Oh where, oh where does the time go?

Today is 18th December 2009. It is the last day of the first term of my MA in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University. Whoa. Seriously...where did this semester go?? It's really hard to believe that it has been 12 weeks since I met everyone, sat in my first MA class, had my first marketing assignment (!). Sometimes it feels like it's been months, years...and at others (or for other things, maybe) it's really hard to believe we're already finished one term. I am 1/3 finished with my MA. WTF!

And, to be sentimental...of course, I really have fallen in love with a bunch of people here. I'm still so in love with the course and of course England. It has been one of the busiest, craziest and drunkest 12 weeks of my life...but I wouldn't change any of it.

Tuesday we presented our editorial projects and my group was voted into 3rd place by the judges (lecturers and a guest judge from Palgrave Macmillan)! We were really surprised and really excited! We had no idea we'd win anything, but we did bring cookies :) (It was a proposal for a student cookbook...c'mon!). Tuesday night was fairly lovely as well...dinner at Jamie's and drinks at Copa. Enough on that though :)

Wednesday we had our last marketing lecture EVER! We had a guest speaker on PR and it was probably my favourite lecture of the term. I forgot how much I really like PR and I'm thankful for the speaker for reminding me I have alternatives besides editorial! Wednesday night was the FABULOUS MA Christmas party at the swanky Randolph Hotel downtown. 3 course meal and dancing the night away...with the lecturers. Let me just say that seeing our production lecturer get down to 'Dancing Queen' was priceless and worth the 35quid pricetag!

Thursday we had our Production exam which I think went fairly well...but to be honest, no one cared much about after the party! Not that I didn't try (I can hear you mumsy!) but it wasn't a huge exam and some of the questions had appeared on our exercises a couple weeks ago. I know this is boring...moving on.

Today we presented our design projects. My group met this morning to get a nice version printed out in the media centre and then had a team breakfast. This is probably the part I'm most excited about...When my group first met waaaaay back in Sept/October, we realised that no one had any design skills. Fail. But 12 weeks and many hours in the TONGE later and our book is AMAZING. I am so proud of us and of it that I could not stop smiling all morning. Afterwards a bunch of us went to the pub for lunch and drinks and then Bri and I went to the city centre for some last minute shopping.

Busy, busy week...great culmination to the busy 12 weeks I've been having. I head to the states on Monday morning and while I am definitely getting more excited (especially for certain things: MEXICAN, FRIENDS, KITTEN, Yes, you MUMSY!) but also sad that this term has come to a close. Next term we'll be back (most of us, and a few new additions), but we won't have everyday together like we did this term. We've got electives next term. So instead of 4 days a week with the same people, I'll have 1...it will be a HUGE change. Sigh. Growing up is hard.

Leave you with a lovely pic of Bri and me at the Christmas do
xxx

Remember, Remember the 5th of November!

Today is November 5th (for a few more hours anyway) which is Guy Fawkes day in England. Guy Fawkes was some dude who attempted to blow up Parliament hundreds of years ago and failed. This happened on Nov. 5th...so, Remember, Remember the 5th of November! Apparently, there's fireworks, burning effigies, and random bonfires in the park. Of course, today is a Thursday, so while there have been fireworks exploding around town, the real party will be held on Saturday night at one of our local parks. We do, you know, live in Oxford where the majority of us are scholarly and brilliant and need to do actual work in the middle of the week :) I'm really looking forward to my first (of many!) Guy Fawkes park bonfire, even if I don't really understand it at all.

Went on a 'ghost tour' with the International Students thingy on Monday night. Was not so much a ghost tour as it was an historical tour of Oxford, at night, when everything was closed and it was FREEZING. But, ended it in the pub drinking Fruli (love.) with two of my favourites. All in all, a good night and it gave us a little time away from studying for....

Our first exam, which was yesterday. To be fair, we really only have 2 exams this term: Marketing (yesterday) and Editorial (which is 90% proofreading...and I LOVE proofreading. Seriously, I do it for fun. Really). Now, don't go thinking this MA programme is a joke, cause believe you me it certainly isn't. Along with our two exams we have a major group project for each course (that's 4 total) due in at the end of term. These projects are: Marketing Plan, Editorial Proposal, Major design of 24 pages of a book...and something else that I should probably be remembering right now for Production.
Anyway, point is that we had our marketing exam yesterday. Last week was 'reading week' so no lectures, but tons of events to attend and lots of emailing trying to get group appointments together. Oh, and lots of people freaking out and studying hardcore for this marketing exam. I felt really good and prepared going into the exam...afterwards, slightly shaken, but all in all I'm sure it's fine ;) After the exam itself, we had about a 15 minute break before we had to meet up for our marketing seminar sessions (blah). 5 of us took this as an excuse to run to the closest flat/dorm room and do shots of Jaeger to congratulate ourselves. I love Uni.
We also, of course, had to celebrate the end of the exam by going out and getting ridiculously drunk. Hit a pub, then went to an Oxford Uni College pub (as I have two lovely friends who either attend or attended Oxford Uni and can get us in). Vodka and diet coke for 1pound70? Hell yeah. Afterwards, we hung out in the cemetary of the college for a bit and then went to the Purple Turtle. A club...apparently Wednesday, although free to get in, is like weird, american punk music night. Kind of a fail...but overall a good time. Met up with a bunch of others from the course and debauchery insued, as normal.

