Oct 11, 2012
Oct 8, 2012
Home Sweet Home
It has taken me a while to even attempt starting this post because so far, the things that I have experienced and the people I have met have been so intense and amazing that I honestly don't think writing about it will do it any justice... Although, I will try. I am currently posting from the city I now call home, which is Sunderland. Sunderland is a town in the North East of England, situated by the coast. On the 15th of September I arrived at Newcastle airport to catch a free shuttle into the Sunderland University accommodation, where I would be living in for the next 4 or so months.
I arrived at Clanny House in the early afternoon and it was then that I became rattled with nerves. What were my flat mates going to be like? What if I didn't enjoy myself? A million and one questions were running through my mind, but I figured that I would just have to wait and see. To my absolute delight, I was the second person to arrive at my flat, and whilst dragging my ridiculously heavy bags up the stairs (something which had become far too familiar), I met Katie. Katie had arrived about an hour before I did, and already had a chance to familiarise herself with her new surroundings. We had a chat before I headed up what seemed like the never ending stairs and finally entered Room 19, which would be my bedroom for the entirety of my stay here. I threw down my bags and just lay on my bed for a little bit. It was pretty amazing realising that fact that what I had been planning to do for so long was actually becoming reality. Room 19 really did feel like my room, and I was excited to simply settle in and make myself at home. I headed back downstairs before unpacking my things and properly met Katie who turned out to be from North Carolina in the USA. Shortly after, three more of my flat mates arrived almost simultaneously. First Jacqueline from Germany, next Erin from Melbourne, and finally, Sabrina from Germany. We all acquainted ourselves with each other and I was so happy. I felt like there was an instant connection between the group, and later on the evening we found out that it seemed to be mutual. We hung out with each other for the rest of the afternoon before meeting our sixth flat mate, Daniel. It was at this time we realised we would only have one guy living in our flat of 6 girls, as there was only one more girl to arrive, Emma from France. Daniel had arrived later Saturday evening and by this point all of us had already decided to go out and have a raging first night together. I thought it was so funny and strange that the only boy living with us was called Daniel as my only brother at home is also called Daniel! By the time Daniel walked into the kitchen to meet us all properly for the first time, we had already had a considerable amount to drink and I think he thought we were a bunch of nutters. On our first night out together we went to the freshers welcoming event of the year which took place at a club called Northshore. It was so much fun, and I think it was so nice to feel like my new flat mates were already close friends.
The first week now is all a bit of a blur, but I do remember the fact
that we only stayed home for one night that entire week. By the end of
our partying escapades over freshers week, our flat were a solid unit.
Although I had only been in Sunderland for one week, it felt like I had
known these guys for so long and we had already had so much fun
together.
The week after freshers was my first week of uni. I felt like I was back in first year again, I didn't know anybody, and none of my friends were in any of my classes. In the end I had to change classes because the timetable I had seemed to be mixed up with 3rd year subjects but to my relief, the classes that replaced the old ones are top notch.
All in all, my first month in Sunderland has been such a fantastic experience, and I wouldn't have wanted anything more than what I have already! I don't really feel like this post has done any justice to the friendships I have made in the last few weeks, and the incredible experience I have had so far, I can honestly say that I have already made some amazing friends that I know will be life long buddies.
