Explore. Dream. Discover.

I’m depressed.
and suffering from reverse culture shock.

I’ve decided that because I did such a terrible job at blogging this semester I’m going to randomly post stories/memories/photos on this tumblr, so I don’t frustrate people who don’t care about my trip on the the other one.

peace, love, rock & roll.

i completely fail at journaling. x3.
but, i’m posting right now.
so we’ll pretend to let that count for something.

i’m going to do a short post (about today so far) right now.
and then do a longer one later (hopefully) as a reward for finishing my homework. :)

today has been one of those days.
in such an absolutely wonderful way.

first off: i was the last one out of bed.
in a good way: i let Melody and Stacy get into the bathroom first, which meant i got a little extra sleep.

next i scrambled through my clothes to try to find something to wear for today.  i forgot to do laundry last night (aka, i let stacy do hers), so i was pretty sure i wasn’t going to have anything clean.
in a good way: but i ended up finding clean jeans, shirts, underwear, AND socks to wear for today. i told stacy it was like my birthday!

then when i finally got into the shower, it was apparently the exact same moment everyone else in our building got into their shower, because the water pressure almost completely shut off.
in a good way: as I turned the water hotter, the water pressure increased.  the water pressure stayed exactly where i needed it to be until i finished rinsing the last of the conditioner out of my hair. as in, the water went completely off at the exact same moment.

now, at this moment I had two thoughts:
first one: this has got to be a good day.
second one: realistically, it’s a sign that i’m going to have a terrible day (great morning=terrible day).

so after jumping out of the shower and scrambling to get dressed, I headed to breakfast.

i ordered an omelette with cheese on the side, or in it if at all possible.  and, she of course told me it wasn’t possible.
in a good way: when she brought it out, it had cheese in it! yum!!

then we all went to the library.
then we all went to lunch, where Lauren and I became distracted by the most fabulous vintage/retro store,
and our entire group left us.
in a good way: we got to have lovely bonding/catch-up time. :)

after trying on the most amazing pair of jade disco pants (that magically fit both her and I),
(pictures will be coming soon. don’t you worry.)
we walked over to the sandwich shop next door, so i could get some lunch (she had brought hers).

i always forget that i don’t really like my sandwich options here in cambridge, so when we walked into the shop, i instantly regretted my decision, but it was too late to leave.
in a good way: i ended up trying this sandwich, and it was absolutely wonderful. i even ate the tomatoes! new favorite sandwich, for sure!

lauren brought her lunch, so we were going to have to eat take away (she ended up sneak eating in the restaurant, though).
in a good way: the lady gave us directions to the river, so lauren and i went there and did homework for a little while.

and, now i’m back at the library.
in a good way: i’m tumbling. doing homework. and just ate a pack of starbursts. (which are so, so, so much better than American starbursts, because they’re “BURSTING with Fruit Juice” and have “NO Artificial Colours or Flavours”  Yum, Yum!

I’ve been sitting in the annex (our common room/hang out place of sorts) for the past 5 and half hours (ridiculous already, i know),
and during this time period, at least 3 different groups of people have walked in and out.
and it amazes me so much that with each group, the atmosphere can change so drastically.

the first group was goofing off: watching youtube videos and such.
the second group was far more chill: playing card games and talking.
the third group just walked in: and are listening to music.

i love so much that we can have 3 very distinct groups of people on this trip, but somehow we’ve all been able to mesh so well.

granted, we have our cliques (to be expected), but for the most part there is a pretty great since of unity within our group.
and, i’m so excited about seeing it continue to form and shape over the next three months.

on that note, it’s just now starting to sink in that i’m going to actually be here for three months.
not necessarily in the homesick kind of way (though, i’m definitely friendsick).
but in the crap.  i’m actually going to be here for an extended period of time.
(but in a definite good way. :) )

also: i for reals love this country (United Kingdom), and i honestly don’t know if i can imagine living a life that doesn’t include me living here for at least part of it (hopefully again, and longer than 3 months).
i really think that everything just seems right while i’m here.
i love walking/biking as my main mode of transportation.
i can’t imagine anything lovelier than taking a train from city to city.
cheap flights around europe.
and to top it all off: the pound is worth way more than the american dollar.

definitely sounds like a good plan in my book.

Doc (Squire) Crip Stephenson

learning to ride a bike.
on a street.
on a busy street in downtown cambridge.
with cars rushing by.
all while wearing a 20 pound backpack.

(to avoid confusion: i already knew how to ride a bike.)

lesson number 2?
don’t put off your homework/reading assignments/independent study checkpoints.
fail.

my welcome gift to myself.
oh, how i’ve missed thee, this water.

and in cambridge.
so perfect.

so far i have:
departed at 2 pm (Cleveland Time - 5 hours behind)
flown 8 hours.
taken a bus 2 hours to cambridge.
had lunch (soup!).
went to the mall (boots! and next.)
had dinner (chicken!)
went to the pub (portland arms)
note: drank hot chocolate.
got lost in downtown Cambridge. (thanks, Nathan! :) )
finally got to bed at 10 pm (Cambridge Time)
woke up at 7:30 for breakfast (Grapefruit and Orange Juice, Rice Krispies,  Cheese Toast)
walking tour with Janet Jeacock (amazing!)
lunch at The Eagle (pub; ate chips and may or may not have drank a st. edmunds)
exploring the market and surrounding area.
walked back to the hamilton.

and am now heading to dinner at the regal.
yum!

(what can i say - i’m hungry.)

Take off time is upon us. Boo-yah! :)

I’ve GOT to start packing. haha.

I know I’m supposed to be buying cambridge supplies, but i saw this deal today: 15 G2 Fine Point pens for 11.98 at Target.  And I just had to convince my mom that i needed them for next semester.

She told me that they better last me until graduation.  I hope they do. :)

P.S. I couldn’t resist a shot of my tattoo while I was at it.

also: please excuse the fact that my hair is a hot mess in this photo.