Dorky in Yorky

Took a day trip to York on Saturday, and I know I keep saying this, but it is my new favourite place. Each is better than the last. Other than it being freezing, which I also keep saying, it was a perfect day. My man Rick Steves (it's a book) recommended that if you were to only go to two places in England, make them London and York. So that tells you at least something about the place.

9:40: Arrived at the train station, grabbed a McDonald’s coffee and breakfast bagel that changed my life and boarded the train. I sat next to a cute old Irish man who offered me his newspaper while I chomped bagel in his ear. I love the train. Plus, my ticket was really cheap because I got a new rail card. Look how cute and “cross” I am. Click it. Make it big. Hehe.

Sometimes my eyes just accidently look at my nose.
It's not the first time, I'll tell ya that much. ;)

10:20(ish?): Arrived in York. Snowing slightly, only naturally since I didn’t bring my gloves, raincoat, umbrella, or ear-warmers. We went straight to Betty’s tea room (it’s famous—google it) and if you’re my cousin and you like tea and you’re reading this, I may or may not have bought you a little treat while I was there ;). This was def my fave part of the day. Me and Emily split the big tea shebang and practically had to take out a loan for it. But it was worth it. Sorry, dad. I’m culturing myself, okay? I savored each of the little sandwiches and pastries like it was the last meal I’d ever have; closing my eyes and drooling with each bite. YUM. We were the least classy people there, but didn’t even care.

Please look at this honey. Yes. It's honey.
Don't you just want to shove that whole thing in your mouth?

Ma own dang pot o' tea. Get off me. 

Me, Emily, and a tastin' of the world's most overpriced pastries.

I lifted my tea for the pic. It was my pose, obvi.

Beca and Betty. Two neat gals with myself.

I’ve now lost track of time: We walked around and explored. And took some pictures, so here you go.

Just being freezing on a famous street in York. It's called The Shambles.
Some of you are about to receive a postcard with a pic of this street on it. Here it is with me!

"Excuse me, ma'am. You don't look like you'd steal my camera. Will you take our picture, please?"

Here's a better pic of The Shambles. And of a stranger's back.

Around 4:00: Early dinner at this hip bar/pub/club? (I’m really not sure of the difference in all of these, still.) We were STARVING and turning evil, so we tried to quickly find a place. I ordered a salad because I’m always really healthy and then I regretted it as soon as it was in front of me and I determined I hate healthy food. I mean, it was fine. But a bacon cheeseburger and some chips (fries) would’ve been 600 times better.

My sweet little Kindalin. I have no idea what scenery we are posed with here.
We were just starving and looking hot with our matching French braids,
half-fake-hungry smiles, and some canal.

Went for a few dranks afterward, played would you rather, and solved the world’s problems. Then we went on a ghost tour since York is ranked by Guinness world records as the most haunted town in the world. I read that somewhere. Who knows how reputable that info is, though. The tour guide was entertaining and it was only 3 pounds, but once again, I couldn’t feel my toes for the duration of the tour. Or for like 6 hours afterward.

This is him. I don't know his name or anything.

I swear this was a way funner day than this blog post is describing.

Well, whatever. Tuesday was Chase’s birthday and it was definitely one of my favourite days in Leeds (not in all of England, but just in Leeds) so far. We explored more of the town/ city(?) and made some awesome discoveries. It’s hard to believe I am living in the 3^rd largest city in England and have yet to discover SO much. We went to the market which is basically just that. Lots of people set up in tents in a partially indoor and partially outdoor set up selling all kinds of sheet. Mostly stuff you wouldn’t ever want like plastic-but-looks-like-metal ring watches, Nokia cell phone chargers, 5 bags of cheddar Goldfish for 1 pound that expired in November, slap bracelets etc…, but some of it was good. Like, there’s a meat market. And the raw meat actually looked decent for being raw meat. And I just enjoyed the atmosphere. I can see myself buying something of substance there eventually. And then sorta near-by was this big super dome-esque building called The Corn Exchange. Back in 1864, that’s exactly what it was. Except that I’m sure they didn’t just trade corn for corn, right? Probably corn for cattle? Corn for rice? I don’t know. Something like that. Regardless, I LOVED IT THERE. It is so dang cute and cool on the inside and the shops were really nice. Of course, my favourite was this little retro gourmet hot dog shop called Primo’s. I had a hot dog that made me want to slap ma mama. Sorry, momsy. It was a Bratsworth (I have no idea how to spell or say that word—stop judging) weiner with chili, cheese, and coleslaw all piled on the softest bread. Changed my life. As does all delicious food items I eat.

Now picture cattle running around here waiting to be traded for corn.

This is just a pretty picture I took of my cool new college town. Or city. Whatev.

Then, I found some green pants (trousers is what I should say. Pants here are what you Americans would call pantIES… awk.) which I’ve been on a serious mission to find for St. Patrick’s day which I’ll be spending in the Ire! Got ‘em from this place called Joule’s, which my girl @maclayto would love. It’s apparently a total British place to shop, so I figured that for my first investment in clothing since I’ve been here, I might as well. Plus, they were on sale. Obviously. High five, dad! So dang frugal.

