Well, even though the day isn't over, I figure it's time I did one of these on the actual day for once.
Today was a relatively uneventful day, as I suspect more and more of the coming days to be. The entries will be shorter (try not to shout for joy there) and more gaps in-between. I woke up at 11 this morning to get ready for brunch at Keble Hall. We were a little late for that, but because it's buffet it didn't much matter. It was an interesting breakfast - heavier than normal. We only get breakfast-like food on Sunday though, which kind of sucks. I bought some cereal and nutella though, so I should be set.
After brunch, we decide to go back to the house quickly to look up some information. Kat needed books and I needed to find a photocopy place because I had accidentally stolen someone else's packet for Archer's class - because of a mishap with me in the wrong class. I really am the problem child. Finally found one and I had to photocopy 19 pounds of papers. It was about 250 sheets. A lot. Then Kat and Kelsey and I went to the oldest room in Oxford which is now a tea shop before Kelsey and I were to catch mass at Keble. We all read some of the books we needed for class and it got chilly so we headed over to Keble early. Unfortuently, though we had good intentions, mass at Keble is only during term. Bummer. So, we didn't get to go. I'll have to try one of the morning ones next week, though that'll suck. Hopefully they'll be going on. I may check earlier in the week, I suppose.
We had a nice walk around town though during the day, and I did a lot of reading, so it was a boring, but productive day. Got some of my schedule sorted out.
The biggest thing now is flights for Shanghai. I just don't know what to do about that. I'll probably be going to STA sometime this week and talking to someone about flights. So now off to do more reading. Good thing I don't have classes Monday's!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Day 3: Stonehenge
I wish I could upload pictures for everyone to see! This day was probably the nicest, funniest, and beautiful day so far. How much does that mean? I have no idea - it's only day 3!
We got up (on time!) and made our way downstairs to the group to get on a charter bus to head to Salisbury, Old Sarum, and Stonehenge. After a little reading and a cat nap, we make it to Salisbury where we see a doomsday painting (very interesting, I must say) and then head out to lunch. Kat, Ande, and I try and find somewhere to eat...wander around a lot and find this nice bar and there is the other half of the group we split up from. We just took the scenic route. It was a quaint, adorable, older than our country town. I had a half-pint of a beer called "Doom Bar," which was the local brew, with my lunch, which was alright.
We had fifteen minutes to be at the Cathedral, which was this big spire that we just kept going towards. Kind of like the star at Christ's birth. Anyway, we pass the place William Golding (Princess Bride) was headmaster at and then turn slightly and BAM! There's the Cathedral. It was absolutly gorgeous. I can't even try to explain how beautiful it is because my words won't do it justice. As soon as I can, I'll upload pictures.
We're waiting outside, taking pictures and such, and it goes from almost blindingly sunny to hailing. I mean in the space of two minutes. Hailing. It was kind of hysterical. We go inside, look around, see the Magna Carta, and then head to Old Sarum.
Old Sarum was super windy! It is one of the oldest establishments (or was) in Briton. Very, very old ruins. Pretty nice to see though. And the view of Salisbury was beautiful.
Off to Stonehenge! It was a lot bigger than I thought, actually. It was very interesting to finally see, though it's kind of like Disneyland. Like "Ok, you're here!" right off the road. One minute you see sheep, the next giant rocks. It was freezing though, and since you have a hand-held audio tour in one hand and a camera in the other, my hands were frozen off. I got a lot of pictures though, I believe. Again, up when I can get them up.
Then back home, where we could have made dinner at Keble, but didn't book ahead so had to go out. Kat and I walked around a lot, got some mroe groceries, and got food from the Kabab stand. Oh, it was very good.
I concked out kind of early while reading Phillip II. I think I must've gotten like 10 hours of sleep. It was kind of nice.
