Hi all,
Well, it has been an interesting couple of weeks. Last Saturday, I hiked a 12 mile through Gower again, except this time it was through the marshland which was sweet. I saw the most gorgeous Welsh ponies who just came up and hung out with us. We also stopped at a castle we saw on our hike. The really neat thing about hiking here is that you hike through people's properties, most is farmland. I have seen mass amounts of gigantic cows, sheep, horses, and Welsh ponies. The hike was chilly. We hiked a good amount on the beach with CRAZY gusts of wind. I felt like I was going to be a kite and float away. The patterns in the sand were nothing short of astounding though.It drizzled a bit on us as well, but it wasn't too bad of weather.
I booked a flight to Barcelona, and am booking a flight to Athens later tonight. In a few hours I am going to pick up Ashley from the airport!!! Ashley is one of my best friends. Last year we were pretty much inseperable in the sorority house. She is studying Classics in Athens for the year. It is her fall break, so she is coming up to see me :) YAY!!! I can't wait to see her! This week will consist of dressing up as Sarah Palin. I even have a McCain sidekick for tomorrow night. My parents are proud. Pictures to come!
Tuesday 28 October 2008
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Amazement
Today was a clear-minded, full of belly laughs day...much needed. Looking out my window at 8am and seeing a clear blue sky with perfectly placed, cotton ball puffs was enough to bring a smile to my face. Me and a close pal went to class as planned, and luck was on our side, as our t.a. stood us up, so I got to drill internship interview questions to her. I LOVE helping people plan life like I got to today. Following non-class, we went for a light yog on the beach. There is something special about finding a running partner who can run right in tandum with you, and you don't feel embarrassed by asking to slow the pace, or to stretch. We walked back in the deep sand, and I felt guilty about squishing the perfectly formed sea shells under my asics. The tide was high, making the beach perfect. We had amazing conversations about how we are firm believers that some higher up power brought us all together in Wales to become fab friends (in addition to others) who work together well. I can't describe the feeling I get when I know I have friends who accept me the way I am...even when I act my shoe size and not my age, or get type A (I'm gettin MUCH better at not being so up tight). Following this fantastic, leisurly workout, we took a bus (yeah, we were too sore to walk up the hills home...) back, where I took a shower.
You know how sometimes, some showers are just way better than others? This was one of those showers where the steam just seemed to soak into my pores, and it was just refreshing. The next class was not so hot, but meh, you can't have it all :) This was followed by my first Indian Cuisine experience, yumtown, and watching part of Harry Potter.
The night was concluded by a great conversation with my sister about how Christianity involves much interpretation, and thought. That is what is so amazing is that it requires you to think about things, develop your own beliefs, and God says its ok to do that.
So here I am, laying in my bed ready to crash, and just thinking about all of the luck in my life. I can't think of a negative thought I had today, minus being a tad crabby at my t.a. for not showing up to class at 9. The waves were perfect, the crests were even white capped. The sand squished perfectly under my feet. It was just a bubbly day :)
You know how sometimes, some showers are just way better than others? This was one of those showers where the steam just seemed to soak into my pores, and it was just refreshing. The next class was not so hot, but meh, you can't have it all :) This was followed by my first Indian Cuisine experience, yumtown, and watching part of Harry Potter.
The night was concluded by a great conversation with my sister about how Christianity involves much interpretation, and thought. That is what is so amazing is that it requires you to think about things, develop your own beliefs, and God says its ok to do that.
So here I am, laying in my bed ready to crash, and just thinking about all of the luck in my life. I can't think of a negative thought I had today, minus being a tad crabby at my t.a. for not showing up to class at 9. The waves were perfect, the crests were even white capped. The sand squished perfectly under my feet. It was just a bubbly day :)
Sunday 19 October 2008
Comforts of Home
Hi All
As much as I love it here, I must admit there are things at home I am longing for.
Now the benefits of here certainly make up for most things that I miss, but here are the irreplacables.
Target
Diet Mountain dew. I am a dew addict during finals....they should just tap it into my veins...but it is illegal here (along with Lucky Charms) b/c of too much caffeine and sugar. lame
Family
Football
Pals
My Best Bud and cuddle pal
Barnes and Noble- a weekly event for me
BLUE SKY!!! and sun
ADPizzle
I'm sure having a blast here, but every now and then something reminds me of home. I wouldn't exactly describe it as homesickness, but rather its small things, challenges. This experience of being flexible, living not knowing where I am going next weekend is an amazing feeling. Not being Type A, living a rigid and timed out schedule has allowed me to grow, and become more flexible. Well it is late here, and I am ready for bed. Goodnight all :)
As much as I love it here, I must admit there are things at home I am longing for.
