Fish for Your Chips

Other websites by me

2011-04-29T10:06:00.001-05:00

Since my study abroad time is done I haven't really written on here so I want you to know that I do have other sites:
Www.wix.com/graphicartam/portfolio
soIsaidsaidtoFred.tumblr.com
And a wordpress: amdesigned

Photo Contest

2010-10-19T19:54:00.000-05:00

I am entering a photo contest for the photos I took while in England.
A maximum of five (5) photos may be submitted per entrant, one (1) photo per contest category. The categories are: Landscape, People, Comical, Architecture and Cultural Snapshot.
a) LANDSCAPE – photos should be of a landmark or landscape that is clearly identifiable as an international location.
b) PEOPLE – photos should capture images of study abroad students in an identifiable international location.
c) COMICAL - a lighthearted category meant to exhibit the entertaining and social aspects of studying abroad. Good clean fun only please.
d) ARCHITECTURE – photos of any man-made structure (located outside the U.S.) are welcome.
e) CULTURAL SNAPSHOT - a miscellaneous category of sorts, but photos should capture a moment in the study abroad program of particular cultural poignancy.

Feel free to take a look and leave me comments or suggestions about them. All these photos will be sent to the study abroad office to be used for the website whether or not they are used in the contest.

Enjoy!

You can click or copy/paste the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ravensong03/ForStudyAbroadSite?authkey=Gv1sRgCLP-197tmISP_wE&feat=directlink

Block 2- Last Days Photos

2010-06-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

Scarf given to me from the Block

Rob likes the Weatherspoon

Tamsin looking at the menu at the pub

Rob's Buddha Beer made in China, popular in Australia, new in the UK

Mike and Niamh at the pub

Megs and Joolzy

A terrific trio

Alex wearing Joolzy's coat

The card from the group

So sweet trying not to cry, while Josh is making a face

Lucy jamming

Joe joins the jam session

Tamsin jamming in my room

Me and Beccs

Early Morning in the Airport

2010-06-29T20:37:00.001-05:00

So here is the blog I wrote at the airport:

I realize that my blog is in desperate need of an update, so while I sit here at the airport waiting to check-in my bags I will write these. I am extremely tired seeing as it is 6:40 am and I got the cab to the coach station at 2:30 am. I have had little sleep so please forgive me if I leave things out of make a few mistakes. I will try to be thorough and accurate, if I mess up now I will correct later. So first things first, as I have mentioned I am at the airport (London Heathrow). I left Block 2 at 2:30 AM. I already miss them. I hate being at the airport by myself and it is freezing today as well. I will be checking in soon, but the time is passing so slowly. If I find a Starbucks in this airport, which I think I will, I will definitely be getting some coffee to keep me semi awake. I am ready to see my family and have missed them a lot, but I will miss this place and people that have been my home for the past three months. I will dedicate a blog post to them as well, but now I will begin to actually to update you on the past week or so.

The last day was really hard and stressful. To begin with my cab was late so I ended up calling another one got there 5 minutes before I was supposed to be at the coach station. Luckily the coach was late so I made it. The coach company was having issues so two groups rode on the same one. I was really worried I wasn't going to be on the coach and would miss my flight, that didn't happen. I did get on the coach and made it to the airport with time to spare. Tamsin was great at calming me down and keeping me focused. We were able to text while I was at the airport so I didn't feel alone. The airport security in London is a lot more lax than at DFW or Houston. I lost one of my favorite earrings at the airport, which was a bummer. :(

The airport was HUGE. DFW is huge but this one is much more open than ours. It's mostly glass which I liked. I'll post pictures. I slept on the 10hr flight mostly. I also watched the Ugly Truth and a few other movies. The guy next to me was snooty and kind of rude, but it happens. I had a stop in Houston which didn't seem reasonable. A flight straight to Dallas is quicker. Houston airport is terrible, try not to go to that airport.

