First Week of Class

School is definitely set up a bit different here than in the US. I have four classes (transfers over as 12 credits to Eau Claire). Each module (a.k.a class period) is 2 - 3 hours long but only once a week. I thought it would be hard to keep my attention going for that long but it seemed to work out alright since they give breaks and a lot of it is open, interactive discussion. The courses that I'm taking: Post-classical Hollywood Cinema; Religion, Nature, and Sustainability; Intro to Sport and Society; Fundamentals of Sport Management. Everyone asks me what I'm studying...but honestly...not one person has known what kinesiology or a chiropractor is. I have now decided to just say 'exercise science' and a 'doctor'. Makes life a little easier. I asked a student if they had an 'exercise science' major here (They combine it is 'Business, Sport, and Law' - weird) and his response was: "We call them PE teachers" - RUDE! No respect here for Kins majors! Ha ha I'll survive. That's what I'm here for - to do something different. I missed my Post-Classical Hollywood Cinema class on Thursday because some other American told me and another girl that she had a class in the room that we were supposed to be in - turns out she was in the wrong place. Whoops. Friday classes were cancelled due to a snow day. Only like 2 inches - this place was a ghost town. Of course all of the Eau Claire students wanted to venture in to town and be out in the snow. No Thanks. I'm moving to Atlanta in July for a reason :). I got in touch with the football (soccer) team..can't wait to start that up! Something I'm familiar with! I've been practicing with the basketball team...and for those who know me...I am terrible at basketball BUT I'm actually pretty decent on this team. Sorry UK - the females here aren't very athletic. It's been fun though. Waiting for my rail pass and student card to come in the mail so I can get my travels started! Cheers for now

Tour of London

After my first night going 'clubbing' in Winchester, the international students and myself boarded a coach bus to London. 10 pounds for the ride and a 90 minute walking tour - not bad. We went to the same area that I toured myself when I was adventuring around on my own but it was nice to have a tour guide to provide me with some historical background. The tour included Westminster Abbey, Parliament square, Trafalgar, Picadilly...etc. We had the remainder of the afternoon to do as we please but I was too cold to continue walking around. I also learned something about myself today - I'm not a huge fan of traveling in big groups :) ha ha. I hurried down the first underground station that I saw to catch the tube to Lancaster where my brother Jay stays. We went to Notting Hill, got some tea, ate a huge meal (which I even ate some of Jay's because I feel like I'm starving), and then went in some shops. Pretty exciting day. Time to figure out how to get a rail pass so I can head back to London for another round! First picture: Me outside of Buckingham palace in front of a large statue Second picture: The eye of London!

Winchester

Included is a picture of my decent dorm room. I'll have to spice it up a bit to make it a little more comfortable. The other picture is the cemetery located directly next to my campus that I have to pass through in order to get in to town. I've come to find out from locals that Winchester is an expensive town (lucky me! I did some shopping today!) Most of the people that live here travel by train to get into their workplace in London -or- they've already made bank in their careers and are retired. The International students and some Winchester 'buddies' went out last night to a local pub. It was a pretty good time - of course soccer games were on all of the TVs. Met some intersting people from Ohio, an island off of South Africa, Ireland, New York, Spain, Etc. An diverse crowd. Tonight we will be hitting the club(s) in town and then leaving for a tour of London in the morning. I have my first class on Tuesday so be ready for some more posts :).

LONDON!

So Jay and I flew into London on Monday (the 7th) morning around 7:30 a.m. I tried sleeping on the plane as much as I could but it's a little tough in a middle seat with your giant brother being all fussy next to you ( :) ). I was so disoriented when we got in. I felt like I was in a movie! Jay had to go straight to work so I was left behind to, obviously, pass out for a little bit. I know, I know, you are supposed to try to stay awake to adjust to the new time zone...but I'm a napper and I couldn't handle it. Anyways...Jay and his roommate were kind enough to give me things to do while they were at work. I ventured out to Westminster. Saw Buckingham Palace, Parliament Square, Trafalgar. Did some shopping (of course) in Queensway...a short walk from Jay's 'flat'. On Wednesday I met with another student from my program. She had plans with other students that fell through so we arranged to meet at the train station and spend the evening together until we left for Winchester. We had a great time at the Tower of London...exposed her to the city and shared a cup of tea together. We later met up with Jay since his place of work is close to the Tower of London. Had some drinks outside (? - still too cold for me even though it's like 20 degrees warmer than WI). Went for dinner with some of his friends...had an amazing pasta dish with scallops and crab. YUMMMMMMMMYYYY. Jay treated us to dinner as well as our first Taxi ride. Holy backseat. So much room in those cars! Quite the experience. This morning we hopped on the train back to the Heathrow airport and met with our other students to get on a shuttle bus to the University of Winchester. The other students (which there are many of!) are very nice...people from all over. I'm in a brand spankin' new dorm with my own bathroom! WOW. Pretty exciting except the fact that I have to buy my own toilet paper....ohhhhh well! Spent the afternoon in the town of Winchester with 6 other girls to gather some essentials and purchase a totally old school phone. It's funny how I can't even work a really basic phone - too use to my smart phone. That's all for now... As they say in London.... Cheers.

Photos from out east

BOS N.Y.C. NH & ME

Justin and I flew out New Years Eve to Boston to spend the night with my sister Amy. Had a great night at a local bar with her and some of her friends. A couple days later we ventured around downtown Boston with my brother Jay, and Amy....ate at some fantastic places, grabbed a couple of drinks, and enjoyed an improv show. For Justin's 24th birthday (Jan 3) we spent the night in New York City. Ventured out to see some live music, visited Times Square, and experienced Rockefeller Center. Took the sketchy Fung-wah bus but it was a good deal and experience ($30 round trip!)
Our final night out east was spent in Brunswick, Maine where my sister Tracy and her family reside. We had the pleasure of chowing on some seafood of course! Watched my sister shop at the notorious L.L.Bean. Finished the night with a Mediterranean dinner and shared some laughs over old photos. Thanks to my siblings for hooking us up with a place to stay and showing us a great time! It was nice to spend some time with my family before I began my journey.