Now the benefits of here certainly make up for most things that I miss, but here are the irreplacables.
Target
Diet Mountain dew. I am a dew addict during finals....they should just tap it into my veins...but it is illegal here (along with Lucky Charms) b/c of too much caffeine and sugar. lame
Family
Football
Pals
My Best Bud and cuddle pal
Barnes and Noble- a weekly event for me
BLUE SKY!!! and sun
ADPizzle
I'm sure having a blast here, but every now and then something reminds me of home. I wouldn't exactly describe it as homesickness, but rather its small things, challenges. This experience of being flexible, living not knowing where I am going next weekend is an amazing feeling. Not being Type A, living a rigid and timed out schedule has allowed me to grow, and become more flexible. Well it is late here, and I am ready for bed. Goodnight all :)
Dublin!!
Well, last week I went to Dublin. It was quite an adventure, let me tell you. I left late on Wednesday night, and took a train to Cardiff, where I missed my conjunction train to Bristol. No big deal though I just hopped on the next one, but then it turned out b/c I was delayed in my train arrivals, I had missed the last airport shuttle from the Bristol train station to the airport. Bumsville. But then the sweetest old man bus-driver went against the rules of bus-driving, made an extra route, and dropped me off at the airport. He was the nicest person, so willing to help me. After we arrived at the airport, we sat and talked about politics in the U.S. and the U.K., youth, how Europe has changed since he grew up, why on earth I would want to live in the U.K. ("You must be in love with someone because I don't know why else you would want to stay here." Don't worry family, I'm not). At the end of the conversation, he proclaimed that I should be in politics because it is clear I like to learn, am aware of what needs changing in the world, get along with people, and I am pretty. Like I said, he was a sweet old man. So I finally got to the airport, and set up camp in a subway cushy chair and slept for a few hours. I got on the plane at 8am and was in Dublin by 8:55 am, where I met Jensina and Chelsea outside of our hostel.
Our hostel was decent. It was 8 beds and had linens included so that was nice. We adventured around all day, exploring the city and not really site seeing too much. We were all exhausted from being up all night in the airport. Highlights of this day were basically just looking at all the neat buildings around the city, and enjoying being in Dublin. At the end of the night we met up with the rest of the group who took a later flight into Dublin.
The next day, Friday, we broke up into different groups. I really wanted to see EVERYTHING....and that we did. Mom you would have been so proud of me I just busted out the map of Dublin and off we went. The rest of the group were troopers, and certainly put up with my extreme tourist sight seeing behaviors. The list of things we saw includes (but is not limited to...)
-Trinity College, where you can see the book of Kells (I guess its some super old book that's worth a lot...we did not see it).
-The Bank of Ireland....
Bank of Ireland’s biggest branch, facing Trinity College, was founded in 1729 as the Parliament of Independent Ireland. With the passing of the Act of Union in 1801, this massive building was sold to the Bank of Ireland and still adheres to tradition by having a guard in a top hat and tailcoat, and a coal fire in the lobby. Hosteldublin.com (we didn't go inside).
-Dublin Castle...yeah...we spent a good hour looking for it
-Merrion Square- a gorgeous park which reminded some of Central Park. It was full of red, orange, and yellow leaves, and the water and bridges were simply pristine.
-St. Stephen's Green- another pretty park with fountains and loveliness.
-St. Patrick's Cathedral- Absolutely breathtaking. It was almost like a museum....except not because the organist was practicing. I bought a tour guide brochure which explains all of the statues, the stained glass windows, the war memorials, and the different sanctuaries of the church. It was built over 2,000 years ago. St. Patrick came to Ireland to spread Christianity against the Druids' wishes.
-The Oscar Wilde monument
-The Guinness Brewery, St. James' Gate- The Guinness in Dublin is AMAZING. It takes over 2 minutes for one pint to completely settle. Yum. The factory had so many floors of interesting facts, and fun things to look at and do. It was certainly the highlight of Dublin.