I'm still finding moments in the day where I stop--look around--and say, "I'm in freaking ENGLAND!" I don't know if this will ever stop really. I don't know if I want it to. I don't ever want to go back to the states...I don't think I could actually live in the states again after this. Everyone said that backpacking around Europe would be life changing, and while it was amazing and I'm still so freaking proud of myself for actually doing it (alone, I might add) it was always overshadowed by the fact that I was starting a Master's degree in England after. Now, i'm in week 6 of term one...and yeah, this is definitely the life changing event. I may even not come home for Christmas...kidding. Ticket is purchased and I'm coming, even though I really, kind of don't want to. Sorry :)


Picture above is from inside the St. Edmund's (Teddy Hall) College cemetery. I'm sitting next to someone important, I'm sure.

These places they take you to...

Halloween party was a great success! Lots of drinking, laughing and dancing. Perfect evening. And, very much hungover today...joy. I dressed up as Eponine from Les Mis...it wasn't the greatest idea/costume, but I am so completely rubbish with costumes. No idea why I love Halloween so very much.

I've been sitting here attempting to maybe do some studying and just contemplating life. It's very odd to think of my life now and my 'old' life. With each day it just kind of slips farther away and it's really hard to imagine that I was ever that person. That person who worked in pharmaceuticals, lived in West Virginia (I still do tear up when Country Roads comes on my iPod), basically devoting my life to my relationship, was not in school... in ENGLAND. God, I love England.

I've met a very lovely girl, Bri, who is also leading a totally new life here in Oxford. I think it's great that we are able to move to England (even if it's only for a year...please don't let it only be for a year!) and be the people we're actually supposed to be. Free, Liberated, Opinionated, Smart women. Fantastical.

Ok, I was distracted and now I am not feeling deep or pensive or anything any more. I'll leave you with a picture (horrible) of me as Eponine. Costume fail, as usual...
-Edit- Can't figure out how to put the pic down here...sooo yeah.

Before this river...

Becomes an ocean.

I'm on a George Michael/Wham kick. Can't explain why :)

We are currently in the middle of week 4 of classes. It feels like we've been going for a lot longer. Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING the course and the people I've met. It's just that we've already learned/done/drank so much :) Feels like I've been here for 6 months, or honestly that I've just always been here.
Of course, everyday something happens and I rush home and just want to skype with everyone back home (ok, not everyone...sorry. Just like 3 of you), but I've also made some really good friends here who fill the void. And not to mention I'm back to my fun, sociable self (can I say that about myself...? Sure) that is always up for a good time! haha...slowing down now as the course work picks up.

Saturday night we returned back from Frankfurt, Germany and the Frankfurt book fair. It was AMAZING. A few of us walked into hall 8 (the international/UK/US hall) which was massive and only one of a bunch of halls, and just felt utterly overwhelmed. Sounds naive, but I don't think I realised just how many publishers there were. We were allotted 2 meetings, but I used my fantastic networking skills (yeah...) and weasled my way into 4: Random House, Bloomsbury, New Internationalist (EPIC) and David Attwooll Associates (literary agent). Random House and Bloomsbury were interesting, but kind of broad. I got a lot more out of the small places I visited. Not to mention the fact that we were there for about 8 hours, so we saw a lot, though not everything!
Saturday we were free to do what we wanted and a group of us chose to go to Mainz, Germany to the Gutenberg museum. Mainz was gorgeous and the museum was ok...I just can't get into museums, even when they're about books! We had a great dinner and some apple wine then shot off for the airport.
We arrived back at Heathrow after only a 1 hour flight. That's right, it takes me one hour to get from Germany to England. I love, love, love Europe.

Now it's back to the grind. Work load is picking up for the courses; numerous projects and group meetings to attend, plus our first marketing test which should be a doozy. And, of course, have to keep mastering my networking skills (read: pub quiz, wine socials, etc.).
We're having a Halloween/bday party at the flat this weekend, which should be loads of fun. The publishers are coming out in Force! And, Friday Harper Collins is coming to campus to interview for about 10 work placement slots. This would mean going to London every Monday morning at about 6am...but seriously. Harper Collins?? Totally worth it. Wish me luck!

Tschuss!

24 Candles

Today, I am 24 years old. Today, I am 24 years old and I'm waking up in Oxford, England where I LIVE. Today, I am 24 years old, living in England and single. Today, I am going with all new friends to a tapas bar and having a fabulous night.

It's strange to think how much your life can change in one year, or even one week. Yes, I have been out of the states for almost 2 months. I have seen 10 countries (if you count the Vatican :) ), I have met amazing people, I have moved to Oxford and I'm studying Books in the greatest book capital in the world. I have recently become single after 4+ years of a relationship that seemed like it would be my last. I have spent some hours grieving over this, but then the thought occurs to me: For the past 3 years of your life you've been plotting, scheming, working towards this. Can you really let something so simple get you down? It's not easy to pack up and move to another country...it's not easy to leave someone you love behind. At the age of (now) 24, a 4+year relationship is a major chunk of your life...and it was an important part that I won't forget and I definitely do not regret.
I'm a new me now, however, and I plan to make the most of it in every aspect.

Yes, I'm 24 years old today and I live in Oxford, England and I study books and I've made great friends and already experienced so much. Let the past rest and the future shine :) 24 is the year.



p.s. I apologize for the over-sentimental, nostalgic-ish rant...But, it is MY blog after all :)

It is now September 18th

And, I realise I am WAY behind on blogging as I have been to...6-7 cities since my last post. Ouch. However, we have definitely been light on the internet connections and this one is super expensive.
I will update everything when I am back in Oxford...in TWO days!! I am such a scholar...as I am oh so freaking excited to start classes!!


