It is 1:18 where I am. And I am up, wide awake, frustrated with tossing and turning, so writing this blog instead. I was tired when I laid down to sleep at about 11:30, but I guess the jet lag has got to me and my beauty sleep isn’t happening tonight. I moved out to the common room and found my RL (RA), Ike, watching TV, and sat down to join him.
There is so much to say about the first few days…where to start?! I guess I can start with the fact that I reunited with Kelsey in Washington, and it was so lovely to see her again. We were excited, nervous, curious, but mainly happy to connect again and really looking forward to the coming days. We boarded our flight about an hour and a half late, but arrived right on time, something about the big tail wind in London, we couldn’t land too early in the morning. Anywho, we made it, David had arranged for a driver to pick us up, and he was our first friend in London. A very nice man from Nigeria who chatted with us, and gave us some tips about how to live in London, and did admit that English boys can be sketchy…duly noted. Kelsey and I were absolutely starving so our first task after getting to the flat was to find food. And boy, did we scarf down our full English breakfast, which, included two fried eggs, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns, baked beans, and toast! I have never in my life enjoyed even a bite of baked beans, yet these were delicious! Either I was excessively hungry, or they are just better here…a little hard on the stomach later in the day though.
After, we set about finding FIE. We were not so well prepared with maps, which made it difficult, but not impossible. After oh maybe an hour of walking (which according to my folks is only about a twenty minute walk from Chelsea to FIE), we finally found FIE. We met some people, found out some information about orientation, then headed over to the 24/7 computer lab to check our emails and find our flat. Upon leaving Metrogate House, we ran into Walter, another student from Guilford, and he showed us the front of our flat, and soon after we parted ways and Kelsey and I walked back to Chelsea. Again, another twenty minute walk, took much, much longer than that. We were tired, and sore, and couldn’t fight the jet lag anymore, so we caved and took a nap. Honestly, I felt much better afterwards.
We found a cheap place for dinner (we ate early at like 4), ordered our first beer, (very exciting), picked up some snacks for later, and then positioned ourselves in front of the TV until we couldn’t bear it any longer and went to sleep by 8:30. Fortunately we were both tired enough that I slept for 11 hours, and Kelsey 12, pretty much straight through.
It rained off and on for the most of the day, I was okay with that, I mean it will be like that all the time soon, but everyone apologized for such the crappy weather. It was a bit strange to have them feel bad when that will be our lives for the next few months. Rain is part of the program here, I got it, I have checked it off my list as things I am prepared for. However, today, was a much more beautiful day, no rain at all, sunny and clear skies, a lot of wind, but quite pleasant.
We had a bit of a time getting our luggage to the flat, but we managed all right, took the bus, which went rather smoothly, and then walked to get our keys from one place, and then we entered our flat….our most amazing flat ever. I am not even joking here. Okay so you walk in and right in front of you is a big table with lots of chairs, if you go to your right there is a large common room with couches, a small TV and a view of Hyde Park from our big windows. If you go down the hall there is a pretty well stocked, and good sized kitchen, and if you walk all the way to the end of the hall you will come to my room. I share this room with Kelsey and Emily, I have the top bunk (which is not what I expected, but I think will really be fine) but just wait for it…WE GET OUR OWN BATHROOM!!!! Here I was fretting about having to share one bathroom with twelve other people, but no, we get our own roomy bathroom with a shower, toilet and beday (the spelling of that I am sure is terribly wrong)! How fantastic! I was so excited, and we have plenty of closet space and drawers, and I just cannot believe it is so perfect. I also think the three of us will live well together.
I am getting tired now, so will try to sleep and continue this tomorrow, not much else happened last night, had an orientation with the RL, took a walk, had dinner at Wagamama (not as amazing as I remember, but still pretty good), hung out for a bit with the group, and then attempted to sleep.
All right, it is now 9:20 in the morning, and I have had about three hours of sleep. Must be something in the air. I am showered, dressed, and ready to go to our orientation with FIE. I am excited to go because we will meet all the other students, but also thinking about my next sleeping opportunity…
Breakfast is next however, I believe I will eat some of the granola that Kelsey and I purchased yesterday…I am so excited about all the new cooking adventures we will have here.
Oh oh oh! I visited the gym yesterday, picked up my package I cannot WAIT to go! I think that will be fabulous, I will seriously be in the best shape of my life if I go there on top of all the walking we do around here.
All right, this is long and a bit rough, but I just wanted to get something out there, let you all know I am in really good spirits, eating well, working on the sleep and getting to know the area (a very nice one I might add!). I will write again as the days get filled! Be well everyone.
