Saturday arrived sunny and...well sunny and clear...which was not what I was expecting. SO we all got up, got showers (some warmer then others) and went down to breakfast...where we were greeted by a lady who went by Mum. She was soo nice bustling around the kitchen making sure everyone got what they wanted and more, and cleaning all of our dishes afterward. I had toast with orange marmalade, a little chocolate croissant , a small bowl of frosted flakes with blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, in it, and a cup of tea. Maria and I had finished at the same time, so we grabbed shoes and coats and headed outside. Katherine was still getting ready, but she agreed to meet us over by the castle and Maria and I were off. Instead of going straight to the castle though, we headed into Bute Park which was located right next door. Here we found the quietest, prettiest, little park I have ever seen. The trees were huge and it was quite muddy, but there were ruins in it and a nice little garden thing, and we could see that daffodils had already started to push up through the ground. It was really pretty and a good way to start the day.

Katherine finally caught up and we headed to the castle. Here we purchased tickets for the "exclusive" tour. We walked into the castle and just wandered around for a little bit. The first thing that seemed weird though was that there were three really big guns sitting on the lawn and men in uniform wandering around. We just thought that this may be something normal and went up for our tour. The inside of the castle is really interesting. It was built in the 1800's so it is old...but not as old. The rooms are exquisite though...so detailed and beautiful. The tour we paid for even gave us access to rooms that people do not normally see...which was really cool. Since my camera didn't work (the battery was dead) I did not get any pictures of this castle...but my friends did...so I will try to get them from them.

After the tour it was close to noon and there was something going on on the lawn. We found out that the reason there were guards and guns was that Queen Elizabeth took control of the country on that day...she wasn't crowned...but it was the day she became the one with the power. SO in remembrance of that there was a great parade thing. There was a marching band in the red uniforms(they played some old marching songs and anthems and all that...they also played the Indiana Jones theme...odd)...and then some important people with guards and then they shot the guns off. And these guns were loud. They shot of a good amount of rounds as well..more then six, but i don't remember how many exactly. It was really lucky though that we had gone on that saturday and saw that though.

Well after the castle we decided to head towards the bay, but of course got sidetracked by our stomaches and then also the really neat victorian arcades that Cardiff has. These are basically small alleyways with shops everywhere that are normally covered and so give you the feel of street shopping, but without getting rained or pooped on. Down one of these arcades we went and found ourselves stopped in front of the cutest little shop ever. It was a cheese shop, with a cafe and fresh bread as well. Oh we decided to eat lunch there. After about fifteen minutes we actually got a table and each of us started going over the menu. I ended up getting a chicken and mushroom pie with salad and bread, Maria got a stake pie with salad and bread, and Katherine got a lamb stew and bread and cheese. I have not eaten anything as good as that...the bread was fresh, the salad was great, and the pie was delish! I recommend this little place, although i do not remember what it was called. Well after that we started our walk toward the bay.

We had been told that it was only a 20 minute walk, but i think that was if we had taken a different route, it took us about thirty to forty minutes to finally see water. But once we got there, it was realllly cool. This is where I am going to sidetrack for a moment and explain some things that have happend recently

I have become slightly obsessed with the BBC television show Dr Who. For those of you who know the show...the more recent Doctors, not the older ones...for those who do not know the show...shame, shame on you...just joking.

Now this show was one of the reasons we went to Cardiff. Many episodes of both Dr. Who, and its side show Torchwood are filmed here, plus they have a small exhibit showing off costumes and props from the most recent series. So walking into the Bay area was like walking onto set, because there were the monuments, the shops, and the walkways that are seen within the episodes, all that was missing was a Blue Police Box. The bay though is not just famous for these shows, no it is also a really modern up and coming place to go. With a really nice boardwalk, shops, restaurants, different museums and exhibits and many Multi-Purpose Buildings (along with the national assembly). The rest of our afternoon was spent wandering around the bay, through a small museum about the bay area, and then trying to find the Dr Who exhibit...which was cool, but not as cool as it could have been. We were all expecting costumes and props from all of the different doctors, instead it was mainly focused on the final series that has happened. So there were people/creatures that I did not recognize, and some that I did.

