Sunday, October 31, 2010

LOST!

[Ahh the last day of October! Only two more months left in the year of 2010 and I will be spending them on the other side of the planet from everything I have ever known.] Good thoughts!

On a bottom note, I have lost my iD and debit card. Not a good look! It will be nearly 10 days before I get a new one. I think I need to become even more organized than I currently am. I always think everything is going smoothly and then BAM! Something like this happens and I realize that its not always peaches and cream. I do not understand how something like this could happen! But its going to be OK, as they say, no worries. I am trusting and believe that this is just another obstacle in life that I will overcome. Although being in Europe with no money is not good! Im hoping m new card will get here soon!

I am loving Europe right now. It is an amazing place to be and I would not trade this experience for anything. I have also completed my first assignment! [WHOOO]

First Assignment: Tomorrow I will be doing a presentation on C. Wright Mills' approach to presidential power in the US. It is a sociological approach, which is why I choose it. In his approach, Mills says that American power is in the hand of "the power elite," an elite group of people who hold critical positions in the economic, political, and military domains of the US. Together, these three domains have become the center of power in the US, and the people who are at the top of these domains are politically and administratively connects, form the social class of the power elite.

Its very interesting and it makes me think more about out government and how it works. Like many other great classes I have had in college, I think this could have made me want to become a political science major. But I'm sticking with sociology for this degree. Maybe another time. :-)


Until next time... Bye.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Leeds!

I had a Day tip to Leeds, England, which is about 2 hours west of Hull England!

This is one of he main buildings in the city center of Leeds.
I love the architecture of it. Really nice.



This building is called the corn building. I don't know why
because it has absolutely nothing to do with corn. Still nice.

One day I will go in there to go shopping!
I walked down this strip here and there were tons of
fancy shops! Louis Vuitton is by far my favorite!

Leeds was a good time. I went with a few of my buddies I met here. We called it a day trip because we leave to go and come back all in one day. It was cool. I love it there.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Half way? Really?

I just completed week 5 of classes. There are only 10 weeks in the UK's fall semester. This means I am half way there! Its hard to believe that I have reached this point already. :-?

Im not ready to go! I love it here, and I could definitely see myself living here. Hands down. Im glad I am meeting people who I know I will stay connected with. Maybe a potential house mate in the future?

But I do miss the comforts of Springfield and UIS. The knowledge of m surroundings, culture and country is a missed feeling. Something I am taking from this experience is the ability to adapt. This is a new found ability, which basically means I can adapt to almost anything. I may struggle, and even resist at first. But I eventually come out on top and excel through difficult situations. Living in another country, on another side of the world had definitely taken is course of "adaptation" on me, but in the end, everything works together for good.

SN: This girl from Romania made me the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had in life. I have officially relapsed to my 10 year old addiction to grilled cheese... YESSS... LOL

Sunday, October 24, 2010

39 Days in

It has been 39 days since I first arrived in england. Its about to be the 4th week of classes and I will be on a plane headed back home in approximately 73 more days. The time here is going fairly quickly but I am enjoying every minute of it.

Right now, it is 1am and in Chicago, but here it is 7 in the morning. Some people are now seeing the sun that I've been looking at for hours now. The mornings in England are the best times! A hot cup of tea is always a good way to start the day. The sun is shinning really bright out today. I think im going to take a nice walk to the city center and have some fish and chips!

I am finally getting adjusted to this new teaching style. There is more freedom to explore topics because tutors here do not use text books. Here, they use various novels, journals, new papers, ect, to explore topics to help student get a better understanding of the subject. I like this style better because it allows me as a student, to explore the topic in my own way. I can find out things about the subject that other students may not read or research, yet in a class discussion, the different findings and perspectives are put together in great discussions! I must say, the classroom discussions here are the best! Discussions are the best part of college! Nothing like a good discussion to get the mind stimulated!

This is a Meal I made. It is corn, with an English garlic bread.
On the garlic bread there is feta cheese, tomatoes, and lettuces.
Really good!

The food is here is pretty good.  I have noticed the vegetables are fresh, fruits are juicy, and the meats are nice and tender. I have not ate out as much as I would like to, it is fairly expensive here. But I have had a few English meals.

Well, im about to go have a cup of tea! Until next time... Be cool!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Im such a character..

CHEESSEE!!!

Today is yet another cold but sunny day near the eastern coast of England! My body is not doing to well of adjusting to the cold sea-breeze and my worries are that by the time I do adjust, back to Chicago I go! Nevertheless, no worries (*_*)...

Today I will be making plans to go to Marseille France with my friend Cloe. She lives there and is going home for a while, inviting a few friends back with her. This will be my first trip out of Hull, and it is out of the country as well! Many people have already began to do lots of traveling but I have refrained because I wanted to be sure I had everything with school together. Its not completely together, but by November 11th, it will be there.

 Right now it is 3:36 and back home it is about 9:36 in the am. Its funny how 6 hours can make such a big time difference. Then on top of that day light savings time is fast approaching and word is, it will be dark by 4:30 in the afternoon!! (WHOA!) This will be some culture shock. We will see how this goes, ill keep you posted.

