossed in House Party. Breakfast, worship, talk, free time, worship talk, lunch, team challenges (I ate a whole jar (not small) of baby food fed by someone else and spilled some on myself as part of a competition) free time, dinner, worship, talk, talent show, many many card games (learned some new ones and even taught Dion one of my favorites) then bed. Spotlight on the Talent Show, I got to see Exec Club 7 (a parody of S Club 7) and other hilarious acts but I also realized that no matter how okay and distracted I feel, my homesickness can still rear its depressing little head. Andy (one of the guys there) played guitar and sang a song that he wrote about going home and his parents and leaving for Uni. Now he gave the description "This song is about going home and my parents" before he started and I knew that I didn't stand a chance but I thought I'd attempt anyway. By the first chorus I was up and out of my seat and in the other room crying, I missed my parents, I didn't like saying goodbye to them, but they aren't a train ride away like the parents in the song. Helen came over and was really supportive and understanding and I was back in by the time the next act started.
Sunday morning the bites were slightly better, but I was properly shattered (british for really freakin' tired) from the lack of sleep. Sunday at House Party, was breakfast, cleaning, worship, discussion with the girls, angels and mortals reveal, pictures and heading out. Now spotlight on Angels and Mortals reveal. You stand in the middle of the circle and wait for the person who has been giving you presents to come in the circle and hug you and then they stand in the middle etc. I got to hug Helen and she was excited that it was me which made me happy and then I found out that Lillian gave me the coolest Monkey socks ever which I wore that Sunday because I was so excited about them. Those, however, were not the highlights of the reveal. The highlight (purely for hilarity factor) was when Sam was in the middle of the circle (tall bean pole of a guy) and TSK (almost as tall and sharing some bean pole characteristics) runs and jumps managing to get his arms around Sam's neck and wrapping his legs around him knocking him to the ground. IT WAS SO FUNNY. I'm really not doing it justice. The whole room was in stitches, so funny, seriously.
After being back on campus it was time to shift gears. I spent about an hour in yoga pants before starting to get ready for the "Friends"giving celebration. I put on my nice dress, tights and boots, plus makeup and everything. I was in charge of the salad (I am my mothers daughter after all, (she is in charge of the salad at our family's Thanksgiving)) and so after picking that up I caught a taxi with Meredith and Sierra over to Matt and Sam's house and had a great Thanksgiving dinner, plus fun conversation. I really enjoyed it. Although it was unlike the Thanksgiving I was used to it was a new Thanksgiving with a different family and for now that is okay too.
We'll see how not being home for actual Thanksgiving on Thursday goes, but there is a celebration at the KPA so that should be fun and interesting, plus I am going to a (proper English) Football game on Saturday, which feels like such a normal thing for Thanksgiving weekend, except its all turned on its head since I am in the UK. Until then, don't stop climbing scary stairs.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Je voudrais une baguette
When we last left our story I was running to catch the bus. The 25 bus into Stoke-on-Trent so that I could get on another bus, a National Express bus into London so that I could get on another bus, a Eurolines bus to Paris!
Seriously, 3 buses, but it was worth it. Rather than describing the whole bus experience I'll hit you with the highlights. We sat on the top of the 25 double decker, which I don't normally do. We stopped partway through the 2nd bus for dinner and decided that Krispy Kremes would be a great idea. One after dinner, one at the London bus station, one around midnight on the bus, and one in the morning after we got off the bus. I did consider eating them all when I was in charge of watching everyone's stuff at the London Bus station. I did manage to finish all of my literature reading on the bus to London and I slept some on the ride from London to Paris.
We arrived in Paris just before 8 in the morning. First stop was purchasing Metro tickets and going to drop our stuff off at our hotel which worked well. Next we found breakfast at La Petit Pont, delicious crepes (banana and nutella with whipped cream) so good. Plus the waiter brought them out with sparklers in them. Yeah, sparklers. So fabulous.
Next up was looking at the inside of Notre Dame, where I spent almost the whole time mouthing "Wow, wow, wow, look at that" because they had signs that said "Silence!" everywhere. Then we stood in the queue outside for far too long (like 45 minutes to an hour) to climb over 400 stairs to the top of the tower, and we saw the gigantic bell, and the Eiffel Tower and a gorgeous view. Reenforcing the theme of my study abroad experience, the scariest stairs (circular and dented and weird) lead to the best views.