-Lots of rich architecture and interesting surroundings
Last week, I booked a ticket to fly to Barcelona the 7th-10th of November. I am so excited! I also am going to be going to Paris in about a month and a half. After term, I might extend my flight for a few weeks longer and go see Ashely in Athens, Greece. Oh the Adventures!
Here are pictures. Enjoy!
Tallest statue I have ever seen
Chantel, this is for you
Our Hostel
Giant hand that we had to play in.
O'Connell statue, you can see bullet holes in it
Trinity College
Bank of Ireland
College Green
Oscar Wilde
St. Patrick's Cathedral
A copy of Handel's Messiah, first performed in Dublin in the 1740's. This copy is from the 1700's and was hand copied.
Staircase to the bell tower
I snuck into the altar, this is the area behind it
Boy Scouts are prepared in the U.K. too
Stained Glass
Statues
Cardiff Castle
Guinness Time
Looking up into a giant pint
9,000 year lease
Barley is important to beer.
Water wall
Chillin with Arthur Guinness
That copper holds 172,800 pints of beer.
It takes two minutes for a Guinness to settle
Progression.
Patiently waiting for our Guinness.
The plaque which commemorates the 1st performance of Handel's "Messiah". HALLELUJAH!
Our hostel was decent. It was 8 beds and had linens included so that was nice. We adventured around all day, exploring the city and not really site seeing too much. We were all exhausted from being up all night in the airport. Highlights of this day were basically just looking at all the neat buildings around the city, and enjoying being in Dublin. At the end of the night we met up with the rest of the group who took a later flight into Dublin.
The next day, Friday, we broke up into different groups. I really wanted to see EVERYTHING....and that we did. Mom you would have been so proud of me I just busted out the map of Dublin and off we went. The rest of the group were troopers, and certainly put up with my extreme tourist sight seeing behaviors. The list of things we saw includes (but is not limited to...)
-Trinity College, where you can see the book of Kells (I guess its some super old book that's worth a lot...we did not see it).
-The Bank of Ireland....
Bank of Ireland’s biggest branch, facing Trinity College, was founded in 1729 as the Parliament of Independent Ireland. With the passing of the Act of Union in 1801, this massive building was sold to the Bank of Ireland and still adheres to tradition by having a guard in a top hat and tailcoat, and a coal fire in the lobby. Hosteldublin.com (we didn't go inside).
-Dublin Castle...yeah...we spent a good hour looking for it
-Merrion Square- a gorgeous park which reminded some of Central Park. It was full of red, orange, and yellow leaves, and the water and bridges were simply pristine.
-St. Stephen's Green- another pretty park with fountains and loveliness.
-St. Patrick's Cathedral- Absolutely breathtaking. It was almost like a museum....except not because the organist was practicing. I bought a tour guide brochure which explains all of the statues, the stained glass windows, the war memorials, and the different sanctuaries of the church. It was built over 2,000 years ago. St. Patrick came to Ireland to spread Christianity against the Druids' wishes.
-The Oscar Wilde monument
-The Guinness Brewery, St. James' Gate- The Guinness in Dublin is AMAZING. It takes over 2 minutes for one pint to completely settle. Yum. The factory had so many floors of interesting facts, and fun things to look at and do. It was certainly the highlight of Dublin.
-Lots of rich architecture and interesting surroundings
Last week, I booked a ticket to fly to Barcelona the 7th-10th of November. I am so excited! I also am going to be going to Paris in about a month and a half. After term, I might extend my flight for a few weeks longer and go see Ashely in Athens, Greece. Oh the Adventures!
Here are pictures. Enjoy!
Tallest statue I have ever seen
Chantel, this is for you
Our Hostel
Giant hand that we had to play in.
O'Connell statue, you can see bullet holes in it
Trinity College
Bank of Ireland
College Green
Oscar Wilde
St. Patrick's Cathedral
A copy of Handel's Messiah, first performed in Dublin in the 1740's. This copy is from the 1700's and was hand copied.
Staircase to the bell tower
I snuck into the altar, this is the area behind it
Boy Scouts are prepared in the U.K. too
Stained Glass
Statues
Cardiff Castle
Guinness Time
Looking up into a giant pint
9,000 year lease
Barley is important to beer.
Water wall
Chillin with Arthur Guinness
That copper holds 172,800 pints of beer.
It takes two minutes for a Guinness to settle
Progression.
Patiently waiting for our Guinness.
The plaque which commemorates the 1st performance of Handel's "Messiah". HALLELUJAH!
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