These past few days have been some of the best thus far. It has been a little over a month and I can feel myself finally becoming settled within the english culture. Its weird to say, but I am beginning to let go of some of my American "ways of life" is substitute for the social norms I am now surrounded by. I think it will make the rest of my stay in England that much easer. There is a saying I just thought of 
"When is Rome, Do as the Romans..." - Easy

On another note, I still miss my people back home. I think who I miss the most is my MSS and Bonner family, they give me much love <3! Anxious to see them in the new year!  

I had totally forgot about this! I will not see the United States until 2011!! Or anyone I ever knew! I can remember saying bye to people and saying "see you next year." haha.. I never thought about that. hmm...

Well I guess I will finish studying and get ready to go to class... All these books!! Its so many...


Until next time.. Buh-Bye!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Living Simply...

"life can be as complicated as you allow it to be. Because we are raised to lived in a complex world, people tend to be more complex than life itself. However, if you choose not to allow the unnecessary things into your life, you can live simply."

Live, love, life, simply.

Today I found out I will be going to Marseille France! One of my good friends lives there and a small group of us are going home with her in early November! WHOOP!! WHOOOP!! Now that I am getting settled into classes, my travels shall begin! I am planing and hoping to go to Berlin Germany, Rome Italy, London England, Paris France, and Amsterdam The Netherlands. Im keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to make it to all of these places. We will be staying with her and her family in Marseilles, which is in the south of France. I have never been to France before and I am really excited to go!

This is Marseilles! Cant wait to get there!


Until next time... Bon au revoir!!



Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Day 35

Day 35 is a COLD day. It is extremely cold in my house. The english are definitely use to a different type of cold than I am. I don't think the cold is something I will be able to get use to. The cold here is a different type of cold, not like Chicago cold either, its like thick,hard, coldness. It hurts my face! lol

Im still trying to adjust to my courses here. It is proving to be harder than I expected. I spoke to some people and they said level 6 courses here are the equivalent to taking graduate course in the states !(><) AHH! This is proving to be pretty difficult but I am going to make it work. I am taking really interesting classes and love the library here, so this combination helps too. The library is really nice and I spend a lot of my time there studying and reading. School wise : so far so good.

I have to say I have truly met some cool people here. I hope the friendships established here will continue to grow even when I go back to the states. I find talking with them to be the best part, just sharing differences of opinions, views on life, expressing differences in cultures; its all very intriguing to me.

Sometimes, I wonder what it would have been like to stay at UIS this semester. I hear that it is changing dramatically and I want to be apart of that change!

Either way it goes, I LOVE this university and the city of hull. It is a college town hands down, and I really enjoy being here. However, I miss the people who supported me at UIS :-(

On another note, Only about 78 more days before I head home... Who knows whats going to happen between now and then? Until next time... Cheers!!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Its been one MONTH!


I went to the FAIR!
Hull, where my school is located, is also home to one the biggest traveling fair in Europe. Me and a few of my buddies & housemates went.

It was so much fun! I was able to eat some of the "carnival" foods from Europe.
Some of the best burgers ever! It was a typical burger but different at the same time. It had onions and bacon on it. MAN it was good. And the fried doughnuts are to DIE for. The best I have ever had!


I have also been here officially one month!!! Its hard to believe that one fourth of my time in Europe is gone! It is flying by!! But I am soaking up every minute of it. 

I learned something along the way, I need school. School is not an option. I'm either teaching or learning. Once I began to have lectures and attend classes, everything became much better! I enjoyed not having anything to do but it feels good to know that I have a regular routine now. 

Some of the organizations I have continued to be apart of are the International Student Association, The Black Student Union, and a project called Buddy Scheme. I have been to a few Caribbean/ Nigerian Society events and the Hull Christian Union.


I am focused and having a blast! Until next time.. CHEERS!


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Officially week 3!

It officially week 3! It has been exactly 3 weeks since I landed in London. It feels like it has been longer than that, but 3 weeks is really not a long time. Its going by pretty quick, but I am making the most of my time. I have read more books in these past 3 weeks than I ever have. I have found time to wake up peacefully every morning and go to bed and sleep peacefully. I will be honest, it does get hard at times, especially when people you care about are having hard times. When the people you talk to the most are down and out, its hard to be happy with them. Being happy alone is no fun, I'd rather share it with people I care about. However, I cannot fix the world, and I cannot save everybody from everything.

Being here for these three weeks has been like roller coaster ride. Its had ups and downs, twists and turns, and its still not over! I have a book I am reading daily and today it said something that really helped me through ["You may be in a situation where you have almost given up. Your strength is failing; your outlook is grim. Take up the shield of faith. Put the matter squarely into the Lord's hands and believe that He is in control." ] After I read this, it seemed like every worry, concern, doubt, trouble, or negative feeling I had went away. I am learning to trust this process that I am going through. I see my life changing, faster than it ever has in my entire life and I am trying to keep up.

Today I went to visit a place in town called "The Deep." It was really cool!

Here is ti basically an underground aquarium. It also illustrates the history of the worlds environment and how Humans became the dominate species. It was really nice.




