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. :)