Hello All!
It's Christmas day! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday and eating lots of good food! My parents were lovely and brought me a few gifts! I now have the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver (google it) and the 4th Doctor's scarf! I also received a very nice card from Sherry and Jordan Sim along with a big bag of Canadian skittles. I'm saving them for the new year. My parents brought me some really nice loose leaf tea, some cookies, Kraft Dinner (so excited) and a few other little bits and bobs.
It's been nice showing them around Chichester and outlying areas. We went to Portsmouth and nearly got blown over by the wind and the rain. Oh and the scary drivers. On the 28th we head off to Paris so this is my last blog before January 8th.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!
-Kirsten
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Semester One Done
Hello!
So as of Friday last week, I have officially completed my first semester abroad! It's funny, now that all my essays are in and I'm faced with this big stretch of time until semester two starts, I'm not so sure what to do with myself day to day. If I was back home, I'd be working the holiday rush so my days wouldn't seem so long. In all honesty, the days probably feel so long and boring because I'm waiting for my parents to arrive. They get here TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?
Since I've completed the first semester, I think it's a good time to review what I've learned since I got here.
1.) Roommates = Good. Some people might have a different view. I've certainly heard horror stories of roommates past but in my experience I've actually had a blast! Yes,we bicker about dishes, the state of the kitchen, doors slamming and parties keeping people awake but for the most part it's been fun. Even with the bickering no one has ever been outright nasty, and most arguments don't drag out endlessly. Also, you'd think the drama level would be high in a house of girls but most of the drama I've experienced has been outside issues. There has been very few inside the house incidents which has been amazing.
2.) FaceTime is wonderful. I love the fact that I can actually see my parents when I talk to them. Even if it's a five minute call it still helps keep the homesickness at a manageable level. Some days suck, others I don't think of home at all and I think that's because I'm able to actually see home when I call. The world shrinks a bit and it's nice.
3.) If everyone is doing it then why the hell should I? I've had lots of new experiences, some good some not so good. The point is I know who I am and what I like and I don't see the point of doing stupid crap even if other people enjoy it. It's not for me, it will never be for me.
4.) Eat yo damn veggies. Seriously I have no problems eating fruit but I have to remind myself to eat veggies. It's easiest to do the veggies thing if I a.) make a lot of stir fry with a crapload of veggies and b.) prewash, cut, prepare the veggies I do buy so I have no lazyass excuse not to eat them.
5.) No one is going to tell me what is going on so I better figure it out for myself. This one is huge. Most of the time when someone says "I'll email you" or "I'll call you" it'll NEVER HAPPEN! You have to track their lying asses down and get answers. If they won't give you answers straight away you become a permanent pain in their sensitive bits until they give you what you want or pass you off to someone else who can actually help you. Of course when you finally get your stuff be nice and say your pleases and thank-yous so they don't hate you when you have to once again beat an answer out of them.
6.) Everyone is in a permanent state of illness, power through it. Unis are a germ farm. There is no such thing as being "healthy" here. There is only states between illness. Savour those moments.
I'm sure there's more stuff I've learned but my brain isn't coughing any of it up right now.
My parents arrive tomorrow, something I've been looking forward to since I got here. I don't know how regular updates on here will be once they get here. I think there will be one on Christmas Day (as it is a Wednesday) but after that there will be no updates until around the 15th of January. We're going to Paris on the 28th and then the 8th of January is when my parents fly back home. No time to update between then I don't think.
Until next time,
Cheers!
So as of Friday last week, I have officially completed my first semester abroad! It's funny, now that all my essays are in and I'm faced with this big stretch of time until semester two starts, I'm not so sure what to do with myself day to day. If I was back home, I'd be working the holiday rush so my days wouldn't seem so long. In all honesty, the days probably feel so long and boring because I'm waiting for my parents to arrive. They get here TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?
Since I've completed the first semester, I think it's a good time to review what I've learned since I got here.