When I got home, Clayton's surprise was bringing my best friends to the airport to meet me. It was wonderful they made signs and everything.

Block 2- Secret Santa Photos

2010-06-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

Opening gifts

Happy People with gifts!

"Joe Kempton is the Party" from Beccs

Happy Joe!

Luana loves her bear from Joe!

Joe is the party

Tamsin loves Megs gift

Sid does love curry!

She's never letting go

Block 2- Christmas Dinner Photos

2010-06-28T22:57:00.000-05:00

Mike, Lucy, and Tamsin ready to go to dinner

City Lights

City Lights and Lucy looking at them

More Lights

Tamsin is excited about the dinner

Josh says "Whaaa?"

Looking at the drink menus

Happy Luana

Happy Jenny

Happy Meg

Me and Luana

J dressed as one of the elves

Alex as Snap, Crackle, or Pop

Sid and Jenny waiting for food

Josh says "Why are you taking pictures of me?!"

Bread with Olive oil and vinegar

Mike with his crown

Jenny and Sid wearing their crowns

Tamsin and Bhups in crowns

Lucy and Hannah talking about old TV shows with their crowns on

Me and Joe wearing crowns

Final Blogs/Update/Christmas Dinner

2010-06-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

This is the blog I wrote before I left England about the Christmas dinner:

I was in Luana’s room the other day and found out about crackers (no not like edible Ritz). They are toys that they have at Christmas that you pull open like a popper, it makes a loud bang, and then inside is a paper crown, a joke, and either a toy or candy. I was so excited, like a kid a Christmas(haha). Block 2 had planned a traditional British Christmas meal at the Slug & Lettuce (yes, that is the name of the restaurant and despite its name it was beautiful).

Now let me expand. Crackers are amazing! I brought some home to my family and they loved them. I've seen them in the movies and they're real! Haha! Dinner was good. It was like our Thanksgiving dinner. I had turkey and gravy; parsnips; brussel sprouts (which I liked); some of the others had roast. We did secret santa, I got to be Santa. It was all really nice. Ali, J, and Alex came dressed as Snap, Crackle, and Pop for some bar hop/club deal. It was really funny. There are pictures.

That was about all.

Sorry...so behind

2010-03-02T14:24:00.000-06:00

I need to catch everyone up and write on how everything ended and getting home. I typed up a blog the day I left but haven't posted it yet. I will hopefully get everything up soon sorry for the delay. Also I may make another blog for my friends, particularly my British friends who want to keep up with how things are here. I won't add that stuff to this one because I want it to be for Study Abroad.

What I Forgot: New for the Brits to Try:

2009-11-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

Barats and Bereta are two guys who are really funny and they make random videos for youtube. You will laugh.

There You Go

2009-11-28T13:26:00.003-06:00

Now I am all caught up, I will continue to update you and give you all the juicy details. I hope that I didn’t forget anything. Also I adjusted the comment boxes so that they should work properly. If they still aren’t working feel free to message me. Also, see this on Facebook as well, feel free to add me.

Tata for now! :D

Photo Blog 4: Botanical Gardens 2nd Trip

2009-11-28T13:26:00.000-06:00

Rob studying the sculpture

Playing Hop Scotch

Me Playing Hop Scotch

"Our shadows taller than our souls"

Checking Out the Massive Statue

Rob the Archer

Tamsin the Thinker

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

See, Hear, Speak No Evil

The Water Garden (Fountain) adn Tamsin in the back being excited

Pretty Purple Flowers

Designed Garden

New to try: Steve Williams

2009-11-28T13:10:00.002-06:00

This is another comedian. This is him on the Michael McIntyre (remember him?) Comedy Road Show. And he’s quite funny.

Ps the English like to make fun of the Welsh; well everyone makes fun of the Welsh over here.