Write soon!xx

Praha

So I spent 1.5 (somewhat glorious) days in Prague, Czech Republic and here is the update:

I say they were somewhat glorious because the first half of a day was horrendous. As I almost missed my train that morning, I definitely didn't have time to grab any food for the long train ride, but instead planned to sleep. Well, of course that didn't happen. No biggie, the thought of being in Prague was exciting enough to keep me going on the measly 3 hrs I was running on.
I had booked my hostel online, through the same company I've been using the entire trip. I got the email confirmation, only this one looked a little different. Oh well, I thought, and copied down the directions to the hostel. 'Leave the train station and walk straight to McDonalds.' Easy. Except, there was no Mcdonalds. None...nowhere. I walked up and down and all around the train station. I checked my directions...man, that really didn't sound like the name of the place I booked..but I had looked at so many, they were all a blur. I went back into the train station and asked at information. They looked at the hostel name without recognition and pointed me to the street they thought I needed. Said it was 800metres away and definitely walkable.
So I start walking and I get lost, of course...and then, after resting in the park scouring my book for any clues, I see it...a sign for a McDonalds. 300metres away! I'm saved!
No. 2.5 hours after I stepped off the train, I made it to the hostel. The hostel that had a different name, and a different address from what I had written and received via email. The hostel that I had thought I had picked. The hostel I was a mere 20 feet from 1.5hrs before I actually went inside. I was exhausted, I was starving, I was tired, I was whiny. Did I mention I did all this searching on foot? With my ginormous backpack and a small one too? Did I mention that in Krakow it was chilly and in Prague...it was HOT?
Needless to say I layed low that night. Bought food at the grocery store (my feet could not take any more walking) studied up on what to do the next day, and read.

The second day in Prague was great. Prague is beautiful and full of culture and history and I barely saw any of it. It will be the first place I go back to visit (well, Berlin might be first...). I took a FREE tour of the city for 3 hours, learning about the history, etc. Ate a delicious chicken caesar salad that cost me about 2.50euros, and maybe did a little shopping at H&M. I couldn't help myself...
I didn't have time to even go to Prague Castle. So seriously...I'm going back...soon. Please volunteer to accompany me!

Cracovia

So, I really havent been slacking on my blogging duties, I swear! I had this very nice, very long blog typed up the other night and then the electric went out and it was lost. Oh well... Heres my take on the epicness that is Krakow, Poland.

My first day there I arrived early so I threw my stuff in the hostel luggage room and hit the streets. I happened upon some sort of street fair complete with stands, food and music and dancing. It was so much fun and a great time to take in the old city--when it was alive!

The next day I took a tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau...I really still cannot describe this experience. It was moving, shocking, awe-inspiring. Im glad that I went with a group because I was able to see the highlights as Birkenau is MASSIVE and Auschwitz has so many little places filled with memorabila, etc. Oh, and a bird pooped on me...that was gross. Of course, seeing as I was at Auschwitz, a little bird poop--not that big a problem.

Tuesday was September 1st, the 70th anniversary of Germany invading Poland. I took a Jewish Heritage tour which encompassed an 11 km walk across Krakow. I saw so much and unfortunately, I had forgotten to charge my camera so I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked to. Oh well. We saw a few places used to film Schindlers List --side note, I cannot figure out how to use either parenthesis or apostrophes, so please forgive--which was super exciting! We also saw the real Oskar Schindler s factory.
That night, although I was planning to go to bed early in preparation for my 653am train ride, I was coaxed into going out with a lovely girl from Berlin, who is currently living in Poland. We went to club Kitsch, which is supposedly famous...? We went with a couple others from the hostel and I had a blast! Rolled back into the hostel around 330am and due to this lovely German girl I managed to get up at 620 and make my train! She came over, woke me up and I freaked...THANK YOU!

All in all, I really enjoyed Krakow. It was more of the Poland I pictured in my head. Definitely less commercial than Warsaw and very beautiful. I definitely want to go back...and this sounds crazy, but I kind of want to go in January --I think it was Jan 27-- for the Auschwitz memorial stuff....but Poland in winter? We will see!

Warsaw

Today is my last day in Warsaw and as I have free internet at the current hostel, might as well make the most of it. Two of my three days here have been rainy, which is unfortunate, because Warsaw in the rain...not really a sight to behold. I did manage to walk around a bit, find an English bookstore and pick up the thickest book I could find. I also found a movie theatre that plays Polish movies once a week with English subtitles. I saw We Are All Christs. It was very good-a very moving story about an alcoholic and the havoc it causes in his life.

Yesterday, however, it was sunny and gorgeous and I made my way around quite nicely.
First I visited the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which was pretty good--definitely worth a go and the 3zlotys I paid as a student to get in. Not sure exactly what the exchange is except that my hostel costs roughly 10 euros a night, so 30euros total, which was 120 zloty. I am so not a fan of currencies like this. 3-4 zloty for a coke, 5 for a bag of chips. I can't do that kind of math in my head, people! Anyway, the museum, as I said, was eye opening. I thought I knew about the Warsaw uprising, but I didn't. The only downside (and I'm going to sound like an ignorant American here) was the language barrier. They posted most of the stuff in English as well as Polish, but it was very badly translated and, as I mentioned, some stuff was only in Polish. I know, this is Poland, where they speak Polish. But, if they want tourism to increase, they need to work on this. Polish is not a mainstream language...I would like to learn it though.

Afterwards I went to Stare Miasto, the old town square, which is actually fairly new since the whole of Warsaw had to be rebuilt after WWII. It was beautiful. A bit more touristy then the rest of Warsaw which is very commercialized, but also full of folksy art shops and little squares with fountains, etc. I walked around for about an hour and then settled on a bench next to the Little Mermaid statue to take in the sights.