Then we met up with Kari (my friend from Alaska that is study abroad in Paris) at the Eiffel Tower and had lunch and climbed the 669 stairs up to the 2nd platform of the Eiffel Tower (the top was closed) and although those stairs weren't as scary they were more exhausting but still lead to a great view. Next we checked out these bears (a special exhibit that was only there for a certain time, it was really cool) and then it was off to the Arc de Triumph where it was POURING RAIN. So it was out of the metro and back into the metro. We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa and I saw paintings that I had done a presentation on in my art history class and even though we were being herded out like sheep when we were supposed to have 15 more minutes, it was amazing. Then we went shopping before we went to dinner. Crepes again, but as part of a three course deliciousness. I had a cheese soufflé first, an American crepe (burger and egg and cheese), and ice cream for dessert.
Sunday morning we had already decided that we were going to give the majority of the day to Versailles and then see what we had left, and on the way we would have breakfast. We found the cutest hole in the wall bakery where they only spoke french, it spoke to us, it was perfect, I loved it, we had croissants and I ORDERED A BAGUETTE IN FRENCH. With lots of help from Alyssa but I was so proud of myself and the baguette was soooooo good, we nibbled on it pretty continuously throughout the day until we had lunch. Lunch was not exactly authentic french but it was good all the same. When we got back in to Paris we went back to the Arc de Triumph to take pictures without the rain and then wandered the streets looking for shops and found a bakery where we found macaroons and I bought an eclair.
Then it was back to the train for me. We had an adorable family saying goodbye at security moment that was really funny and cute. Then I finished part of my math homework and bought dinner on the Eurostar train. It was pretty good. Then I had to run between stations in london and literally ran and jumped on the underground (man I looked like a tourist) so by the time I got to the train and sat down when they announced there was an option to upgrade to first class for a fee, I justified that it was worth it and I honestly think it was.
Finally it was a taxi back to stoke and some well deserved sleep.
Reading Week
I still don't know how to explain reading week, I still don't understand the concept. The closest I can get is that it is the bizarre british form of midterms and so (for me at least) if you have papers due in your classes then you don't have lecture in that class.
Since I had finished my Social Movements essay over the weekend my goal was to write my literature essay on Monday since I didn't have to go to class but a few wrenches were thrown in the way. First, I told my friend Andrea I would go shopping with her in Newcastle, second, I had math homework due at 5 pm that was not finished, third the library was more crowded than normal and normal is still pretty crowded.
I wrote this Monday:
Finding a place to study in the library during reading week is like finding a parkingspot at the mall on black friday. I actually had to do the whole, are you leaving can I take your spot thing, and I hate that.
Long story short, my day went math homework, shopping, math homework, turn in math homework, bust out literature essay ridiculously easily and only in a few hours and have more than 1,000 words. Yeah, the great irony, I struggled and fought with my Social Movements paper and could not get to 2,000 words on the first draft, but I cruised right on through my literature paper like I was writing a friend a letter.
Tuesday was a busy/interesting/political day. It started off not bad, I went for a run and started to edit my papers, then I went to a Lunch Bar at the Chapel with my friend Hannah where I listened to an interesting talk, then it was off to my Mass Media class where because it was American elections day, one professor was at a morning show for the BBC and the other one was doing local radio spots and had to leave class early. Then Hannah and I had a library study party, okay a barely focused, sitting next to each other, making silent jokes and realizing how overloaded we felt. Then it was off to British Culture class which had MORE POLITICS. Then after a short break in my room I went to the KPA to watch the elections coverage with my friends. By 1 am there were no results and I was politics-ed out. By bedtime that night I was coughing a lot and waking up the next morning the being sick that I thought I had almost kicked was back in full force.
Wednesday found more editing, a wonderful skype date with my friend Shoshana who is studying abroad in Israel and math class. Then I rewarded my self with a Wednesday afternoon movie with my friends, we saw Skyfall and I realized that we got it before America! I got to see Skyfall first, I don't know why that is exciting but it is. We got back later than I expected and so it was back to my room and to the computer to finish the edits and finalize my paper.
Thursday was a serious roller coaster of a day. The first hour was probably the most eventful though. I knew I had between 10 and 12 to turn in my papers to the Humanities office and so I wanted to get it out of the way early.
[9:50] I printed two copies of each of the final versions and picked the up from the library
[10:10] After asking for directions, I arrived at the office where I had to fill out one form for each paper and get a receipt and because no one believes in specific instructions I had to hand write my id number on every page of both papers standing in the office.