I arrived at Clanny House in the early afternoon and it was then that I became rattled with nerves. What were my flat mates going to be like? What if I didn't enjoy myself? A million and one questions were running through my mind, but I figured that I would just have to wait and see. To my absolute delight, I was the second person to arrive at my flat, and whilst dragging my ridiculously heavy bags up the stairs (something which had become far too familiar), I met Katie. Katie had arrived about an hour before I did, and already had a chance to familiarise herself with her new surroundings. We had a chat before I headed up what seemed like the never ending stairs and finally entered Room 19, which would be my bedroom for the entirety of my stay here. I threw down my bags and just lay on my bed for a little bit. It was pretty amazing realising that fact that what I had been planning to do for so long was actually becoming reality. Room 19 really did feel like my room, and I was excited to simply settle in and make myself at home. I headed back downstairs before unpacking my things and properly met Katie who turned out to be from North Carolina in the USA. Shortly after, three more of my flat mates arrived almost simultaneously. First Jacqueline from Germany, next Erin from Melbourne, and finally, Sabrina from Germany. We all acquainted ourselves with each other and I was so happy. I felt like there was an instant connection between the group, and later on the evening we found out that it seemed to be mutual. We hung out with each other for the rest of the afternoon before meeting our sixth flat mate, Daniel. It was at this time we realised we would only have one guy living in our flat of 6 girls, as there was only one more girl to arrive, Emma from France. Daniel had arrived later Saturday evening and by this point all of us had already decided to go out and have a raging first night together. I thought it was so funny and strange that the only boy living with us was called Daniel as my only brother at home is also called Daniel! By the time Daniel walked into the kitchen to meet us all properly for the first time, we had already had a considerable amount to drink and I think he thought we were a bunch of nutters. On our first night out together we went to the freshers welcoming event of the year which took place at a club called Northshore. It was so much fun, and I think it was so nice to feel like my new flat mates were already close friends.
The week after freshers was my first week of uni. I felt like I was back in first year again, I didn't know anybody, and none of my friends were in any of my classes. In the end I had to change classes because the timetable I had seemed to be mixed up with 3rd year subjects but to my relief, the classes that replaced the old ones are top notch.
All in all, my first month in Sunderland has been such a fantastic experience, and I wouldn't have wanted anything more than what I have already! I don't really feel like this post has done any justice to the friendships I have made in the last few weeks, and the incredible experience I have had so far, I can honestly say that I have already made some amazing friends that I know will be life long buddies.
Oct 2, 2012
Overseas Escapades
After the last 6 months of anticipation, I have finally reached it to the United Kingdom. As I have already been here for almost a month now, I figure it is definitely time for an overseas update!
My trip to England began in London, I stayed in an area called Victoria for 4 days at a youth hostel which was the PERFECT start to my trip! The weather in London was amazing for the 4 days I was there, keeping a consistent 20ish degrees the whole time. It actually caught me off guard as I expected it to be super cold the entire time!
The first day I arrived, I was so insanely delirious that I had to force myself to keep my eyes open. As check-in wasn't til 2pm, I had 4 or so hours to kill. Because the hostel was so close to Buckingham Palace, I took a stroll and stumbled across it within about 15 minutes. (I say stumble because I was literally so tired that I fell over, completely out of the blue, and received more than a few judging London looks.) Once I saw the palace, it hit me so hard that I was actually in London!! I had wanted to come to England for so long, and I was finally there, it was an incredible feeling to say the least. Whilst attempting to take selfies in-front of Buckingham Palace, I heard a more than comforting accent coming from a couple behind me. An Australian couple assisted me in my ridiculous attempts to take photos of myself in-front of the Palace, and I was so grateful. After walking around for a few hours, I headed back to the hostel because I had been awake for far too many hours to even count! On return to the hostel, I was lucky enough to overhear a girl talking to reception about a tour she wanted to book, which coincidentally was the exact same tour that I had booked tickets for the following day. I asked her whether she needed some help booking tickets as I had already done so, and we instantly got along. To be honest, I was in such a delirious state that I didn't have much idea as to what we were talking about, but after freaking out about hanging by myself for 4 days, it was nice to make a friend so fast :) Melissa was from Ecuador, and was also just about to start a study abroad program in France, lucky!!!
The rest of my time in London was filled with sight seeing and tours including the likes of South Bank, Big Ben, The parliament houses, Walks along the river Thames, London Eye, Oxford Street (which was INCREDIBLE!), Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard, Trafalgar Square, Park Lane, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St Pauls Cathedral, Marble Arch, The Statue of Eros, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Tate Modern and most importantly, the HARRY POTTER bridge a.k.a millennium bridge! Now I understand that for most, this wouldn't be a big deal... But as I am a ridiculous fan, seeing it "in the flesh" was amazing. As I didn't have too much time in London, I am yet to do some things but getting a taste of London just makes me want to go back even more. It is safe to say that I fell in love with a city.