Photo blog 3- Block 2 as Cartoons

2009-11-28T13:06:00.000-06:00

Jessie and Cruella De Vil (Megs & Joolz)

The Whit Rabbit (Josh)

Mario (Alex)

Big Gay Al from South Park (Ali)

Thing #1 and Thing #2 (J and Naimh)

Wonder Woman (Beccs)

Spanelli from Recess (Lucy)

It was a Non-Thanksgiving in England

2009-11-28T12:57:00.000-06:00

Thursday was Thanksgiving and I wasn’t able to celebrate like I normally would with my family. Luckily, we have Skype so I am able to talk to them and see them. I was also able to see my Nonnie (mom’s mom) and talk to her, since she was with my mom. She was excited to see me even though I am here and they are there. Beccs, one of the girls from my block, did the sweetest thing and got me Oreo’s from ASDA for Thanksgiving because it was an American thing that she could find. Thank you so much Beccs! And I had a PB & J for my “Thanksgiving Dinner” which made Beccs laugh because that’s another American thing. But since I wasn’t able to give my thanks at dinner, here I go now:

I am thankful for:

My family, they mean everything
The last moments I got to spend with my dad, and the Christmas we shared
My wonderful friends, who stuck by me through thick and thin
Clayton, my love
My co-workers, for supporting me always
The study abroad offices of both Universities
Block 2, meeting such wonderful people in a foreign place, and making it feel like home
For having basic essentials that we all take for granted
Internet!
And last but most important for me, GOD!

2 and ½ years together!

2009-11-28T12:32:00.006-06:00

This blog is going to be dedicated to Clayton and our relationship. “Why?” you ask. Because on the Nov. 25 we “celebrated” 2 and ½ years together, and I couldn’t be happier. I will try not to make this too sappy or gross. But I do want to say I love you to Clayton and thank you for the past 2 and ½ years. I don’t know that I could make it without you. We’ve gone through so much together and you have stood by me when I was going through things I couldn’t handle alone. I’m so glad I met you and can call you mine. You are a wonderful person and please don’t forget it. Thank you for supporting me and my decision to go to England, knowing we wouldn’t get to be together for 3 months.

Love you,

Ariel

Old Picture, in high school still
The beginning

Another old one (2008) but one of my faves

Springfest, being silly in sepia :D

1st week in Leicester, at Abbey Park

The internet is finally back!!!!

2009-11-28T12:32:00.002-06:00

So for the past week they have been working on the internet network, and it is now fixed. That is why I am just now able to post, sorry for the wait. Now I have to log into the internet, blah, but I can now use Hulu and Pandora again! Yay for catching up on SNL!

Now onto the blogs I intended to write….

Day 3 + Dimes

2009-11-21T20:05:00.000-06:00

So I know it's late, but I have been stressed and I like to write when I am stressed. Today was day 3 of my challenge and so far so good. It also helps that I got so many good responses from it as well. And that others are wanting to do it as well. But I did forget to put up my dimes the other day, so I will put up yesterday's and today's.

Yesterday's Dimes:

Clayton recieved my letters.
Had Hero's Chocolates :D
Got a slip for mail

Today's Dimes:

Finished my paper, with the exception of the bibliography
Talked with Luana, a great talk
Slept in until noon

15 Sit-Ups-A-Day Challenge

2009-11-19T15:01:00.000-06:00

So I have started myself a workout challenge called the 15 Sit-Ups-A-Day challenge. The title explains it all pretty much. I started doing it today and will be doing it until the day I leave to go home (Dec. 12). I felt good after doing it today. Even if this doesn't help me by the time I get back, I think that it will make me feel good. And hopefully, get me in the mood to work out more when I get home.

My Calendar to remind me to do it

Chlamydia? A Dinner Topic? It is now!

2009-11-18T20:27:00.000-06:00

I want to start off by saying that in no way is Chlamydia funny or a joke or something that shouldn't be taken seriously.
Appearently (to the English), Chlamydia is a big issue that the youth are facing. This I did not know. Yes, I know what it is and I know people get STDs. What I didn't know was that it is something that needs to be talked about at dinner or "advertised" to get screened for in the dining hall.
This is why I say these things:

These were up throughout the main building and along the wall in the line for food. And don't forget you get a free lolly....I'm sorry but that's just awkward. "Come get tested for an STD and you'll get a sucker....and a free condom!"