I started to get a bit of a sore throat/stuffy nose. Not unusual as I've been cohabitating with a bunch of sick people in each city...about one per room probably. I also went outside in the pouring rain here in Warsaw with wet hair...so, yeah. Needless to say, I rested last night and slept in a bit this morning. I awoke to rain, lots of rain. Used my bus pass that I'd purchased and went to the train station where I reserved my next two trains, as they are to Krakow and then to Prague (not the kind of train you just hop on once per hour). I did some window shopping in a giant mall and then went to see The Reader (or Lektor, in Polish) at the cinema down the street. It was in English with Polish subtitles. Great way to spend a rainy afternoon.

I have an early train tomorrow morning, so I'll probably head in early. Look forward to the next exciting installment--KRAKOW! Heads up--I have signed up for an Auschwitz/Birkenau tour and a Schindler's List tour. :)

Munchen

Well, I have just arrived in rainy Warsaw via the sleeper train from Berlin. I had spent the previous two nights in Munich before heading back to Berlin to catch the train to Warsaw.

Here's the update on Munich-- great city, though not as great as Berlin, in my humble opinion. I enjoyed an enlightening trip to Dachau concentration camp which was way more intense than Sachsunhausend (I still have no idea how to spell that). Besides my trip to Dachau, I meandered around Munich, watched the famous glockenspiel do its thing (for 10 minutes...as in it went off for 10 whole minutes) and spent a lot of time in this little park right off of Odeoplatz. This park was AMAZING. I didn't feel like I was in Germany at all, but rather some Jane Austen novel. I layed out on the grass, listened to local musicians play classical music and watched beaucoup of PDA (only because I couldn't avoid it. These Munich people, sheesh). Another magical experience in Germany, if I do say so myself.
I had two roommates from CA. I swear, I've met Aussies and people from CA only on this trip. It's ridiculous. They were very nice, although we didn't hang out a lot together outside of the room. It did make for some nice conversation, however.

So, as I said, I'm in Warsaw. I've seen pretty much the train station and a few streets. It's super rainy, although I think the rain has actually stopped and it's just dreary. I'm debating whether to venture out alone, find a tour, or just go back to bed! I did, you know, take an overnight train...i have an excuse to sleep, right??

I need to learn Polish. Now.

Germany...Where everybody (can pronounce) my name

What can I say? Is this really my life? This time last year, even this time 3 months ago I was slaving away in 'pharmaceutical organisation' thinking the time to break out would never come. Here it is, and I am absolutely, positively, without a doubt in LOVE with Germany. It is magic.

Berlin, Berlin, Berlin. If I could manage to actually learn German someday, I might forgo my dream of England and move there. The culture and history is vast and fantastic; they've done a surprisingly great job of commemorating their past (good and bad) and intrigrating technology and current events into the city. I actually stayed in East Berlin, and this probably sounds naive, but I really didn't want to. I wasn't aware of how Berlin would actually be 20 years after reunification and the thought of getting 'stuck' on the east did occur to me more than once. Turns out, East Berlin is the Berlin to be in. I was a few minutes walk from all the sites and hardly even ventured into the west despite living there for 4 days. The wall, of course, was heartbreaking and kind of magical all at once. The stories of desperation that you hear about people crossing the wall; the stealth and precision of the German/Soviet population in creating the wall...it's all awe-inspiring, for different reasons.
Friday, I made my way to Sachenshausend (which I cannot pronounce or spell) concentration camp. I decided to go with a tour group in case the sights were too much for me. Those of you who know me well, know my obsession with the Holocaust and also my utter inability to make it through the DC museum intact. I did it though! This camp was a work camp, which in no way undermines the shear amount of death and destruction that occured, but it does make for an easier transition into the dark sights. Most of the camp was destroyed post liberation by Soviet troops who then used the camp for their own prison in a very ironic sort of way. Some structures are still intact, and the museum people have done a great job restoring other parts and memorializing the camp and its inhabitants. I placed a stone on a barrack memorial (for me and for you, Lizzle).
I met a couple of people at my second hostel in Berlin and was actually able to go out Friday night. Irish pub for a few strongbows and Karaoke. I love German karaoke. The thick German accent is adorable coming from a bunch of drunks!
I am now in Cologne Germany for about another hour. I came to Cologne as an easy stop over on the train and to see the sights--- Chocolate Museum. Hershey Park still wins in my opinion. Next I'm off to Munich.
Last night, however, I ventured out on my own around 9 30 and ended up in front of the massive Dom Cathedral sitting on the steps and listening to two guys play guitar and sing Oasis tunes. Definitely magical. I then noticed a bookstore still open on a Sunday night at 10, so I headed over. I bought the cutest little journal, very small--passport size--with parchment-like paper. I wasn't going to keep a journal because I was doing the blog and I didn't want to carry it around, but alas, it was cute and cheap and I gave in.

On a very lame and dorky note- In Copenhagen I picked up Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban from the book pile. I finished it last night and was in a panic as to what I would read next (especially since I really just wanted to read HP forever). Then, to my great amazement, Goblet of Fire was awaiting me in the Cologne hostel book pile. I told you Germany was magical.

Berlin is love

This will be short and quick as i have 7mins of internet time left.

I am loving Berlin and feeling so much better about this trip then I was in Copenhagen. Berlin is just amazing... the history, the architecture, the people. So amazing in fact that ive booked two more nights here before probably taking the train to Cologne where there is...get this, a Chocolate museum.

When i arrived in Berlin i did a makeshift walking tour to bebelplatz to see the place where they burned all those books. Very moving monument. Ive taken tons of pictures (MARIA), but i probably wont post them until im back in Oxford.

Ill write more at another time, but i just wanted to add this little tidbit. The best part about Copenhagen was leaving...because on the train from there to Berlin you have to take a ferry at one point. So the train actually drives onto the ferry, you get off for 40 mins then get back on the train and youre in germany. AMAZING! I thought.

