Orientation Week

If I had to put this week into one word, I would call it “busy”.

Orientation started on Monday and I was in desperate need of some cash for a cab- well, Sunday night I found out my bank had put a lock on my account because there was unusual spending- most of which was a mix-up. I told the bank that I was going to be in England- but I guess they didn’t realize how much I would be spending in England. Generally, my account has maybe $100 in it and I take out like $20 each withdrawal. Haha- yeah, now having to pay for trips, taxis, all meals out (as we have been living in a hotel) etc, I have 10 times the amount in my checking account and I am taking out a proportionate amount.  They freaked out a bit.

Oh, but the worst part was that the bank tried to trick me! So I call the fraud office and an automated voice told me to “please verify your last 3 transactions”- this is Monday morning now. Well the first one was for that day- thinking, “well, I still have my bank card, no one stole it, I guess I will just assume a check went through or something” I pressed that I did spend that- and then I approved the latter 2 transactions- well, here is where the trick was, I really hadn’t made a transaction that day (but I didn’t know that until later)- and since I pressed yes, it wouldn’t fix my hold, so I started to freak out- I had to catch a cab in like 15 minutes- Finally, I had to call again, 100 times later, go through the process again, say that I didn’t make the transaction, talk to a fraud representative and spend all of my international minutes telling the people that I didn’t really make a transaction that day. Why would they do that? UGH!!!

 So during this whole process, I began to look online for a cab that would take credit cards, and finally I found one. So, I got in a cab from Jon’s house and took the confusing ride to Euston Thistle with my 3 bags (total weighing approximately 110 lbs.

At the hotel I met lots of other Queen Mary students (as well as students attending other universities like Goldsmiths, Kings, and London NOW) and felt a bit more at home- though we did have to wait in the lobby for more than an hour before they would check us in.

My roommate at the hotel’s name is Taryn. She is a delightful person! She was super sweet about my messiness and forgetfulness. The hotel would only give us one key between the two of us and I was constantly wondering off with it- not even thinking about her not being about to get back in- I have always had multiple keys for a hotel. However, she was super sweet about it all and I think her and the receptionist got on a first name basis with all the new keys she had to get made- oops!

Day 1 of Orientation I met my new “group”- 5 boys from Northwestern University- Ryan, Yanni (I think that’s how you spell it), Marc, Steve and Nate. Ryan is a tall, red headed guy who plays sports and is in Phi Delta Theta back home. Steve, Marc and Yanni are fraternity brothers (SAE) and are the most hilarious people I have ever met. Yanni, whom I have mistakenly given the nickname of “balls”- which he now hates but the boys still call him that (again- another oops), is super sweet and I would say the most “sensitive” of the guys- though he will never admit he is actually a nice guy. Marc is the “gossip queen” of the group and loves knowing everything about everything. He is from California and fittingly worked for E! this summer- doing, of course, gossip writing. Steve is the sarcastic one. Though all of them are pretty sarcastic and tease me mercilessly, Steve takes the cake. However, he still has his sweet moments. Nate, the last of the group, is also a theatre person. He is a performer/director/set designer at Northwestern and I have no doubt in my mind that he is bursting with talent.

These boys have been my primary companions this week. Of course I am hanging out with Sam, Kate and Carolyn- but these boys also come along for the ride.

As I said, this week has been extremely “busy”. Monday night we all went out to a local pub called “The Rocket” where I really got to know my new cohorts. Tuesday was full of meetings and then that night, a new experience for me- watching “True Blood”- a show about vampires I am positive I will never watch again. Wednesday was another day of meetings- one of which was the Harry Gibney, my advisor and least favorite person in this country as of late- hopefully that will change. Wednesday night we went to see “La Cage aux Folles” or “The Bird Cage” and it was AMAZING! The story is about a couple, two men- one homosexual and one transsexual who own a drag club and their relationship as they deal with their son getting married to a woman who’s dad is trying to close down all the drag queen shows in the area. I was so impressed with the acting and singing, but especially with the dancing! I have never in my life seen men move that way!! After the show, we went to a really awesome pub/club called “The Motion”- this club was so awesome! There were 3 levels, loud music, tons of dancing, and great company as like 15 of us all went out together. This was definitely the best night of the week.

Thursday began home stay- and my group was headed to Woking, a town about 25 miles south of London. I was assigned to be the group coordinator- meaning that I just had to make sure everyone was alive- I am writing this from my home stay house, but so far- no deaths that I am aware of. However, that statement was almost not true on the way up to Woking. Our bus driver was CRAZY, and that doesn’t even begin to describe it. He barely spoke English, had to ask ME for directions (apparently my blatant American-ness was not evident to him) and made me get out of the car multiple times to ask people on the street how to get Brewery Car Park (our final destination). He missed the car park, despite everyone in the bus’s urgent cries to turn left, made horrible U-turns that made me feel like I was going to die, and got us there about an hour late.

When we arrived to Woking, I was told that they had switched my host home. I had, just the day before, spent about $50 on gifts for teenagers, only to find out that I was now to be staying with a single, retired grandmother. But hey- I guess I have a Christmas gift for my little cousin now- I hope she likes hand-made funky jewelry. However, Jenny, our host mom is super sweet. She makes us lots of food (though she didn’t know I was a vegetarian which has caused some problems), watches English soap operas with us- the big one being “East Enders”, and is more than happy to cart us around. There are four of us girls staying here- including me, Taryn, Terra, and Julie. They are totally sweet girls and this arrangement is really working out.

Thursday night we just really stayed in after the horrible bus ride. Friday, however, we headed to Winsor. The Winsor castle is BEAUTIFUL! I loved walking around my future home! Haha- I wish! But really, it was breath taking. I even got to make a guard laugh! For all of you who told me to do that while I was here, I achieved that goal- he could hardly keep his mouth closed, I thought the guard was going to pee his pants- 3 crazy American girls and 2 crazy American guys cracking jokes and talking about how attractive the guard was (a very true statement).

Friday night we got to see the local nightlife in Woking. We met up with a bunch of the guys staying here- including all of the “group” except for Nate at a pub called O’Neills. It was fun- but I am just really ready to head back to London and move into my dorm tomorrow.

So today is Saturday and so far all I have really done is take an ice cold shower and write this massively long blog.  I think we may head back into town today and do a bit of shopping/finding an internet café.

However, my eyes are on the prize- my dorm room. I cannot wait to meet my new neighbors and get my stuff out of a suitcase and into drawers. I cannot stand carting everything around, lol but that burden is totally outweighed by this awesome experience.

God is really awesome and has blessed me so much with this opportunity. I have had the chance to really think a lot since I have been to London- and I am really learning a lot more about God and myself every day. I have an awesome life! I have wonderful parents, beautiful siblings, amazing friends, and now the experience of a lifetime!!