Totally Spoiled
Sometimes I feel like I should not update livejournal because usually when I do I am reminded about how unbelievable lucky I am to be here and to get to see so many cool things. I seriously already am thinking about when I am going to come back to the UK and stay here for reals (because this summer program, although fun and all, is not reality at all).
Last weekend was the first weekend since the very first weekend of the program that I have been able to sleep in my own bed because I haven't been off somewhere traveling. The first weekend, it was York, which was a really cool English city in the north with lots of history (like Roman ruins, Anglo-Saxon walls, and a Nordic (sp?) tower). Then we were in Limmerick, Ireland, which was the shortest trip EVER (I was only there for one evening, one full day, and one morning), but was probably the most amazing experience I have had since I have been here. By pure luck we found out about these bus tours of the area, so we took one and got to see all of this Irish countryside, which is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS. And I got to see Bunratty Castle, which aside from being a cool castle (that involved some interesting maneuvering of Christine, Marina, and I as we climbed the narrow staircases with all of our luggage in tow) has a full replica of a medieval village too, including livestock and agriculture. So yes, I definitely plan to return to Ireland and will be taking applications for travel buddies in the distant future (when me money comes back. Unfortunately we didn't catch any leprachauns, and we could have used their pot of gold). And last weekend was Scotland. If you read the Megabus story (which I was surprised at how many people did), you know the journey there was quite an experience. But Scotland itself was wonderful and we spent a day in Glasgow (which has some gorgeous parts, like the University of Glasgow, but is overall too industrial for me), a day in Edinburgh (seriously a cool city, I could have spent like a week there), and a day touring the Scotland Highlands (including Loch Ness and the beautiful countryside). So yes, I'm very spoiled.
And this last weekend, although I wasn't on any big trips, was an equally full weekend. On Saturday we went to Canterbury and saw the Cathedral and this wax reinactment of "The Canterbury Tales." I must say, I was quite excited to be in the city after wading through "The Canterbury Tales" all of Spring Quarter. Then on Sunday we went to Windsor Castle and Eton College, both very important places in the lives of Princes William and Harry. It was seriously probably the closest I have (and may ever) get to them, and I owe Kendra, Marina, and Robert for dealing with my excited ramblings of "Just think-Maybe Prince William walked along this street!" or "I bet Prince Harry touched this!" Yeah, I know, I'm a dork, but it was a big day in the life of GMBB.
Tomorrow I am going with my UCLA RA friend Jen to Lewes castle (which is fairly nearby) and at night we are going with Sussex Uni (I think it is such a funny nickname) to see "Guys and Dolls." I am REALLY hoping Ewan McGregor is on stage-I love him! So keep your fingers crossed! And this weekend it is Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon. I love my life.
And, to tie in with the theme that I am spoiled and living in an alternate universe, this evening I called my dad and he actually told me, without any prodding or asking on my own accord, that he was going to put money in my checking account next week. Talk about luck! I was totally just beginning to swallow my pride so that I could ask him next week for more money. I hate that things are so expensive here, but seriously what can you do? Who knows when I will be here again? Anyway, last time I tried to move money from my savings account to my checking account my bank had a gliche and called my dad (stupid Bank of the West), so he canceled the transaction and put money in himself. And now, he is doing it again. That is TWICE that I have been saved from humble pie. Seriously, when did my dad become cool?
Alright, time to go to bed. For those of you expecting postcards, I finally finished a big batch, so they should be coming in the near future (sorry for the delay).
Last weekend was the first weekend since the very first weekend of the program that I have been able to sleep in my own bed because I haven't been off somewhere traveling. The first weekend, it was York, which was a really cool English city in the north with lots of history (like Roman ruins, Anglo-Saxon walls, and a Nordic (sp?) tower). Then we were in Limmerick, Ireland, which was the shortest trip EVER (I was only there for one evening, one full day, and one morning), but was probably the most amazing experience I have had since I have been here. By pure luck we found out about these bus tours of the area, so we took one and got to see all of this Irish countryside, which is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS. And I got to see Bunratty Castle, which aside from being a cool castle (that involved some interesting maneuvering of Christine, Marina, and I as we climbed the narrow staircases with all of our luggage in tow) has a full replica of a medieval village too, including livestock and agriculture. So yes, I definitely plan to return to Ireland and will be taking applications for travel buddies in the distant future (when me money comes back. Unfortunately we didn't catch any leprachauns, and we could have used their pot of gold). And last weekend was Scotland. If you read the Megabus story (which I was surprised at how many people did), you know the journey there was quite an experience. But Scotland itself was wonderful and we spent a day in Glasgow (which has some gorgeous parts, like the University of Glasgow, but is overall too industrial for me), a day in Edinburgh (seriously a cool city, I could have spent like a week there), and a day touring the Scotland Highlands (including Loch Ness and the beautiful countryside). So yes, I'm very spoiled.
And this last weekend, although I wasn't on any big trips, was an equally full weekend. On Saturday we went to Canterbury and saw the Cathedral and this wax reinactment of "The Canterbury Tales." I must say, I was quite excited to be in the city after wading through "The Canterbury Tales" all of Spring Quarter. Then on Sunday we went to Windsor Castle and Eton College, both very important places in the lives of Princes William and Harry. It was seriously probably the closest I have (and may ever) get to them, and I owe Kendra, Marina, and Robert for dealing with my excited ramblings of "Just think-Maybe Prince William walked along this street!" or "I bet Prince Harry touched this!" Yeah, I know, I'm a dork, but it was a big day in the life of GMBB.
Tomorrow I am going with my UCLA RA friend Jen to Lewes castle (which is fairly nearby) and at night we are going with Sussex Uni (I think it is such a funny nickname) to see "Guys and Dolls." I am REALLY hoping Ewan McGregor is on stage-I love him! So keep your fingers crossed! And this weekend it is Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon. I love my life.
And, to tie in with the theme that I am spoiled and living in an alternate universe, this evening I called my dad and he actually told me, without any prodding or asking on my own accord, that he was going to put money in my checking account next week. Talk about luck! I was totally just beginning to swallow my pride so that I could ask him next week for more money. I hate that things are so expensive here, but seriously what can you do? Who knows when I will be here again? Anyway, last time I tried to move money from my savings account to my checking account my bank had a gliche and called my dad (stupid Bank of the West), so he canceled the transaction and put money in himself. And now, he is doing it again. That is TWICE that I have been saved from humble pie. Seriously, when did my dad become cool?
Alright, time to go to bed. For those of you expecting postcards, I finally finished a big batch, so they should be coming in the near future (sorry for the delay).