Tchuss!

Kobenhavn...ehh.

Today I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark the first stop on my whirlwind tour around Europe. I have to say that i'm slightly disappointed. The hostel seems nice; however it doesn't seem to be in a great location--as in I'm glad that I have to get up so early tomorrow to catch my train so i'll be in early tonight.
From the moment I got off the plane things didn't go quite right, which isn't a problem but the people aren't very friendly either. Maybe I am a bit spoiled in America...? But the last few days in England have been very welcoming. My plane was late due to an electrical problem. We sat at the gate for a while..not sure how long because i had already turned my phone off and for once i was out on a plane. I slept the entire way here. The staff on the plane were very nice however, they gave us a free drink for making us sit in the hot plane for so long and they were just pleasant. seats were great too. If you're ever flying around these parts I highly recommend Scandanavian air.
Anyway, the lateness put me in chaos for finding a bus/train/metro anything to get to the hostel by 2 30 and the people working both the information booth and the ticket booth were just rude. I understand i don't speak your language-even though they spoke english and advertised it-- and i'm taking up a lot of your time because i'm completely lost, but sheesh.

That aside, my summary of copenhagen is this: Some parts look like Amsterdam (good thing) but the whole thing feels like Brussels (bad thing). Alas, my time here is up. Tomorrow I'll be in `Berlin which is supposed to be fantastic. We'll see!

In Oxfordshire

Arrived in Oxford today.

Love my flat. Love my flatmates. Cannot wait to be done traveling and move in for real!

Sitting on a bus and on top of the world

Hi ya.
I've arrived in London (yesterday around noon local time) and made it safely to my friend Gretchen's flat in east London. Currently, I'm on my way to Oxford via the Oxford tube (a bus) and enjoying the free, albeit shaky wi-fi. After my arrival at Heathrow yesterday I rode the London tube all the way to north/east London and missed all the sites. It's nice to be sitting on a bus and looking out on my London. The London I remember. I got very sentimental around the Gloucester Road tube stop that's for sure.

Things seem to be going well so far. I booked myself an overnight flight to get here and of course did not sleep a wink. Went to bed around 9:30 last night and was up again by midnight until 2 am surfing the net and running all these scenarios around in my head. My mind is currently incapable of relaxing and going with the flow and...SLEEPING at the moment. I did manage to get some sleep between 2 and 8:30. So I feel great. As I walked up to Gretchen's road yesterday she greeted me with open arms and a "welcome home." That felt great!

In oxford I will be meeting my flatmates and seeing the flat for the first time. I also hope to get a few things done in town, but seeing as will be Saturday afternoon by the time I arrive, I'm not sure what will be open. I can always do the bank on Monday in London...right?

I am, of course, worrying about money. So far I haven't spent much, 20quid on my tube pass a few pounds at the market and now my bus trip which is 13pounds roundtrip on a student discount :) I'm mostly worried about the upcoming travel and how expensive it will be and I'm not sure when exactly I get the money from my loan...I think it may be enrollment week or the week before... Oh well. It's something to keep in mind but I can't let it ruin my day/week/month!
I love London!!!

Sitting in Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, Maryland which is apparently the closest place to Lovettsville, VA to get some high class (read: high speed/free) internet. Lovettsville is the home of my dearest Maria...the town of love. :)

Flight leaves in t minus 5 1/2 hours. Freaking out on the inside a bit although I keep getting told that I seem calm. Perhaps acting really was my calling...? I think not.

Look forward to some *exciting* posts regarding the world travels. Hopefully. Interested in the itinerary? Me too.
Copenhagen-->Berlin-->Warsaw-->Krakow/Auschwitz-->
Germany(somewhere)-->Prague-->Venice-->Verona-->Florence
-->Rome-->Pisa-->Alps-->Monaco-->Bern-->Nantes-->Orleans
-->Lille-->London-->Bath-->OXFORD (aka home).

She's got eyes of the bluest skies...

Suppose I'm about due for an update, especially since loose ends are finally being tied up and I am t-minus 15 (!) days until departure!

After a quite costly debacle with the Visa process--I am officially on (or will be in 15 days) a UK general student tier 4 visa!! Complete with a horrendous picture to match my horrifying passport! I am so glad that this is all straightened out and I can, in fact, proceed with my much anticipated adventure! I first applied for my visa online, paid $250 for it and then had to schedule a 'biometric' appointment in Charleston. That went fine, although I was so nervous that I'd do something wrong. Which, obviously, I did! At the appointment they took my fingerprints (did you know that typing a lot makes your fingerprints harder to capture? In essence, you lose your prints because the typing wears them off...good to know, right?) and then they took a couple of pictures. Well, being the novice at the whole Visa process, I figured that the pictures they took would be the ones sent to the UK visa office in NYC. Wrong. On top of that I forgot to mail in...hmm, let's see, a whole crap load of stuff needed to process my visa. Namely, bank records, my loan information, my diploma and that very helpful letter from the Uni saying that I actually was accepted. It took 3 tries to get my visa settled. All in all about $300 dollars. At the end of which they send me an email with a link to a handy list (although, still a little vague) of what needed to be sent with my application. Very helpful, thanks.

Needless to say, I am now in possession of my passport again, complete with UK visa sticker/thing and have made copies of it. I'm also almost completely packed for my trip and for the next year...or at least a few months. I'm not taking all of my clothes, naturally...mostly because I figure I'll want to buy clothes seeing as I love me some UK fashions! I have 3 bags and a small backpack. I'll be taking my HUGE suitcase, large backpack (as in for hiking, etc.) and small backpack with me on August 13th and stepdad Ben has graciously agreed to bring my other suitcase over in September when he comes to bring mum home! I surprisingly have managed to not go over the 50lb weight limit on any of the bags...one came in close at 44lbs, but I've since lightened it a bit! The backpack for my month long excursion is weighing in at about 23lbs which I think it fantastic considering it will carry my life for a month.

