The Pub

Amanda, my roomate, and I went to the pub down the street a while ago.  Basically it is a bar that serves food at specific hours during the day.  I bought my first legal drink.  I got a cherry beer.  I don't think it was too bad.  I also tried a Gin and tonic.  I prefer the cherry beer.  I actually got carded.  Well all the old guys at the bar seemed nice, at least they talked to us.  The bartender got a good laugh I'm sure.  We had really no idea what to do.  

Still Day One

Well I am really tired.  I kept like falling asleep, it was terrible.  I wish this day would just be over so I can sleep.  Well, I went to the local tesco, and bought some sandwich stuff and  some breakfast stuff.  I also got a Starbar.  The supermarket really is a weird place, and really busy at 7 o'clock. 

Ok, so I figured out that it doesn't matter what side of the road they drive on, people are really crazy drivers.  I almost got run over by a black cab who did not use the turn signal.  I also thought someone was going to run into me; they were halfway through the intersection, and decided that they needed to make a crazy U turn and drive on the sidewalks too. 

By the way, people don't have a clue which side to walk on, It is just a big mess trying to walk anywhere that is even semi crowded. 

I used a 20 pound note to pay at the tesco and I got change back, yay, now I gotta get used to using GBP.  I also need to go to the atm to get more money.  I bought detergent so now I only have like maybe 20 pounds left. 

The residence orientation was interesting, I never thought about all the temps for kitchen and laundry being in C.  I guess I can figure it out.  Basically we shouldn't break anything, have parties, or get involved in any drug buisness. 

Oh, we have a neighbor named Mary who apparently lives in her own universe.  I haven't met her yet, but i figure I will.  I am so tired of walking up and down creaky stairs.  The door to our flat is on the fourth floor, and the kitchen is on the fifth floor, so I have to walk up five flights of stairs to put away my groceries.  Better yet, the stairs are all twisted and turn randomly.  They even have wedge shaped steps.  I am surprised that I haven't tripped yet.  Even though I complain, this building is so cute and very "central London" ish.  It is located in a good neighborhood, maybe a more expensive one, but it really is nice. 

I have just been told that the pub is open till eleven, maybe I will go later.  I might even buy a drink. 

The Flat

So I got in to my flat.  The keys don’t like to unlock the door, but I figured it out I think.  My flat is on the third floor.  It has two bedrooms and a bathroom as you walk in.  It also has stairs that lead up to our living room and kitchen area.  There is a phone, but it isn’t quite working right.  We went on a walking tour of the neighborhood.  Turns out there is a pub with free wifi just 3 minutes away walking.  There is also a supermarket close too.  Well that’s it for now. 

Flying!

I got to the airport in St. Louis, and got on my plane.  It was a little tiny plane; I had a window seat and an aisle seat.  I took some pictures of the clouds.  It was the first time I have ever seen any of the great lakes.  Most of the flight we were like in the clouds so I couldn’t see much.  That flight was over really fast, and then I was at Chicago.  The tunnel from the B concourse to the C concourse was amazing.  It had lights above and it was all dark.  I took some pictures.  That was the first time I saw and used a moving walkway.  After that they seemed to be all over the place.  The gate was really easy to find.  I still had like an hour to go before I got to board the plane so I used the moving walkways to explore the terminal.  I found a sandwich shop and got a 7 dollar sandwich, the last US money I spent.  So after I ate, I went tot go to the gate and man it was crowded.  Everybody was there.  After a lot of waiting the plane was delayed a bit and more waiting.  Finally I got to board the plane.  I had a window seat so I had to have Dan, the guy sitting in the middle get up and while he was up, I had him put my backpack in the overhead storage.  So I ended up sitting with Dan and Dom, two guys from London.  They were nice.  I even made a “not my cup of tea” joke and they were like yeah that gets old quick.  The dinner was pretty gross, but I ate the salad.   I tried to sleep, but I don’t think I did.  We got a snack right before we landed.  It was strawberry yogurt and a mini banana loaf.  It was really good, and I got apple juice in a can.  Well, the sunset and sunrise are so cool to watch from above the clouds.  The sun coming through the clouds looked a lot like that part on the lion king.  Well I finally got off of the plane and made it through the immigration line and stuff.  I got to the area where the atms and currency exchange places were.  I got 50 GBP from the ATM for a rate of 0.73.  It was better than the 0.83 from the other place.  Well after that I went to look for the Heathrow Express.  I bought a ticket and got on the train.  I rode backwards on the train.  After the train I went on the tube.  The first time I tried to get on it I guess I wasn’t fast enough, the doors closed as I was walking towards it.  Oh well, the next one was only like a minute later.  I managed to get to the right place.  Well I got up to the street level then went on the wrong street, but eventually I managed to get to the right spot. 