[10:20 ish]Went to pick up my first not online math homework from my pigeon hole (like return boxes) and it was a really really really bad score which meant (based on an email received earlier) that I had to go meet with the professor after class.
[10:30 ish] I picked up my post from the post room and got a letter from my littles and the package I had been waiting for forever from my mom and sat on a bench to read it and basically cried and laughed and just kind of had a little moment on the bench.
[11 ish] By 11 (give or take, these times are really fuzzy) I was in the library I was so exhausted that absolutely nothing was going to get done at that point. I tried a little but not that hard because the hour described above had killed me.
So the rest of the day was slightly calmer. I went to class, then met with the professor in his office afterwards and there was a misunderstanding on how much scratch work he wanted to see and so he gave me a chance to do a new question for Homework 5 and turn it in Monday when homework 6 is also due. Then I went back to my room and had more brain dead time because there wasn't a whole lot I was going to get done at this point. I ended the day with a special version of Jesus Jam which was all singing, which was a nice outlet after the day I had. Although singing and being sick was not the greatest idea I've had.
Friday I went to my math class and then spent some library time by myself and then working with Meredith on our portfolio for longer than I should have because then I had to run back to my room, pack in like 15 minutes and run to the bus.
Where was I catching the bus you ask? The blog of my weekend is coming up next.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Week I had an affair with the library
As anyone who has talked to me this past week has learned I have two essays due on Thursday November 8th and in an effort to stay ahead of them I started working on them last weekend and going into this week.
Monday I was supposed to be giving my presentation on Walt Whitman in my American literature class, but my professor was sick and class was canceled. So instead I headed off to the library to begin research on my paper and to work on my math homework. Monday night I didn't have any activities to attend and overall it was a pretty good day.
Tuesday I had my empty mornings which I really enjoy because I was able to start my laundry and go on a run, which prompted the decision that this week I will be going to purchase leggings/tights specifically made for running in colder weather. I also spent some time in the library before heading off to class. I was proud of myself for finding two secondary sources for my Social Movements. Then I had my Mass Media class where I listened to a lecture on television in America which was especially interesting for me. That night I went to Lindsey Block for a birthday celebration for two of my friends Cagla and Michael, Michael's birthday was that Tuesday and Cagla's was Sunday. Then I closed out my evening with a trip to Sacred Space, this week's form of alternative prayer was a guided prayer with moments of meditation within it.
Wednesday was quite an interesting day. I went to my math class like normal. Then spent more time in the library reading through the two secondary sources I had already found and making an outline of where I wanted to go with my paper. Then I took the Baker Bus for the first time (I normally take the 25 which is a different company) to go to Matt and Sam's house for our discussion group. (I really like going over to their house because its just nice to be in a house rather than a dorm/university setting, it is one of my favorite things about DG is it feels like a home not a dorm so there is a balance of home and university but I don't really have that here so I am always grateful of the time I spend at their house) We discussed our Social Movements essay and I realized that I in fact needed 6 secondary sources and the outline that I had created was too specific for the prompt. Following that I went to the Christian Union's Mega Halls group discussion, which was interesting to say the least. I didn't realize my beliefs would seem so liberal and it was sometimes really difficult to be the only person in a group who felt that way and have to defend my beliefs from other Christians peppering me with questions. After that I decided that my costume would be diligent college student and my party location would be the library as I searched for other secondary sources (luckily Sam had helped me find a place that had recommendations I could look through).
Thursday morning I skimmed my secondary sources to make sure they were in fact what I was looking for and one was not as useful as I had hoped so it was back to the library for me. After my Social Movements class that morning of course (this week and last week my social movements class has been taught by the professor of my literature class while my regular professor has surgery and it has been a really interesting and different experience. I could probably write an entire blog post on my literature professor and how interesting he is and maybe I will at the end of the semester). So back in the library trying to find that last elusive source I discovered that I had been totally missing AN ENTIRE SECTION of the library. I didn't know it existed and that was why I couldn't locate some of the books on my list. It was a serious eureka moment. I even tweeted about it. Then it was nose to the grindstone and reading all of my sources and pulling out quotes that I could use for my paper. After my math class I worked more on my resources and finding quotes and finally made an outline of my paper including the quotes so I would have something to follow. Thursday night is Jesus Jam night which is honestly still my favorite night of the week and this week Alyssa and Hannah were there which made it even better.
