it's official

I am going here, Venice on the 2nd of April...We made our official booking tonight. Oh my goodness. I feel like I am going to puke. Like, seriously. I feel so sick. My head is rushing and my legs are shakey. Seriously. I am going to freaking ITALY. We are staying for three nights here. I am pretty excited. But, it hasn't hit me yet...


Then, we are making our way here... to Rome. Staying here until the 10th. Still, hasn't hit me. I am so freaked out about money... and the only thing I have paid for tonight was Heather and I's plane ticket from London to Venice... 100 pounds ($200.00). She bought the other tickets because they were in the Euro, so we will figure out how much I owe her. We were so fed up looking at this shit, that we just wanted to book it and be done. It took us three hours. Only because we switched the dates and the hostels we were looking at. But, we have our flights and places to stay. The real fun will be getting from the airport to our hostels/hotel and then figuring out where everything is. goodness... I am f-reaking out. Not too bad, but I feel sick. I am glad that I am going with Heather and Jackie. We are going to have a lot of fun. They are both very relaxed, so hopefully I will grab some of their relaxness... because we all know me... little worry wort I am.

I AM GOING TO FREAKIN' ITALY!!! Holy CRRRAAAAPPPPP!!!! :)

Open Wide

I have been craving a skippy creamy peanut butter with banana sandwich for about two weeks now. I could easily solve this problem by going to ASDA and buying peanut butter, but the British don't get good peanut butter. Therefore, I refuse to spend 2 pounds on peanut butter that tastes awful in my mouth. I could easily live off peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Well, maybe not, but I could at least go a week with just eating them.

It is cloudy today, and it makes me not want to do anything that involves outdoors. Which, luckily for me doesn't need to happen. I don't have any class today, and the only plans I actually have are with Heather and Jackie this evening so we can plan our Italy trip and book plane tickets and stuff. Jackie knows more about hostels than Heather and I combined, so that will probably be her job. Heather and I will get the plane tickets and find the cheapest ones. I am hoping that at the most, I will only spend $1,000. I am perfectly ok with spending less than that, but I fear it might not happen. With the exchange rate being so stupid... but the euro is a little cheaper than the pound, but it still blows. I think the euro is like 1.75 or something... so it isn't as bad as the pound. We figure we would spend maybe 300-400 bucks on all our air traveling, around 300-400 bucks on hostels... oi. Just thinking about all the money that is going to be leaving my account makes me sick. I hate spending money... I like the amount that is in my back account right now. But, this is an amazing opportunity and I may not be able to go for my Aunt's birthday next year. So, I need to take advantage while I am over here and it is cheaper for me to get places.

I am almost done with my first paper. I have about 800 more words left until I feel it is acceptable to stop. I am going to print it out and go to my professors office on Thursday and go "Hey, I am an exchange student, and I don't know how you guys view writing, but here is the draft of my completed paper... tell me what you think" and hopefully he will help me out. It isn't due until the 15th, but I want to get this done because I have one due on the 19th. And the one that is due on the 19th, is like a research paper in a way. I have to use sources to describe what I am talking about within two plays. Goodness. How ridiculous.

I leave in exactly 14 weeks and one day. Sad that I know this? Yes. But, sometimes I just get really sad for my friends. I don't really miss my extended family because we all live in different states anyway, but my friends are the one thing that I miss. And certain foods, but that doesn't count. Oh, and what is really great... all my friends that I have made here are going to be gone on me 21st birthday. Yeah, I am going to be a loser, all by myself on my big 21st birthday. It doesn't really matter here, but it does blow that no one will be here to celebrate with me. :( oh well. I come back 10 days after it, so maybe I will celebrate it then.

I must get back to doing some writing. Or laundry. Those are my two goals for the day. Yeah, I have high goals. Don't be jealous.

hero for the day

I am writing right now, because this is the most exciting thing to happen in my weekend. And once I tell you, you will truly think I am a pathetic human being.

There are police men surrounding the building that is being built right next door to me. There is a helicopter flying around. The police men and WOMAN are talking in their little pieces and holding their fingers to their ears to make sure they get all the information. I can't see what they are looking at, but I can only assume there is someone in the building right next door. Yes, this may very well be my huge imagination, but how creepy is that? Might I add that there is a younger chap who is very good looking?

I hear more sirens coming. This is big. I am pretty excited to see the outcome of this little mystery stakeout. I wish I could see what the hell is going on. The young chap keeps looking up and this one spot, and my window doesn't open far enough for me to stick my head out to see what is going on. it is now 1.37pm. One of the caretakers for my dorm is outside giving a report to the police woman. Perhaps, if I can't figure out what the hell is going on after they leave, I will go and ask him what was happening. He likes me... in a gross way though... he wanted to take me out to drink. yeah. gross.

It is a bomb. There is a dog sniffing around. I went into the kitchen and there are police men ALL OVER THE PLACE. No joke, they are everywhere. And the helicopter. There may not be a bomb, but that is what they do when there is a bomb threat. I remember in high school we got a bomb threat and the police men brought all these dogs to sniff it out. Holy crap. How creepy. All the girls in my flat are talking about. We have been going to their rooms to get a different view of everything. I live right next to it. The building that they are searching, I mean. This is getting intense. Holy manoly. it is now 1.47pm.