WEIRD!!!!

Dimes: For Tamsin and Ms. Peebles Students

2009-11-18T20:18:00.000-06:00

So for those of you who know what dimes are, I will be posting my dimes everyday (or at least try to).

And today's dimes are:

Wrote 400 words for my essay
Had a piece of Tiger bread
Got new music from Tamsin

For the British to Try

2009-11-18T20:07:00.000-06:00

This is a commercial (advert) from America. It is for an online stock-broking type company. These are hilarious.

New to Try this Week

2009-11-18T20:02:00.002-06:00

http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Gaiman/e/B000AQ01G2/ref=sr_tc_2_0

Neil Gaiman is a British author, that I have been reading lately. You would most likely know him since he wrote Coraline. His books are very strange, but I enjoy them. The book I finished recently is Neverwhere. It is set in London, but don't worry you'll understand it even if your not British. It was a very good book.

Photo Blog 2: HALLOWEEN (BOO)

2009-11-18T19:47:00.000-06:00

PS Ignore the time stamp it's wrong

Doll (Joolzy)

Clowns (Ali and J)

Lady-man-Lady (Alex)

The Wicked Witch got Dorothy and her Little Dog too (Hannah)

Three members of KISS (Jenny, Sid, Bhups)

Rawr!!! It's a Tiger! (Lucy)

Seven Days!!! (Beccs)

Pop Princess (me)

Made in Romania! (Luana)

Retribution

"The Public Wants to Know: What about Halloween?"

2009-11-18T19:03:00.000-06:00

So, it seems that I have completely skipped over Halloween. Well, fear not....here is the infamous post that will be dedicated to the happenings of Halloween.
To start things off, Halloween is not as big in Britian as it is America. That is not to say that they don't dress up and celebrate, but there are no decorations, not much trick-or-treating. Mostly here it is a holiday for adults to act like kids again and get "car parked" (Michael McIntyre, must watch, in other words drunk).
We started the night as the entire of Block 2. Everyone dressed up, some more outrageous than others. Then most played drinking games, I continued to get ready. I was a pop princess, so that means I wore more pink than I have ever owned in my entire life. After drinking games, some were so drunk that they didn't go out. It was about 10 or so that wound up going out. We started at Firebug, which is a bar, that actually decorated. Then part of us went to a club called Retribution, its a rock club (so I loved it), the other part went to the wrong place, so they were at a different club. But the night was a big hit and I loved it.
THE END....

NOW PICTURES..........
ON THE NEXT POST!!!

Botanical Gardens

2009-11-18T18:34:00.000-06:00

This past week I went to the Botanical Gardens with Rob and Tamsin. And it is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places ever. It is so beautiful and green. It's nice to have a place that close to go to when I've been inside working all day or for the past few days. And we were lucky and it was a nice sunny day the day we went. We had a lot of fun being goofy, as you will see in the pics.

A pretty flower

Gorgeous Building and field I love it

Rob and Tamsin, with Tamsin making a face at me

Tamsin was so happy to get out, that she was clicking her heels

"Shop Late on Weekdays 'til 8 pm"

2009-11-18T17:48:00.000-06:00

I found the "mall" here in Leicester. It is called the Highcross. They also have Haymarket, but it's less like a mall. But at Highcross, they have a sign that you see on the doors and throughout the mall that says "Shop late on weekdays until 8 pm." Now back home that is early, but in Leicester all the places seem to close at 5pm or earlier. It's quite strange. The only place that is open late is ASDA, other than that it's just bars, pubs, or clubs. Highcross does have a Starbucks though, and that makes me happy. I have been drinking tea a lot more often than coffee though. Because it's out of the way to get coffee where as I can make tea in our kitchen in the Block. Tea has really grown on me, though I do drink ice tea back home and the taste is practically the same. And a nice cup of tea at the end of the day, is very relaxing, I have found. I haven't been writing as often as I would like on this blog, so I actually was at Highcross some time ago but I wanted to tell you guys about it anyway. I have been having a lot of essays to write instead. And soon I will have more essays to write. Fun stuff (saracasm).
Well onto the next post...

