I'M HERE.
I don't know what has been more eventful, being here or getting here.
Getting Here:
Well, after being offered booze three times in the first two hours of my seven-hour flight ("Would you like wine or Heinekin, love?), I made it to London at 7:15 A.M., around the same time my gate closed, meaning I wasn't going to make it to my connecting flight, London to Manchester. After being redirected in the wrong direction (Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 to Terminal 5), I was informed all the flights on British Airways were booked, and I would have to take an afternoon flight. This was a bit of a problem, because my supervisor, Paul, was going to be at the airport ready to pick me up at 8:45 A.M. There was no way to contact him, due to my lack of a mobile. As I worried about that, another problem arose: customs was refusing to let me into the U.K. This awful woman interrogated and heckled me for fifteen minutes, demanding where I was going and why for such a long period of time in great detail (Example Questions #23 and #29: How much is tuition at this "Liverpool Hope University?" What exactly is 'student teaching' you speak of?"). It didn't help that I had no papers or receipts proving I was student teaching through Liverpool Hope (Note: I was unaware that I even needed any papers. Liverpool Hope said I wouldn't need them given the amount of time I was spending in England. Apparently, I should have gotten a student visa). Just as I was about to cry, the customs agent first called me an ignorant fool, and then informed me she was my best friend as she stamped my passport. Although I have her to thank for letting me into the country, she has not been my favorite person I've encountered on this trip. After those dramatics, I "took a holiday" in Terminal 1, waiting about five hours for my next flight. At least I had $20 in food vouchers from the airline! Around 11:45, I walked to the gate for my next flight...which was delayed by over an hour (surprise, surprise). Finally, I was back in the air to Manchester. I was very anxious on the plane: "Would Paul be there to pick me up? How the hell was I supposed to get my four bags and me to Liverpool, a town 40 miles away?" After collecting my bags and getting directions to the train station, I was greeted by Mr. Paul Cowell! It turns out the airline would not tell him what flight I was on, so the poor man had to wait for hours! My hero!
Being Here:
It's nothing that I expected. I'm living at the University, which is about a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre (I have yet to venture to the centre -- we're saving that was this weekend). My dorm resembles a prison cell, but luckily, I have my next-door-neighbor Whitney, a student teacher from Mississippi (her accent gets a lot of attention, because she IS from the South, ya'll). She, Ali (the other student teacher from Hope), and I have banded together. It's a relief to have them as my support system, because it's only going to get crazy. The campus is a mix of old and new, and the neighborhoods around us are gorgeous! Because of the sunny skies, the three of us were able to wander around and see where everything is (i.e. our schools, the grocery store, the "best" coffee shop). School commences on Wednesday, which was great for my jet-lagged self. Paul says Northway is excited to meet me, as am I excited to meet them. I just have to get through International Student Orientation tomorrow, and then the student teaching begins!
Some fun facts I've learned since getting here:
-The northerns from England generally don't like the southerns from England, and vice versa.
-The Beatles really are all the rage here.
-Liverpool was recently titled "European Capital of Culture", and they really, really take pride in that.
-The term "love" is used loosely -- "It doesn't mean they fancy you, love".
-One part of the country refers to people and friends as "ducks".
-It's not a cell phone, it's a mobile.
-Liverpool Hope Students love to go clubbing -- just wait 'til they see my dance moves!
-Deep-Fried Mars Bars are...deep fried.
-England LOVES the environment and recycling everything.
-Everyone is hyped up on coffee and tea.
That's all for now -- Cheers!
I don't know what has been more eventful, being here or getting here.
Getting Here:
Well, after being offered booze three times in the first two hours of my seven-hour flight ("Would you like wine or Heinekin, love?), I made it to London at 7:15 A.M., around the same time my gate closed, meaning I wasn't going to make it to my connecting flight, London to Manchester. After being redirected in the wrong direction (Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 to Terminal 5), I was informed all the flights on British Airways were booked, and I would have to take an afternoon flight. This was a bit of a problem, because my supervisor, Paul, was going to be at the airport ready to pick me up at 8:45 A.M. There was no way to contact him, due to my lack of a mobile. As I worried about that, another problem arose: customs was refusing to let me into the U.K. This awful woman interrogated and heckled me for fifteen minutes, demanding where I was going and why for such a long period of time in great detail (Example Questions #23 and #29: How much is tuition at this "Liverpool Hope University?" What exactly is 'student teaching' you speak of?"). It didn't help that I had no papers or receipts proving I was student teaching through Liverpool Hope (Note: I was unaware that I even needed any papers. Liverpool Hope said I wouldn't need them given the amount of time I was spending in England. Apparently, I should have gotten a student visa). Just as I was about to cry, the customs agent first called me an ignorant fool, and then informed me she was my best friend as she stamped my passport. Although I have her to thank for letting me into the country, she has not been my favorite person I've encountered on this trip. After those dramatics, I "took a holiday" in Terminal 1, waiting about five hours for my next flight. At least I had $20 in food vouchers from the airline! Around 11:45, I walked to the gate for my next flight...which was delayed by over an hour (surprise, surprise). Finally, I was back in the air to Manchester. I was very anxious on the plane: "Would Paul be there to pick me up? How the hell was I supposed to get my four bags and me to Liverpool, a town 40 miles away?" After collecting my bags and getting directions to the train station, I was greeted by Mr. Paul Cowell! It turns out the airline would not tell him what flight I was on, so the poor man had to wait for hours! My hero!
Being Here:
It's nothing that I expected. I'm living at the University, which is about a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre (I have yet to venture to the centre -- we're saving that was this weekend). My dorm resembles a prison cell, but luckily, I have my next-door-neighbor Whitney, a student teacher from Mississippi (her accent gets a lot of attention, because she IS from the South, ya'll). She, Ali (the other student teacher from Hope), and I have banded together. It's a relief to have them as my support system, because it's only going to get crazy. The campus is a mix of old and new, and the neighborhoods around us are gorgeous! Because of the sunny skies, the three of us were able to wander around and see where everything is (i.e. our schools, the grocery store, the "best" coffee shop). School commences on Wednesday, which was great for my jet-lagged self. Paul says Northway is excited to meet me, as am I excited to meet them. I just have to get through International Student Orientation tomorrow, and then the student teaching begins!
Some fun facts I've learned since getting here:
-The northerns from England generally don't like the southerns from England, and vice versa.
-The Beatles really are all the rage here.
-Liverpool was recently titled "European Capital of Culture", and they really, really take pride in that.
-The term "love" is used loosely -- "It doesn't mean they fancy you, love".
-One part of the country refers to people and friends as "ducks".
-It's not a cell phone, it's a mobile.
-Liverpool Hope Students love to go clubbing -- just wait 'til they see my dance moves!
-Deep-Fried Mars Bars are...deep fried.
-England LOVES the environment and recycling everything.
-Everyone is hyped up on coffee and tea.
That's all for now -- Cheers!
Damn it... your blog is exciting!
ReplyDeleteLove to read it!
Go girl!