I just helped the police!!! I saw a man run out of the construction site when they were not there and he ran into where the trash is. And they came running back and I screamed from my window. holy crap I am shaking. Like there is so much adrenaline in my system right now. Holy crrrraaaapppp. Now there are even more men here. and they are searching the guy that was running into the trash place. My hands are soooo shaking. It is 2pm

I guess there wasn't a bomb. haha. But, this man was stealing pipes from the construction site, and I guess these specific pipes are really expensive. They usually sell them once they have stolen them. A lot of drug dealers and drug addicts do that. It is weird how nice the police are. In America you would probably get hassled a little more and yelled at. It is now quiet and boring... once again. But hey, at least I got some adrenaline pumping... and I was a hero!! WOOHOO!!! Go Kyrie. The closing time to this blog is 2.15 pm

lazy friday

For the first time since I have been here, I woke up at 12pm. I was pretty shocked when I got up, found my cellphone and looked at what time it was. How refreshing. You want to know what is not refreshing? Having, yet ANOTHER fire alarm going off at 5 in the MORNING! So, I didn't get up. I put my pillow over my head and just stayed in my bed. As soon as the sound stopped I was fast asleep. Seriously, this is the third night in a row. If it happens again I am going to be pissed, and I am going to risk getting burned to a crisp. This is just getting ridiculous. I feel like I am a freshman in McConnell again at NAU. But even then, it did not happen this much.

Today consisted of buying Grey's Anatomy off of iTunes, because I can't watch it on the ABC website since I am not in the states. So I had to spend about 2.50 to watch the episode. This is the one show that I am going to need the complete season DVD sets. Yes, I need them. The things with this episode that made me freakin' cry my eyeballs out was when Christina was looking at Meredith. And then I started thinking about what if I lost one of my friends, like Samantha or Stephanie or any of the two ladies I adore the most. I wouldn't be able to breathe. But, luckily I don't think any of us plan on getting pushed into the water and all that other stuff.

I have read Saturday Night and Sunday Morning for most of the evening. I look at my clock, and it says it is already 10.27. I have been reading it for three hours, and I didn't even notice. I am not a fan of this book, but it is due Monday, and I need to do other reading so I might as well do it since I have nothing to do and none of my family posts blogs anymore to keep me entertained.

I have a test in two weeks, and I have not done any reading on the subject matter, so next weekend will be reading up on the subject. I didn't buy the book for the class because it was freakin' 15 pounds (30 dollars!) I have already spent at least 100 dollars on books. I don't want to spend more than I have to. No plans this weekend... shocker huh? I feel like I am being so boring, but I would rather not do anything and have money. haha, that sounds so lame, but I think about my Italy trip, and there is so much I am going to want to do and see there, and I know it is going to be expensive, so I want to save my money and do everything I can while I am there. I need to get familiar and remember the things that were great to do and not so good to do for my Aunt's 50th birthday. :^)

Back to reading this book. I have only 20 pages to go. I should really start Middlemarch, but the length of it makes me want to vomit. I only read 800 page books if it is HP! Also, I just heard about this program that all the exchange students use. It is called SKYPE and you can talk to people through there. Like, if they both have a microphone, you can talk for free if both users have the program!! At least I think that is how it works. But I don't have a mic, so that seems pointless. And I don't know anyone on there. haha, nevermind.
cheers!

The most amazing night YET!

Last night was by far the BEST night that I have had while I have been here. Usually Wednesday nights are a huge thing for the international students, but last night there was maybe 10 of us, if that. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to have a smaller group. My lovely friend Heather and I went to ASDA before the SU (student union) so we could just buy some drinks there for cheap to get the night started. We got these rainbow show things, and they were pretty horrible. haha. At least now we know not to get those. Heather got a call from Sarah, saying that no one was going to the SU, but we were determined to go and have a great time. So we hung out, got Matt and Jackie up here to my room and then left around 10.15 towards the SU. It is only about a 10 minute walk, if that. We get there and it is DEAD. I had never seen it so dead before. Granted, it was only like 10.20-10.30, but I was a little worried that this was how the evening was going to be. Heather and I decided to get a drink and just sit down and watch people and talk. Around 11.15ish people started coming in and people started dancing, so the next song that we all knew, we all went up and started dancing. The one thing I hate is that it gets sooooo bloody hot you have to sit down after awhile. Anyway, Heather, Jackie, Matt and myself were having a great time; dancing, singing, just being ridiculous. This is heather, the koala, me and jackie in the middle of the night. Ha-ha. We are rock stars.

Anyway, after they stopped playing American songs and the bar was closed we decided to leave. It was about 2.30 I think. We all walked Heather home because she doesn't live in the same hall of residence we all do, and I for sure didn't want her walking her drunk ass home. After that, we all came back here and went our separate ways. And as soon as I get done and lay in bed, the FIRE ALARM GOES OFF! No joke, this is getting ridiculous. it was 4 in the bloody morning and I was drunk. I was really tempted to stay in bed and just forget about it because it is just people being stupid... but you never know! And I was filled with alcohol so I would have burned reeeeaaallll quick. So I make my way downstairs and outside... it is raining and very cold. Matt, Jackie and I are hanging out and talking. We finally get back in around 4.20ish. I walked up the stairs, opened my door, took off my jacket and just plopped on my bed.

I woke up this morning at 11am. I can't sleep past 11, which is ok with me I guess, but it does kind of blow. But last night was AMAZING. I am so glad it was a small group and that Heather still wanted to go because she is pretty much one of my BFFL's now (best friend for life). We like the same music and we are ok with looking like fools and just having a great time. I look forward to Italy with her. It will be a lot of fun.

If you go to my picture page, and look under "wolverhampton friends" the new pictures of last night start at the very end of the 1st page to the second page.

