38 days

38 days until my flight! I have had so much to do in preparation. First of all, I have to acquire a visa from the British Consulate in New York! I had to fill out an online application, go into Boston for a biometrics appointment where they put in my information from my passport/license, took my fingerprints, and my photo. The next day, I had to get my photos done at Triple A to sent to the consulate in the mail, along with my tier 4 self assessment, a copy of my application, and my actual passport (which makes me a little nervous.) But it is under review and I find out soon if I am approved!

On another note, I received my housing allocations, the school I will be working at, and my class schedule! I am living near the River Avon on a cobblestone street with 3 roommates, also from ASE. I am working at Hayesfeild School for Girls in the History department all day on tuesdays, and I am taking the 8 credit education programme, History of the Middle Ages: the formation of England 400-1400, and Tudor and Stuart England. Everything is coming together!

I love Saint Mike's so much, but I am so excited to be getting this amazing experience!

Keep Calm and Follow the Moon:) 

Let it Snow!....Please?

Its finally December 1st! December, besides September, is my favorite month.  Yes, I love Christmas. Who doesn't? But I do not love it for the superficial fact that I get presents.  It is the feeling that Christmas brings.  I try to not get stressed about the holidays and enjoy them for what they are supposed to be: spending time with people you love.  My mom and I have a wonderful tradition of seeing Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker every year.  It is hands down my favorite tradition. Ever. We often go in to town early, grab dinner on Newbury Street, and then go into the show. My dad drives us in, eats dinner with us, and then goes Christmas shopping (Ballet is not his favorite thing...understandably). But it is a great time and I love getting to bond with my Mom.  Now that I am in college I truly appreciate my time with my family a lot more.

Last Year we had great seats! So close (this is the curtain for the performance)

Another fabulous tradition my family has is hosting a Christmas Eve party at my house.  It is so fun, filled with laughter, food, drink, and cheer.  We always have a Yankee swap, which is so entertaining.  Everyone gets so intense and pushy about their gifts, but its all in good fun. 

Here are some photos from a McCarter Christmas :) 

Its hard to enjoy the beginning of December with all of the stress of school.  I have a huge paper due next week on Psychological Warfare in WWII, a lesson plan, and a paper on Orwell's 1984. But for me, finals will be pretty simple, consisting of only a take-home exam in my Christianity class (I lucked out this year)  But I will try and make time for my wonderful friends who I won't see for  quite a while and maybe go out to dinner some night before finals. 

But these are some of the many reasons why I love December and Christmastime. 

Do you have any fun traditions of your own?

Keep Calm and Follow the Moon:)

Thankful

Over this past week at home, which was arguably the best week I have had in a while, I booked my plane ticket! I depart from Logan at 6:15pm on January 29th, arrive in Dublin around 5:30am on January 30th, then arrive in Bristol at 7:30am.  I then take a train from Bristol to Bath, which is only approximately 15 miles away.  I then get picked up by my program at the train station and they take me to my place of residence, which I find out this week! I also find out who my flatmates are and what classes I got into.


Buying my plane ticket made everything seem so real.  It is going to be bittersweet going abroad, considering some of my closest friends are graduating in May. The weekend before we went home for Thanksgiving, some of my close friends held our own Thanksgiving in their townhouse, filled with homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato, green bean casserole, and even a real turkey! It was so delicious.  Lynne even made homemade hard cider. It was all so amazing.

Our Delicious Food! (sans the turkey...it was in the process of being carved)

We are classy and eat on the floor 

While we were eating, we all said what we were thankful for.  The first time we went around we did jokes and corny things. For example, I said I was thankful for twitter so I could live tweet our entire meal (which I did).  The second time around, however, we were serious, and a lot of us ended up crying.  I obviously said I was thankful for my family who has provided me with everything I could ever ask for and more, are unconditional in their love, and support me with whatever I decide, especially in terms of abroad.  Secondly, I am thankful for my family at school.  While the dinner was just Hilary, Kendal, Liz, Maggie, Lynne, Emma, and I, I am so thankful for my family at school.  These 6 ladies plus a few have been my support systems, especially this past year.  I ended up crying because I really do not know what I will do next year without them.  They are amazing, strong women who will all have such an impact in whatever they do and I am so proud they are graduating.  I just cannot fathom the fact I only have 2 weeks left with them.



All in all, I am so thankful to be going to England because I know it will be the time of my life. I am just not ready to say goodbye and I know it will be bittersweet.

Keep Calm and Follow the Moon

Schedule of Events

Spring Semester (2012)
January 30 (Monday)	Arrive in Bath
Jan 31 - Feb 5	Orientation Week
Feb 6	Classes Begin
Mar 17 - 23	At Oxford
March 30 - April 8	Spring Break
May 7 - 11	At Stratford-upon-Avon
May 14 - 17	Examination Week
May 18	Semester Ends
May 19 (Saturday)	Departure Day

I am so excited. This is surreal. These events are actually happening. I am planning on spending Spring Break in Milan, Italy.  I have connections there so I would not have to pay for a hostel. My family hosted two beautiful young ladies from Italy 3 summers ago and we still keep in touch with them and they are begging me to come visit.  Why not.
The classes I am taking are an 8 credit Education Programme, Irish Nationalisms, and Tudor and Stuart England.  The study trips include a weekend trip to Dublin and to the Montacute house.
Keep Calm and Follow the Moon

Well That Was Fast

I received an email this morning telling me I am accepted for Advanced Studies in England for Spring 2012! Wee!!!! I am so excited. I also received my Pre-Arrivals info packets and forms. I am so excited, but also a little nervous. I have never traveled out of the country except Canada when I was 7, the Caymen Islands when I was 9, and Puerto Rico when I was 18.  I traveled to all those places with my family. To make matters worse, I have never left the east coast of the United States. To say I have lived a sheltered life is an understatement.  I think I am the most nervous about traveling alone and flying to Bath by myself. But this is what I get to look forward to:

I am so excited:) I have dreamt of going to England for the longest time and to be able to teach in a school over there is absolutely amazing.  

Keep Calm and Follow the Moon

Crunch Time

My application for Advanced Studies in England is under consideration as we speak. Its not a rolling application, so although my application got to Bath a week ago, they did not begin reviewing it until yesterday.  I am very nervous, although I know I probably shouldn't be because Saint Mike's is on the board of affiliates.  Going to England has been a dream of mine for so long and I will be absolutely crushed if I get rejected.  Please please please keep your fingers crossed for me! 

On another note, it is crunch time in the semester.  I have so many research papers/reading to do and its really overwhelming.  If school work wasn't enough, I have personal situations going on that I am trying to push to the back burner.  As if I need more stress! As much as I hate wishing time away, I just want this stupid semester to be over. 

Keep calm and follow the moon