She's got a ticket to ride...

Hello, faithful readers! I know you are all desperate to read the

Events of the Weekend:

Cities traveled: 5

Churches toured: 2

Movies watched: 3 (my best friend's wedding, blackball, dr. Strangelove)

People i told about my Hanson obsession: 5

So, i must be getting comfortable if I'm sharing the Hanson thing, right? I think i am. I've spent more time with Stephanie and Anna this weekend(the more conservative girls)s, and I think that both of them will be really good friends throughout this experience. Leslie and I have some really good discussions too, which is nice.

but, I did get a little homesick this week. I talked to sarah and sam through email, and I actually SPOKE to Dan and Hierald on the phone last night! That was definitely nice! I can't wait till i get to see you all again!

So, what did I do this weekend, you ask. Well, friday was another night spent at the student union. That's really a common thing here. They have cheap drinks and pool tables, so it's basically the place to go. I didnt much care for the club here, so i'll probably steer away from that scene from here on out. On Saturday, however, Steph, Anna, Leslie and I got a family pass to take the bus anywhere we wanted to go for the day. So, we hopped on and rode first to Gloucester.

"Now, why would anyone want to go to Gloucester?", you might ask. It is the home of a pretty famous cathedral. a cathedral in which Robert, duke of normandy is buried, along with King Edward the II. Along with those illustrious dwellers, HARRY POTTER WAS FILMED THERE!!!!!!!! Most of the Hogwards corridor scenes took place at the Gloucester Cathedral. It was very breathtakingly beautiful. I took some pictures, which you can find on my website.

We also stopped at several nearby towns including Stroud, the city on a hill. It was also beautiful, and ancient. All in all, a well-spent Saturday. Sunday passed without much ado, i basically relaxed and hung out with friends.

I did laundry yesterday! It is very different then at Messiah or in Harrisburg. I had to wheel my laundry 15 minutes in my suitcase to main campus to do it. What a pain in the ass! Its good to have clean clothes that don't smell like cigarettes or beer (the prevailing smell here). Even when my hair is wet from the shower, i can still smell smoke. Its just another thing to get used to here :)

I talked to Hierald and Dan, Uly, and Mom and Emily this weekend! That was really great - I was feeling a bit homesick. If anyone wants to call me, get Skype! my username is mollygirl. It is really easy to set up and works pretty well. Also, I'm on IM (burkeyquirky) all the time. Contact me!!! I would love to hear from all of you!

British word of the day: digestives (cookies)

Old El Paso

Events of the Day:

Classes tried today: 2

lively discussions with artsy people regarding postmodernism: 1

Drunk people cared for: 1

Drinks: 4 (wine, bailey's over ice cream, 2 gin & tonics)


well. what a day. it started at 8:30 when BBC woke me up with some silly report on cattle.

Shortly after, I was sitting in an English class entitled "renissance and reformation", when the professor was talking about the final exam. She told us that it was based on the first and second semester of the class. Although it seemed fun, I couldnt take the class because I didn't have last semester. So, at that point, I had attended three classes and decided against 2. On a whim, I decided to try another class, "postmodernism and gender". I'm in love. i have always heard the word "postmodern" ethrown around, but i have never had a clear definition of it. I still don't - postmodernism transcends things such as definitions, i learned today. We're going to watch fight club, and our final is a collage. who can deny such an awesome class?

After getting home, i broke into my old el paso stash. i had refried beans, salsa, and tortillas. You don't understand...this stuff is like gold here. It is rare, and expensive. I would kill for some Adobe.

I took a long nap, and then got ready for clubbing. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. We actually first went out to a french restaurant for dinner, which was delicious. We had an amazing waiter. He asked us what our view of France's relationship with the US was. He was full of "Merci"s "tres bien"s and "parle a francais"s. It was utterly delightful. He told us about his hometown in France, and where to visit if we went there. He was really amazing, as was the food. Then, it was dancing time!