Hello Lovelies!!!

2009-11-15T11:09:00.001-06:00

Hello,
I haven't posted in a while and I am sorry for that. No, I wasn't out partying like crazy. I have several essays to write and have been really busy. I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not neglecting you just staying busy. I will write more tonight. Going to dinner now.

Bye.

New Thing To Try This Week

2009-11-04T14:14:00.001-06:00

The X-Factor is like American Idol, except there can be duos and trios. It is where Leona Lewis got her start. And the judges are like mentors to the finalists. I think this guy is good. My Block was talking about this episode and this guy at dinner the other day....they didn't know who Journey was.

Photo Blog 1: Block 2

2009-11-04T14:05:00.000-06:00

Part of the group going to Liquid

At Block 2's Big Night Out to Fan Club

Block 2's Big Night Out

Time to Dance!

How the British Play Pool

Try Something New

2009-10-18T07:44:00.002-05:00

I'm going to try something new, each week I going to put a video or ad up that is British. Something that is popular here that may not be in America.
So here's the first one:

Michael McIntyre, he is a British comedian, quite funny

Block 2 the Best Block

2009-10-18T07:38:00.000-05:00

The way that the housing is set up here is that there are Halls and with Beaumont Hall there is 9 Blocks (separate buildings). I am living in Block 2 (the best block). There is about 18 people living here and most of us are really close, tight knit group. We try to do things involving everyone all the time. We generally have a movie night and a night we all go out. For the most part, everyone in my block are “freshers” (you can guess what that is….freshmen). The first week that everyone was here was the bye week before classes started generally known as Fresher’s week. There were lots of different activities and parties, such as the Venga Boys performing (don’t know who that is, it’s ok, I didn’t either. For the Americans, their song is the theme song for the Six Flags commercial). The biggest one though was Fresher’s Ball. It’s just a big party at the student union in its various clubs/bars and everyone dresses really nice. It was fun, and nice that everyone in our group dressed up.

Block 2 has been asking me questions from the first day I met them, and it’s quite amusing. The first day that I got to sit and meet everyone, was in the common room and they had already been drinking so the questions were even funnier that day. I got questions about the types of cheese we have by Rob. Most of the questions have shifted from America in general to Texas. They are amused by my accent and what Texas is like. J believes that we use the quote “get off your horse and drink your milk,” it very amusing since he tries to say it with a Southern accent. Other people outside our Block also ask me lots of question, several have asked if I knew “so and so” because they were also American going to this University.

The Block 2 are such a great group, they have really made me feel welcome. They don’t seem to have a stereotypical view of America, it’s quite open. They didn’t know hardly anything about Thanksgiving and Mexican food, so we agreed to have those foods before I leave. Each person reminds me of something or someone back home, just with an accent. Each accent is noticeably different too, even though most of them are from London or close by. Rob’s is the most different from the group because he’s from North England so his is more “cockney” instead of “posh.” (I’m learning the lingo) And Luana is from Romania so she has a wonderful Romanian accent.