Today, Heather and I are going shopping. We need to get backpacking backpacks and some other little things. People like Heather make me really glad I came here and she is a really great person. We're pretty tight!!

it is ok to be obsessed with yourself sometimes...

especially if you're going out, you feel hot, and no one back home knows what you look like. and there is no one here to tell you, you look good.
so here is a picture of me... taken by me for this lovely evening. more group photos after tonight.

i loooooove books.

I stole this from my cousin because I thought it was wicked fun and I love books.

*Bold the ones you’ve read *Italicize the ones you want to read *leave blank the ones that you aren't interested in.

1.The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2.Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3.To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10.A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12.Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16.Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True(Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100.Ulysses (James Joyce)

spinning around

I had some Chinese food tonight, and while it wasn't August Moon (best Chinese in flagstaff), it was still pretty good. After dinner heather and I started planning our Spring Break. The plan was Barcelona then Italy--Venice, Florence and then Rome... and we planned it all out and for our flights and accommodation for all those places, it just hit $600.00 and that was with three flights and then all the accommodation for the four places. Now, we are only going to Italy to spend more time in Venice, Florence and Rome. So, hopefully this will make it a little cheaper. And we will be able to spend more time in each place instead of having to be rushed. It made me sick just thinking about the two countries and 4 HUGE cities in only 9 days. So, I am glad Heather and I think alike. Annnnnd, I am glad I can say we are going to ITALY for easter break! bomb!

I am planning just a day trip somewhere close to Wolverhampton this weekend. I want to not be here every weekend. Seems stupid to sit in my room not doing anything while I am in England. So I don't know where we are going, somewhere semi-close but far enough from here.

Other than that, not a lot going on. They finally fixed my shower so now I can shower over here and not on the dood's side. This week is looking good. I am going out tomorrow with the peeps and on Thursday, Heather and I are going to go shopping as well as pick up some backpacking back packs, because they are only like 25 pounds (50.00) which is about the same.

parallels

Today has been a boring day. Monday's involve me doing not a lot until 5.30 when I walk to class and learn about Contemporary Literature post 1945. I started walking to the post this morning but turned around when it started raining on me. It is a cloudy day (not surprising) which makes me sleepy and want to just be in bed all day watching movies. Too bad I don't have movies to actually watch, but oh well.

Tomorrow I am going to my friends place to eat some Chinese food (lets hope it is good) and make plans for Easter break. The three countries we are going to try and get to are Greece, Spain, and Italy. I hope we can do all three, but Spain and Italy will be OK if we just go there. We both know someone in each of the countries, so we can have a tour guide.

In the evening last night I got really sad. Some people here are rude and just don't get me. I guess that is to be expected because all the friends I have made here are new ones that I have only known for three weeks. But yesterday I just started crying because I miss my friend Samantha dearly. I think she is the only person I miss right now. It sucks that my best friend is 7,000 miles away, experiencing this with another close friend. I do get jealous because Ashley is with Samantha, but I also know that it is good that Samantha and I are doing this and in different places. It just sucks that the one person who knows you inside and out isn't around. I guess it has a lot to do with the familiarity thing. Today is better, but sometimes I could just use that one friend that changes your entire mood by just saying hi or laughing.

Last night, I also tried to put in earrings into my second hole and they closed up! So, me being stupid just shoved them right through. The right one was a lot harder than the left, but they are both in now. So my right ear hurts a bit today, but my left one seems fine.

That is about it. I have watched the last episode of Grey's Anatomy about 6 times now. I have nothing else to watch, so I just stream it off the net. Oh well... at least I will be well prepared for this weeks!

Strawberry Fields Forever

This is what we first saw when we stepped off the bus into Liverpool. It was pretty cold by the water, obviously because it always is, but it was nice to be next to water. It was a 2 hour bus ride, and I hate bus rides so I slept for most of it. We had a fire alarm at 4.30 in the god damn morning so we all had to evacuate and stand out in the cold. I had to be up in three hours at 4.30 in the morning and I had already been asleep for 5 before it went off. I was tired and all I wanted to do was be in my nice warm bed. I was tempted to stay in my bed, but if there was an actual fire, I am on the 5th floor. That would have been bad. This was our second fire alarm this week. ANYWAY, Liverpool was really cool, and I guess we went on the anniversary of Strawberry Fields, Strawberry Day I think... I don't really know what it was but it was huge.

This was the first thing we did. I am not a big fan of the Beatles, but since this is where they got started, I figured I had to do it. The tour had a lot of information, but there were so many people there and the hallways and stuff were really crowded. And people are rude as hell when it comes to them STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE THING YOU'RE READING. I don't have the patience to deal with that crap. Anyway, I bought a little shot glass at the end of it and a postcard. It was nice.

After that experience we started making our way to go get some food before we go to one of the largest and oldest cathedrals. Lunch was good, but our waitress was an idiot and wouldn't give us our check even though all of us had our money out. So after that we just started walking and this is what we saw....

It is so beautiful. I should stop posting these pictures, because you can find them on the website where all my pictures are. Anyway, it was huge and we got to go to the very top! It was wicked fun. these things are so enchanting to me, and I am sure to everyone!

We left at 5.30 or something around there so it wasn't that long of a trip and we were all so exhausted from rushing and walking fast so we could see things. We didn't get to do a lot... I wanted to go the museum that had a to scale Titanic, since this is where the Titanic took off. But, alas, time was short and each thing took about an hour, plus who knows how long to walk there. I am glad that they plan these trips for us, but I just wish they were longer so we could do more things and take our time. But alas, it is a school program and they are cheap.

