R&R in London

If you didn't know already, I have family in London.  I had to travel there for one last visit to the dentist to get a root canal, relax and all of that good stuff this past weekend.

I left Thursday evening and I was slightly apprehensive walking the streets of London, but surprisingly I did not get mugged or attacked by crazy psycho's.  (You never know...)  My dentist appointment was Friday afternoon and I thought I'd just have another "cleaning" for my stupid tooth, but instead he did my root canal ahead of time.  I was pretty surprised because I didn't feel a thing at all!

View from my room

After my appointment I decided to do a little retail therapy and head back to my aunts for a nap.  Overall, Friday was a good day for me. haha

Saturday I woke up and watched my cousin Ikhazs play soccer...I mean football.  The weather was amazing...actually this entire weekend the weather was amazing.  50-60 degrees everyday and the sun shining, it was like hitting the English weather pot of gold!!! I wish I spent more time outdoors than I did this weekend but I did have to write a draft for my British Studies term paper.  That lasted about 3 solid hours until I lost interest and stumbled upon the reliable Youtube, then Onosiokhue asked me if I wanted to go to the park. Naturally I said yes, why not put off the paper a bit longer.  haha  I got to spend the evening with my cousins that evening watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  (I got to say its one of my favorites...don't ask me why)

Sienna Miller lives in this general area...pretty cool huh?

On Sunday I had lunch with my Aunt and Uncles friends and my Aunts Priest.  They were all very interesting and interested during the meal...but afterwards they got a little too intellectual in their conversation and I was totally lost.  When I got on the train to return to Grantham, I had an open return and didn't have a reserved seat so I had to stand inbetween the cars where you hold the luggage.  I stood next to the coolest kid who decided that he'd pick the next song I'd listen to on my ipod.  We also talked about how tired and bored we were...I just make friends wherever I go! haha

Pictures from the train ride...

No worries kiddos! They have a Toys R Us

Overall, it was a great weekend with the family and now I'm ready to take this week by the horns...haha just kidding I'll probably continue to procrastinate.

ROOMIEZ!!!!

Meet my roommate, Katy Nash. 

She is from Kentucky and is pretty COOOL! 

Today we spent our afternoon with her Host Family. Sadly, this is our first outing together. Don't get me wrong, she's legit! I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to have such an amazing roommate.  She and I laugh alot...mainly at the others expense. (but does that matter?)  

We enjoy taking naps together, sunlight, food, her host mom's tea and digestives...mmmm, digestives.

Pictured above is: Barney (dog), Geoff, Katy, Me and Audrey.  We had a great afternoon with Katy's host family. They made us roast beef, sweet potatoes, yorkshire pudding (its like a pancake in roll form), cabbage, potatoes AND for desert we had some delicious pie. (the name escapes me at the moment)

She's pretty much an overall amazing person...I feel bad that I haven't talked about her yet. So, Katy if you're reading this, I'm sorry. I hope this makes up for everything.  

Toothaches and Cathedrals

Well I've had my first medical problem abroad! What an accomplishment...NOT! 

Two weeks ago I started to have tooth pain. Naturally, I just pushed it aside and ignored it...until I woke up with a swollen chin, neck and jaw.  I went to the doctor and they told me that I should probably go see and dentist. I made my appointment with my Aunt's dentist in London and when I saw him, he informed me that I would need a root canal. Not the best thing to hear, but at least we can solve the problem.  

ENOUGH WITH THE BORING STUFF THOUGH!

Once I got back to Grantham, I met up with my friends at our usual place and had a great evening. I've found Grantham to be alot of fun, even though the locals will beg to differ.  Then again, we have fun wherever we are because we are trying to enjoy the limited time we have in the UK. 

The next day (February 15th) Julie and I joined the Honors Students and went to Peterborough for the afternoon.  We walked around the town, saw the beautiful Peterborough Cathedral and ate some sweets.  I can't decide which was better the Peterborough Cathedral or the chocolate mousse cake....

 Anyways...here are some pictures I've taken from the past week...ENJOY!

(One of the two times we've had snowfall at Harlaxton)

(Valentines Evening with friends [Above: Ellie; Below: Julie])

(Ellie and I with our Bartender Bob)

(Roaming around Peterborough)

(Peterborough Cathedral)

(I love stained glass windows!)

(They use this to hold the bible and sermons during the services)

(This is the lady who tried to assassinate Elizabeth I)

(Julie with her friend)

(Jesus and his 12 disciples on the ceiling)

(Walking outside the Cathedral)

(Court yard outside the Cathedral)

(yummmm)

(The Manor from a distance)

(The manor close up)

Watch the Superbowl in Another Country (check)

As an American, I'm familiar with the annual Superbowl.  Everyone watches (...for the commercials) and eats food with friends and family surrounding them.  Its similar here in the UK, except we couldn't see the commercials, and we only had "Halftime Hotdogs" instead of constant snackage.  A group of us went into town and watched the Superbowl at a pub (invite only, no big deal) and had a blast.  Believe it or not there are American Football fans here in the UK, our hosts were Patriots fans. Naturally, the Americans, being the annoying American's, chose the Giants.  It was a great night with great company and I'd definitely recommend to whoever decides to study abroad to get the locals' idea of an "American" experience.