1.) Roommates = Good. Some people might have a different view. I've certainly heard horror stories of roommates past but in my experience I've actually had a blast! Yes,we bicker about dishes, the state of the kitchen, doors slamming and parties keeping people awake but for the most part it's been fun. Even with the bickering no one has ever been outright nasty, and most arguments don't drag out endlessly. Also, you'd think the drama level would be high in a house of girls but most of the drama I've experienced has been outside issues. There has been very few inside the house incidents which has been amazing.
2.) FaceTime is wonderful. I love the fact that I can actually see my parents when I talk to them. Even if it's a five minute call it still helps keep the homesickness at a manageable level. Some days suck, others I don't think of home at all and I think that's because I'm able to actually see home when I call. The world shrinks a bit and it's nice.
3.) If everyone is doing it then why the hell should I? I've had lots of new experiences, some good some not so good. The point is I know who I am and what I like and I don't see the point of doing stupid crap even if other people enjoy it. It's not for me, it will never be for me.
4.) Eat yo damn veggies. Seriously I have no problems eating fruit but I have to remind myself to eat veggies. It's easiest to do the veggies thing if I a.) make a lot of stir fry with a crapload of veggies and b.) prewash, cut, prepare the veggies I do buy so I have no lazyass excuse not to eat them.
5.) No one is going to tell me what is going on so I better figure it out for myself. This one is huge. Most of the time when someone says "I'll email you" or "I'll call you" it'll NEVER HAPPEN! You have to track their lying asses down and get answers. If they won't give you answers straight away you become a permanent pain in their sensitive bits until they give you what you want or pass you off to someone else who can actually help you. Of course when you finally get your stuff be nice and say your pleases and thank-yous so they don't hate you when you have to once again beat an answer out of them.
6.) Everyone is in a permanent state of illness, power through it. Unis are a germ farm. There is no such thing as being "healthy" here. There is only states between illness. Savour those moments.
I'm sure there's more stuff I've learned but my brain isn't coughing any of it up right now.
My parents arrive tomorrow, something I've been looking forward to since I got here. I don't know how regular updates on here will be once they get here. I think there will be one on Christmas Day (as it is a Wednesday) but after that there will be no updates until around the 15th of January. We're going to Paris on the 28th and then the 8th of January is when my parents fly back home. No time to update between then I don't think.
Until next time,
Cheers!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Final Stretch!
Hey!!
Sorry this blog is coming in later than normal! Hayley and I went shopping today in Portsmouth. We just barely made it onto the train down because we left the house later than we intended, but a bit of running never hurt anyone!
The shopping was mostly for me. I needed a smaller suitcase for travelling over the holidays and into the new year, a dress and some other bits and bobs. I was able to get everything I needed which was awesome! We went shopping at Primark, a very inexpensive department store that's popular over here. Chichester doesn't have one, thus the trip to Portsmouth! It was actually a really nice day for it too. It was frosty in Chichester when we left for the station but Portsmouth was quite warm! I was wearing a sleeveless red dress and a jacket but I was actually too hot in the jacket so I walked with just the sleeveless dress.
Sorry this blog is coming in later than normal! Hayley and I went shopping today in Portsmouth. We just barely made it onto the train down because we left the house later than we intended, but a bit of running never hurt anyone!
The shopping was mostly for me. I needed a smaller suitcase for travelling over the holidays and into the new year, a dress and some other bits and bobs. I was able to get everything I needed which was awesome! We went shopping at Primark, a very inexpensive department store that's popular over here. Chichester doesn't have one, thus the trip to Portsmouth! It was actually a really nice day for it too. It was frosty in Chichester when we left for the station but Portsmouth was quite warm! I was wearing a sleeveless red dress and a jacket but I was actually too hot in the jacket so I walked with just the sleeveless dress.
A stall at the Christmas market in Portsmouth!
So much candy! (No I didn't get any.)
My haul. The bag is a lot bigger than
the picture makes it look.
Hayley and I also grabbed a nice relaxed lunch in town at a place called Yates. It's a chain place but the food is really good and a great price. We were able to get two lunches for about £7 combined. We splurged and got dessert too. It was 2 for 1 so why not? They had rocky road sundaes that were absolutely amazing. My stomach didn't thank me for it though, too much dairy. And yet, I regret NOTHING!
There was about an inch of whipped cream
on the top of that thing.
