London and First Week of Classes

Well, I have officially survived my first week of living in England and I am now on to the second one. I started classes on Monday and I think I will really enjoy them. I only have class once a day and I have no class Friday. Quite the life I know. 

We took a guided tour through my school on Sunday through London and saw a lot of cool sights. Got to see Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham palace and a lot more. 

My good friend Jamie and I booked a flight to Madrid for the first weekend in Feburary and I am very excited about that.  We are going Saturday through Monday and will hopefully see some interesting sights. I may need to brush up on my Spanish in the next few weeks. I will be sure to post a lot of pictures. It is going to come up so fast!

We also booked a tour day trip for this upcoming Saturday. About 5 of us are going to stay in London on Friday night and then go on a guided tour of Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath. I am really excited to see more cites in England. They all have a lot of history which should be very interesting. 

I can't believe how fast these two weeks have gone! I have been so busy but I absolutely love it here! I do miss everyone from home but I have found it is easier to just get out of my room and do something rather than be homesick. There is so much to do and see here it is hard to sit still for too long.

Yesterday, we took a day trip to Southampton. It is about a 15 minute train ride, is right on the coast and has really good shopping (very dangerous). I think I have already bought too many things but its too tempting. Southampton is also the last place the Titanic took off before it sunk so it has some good history. It has a Titanic museum...which is closed until April, helpful. 

This morning I woke up and went for a run and it felt amazing. It was sunny and 50 and it is great to explore the town. It is nice to have enough free time to get outside and work out. 

Having family dinner tonight at a pub in town with everyone from Eau Claire and Jamie.

I will try and post more this week, I don't think I will be as busy.

Love and miss you guys!!

Better view from my window. Sun coming up before I left for London

Pictures from my London tour, all the buildings are so old and beautiful! 

Big Ben, we heard it strike twelve o'clock noon. It was really cool...and loud.

Jamie and Anne 

London Eye, second biggest ferris wheel in the world! 

The building where they do the changing of the guards. 

Beer for lunch at a pub in London :)

Buckingham Palace

John, Anne, Jamie, Me and Anthony in front of Buckingham palace. We spotted some Americans because they were wearing North Face and asked them to take our picture. 

Big Ben and the London Eye again

House of Parliament, I need to get a better picture next time I go there. 

Not the best picture but this is the countdown until the olympics in London. Sucks we will be missing it! 

Hannah, Me, Jamie and Alexa. Some of my best girl friends here :)

A few pictures from Southampton, not the best sight seeing town but amazing shopping :)

Castle in the middle of town

Thomas the train, Euro-style. Had to take this one for Brooks and Brody :)

Yea we couldn't manage a good picture but the girls shopping in Southampton.

I will post more this week :) So excited to check out more stuff around England this weekend and Spain in two! 

Moved In and Explored the Town

I have been having a great few nights. Orientation yesterday was pretty long and not overly helpful but at least I got a tour of the campus. I have met a really fun group of people and I am excited for the british students to start moving in! Went to the grocery store and bought my own alcohol for the first time, three bottles of wine for 12 pounds, pretty good deal. Its nice not having to make Lucas go get it for me ;)

Went out with my group from Eau Claire last night and ordered dominos when we got home. It is a little different over here but better than the caf food. Then woke up early this morning for breakfast and shopping. We explored the town and took lots of picture like tourist. Went to a couple cute stores and found things for pretty inexpensive.

Heading to London tomorrow with the international students at 9. I am excited! 

New friends :) 

The beers are so tastey here and it is fun to experience their culture. Not have to  tip at the bar may be one of the best ways of saving money. It is a fun town with lots to do, I am interesting in exploring more of it.

These next are mainly from our walk into town. Can't say I know what most of the buildings are but they are all so old and gorgeous. 

High Street, where a lot of the pubs and shops are. The road is all cobble stone and there is farmers market every weekend. 

High street

Statue of King Arthur 

Farmers market...thats a whole pig.

Selling fresh olive. I want to buy things from the farmers market next weekend. 

The graveyard on campus...kinda creepy but its at pretty walk. We walk through this to get into town. It is only about a 10 minute walk to the center of town. 

Irish cross

Finally got my room cleaned, rearranged, and decorated. It is starting to feel like home.

Bed and new blanket, the sheets that gave us are not the best.

Bookshelf, desk and picture wall. I am really happy I brought so many pictures. It makes it feel more homey. PS look Em you made my wall :)

These two are the view from my window but my camera really didn't do it justice. The landscape here is so pretty and until this afternoon it has been pretty sunny and warm. The weather feels like early spring or late fall. (better than snow and below zero!)

These are my closet and dresses....and my weird closet bathroom. Some things a little strange here but I am getting used to it. 

Will post pictures from London soon

Here

I am finally here and settled. Feels so good to be unpacked and done traveling.

I am excited to start making my room more homey, it needs more pictures.

Got to England around 8:30 this morning our time and the University around 1.

We got a chance to have lunch and explore the town. 

I have already met some really cool people and I know this will be a great experience.

Went out with a group of probably 12 Eau Claire students and 7 St. Louis students.

Everyone is super nice and it was fun to check out the local Pubs.

Orientation tomorrow at 9 am so I need to get some good sleep...

but hopefully can fit in a few quick skypes :)

Here is a few photos, keep ya posted!

It all fit! Can't believe it, although my closet is looking rather empty!

Plane to Toronto 

Winchester Cathedral at night. Soooo pretty!

Boys from Eau Claire, other girls missed out of the chocolate milk shot!

Group shot with Eau Claire and Missouri people...tasted like chocolate milk. Great first night.

I will add more pictures tomorrow of my room and such, best wishes everyone :)