Chips, Crisps, and The Reason I Bought an Orange Hat

Hey everybody! Sorry it's been so long since I've written, this whole week has been quite crazy. I have already experienced so much and am positively smitten with this country and all it's incredible people. 

Through out this week I have been sitting in on all kinds of international student lectures. All the information seemed pretty standard but it really amped up my excitement for this whole experience.
On Tuesday night, the international students were invited on a boat cruise down the Thames which was absolutely gorgeous!! Music, free food, and an absolutely stunning city to look at. Can't get much better than that:

Going under the Tower Bridge.

The Tower of London from the Thames.

Some of Londons' glorious skyline.

Following up this lovely adventure, on Thursday I went on a bus tour through London on which I saw many of the signature landmarks. I was initially disappointed because the roof seats were full when I got there but was later grateful when the rain rolled in:

Big Ben!!!

Londons' National Gallery

The next day my flat mates and I ventured out to Oxford Street, the main shopping district of London. As I walked into Top Shop I could almost literally feel the emptiness of my wallet. Yet my friend RJ and I did get some fabulous pictures out of the journey:

Looking fierce and confused in Urban Outfitters

Fanny packs are so very functional. Also in Urban Outfitters.

He is SO fabulous. In Top Shop.

I did end up making a few purchases that day which included a lovely chain for my noggin which was displayed the next day at a Toga party:

Be. Fierce.

And a marvelously orange hat which my friend RJ likes to say makes me look like a "Real Londer":

Hilda (one of my flat mates), me, and RJ having some fun in the kitchen.

By the time the weekend rolled around I was feeling fairly beat. Saturday morning I woke up and lo and behold, it turns out I caught a cold. I spent most of the day in my bed and today has pretty much been the same. I did manage to go on one adventure today. RJ had a friend visiting and we were all buzzing for adventure so we headed out to Piccadilly Circus where we took a look at Fortnum & Mason, the Queen's official grocery. It was way out of my price range but was still gorgeous to look at. By the time we got back I was exhausted and have pretty much stayed in bed except for the occasional visit to the kitchen. 

Tomorrow I start classes and I have to say it is very surreal. Everyone back at Purchase has already been in classes for a month while I am just about to begin. 

It's also crazy to think that I've only been here for a week. In a way, this feels sort of like a new and different kind of home and my flat mates have most certainly become family. There are a lot of things I still miss linguistically, and I often get confused about money and which way I'm actually supposed to go on the Tube. But I'm loving getting to know this city, and the people, and the culture that London has to offer. 

1 week down. So many adventures left to go.

Cheers,

Caitlin

"I'd have to say that's a little posh, posh."

It is around 10:30am here on my second day in London and I am positively beat.

My bed isn't the comfiest I've ever curled up upon but I'm hoping I can hunt down a mattress pad some where.

Yesterday was absolute madness. Both my flights went very smoothly and while I tried like crazy to sleep on my flight over the ocean, apparently that was not going to be an option for me. 

When we landed in London Heathrow it was pretty foggy out so I couldn't see much from the sky but I still felt my excitement beginning to grow. 

When I got off the plane I headed straight to customs. When you normally think of customs, you think it's going to be someone asking you this boat load of questions that you know no answers to. I must admit I was quite relived to walk up to the desk, they asked me 4 questions, and I was in. 

Next was grabbing my bagged. Check. And then as soon as I walked out of the terminal I was greeted by a pack of Queen Mary students who helped get me situated and on a bus to the school.

    On our way to the school I passed by a bunch of well known land marks. The London Eye, Big Ben, Hyde Park. It was incredible just seeing all of these things and being like, "Wow I'm actually here."

When I got to the school I picked up my keys and headed up to my room. I live in a 10 person hall where we all share a kitchen but have our own rooms, bathrooms, and fridges (score!!!)

I think what I've found the most amusing is that there is literally a wall switch for everything. The plugs, the heater, the stove. Like EVERYTHING electronic has a switch.

When I got here I had to finish enrolling which turned into this massive process that took longer than it should have because I forgot to print out some paper work and it ended with me taking THE WORST student ID I have literally ever taken in my life. Jet lag does not look good on me. 

Once I finished all of that I headed back to my room and continued to unpack where upon I finally began to meet some of my room mates. Most of them are British but the girl who lives in the room next to me is American. 

I ended up spending the whole night getting to know all my room mates. We had quite the laugh and I only departed their presence after I felt like I was going to fall asleep on our kitchen table.

Today I have tons of errands to run and currently no one to run them with. I had met a few study abroad students but at housing we all got separated and I haven't seen them since. I must admit I'm a tad scared to go out on the city alone but it'll sure be the best way to get to know my new environment. 

Time to be my adventurous self and find out what this day has to offer.

Cheers,

Caitlin

It's Time to Begin

Here we are! On the cusp of adventure. On the dawning of a new era!

Today I officially depart on my journey to London.

This past week has been riddled with all sorts of trials and tribulations that ended with quite the crying fit curled up next to my mother last night. I won't lie by saying getting ready for this adventure has been easy. I've been in a constant state of feeling like I never have anything done and that this whole experience is too over whelming. But after a good cry and a massive bowl of ice cream I can now better reflect on my experiences and appreciate how much they have already made me grow.

With every struggle, every trial I have faced getting ready for London, I realize now that I have conquered them all. I thought openly, talked it out, and most importantly I wasn't afraid to ask for help. There are so many people I wish I could thank for helping me get to this point and I hope they all know how grateful I am.

Two of my biggest rocks in this entire process have been my parents. Their unwavering belief in my abilities and my choices has been one of the biggest gifts I could ever ask for. When ever I had a problem, needed help, or just needed a hug, they were always there without hesitation. I don't think I will ever be able to thank them enough for that. 

It is now officially down to 6 hours before my flight takes off from Rochester and I am bursting at the seams. I have so many things left to do and this constant looming feeling that I am bringing too much (I'm a clothes whore, it's a problem). But at this point my excitement is over shadowing the bulk of these worries. I'm going to London for 3 months! 

I mean, how freaken cool is that?

Much Love,

Caitlin