After the bay we decided to take a bus back towards the River House, trying to make it back in time for Free Soup...we made it, and had a nice cup of soup and some bread for dinner, before trying to plan the next day. There was a rugby match on, Wales versus England and it was a big deal, so we thought we would try to find a pub, but of course after soup the game had already ended, with England winning, so the pubs were emptying out. But we had a good night and went back and went to bed.

Well that was Saturday. It was a good day, we got to talk with some of the other people staying at the hostel, one group were american students studying in London, a group of Irish men, either studying or working, or we never really figured out why they were in Cardiff, a group from Germany, touring on holiday, and then one guy from Alaska, who was touring Ireland and England after just recently graduating. Those were the people we talked to, but there were also people from somewhere in Asia, Australia, and I think Italy staying in the hostel as well.

So.. I went to Cardiff this past weekend.

And it was awesome! Well most of it was.

Friday (February 5) morning I woke up and finished packing up all of those things that I would need/possibly need/just wanted to bring. All of these things I was able to just fit into the backpack I had brought with me...and when I say just fit...i mean just fit. After that I lounged around (checked the weather...and then packed my umbrella) and then at noon I gathered up my stuff and headed to Katherine's for a lunch of pasta before we headed out. Our train was at 2:30 out of York and so we caught a bus and headed over. Once at the station we asked to find out where our train was going to be (platform wise) and then went and sat around at Platform 4. Now York station I have to say is one of the coolest looking stations ever...it looks old if you look at the details, but at the same time it has a very modern feeling to it as well. I like it. Well anyway so after waiting around at the station our train finally came in and we boarded...with a good amount of other people so we ended up not being able to find seats (seems a theme with me). Of course since we were not really thinking when we booked tickets we didn't reserve seats so we had to figure out that whole "these are reserved...these are not" thing and ended up just standing around in the luggage/bathroom/doors/people who did not reserve seats area for the first lag of our journey. Now this was not that bad...except that Maria was falling asleep standing up and I had to try to read Midnight's Children standing. After a few stops (as in like 6) Maria and Katherine were able to actually get seats...I tried, but didnt notice that the seat was actually reserved so got kicked out by a kind business man. So, back to standing room only where there was a little niche that was supposed to be used for bikes...but there were no bikes there...so it became my seat. I just chucked my stuff in the corner of it and sat down and read...it worked...it wasnt the most comfortable thing in the world...but it worked and it was better then standing and i was in no one's way. Now our first lag was from York to Birmingham where we caught another train. This train we also didn't luck out and get seats. It again was standing room only...but we did end up standing in the First class area where we could see seats open...but having economy class tickets we were not allowed in there. So we stood around the bathroom again...eating the biscuits that Katherine has brought with her and drinking the water I purchased for the trip.

Quick side note for those family members reading this: One of the stops between Birmingham and Bristol (our next transfer) is CHELTINGHAM! (ok that might be spelled wrong) so I got really excited when we went through.

Anyway so finally we got to Bristol...but there were two different stops for Bristol...so another nice business man looked up on his phone to see if the first stop would have a train for us to get to Cardiff...and there was so we got off and then went to find another info desk to find out where we were supposed to go next platform wise...when we got to the platform we had like five minutes and then a very small train pulled up...and I mean it wasnt small...it just seemed not so nice/large as the other ones. The good thing...WE GOT SEATS!!! since it was close to seven o clock by now there weren't really that many people going to Swansea (which was where the train was going...Cardiff was a stop). So we all sat down and I started reading some more. Maria was finally able to fall asleep and Katherine read as well...The train wasnt really all that packed...as it was Maria was actually sitting in a reserved seat...but the girl it was reserved for was sitting in a seat two rows ahead because there was a table there...so she said that Maria could have the seat.