The next school trip that I am going on is York, which is like a 5 hour bus ride, but that isn't until the end of March. But who knows what I will do between now and then!!

Friday Adventures

Today, my friend Andreea and I went into Shrewsbury even though it was raining like mad. I figure since I have been wanting to go out and see the lovely country side, rain should not get in the way!! So, at 11.15 we went off to explore Shrewsbury. It was about a 30 minute train ride and it was nice seeing out. There were sheep and rolling hills of green grass. It was really pretty. Now, some of my pants are too long, so they drag on the ground, well... when it is raining, this kind of blows. My pants were already pretty wet by the time we got out of the train station in Shrewsbury, but it just continued to go up my entire calf. Like seriously, I was drenched... and my feet were soaking wet. I don't have proper shoes for rain weather... or snow weather... you would think I would learn to buy a pair of boots, but no. I refuse.

Anyway, we started walking and we realized we are in the middle of the city... Andreea needed scenery for her pictures. She is taking a B&W photography class, so she needed to take some nice shots, and Wolverhampton is lacking in scenery. Anyway, she finally asked someone and he walks us down to this little road and said that if we just follow the river we will find the "Dinkle" and all this other stuff. It really was beautiful. Even though I was cold and wet, it is so green here and I love it. We both took pictures, hers from an actual film camera, and mine through the digital. Anyway, we walk and we walk, run into a few swans... their necks are really big. Then, we walk up a hill a bit and we find an enchanted garden!! It was so lovely. As soon as we walked through it, I felt totally different. My breath was taken away and I felt like I was in a different place. I no longer minded the rain, all I cared about was this garden. It really made the trip worth while.

As we were walking back to the train station, we ran into Shrewsbury Castle! They were doing some construction on it, so we didn't go inside, but we walked around the grounds a bit. It was really pretty. We came home, and I ran upstairs and changed into my pajamas and took my socks off and put a good pair on with my slippers. I hope I don't get sick. My head hurts a little bit right now, but that might have to do with the rain. I know sometimes people get headaches when it is storming, so I am hoping that this is what it is.

I go to Liverpool tomorrow at 9am and I am so excited!!! I heard they have loads of stuff to do for pretty cheap so that is nice.

Go here: http://community.webshots.com/user/Kyrielynn6 to view my 54 pictures of Shrewsbury. A lot of them are just grass and the roads... I just found them beautiful even though they are simple. There will be more pictures tomorrow I am sure, and if not tomorrow, I will upload them on Sunday. Have a great weekend.

rockin' thursday?

I have been in a kind of slump. Not really depressed or anything, just stir crazy and missing some close friends. I want to travel and do things, but I have yet to do anything. I know I am here for another 3.5 months, and there is plenty of time, but some people have already gone to Stonehenge and bath, and I am jealous. I have two days off in the week, but only one of my friends has one of the days off that I do. I don't know... I know a lot of people don't want to do too much traveling right now because they want to do it during Spring Break and they don't have that much money, but neither do I! And I can still find wicked cheap tickets to go to Ireland or Scotland. I just don't understand how people would not want to take advantage of a 57.57 Pound round trip ticket to Ireland for 4 days. it would be about 100 pounds ($200) for the flight and accommodation, and then whatever someone chooses to spend on food, activities, souvenirs, etc. etc. And I understand that we are here for school, but seriously? we're in a different f'in country and will be for three more months. this is the PERFECT time to go out and see things you may not ever get to see. I guess this is just my way of thinking.

We had a fire alarm last night go off at around 12.30am. I wasn't asleep because i usually don't sleep until about 1 here, but i was washing my face, so I took a little more time getting downstairs so I didn't have all this gunk on my b-e-a-utiful face. Was about 15 minutes before we got to go inside.

Didn't go out last night. Everyone is freakin sick, so that blew because Wednesday nights are the one nights I actually do go out. So, get this... I went to ASDA with my friend Jackie and spent 3.47 pounds on Ben and Jerry's. that is almost $7.00!!! hahahaha. but seriously, I wanted half-baked and i figure I would have spent it on alcohol so might as well get something I really want. I got sick soon after, but whatever... it was delicious when I was eating it.

Tonight, everyone gets to watch grey's anatomy but me. I would be halfway there, but nooooo I have to wait until Friday afternoon to watch it because a. you can't go to abc.com if you're in a different country and try to view shows, and b. it isn't on itunes until around 12pm my time on friday. lame. the creator of the show says this is going to be the best one. someone dies and someone dies but comes back. my friend jackie and i have been analyzing it since last friday when we saw the last episode. haha. we're hardcore.

I have class at 6 until 8, and then nothing until Saturday when we go to Liverpool. I am excited about that! who knows how long the bus ride will be, but it will be nice to get out of the town for a day.