We got up (on time!) and made our way downstairs to the group to get on a charter bus to head to Salisbury, Old Sarum, and Stonehenge. After a little reading and a cat nap, we make it to Salisbury where we see a doomsday painting (very interesting, I must say) and then head out to lunch. Kat, Ande, and I try and find somewhere to eat...wander around a lot and find this nice bar and there is the other half of the group we split up from. We just took the scenic route. It was a quaint, adorable, older than our country town. I had a half-pint of a beer called "Doom Bar," which was the local brew, with my lunch, which was alright.
We had fifteen minutes to be at the Cathedral, which was this big spire that we just kept going towards. Kind of like the star at Christ's birth. Anyway, we pass the place William Golding (Princess Bride) was headmaster at and then turn slightly and BAM! There's the Cathedral. It was absolutly gorgeous. I can't even try to explain how beautiful it is because my words won't do it justice. As soon as I can, I'll upload pictures.
We're waiting outside, taking pictures and such, and it goes from almost blindingly sunny to hailing. I mean in the space of two minutes. Hailing. It was kind of hysterical. We go inside, look around, see the Magna Carta, and then head to Old Sarum.
Old Sarum was super windy! It is one of the oldest establishments (or was) in Briton. Very, very old ruins. Pretty nice to see though. And the view of Salisbury was beautiful.
Off to Stonehenge! It was a lot bigger than I thought, actually. It was very interesting to finally see, though it's kind of like Disneyland. Like "Ok, you're here!" right off the road. One minute you see sheep, the next giant rocks. It was freezing though, and since you have a hand-held audio tour in one hand and a camera in the other, my hands were frozen off. I got a lot of pictures though, I believe. Again, up when I can get them up.
Then back home, where we could have made dinner at Keble, but didn't book ahead so had to go out. Kat and I walked around a lot, got some mroe groceries, and got food from the Kabab stand. Oh, it was very good.
I concked out kind of early while reading Phillip II. I think I must've gotten like 10 hours of sleep. It was kind of nice.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Day 2: Oxford
Today (actually yesterday now) started out a little iffy but then got tremendously better.
Kat and I both woke up late, and getting ready I slammed my head into our sloped ceiling in the bathroom. Not very pleased and un-awake, I headed downstairs to grab some water before we left. In the kitchen with most everyone else, Jamie comes in, finds me and says "I have good news." Instantly awake, I reply "They found it?!" "Yup. The police called this morning...someone turned it in."
I did a little dance there in the kitchen with everyone. It was pretty funny.
We all head out for our walking tour of Oxford. It was nice weather for a tour, though I'm always going to be saying that it's chilly out. After seeing some places, we split for lunch which is when Jamie and Ryan walked me to the police station. And there I got my passport back! I then had lunch with Jamie, Ryan, and Dr. Ehlers who is one of my teachers. It was super cold, but nice. I accidentally ate meat. Oops.
We then did more chapels and colleges and such and then split up to do our own thing until dinner at 6:00. I went with Kat, Kelsey, and Andy to see Blackwells, which is pretty awesome, though a little expensive. I didn't buy the books I need for my classes there because I can get them at Keble for free. Andy left, and so the rest of us continued to find a pay-as-you-go phone. Kat and Kelsey got one - I just liked looking. We then went back to the house and Mrs. Barabara, our house mother, asked me if I had any news as soon as I walked in the door. I said I did and we laughed and she said how much happier I looked. She's so super nice.
Then we went to Keble, which is probably the awesomest college of them all. The dining hall was the one that the directors wanted as Harry Potter's Great Hall. Haha! Of course, Keble wouldn't let them so they went to Christ Church instead. Dinner was a little weird (friend cheese) because I got the Vegetarian (Lent). We then went to the bar and most people had a drink, but Andy, Kelsey, and Kat and I went to the library. We found the books we needed but we couldn't check them out for some reason, so we're going back tonight for them. I just hope no one took them!