So...final lag of the train (about 45 minutes) and we got to Cardiff. Now Cardiff for those of you who do not know where this is...is in Wales. It is the capital of Wales. At night it kinda looks a little scary. BUT we unloaded and headed in the direction of where the Hostel we were staying at was. About 10 minutes later...past Milennium Stadium and then over the river and then down a nice little picturesque street we were standing in front of The River House. Once we got into the building the reception guy Charlie gave us a tour and then gave us keys. Our room was a four person "public" room...so we ended up sharing it with one other girl (who we later learned was from Germany) but we were able to lock the door and we each were given lockers and locks to keep out stuff in...if we wanted. We all did of course. The bedroom was two sets of bunk beds and We had two bottoms and one top. I had a bottom with the other girl (german girl) having the top. We unpacked our stuff and since we hadn't eaten anything yet went back downstairs to see where Charlie would recommend for food. We ended up going to a pub called The Prince of Wales...which was one really large sports bar that was built within what used to be a theatre I believe. It was an interesting place and we all enjoyed our food. After that we wandered down to the castle to see it at night and then went back home to plan out the next day and for me to read a little more.

We all slept that night pretty well. The whole journey there had worn us all out and even though the beds were not the most comfortable of beds...they were still good enough to just fall asleep in. (Plus by then I had figured out the heat and gotten the room to a not freezing temperature...and we had DOWN pillows (well they felt like that type) so the bed itself was made that much better).

Well I am going to leave it there...because I like keeping you all in suspense...and i need to eat something so I am going to go get lunch and will post more later!

This one is for you Kelley (although you might not be reading this)

So I have decided to do a complete blog on the various birds that I have seen around my campus. Now these birds are mainly various water fowl including ducks, geese, swans, seagulls, some little black bird with a white head that looks similar to a kiwi...but with a short beak, and then of course pigeons (which aren't really water fowl...but they do drink water and smell fowl).

Well lets start with what I see everyday...out my kitchen (and now bedroom) window:

Two (sometimes four) Ducks... Normally Mallards in their nice little pairs, male and female. These are also the type of bird that has not found my window...I think they like me.

Two (sometimes just one) Geese...these do not show up every day like the ducks...they come occasionally and if they do not get fed they leave. The type that we have on campus (and that come see us) are Greylag Geese.

Two black swans...who make this funny noise...and I am a little afraid of. Because they have such long necks they can almost get to the crack in the window where we drop food out of and so I am a little afraid to feed them...or go near them...I guess after looking them up on a few different pages that they must be Mute Swans but they are black...with pinkish beaks instead and they do make a noise. These show up occasionally as well, although they have been more frequent than the geese.

Then the mystery bird. These are all over the campus but I cannot really seem to find out what they are...oh wait...there they are...they are Coots. The funny things about these are their feet. They are bigger then their own head. Which I think makes them look really peculiar.

There are other forms of ducks...I think this website has a pretty good selection...but i haven't seen all of these... http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier/form.asp#

I think my favorite bird on campus though are these: ok well they are either Bar-headed Geese or Barnacle geese...I have only seen them from afar and they look really pretty (yes Kelley I think they are pretty) so yea. Hopefully I will get some pictures myself and then post them on here...someway...haven't figured that out yet.

OH yea then there are the seagulls that fly around and screech their heads off and the pigeons that you have to watch out for...because there are a few overhangs that they can perch on...and poop from.

I have heard some really pretty sounding song birds, and seen some crows...but that is all with the normal birds.

Anyway this is all the wildlife I have seen...water fowl. I know its kinda pathetic, I thought that I would have seen a fox by now...and maybe heard an owl. But no luck.

Well I'm off to bed. Hope you enjoyed this. Will publish more about my daily life at another time.

so...its been another week.

This past week I started class...which went alright. Monday we had a lecture that was just an overview of what we would be learning in this module (thats what they call class here) and then some basic stuff about Postcolonial lit and how it works with other lit etc. etc. etc. I have to admit that this was one of the best lectures I have ever sat through though, not because the guy giving the lecture had a really cool british accent...but because he really knew his stuff. He was able to really explain everything and at the same time come off his notes and give examples or pronunciations or spellings or just more general knowledge to us. Sadly, he did get interrupted by the fact that we had to leave...so we never really finished the lecture, but still the fact that I came out of a 9:15 lecture really happy and really feeling like I got something was really nice.

