Sunday, summarized

Today, I went on a tour of various Norfolk areas of interest with a tour organized by the Dean of Students office. We went to Caistor St. Edmunds, Ranworth Broad (and the church there), and Blickling Hall. It was pretty exciting. I climbed the tower of the church at Ranworth--St. Helen's--and I thought I was going to die. Lots of evil, narrow, twisting stairs leading to two dark ladders, which then go through a trap door on which I hit my head. The top was amazing, but I'm not sure it was worth the utter terror I endured. Not even kidding. I suppose it wasn't as bad as Chichen Itza, but it was close. And I couldn't have gone down on my backside like I did in Mexico. I hung out with this guy from Japan I met on the bus. He was nice. I also met another girl from Pennsylvania, and a girl from Zimbabwe who's on a term abroad from Mount Holyoake. Oh, and the weather behaved beautifully! It's been raining for most of the past week, and the past two days have been clear. It's lovely--especially after being caught in the rain with no coat or umbrella twice!



Sorry this entry was rather sparse. In compensation, farm animals!

Top: Sheep, Bottom: Cows. This was at Caistor St. Edmund, an old Roman camp. You can still see

the wall in some parts, and when its dry, you can see the roads if you fly over. Now it's all grown over and home to grazing sheep. If sheep and grass have reclaimed an old Roman site, we really don't count for much, do we?

Weekend In (Partial) Review

It's been an uncharacteristically odd weekend. Last night, I went to the Literary Society meeting and met some new people. That was exciting. Then, I went back to Catie's flat to have dinner with her. I somehow got roped into going into town to go to a club with her flatmates. Well, I didn't like that too much--it's too loud and I don't (gasp) like dancing. The guys hadn't gotten in, because they apparently can't dress themselves, so we left after not too long (thankfully). We ended up back in their flat, where I stayed until about 5:00AM, when I came home.

Got up at noon today, and soon got a call from Elizabeth, a girl from Pennsylvania who's in my history class. She wanted to go into town. So I went. I found the yarn booth in the market--it's pretty cool. I also got some Tupperware and some light bulbs for my new lamp. Oh, and we found a neat little natural food store tucked into a tiny little alley near the Tesco Metro. So that was exciting. She's really nice, by the way. I like her.

Then I got home and kind of sat around for a while. Eventually, one of my flatmates (Tom) came and told me to come to the Freshers' Bash in the LCR. Well, I didn't have tickets, and neither did a few other people. So I went anyway, and we wandered around forever, searching for tickets. We found tickets for 2 people, but three of us were left. The lot of us sat in the bar for a while, then everyone with tickets went up, and the three of us sat in the bar for a while longer. So now I know Kate (or Cate, I don't know), an English major from St. Louis, and Martin, who's Tom's friend and is from Cambridge. We ended up coming back fairly soon.

Tomorrow I go on a tour of the Norfolk Broads and of Blickling Hall with a bunch of other international students. I don't know anyone else going, so I think I'll meet some new people. I hope so, at least. I'll have a report tomorrow.

Socmart

So, today I went to Socmart and Sportsmart. They're basically the same as the Co-curricular fair back at Olaf, except you have to pay to become a member. I signed up for the History society and the international students' society, and I'm planning on tagging along with Catie to the Lit society and the conservation and wildlife society (I didn't see them when I was in the LCR--it was packed and utter chaos). At Sportsmart, I signed up for info on the equestrian club, but it doesn't sound like they do much with horses except lessons, which are £30 each. That's a lot of money, and a lot more than at Olaf. Also, I'd have to buy sports insurance first, which is also £30. Furthermore, it's £15 just to join. So I'd like to, but I'm thinking not so much. I don't care much for lessons, anyway.

Goals

I have a new goal for the year: learn how to properly boil an egg so the yolk isn't weird.

