Life Lately

Hello lovely and loyal readers. This week, after my crazy London experience, was the first week of Uni! Which is strange, because Wichita State started August 16th. Over a month later, I ended what has been the best summer of my life (shout out to my TFA family -- love and miss you all!). I have classes all day Monday and Tuesday, but then my school week is over. Pretty grand, dontcha think?!

My first day of Uni! Trying to look the part. 

I liked my "lecturer," also known as professor to us Americans, for my Human Geography module. She is young but really sweet, and helped me get into the building, which has automatic locks until 8:30 am. My habit of being way too early isn't appreciated in Chester, apparently. I am also in Intro to Archaeology of the British Isle, where my lecturer was 15 minutes late and ran in, dripping with sweat. He said, "Is this archaeology," and when we all said yes, he exclaimed "Thank F^&*!" Then during class, he said "My amount of knowledge on Medieval Romans could fit on a postage stamp. So, let's hope we find a pub on our field trip." Let's just say I am weary about this course. My other courses are a primary education course down by the river every Tuesday morning (hello!) and a forensic psychology and mental health course. I am pretty excited about my course load, and excited to be in classes I wouldn't otherwise normally take back home.

After two long days, I found myself pondering just what on Earth I would do with all of my free time. Besides going to the Chester Rowing taster session down on the River Dee, I haven't done much this week. I really want to join the rowing club, but may not because it is somewhat pricey and I could only be there for 2 months of the sport. It brought back great memories and would be so neat to row for an English team. We shall see.

Today I enjoyed a lovely morning in the City Center with my gorgeous Tennessean ginger friend, Julia. We were in the search of a quaint tea room or cafe, and boy did we strike gold. In the ground beneath the shops, there lives a tea room that used to be an old crypt in the 1800's. We sipped and chatted and it was just wonderful. I still get giddy when I sit down for tea, because (1) I love tea and (2) it is so relaxing to pause during the day to enjoy a hot drink and the company of friends. I am implementing tea breaks when I return home to the States.  

Inside the Tea Press, that is actually an 1800's crypt. SO cool. 

My Earl Grey and crumpets. All for £3.80. Delightful indeed. 

The history of the tea room. Just incredible. 

The other productive thing I accomplished besides actual school these past few days is booking our Development Week adventure! Basically, one week in November, classes are paused so students can "develop" themselves by taking job training classes, computer skills classes, volunteering, or traveling to Scotland to tour the whole country. I chose the latter. And oh boy, I am beyond excited. Erica and I already booked the whole trip, train included. November 3rd, we head to Edinburgh to begin a 5 day extravaganza of Scotland. Don't worry, you will hear all about it. I am so excited I can hardly wait, but I also don't want the time to go so fast that I am back to a normal life again and my European vacation semester is over.

It rained tongiht! So obvi I grabbed my pink wellies (thanks Gap! xoxo) and matching umbrella. Blending in, right?

Tonight, a few of the girls and I went into town to shop around, and we stumbled into Central Perk Cafe. This place is straight out of Friends, and oh so adorable. It happened to be trivia and live music night, so we made ourselves at home. I really wanted to ask the guy if I could play a song, but maybe I will have the courage next week.

Being serenaded by a precious British boy while sipping a hot latte and playing Friends Trivia at the Central Perk. He played Celine Dion, so I sort of fell in love. 

I am thankful for this semester and for the girls I have met through this exchange. I am thankful to be in England with my sis and sharing a room again (those 17 and a half years just weren't enough). Tonight I helped Erica study for her Pharmacology test tomorrow, and I got us giggling the whole time with my pronunciations of the terms. If you need help, Skype me. I can be of great assistance, nursing majors.
But most of all, I am thankful to be living a life of European bliss. It doesn't feel different or unbelievable in the moment, but when I look at my pictures or recount my day, I just can't believe that this is my life and how perfectly things worked out. I know not many people can say they lived in England for three months. As much as I miss being in Wichita with my family and friends, being in Chester is incredible.

That's all for now. All my love, family and friends!