I then didn't have class till 1:15 that same day. This lecture of course didn't pick up where he left off...it wasn't even the same person. Instead it was over the library and how to work the online stuff...boring!...but helpful...kinda. Anyway the library system here is not as extensive as at U of I where every department has their own library and then there is the Undergrad and the Main Stacks as well, no instead it is all in one building...but their online resources trump U of I's by tenfold. I have to admit that the library is really nice. They don't have a cafe right inside or next to it, which makes me really sad...but the places to work are really nice and big and quiet, and the stacks are really easy to get through...and they have something called Key Texts which is really nice because then certain books you know are always going to be there for you to check out for four hour periods of time. I have used this already with an assignment that i had to do (see later in this blog) and also have used the library as a place to study a few times...one thing that I keep forgetting is how cold it gets. It gets REALLY cold in there. I am always wearing like a t-shirt and then a sweater...or yesterday i wore a long sleeve shirt and a tank top and still froze. It's not cool. (well I guess it is cool...but you get the idea).

Ok, off the library and onto class again. My next class period wasn't till Thursday, but my tutor (TA) had assigned everyone groups and presentation topics on our first book (Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys) and so I had to meet with my group and work on that. Our topic was the historical context...and i was stumped...but it worked out. When I met with the other two girls I was assigned to work with they both had done some pretty extensive research, where I had only found one article...so I had my work cut out for me...but I did get my own topic to work off of, Jean Rhys and her history. They both did historical context of the book. It turned out to be a really good presentation (really chill and not that much pressure) because we covered all ground. I think my tutor was impressed with it. But that was done thursday at 4:15-6:15 in the afternoon. Having class that late is really weird...I mean i am kind of used to it (orchestra...) but not when it comes to a "real" class. It turned out nice though and we did get to go through a good amount.

I didn't have a movie screening this week...so I do not know how that works...but I do have those every other week at like 3:15 till whenever the movie is over. It's really interesting having all of these times for one class. Also I have a ton of reading...its not just one text per week...but then the tutor can add texts on to our reading that she wants us to do for maybe a tutorial (go to her office and discuss stuff) or for seminar, or both. So I have another novel to read for tomorrow (I am half way right now) and then four big packets of poetry and essays and then some poetry in an anthology of caribbean poetry (that is in the mail and should arrive tuesday via amazon.com)

Classes here are at first glance similar to those at home...but honestly the reading load is a lot larger. I also had to think of my first essay topic for this week...they do not hand out general topics that you have to specify or choose from... you decide what you want, and then thats what you get...so we shall see if she likes my topic...i think i can write a good paper on it (only 2500 words)

So there is a general look at class structure and how much I have to do...I have spent a few nights out with friends, but at the same time I spent those days at the library. SO it evens out.

This weekend I planned a trip to Cardiff...hung out with friends, watched a football game(soccer) and then a rugby game (all of this was on tv) and then got a student rail card and wandered the Minster today...oh and dinner/coffee/fun-ness with Katherine, Maria, Claudia, and Lena.

If I didn't say enough or you have questions you can reach me at email address...or facebook...or snail mail. Ask mom for address (unless you are a U of I friend...then ask me).

To those who read this...I am sorry.

Yes, I will be a week behind if I let this slide before tomorrow. Of course tomorrow I start school...and I already have homework...as in a presentation for thursday so I really do have to get the book I am reading done at some time...hence the fact that there is no update yet. Here is a brief overview of what I have been doing.

Tuesday: General Visiting Students Orientation. Then later English Visiting Students Orientation. Then downtown for a night with Erasmus at The Louther. Much fun, met new people, had a blast, barely caught the bus home.

Wednesday: Orientation for History Visiting Students. That was it.

Thursday: read, hung out, watched Bones. Went to McQ's which is a pub next to my College(dorm) and saw local college life at its best. Very chill, Maria and Katherine and I had a good time.