First Class

I had my first class today. Creative Writing: Poetry. I don't quite know how it will be yet. The prof--sorry, tutor--put a lot of emphasis on reading contemporary poets, which is all well and good, and I don't mind it, but she said that there were also some 20th century poets who had some relevance as well. I don't know, but I felt like she was saying that any poets before that are completely irrelevant to modern life and are hardly worth looking at. I hardly believe that was her intent, but that was what it seemed to me. Also, I was supposed to be in the other section, but none of the information I got, anywhere, told me which section I was in. Nothing. Not even the big timetable in the LIT offices. So how was I supposed to know? Well, somehow, everyone else in the class did, because I was the only one who made that mistake. And if I had shown up to the other section, it would have been at noon. Now, my class (I'm switching to the section I went to, for convenience) is at 4:00PM. Not a fan, not a fan.

Anyway, it seems that the only two days I have class are Mondays and Thursdays. Each class gets 2 hours, though, and I might have the seminar that corresponds with my Anglo-Saxon England class on Friday. So that's only an hour a week less than at St. Olaf. Oh, and the term is 12 weeks long, only one week less. I have to write, at a minimum, 9 poems in that time. Hmm...maybe this creative writing plan was not the best...

Pictures!

So we went into town today. We missed our tour because we got lost on the way in, but we wandered around and I got 4 towels and 2 washcloths for £7.50, which really surprised me. They were on clearance! We also went to the castle (but didn't really go inside) and the Norwich cathedral (which is one of two cathedrals in town and is not, in fact, Julian's church). And, I know few of you will understand this, but I just have to freak out for a moment here:




Oh My God there is a statue of Julian of Norwich on the outside of the cathedral and this is really exciting to me. I know this is not where she locked herself up in her craziness, but still. I don't think I've ever actually been, in my memory, to a place where they have a statue of an author I've read. Or an author who has been presented to me as pivotal. For that matter, I don't think I've ever been to the house/grave/town of authors I've read. So this is kind of a big deal. (Yes, I know I don't like Revelations of a Divine Love. I think it's rather stupid. But I don't care. First book in English by a woman, people! Come on!)

Oh, and I put more pictures up on Flickr. Click the badge on the sidebar to see them.

22 September

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet
And whither then? I cannot say.

It's Frodo and Bilbo's birthday today, people! What are you doing? (Did you even remember without Monika and me holding some odd little party?)

Thoughts on Orientation Day One

I did go out tonight, to the welcome reception and international quiz for international students, and I met some people--a few Germans, a guy from Turkey, a girl from the Czech Republic (who's studying Culture, Translation, and Spanish and wants to be a flight attendant) a really nice girl from Tokyo, a post-grad from India who I also really like, and some post-grad (in Creative Writing, no less) who was born in America but has lived all over the world, currently in Belgium. At the orientation, I met another post-grad from Guam. Today was a lot better than the past few.

I feel very simple and naive around here, though. And very young and innocent, too, but I knew that when I set out. Everyone I've met seems to have traveled the world, and I've only ever been to Mexico. Like the Japanese girl I met. She's been to America 4+ times, England 5+, Australia, and Germany, at least. Everyone tells me about how they've been to all these places, especially to tell me they've been to America when they find out I'm American. Then I feel bad because I don't know hardly anything about their countries and what I do know, I usually forget when I'm talking to them. It's awkward.

Also, a number of people have asked me if I'm from the Netherlands. I think it's because on our name tags, it has a spot for nationality, and under that, a spot for our school of study. So mine says "American", and under that, "AMS" for American Studies, which is also the abbreviation of the airport in Amsterdam. And my handwriting isn't that clear unless you get uncomfortably close to my chest. So, um, yeah. Also awkward.

Hello Again!

I have got to tell you, I have never been quite this happy to have internet access in all my life. We had to register with our schools of study before they would give us our usernames and passwords, and then we had to log into a UEA computer before we could connect our own computers to the network. Since I didn't register until this morning, I've been without contact with friends and family for a few days. Sorry!

The flight was fine; long, but fine. Everything went perfectly. We had to wait for the luggage van for a while once we arrived in Norwich, but that was no problem. I got to my room and got settled in. There's only one other girl in my flat that I know of, so far. I thought I heard other people move in, but she said they were probably downstairs. Everyone else will probably move in this weekend. My room is tiny. It's literally a hole in the wall. I don't have that much stuff, though, so I don't need a big room or a big closet. My bathroom is also rather small, which kind of bothers me, because I don't like being in there with the door closed. I'm in the University Village, which is kind of far away from campus, but the walk is nice--it goes through a park--and it's good for me. I haven't had to do it at night yet, though. Then I might be more concerned.