Boldly British. How stinkin' cute.
Is it inappro to leave the tags on them? That's a thing, isn't it?

At the end of Tuesday, we went out to dinner and then to this bar to celebrate Chase’s life and me finally not being the oldest one of my friends by at least a year. Yay to feeling 22! 

Boom Boom Pow.

The lucky ones who sat across from me. Sorry for cropping you out, Scott and Peter.

Otha side of the table. Look at that hunky birthday boy.

It was a fun and wholesome night during which I took this, the most loving video ever, of my friend Emily. She’s Australian, obviously. I really don’t even remember why I had my phone on record, but I am so glad I captured this moment as she reflects on our future apart on opposite sides of the world. Bummed I accidently cropped out the kiss she blows at the end, but at least I got the main chunk.

I get to hear this accent every day. Don’t be jealy. 

Just LEEDing a normal life

Hello friends, family, strangers. Just thought it appropriate to fill you in on the average day here at my new school. Obvi these pics were not all taken in the same day, but I'll walk you through the thrills that are my average weekday. Typically. This will probably be the most boring blahg ever, but to fulfill the requests I've had, here goes nuffin. Weekends are way more exciting, which is why each weekend gets its own post. We good on that?

First, I wake up. Do y'all do that in America? Or is that just a European thing? Most days I have to wake up early (like 8:30ish), but on Thursdays and Fridays I don't have class until the afternoon. So that's stinking fabulous.

Here's my home. It doesn't look like this today. (Today was SUNNY! More on that later.) But this is the gist of it. People can parallel park their cars like bosses here, also. Puts us to shame, y'all.  

Here's what it looks like when I walk from my room to class. Cute, right? I try to be sneaky with my pics. Tourist traits are geeky to have. I have a social status to uphold here, folks.

On the way, I stop to grab breakfast, which 99% of the time is a croissant. The chocolate ones rock my world. This particular photographed morning, my beverage choice was water(?). Gross. I must have been feeling really awake or really poor that day because I usually have a coffee, too. I also grab a sandwich to throw in my backpack since my lunch break is really time limited. Ham and cheese... gourmet.

On Mondays and Wednesdays I have class in this beautiful building alllll dayyyy longggg. But I almost don't even mind it because I really like the girls (yes, all girls) in there with me. It's a pre-nursing class. My presentation on the liver that I gave on Monday was for this class. I did decently, FYI. One chick even came up to me after class ("course") and said, "You did really well. It really didn't even matter what you were saying because with your accent, you sound so clever!" Amen to that, sista. I'll take it.

Most other days of the week, my classes are in this building. It's called Roger Stevens. Oh, Roggy. Though I'm no architect, I know this is the mostly poorly designed building I have ever stepped foot in. Or at least in the top 10. To this day, I still have to plan time to get lost on the way to my classes in there. It's insane. I won't bother describing it, but here's a pic of what the classrooms look like. 

Taa daa. As you can see if you have eyes, there is a door that opens to every row within the classroom. Which means that every room has about 15 doors. Give or take. Does that sound financially feasible to you?? Last time I designed a building, it was way more efficient than that. Additionally, if you want to leave in the middle of class, sorry. You can't. You are LITERALLY TRAPPED. I am fearing the day someone has to throw up and the whole class has to be evacuated.

Here's a butt ton of stairs I have to walk up twice a week. Seriously, this is my exercise regimen. And I'm def okay with that. They continue on beyond what the picture shows, so feel some sympathy, will ya? Or don't. 

Took this picture today. IT WAS SUNNY AND SO BEAUTIFUL! Felt like I was back in America again. It was 0 degrees Celsius, but in some areas, I hardly needed my scarf and gloves. YAY. They even turned the fountain back on. It has been frozen since I got here, so seeing this was new to me. Preeeeetty.

At dinner, I eat dinner, however, I always finish it off with some chocolates to wash down the stuff I ate that I didn't like. Pictured is myself, formerly a model, and my new favorite type of chocolate: Dairy Milk Caramels. Make a special request, and I'll bring some back for ya. I'm on vacation, I can eat what I want, right?

Here's the common room in my building where peeps sit around and be common. I've watched a couple of movies in here, done some Facebooking and blahg updating, and pregamed here. It's basically just a room is what I'm getting at. Took this picture during the super bowl party. Aren't the American flag decorations just precious?

Here's my (our-- I share it with 4 other girls) bathroom and shower. The shower entrance is as wide as my hips, to give you a visual. You're welcome for that. I'm sure you are thrilled to know what my bathroom looks like. Sleep peacefully, now, y'all. (Notice the two-fauceted sink.)

And here's the most hilarious/ awful thing about my bathroom. Meet our toilet paper roll. The worst invention (second to my sink which has two faucets: one for cold water, one for hot water, and none for warm water) and most hilarious invention all in one. On the left, you will see the toilet paper roll functioning properly. When you pull on the paper, you'll receive one square. It is then that you pull again. And again. And again. BUT NOT TOO QUICKLY! (Or too slowly-- identifying the correct pulling speed is key.) Or else, the wrath of the toilet paper dispenser will come upon you and your little streaming sheets of squares will get stuck in the locked (literally-- it is locked) blue roll of death. And then you have to use paper towels. And your flat mates will hate you.