16 hours!

I just finished checking in for my flight.  I printed my boarding pass, and said that I was going to check one bag.  apparently I am supposed to have my bag checked at least 1 hour before departure.  I printed another copy of my boarding pass and itinerary to put in my checked bag, and one for Mom. 

Today I said goodbye to almost everybody.  I had fun at breakfast with Haylee and Elizabeth, then at the BBQ with most of the family.  Thanks everybody for coming.  It is so weird to say goodbye for so long.  I got some going away presents; thanks everybody. 

I really don't know what to say.  I will try to post something on the train tomorrow night when I get there. 

Just a few days left.

Today I went and bought a phone card so that I can call home.  I also looked up how to call international numbers and wrote it down and explained it to mom and dad. 

I explained the rest of the paperwork to mom and dad and hopefully they understand now.

I also packed most of the rest of my stuff, and weighed my bag, I think it still weighs less than 50 but I don't know if the scale is accurate. 

I ordered my books again, hopefully they actually get delivered this time. 

I figured out that there is a 6 hour time difference.  I will arrive in London at about 6:00 am BST(London time) or 12:00 CDT.(Missouri time) 

On Monday I get to say goodbye to most everyone.  It's gonna be hard being gone for so long. 

Classes

Well today I got my class schedule, but there is one problem, there is only one of me and I don't have a time turner.  Oh well I guess.  I was going to take the eco of the eu, but it conflicts with the child development class which happens to be the only class even remotely related to my major.  So, I have to wait until I get there and talk to the teachers and whoever else, and figure out if I can switch from eco of the eu to aesthetics.  I probably should have chose that class anyway it sounds more fun anyway.  Or I could just take aesthetics instead of child development but I don't want to unless I have to. 

114 Hours!

Yesterday I did some more research on the Internet about the airports and public transportation in London.  I think I have decided that I will take the Heathrow Express Train from the airport, then take the tube to my flat.  I also made my own map with the places that I need to know on it.  I used Google Maps. 

Mom and I have been talking about what to do about my phone while I am gone.  I just got it this year, and have a 2 year contract so I cant turn my line off yet.  I thought about taking mom's phone and leaving her mine since she doesn't have a contract, and can turn hers off.  She says that it would be almost as expensive to have it turned on again, than to just pay for the extra line for four months.  I still don't know what is going on, but definitely no texting my 3387 number after next week. 

I still have to get the rest of my stuff together, and pack it.  I need to find my other wallet, and I think I might have to take a big purse so that I can take more stuff with me.  (They allow one personal item along with the carry on bag.) 

8 days!

Recently I figured out the dexamethasone that we already had was expired, so today I had to call the doctor and ask them to call in a new prescription to the pharmacy.  I got enough of my other medicine but since I had to pay for it myself the doctor said it was alright to substitute Sprintec for my lutera.  The only problem is that now I have to get a new letter so that I can take the stuff into the UK.  I called about the letter last week but haven't gotten it yet so I asked again when I called today.  They said that they sent it and their mail just sucks, but I should get it soon.  I asked if it could be sent through email, and she just called to confirm my email so I should get it now.  Yeah, just got it.  I am now getting really nervous about getting through customs with my medicine.  I hear the UK is strict on only allowing what is needed for the trip.  I hope my doctors letter will be enough proof.  Actually, I am really nervous about everything, but still excited.  And just now I got another call from the doctor, apparently they don't have dexamethasone anymore, so i guess they are sending the prescription for sulo-cortef to the pharmacy.  Now I just hope its the right stuff.  She also told me that I could just cross out the expiration date.  I think that might be on there for a reason, but I hope she knows what she is talking about.  I am really confused and just hope everything works out. 

