21!

Hello all!

So as you may or may not know, I turned 21 this past Sunday! I didn't have a big party or anything, just hung out with my roommates and friends from next door, but it was great! I made myself a vanilla funfetti cake, which is basically a white cake with sprinkles mixed through it. Generally you see Betty Crocker boxed mixes for it but I did mine from scratch. It was nice to bake again, it's been a while since I last did anything.

Mmm Cake!

I did add candles in the shape of a 21 when we all got down to the eating part. Jim and Nikki from next door came over to help Evie, Hayley and I eat it. Harriet is still away on holiday so she didn't get a piece! I wasn't nice enough to save some for her. SORRY HARRIET!! 

Like every year I ordered Chinese for dinner. The Lotus, while delicious was not Lucky Yeung's and I  miss my spicy pork and bean dish. I'll have to get some when I get back home. 

As far as gifts went, I had saved a few Christmas presents to be bday presents. So my skittles from Sherry and the tea from my parents weren't opened until now. On Monday I received a lovely package from my cousin Mary containing a jar of Cheese Wiz. I've been craving the stuff like MAD! 

After all the eating of cake, Nikki, Hayley, Evie and I all went to see American Hustle at the theatre. That movie is LONG! I can see why its up for oscars to be honest. They like their long and plot heavy flicks. All in all it was a pretty good movie though. 

What else? Oh! I was able to FaceTime home on my birthday. It was really nice to talk to my Ma and Dad. They sang Happy Birthday too which was really sweet. Too bad there isn't a hugging app that comes with FaceTime. Oh well. 

Other than my birthday it's been quiet. I've been doing reading for my classes and trying not to let the crappy weather get me down. It's cold and rainy. At least my Hunter boots and welly socks are getting good use! 

My plan for today is to do a bit more baking. I've got a bunch of baking ingredients than need to be used in the next day or so before they expire. 

OH! I purchased my plane ticket home! May 18th! I'm looking forward to being back on Canadian soil. 

I hope everyone is doing well! 

-Kirsten

Insert Clever Title Here

Hello once again!

So what's been happening this past week? Well Evie and Hayley moved back in for the new semester. Harriet isn't back until the 4th of February because of her program. I've had 3 of 4 classes and so far they don't look too bad. My history classes are going to flow together quite nicely because they are both focused heavily on the world wars, one being about contemporary Europe and the other about Facism up to 1945. My english courses shouldn't be too bad this year. There's a creating writing class (short stories) and then a contemporary drama course. I haven't had the intro class yet, that's tomorrow. But judging by the Moodle (online class resource) it's not too different from the english drama courses I did back at TRU. I actually really enjoyed those classes so this one should be good. According to the Moodle we are going to see a play for that class as well so I'm very much looking forward to that.

In other news I've redyed my hair, with help from Hayley so I'm back in the shocking red territory. Why can't my hair just grow this colour? Scientists should get on that. I'm also back focusing on the whole dieting thing. I've been eating way too much comfort food so that needs to stop. The good thing about doing it now is that almost every girl on my housing block also seems to be into the eating healthy thing so there's less outside temptation. That being said my birthday is coming up and I'm eating what I like that day. Diets resume on Mondays, as does running.

Speaking of running, the mornings here are ridiculous! There's heavy fog and frost so the sidewalks are slippery and it's hard to see five feet down the road. I've actually been too nervous to cross a road because I can't see oncoming cars. By midday it all clears up and it's quite sunny and warm. Then by about dinner time it gets cold and rainy. I can't seem to dress appropriately so I'm always either too hot or too cold. Ugh.

That's all I've got for now, sorry there's no pictures this week! I'll try to get a picture of the fog over here one of these mornings.

All my love to everyone!
-Kirsten

Food Words, Rude Words and I Love Yous.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So my parents have headed off home and I'm once again on my own in England. It's funny walking around Chichester on my own now. It feels a bit like there's something missing, because I got used to showing my parents around my corner of England. Admittedly I'm homesick but it's okay. My courses start up soon and my roommates move back in on Saturday, so I'll be longing for peace and quiet soon enough.

So let's talk about Christmas!