Then, I wind down by (sometimes) Skyping my fam or friends. Hey cutest dad ever!  Or.....

....by going out for a few dranks... I can't say I prefer one over the other.  Skyping the 'rents, sippin' a Louisiana Jam, whatev. You know.

But no matter what, I always end the night with my ear drops so I don't go deaf. And then I write an entry in my journal about the best part of my day. Life is so good.

Willy Shakespy and friends

View from my bedroom window as I type. Brr.

I’m no weather woman (although I did consider it for about a week once) but it looks like a dang blizzard outside. The snow is coming down so heavily and horizontally that I had to whip out my umbrella and carry it in front of me like a body shield. I’m so medieval. Figured it’d be a good time to blahg since I’ve taken cover for now in my cozy bedroom with the KING CAKE I just received in the mail from the world’s greatest grandparents. It sounds petty, but it honestly made my day. And my week. Possibly even my month. I got a whiff as I was carrying it upstairs to my room and literally started running and giggling and couldn’t rip it open quickly enough.

On the way to pick up my package today.
Hi blizzard. Hi weird, umbrella-ed American.

Last weekend I visited Stratford-upon-Avon (the town is Stratford, but there are two Stratfords in England, so they clarify the two by saying that this one is upon the Avon river…. Hence “upon-Avon”) which is Shakespeare’s birthplace. I know Shakespeare is one of the most famous guys ever, but I can’t sit here and claim to be a huge Willy Shakespy history or poetry buff. I’m just not. You can’t even get me to read Harry Potter. Or the newspaper for that matter. Regardless, it was kinda cool being in his hood and all. I got to see his house where his dad sold leather gloves out of a window and his grave, which I took a picture next to, but felt bad smiling in. You’re not supposed to smile next to graves, are you? Whatev. So the pic is awkward.

Willy's house. See that window on the first floor on my right?
That's where his dad sold gloves. That's all I've got.

We also went on a river cruise down the Avon river during which we drank afternoon tea. I really love afternoon tea—but only when I use 600 sugar packets and cream. I’m from the most obese country in the world. From the most obese state within that country. From the most obese town within that state. Of course I make my afternoon tea delicious. Want some? 

It was a lovely time, even though the weather was pretty nasty the whole time we were there. It was much less touristy and much more quaint than Liverpool was, which I really, really liked. We even had the most delicious meal I’ve had since I’ve been on this continent that morning when we first arrived at a little café amongst locals. Can’t complain there.

This is a door from Shakespeare's time in the church
he's buried in. I'm not really sure what year that was. But, this is a
fact: People were short back then. Isn't that awesome. I'm being serious.
See how short this door is?! It's the little things. Pun intended.

Last night, I went ice-skating and it was a blast. I’m sorta good. Not good, but not terrible. I’m alright. The only time I turn really bad is when someone in front of me crashes. I am not good at turning or veering or stopping shortly. It was cold and there were tons of humans there, but it was super fun. Beca, who is president of the halls (say halls with a British accent and what do you get?...... go ahead, say it in your head… I’ll give you a hint: It kind of rhymes with “bores.” So we say she’s president of the…. Funny, eh?) arranged it per the usual and always does such a splendid job. 

Here, meet some of my friends so that when I say their name,
you have a visual. 

Here, meet some more.

I went naturale on the afro. Preeeeetty.

All in all, things are really well. It’s starting to feel very normal here. I do what I do in America, only not in America. Traveling on the weekends and experiencing the new culture, night life, and awesome people, are about the only differences and obviously, those rock. As for during the school week, I’m… in school and it's very different than school in America. So it’s not all butterflies, king cake and rainbows. I have a presentation on the liver on Monday, (which I am not too worried about being that the most interesting thing about me standing in front of the classroom will be my coonass American accent and not the facts I have in regard to liver disease), tons of articles to read for each of my classes, group projects and people I need to meet with, and postcards to mail to all you cool folks back home. So while you’re in class or doing laundry or working or taking a nap in the middle of the day, don’t assume I’m not doing the same thing. I mean, doing it in Europe does add quite a ton of pizzazz to the normal daily routine, but the bottom line is that I’m not 100% on vacation. This is sorta my “normal life” for now! Looking forward to doing some more exciting side trips soon, though. YAY! Next on the agenda is York next weekend, followed by Bath and Stonehenge (hopefully) and soon after I’ll be in Ireland for St. Patrick’s day (!!!). Then, taking a mini/not-so-mini tour for 14 days around Eastern Europe: Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, and France. I feel very lucky to be here and have this opportunity, just in case I haven’t mentioned that. It’s all still so surreal to me. And who knows if I’ll ever have an opportunity even kind of close to this in my life again, so I’m soaking it in, y’all. When in Rome, eh?