Ramble Tuesday

• I bought a blue coffee mug yesterday. Just a simple, small, blu coffee mug for a pound and it made me really happy.
• I love watching pigeons walk. However, I wonder how they don't get headaches. With their heads/necks going back and fourth (I am doing the motion right now even though you can't see me). Seriously. And their brains are so small... I wish I could do that and not get a headache.
• I hate that there is like a clear, plastic garbage bag over strollers. It is to protect the little kiddies from the cold, rain, wind, etc. etc. but it just doesn't look like fun.
• I need to stop being obsessed with travel books because I just spend 23 pounds on three books: Top 10 things to do in Dublin, Top 10 things to do in Scotland and The Best Castles in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
• I will have a travel book for every place I have been. It is going to happen. Therefore, the above bullet is never going to happen.
• We don't ever have freakin' toilet paper in the bathroom. so now, everytime I go, I steal a crap ton... I pee every hour usually, and when there is no toilet paper, it causes a problem. So, I have four huge stacks of toilet paper in my room. I gotta look out for myself.
• Our cleaning person is a dood, which is probably why we never have toilet paper... but HELLOOOOOO, we're chicks... therefore we need toilet paper at all times. duh.
• Tomorrow is Valentines day, and I am happy to say I have a valentine. She is my Valentine every year, and always sends me a card asking me to be hers... it also happens to be her birthday, so the day is even more special.
• I finished Pride and Prejudice in two days. It is now one of my favorite books. But we all know Jane Austen is a genius.
• I need gum. Badly. They don't have orbits gum here, and if they do it is like 2 pounds= 4 bucks... for one that has maybe 10 pieces in it. I don't think so.
• They also don't have nacho cheese doritos which is such a shame. those are my favorite.
• Going into Birmingham by yourself, on a tuesday, with no idea what you're doing is not a good idea. Especially when it is cloudy... it rained on me.
• The Cadburry eggs that I love so much in America taste weird here. I don't like them... but yet I continue to buy them.
• I am counting down the days till I go home, only because that means I only have X amount of days to do everything I want to do.
• My computer keeps having a virus problem, luckily my anti-virus keeps killing it, but it happens at least 4 times a day. seriously? god damn it.
• I am going to buy a mac. If i haven't spent my all my money when I get back, I am going to buy one. they are the best. that is why they start at $1500.00
• Tomorrow Matt, Jackie and myself will discuss ireland/scotland. then go out to the SU.
• It is AMAZING getting packages from family. I never understood why people were so excited when they got care packages from their family... but howdy, do I know now. Thank you mom!!

Rainy Monday

Right now, it is dark, windy, rainy, and cold. The wind is being obnoxious and it even woke me up this morning. I went out earlier before it got this bad to get some money, buy some cooking stuff, and buy chicken and sauce to make me some lunch/dinner for the next couple of days. Now this is just unpleasant and I have class in an hour. I don't want to walk in this, but alas, I have to.

This week looks pretty damn good. I have all my reading done for the week, and I have about 100 pages left in Pride & Prejudice, which is not due until next week, but I need to start Middlemarch as soon as possible, especially since it is 800+ pages, and I am sure it will bore me. So, all the things are checked off on my planner as far as reading goes. I am going to start one of my essay's that is due on the 15th of March. 2000 words, which is not that bad... after writing my 20 page paper, I am fairly certain I can handle a 2000 word paper. Plus, he gave us questions/prompts that we get to choose from, so that is nice. And on Saturday we go to Liverpool for the day. Where The Beatles started! I am sure there will be loads of tourist attractions and stuff. Plus, all my friends are going, so it will be a good time.

I am planning a trip to Dublin, Ireland for the 9th of March through the 12th. I found round trip plane tickets for 57.57 GBP which equals $112.28 and then hostels for the three nights range from 20-60 GBP. So, I figure 250 GBP will do me well. Equals about $500.00. Hopefully that will work out. So far Matt and I for sure are going, and we are waiting for Jackie to decide if she wants to go and to ask a couple of other people. If not Ireland now, I would like to go up to Glasgow in Scotland. it is only a 4 hour train ride, and you get to see amazing scenery. So either way, I am planning on doing a trip very soon.

It took me three hours to do my laundry. I am never waiting three weeks to do my laundry ever again. They only have three washers and three dryers for 300 kids. But now I have fresh clothes that don't smell like smoke.

We did Karaoke this Saturday! It was so much fun. Although, I could tell we were not a priority considering the guy/owner of the place would let all his friends go, and then let the Americans go. Plus, we did American songs-- "when you were young" and "somebody told me" by the killers. it was a lot of fun, and even though there were only about 15 people max at the bar, I did it. First time, and I was scared! haha. But we all know how shy I am when I get on stage! ;0)

Other than that, not a whole hell of a lot going on. Might go out tonight, but I think Wednesday's might be night to go out. Who knows. It is only 3.40, so the day is still young.

fragment sentences of hate.

there is still snow on the ground.
it snowed all day yesterday.
and it is supposed to snow today as well.
seriously??
i came here because they said it didn't snow.
APPARENTLY, the last time it snowed this much was 7 years ago or something ridiculous.
and of course, i come here and it snows.
people yelling at it and getting so excited... you would think jesus came down and was having a beer or something with everyone.
that is just how excited everyone is.
except me.
i am pissed off that i can't go and do the thing i want to do because they say don't travel unless you have to.
they don't believe in snow plows, salt, shovels... nothing.
people were "sledding" with garbage bags.
this is lame.
and i hate it.

This is how it goes

This is how the night started out (the handsome chap you see with me is Matt). Matt, Jackie and I went out to dinner at Weatherspoons. They have this great deal where you can get two meals off a selected menu for only 5.99. Matt and I took advantage of this deal and got some delicious food. I had a glass of wine with my dinner, and him a diet pepsi. After dinner, we decide to walk around Wolverhampton a bit. There is a theater right across the street from where we were eating so we decided to see how much it is for students. 4.50 about with a student ID. However, the play that was playing was a little weird so we pass. We continue to walk around. Everything closes at like 6pm here… no joke. Even the Starbucks closes at 6pm. Pretty lame. As we were walking back, we found a cute little place that was not crowded. They have these huge comfy couches, and the whole ambiance was pretty good. So we go and take a seat and order some coffee and just talked. It was really nice. It is going to be our new wednesday thing.

