Settling In

Hello again!

As many of you know I moved into my dorm last Thursday, and ever since then it has been one new experience after another! As soon as I checked into Saint Gabriel's Hall, my home for the next three months, I was met by many smiling faces. During my tour of the building I couldn't help but think, "This reminds me of a cruise ship!" All the doors look the same and it's like a crazy maze trying to figure out where to go. After getting lost quite a few times I am finally getting my sea legs around here! :) Here's a picture of the hall...

I have to be honest, I have started feeling the pangs of homesickness. I miss my family, friends, and the familiarity of home. It's starting to feel like less of a vacation and more like a reality now, but I'm keeping myself busy and socializing as much as possible! I have made many friends here at Gabs though, and it seems like there is always something to do.

My first full day here I decided to just walk around campus and get familiar with the area. Not many students had moved in yet, so the streets were fairly quiet. This is a church I pass by on my way to university every day...

I can't get over how beautiful the buildings are here. It's sad to say, but I still have not embarked on a proper shopping trip yet. My days have been filled with orientation, hall meetings, paperwork, and social events. But this shopping drought can't last too much longer! I have some free days coming up at the end of the week and I have a feeling I will spend an entire day at the mall. That should cure my homesickness for good!

I joined the International Society, which is really a group for all students, whether they are local or not. It promotes getting to know people in different cultures and experiencing new things together. They offer several day trips throughout the semester, and I have signed up for three of them! On October 22nd I will head off for the South Lake District visiting Bowness-onWindermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere (William Wordsworth country!). The next day, October 23rd, I will set out to explore the beautiful city of York, which I am very excited about. There I will visit the York Minster, do a bit of shopping, and maybe see the Hogwarts Express (calm yourself, Christine!). To top it off (and give a shout out to Pride & Prejudice) on November 13th I will be touring the Peak District and visit Chatsworth House, which is the historic Estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. We will also be stopping at Bakewell that day, and I've heard they have some excellent baked delicacies to try there! Yum!

Of course I am also planning on going back to London, which will probably happen in October. Then Bath in November (the city that is, I bathe regularly fyi) :) Of course my biggest adventure yet will be starting school on Monday, which I am nervous and excited about at the same time. I will be sure to keep you posted on how that all goes, and all the other adventures along the way!

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah and I have had some adventures over the past week. She was with me while I toured the campus, and we did manage to get turned around quite a few times together. However we did eventually find the building I would be studying at, the Samuel Alexander Building (named after a prominent British philosopher), and Flat Hannah was very excited to see where our learning would be taking place...

Flat Hannah and I also visited the Manchester Museum this week. We saw mummies, snakes, and all kinds of ancient artifacts. Here is Flat Hannah next to a Female Funerary Bust from the 2nd Century...

Apparently people made very elaborate sculptures and tokens to bury with the deceased in ancient times.  Let it be known that Flat Hannah is not at university to have fun and shop only. She is also here to learn!

Well... and shop, too. :)

Cheers!