We then came back towards the house, passed it to go to the Co-op for some food. We got some essential stuff, which we're mostly splitting. I also got Squash! And Aero! And chrisps! It's very nice. Kat got wine and we had wine up in our room. I think Kat and I drank about three-halfs of the bottle. Kelsey only had a little bit. We read, studied, didn't study and went to bed!
I also found out yesterday that I left the cord that goes from computer to camera at home...so that's going to have to wait until Mom mails it or I find a new one before I can post pictures. Sorry guys!
Kat and I both woke up late, and getting ready I slammed my head into our sloped ceiling in the bathroom. Not very pleased and un-awake, I headed downstairs to grab some water before we left. In the kitchen with most everyone else, Jamie comes in, finds me and says "I have good news." Instantly awake, I reply "They found it?!" "Yup. The police called this morning...someone turned it in."
I did a little dance there in the kitchen with everyone. It was pretty funny.
We all head out for our walking tour of Oxford. It was nice weather for a tour, though I'm always going to be saying that it's chilly out. After seeing some places, we split for lunch which is when Jamie and Ryan walked me to the police station. And there I got my passport back! I then had lunch with Jamie, Ryan, and Dr. Ehlers who is one of my teachers. It was super cold, but nice. I accidentally ate meat. Oops.
We then did more chapels and colleges and such and then split up to do our own thing until dinner at 6:00. I went with Kat, Kelsey, and Andy to see Blackwells, which is pretty awesome, though a little expensive. I didn't buy the books I need for my classes there because I can get them at Keble for free. Andy left, and so the rest of us continued to find a pay-as-you-go phone. Kat and Kelsey got one - I just liked looking. We then went back to the house and Mrs. Barabara, our house mother, asked me if I had any news as soon as I walked in the door. I said I did and we laughed and she said how much happier I looked. She's so super nice.
Then we went to Keble, which is probably the awesomest college of them all. The dining hall was the one that the directors wanted as Harry Potter's Great Hall. Haha! Of course, Keble wouldn't let them so they went to Christ Church instead. Dinner was a little weird (friend cheese) because I got the Vegetarian (Lent). We then went to the bar and most people had a drink, but Andy, Kelsey, and Kat and I went to the library. We found the books we needed but we couldn't check them out for some reason, so we're going back tonight for them. I just hope no one took them!
We then came back towards the house, passed it to go to the Co-op for some food. We got some essential stuff, which we're mostly splitting. I also got Squash! And Aero! And chrisps! It's very nice. Kat got wine and we had wine up in our room. I think Kat and I drank about three-halfs of the bottle. Kelsey only had a little bit. We read, studied, didn't study and went to bed!
I also found out yesterday that I left the cord that goes from computer to camera at home...so that's going to have to wait until Mom mails it or I find a new one before I can post pictures. Sorry guys!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Day 1 : Airplane!
First of all, I am well and sitting in my new room in the Georgia Center in Oxford. It's been a tough day and a good day. And a long day. This post is going to be kind of quick (hopefully) because I am exhausted and want to sleep.
I started packing, of course, Tuesday night. I got almost everything packed, but finished in the morning. Luckily, after reworking stuffs, I got everything in in under 50 lbs on my big suitcase. Yeah, that's right. Mom and I head to the airport (hopefully have everything!) and I am so glad I did the online check-in. I was the only one in my line and just had to give them my bags and get my boarding card. Well, not so easy. The lady checking passports asked me if I had a return flight. I said no, it's a one-way ticket. She then wrote "SSSS" on my passport sticker and I got the same initials on the boarding card. I had to go through super special security.
Mom and I head to lunch - Goodbye American food! - at Chili's. Got currency before that. And then head to the security. Well, in security they didn't give me the extra check like I thought they would. When I get to the gate however, they call me to the desk and tell me something about a hole in my card and TSA having to come down to the gate. So TSA did and performed the pat-down, go through the luggage, etc. right there in front of the gate...in front of everyone...in front of a gaggle of high-school boys on tour and their parents just staring at me as I get patted down. It was a mixture of hilarity, embarassment, and anger. But whatever. Nothing I could do.