Wednesday nights at the SU (student union) are 2 for 1 night. A lot of people go because of the deal, so my friend Heather sent me an IM (instant message) and said to come. I had a cup of espresso… I didn’t want to just sit in my room all night bouncing up and down so I agreed. As we were walking, I told Heather that I was going to get drunk tonight. We get there around 11 and Heather, Sarah and myself go to the bar and order three shots. I don’t know what it was, but you know those chocolate oranges that you have to smash in order for them to look like an orange? That is exactly what it tasted like. They were great. After that we ordered snakebites and made our way back into the other room. Heather and I drink at the same pace so we were done in about 15 minutes so we went pee and went back to the bar, had another one of those shots and another snakebite. Now, one snakebite and I feel pretty buzzed. But we were drinking pretty fast I didn’t feel anything. After we finished that, we went back to the bathroom where Heather and I came to the conclusion that we were twins… destined to be together. This is her…
Anyway, after the bathroom we went back to the bar, had another shot (they were only 1 pound each) and got this tropical drink. It was pretty bomb so I didn’t mind the whole carbonated thing. While Heather was at the bar getting the drinks this guy came up to me and started talking. I welcomed it and he was an English major as well. He asked me what I was drinking and I said “I don’t know… my friend Heather is buying me something”. Yes, I am a jackass sometimes. He started talking to me again and then I realized that Heather was gone so I told him I needed to find my friend. By this time, I am feeling it… and we are out on the dance floor having a great time. We were dancing singing (more like yelling) to each other and just letting loose. After we were done with those drinks we once again had to go to the bathroom. And most of the stalls were out of freakin’ toilet paper. So finding one with toilet paper was an adventure all on its own. Soon after this, we went back to the bar, ordered another shot and another tropical drink thing and one of the exchange students, John started talking to me. He said that I had the most beautiful smile and that he has never seen someone with a smile like mine. And seriously… no joke the other dood from before came up at started talking to me. AWKWARD! Luckily, Heather got the drinks fast and just grabbed my hand and pulled me away. We took our shot and then went back on the dance floor. I am pretty drunk by this time and dancing and singing is by far the best. As we were leaving at 2.45 in the morning, that first guy that started talking to me said “Can I come home with you? I don’t want to walk by myself” That kind of freaked me out, and I was hesitant. He asked where I lived and I told him Randall lines and he lives here too. Well, we walked out without him and went to ASDA to get some food. I got some spring roles (which are not that great) and a Bounty bar which is my favorite candy bar! As we were checking out, Heather goes “Hey look, it is the guy from the SU” I totally don’t look and just go, oh crap oh crap. We all checked out and I asked our friend Justin if he could walk me home. He said it wasn’t a problem and that what the dood said was a little creepy. So we were walking at a slow pace so he could pass us and then waited outside the dorm until we saw he was in the elevator. I gave Justin a hug and said thanks, and told him I would see him tomorrow in class. I get into the elevator still dancing in my head and walk onto the fourth floor. I see that guy at the end of the hallway next to the stairs that I need to take. So, I stop by Matt’s room to see if there is any noise, but it is 3 in the morning… there was nothing. So I walk to the stairs and he is standing there with another guy talking. So I just walk pass them and he goes “You live on this floor? In this corridor?” and I go yes, I just live down the hall and he says “So we are neighbors then” and looks at me funny. I laugh and go yes. As soon as I hear the kitchen door shut, I go into my room and lock the door. CREEPY. I was drunk, so I am sure that made it more creepy than it actually was… but still. You never know. I went to bed shortly after that.

I woke up at 9.30 in the morning because my neighbor is super loud and the construction is being noisy today. Then, I open my damn curtains and see this stupid crap outside. Yeah. Great. Perfect. Make me want to vomit because of it. But, at least I don’t have to go out in it till 5.30. I am tired, but I need to finish House of Mirth as well as eat something. Luckily for me. No hangover. Thank goodness.

Oh, and when Jackie, Matt and myself were walking early, we saw this. The door opens and closes. It is 5pence. Hahaha. Weird.

Divine Intervention

Luckily for you and I both, my friends take pictures of me. This one was sent to me with the label "KYRIE! this is you." Good thing they labeled it like that... heaven knows both you and me might forget what I look like.

I have decided to post a picture with every blog I write. Maybe I will post two or three pictures in a single blog. Depends on my mood. But today, I will post another one a little later on.

Sunday consisted of going to a little cafe, getting a cup of tea and a cookie while reading/writing. It was very delightful and being in a different atmosphere was welcomed. I really do love this little town. Perhaps more than I love Flagstaff. It does remind me a lot of Flagstaff but there is something so different here. I am very glad I picked this little city, even though it isn't that little. But compared to the other cities I had the option of, this one fits me very well.

I can't help but smile every time I wake up and open my windows. This is my lovely view. Even though there is construction to my left, I try to avoid looking over there. When I wake up I immediately open my blinds and smile. I mean honestly... who wouldn't??

I don't have any class today. So I went to a little cafe (different than the one i mentioned before) and had one of the best fruit scones with jam and cream ever. The coffee wasn't that great, but the scone made up for it. I refuse to go to the same cafe more than once until I have been to all of the ones that are around.

My computer/desk is in front of one of my bulletin boards, on it are pictures of the ones i cherish, letters/poems from my dear ones and notes I have made myself to help me get through the hard times. I like the one that says "You're in ENGLAND!" because it is so true. I am in England and I love it. Since early last week, I have not felt homesick, granted I was having such a hard time with people trying to respond to me that it was just freaking me out. Going on week three, and I am happier now than I was when I first got here. I do however miss my friend Samantha dearly. She's my lesbian girlfriend and she too is having this experience in Mexico. I see the picture of Samantha, Ashley, Gia and myself everyday because it sits in its frame right next to my desk. It reminds me of all the good memories and the ones that have still yet to be made!