Friday after class it was more library. So.....much.....library. I did take a break to attend a short All Soul's Day service. The upside of this library and room dedicated time, I was writing my paper. Actually writing it. To be honest that is the hardest part for me, actually having a rough draft. I can do the prep work of an essay for days and as annoying as it is editing an essay is okay but actually sitting down to get a rough draft out is a serious uphill battle for me. I'm hoping at this point you can imagine what a great achievement it was for me to be writing a draft on Friday when the paper isn't due until the next Thursday. I didn't quite finish the draft that night but it was close enough that I let myself go to sleep.
Saturday was pretty great. I was up early but it was to take a train (well 2 actually) to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor by the Royal Shakespeare Company! I went with Hannah and Andrea and it was so much fun. We saw Shakespeare's birthplace and the cemetery where he is buried. We walked along the Avon river and saw the Swans that it is famous for. The play was wonderful and so funny. We had a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Rose and Crown. I had something called Hunter's Chicken which was chicken with mozzarella and bacon covered in barbeque sauce and served with chips (fries) and it was so good! Then we took a train (okay okay it was two) back and on one of them we played Pirate Fluxx on a table, it was pretty awesome. I also realized how much I appreciate when dad talks to the strangers interested in the weird card games we play so I don't have to because when I do have to I get super nervous. Plus I finished my paper.
Finally today I went to the TEN:15 service at the chapel and after a couple weeks of not going because of travel it was really nice to be back. Then lunch at Lindsey Bar where I traded off a brief discussion of American Politics for everyone explaining Guy Fawkes Day (which they call Bonfire night) to me. I struggled a lot with my math homework which is due tomorrow. Then as I was microwaving Pizza for dinner (don't judge me it was good pizza) I had to explain Thanksgiving to one of the girls in my hall whose only knowledge of it came from that one episode of Friends.
This week is reading week which means I won't be having two of my classes but it also marks the conclusion of the great essays abroad saga so it will be interesting all around. The good news is my reward at the end of the week for turning in said torturous essays is Paris. Here's to the light at the end of the tunnel!
Monday I was supposed to be giving my presentation on Walt Whitman in my American literature class, but my professor was sick and class was canceled. So instead I headed off to the library to begin research on my paper and to work on my math homework. Monday night I didn't have any activities to attend and overall it was a pretty good day.
Tuesday I had my empty mornings which I really enjoy because I was able to start my laundry and go on a run, which prompted the decision that this week I will be going to purchase leggings/tights specifically made for running in colder weather. I also spent some time in the library before heading off to class. I was proud of myself for finding two secondary sources for my Social Movements. Then I had my Mass Media class where I listened to a lecture on television in America which was especially interesting for me. That night I went to Lindsey Block for a birthday celebration for two of my friends Cagla and Michael, Michael's birthday was that Tuesday and Cagla's was Sunday. Then I closed out my evening with a trip to Sacred Space, this week's form of alternative prayer was a guided prayer with moments of meditation within it.
Wednesday was quite an interesting day. I went to my math class like normal. Then spent more time in the library reading through the two secondary sources I had already found and making an outline of where I wanted to go with my paper. Then I took the Baker Bus for the first time (I normally take the 25 which is a different company) to go to Matt and Sam's house for our discussion group. (I really like going over to their house because its just nice to be in a house rather than a dorm/university setting, it is one of my favorite things about DG is it feels like a home not a dorm so there is a balance of home and university but I don't really have that here so I am always grateful of the time I spend at their house) We discussed our Social Movements essay and I realized that I in fact needed 6 secondary sources and the outline that I had created was too specific for the prompt. Following that I went to the Christian Union's Mega Halls group discussion, which was interesting to say the least. I didn't realize my beliefs would seem so liberal and it was sometimes really difficult to be the only person in a group who felt that way and have to defend my beliefs from other Christians peppering me with questions. After that I decided that my costume would be diligent college student and my party location would be the library as I searched for other secondary sources (luckily Sam had helped me find a place that had recommendations I could look through).
Thursday morning I skimmed my secondary sources to make sure they were in fact what I was looking for and one was not as useful as I had hoped so it was back to the library for me. After my Social Movements class that morning of course (this week and last week my social movements class has been taught by the professor of my literature class while my regular professor has surgery and it has been a really interesting and different experience. I could probably write an entire blog post on my literature professor and how interesting he is and maybe I will at the end of the semester). So back in the library trying to find that last elusive source I discovered that I had been totally missing AN ENTIRE SECTION of the library. I didn't know it existed and that was why I couldn't locate some of the books on my list. It was a serious eureka moment. I even tweeted about it. Then it was nose to the grindstone and reading all of my sources and pulling out quotes that I could use for my paper. After my math class I worked more on my resources and finding quotes and finally made an outline of my paper including the quotes so I would have something to follow. Thursday night is Jesus Jam night which is honestly still my favorite night of the week and this week Alyssa and Hannah were there which made it even better.