Had a nice seat, was calling after I should have turned the phone off (oops!), and met some nice people. Our plane was relatively empty and a lot of people got whole rows to themselves. I got about 2 seats - really 1 1/2. Watched some of Eagle Eye and High School Musical 3. I could not fall asleep though. I turned every which way, exhausted, and could not sleep. I think I slept a bit, but not sure how long. Had breakfast (oh, forgot to mention the wine with dinner...) and landed in Gatwick.
Here's where things get rough.
Immigration took forever. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to go through not even 100 people. Yet the UK/EU side flew through. I mean like 500 people out in 10 minutes. Ridiculous. Go up to baggage claim and try to find my luggage with this other guy who is working hospitals in London and ws on my flight. Now my suitcase is big, pretty big, black, shiny, and hard-cased. When I went to look I didn't see that. I saw my small bag, but not the big one. I kind of freaked out, found the suitcase problem station and the gentlemen told me that it was probably on the Orlando flight coming in after mine. I told him I would wait since I didn't have to be at the Oxford House until 4:00pm and it was only 8:30 or so. I wait...and wait...a good half-hour, maybe more. Finally, I go towards where the Orlando flights baggage is coming in and see the gentlemen moitioning to me. It turns out the crew took my baggage, realized when they were in customs that it wasn't theirs and took it back to the plane where they found it. Or something. Anyway, I got it back.
Leave there. Try to reach Mom on a payphone to no avail (I've been on the ground for almost two hours) and try to find a bus to Oxford. I just miss the 9 o'clock one and have to wait another hour until the 10:15 one. That comes, a lady helps me figure out where to go, etc. and I sleep for an hour on the bus. We arrive in Oxford. Ooooh. Aaah. I'll show pictures later. I get off the bus, manage somehow with my luggage (two suitcases, a duffle bag, and a purse) towards the taxi's across cobblestone. Manage to get into a taxi and he takes me to the center.
Jamie answers the door when I arrive (he worked at the UGA at Oxford Office and is staying here for a week or two) and we chat a bit. Maggie had called me right as I was getting on the plane about being on the charter bus. I knew I wouldn't make it as I was an hour behind them, but they thought I thought I would make it. So Jamie had been calling a lot and Maggie too. I told them no problem, but could I use the phone to call my Mom? Of course. Call Mom. Meet Mrs. Barabara Bradshaw, who is kind of like a house Mother, and is super nice. Get my luggage upstairs.
Can't find my passport.
Go back downstairs, exhausted and trying not to ust out crying, and tell Jamie. He says he'll call the bus company. Go upstairs. Cry. Unpack. Meet two of the three roommates (the other doesn't arrive until 5ish). Unpack some more. Get settled. Nap. I am starving, really, at this point, as I haven't eaten anything since before the plane landed. And my leg is acting funny. I don't think I stood up enough on the plane.
A house meeting, talk, get aquainted, etc. Then dinner! Woo hoo! Talk with Jamie somemore about the passport. Apparently in wasn't on the bus like I thought it would be. But, he said it'll take a couple of days for the police to get it through their system if they have it. I don't see why someone would have stolen it because they didn't take anything else. I think it fell out of my pocket or purse. Hopefully someone found it. Especially because it has my Chinese Visa in it. And I don't have the money to get a new passport AND a new Visa. Jamie says don't worry, getting a new one isn't a problem.
But I like my passport...
A whole bunch of us go to a pub down near City Centre called Turf Tavern where I order my first beer! I just asked the bartender what he liked and he picked the house beer, Turf Tavern Summer Ale. It was alright. I drank it all. Tried some of the others. There was a nice pear cider.
