Back to the castle...

Well, it has been a week and I am back to the castle... Our week in Greece was amazing to say the least! I went with two girls that I am pretty good friends with at the castle, Allie and Nicole. We got along extremely well, which made it that much better! We arrived to our resort at about 6 in the morning, got to our room, unpacked, and then slept for a few hours. After we woke up we got on our suits right away and went to the sea. It was beautiful weather the whole time we were there!

This is the view from the beach we laid on a few days. We sat at our pool a lot as well, which you could also see the same view.  The rest of the week was pretty much spent here. All of our food and beverages were included in our cost; the food was pretty good, buffet style. We went into town one day, and by town I mean Kardemna. We stayed at Norida Beach, at the Mitsis Hotel. Town was just a nice with lots of little shops. 

On Tuesday, 21st, we went on a day trip to Turkey. Let me tell you, that was an experience and a half. We went on a ferry over, and once there we went on a tour, then we had time on our own to explore. We saw the Bodrum Gold Center and also went to the top of the city and got to see everything in the city. It was beautiful. During our free time we went to the Market. It is a building of tons of shops and knock off items. It is intense walking though it, "pretty girl pretty girl. Jennifer. Charlie's Angels... you come to my shop." They do anything to get you to stop and look and buy something. We did however barter, Nicole bought some sunglasses in the Market. We walked around to some of the other shops outside the Market, where I bartered for some perfume and actually got it at a decent price. I was pleased. Haha. On the ferry ride back I ended up meeting a nice couple from Holland. All in all, a good day spent in Turkey. 

After that we spent the next few days just chilling with people we had met and soaking up the sun. I met over 45 holiday friends from the hotel that I spoke to daily. It was an amazing week break and I am looking forward to my two week, not sure what I'm doing yet, but if it's anything like this week then I am excited! 

Things are looking up!

I haven't written since that not so great day about a week ago. I've been meaning to write, but I've been busy with other things. Well, I will just do an overview of the last couple weeks. After we went to Hadrian's Wall on Friday the 27th, the following Monday I dyed part of my hair purple. Just the underneath, it's done in a 'classy' way. Haha.
The next Friday we went on a field trip to the Holy Islands, which was beautiful! We made our way to a few different beaches where we had time to explore and enjoy the sun. It was a perfect day for being out. Saw an old ruined castle, a few statues. I know I should have more specific names, but it's been a couple weeks since! :) That weekend was pretty relaxing, Saturday a couple friends and I went to explore the castle. Took a ton of photos!
On Monday (9/6) a few of us went down to the local radio station, where we volunteer. We got trained in, learned how to use the microphones, music, etc. It was interesting and pretty fun! It is called Lionheart, you can listen to it online. http://www.lionheartradio.com/ is the link. Me, and a few of my peers will be Live on Monday, September 27th from 3pm-5pm (England time-zone) If you want to listen in, that'd be cool!
A normal week of school, then on Friday (9/10) We made our way to Edinburgh, Scotland, where we flew into when we arrived. Here, we got to see the Edinburgh Palace, The Parliament building, and the Edinburgh Castle. A lot in that day, I'd have to say the best part of the day was the Parliament building. It is completely re-done and ultra modern. The artwork inside is absolutely beautiful! Being an art major, I enjoyed the tour, where we got to see all the artwork. If you're interested you can look it up, or click on this link http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/index.htm Which gives you a better look at it. Our tour guide told me that there was an art only tour once a month. (I may check that out.)
About 15 out of the 26 of us students spent the weekend in Edinburgh, I however did not. I came back that Friday night, most of us just sat around and enjoyed a relaxing Friday. Saturday morning 3 of us girls took a bus to Newcastle, where we spent the day shopping. One of our girls split off and met up with a few others from our group to go to a Football Game (U.S. Soccer). Newcastle is a huge city! We did some shopping and got back on the bus home. Our small group of 10 went out that night! I met a group of students from IOWA!! They were a group from Luther College, studying abroad elsewhere in England, here for only a night. It was comforting to hear an accent I recognized. I felt like an American for a moment :) Sunday, relaxed all day, and did laundry becauseeeeeee.....