Friday: oh friday...epic day. Went to the Grocery store, got a good amount of food (I thought...lots of veggies and fruits and some chicken...) then went back and got ready for a Pub Crawl with Erasmus society. Went to four different places. It was a blast.

Saturday: Woke up at noon and then went shopping at two with Claudia. Shopped at a few stores, got two cute dresses and a pair of leggings...still looking for new boots and a few other items. Then went to the Courtyard for its first birthday. Danced till about midnight then went home...talked to parents, grandparents, joy, and lauren...oh and Alex. Bed.

Today: LAUNDRY!!! forgot to wash one pair of jeans...bummer. Then read. Dinner with Katherine (I cooked chicken...lots of chicken...and i didnt burn it!) then hang with Lea (from California) Maria, and Katherine in Katherines kitchen meeting her flatmates and all that. Then back to my room to read.

There. I am caught up. More to come...now back to reading.

First of many Manic Mondays!

Alright it really wasn't manic, actually far from it. Katherine and I decided that today we were going to try to figure out classes. I knew that I had to run by the english department at some point to pick up a packet of information and she knew that she needed to run by the philosophy department. Also we had been told that there was going to be an International Student Welcome thing. So we headed out into the cold in search of these places. First we went to Langwith where the english department is and I got my packet and also my timetable for my course. Yes course. Singular, not plural. This term I will be taking only one class, Literature in English. Thats it. Its worth one whole term's amount of credits, so that is all they will let me take. Honestly I am looking forward to this, one class monday tuesday and then thursday. Its set up differently though.

I have three different types of class setups. I have lecture, then seminar, then tutorial/movie screening. So in all my schedule actually sounds like this:

Monday lecture from 9:15 to 10:15 then again at 1:15 to 2:15.

Tuesday I have lecture again from 9:15 to 10:15.

Then wednesday I have nothing assigned.

Thursday I have seminar from 4:15 to 6:15

and then every odd friday I will have a movie screening.

tutorials are set up at my tutor's (at u of i they would be either TA's or instructors) discretion.

So this term (ten weeks) I will just be doing that. Not so bad I think.

After we went to the english department we went to the philosophy department and Katherine figured out that she was currently not enrolled in any philosophy classes. I also found us free planners. Hey they were sitting on the table with a sign saying to take them, so now we have York versions of the iBook, or basically a weekly planner with anything date-wise or information-wise in them. After that we went back to Langwith where the International Welcome thing was being held. This was a big stroke of luck, because at first I felt like we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I felt like I was a freshman again trying to hang out with the big orientation leaders or something, everyone seemed to know everyone already, but in the end there were a few who were new as well. The group is called Erasmus and you will hear a lot about them later because they are my new group of friends.

But back to the meeting, well Katherine and I sat down and started to chat with a few of the people there. I talked to a girl from Germany named Claudia about school and what I was studying and everything and she told me that she was actually working not studying in York. We also learned about this Treasure hunt they were going to put on later in the City Center and because Katherine and I needed to still pick up some basic food essentials we said that we would come back later for the treasure hunt.

I honestly didn't really want to go back, I wanted to instead go back to my room and curl up and watch a movie or read or do something solitary...but Katherine thought it sounded like fun and so I decided to go as well.

We went to the grocery store and I picked up lunchmeat, some grapes, diet coke, milk, greek yogurt, and a microwavable rice thing. I thought that this would last me a couple of days, and it has...sorta. We then both went back to our dorms so that we could put the stuff away and then meet up to go back to Langwith.

Skipping to the treasure hunt...when Katherine and I got back to the Erasmus welcome room there was a slightly larger group. We sat down next to a girl named Maria from Cornell University and began chatting with her. A few minutes later three other girls joined us. These three are from Norway and they are Siv, Marie, and Suzanne. This was our group for the treasure hunt. Our goal was to answer all the questions as we went around a already mapped route through the city center. We would not have a guide, or anyone to help us. It was just up to us. So everyone headed down via bus (sadly these buses are not free) and we started off.