My Analysis of Moda (the Cheltenham Club):

~Boys danced on boys. This does not happen at home.
~My friends drink. A lot.
~Not American Friendly (my credit card doesn't work at Moda. This was discovered after the ordering of three drinks, of which I had already sipped. Leslie got my back).
~ The music mostly sucked. There were a couple of ok songs.
~Never wear heels on the 15 minute walk to the club, 3 hours of dancing, then th 15 minute walk back. I thought I was going to die.
~ this club has a "cheese floor" where they do themes and such. The name is not a lie. Tonight was Grease night. Go greased lightning.

One of the totally wasted BCA students who lives next door forgot his code to his room, so I was mother hen yet again. Its probably a good thing that I'm not a huge drinker - everyone else makes up for me! I'm actually kind of annoyed with the people who get drunk all the time. There are other things to life!! It's especially annoying when people do stupid stuff when they're drinking. Ah well, life goes on.

All in all, a long but interesting day. LEAVE ME COMMENTS!!!!


British words of the day: Tutor (professor) & Module (class period)

Me and my park

Events of the day:

15 minute Brisk walks to campus: 0

15 minute Brisk walks into town: 1

Pounds spent at the Tesco (grocery store): 20

Space taken on my fake Ipod: 6.89 gb

Friends Met: 1 (Mike, also known as "Dave Gray")


Well, today I had another rather unproductive day. Yesterday was the first day of class. I was at FCH (francis close hall) from 11:00 to 5:30 pm. Quite a long day. I tried out two different classes: Religion and the Working Class in 19th Century Britin, and Isaiah. Ironically, I hated the first more than the second.

Last night I apparently missed a crazy drinking party. I feel that that may become a theme. I want desperately to be involved with the students here, and the BCA ones too, but I simply can't drink all the time. I've cultivated a good relationship with Andy, my British next door neighbor. He's kind of like the activities coordinator for Merrowdown (my villa) so that's good. He's an awesome kid. I think i'll be involved in a lot, and meet many people through him.

Today I went to Tesco, and bought a lot of groceries. It was productive, but heavy to carry back, that's for sure.

England makes me feel good. I think the fact that I walk at least 30 minutes a day, and have been eating tons of produce and organic foods has been really good for me. I feel healthy. I'm have also been going to bed by like 11:30, and getting enough sleep. I'm waking up naturally, usually before my alarm clock. I have had a lot of social interaction, but also some needed Mollytime.

I've even had some "meditation" time. In my 2 hr break between classes yesterday, I took off on my own and walked around the town. I found a little park with a winding path through it. It was beautifully green with life, and the birds were chirping. I felt very relaxed and content.

I love it here.

British phrase of the day: Flats to Let (Apartments for rent)

Last Day of Freedom!

Events of the Day:

15 minute brisk walk to town: 0

15 minute brisk walk to Park campus: 1

New friends met: 4 (Anna, Roz, Christian, Chris)

Kiss on the hand from a drunk UoG student from Spain: 1

Although it was a very lazy day, it was nice. I got up at 9:45, and spent the entire day in my pjs. I made vegetables and white rice for lunch, and I ruined the rice as I always do. I need Hierald or Dan to make the good sticky rice for me. I just can't get the hang of it.

At any rate, I did make a quick foray into the real world for a sandwich and chips at the Texaco for dinner. when I returned, I decided it might be time to schedule my classes, as i start school in the morning. I struggled with that task for several hours, becoming extremely frusterated. I decided to join my fellow housemates for a journey to Park campus to partake in the drunk atmosphere that is the Student Union. A campus bar - I still can't really believe it!

I didn't stay at the SU long - several people were drunk and annoying. I generally had a good time though, embarassed myself playing pool. It was a good chance to meet some new people though, nothing I'm ever opposed to.

Found out there's a house party on tuesday on my floor - - it's pretty awesome living on the ground floor of the party house. This is the experience I never got at Messiah, that's for sure! Wednesday is the birthday celebration of the most "partygirl" of the American students, so it should be interesting. First time clubbing in England, and no class on Thursdays. Should be fun.

All in all, and eventful day.

British word of the day: knackered (extremely tired)

Here I am...

Well, there's no turning back now.

I'm in England!

It still feels like a dream. Or maybe a short-term vacation. I still don't know what 5 months in a foreign country is going to be like. I guess we'll see, eh?

British Word of the day: Knickers (undies)