So for future reference, I am now going to introduce the characters of Block 2: (I got permission to use their names; also I’m going to try and do it alphabetical order, to not show favoritism)

Ali-one of the guys, provides the music, quiet (for the most part) from London
Alex- never quiet, persuader/leader of most group activities
Becca-from Leicester so she’s the navigator most times
Bobs- partier hangs out with us sometimes, people person
Hannah- med student, from near London, the “mum” of the Block 2 family
J- biggest guy in the group
Joe- actually American :D he has dual citizenship (which I think is really cool)
Joolzy- also born in America, crazy wonderful, my “sister” in the block 2 family
Josh- the “rocker” lol, generally pretty quiet as well
Luana- from Romania, my neighbor
Lucy- from North England as well, though her accent isn’t as prominent
Megs- from Wales, has a wonderful accent, really sweet
Mimi- from Africa, shy
Michael- so nice, chemistry major
Niamh (Pronounced like leave with a ‘n’)- celtic named, Essex girl, posh accent, really tall, the “cool aunt” of the Block 2 family
Rob- “the dad” of the Block 2 family, oldest of the group, cockney accent
Tamsin- English major like Lucy, really nice, the baby of the group

Most of Block 2 before Hubba Bubba Bar Crawl

Becca, Me, and Luana Before Fresher's Ball

Classes

2009-10-18T07:26:00.002-05:00

Classes here are nothing like back home. They rest of the group tried to explain their school system as well and it doesn’t make sense to me. I understand the structure, but that is about it. I am taking three courses but I have 5 lectures a week and 3 seminars. Lectures are generally the same as back home except it is just a presentation, no interaction. Seminars are smaller groups where we discuss the same topic as the lecture, generally, and we are assigned work. You don’t get to pick when you take your classes either. The time tables are set for you, and that goes for everyone not just international students. Also who gives the lectures changes weekly or more, but the seminar are given by the same “tutor.”
So far the only assignments I've had are reading, so it's not too bad. Just slightly boring.

Updates are needed

2009-10-13T18:56:00.002-05:00

I have been needing to update my blog for awhile now. Sorry for the delay. It is late at the moment so this entry will be short and sweet and will lead into more for the future. I will post about classes (modules), wonderful Block 2 (living mates), Leicester now, and much more. Once again, sorry to keep you on your toes waiting, more is to come soon. I promise.

Night for now.

Photos of Abbey Park

2009-09-28T11:43:00.000-05:00

Field Hockey shoot off

Bridge and Waterway at Abbey park

Huge Swan, geese and ducks

Remains of the Mansion

Remains of the Abbey

Abbey Park, Oadby, Ecentric British, and 24hr stores that close at 4.

2009-09-28T11:23:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, since it was Clayton's last day here, we wanted to plan a trip out somewhere. Originally we were going to see a castle but England closes at 5pm or so, so that people can eat their dinner and go out to drink. We settled on going to Abbey Park, which is apart of Leicester's heritage/historical society. And I'm so glad we didn't get to go to the castle because we would have missed a wonderful opprotunity. It was beautiful and calming. It's nice to just spend time with the people you love.
The park was huge. There were ducks everywhere and huge swans. In the park, we walked upon a old mansion, which was almost as good as a castle. And we got to see the remains of the original abbey.
Yesterday, I found out that ASDA(walmart) closes at 4pm on Sundays, even though on a bright red sign out front it says "Open 24 hours." I suppose they feel that it's optional, just like the bus system. The buses don't always come, whether it's an working bus stop or not. Since ASDA closed 10 minutes after I got there, I was able to get my stuff just in time. I decided to have a look around Oadby (pronounced Ode-be), which is the side town of Leicester that I'm staying at. I tried the Subway while there, which is agian different but not so much so.
I wound up walking all the way to the outskirts of town and met an elderly woman walking the street. She had asked me if I was waiting on a lift. I had told her no I was just crossing the street. Then the storm of questions came. She asked me where and what I was studying, and then asked to walk down to the end of the street with me. Then she decided that she was going to guess my name by just knowing the first letter, and that I should do that with hers as well. She asked me to guess what her profession used to be. I guessed Librarian and store keeper, which were both wrong, and she told me she had been a teacher, and that after she told me she bet I got it by all her questions. She never got my name right then finally asked, and I told her then she asked to spell it. She asked me many of the same questions twice, saying she forgot her memory. "I put it under a couch cushion once, and now I can't seem to find it." she told me. She was very amusing and sweet. She told me she would remember me for a long time, and told me "to keep taking very calculated risks." Her name was Delia (De-Lee-A) and I know I will remember her for years to come.