Its still hard to swallow being in EUROPE! Realizing that my dreams are slowly becoming a reality, makes me dream bigger, do more and want more. I also want to give back! I want everyone to have this experience! Ill work on that when I make it back to the states. My personal journal is filling up quickly with thoughts and ideas! They are not fine-tuned yet, but soon to some!

Well as they say in Germany.... TSCHUESS & BIS BALD!!! (Good-bye & See you soon!)

[SN: Thanks roomies! :-)]

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Day 20

Day 20 is here! Its one day short of 3 weeks in England. It has been a fun time. Much is going on but all is smooth on this side. My first week of classes went pretty well. I had a little trouble finding them on the campus but I made to them eventually.

Still continuing my regular use of the gym. I have a personal trainer that came with my gym membership and my work out plan is pretty touch. I think this is going to be an interesting experience watching my body transform!


I also discovered TESCO! Tesco is the equivalent to Wal-Mart in the states, it has everything! I have been grocery shopping a few times and it is basically the same experience. Except for the fact they do not have American brand food! Also it is REALLY expensive! Im not sure if it is the exchange ate, or the actual cost of food here, either way, it is still expensive!

Getting around is fairly easy as well. I can get downtown in about 20 minutes, catching the bus. The bus stop going to the city center is only about a 2 minute walk and the one coming back is literally right in front of my flat.

Life in the UK is great! So far so good!!

Until next time.. CHEERS!

Monday, October 4, 2010

First Day of School!!


FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
CHICKA CHICKA YEEAAHH!!!

At last I have finally went to my first class after a 5 month hiatus!! Its a bitter sweet moment yet I am excited to begin my studies. My class today is called "Approaches to Presidential Power in the US" and I know this will be one of my favorites. It is about different people views [approaches] to the way they view the presidency of the United States. I think the most interesting part will be seeing the views of people whom have not lived in the US, and to see how they receive my perceptions as well.

I feel like I have been here for months, yet it is just getting started. There were so many people walking on campus today, I was slightly overwhelmed at first, yet it was exciting at the same time. Hull Unversity has over 20,000 student! A big difference from the 5,000 at UIS. There are no underground tunnels to take to class like at UIS so you see everyone moving and rushing to class. This campus is much bigger than my home campus and it will be an interesting semester adjusting. I believe by the time I am accustom to the way of life here, it will be time to go home.

SN:  Today I also learned of some devastating news. One of my students, James Jones, whom I worked very closely with father has passed away. I also knew his father very well, because of how closely I worked with this child. It is hard to imagine what my scholar is going through right now and I do not like to see children hurting. I wish I was there, to do or say something but I can't. I know I will pray for him and his family, and hope for the best. I am learning that this will be one of my struggles in my field, is how much I actually care about the well being of the children I work with. I wish I could wave a magic stick and make all of their troubles disappear but we all know this is not how things work. However, I will continue to stay focused, humble, and prayerful for him and those in need.

Until next time...

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Day 17

I am 17 days into my semester abroad. I am learning a lot as my life begins to take shape here in England. I am learning something, but I am not sure what it is called. However, for now, I will call it "world wide personality traits." [LOL] I have met many people here and have seen many things. I am learning that there are people from all over the world who act EXATLY alike! I find this to be very interesting and I know there is some sort of name someone made up for this. Nonetheless, it makes me think on a lot of things that I will speak on at a later time.

Today, I joined the gym here on campus. Since I have all of this free time, there is no excuse as to why I am not in the gym 6 days a week as I plan to do. At this moment, I weigh about 60-65KG[145-155 lbs.]. When I return to the states, I plan to be between 75-80KG[ 165-175 lbs.]. This is one of my goals I will accomplish while I am here. [I hope]

The conversions to the metric system is something I can remember from 4th or 5th grade. I wish I would have retained more of it than I did. I can quote of my teacher saying "you never know what you will need later in life."

Today has also been the first Saturday I have sat in the house and did absolutely nothing. I made my calendar for the semester, cleaned my room, ate a good lunch, worked out, and thats about it. It seems like a bit much when written out, but compared to my typical schedule from back at UIS, this is nothing. Im joining approximately 4 or 5 organizations while I am here. If I can do it at home on top of 2 jobs, I know I can do it here without none! Amnesty International, Buddy Scheme Project, Hull Christian Union, Black Student Union, Caribbean/ Nigerian Society are what I hope to become a dedicated member of.

Well... Until next time... CHEERS!

Friday, October 1, 2010

School is finally here!

"Anticipated like the iPhone..."

Finally! I begin classes Monday at 9:15!! I have taken care of all of my business [registered for classes, sent things back to UIS, everything that comes with starting school] and made a smooth transition. I am so ready to start this semester! Its amazing how much I miss school. Lets see how I am feeling in about 4 weeks!

This is a view from the top floor of my house!

Sike! I wish! Its from the top floor of my library at HU(Hull University). It is a gorgeous view and a very nice library! It is 8 stories tall and has books, books and MORE BOOKS! I was lost because here there is always a ground floor, then the next floor up is the first floor. It was weird at first. Nevertheless, this is going to be a great semester! 

Until next time.. CHEERS!