On another note, I think I have my bags packed, now I just have to pack my computer stuff, find my ipod charger, and I figure that I will find some more stuff that needs packing.  My suitcase weighs 45ish pounds on the luggage scale I bought.  Oh, and I got blue jelly luggage tags, and a old person money belt thing that I dont really want to wear, but I guess I will. (at least at first)

Arrival Information

Today I got my arrival information from CAPA.  I got my housing assignment and looked at some pics of the flats online.  there is a phone in the room and wireless Internet, but little bandwidth, so I guess I will not be able to skype from my room, but I'm sure I can find somewhere to use the Internet.  The arrival instructions are sorta confusing, but I think it will make more sense when I actually get there.  I have a few options for how I will get to my flat the first time from Heathrow.  I can just take the tube, or take the train, or a taxi.  I think I want to take the train even if it is more expensive, because trains are awesome.  They also sent some safety tips, and stuff about getting an oyster card, I got one already, but sometime after I get there I can apply for a student version which is cheaper.  There was also some more stuff, but it is mostly the same as before.  I can't believe that it is less than two weeks away now. 

2 Weeks!

I should be getting my housing assignment and arrival information in a few days. 

Today I called RSB and sent them the information they need.  Someone is supposed to come by Friday for me to sign things. 

I have gotten some of my medicine, the prescription for the others are sent, Walmart just has to fill them. 

I also called the bank today, and now they know I will be in Europe for that time. 

I got my philosophy of sports book, and I am going to order the others as soon as I get the money put in my account. 

Today Mom made me my birthday dinner and a cake, haven't cut the cake yet, but the cashew chicken was good.  They also got me flowers for my birthday. 

Textbooks

So, I am going to order most of my textbooks to be delivered to London, I just need to know how soon I can order them.  I tried to call today, but I didn't  want to leave a message so I guess I will call earlier tomorrow.  I ordered my Philosophy Of Sport book today because the cheapest one i could find was from somewhere in Missouri, so I will have to pack it.  I have also thought about ordering a book of maps called London A to Z, but I think I might just wait and buy one when I get there. 

By the way, I did get an A for my Normal Language Acquisition class which raised my GPA to a 3.56. 

25 days left to get everything done

I printed copies of all the important things in case I loose them.  I made myself a copy and made mom one.  Hopefully I wont loose anything but I guess I will be prepared if I do. 

Last night I packed my suitcase to see how much stuff would actually fit.  I packed most of what I wanted to take.  I tried to weigh it on my wii fit, and it said it weighed like 37 pounds.  I think it might weigh more than that but dad says he thinks it weighs about that much.  He said we could take it to MFA to weigh it on their scales and see what it says.  It has to weigh under 50 pounds to avoid extra fees.  I also started packing my carry on  bag, but most of that stuff I use a lot.  Carry on bags have to be smaller than 9 x 14 x 22 in.  I guess I need to measure my bag. 

I looked up the Barclay banks and cash points near the center of London.  I can use these banks and cash points without paying a fee since it in a member of the Global Alliance with  Bank of America.  Still need to call the bank. 

I went to Walmart today and asked about getting a four month supply of my medicine.  They said they could do it if we paid cash, so I guess that is what we are going to do.  Luckily the important stuff only costs like $27. 

On another note, the last official day of my summer class is tomorrow, although I have been finished for over a week already.  I should have my final grade on the ninth.  I think I have an A. 

Postcards

Ok, I am taking requests for postcards and/or pictures.  Leave me a message on facebook with your address and I will do my best to send them

Pre-departure Information

Today I got my pre-departure website link from CAPA.  I looked at all the stuff on the website and saved the important stuff to print later.  I also got the MLP Calendar and MyEducation Calendar.  It has a lot of interesting group trips to tourist places and some other not so touristy places. 

I sent an email to my program director asking if I could go ahead and order my books and have them shipped to London, but I have not heard anything back yet. 

I have worked on a list of places that I would like to go.  My list is kinda long and I don't expect to go everywhere, but it would be nice.  Anyone have any suggestions on where I should go? 

I think later tonight or tomorrow I will work on printing all of the copies of my passport and other stuff, and hopefully get that mostly done.