My trip to England began in London, I stayed in an area called Victoria for 4 days at a youth hostel which was the PERFECT start to my trip! The weather in London was amazing for the 4 days I was there, keeping a consistent 20ish degrees the whole time. It actually caught me off guard as I expected it to be super cold the entire time!
The first day I arrived, I was so insanely delirious that I had to force myself to keep my eyes open. As check-in wasn't til 2pm, I had 4 or so hours to kill. Because the hostel was so close to Buckingham Palace, I took a stroll and stumbled across it within about 15 minutes. (I say stumble because I was literally so tired that I fell over, completely out of the blue, and received more than a few judging London looks.) Once I saw the palace, it hit me so hard that I was actually in London!! I had wanted to come to England for so long, and I was finally there, it was an incredible feeling to say the least. Whilst attempting to take selfies in-front of Buckingham Palace, I heard a more than comforting accent coming from a couple behind me. An Australian couple assisted me in my ridiculous attempts to take photos of myself in-front of the Palace, and I was so grateful. After walking around for a few hours, I headed back to the hostel because I had been awake for far too many hours to even count! On return to the hostel, I was lucky enough to overhear a girl talking to reception about a tour she wanted to book, which coincidentally was the exact same tour that I had booked tickets for the following day. I asked her whether she needed some help booking tickets as I had already done so, and we instantly got along. To be honest, I was in such a delirious state that I didn't have much idea as to what we were talking about, but after freaking out about hanging by myself for 4 days, it was nice to make a friend so fast :) Melissa was from Ecuador, and was also just about to start a study abroad program in France, lucky!!!
The rest of my time in London was filled with sight seeing and tours including the likes of South Bank, Big Ben, The parliament houses, Walks along the river Thames, London Eye, Oxford Street (which was INCREDIBLE!), Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard, Trafalgar Square, Park Lane, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St Pauls Cathedral, Marble Arch, The Statue of Eros, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Tate Modern and most importantly, the HARRY POTTER bridge a.k.a millennium bridge! Now I understand that for most, this wouldn't be a big deal... But as I am a ridiculous fan, seeing it "in the flesh" was amazing. As I didn't have too much time in London, I am yet to do some things but getting a taste of London just makes me want to go back even more. It is safe to say that I fell in love with a city.
a few shots of my time in London
The day I left London, I jumped on a bus and headed up to Scotland to
visit a friend, Mary. I was so excited to see her because I hadn't seen
her in SO long, and it was so nice to just give her a big hug and say
hello! To her disgust, as I had only been in the United Kingdom for such
a short amount of time, she was less than impressed with my accent, the
one that she had tried so very hard to lose. Mary met me at the coach
station, and helped me haul my stupidly heavy bags to the bus, a drama
in it self. Within seconds, one of the bags that I had brought with me
because it was "light", had completely ripped AND the straps had broken!
All the effort that had gone into weighing bags so I didn't have to pay
excess, didn't really pay off in the end... but all's well that ends
well I guess!
My first night in Scotland was eventful to say the
least. After a bite to eat, Mary and I made an executive decision to go
out and have "a few quiet drinks", and those were our famous last words.
I literally cannot remember how many drinks I had that night, but it
was insanely fun and crazy. This was the first night in the UK that I
got a good sense of the drinking culture, and it was mental. Let's just
say that the next day I was not feeling very well at all...
On
my final day in Scotland, I booked a tour that began at 8.30am and
finished about 6pm. I hopped on the coach in the morning, and the tour
guide gave us an outline of what we would be doing for the day. He
explained that we would be driving through the Lowlands and Highlands of
Scotland, finally ending up at Loch Ness, the infamous home of "Nessie"
the "Loch Ness Monster". Unfortunately, I didn't see any signs of a
monster in the Loch, but the town itself was so beautiful. The amount of
things to see in Scotland is incredible, all of the scenery was
amazing, I literally did not want to blink in case I missed something.
All of the country side in the UK is so different to home, it is nice to
actually see some greenery (although you would half expect it due to
the rainy Scotland weather...) When I arrived home Mary had made me a
delicious meal to end off a wonderful first week in the UK.
Photos from Scotland
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