On this Thursday (9/16), tomorrow. Me, and 2 other girls are going to Kos, Greece! With all the money trouble I've been through, I ended up charging it (which I don't like doing) until money gets sorted out. They girls I am going with, had booked the trip already, so I was nervous about not getting in with them. It was a stressful time, thinking that I was going to be stuck at the castle for our one week break. (In reality it's about 10 days) Saturday morning (this past Saturday before we went to Newcastle) we went to  the travel agency where they had booked it. And by Gods grace, I got on the same flight, same hotel room, etc. as these two girls! And! And... It was a little cheaper, and the exchange rate was lower, so I ended up paying less! It is an all inclusive trip which means, the flights there and back, a ride from the airport to the hotel, and the hotel, which has food and beverages all day long (included)!! We're on a beach, it'll be nice to just get away from this small rainy town. :)

Sorry, again for this being so long, but thanks for reading! I have a lot to do today. Two tests tomorrow before I leave, pack, exchange money, pack, study, etc... etc...
I'm feeling better, money will sort itself out. Probably not the best philosophy, but for now it's Hakuna Matata for me!

money, money, money

I know this is a horrible second post, but I need to let it out. What better place than right here? When coming here I tried to figure out finances before I left, but apparently I didn't do a good enough job. First off, not all my financial aid stuff through school went through. Not sure when I'll see that money, if at all. So that leaves me with... about 100-200 pounds that I have with me. For the whole semester. I still have 3 months here. Lots of food to buy, living expenses, etc. Now come to find out, I won't be able to travel while I'm here. I'm in Europe with many possibilities, lots of opportunities, and yet I can't go off and experience them. I don't want to complain because I do get to go on field trips here and there, but it's just a different experience to be able to leave the castle, leave Alnwick, leave the U.K. on your own and see the world for yourself.  I have work study, but that won't give me much once you convert it into pounds. It doesn't help that the exchange rate is bad. I did have a lovely week last week. Maybe I'll feel like talking about it more another time. For now though, I am signing off, frustrated and emotional. :)

First week in England

It's crazy to think that it's only been a little over a week since arriving in England. And what a whirlwind of a week it has been! We flew out of Minnesota on August 18th. We then flew to Cleveland, Ohio, where we had a short layover, then on the Newark, New Jersey, and then lastly onto to Edinburg, Scotland. Wade, who is in charge of our stay here, met us at the airport, where we took a 2 hour bus ride to Alnwick, England where we reside now. It was about 4am in the states when we arrived, but in England it was 10am on Thursday, therefor we had to stay up to adjust to the time difference. It was a long day, but we made it through. We had a lot of boring orientation, got our international cell phones, etc. We were also greeted by Hagrid and Dumbledore (from Harry Potter). For those of you who don't know, I am living in the castle where Harry Potter was filmed. We later walked around the town and went to a local pub.
The next day (Friday) we had more orientation. Saturday we went downtown to see the unveiling of a statue. The Duke and his son were there for it, which will most likely be the only time we see them. Later on in the day we were able to go to a cricket game. It wasn't that exciting, but it was fun to see part of the culture.
Sunday, we went on a field trip to the Farn Islands, on the North Sea. It is filled with birds and seals. We also were able to get off of the boat and see one of the islands, where we got to explore. There was a little beach as well. It was nice to relax in the sun and the sand for a little while. Since we were right on the shore line, once we returned to land, we went and got fish and chips(french fries). It was delicious.
Monday we started classes, starting at 9am. British History with one of our British professors, Kristine. We have another British professor, David. Two professors from St. Cloud State came along as well to teach us.
Tuesday was my birthday, so a group of us went out for dinner and later to a pub. It was a birthday to remember. I am now 20, and I got to enjoy it in England :) The rest of the week was pretty much the same, classes starting at 9am, ending in the afternoon, and then having a night classes a couple nights.
Friday was our 1st field trip. We traveled first to Hadrian's wall, where we went on a 3 mile hike. It was hard, but totally worth it because it was beautiful! After the hike we went to the Castlerigg Stone Circle. We then made our way to Ambleside (a town) where we were free to roam and check out the lake, which was also beautiful. We ended out day at our youth hostle, on the lakeside. For dinner, we traveled into town, where we had an amazing dinner outside on the porch. Saturday, we woke up to rain, which ended in a rainbow. :) Our first stop of the day was to the museum of Beatrix Potter, who wrote all of the Peter Rabbit stories. We got to see her original drawings and such. William Wordworth, famous poet, was our next stop. We were able to see the home where he did most of his writing and also the classroom where he used to study. Then it was about a 3 hour drive back to Alnwick.

It has only been a little over a week since we've arrived here in England, but it feels like we've been here a lot longer. We have seen so much in such a short period of time. I sometimes catch a moment alone and all I can do is smile, to think that I'm really here. I made this happen :) Tomorrow we are going on our tour of the town and in the afternoon having tea with our "homestay families." A homestay family is someone local who we are free to go and see if we'd like, and they may invite us to do things with their family, etc. I also have to do laundry and homework!!!
I miss home on occasion, but honestly, I am too busy to think about it. There's always something I can be doing! Signing off for today. I will try be more regular at this so it won't be so long!

xoxo from England