I'm starting to get really sentimental and nervous about leaving. And, despite the fact that I feel like I'm on a spending spree most days, I'm enjoying the fact that I quit working early. I've enjoyed being able to spend time with friends and family whenever I want...and on days that everyone else is leading a normal life...I like to hang out with my kitten who will miss me immensley I'm sure. :)

I am also proud to say that I've mastered Skype this week with a whole 2 sessions. One to Illinois (I think...maybe Indiana?) and another to good ol' East Berlin. Let's just say my mum is TOO funny with technology. Speaking of mum, we spent a very nice week together in early July in East Berlin (see what not having a job can do for you?). We hung out with the family, enjoyed some 4th of July-ness, cleaned and attempted to purge her storage unit and went to Hershey Park! I used to go to Hershey Park all the time and it became a little repetitive...but it's nice to go with first timers, or in my mom's case someone who hasn't been there in a long time! We rode 98% of the coasters (didn't mess with the lame ones, natch), shared a delicious chicken wrap and walked our butts off! Good times. We love each other beaucoup.

Next up is Maria's visit to Motown this weekend, which also culminates with my LAST weekend in Motown, at least as a resident. :) Seriously, so excited about that. Then I'll finish up packing/getting ready and head to PA on Friday (the 7th). Mum and I are off to NYC for a few days and then it's go time, folks!

Almost Heaven

Today I am sitting in extended family's (read: everyone is a 'cousin') living room after a fun-filled weekend of reunion. Oy. We do this every June and every year I feel I've gained about a bazillion pounds, I've been bitten by a plethora of insect varieties and I'm wondering why we see these people only once a year.

And, in other news we're still here at the moment because I have an appointment at 1pm in Charleston for my Visa. I'm not really sure why I have this appointment or what is going to happen...and I didn't sleep at all last night for fear that somehow my future is about to be diverted. I bought my Visa online about two weeks ago and after submitting the application, I was told I had to pick an office to go to to 'finish' the process. I really just hope everything is working out as planned. It better. I bought my train pass two weeks ago as well!!! Made a major dent in my savings (my bank even denied the charge a few times and then called me to make sure it wasn't fraudulent activity). It feels so great that things are coming together, at least for the trip part, but all the little details are stressing me out a bit. Money (not the lack of money...I'm over that stress already, but where to put it and in what currency), packing, etc.

I also started a new job last week after 4 days of unemployment. It's at a telecenter (those of you in Morgantown can guess which) basically because they have 6 weeks of training and it's super easy to get a job there. So far it's boring. Very boring. However, it pays only slightly less than my old job and I'm a lot less stressed.

My mom has decided to join me on my travels rather than just meeting me in Oxford. She's going to meet me in Venice (ahh...I like the sound of that) on September the 7th and we're going to travel up and down Italy, and then go over the alps into France in search of this tiny little town that my great-grandmother is from. Then the plan is to hit some places in the south of France, Switzerland, head to Nantes and Orleans and do some Joan of Arc (I am not afraid...) and back to jolly ol' England! Is this really my life??? It still hasn't hit me that, yes, it is my life...or will be. Ask me again around August 19th if I'm finally believing this is all real.

As I mentioned, I've spent the entire weekend with family. I've tried to see my family more lately. We've had some major family issues to deal with this year and I think it's finally made me realize how important it is to have a connection with them. I've always been the one who lived far away whether it was due to where I grew up or when I went away to school (I picked my school slightly based on the amount of hours it takes to drive there from home). Before I leave I want to make sure that I see everyone a lot before I leave and that we make good memories. Now that everyone is getting older, and I've finally been accepted as a real adult (at 23 mind you) family is a lot more fun. I spent the majority of the weekend with my 'little' cousin Kelly who is now 15. This past year she's transitioned from the annoying little cousin/sister to a cool kid. She's coming to London next June for a school/music trip. We're going shopping :)

Ok, getting ready to head out. Adieu!!

I wake up every evening...

...With a big smile on my face.

Ok, so not really so much. But it is so uber close to August that I can hardly stand it.
I have hit a bit of a snag in my financial plans: I'm losing my job. It was bound to happen to a temp in an economy in crisis mode, but I was really hoping they'd hold on until the end of July. Technically, I have until June 19th, but I'm hoping to jump ship before that. I had an interview at Target (figure the discount will get me through...right) and have applied a plethora of other places. We'll see. I feel bad about the whole applying situation, seeing as I'm lying to everyone and saying "oh yeah, I'll be here forever! I have nothing else valid and worthwhile to do with my life." If only they knew!

I also found out a couple of weeks ago that I had been approved for the full $20,500 in stafford loans for school. Whooo...more debt! Of course after the exchange rate, this doesn't amount to a whole lot (i.e. barely enough to pay my rent) but that's what the working was supposed to be for. I'm about 1,100 shy of my goal right now, I'm hoping to make it, but I also still have to purchase my Visa, and my train pass. Some days I really just want to cancel my plane ticket, and my backpacking and just SAVE. BUT I won't. No fear. When will I ever have this chance again??? To make matters worse, my mom lost her job. It wasn't that I was depending on her giving me money...she's just always a safety net. A mom loan if you will. She's given me numerous lectures on the dangers of credit cards, etc. and I still do not have one when most of my other 20-something counterparts have at least one. Now that the mom loan is out of the question (she's got savings, but I could never do that...), I don't really have a back up plan. Like, if I get robbed in Vienna, there's nothing else.