Friday after class it was more library. So.....much.....library. I did take a break to attend a short All Soul's Day service. The upside of this library and room dedicated time, I was writing my paper. Actually writing it. To be honest that is the hardest part for me, actually having a rough draft. I can do the prep work of an essay for days and as annoying as it is editing an essay is okay but actually sitting down to get a rough draft out is a serious uphill battle for me. I'm hoping at this point you can imagine what a great achievement it was for me to be writing a draft on Friday when the paper isn't due until the next Thursday. I didn't quite finish the draft that night but it was close enough that I let myself go to sleep.
Saturday was pretty great. I was up early but it was to take a train (well 2 actually) to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor by the Royal Shakespeare Company! I went with Hannah and Andrea and it was so much fun. We saw Shakespeare's birthplace and the cemetery where he is buried. We walked along the Avon river and saw the Swans that it is famous for. The play was wonderful and so funny. We had a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Rose and Crown. I had something called Hunter's Chicken which was chicken with mozzarella and bacon covered in barbeque sauce and served with chips (fries) and it was so good! Then we took a train (okay okay it was two) back and on one of them we played Pirate Fluxx on a table, it was pretty awesome. I also realized how much I appreciate when dad talks to the strangers interested in the weird card games we play so I don't have to because when I do have to I get super nervous. Plus I finished my paper.
Finally today I went to the TEN:15 service at the chapel and after a couple weeks of not going because of travel it was really nice to be back. Then lunch at Lindsey Bar where I traded off a brief discussion of American Politics for everyone explaining Guy Fawkes Day (which they call Bonfire night) to me. I struggled a lot with my math homework which is due tomorrow. Then as I was microwaving Pizza for dinner (don't judge me it was good pizza) I had to explain Thanksgiving to one of the girls in my hall whose only knowledge of it came from that one episode of Friends.
This week is reading week which means I won't be having two of my classes but it also marks the conclusion of the great essays abroad saga so it will be interesting all around. The good news is my reward at the end of the week for turning in said torturous essays is Paris. Here's to the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Lost in London
Going to London when your sick is probably not the best idea. In fact I can tell you, it's not. I had already paid for the tickets and all my friends were going otherwise I probably would have backed out and found another weekend to go (although to be fair most of them are booked.) But I went and it was wonderful, I just spent the entire weekend feeling totally exhausted because I was sick.
I chose to take the train instead of taking the bus so I woke up bright and early Saturday morning to grab the 25 to the Stoke train station. I really enjoy the Stoke station, it is cute and little and has a Pumpkin Cafe and wifi. I had a tea and chocolate croissant and then I was on my way. It was beautiful to see the sunrise over the English country side, I really enjoyed the ride and the view. The group I was meeting up with was already there and so they text me directions for after I got off the train. "Buy a day pass, when you get off at Kings Cross take the Picadilly line north to Hyde Park Corner, we'll meet you there."
Thats when the adventure started. I managed to stand in 3 different lines before I was able to actually buy a day pass. Then I figured out that they thought I was at a different train station than I actually was (I was at Euston, they thought I was at King's Cross) and there was no Picadilly line. So I took the Victoria line towards Green Park (because it sounds kind of like Hyde Park and it had the Picadilly line) it turns out the Hyde Park was only one stop off from Green park, great! So soon enough I was climbing the stairs at Hyde Park corner.
After several phone calls it was determined that I should walk from where I am to Buckingham Palace since they were already there. More directions "Walk through the park with the arch and the tube station behind you, once you get through the park it'll be right there down the street" so off I go. I start walking through Hyde Park, while 15 minutes later when I exit Hyde Park, I don't see it anywhere. I found a map that politely explained to me that it was 15 minutes the other direction, I HAD WALKED THROUGH THE WRONG PARK. Yeah, that happened. So another 15 minutes back through Hyde Park and then through Wellington Arch and then through Green park, I found Buckingham Palace and my friends. Success.
