Defying Gravity

It is hard to believe that I have not posted for 2 weeks. The time keeps flying by faster and faster and it is very hard to believe I have already been here for 60 days.

I was able to catch a break on a sunny day last
week and read a book along the river

School these past 2 weeks has been quite busy. Most modules (classes) have one big assignment due either at the end of this week, or right when we come back from holiday break, which starts this weekend and is 3 weeks long. So many students, including myself, have spent many hours in the library and finishing odds and ends so it is possible to have a worry free break! I will say I am beginning to enjoy my classes here more and more. In two of them, the major component of our grade relies on a group project, and it has been fun to work with a groups of students with completely different backgrounds than mine. I feel like I have learned so much.

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to see Wicked in the West End (area known for theatre) of London! It was my second time seeing Wicked, but seeing it again was even more magical than the first time. A group of friends and I went to dinner, had some 'American pizza', then went to the show, and then ended the night on a rooftop of a shopping center near central London. A friend had told us to check it out because of the beautiful view of the city. I will say that seeing city lights at night is one of my most favorite things. So being on a rooftop in the middle of London looking across a sea of sparkling city lights was just as magical as hearing 'Defying Gravity' live for the second time. It was quite an amazing night.

For St. Patricks Day weekend, a few friends and I decided last minute to take a trip to Brighton! It is a beautiful city on the coast and about an hour train trip away. We stayed at a hostel, which happened to be my first one. I was surprised by how pleasant the hostel actually was! We stayed in a room with about 10 other people, all in bunk beds. The employees were very nice and helpful and it was a very comfortable stay. When we got there we went out and explored some of the night life. On St. Patricks day we walked the cobblestone streets, stopping in shops and pubs when whenever we felt like it. The weather was quite rainy and cold and even was hailing at one point. But that did not stop us from having a wonderful time in Brighton. I really look forward to going back when the weather is nicer so I won't have to be so bundled up when walking on the pier and beautiful shoreline.

The shore line in Brighton

Last night, our British Life & Culture class took a trip to the National Theatre in London. The National Theatre shows on many different performances. We saw a play called 'This House'. It was a political play about MP's in Parliament. Although I will say that most of it was over my head, because of my lack of knowledge of the history of Parliament, it was still enjoyable and just overall a very cool experience.




Tomorrow, I have one more lecture, and then it will be no classes for 3 weeks! I am very excited for this break. On Saturday a couple friends and I leave for Poland and I won't be back until Wednesday. We plan on touring Auschwitz and touring some of the famous salt mines.

Today, while I was talking to a classmate, I was asked if I was glad I came to Kingston, and if there was anything I would have done differently. That question really got me thinking, because if there was anything I would do differently, it would have been to chose the year long option instead of the semester long option. I can not even begin to explain what an incredible experience this has been. Although I miss CMU very much, It is hard to imagine leaving here.

With all my heart, I will tell anyone who is even thinking about studying abroad, to follow through and do it. It will be the best decision you have ever made; guaranteed.