So, the solution that I'm grappling with is taking out even more in student loans. I probably qualify for a Grad Plus loan. I think if I could get maybe another 10 grand, I'd be set. Oy vey. Honestly, though...as it seems no one will be able to afford to come visit me for Christmas as planned, I'll probably come home. And, no one but me will be able to pay for that ticket. And I won't be able to pay for that ticket unless I have extra money. I know I could get a job while in school---but I've worked all through high school and all through college. I really feel like I missed out on key experiences because of the need to have money. Maybe I missed a roadtrip, or didn't see a movie; perhaps my grades would have been just a bit better. Who knows. I just want this degree to be different. I want knowledge. I want every minute devoted to my studies, learning, experiencing what my professors have to offer. And, i want to hop on the train to Bath/Dublin/where ever at a moments notice without having to work or not having the money to. I want an internship at a publishing house, not a part-time job at the coffee shop. I've had those, I need more!

On a less serious note, although just as depressing: two weekends ago was graduation 2009. Meaning, the last of my WVU crew have gathered their diplomas and left me in this sucky town for good. Sigh. I cried, probably more than they did, on graduation day. Maria stayed with me that whole week before and as I left her Saturday night before grad, around 3am, I layed in bed and bawled my eyes out (don't think I told you that, M!). 1. I can't believe that my dearest Maria is a college graduate and no longer lives in Morgantown. Maria embodies Morgantown for me. I can't describe why. I am always at the same instant completely jealous and completely in love with that girl...she is Magic. :) I know exactly what you will say upon reading this, but I am super jealous of the life you led here at WVU. The guard stuff, the photo shoots and movie making, even your crazy last semesters full of random stuff! 2. Lizzle. My olive drab sprinkle...a big, grown-up MA. And soon, you'll be donning that funny hat for your Ph. D. I am in awe of you as well. Mainly for your perseverance to become a Ph. D and secondly for your earring collection. :)
You are one of the smartest people I've ever met. And I don't care what you say...when we go out together, I'll always feel second fiddle. I feel like between us we'll always have Pride and Prejudice at the Warner and Arnold hall sundaes with way too many sprinkles. And whats more, we'll always be able to be in that state of mind no matter how crazy fabulous we (you) are.
I love you both so much, and there's no way I could've made it through this year, or any of the last few without either of you.



I've got a little more going on, but for now this is way too long. Ciao, bellas.

Midnight Train (plane) Going Anywhere...

Ok, I'm taking the 11:10 PLANE and I'm going to London, but I'm trying to be witty here, ok??

Since my life currently consists of nothing but going to work (which I despise) and sleeping...the obvious free time I have is spent dreaming/thinking/planning/agonizing over my trip and move to England. I've reserved my plane ticket...I've started my Visa application (which would be finished except you cannot reserve it more than 3 months ahead, gah!) and I've found a flatshare! YAY!

So, I've moved on, or rather back to, planning my month long European Extravaganza which will happen post-move from the US and pre-Grad school. In the spirit of making everyone extremely jealous of me...I kid...I've decided to post my 'itinerary' here. Keep in mind I'm not actually leaving until August and things will change, be updated, etc. but I really need to write this all out for my own sake!

July 31st- My last day of work in Morgantown. YAY!!! This day is probably the day I'm looking forward to the MOST.

August 8th(ish)-Say goodbye to Motown, finally, and head to PA for about a week of saying 'bye to the fam, etc.

August 13th- 11:10pm Virgin Atlantic, Dulles Intl Airport--London, Heathrow. :)

August 14th-Arrive in London around noon and procede to Black Spring Press just in time for Friday wine! Provide my buddy (and mentor on this whole move thing) boxes upon boxes of Mac and cheese in exchange for a room for the night and a place to leave my crap!

August 15th-17th- Head to Oxford, meet the new roommates, etc. (this was originally supposed to be a weekend where I found a flat in a frenzied way. But, I'm a planner...there was no way I could wait that long).

August 17th-Sept. 14th(ish)-EUROPEAN EXTRAVAGANZA!!!
Countries on the list:

• Denmark (Copenhagen)
• Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, ?)
• Poland (Krakow, Warsaw, Auschwitz)
• Austria (Vienna)
• Italy (Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome)
• France (Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Nice)
• Monaco
• Switzerland (Geneva)

And we'll see what else I can manage to hit on the train route. I've found a month long pass that gets me to every country I want, except Poland. For less than $100 I can add the poland pass. Basically the whole thing is costing less than $900. I had budgeted 1000euros/pounds for travel...so I'm already ahead! Yippee!

Sept 14th-I plan to arrive back in London at some point. Pick up my stuff and head to my new flat in Oxford!

Sept. 17th-The parents are coming! Well, we're planning it. And here's why... Jane Austen Festival!

Sept.18th-20th-In Bath at the Austen Festival!

Sept. 21st-Must be back in Oxford for enrollment...going back to school, going back to school, going back to school!!!!

Sept. 28th-Classes Start!!!!! ACK!


That's it for now. I do have some specific plans laid out for each of the countries I'm planning to visit, but that changes weekly. :)

"As a Woman I have no country. As a Woman my country is the Whole World."

I found this a few weeks ago while 'googling' quotes. This is something I do occasionally because...well, I have no idea. I love quotes and I especially love them when they were originally said by people I admire (or people I despise). If you can make me stop in my tracks and re-evaluate my entire day/life/purpose in a mere sentence, that is awe-inspiring.

