Day One of my adventure was a blur. The 8 hour and 40 min. plane ride was surprisingly fast. I watched a movie and then tried to sleep and then before I knew it, I was there! From the London airport, we took a bus to Oxford, it took about an hour and ten mins to get there and the roadside scenery was beautiful. Upon arriving in Oxford we got to move into our precious house we are living in. (I'm including a picture below) Luckily I get to be roommates with my two friends Lizzie and Ashley so that turned out great!
After moving in, we had a quick lunch in the house (with tea of course!) and then they took us for a walk around Oxford. We got to see some beautiful sights and architecture. The sun was out today so actually the weather was beautiful, still cold, but not miserable at all. Pictures I am including are: a beautiful bridge in University Park, the Natural Science Museum, and the Bodleian library.
After a mini tour they just let us do our own exploring. Ashley, Lizzie, and I went to a covered market and got cookies and hot chocolate. After that we went to the grocery store and had our first grown up shopping experience, needless to say it was not the easiest thing ever. They have noticeable differences in food products. Not many things are prepackaged, but the food is a lot fresher. Their bread slices are a lot bigger than ours, they don't refrigerate their eggs and they're all cage-free, and they don't buy as much at one time because it doesn't stay good as long because they don't use preservatives in their food. So in the end all we ended up buying is breakfast food basically.
The walk home seemed pretty far, but I guess I better get used to it! Although Oxford is a smaller city I definitely still do not know my way around. After coming back to unpack, Ashley and I went to the Rose and Crown and had our first pub experience. At a pub you have to first go and find the bar area and then order. Although we had no idea what we were doing (a common theme on this trip), the people were friendly and helped us out. We got a typical english meal - meat, potatoes, and peas. It was pretty yummy. After holding out until 8pm to fall asleep we got 14 hours of sleep and mostly got rid of our jet lag.
So that pretty much sums up my first day, I'll try to keep posting pictures and keep you all updated as much as I can !!!
Hello All!
Today is exactly one week before I leave for Oxford, England! Therefore, I felt it only appropriate that my blog writing should begin today. I'm not sure exactly what one writes in blogs, so bear with me as this may not be witty or even entertaining!
All I have done today is sleep in for probably the third time over the break (which was fantastic!), go to Nicole's to borrow a few things for my trip, one of which is a giant suitcase in which I can fit inside. That would be the picture you can see below. Then I met up for some British tips with the music minister of my church who is from England and went to Oxford University. He said words like "fancy" and "lovely" that make me oh so excited for the "lovely" british accent that awaits me in England. :) Then I went to Walmart and Target to get some necessities like space bags to pack with and travel size everything.
Well, that's all the updating I've got for now! I would love feedback via comments to 1) let me know that people are actually reading this and 2) so that I can know what you guys would like to hear about my trip, suggestions for traveling in Europe, and just anything at all!!!
I'll leave you with my favorite verse that will hopefully get me through the tough/rocky parts of my trip and that will serve as a daily reminder of the awesome God who has blessed me beyond measure with the opportunity to study abroad. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