Yesterday, I didn't do much except explore the campus (but I still don't know where hardly anything is!) and go on a bus tour of Norwich. It's a nice little city. I like it. On Sunday, I'm going on a walking tour, which means I have to find out how to get to Norwich Cathedral.

I haven't met very many people yet; just the guy who helped me get my stuff to my room and the other girl in my flat. All the orientation stuff started today, and we still have 6 or so people left to move into our flat, so I'm not worried. It's kind of lonely, though.

Waiting...

So right now, I'm just sitting around the house, waiting until I have to go to the airport. This is why I hate later flights. I don't mind waiting in airports quite as much as I hate waiting around the house. Too much anticipation. Once I get going, I'm fine.

I leave in under 3 hours. See you later!

50 today!

Finished!

I unpacked and repacked my suitcase at least 3 times today. I finally got every important item in it, and it's only 47.5 pounds! I wish I had more room for yarn, but oh well. It's finally done!

I tried to use those Space Saver bags. Packing tip: Don't use those things. They suck, and you can fit more stuff by rolling your clothes. Seriously. Besides, I got the kind where you can roll the air out instead of using a vacuum, and the "patented one-way air valve" popped on half of them. I haven't even gone anywhere yet! In other words, Space Saver bags are a waste of $12.

Yesterday, we ran around town, doing errands and picking up the few things I had left to get. I got an expandable duffel bag, now nestled deeply into my suitcase. I'm excited about that, because then I only have to have one bag to bring over, but if I need it, I have two to bring home. I also got a bunch of yarn, which I'm also excited about. The important event, however, was ordering money from Grandma's bank. It won't come in until Monday, though. If it doesn't, I'll be angry. I didn't think the people there were very helpful.

Now I basically just have to wait around until Tuesday. I've got a few odds and ends left to take care of, but I am, for the most part, done!

Woo Hoo!

Today was my last day at work this summer. Finally! I'm free!

I've started packing, which is kind of a disaster right now. All my stuff is all over the floor. But as of right now, it all fits into one suitcase and one carry on! UEA doesn't want me to bring two suitcases if they're going to pick me up. I've still got a few more things, and I don't know if they'll fit, or if my suitcase is under the weight limit, so I've got work to do.

I leave in 5 days. It's scary.

A Bit of Relief

So, there wasn't an available spot in the guest suite. Instead of finding a B&B for the night, we changed my flight (thank you, Mom!). I'm now leaving at 6:00 on 18 Sept. and arriving in Norwich at 5:15 the next day. This means that (1) I get a ride from the airport and (2) I have a room for the night. I hope nothing goes wrong with this. As it is, I'm excited, because this makes my life ten times easier. And that's always a good thing!

Finishing Touches

So the blog is edited, the mailing list made, and the Flickr account is set up. I sent the link out a few minutes ago, so, hi everyone! Welcome!

I've just heard from the Accommodations Office, and they cannot open my room a day early for me. I'm trying to get a spot in UEA's guest suite, so fingers crossed! If I can't, I'll just have to figure something else out.

12 days and counting...

I keep getting emails from St. Olaf, because things up there are getting back into swing. The latest was from the pres. of the Equestrian Club, asking for people to help table. And here I am, sitting around in my sweatpants, waiting to go to work. *Sigh* I just want this summer to be over.

And I'm frustrated, too, because I just want things to be easy. I don't want to have to fight with the Accommodations office to see if they'll open my room for me. I don't want to have to negotiate a taxi. I don't want to call my credit card company. I just want to pick up and go, and have everything work out perfectly. Why can't things just be easy?

So, yes, I miss school terribly already, I'm sick of work, I'm sick of all the noise in my house (you think Mohn is bad? Try living with my family). I don't think I'll make it to my departure day.

(You thought this was going to be all flowers and light, and happy thoughts, didn't you? Ha! Welcome to my blog.)

PS. I hate thinking up entry titles. I also hate thinking up subject lines. So please excuse the lack of clever titles!