As I said on my blog last time, my parents and I headed off to Paris for New Years! We took the Eurostar train under the English Channel. Surprisingly you're only under there for 20 minutes. The train goes something like 300 miles an hour but you don't really feel it. The ride is super smooth, much nicer than the regular commuter trains I take to get to London or Portsmouth. The train dropped us off at the Gare de Nord station and we took a taxi over to our vacation rental apartment. The stairs up to our floor were both twisty and very narrow. The walls were funny because they weren't quite straight. Some of them bowed inward so hallways would narrow a bit and then let out again. The place we had was great! Small but it worked for us just fine. Plus free wi-fi! We did have a bit of an issue with the keys to the building though. On our first day out the security gate at the bottom of the stairs clamped down on the key and wouldn't let go. We were stuck for about 20 minutes before Dad was able to get the key out! The door key to the apartment was much the same, you have to barely turn them and jiggle it in just the right way to get in. Dad had the magic touch with the keys after our initial lock in, so I just left it to him.

Our first day out was spent at the Louvre! Ma was super smart before we all left and bought this thing called a Paris Pass. It had passes to a bunch of museums, attractions and tickets for the metro. Using the museum pass we were able to skip the massive lines and use a sort of side entrance to get in right away! I didn't take that many pictures in the Louvre, I mostly wanted to walk around and see the place. We did it in two days, the bulk of it on the first day. Even with the two days we didn't see everything. The place is MASSIVE! Here are the pictures I DID take in there!

Louvre! The glass pyramid is where the general public 

enters the museum! 

Ma and Dad! 

Venus de Milo

Code of Hammurabi

Close up of the writing on the Code. 

Mona Lisa

That last photo of the Mona Lisa was actually taken on Louvre day 2. We got there just as it opened and pretty much ran over to see it. It's really hard to get close to the Mona Lisa at other time of day, as the crowd is at least 16 people deep. There's signs at all the major picture stops warning people about pick pockets. I had a death grip on my bag the whole time, not going to lie. 

We went to see the Eiffel Tower on New Years Eve. The lines were massive but they're always long at the major attractions. We decided to walk up, rather than taking the elevators. 700 stairs to the second level. You have to take an elevator if you want to get to the very top. Dad was awesome and got pictures off the side as I was a  bit too nervous to get near it. It's very well enclosed but the heights were bothering me a bit too much. Weirdly enough I felt safer at the VERY TOP of the tower. That might've been because you were in a room with windows rather than a metal grating at the ledges. 

Eiffel Tower

Views from deck one! Very green grass. 

View from deck two! 

Ma and Dad at the very top!

We also saw the Arc du Triomphe, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. The day of the Arc du Triomphe was a looooot of walking. It was also the day of the worlds most overly posh bathroom. (Posh: elegant or stylishly luxurious). The bathroom was 2 euro each. You'd wait in line then an attendant would show you to your stall. When you were done, the attendant would go clean the bathroom and then show the next person in. At least you knew it was clean? 

After we saw the Arc du Triomphe, we got on a hop on hop off bus tour around the city. From there we saw the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. A little backstory, I've had a computer background of this bookstore for about six years. It's been on my bucket list to go there AND WE WENT IN! It's amazing in there. It's crooked and busy and filled with squishy chairs, nooks to read in and people who try to hard to look like their famous writers. I was in heaven. 

Like the TARDIS, it's bigger on the inside. 

My bag! The photo on the bag is the upstairs of the

store. I bought a notebook and a book in there too. 

Next photos: Notre Dame! The line to get in was around the block but moved very quickly, so that was awesome! We weren't standing in the cold for too long. The inside was absolutely amazing. You're not supposed to take photos inside but a lot of people do. 

Notre Dame!

Guess who! (Yes I was happy to have them with me.)

As far as language in Paris, we got by. The longer we were there the better we got! By the end we were all able to order food and drinks without too much trouble. We actually found the people in Paris really friendly and helpful when you opened with french. Sometimes our conversations were a mix of french and english but we got there in the end and it was a good time! I actually find the people in Paris are nicer than the people in London. 

Okay this post has gone on long enough. I will be adding more pictures and more info from the trip as I remember it in the coming weeks. 

Love you all, 

-Kirsten

(Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONCE AGAIN GRANDPA!) 

Merry Christmas!

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

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!

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.

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!!!!

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!

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!!!!!!!