Kat, Andy, Kelsey and I decide to leave as it's 10:00 and head back for sleep. We get lost. End up going this huge roundabout way. But, we do see some beautiful architecture that we didn't before. Oh, I'll take more pictures and put them up here (my battery is dead). Also, as we're walking, this guy suddenly goes "Are you all from Georgia?" It's dark and he's behind us now, but I recognized his voice. It was Deep Shah! He said he recognized me from somewhere, and we chatted a bit. It was seriously conicidental, and also because Oxford isn't in term yet. Pretty cool though!
So here I am. In my a-little-bit chilly room, ready to sleep. It's the best room in the house. Big, even for four girls, with a nice bathroom and a great view. I have plenty of space for my stuff. And the bed's very comfortable. All important stuff.
I have my class schedule. It shifts each week. It's a little weird. I have a lot of reading to do before Tuesday, but we have Sunday and Monday off, so that's nice. Ummm...well, that's it for day 1 . Some tours and such tomorrow. I may call the police and see if they've found anything. I feel so stupid that I lost it. And I should have photocopied the Chinese Visa. I just...I really hope it's found. I definetly learned my lesson though.
I started packing, of course, Tuesday night. I got almost everything packed, but finished in the morning. Luckily, after reworking stuffs, I got everything in in under 50 lbs on my big suitcase. Yeah, that's right. Mom and I head to the airport (hopefully have everything!) and I am so glad I did the online check-in. I was the only one in my line and just had to give them my bags and get my boarding card. Well, not so easy. The lady checking passports asked me if I had a return flight. I said no, it's a one-way ticket. She then wrote "SSSS" on my passport sticker and I got the same initials on the boarding card. I had to go through super special security.
Mom and I head to lunch - Goodbye American food! - at Chili's. Got currency before that. And then head to the security. Well, in security they didn't give me the extra check like I thought they would. When I get to the gate however, they call me to the desk and tell me something about a hole in my card and TSA having to come down to the gate. So TSA did and performed the pat-down, go through the luggage, etc. right there in front of the gate...in front of everyone...in front of a gaggle of high-school boys on tour and their parents just staring at me as I get patted down. It was a mixture of hilarity, embarassment, and anger. But whatever. Nothing I could do.
Had a nice seat, was calling after I should have turned the phone off (oops!), and met some nice people. Our plane was relatively empty and a lot of people got whole rows to themselves. I got about 2 seats - really 1 1/2. Watched some of Eagle Eye and High School Musical 3. I could not fall asleep though. I turned every which way, exhausted, and could not sleep. I think I slept a bit, but not sure how long. Had breakfast (oh, forgot to mention the wine with dinner...) and landed in Gatwick.
Here's where things get rough.
Immigration took forever. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to go through not even 100 people. Yet the UK/EU side flew through. I mean like 500 people out in 10 minutes. Ridiculous. Go up to baggage claim and try to find my luggage with this other guy who is working hospitals in London and ws on my flight. Now my suitcase is big, pretty big, black, shiny, and hard-cased. When I went to look I didn't see that. I saw my small bag, but not the big one. I kind of freaked out, found the suitcase problem station and the gentlemen told me that it was probably on the Orlando flight coming in after mine. I told him I would wait since I didn't have to be at the Oxford House until 4:00pm and it was only 8:30 or so. I wait...and wait...a good half-hour, maybe more. Finally, I go towards where the Orlando flights baggage is coming in and see the gentlemen moitioning to me. It turns out the crew took my baggage, realized when they were in customs that it wasn't theirs and took it back to the plane where they found it. Or something. Anyway, I got it back.
Leave there. Try to reach Mom on a payphone to no avail (I've been on the ground for almost two hours) and try to find a bus to Oxford. I just miss the 9 o'clock one and have to wait another hour until the 10:15 one. That comes, a lady helps me figure out where to go, etc. and I sleep for an hour on the bus. We arrive in Oxford. Ooooh. Aaah. I'll show pictures later. I get off the bus, manage somehow with my luggage (two suitcases, a duffle bag, and a purse) towards the taxi's across cobblestone. Manage to get into a taxi and he takes me to the center.
