I went to Belgium!

Belgium is definatly a good reason to update.
It was a short but really enjoyable trip!

Day 1:
We arrived to check in for the Ferry at 3. It was like an aiport but smaller and with less security.
They didn't let us board until 5, so we just sat around.
Everyone pulled out books and such, but they had forgotten to tell me that we could leave our luggage on the Ferry, so I only brought the bare essentials.
So we get on at 5, but the Ferry didn't leave until 7. So we wandered around.
I'm using the term "Ferry" lightly. It was more like a huge cruise ship with several cafes and bars, a huge gift shop, and a very expensive buffet (which we did not even consider paying to eat at).
We brought our own dinner and ate them in our tiny cabbin.
We were all pretty tired, and the docking time was 8 am (Belgian time, which is another hour ahead) so we all went to bed early, though none of us slept well.


Day 2:
The Ferry arrives at 8am and we take a bus (it was included in the cost of the ferry!) to the city called Bruge.
It started puring rain during the ride, but it had fizzled out by the time we got off, the rain came in and out all day.
We find a map and walk through small streets until we find the beautiful center of the city.
Someone was filming a movie that takes place during christmas and so all of the christmas decorations were still up all around the town. It was really beautiful.
I dont know anything about the movie, but we did see lights set up and loads of people.
Our first stop was an ATM, I needed euros.
Then we went to a resterant for waffles, I got banana and chocolate. They were Delicious!
It was still early so it was pretty quiet, except for the noise of the horse drawn carriages, we didn't go one one but they were still exciting.
Some people wanted to take the boat tour of the city, there is a river running through part of it, but I wasnt intrested so me and a friend went off to explore. We found some beautiful buildings and sculptures and stopped at a small art gallery before meeting back up with the group.
We spent the next couple hours walking around, we went to several chocolate shops and a really wonderful tea shop.
Then we went to the chocolate museum and stoped for a quick lunch.
By this time we needed to head back to the station to catch the bus.
So we took the bus back to the Ferry, and spent the night walking around or reading in the cafe.
We also visited a lounge where an old man was playing the piano and singing. I was esspecially happy when he started singing "My Heart Will Go On"

Day 3:
Once again an 8 am landing.
Then a taxi back home.
Where I spend most of the day feeling as if Im still on a rocking boat.
Its almost 3:30 and the room is still swaying.

Ok, so I hope that was more enjoyable and less boring.

Love you all!!!

daytrip to York

Hey everyone

we took a daytrip to York yesterday and had a really wonderful time.

Its a really old city, of course complete with cathedrals and a healthy supply of Pizza Huts and H&Ms
The central part of the city is outlined by a huge wall that you can walk on, and we did
its a really amazing walk with some wonderful veiws

the first thing we noticed as we came to the city was the sound of church bells
and all the people
the next thing we noticed was the church making all the sound, The York Minister
it was GIGANTIC, if you've taken any art history classes then you've read about this place.
it has the most beautiful stained glass windows, including the famous rose window
we took the tour while people sang choral music on microphones on a huge stage
it was a werid combination of this incredibly old church, being full of high tech lighting equitment (which I was able to identify thanks to Umass) and a high tech stage.

We spent the rest of the day just walking around enjoying the sights
we also went to the art museum, which was small but nice, and FREE.

We had dinner at a place that I would describe as the brittish Applebees.
Of course it looked like a pub, and their favorites were very Brittish.
I got the veggie sausages and mash.
it was ok, but I felt cool doing it.

My personal hightlight was probably when someone asked me about where the train was going to.
Theres nothing like being mistaken for a local, rather than the tourist that you are.

so we had beautiful weather
and some great photos (which Ill put of facebook soon)

love you all!

<3M

havent done this in a while

Just thought Id update, because I havent.

Ive been enjoying some new found Independence since I got here.
I dont think I realized how unwilling I was to do anything, or go anywhere by myself.
But being in this new environment, Ive found how lovely it is to just pick up and go to the gym.
Do something on my own.
I know it seems small.
But really, I would avoid doing anything in the past unless I had someone to walk there with me.
I just didnt realize it.

and speaking of the gym,
Ive been getting there alot lately.
Which is new and nice.
though I hate that most of the girls are thin, and they dont break a sweat, and the dress up to be in there.
meanwhile, im in baggy clothers, sweating with a red puffy face.
yeah.