Unfortunatly when I found my way back to the town center, I witnessed a car/motorcycle crash. It was terrifying. A motorcycle had hit a car pulling out at a major intersection. I don't know if the man on the bike is ok. There was no front end left to his bike and there was glass and bits of car everywhere. I said a prayer and hopefully I will hear in the news that he is ok.

First couple of days in England

2009-09-24T18:47:00.000-05:00

So I have been in England for a couple of days now and... wow! England is all I expected and mor. Things are only slightly different here, but I like the changes. I love to hear all the different accents, not all of the people here are British so I hear accents from all over Europe. My emotions are mixed about Leicester though. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's not home.

The first day was wonderful and awful. When I arrived, I had no idea where to go because the airport was so confusing but luckily Sara was with me so we were lost together. And while we were figuring out where to go we met another student from Norway. When I got to my room everything was fine, until I realized my phone wasn't working. I couldn't get a hold of my mom or Clayton. I was so worried that they were both freaking out and that Clayton was completely lost. I was finally able to get a hold of Clayton later that night and was able to get my mom set up on Skype. I had walked so much that day that my feet swole.

The second day I mostly slept. I had been so tired from the events of the day before and the flight. But I found their version of Walmart that day, called ASDA. Food and other items are the same here but different. Everything has different labels and sometimes different names. For instance, Lays are Walkers, all the candy bars have completely different wrappers, Mr. Clean is Mr. Muscule, Cottonelle is Andrex,etc. We ate Reggae chicken and it is amazing, and ASDA will make you a personal pizza at the deli in the back while you shop. There is no mac and cheese though. And I find out that it is perfectly legal to walk down the street with a full bottle of alcohol, open or not, except in certain areas.

This city doesn't make me feel like I'm in a foreign country I just feel like I'm in a new city.

Today, Clayton and I went to the New Walk Art and History Museum. It was really neat. And tonight's activity was Karaoke night, where I learned that Stevie Wonder is the number one artist in India. And that Europeans like ABBA and Brittney Spears.

I have posted some pictures but I will have to start an online album that I can link to hear.

Cheers!

The Heathrow Airport

ASDA part of Walmart

Part of Leicester City Center

Tomorrow I leave

2009-09-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

Today I made sure to check in early and print my boarding pass. And this time tomorrow I will be on a jet to England. I excited but mostly at the time I'm kind of numb. I will most likely get really nervous and excited when at the airport.
Also today I received my late birthday present, a new camera! It's beautiful and green!

Betsy may go on a diet

2009-09-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

Betsy is the name of the polka dotted luggage, and she's getting big. A 51 lb limit may be a problem for her. But luckily Space Bags have become good friends. Still doing laundry but almost done with all my packing. Now what books to bring on the carry on and what books to bring in general is going to be hard. I love to read so much! Luckily I finished the book I was reading so that's one down.

A bowl of nerves to go with your chips? Why yes please!

2009-09-15T00:57:00.000-05:00

To say I wasn't nervous would be a lie, a HUGE lie, in fact. The odd thing is that I'm not nervous about things that could go wrong, I've been able to keep those thoughts in the far corners of my mind. Perhaps, it's because of home sickness. I know that I will miss my family, friends, Clayton, and my puppies. Luckily, today I printed several photos for my album to take with me so that it will be easier to pack.

Ok, now that I have written it and said a loud I feel better.

Goodnight

A week until take off

2009-09-14T01:57:00.000-05:00

So this is my first entry. I have never blogged before so please bear with me. There will most likely be many changes in the first week or so of this blog, design wise.
I am very exited, nervous, and anxious about my trip, but I also feel very glad to have this opprotunity. I know that it will be a great experience.