Jamie answers the door when I arrive (he worked at the UGA at Oxford Office and is staying here for a week or two) and we chat a bit. Maggie had called me right as I was getting on the plane about being on the charter bus. I knew I wouldn't make it as I was an hour behind them, but they thought I thought I would make it. So Jamie had been calling a lot and Maggie too. I told them no problem, but could I use the phone to call my Mom? Of course. Call Mom. Meet Mrs. Barabara Bradshaw, who is kind of like a house Mother, and is super nice. Get my luggage upstairs.
Can't find my passport.
Go back downstairs, exhausted and trying not to ust out crying, and tell Jamie. He says he'll call the bus company. Go upstairs. Cry. Unpack. Meet two of the three roommates (the other doesn't arrive until 5ish). Unpack some more. Get settled. Nap. I am starving, really, at this point, as I haven't eaten anything since before the plane landed. And my leg is acting funny. I don't think I stood up enough on the plane.
A house meeting, talk, get aquainted, etc. Then dinner! Woo hoo! Talk with Jamie somemore about the passport. Apparently in wasn't on the bus like I thought it would be. But, he said it'll take a couple of days for the police to get it through their system if they have it. I don't see why someone would have stolen it because they didn't take anything else. I think it fell out of my pocket or purse. Hopefully someone found it. Especially because it has my Chinese Visa in it. And I don't have the money to get a new passport AND a new Visa. Jamie says don't worry, getting a new one isn't a problem.
But I like my passport...
A whole bunch of us go to a pub down near City Centre called Turf Tavern where I order my first beer! I just asked the bartender what he liked and he picked the house beer, Turf Tavern Summer Ale. It was alright. I drank it all. Tried some of the others. There was a nice pear cider.
Kat, Andy, Kelsey and I decide to leave as it's 10:00 and head back for sleep. We get lost. End up going this huge roundabout way. But, we do see some beautiful architecture that we didn't before. Oh, I'll take more pictures and put them up here (my battery is dead). Also, as we're walking, this guy suddenly goes "Are you all from Georgia?" It's dark and he's behind us now, but I recognized his voice. It was Deep Shah! He said he recognized me from somewhere, and we chatted a bit. It was seriously conicidental, and also because Oxford isn't in term yet. Pretty cool though!
So here I am. In my a-little-bit chilly room, ready to sleep. It's the best room in the house. Big, even for four girls, with a nice bathroom and a great view. I have plenty of space for my stuff. And the bed's very comfortable. All important stuff.
I have my class schedule. It shifts each week. It's a little weird. I have a lot of reading to do before Tuesday, but we have Sunday and Monday off, so that's nice. Ummm...well, that's it for day 1 . Some tours and such tomorrow. I may call the police and see if they've found anything. I feel so stupid that I lost it. And I should have photocopied the Chinese Visa. I just...I really hope it's found. I definetly learned my lesson though.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Starting on a new adventure
Hello everyone, and welcome again to an exciting ride on Ashley's own little TARDIS.
Just a little update on all things travel:
1) My Mom and I will be cruising the Caribbean for Spring Break, and I may post some of the more exciting moments and pictures here.
2) On March 25th, I will be leaving for Oxford University in England. All of my time there will be recorded on this blog, with lots of pictures for everyone following me!
3) After that, on June 23rd, I'll be heading straight to Hangzhou, China were I will be studying intensive Mandarin Chinese for six weeks. I'll post here in English though, just for you!
So, stay tuned for lots of excitement!
Just a little update on all things travel:
1) My Mom and I will be cruising the Caribbean for Spring Break, and I may post some of the more exciting moments and pictures here.
2) On March 25th, I will be leaving for Oxford University in England. All of my time there will be recorded on this blog, with lots of pictures for everyone following me!
3) After that, on June 23rd, I'll be heading straight to Hangzhou, China were I will be studying intensive Mandarin Chinese for six weeks. I'll post here in English though, just for you!
So, stay tuned for lots of excitement!
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