I plan on trying to finish The House of Mirth today. I have about 100 pages left. I am already sick of reading?! How weird is that?? I think it is because I can't really enjoy the novels because I have a deadline and another novel after that to read. I am sure I will do a re-reading of a couple of these books once school is out. Also... something that is weird. All my classes stop at the end of April, but I have tests on the 22nd of May and the 25th of May. So I am assuming there is no class, that one is to write and study for the exam/final papers.

Other than that, not too much happening. Tuesdays will probably be the most boring days. Everyone has class except me. Wednesday however, will be busy. I go from 10am to 5pm. only two classes too. how strange. three hours of hell for each class. I don't know about you, but my ass hurts after about an hour of sitting in the same place. I might go to the Lake District this weekend with my friend Brittney who is in Essex. I guess it is supposed to be this huge forest thing with mountains, beaches, lakes, etc. etc. So hopefully that will work out. It is near Scotland. I bought a big map of England and hung it up and put a little tack of where Wolverhampton is... It is nice to look at everyday. :0)

Cheers!!

laser tag

Yesterday I went down to Jackie's room because she bought the last episode of Grey's through Itunes... I needed to watch it. It has been too long. Then we were thinking of what to do. I totally forgot about this place my friend Andrew told me about called Star City in Birmingham. They have bowling, Laser tag, food, casino, shops... all really cool places. I was in the mood to play some Laser tag so that is what we decided. I made my excited little self to Matt's room to tell him what the deal was. He said he wanted to go, but his laundry is in the dryer so it would be awhile. I told him to just ring me when he was ready to go. I went back to Jackie's room and told her to get ready. I came back up here and read a bit before I got "the phone call" from Matt saying we need to go. We all meet downstairs and our journey begins.

Our first stop is at the Wolverhampton Art Exhibit which is free and had an Ireland collection and some amazing paintings done as late as the 1700's. It was a lot of fun and very beautiful. I love to get really close to the paintings to look at the way they stroked the brush because it says something about what they wanted to create. At least it does to me... probably due to my Art class I took.

Soon after we got done, we decide to take the metro instead of the train to Birmingham. Alllright, I had never been on the metro, and when I was walking around the little station to see where to buy tickets, there was this man. passed out. looked like he was dead. right there on the ground by the chairs at the waiting spot for the metro. Totally thought he was dead. Matt looked at him for awhile, and saw him breathe a little but it scared the shit out of me. I walked around the corner and these words came out of my mouth "oh fuck."

We got on the metro, which is loud as hell and has about 22 stops before we hit Birmingham. Matt thinks I am hilarious, so I pretty much like him. He told me that I am exactly like his sister... the hair, glasses, attitude (not in the bad way), personality, body mannerisms... so I can't help but think we are destined to become BFF's! haha. I have this thing now where I want to be BFF's with everyone. anyway.

We finally made it into Birmingham and then realized we had no idea how to get there. We start walking around and end up down by a university and we run into Andreea and her friend Alex at a restaurant. After telling them what we were planning to do, they decided to join in. Finally, after asking about 8 people we got into a cab and went there. Thank goodness we did because honestly, it was a 10 minute taxi ride. When we got there, that is when Andreea took the picture as seen above. I was STOKED!

For 5.50 we got to play 30minutes of this laser tag. We were all on the same team, so I couldn't really slaughter them, but we walked out and our team won and I was one of the top three players out of the 30 people. HELL YES I ROCK! It was sooo much fun. I would for sure do it again, and I am fairly certain we will go back because it was a blast. It was huge and there were so many little corners you could go into and hide and shoot people. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.

After we were done, we went to go find food, but people stop serving food at like 7pm, so we were screwed. We just came back here and went to ASDA again and bought some food to eat here. The evening was short lived and we didn't stay up that long... we all went back to our rooms about 10.30. I stayed up and watched episode 12 and 13 of grey's because i hadn't seen that george's dad dies and that everyone is purposing and shit. CRAZY!

I plan on staying in today and reading House of Mirth because I need to have it read by Thursday evening. And I haven't started it yet. So I am happy to say that the first part of the week has been forgotten and replaced with the best second half of the week ever. I am fairly certain this will keep up and I am very thankful for that. :0)

Cheers!

1 pound drinks and other good times

We went out again last night thanks to getting most drinks for about 1 pound. I had one and was spinning a little bit. I went with Andreea and Jackie again, then met some of the other exchange students there. (I hate that my glasses make me look like I have a screwed up eye sometimes)Tonight was "70's night" and everyone could dress up as hippies and get in free. But, not a lot of people did it, and they were playing all this god damn disko music and the DJ would just start talking in the middle of a good song and just freakin' ruin it. Jackie and I left around midnight because we wanted pizza and french fries/onion rings. So we walk to asda and buy all this food and go back to the dorm and make it. On our way there, we went by Matt's room to see if he wanted to join us for our feast.

Can I just mention now, that I am a complete idiot sometimes? I was left to heat the oven and put the pizza in there. Well, I turned it on and there are two levels with two different doors. I automatically thought we would use the top part because usually the bottom is like a broiler. After 20 minutes I said "I can't smell the pizza" and Matt opens the oven door and says "The bottom one is the one that is hot... not the top" SOOOO, I pretty much rock at this game. We moved the pizzas down and waited again. We were all talking and having a good time... getting to know each other. It was loads of fun. A lot of the exchange students are going into Birmingham about now, and Matt, Jackie and I didnt really want to go, so we were searching for things to do today... until about 4.30 in the morning. haha. We figured out that we wanted to go somewhere... I can't remember, but I don't think it is going to happen. We wanted to go see a castle somewhere, and we found one that would be open today, but who knows when they will wake up.