We had two hours to do the whole thing, but it ended up only taking us about an hour and ten minutes. We worked well as a team, with Katherine and I's prior knowledge of the city, and the Fantastic Norwegians energy to win we knew we had it in the bag. The quest started us off of Parliament square and ended us at the minster, but we didn't just go straight there. No we went through the shambles, over the bridge a few times, to Clifford's Tower and also the Kings Manor. Now we finished the whole thing after the first group...but their guide to their starting position also went with then through the whole thing, while we told Chris (our guide) to leave so we wouldn't cheat. After turning in our answers we set off for dinner at a pub Suzanne had noticed on our way back to the Minster. It was called The Hole in the Wall and was quite cozy. They had a good menu and good tea. They also had a fireplace! Which was the reason Suzanne noticed it in the first place. We all chatted and ate and passed paper around to get phone numbers and facebook names so that we could stay connected and all that. After we ate we headed back to meet everyone else so that we could catch the bus...but of course they had left. So we called the guy in charge and he walked back to get us...nice guy and all that. We found out then that we were also the winners of the contest by one point. I now have a large box of shortbread sitting on my shelf waiting for a chance for all of us to get together to eat them.

When we got back to campus the Norwegians had to leave, but the rest of us, after dropping stuff at rooms, went to a campus pub called The Courtyard. There we sat and talked until it looked like they were cleaning up. After that, back to dorms to sleep.

Because of Erasmus I have now met and become friends with some really interesting and fun people. I have found a niche and I am glad that I have.

Continuing to Sunday...and maybe some more.

Alright. Sunday January 10th 2010 (or 10/01/10 which is how the brits write dates).

Let's see...I woke again after noon. Sat around in pj's again and was still feeling not really great because my clock was still off kelter, but at the same time I think the sitting around was a good thing. It was nice to just relax. Sunday I got internet in my room. It was glorious. Finally I was able to sit in my room and talk to my parents on skype and just sit on my bed and relax. Sunday was actually a pretty uneventful day, I hung out with my flatmates (or actually I hung out next door and was introduced to everyone Sarah (girl next door) yelled at to come meet me.) I think I might be able to put about four names to faces, other than that...yea not going to happen. It was fun though watching everyone mingle acting like I wasn't that new, and it was nice to meet people. Also I learned that snow is a big deal, as in the guys built an igloo, had a snowball fight, and were able to get snow into Sarah's room through the window. I also learned that my flat (hall) is loud. But thats normal (Allen hall has gotten me ready for something!) Everyone was moving in on sunday so the campus was in a weird limbo, nothing open, but everyone here. Hence the fact that I really didn't leave my flat till that night, when I met up with Katherine (from U of I) Katherine (from York who studied at U of I last term as a visiting student) and two of Katherine (York)'s friends Kate and Richard. They took us to one of their favorite pubs on campus (currently I am forgetting the name) and we sat and chatted about everything from football(soccer) to football(american), tv, U of I, embarrassing moments, magic tricks, meercats, geckos, where we were living contrasted to where they used to live, traveling the US...so much. Both Richard and Kate had exams to still study for, so this was like a study break...that lasted three hours. It was a blast though to just sit and chat and the pub was basically empty so we could hear each other and the cider was good.

At this point people need to be filled in on a little key detail. The drinking age here is 18. I am legal here.

We had a nice time. Afterwards a few of us had remembered that we really hadn't eaten dinner yet so on our walk back up towards where Kate and Katherine(York) lived we stopped at a food venue called Efe's. For those from U of I its like a mixture of Antonios and Juniors Burgers, with maybe better chips then you could get anywhere in the states. For those of you from rockford it is both pizza and burgers and chicken and fish and chips.

Instead of eating and walking Kate and Katherine invited us back to their house for a cup of tea and a warm place to eat. So we went, they don't live on campus, but they live on the main road between campus and city center in a really cute thin flat/house fit for five. They have three other roommates who when we got there were not there at the time. We ate our Efe's and drank our tea while watching Friends (yes the original Friends...I think Richard said it was season ten or something (chandler and monica were married and joey was a member of days of our lives)) It was fun just hanging out. Once we had finished our tea Katherine(york) drove Katherine and I back to campus and that ended our Sunday.