Im really excited for Valentines day
everyone is making something (im frying plantains)
and then we are going to watch BoonDock Saints
and sarah and I are going to talk everyone into watching My Fair Lady.
Its going to be a classy, classy evening.
where we ignore how single I am
and bash Hallmark. yessssss.

So I think thats about it for now.

Love to all.
Im so happy Im here
But Im thinking of Home constantly
(esspecially since one of my roomates has left out a pan of cooked meat for at least 36 hours now. and it is disgusting)

<3M

I'm having a rather slow morning so I thought Id update again.
I am going to sign up for the gym and work out later, but I have to wait for Rachel
So I'm just in my room reading
its quite lovely

My dad requested some more details about Oxford- so here goes
We spent the day just walking around the city- George was our guide because he had been there before
so I spent most of the day making fun of him for assuming what I called 'An Alpha male mentalilty"
It was nice to have someone who knew where they were going,
but he was quite upset about being the only male in our group. which was hilarious.
There is no division between Oxford's cobblestone streets, towering catherdrals, and beautiful architecture of its University
and the shopping areas, fast food, and tourist shops
it was really intresting.
So we were able to pop into a Mcdonalds to use the toilet (No one here actually says loo) and then walk down the street to a really stunning church.
They also had a really lovely gathering of coffee shops and stores where we were able to rest in a cafe that was decorated with classic movie posters.
On our way out, we wasted some time in a small mall (that rhyme was accidental but fun) and we went in to a store called Primark, which I HIGHLY suggest to anyone who may be travelling through the UK. Think the fashions of H&M, but multiplied, and at bargain prices.
no I didn't buy anything, but there is another Primark closer to the University...

So Im going to go back to reading, Ive done my work for class thursday and I'm tearing through a girly book that I've borrowed from Rachel. Just one of those silly novels that you go through in about 2 days.

Hope everyone is doing well.

as always,
I love you
I Miss you
and Im thinking of you (Even you Jen, so there's no need to ask)

<3M

How about another update?

I went to Oxford yesterday and had a wonderfuly time.
Despite being on my feet for 7 hours straight and the 4 and a half bus rides there and back and having a cold.
But it was a really beautiful city.
I always love citys that can place modern buildings, like McDonalds,, right next to ancient looking pubs, cobblestone streets, and magnificent chruches.

Im doing pretty well, I esspecially enjoy the days where Im kept busy
Talking to almost all of my family yesterday was absolutly tough though.
It made me feel pretty alone here.
But I think that is to be expected.

So today is sunday
the plan is to stay inside, try to kick this cold out of my system
do some reading
and relax.

tomarow Im going to check out the University Gym
apparently ALL schools like to put their gyms and sport facilities in the far back of the school to make life very difficult.
I wonder why that is.

I dont know who reads this
but feel free to comment with whats going on in your life
because I miss you
and Im curious.

LOVE!

Ramblings from the UK

It seems that I wont be able to upload pictures until I get home because I cant get onto wireless and Dial up is intent on breakin gmy heart.

Oh well, Life goes on.

Im going to Oxford on saturday with the student union. We are spending the day, I suppose we'll be touring around the campus.
There is a trip to Amsterdam in several weeks, I was going to go, but it costs 70pounds and I just dont think I can do that.

My first class is today- Theater Performance and Identity. It looks facinating. Its about the expression of gender, class, ethnicity ect.. in theater through stand up commmedy, body art, camp, cross dressing....

I thought I would be taking all my classes alone, but as it turn out I have at least one friend in each class. Which is nice but I hope it doesn stop me from making new friends.

The sun had been out for at least an hour every day
and it hasnt rained yet
supposedly its not as wet here as in other parts of the UK
but the wind is rather strong.
its too early to tell, Ive only been here a week.

Ok, thats all for now.

LOVE YOU!