"As a Woman I have no country. As a Woman my country is the Whole World." -Virginia Woolf

Not only am I a HUGE fan of Virginia Woolf, I love the concept that by just being a woman I am able to claim the world as my oyster, my ancestry, my partner. I am not cornered into one power-hungry nation because my parents and grandparents were here. I also love that this thought means that I am not to be labeled by my nationality, for I am a World Citizen. Not an American...nor a French Citizen, Brit, German...etc. I am of the world.

This is fitting seeing as I yearn to flee the country of my birth (although, I admit...it's harder to leave now that Barack Obama is in office.) for something more old world. A place where intellect is valued and the phrase "git r done" does not exist. Sometimes I like to blame the destruction of the world on Larry the Cable Guy. It soothes me.

Yes, there are things I will miss. I am so excited to give up my car, but I know there will be times when I don't want to lug groceries home on the bus. I will want Taco Bell. Frequently. However, when you find the place you belong...are you willing to do anything to get back there? Is it possible to love a land that should be foreign to you more than you love the soil you step on everyday?
I say yes. After all...I am a citizen of the world, not of one country. Kudos Virginia.

Wilkommen, Bievenue, Welcome

In lieu of attempting to be creative and unique about something I've been going on about for almost a year--I've decided to steal my first Open Salon post and slap it up here (with some edits, natch.) Enjoy...

I have never been one to blog frequently. Although an avid writer all my life, once I made it to the pubescent age all my thoughts or whims of pride about writing seemed to fly right out the window along with my self-esteem. A common occurence for a teenage girl and a strict right of passage I might add. That being said, I have started reading blog entries lately of all kinds. Extended family members who I've never really known; Politicians and political analysts who have nothing better to do; Friends from college and those who were not friends. In my last year of college I took a multimedia writing course in which we were forced to blog about our projects. While the blogging became annoying and cumbersome as it was for a grade and not for pure, unadulturated release...I will say it piqued my interest. That being said, here I am prepared to lose my Blog Virginity and stand naked in front of the cyber world.

I am in transition. I graduated from college in May 2008 and with most of the country, thanks to the last 8 years of inefficiency, I was without a job and without a plan. While I had originally planned to go to Graduate school, I found myself torn when the acceptance letters actually came. I had spent the last 16 of my 22 years on this Earth in a classroom, writing papers for other people and learning about what other people had done. I wanted to do something for myself.

I have an English degree. No, I do not want to be a writer. No, I do not want to be a teacher. I want to publish books. I want to give the world access to the next literary mind and I want to rub elbows with said mind and have them on my Facebook friend's list and actually know them. And, if by spending my life in these kind of intellectual circles I develop enough courage and drive to actually write a novel myself, so be it. I knew all this when I was 20. That was when I entered my second year of college, switched my major from Political Science (although the switch also has to do with my over-opinionated mouth and the knowledge that I could never, ever back a Republican/Conservative government) to English. This was in large part to the amazing English department at my University (www.wvu.edu) and their Professional Writing and Editing program. Finally! A path for those interested in English but not in teaching. A blessing for sure.

So, back to May 2008 and I'm jobless. Prior to graduation I attended a career fair in NYC where I had hoped to at least get my foot in the door somewhere in the city where I wanted to be. The city where the great books are published. That was the day I learned I should've majored in Comm. or Engineering. For all recruiters out there: Look at the English major. I may not have taken communications credits, but I can write with proper spelling and grammar and I can still verbally communicate as well. Please do not disregard us, it's very disconcerting. I debated the Peace Corps and Teach for America with serious thought and might very well be pursuing those at this date if other opportunities had not arose.

I eventually got work with a temp agency making decent money (definitely more than I ever earned in college) and decided to take one year to find my true path. It is now January 2009 (edit-it is now March, but you get the point) and I am on that path and counting down the days until it becomes a reality. In 204 (146) days (yes, I am actually counting) I will be leaving the USA and moving to England to study Publishing in Oxford, the actual publishing Mecca.

I did a study abroad internship in London, UK while in school. I knew from, well about day 5, that London was my home. For the past 10 years I had been convincing myself and anyone who would listen that I belonged in NYC. However, after three months in London I knew where I really belonged. I strolled down cobblestone streets in my rainboots with a glowing smile. My hair-always prone to frizz in the rain and/or heat and/or anything really-never looked better. I lost 20 pounds. I made great friends. I did it all on little to no money and it was fantastic.

It was this amazing turn of events in my life that caused me to have such a catastrophic break down post-graduation. Did I want to study composition and rhetoric in Virginia? No. Did I want to swing myself onto the bottom rung of the publishing intern totem pole in NYC? Well, sort of. And, while I had about two interviews for some intern positions in NYC I can see now that I sabotaged them. I had settled on a plan even if my brain hadn't actually been made aware of it yet. I was fleeing the country for greener and better suited pastures.

I began work in healthcare because it was all I could get in an unstable economy. It's a global company that has offices everywhere. I began to see some paths forming for me. I stayed in the town I had gone to college in despite never wanting to be that person. I moved in with my boyfriend into a one-bedroom (insert family gasps here) apartment with our two cats and set up house. I bought myself a "Europe on a budget" book and began to map out a backpacking tour. I reinstated my Grad school search but this time limited it to another country. I immersed myself in work, planning, seeing college friends.

I began another round of Grad applications. Contacted the professors that had written my recommendations and asked for more. I passed around my application essay to my colleagues to get their opinions and unintentionally made everyone around me extremely jealous. Not to brag.

I was accepted into grad school for the fall 2009 semester. At the end of July, a little more than a year since graduating college, I will turn in my company badge and walk away from the town that I've spent the last 5 years in. The friends that I've made and the experiences I've had. I'll leave the boyfriend and the two cats and the one bedroom apartment for a flatshare with strangers and one long month of solitary backpacking.

I can't wait.