As far as class stuff goes, I'm half way through my last essay. I honestly should have started it earlier but oh well. I'll definitely get it done by tomorrow so I'm not that worried about it. Once that gets handed in I'M FREE!
I've started prepping for my parent's arrival. Ma has started packing stuff so I've let them know the general temperatures to pack for and I've been scouting out places we can go and store times for grocery shopping. On Monday I am going shopping for bits and bobs that Ma and Dad need when they arrive, like breakfast food. I'm counting down the days and getting more and more excited as it gets closer.
EIGHT DAYS!!!!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Let There Be Light!
Hello lovely people!
I totally forgot today is a Wednesday. I don't know why I forgot but there you go, it happened. I think now that it's exam/final essay time my sense of time is just sliding about a bit.
So what's been happening this week? Last Thursday was the tree lighting in the centre of town. I was actually not aware there was THAT many people in Chichester. The place was uncomfortably crowded. I was on my own at this event because my roommates were finishing up assignments. I think the other international girls went as well but I didn't see them in the crowds. There were pictures on Facebook though so I'm glad they saw it. ANYWAY, the tree lighting actually turned out to be a big community event. There were vendors selling things, shops were open later and there was a really great choir of primary school kids and church goers singing christmas carols. It was more traditional churchy carols though, so no Jingle Bells. It's a bit of a shame when you think of it. There's nothing that screams "CHRISTMAS" more than a huge crowd singing Jingle Bells. Well maybe Mariah Carey singing about what she wants for Christmas but the world tends to have a love/hate relationship with that song. How 'bout some pictures? These were all taken on my iPod so the quality is a bit sketchy. Sorry about that!
I totally forgot today is a Wednesday. I don't know why I forgot but there you go, it happened. I think now that it's exam/final essay time my sense of time is just sliding about a bit.
So what's been happening this week? Last Thursday was the tree lighting in the centre of town. I was actually not aware there was THAT many people in Chichester. The place was uncomfortably crowded. I was on my own at this event because my roommates were finishing up assignments. I think the other international girls went as well but I didn't see them in the crowds. There were pictures on Facebook though so I'm glad they saw it. ANYWAY, the tree lighting actually turned out to be a big community event. There were vendors selling things, shops were open later and there was a really great choir of primary school kids and church goers singing christmas carols. It was more traditional churchy carols though, so no Jingle Bells. It's a bit of a shame when you think of it. There's nothing that screams "CHRISTMAS" more than a huge crowd singing Jingle Bells. Well maybe Mariah Carey singing about what she wants for Christmas but the world tends to have a love/hate relationship with that song. How 'bout some pictures? These were all taken on my iPod so the quality is a bit sketchy. Sorry about that!
Ice Giant performers! Really nice people who
would pose if you asked them to.
These blinky light things were EVERYWHERE!
Free seizure anyone?
There was a HUGE line up to see Santa.
Unlike Mall Santa lines, the kids were very well
behaved while waiting. Good kiddos!
Carols time! The kids were in their uniforms.
So cute!
This was just part of the crowd checking out
the festivities. It was PACKED!
Mayor of Chichester making a speech
before hitting the big red button.
And they're on! The lights go all the
way down the high street.
So festive!
Not much else has happened this week. It's the end of classes now, and I've turned in 2 of 4 final assignments. No exams for me this semester! The two essays I turned in were the biggest ones I had to do so I've been relieved to have that out of the way. I still have to do the other two but they're not as big a deal. Well...yes they are but they won't kill me trying to complete them.
OH! Hayley and I saw The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Saturday! For those of you who are unfamiliar with The Hunger Games, it's a movie series based on a book series about a future where kids have to kill each other every year in an arena for the amusement of others. Yes, that's disturbing. But very well done. I am unashamed to admit I cried through the whole movie.
On a lighter not, my lovely friend Alison from back home sent me Lightsaber earrings! I just received them this morning and I've been over the moon about them!
That's all I've got for this week! Wednesday of next week I plan on going to Portsmouth to do a bit of shopping so the entry might be a bit later than usual.
ALL MY LOVE TO YOU ALL!
-Kirsten
P.S. 15 days until my parents get here!!!!!!!
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