I woke up at 10 in the morning and just told myself I wasn't allowed to sleep all day. So I got dressed, did some reading and then went to ASDA to buy much needed food. Well, the thing with ASDA is that it is like an England Walmart so it is cheap and has everything. DON'T GO ON A SATURDAY MORNING! When we went last night was an ideal time, but shopping at midnight doesn't sound like too much fun. Anyway, I got some food that will last me awhile and am now here, writing for your viewing pleasure.

The sun is out again today. TWO DAYS in a row now. Pretty amazing. The one thing that screws me up though is that even though it is 1pm here, it still looks like it is about 9 am. Oh, and last night since we were up so late... I came back into my room and there was all this fog. It reminded me of San Francisco when I would stay with my aunt while I was younger. I opened my window and just stood there smelling it.

ALSO! There are these FREAKIN' birds that only CHIRP at NIGHT, and it SCREWS WITH YOUR MIND. HOLY MANOLY. I wanted to get a shotgun and just start killing them. It was ridiculous. I never hear them because my room is next to the construction and there are no trees around, but the kitchen we were in last night had them and you could hear them. We heard them Wednesday as well. Seriously though... they only come out and chirp in the middle of the night. it is enough to drive you crazy.

I have given up reading Robinson Crusoe. I got to about 150 and couldn't take it anymore. Spark notes will just have to work, because I can't handle reading the way Daniel Defoe writes. Granted, that is how they wrote in the time... but seriously... no.

If we go anywhere, I will let you know and will tell you if I uploaded new pictures. Have a great weekend.

Cheers!

at the end of the day

Today has been such a great day! I haven't done anything except go to class at 6pm. However, I will be very busy reading seeing as I have to read three novels almost every week. haha, gooo me.

The exchange advisor here, Nicola emailed me today telling me to come into her office to work out my accommodation problem. She called some people and nothing showed up, so I will not be charged at all. That was all I wanted, and it took bloody forever. She told me where I could go to pay for my accommodation so I did that today. I got an extra 50 pounds taken off because I paid so early, but it was very, very close to $2,000 still. But, it is done and now I am pretty much stress free.


I didn't have my Story of English class today because the academic advisor said it was on Thursday, but it is on Wednesday. I went and talked to the professor and told her my situation and she was very understanding and said not to worry about it and she will see me next WEDNESDAY. ha.

Tonight I think I am going to take it easy. I have a sore throat... might be due to the fact that I was singing/screaming last night, but I am going to rest just in case it isnt from that. I have books to read!! The one I am reading right now is dreadful. Robinson Crusoe is what it is called and I want to shoot myself. haha. I also need to start reading House of Mirth tomorrow, and luckily, I don't have to buy that because my Aunt Jeri gave it to me for my birthday present and I brought it with me! How lucky am I!! So that will save me a couple of bucks. woohoo.


I am in a much better mood today. I am pretty sure I lost at least 10 pounds because my clothes are not fitting right at all. And I just washed these clothes so they should be at least a little tight. But hey, I am NOT complaining about the loss of weight. I encourage it.


Here is a picture of me and Andreea from last night. This was when we first entered which is why I have my jacket on.

dancing the night away

I got invited out last night, and while I was worrying about everything I figured I needed to go in order to get out of this room and meet people. oh. my. goodness. I am SOOOO glad I went. We left around 10.30, Matt, another exchange student i met on the first day was outside and he mentioned something about "The union being the place to be" I told him this was true and that he should come. He said he wasn't a big drinker, and I told him I wasn't either... so he decided to go. Then A and J and two of A's friends. Matt said he would be our body guard. So we walk to the union pay 3 pounds, go through security and arrive at one of the three bars.

It took me about a half hour or so to break out of my shell. The guy Justin that I met was there with his girlfriend and her friend. They played some weird songs, but also some amazing songs. It kind of reminded me of home because of all the American music they played. I finally got on the dance floor and just had the time of my life!! I don't really dance, and I for sure wasn't dressed up or had make up... I had been crying for an hour, so I probably didn't look that great, but oh well. Justin's girlfriend, Sarah and her friend, Heather are so hilarious. I really had a great time with them. We are supposed to go shopping on Friday, so I am excited about that. Around 12.30 Heather, Justins's girlfriend's friend bought me a snakebite. I guess it is a beer and something else. But either way it was delicious. Matt even sucked it up and had a beer too. We danced and sang to the songs we knew and just had a great time. We left around 1.45 because I was tired, Matt was tired and him and I both have class this morning. I have about an hour before I need to leave for class. But I woke up without a hangover and remembered a great night. My ears were ringing for who knows how long last night, but it was such a great time. I am really, really glad I went... I met a few new people and just forgot about the stuff that worries me and HAD A GOOD TIME. I think I really needed that, and I am very glad I didn't just stay here and read. Next time though, I am dressing up a little more and putting some make up on.

That was the excitement of my night. It was nice to let lose and dance (even though I don't know how to) and just meet new people and sing at the top of my lungs. Jackie even let loose... she had two drinks and was dancing... Jackie doesnt dance, so it was nice... we both came out of our shells last night and I couldn't be more happy. I have stepped back into communication with people!!