and I thought the igloo was cold....

corey_prior — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 04:22:00 GMT

Well, after reading ford's blog... it really puts mine to shame. He's such a fantastic writer... i feel like I just got back from a trip to spain. Speaking of Ford, we've been trying to figure out good weekend for me to visit... but i haven't had much luck, but i WILL make it there.

It's Wednesday night 7:30. This is the first time since I've been here that I am still chilled from my trip into the city today. My fault though, I didn't wear many layers today. It just looked so sunny and warm out my window... so I ended up buying mittens and a scarf at the market. This week has been good... similar to last week: figuring out classes, riding bikes into the city, getting some exercise, exploring, and of courseeee going out at night. I don't know how people do it... it's night after night. Personally, I am exhausted after a long day of walking.

It smells like fall outside. It's so exhilerating to run or bike down the streets as the leaves fall and think to myself... I'm actually in England right now. It's still so surreal. I'm headed to london in the morning, at 6:20 am!! It still just doesn't seem possible that I could be in LONDON tomorrow. who knows when this will set in. Sam (another guy from jmu) and tegan (my aussie friend in a lot of my pictures) and I are going. we've booked a hostel somewhere and we're planning on backpacking it all weekend. Just hitting all the awesome sites. Mom, I think I'm going to go see Wimbeldon. I'll be thinking of you.

I've been trying to find local things to do around here... some secret spots that arn't exactly touristy. I found a canal today... mapped it out, but didn't make it there. I'm sure I will check it out next week. Classes start on Monday, and i'm actually ready to meet people in my classes and see whats it like to study here, have a little bit of a schedule. Registering for classes was a nightmare. It was very disorganized... and NOT online. It was a scavenger hunt to get our classes... you have to go and get a signature in a small classroom for each class. It's so weird.

I got a job! I am going to work in the cafeteria one or two nights a week for three hour shifts. 6.25 an hour.... thats like 12 dollars an hour for serving food. but then again... it's actually not like 12 dollars because it still counts for only 6... but its better than nothing i guess. I start next tuesday.

I put up some new pictures tonight, from the botanical gardens right behind my hall and from today in the city. It was so fun... all these markets, i bought a bag of roasted peanuts for a pound and there were bagpipers and flutests out playing. It was quite a moment walking along all bundled up, snacking on my peanuts and taking in the accents, the scenery, the music, ENGLAND!

I can not WAIT for London tomorrow!!! I will let you know how it is!

until then,

CHERRIO

week recap

corey_prior — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:11:00 GMT

Hey everyone.

Since my internet has just been set up, almost exactly a week into my adventure... I'll recap my last week. Monday/Tuesday (something weird happened with the time and I'm not sure if I was traveling for 1 day or 2...) I came to the conclusion that I will never travel with a pillow again. yes... I took a pillow. There is nothing 'cool' about traveling with a pillow. It's entirely too big for a small plane seat and you have to carry it around like you are headed to a slumber party, hugging it in front of you. and forget going to the bathroom.

I arrived in Leicester Tuesday morning at 7am. We all piled onto the bus (with my illegal 3 bags... everyone else had 2 yet somehow seem to have more necessities that I do...) The bus ride was 2 hours and we arrived at Beaumont Hall. My room is smaller than Theresa's room in the cider house, and my window view is of a wood pile... and yes I am living with "freshers" (aka freshmen). It's just perfect though. I have no decorations... so my room pretty much looks like a VMI room, but it's a room HERE in LEICESTER!!

This past week we have had functions set up for us each day, we've learned about the university, or 'uni' as everyone here calls it (you going back to uni? how far to uni?). All of the international students have really been getting along and it's been great getting to know people from all over the world. My eyes are already being opened, the US is seeming smaller and smaller.

This week is "freshers week" which is basically orientation for the youngsters. It's kind of stranger being back in a dorm, with rules and a communal shower. We don't start classes until a week from tomorrow so we have this week to register for classes and mentally prepare for the shortest semester of my life. I am planning to venture into London and head to wales Thursday/Friday.

As for today, it's a dreary Sunday. The first anything but sunny day we've had all week. We are planning to head into the city to find bikes to buy for the semester. That's after our 'hall meeting' of course.

I have so many pictures, that I think I might put them on another site, but I will post it here when I make it.

hope everyone is well. I miss you all

a season

and I thought the igloo was cold....

week recap