The rest of our Saturday, we went to Westminster Abbey, saw the House of Parliament, the London Eye, an interesting lunch at Ned's Noodle Box, we saw the outside of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, then we finally headed out to our hotel. We had to take a train and a taxi to get there but it was so worth it to have a room just for our friends and a shower.
We began Sunday morning with a service at Westminster Abbey which was so absolutely beautiful, I wish we could have taken pictures but I understand why we couldn't. Then we went to the Tower Bridge so we could actually go inside and see it. The exhibit on the crown jewels was amazing. Then we went to see the millennium bridge. Then our group split up so a few of us could take a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater which was amazing. It is now one of my life goals to go back and buy a groundling ticket and stand for the whole show, just to have the experience. Plus the tickets are only 5 pounds. I am so upset they are closed for the season. Finally we headed to King's Cross Station for the great 9 and 3/4 photo shoot. Finally to fit in one last thing before my train home we rushed off to Trafalgar Square and then it was back on the tube to grab a train back to stoke.
Little did I know that wasn't the end of my adventure. I had the experience of sitting on the floor of the train for 3 stops before a seat finally opened up. I wasn't the only one there was a little corner of the 3 of us sitting and reading plus others sitting or standing in other parts of the train. Luckily the website was wrong for what time the 25 would be there so I didn't have to wait the extra half an hour to get back to Keele.
Sorry this took so long, Sunday I will be posting my recap of the week which will explain why it took this long, but here is a hint it involves the library.
I chose to take the train instead of taking the bus so I woke up bright and early Saturday morning to grab the 25 to the Stoke train station. I really enjoy the Stoke station, it is cute and little and has a Pumpkin Cafe and wifi. I had a tea and chocolate croissant and then I was on my way. It was beautiful to see the sunrise over the English country side, I really enjoyed the ride and the view. The group I was meeting up with was already there and so they text me directions for after I got off the train. "Buy a day pass, when you get off at Kings Cross take the Picadilly line north to Hyde Park Corner, we'll meet you there."
Thats when the adventure started. I managed to stand in 3 different lines before I was able to actually buy a day pass. Then I figured out that they thought I was at a different train station than I actually was (I was at Euston, they thought I was at King's Cross) and there was no Picadilly line. So I took the Victoria line towards Green Park (because it sounds kind of like Hyde Park and it had the Picadilly line) it turns out the Hyde Park was only one stop off from Green park, great! So soon enough I was climbing the stairs at Hyde Park corner.
After several phone calls it was determined that I should walk from where I am to Buckingham Palace since they were already there. More directions "Walk through the park with the arch and the tube station behind you, once you get through the park it'll be right there down the street" so off I go. I start walking through Hyde Park, while 15 minutes later when I exit Hyde Park, I don't see it anywhere. I found a map that politely explained to me that it was 15 minutes the other direction, I HAD WALKED THROUGH THE WRONG PARK. Yeah, that happened. So another 15 minutes back through Hyde Park and then through Wellington Arch and then through Green park, I found Buckingham Palace and my friends. Success.
The rest of our Saturday, we went to Westminster Abbey, saw the House of Parliament, the London Eye, an interesting lunch at Ned's Noodle Box, we saw the outside of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, then we finally headed out to our hotel. We had to take a train and a taxi to get there but it was so worth it to have a room just for our friends and a shower.
We began Sunday morning with a service at Westminster Abbey which was so absolutely beautiful, I wish we could have taken pictures but I understand why we couldn't. Then we went to the Tower Bridge so we could actually go inside and see it. The exhibit on the crown jewels was amazing. Then we went to see the millennium bridge. Then our group split up so a few of us could take a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater which was amazing. It is now one of my life goals to go back and buy a groundling ticket and stand for the whole show, just to have the experience. Plus the tickets are only 5 pounds. I am so upset they are closed for the season. Finally we headed to King's Cross Station for the great 9 and 3/4 photo shoot. Finally to fit in one last thing before my train home we rushed off to Trafalgar Square and then it was back on the tube to grab a train back to stoke.
Little did I know that wasn't the end of my adventure. I had the experience of sitting on the floor of the train for 3 stops before a seat finally opened up. I wasn't the only one there was a little corner of the 3 of us sitting and reading plus others sitting or standing in other parts of the train. Luckily the website was wrong for what time the 25 would be there so I didn't have to wait the extra half an hour to get back to Keele.
Sorry this took so long, Sunday I will be posting my recap of the week which will explain why it took this long, but here is a hint it involves the library.
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