Way Away

Hey there. My first days of classes are done! They weren’t lying when they said it would be intense.

 Already I’ve finished up a group presentation and begun reading several novels and plays. Before the semester is out I’ll have read and written on more than twenty. Along with learning all I can of British History and travelling to many of its important sites.

 That’s just the academic side of things, too. I’ve also biked halfway to nowhere, gone to a real High Tea, explored Grantham, planned trips, booked a Harry Potter tour of London, learned Irish dances, gotten locked in a bathroom, discovered more of the castle, and applied for a rail card. All of this in the past three of four days. It’s amazing I’ve slept, much less had time to write a blog.

 But let me start at the beginning.

Before classes started we went to Grantham. It was an exercise in new currency and also the separation of a common language. Grantham was easier for us to navigate than we thought it would be, but as our bus driver pointed out to us, “We’re not in the Dark Ages anymore.”

After our return we decided to rent bikes from the University and explore. This was a disaster. All of the bikes were built for very tall men and we are all small-to-average women. Once we managed to start moving forward, it was in the wrong direction. Getting lost was beautiful though. Eventually we came to a footpath along a creek where a little British girl told us, “Ello.”

We all felt that our trip to the UK was complete, then.

Here are a few shots from the ride:

Before classes began was our High Tea, or High Table Dinner (announcements said it both ways). It was a fancy dinner to introduce everyone, and it was quite nice. We also went to the Bistro that evening to enjoy some cards.

 From the High Table Dinner:

Pat is a fellow student. She went back to college to complete her education. She’s really a great woman.

Monday morning classes began. All of my professors are quite excellent. My classwork has kept me quite busy; however that has not stopped me from exploring the castle a little further.

So, more photos for your viewing pleasure:

The Ante Room

This is my Shakespeare classroom.

Just for Mom. The Arrow reads "Harlaxton is here."

And tonight we had a Ceilidh (Kaylee), or traditional Irish dance. It was very fun; however I did not get to take many pictures because I was too busy dancing! Here’s what I did get:

 See you next time!

And Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day

Well, my sophomore year did not start with a bang. Actually, it started with a pleasant nap. Having barely slept for the past 48 hours, I could not stay awake on the bus from Heathrow to Harlaxton.

The flights weren’t bad. I had my first experience with Dallas / Ft. Worth Airport that I won’t have nightmares about. Of course, it is still the only airport I’ve encountered where I had to walk over a freeway to get to the correct terminal.

 I wasn’t supposed to go through DFW, but my original tickets were cancelled; my bags were also temporarily misplaced by American Airlines, but as travel snafus go, it wasn’t so bad. Now, running from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 underground and then trying to find my bus--that was a little stressful.

Then, I got to nap. It was lovely. For a moment when I was conscious, I managed to take this to show off how Britain greeted me: with rain, naturally.

 Upon our arrival, our new principal told us, “Welcome. This house has been waiting 170 years for you.” That was truly how it felt, too. I took to the halls naturally and, before long, got to shuffle lost students between rooms.

I also met my first professor. He poured me my first glass of wine from the UK and discussed how The Empire Strikes Back was well and far the best of the entire series. I believe I will enjoy that class.

I am in a three-person room that is more than large enough for my two roommates and me. So far, I love it. This room makes me feel like a princess, even though I have to climb nearly 100 stairs to find it. It's my fourth-floor tower.

And here are my two lovely roommates now, in front of a view of the main gate.

For the rest of the day I merely explored. Here are a few photos from inside the Manor:

And a few from the grounds:

Now, if you need me between now and classes, I will probably be buying textbooks, meeting people, and exploring Grantham. If I'm not in any of the aforementioned places, you can probably find me here:

More soon to come!

Also, sorry for the incorrect update earlier. The Harlaxton blog I will be posting to can be found at http://harlaxtoncollege-students.blogspot.com/ . Thanks!

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Well, I set out tomorrow. Everything is packed but this laptop. I’ve uploaded my London travel playlist to my iPod with such songs as, “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane,” “American Idiot,” “Way Away,” and, of course, all of my Beatles favorites.
 

Somehow I’ve planned out everything for this school semester but the school part. I know when I’m travelling and what extra-curriculars I’ll be taking part in. However, I don’t even know what books I’m going to need. I don’t know my full class schedule yet or how much I’ll need to study (except for an ambiguous “a lot,” because I’m in three English courses and one History…) 

 
I also really, really want to know where I’m rooming and who I’m rooming with, but I don’t find out until this Friday. We’ll see, I suppose.

 Am I nerve-wracked? Sure. But it’s also kind of a relief to finally be getting on the plane. I’ve been planning this out for nearly a year now, and since the day is finally here, I can get down to business at last.

 Even with my Kindle, I ended up packing way too many books.

For anyone interested, the official Harlaxton College blog, which I will also be a writer for, can be found here: http://blogs.harlaxton.ac.uk/news/

August 18, 2011

            I’m a week away from leaving for Harlaxton College in the UK. Packing has become a trial in both patience and tetris-like space-filling.

My list began short. I knew I had to bring all my essential documents (seven and counting) and a change of underwear. I later decided to pack a bit more. That was when things got interesting.

            Between bipolar waves of terror and excitement, I’ve managed to choose which shoes made the cut and which books I could afford to carry overseas (my Kindle has been invaluable). I also researched through other blogs to find out whether my pocket knife was legal (no), if it would still be warm when we arrived (likely so), and if it was acceptable to wear casual shoes in public in Europe (sometimes). Every question I ask seems to spawn more questions, and it makes me even more impatient for arrival day.

            The summer seems to draw out the closer I get to airport day. More than anything, I think, I am ready to see the Manor for myself. I want to travel London and meet the people who (I’m hoping…) will become my new friends. I want to start my classes and take pictures and get lost in countries where I don’t speak the language (Lord knows it’s going to happen.) All of the experiences I want out of these four months are piling up in my head, and I’m getting more and more ecstatic and scared. This had led me to compulsive list-writing. It’s starting to get ridiculous.

            I have one advantage in that I’ve flown everywhere. My parents live on opposite sides of the country, and I’ve been to Europe twice, so I’m not worried about navigating the airport system. Just about everything after I land.

            See you at the Manor!

PS: Here is the castle I’ll be living in:

(Don't own the photo--taken from wikipedia. Will post my own pics asap).