Singleton Park

Love this garden :)

The Gower and Rhosilli Bay

The early bird...

Woke up bright and early today :) I think I'm starting to get use to the time change. I went to the Freshers Fayre where they have all the different society's you can join. They have fencing, and role play, beer pong hahaha, anything really to please everyone. I joined the "Explore Swansea" society where we get to well explore Swansea. I really thought that would be the best one, I might see if I join fencing as well. I want to make sure I don't bite more than I can chew though...

Anyways it is a rare (so they tell me) bright, sunny, hot day! I'm going to take my camera and take some pictures of the bay. Hope all is well in the States :)


xoxox

Lost

Woke up and felt GREAT! Best night of sleep since I got here because I wasn't freezing! I bought a heating blanket :) best 19 pounds spent thus far.

The first half of day was spent picking modules(classes) finding out information about possibly volunteering and then sent some postcards. Which reminds me, Nancy when you read this please send me your address! This is a view from the Psych building. Amazing.

The "starbucks" of Swansea

I just got back from having a little sushi at the schools Theatre. I also had some coffee, which they sell everywhere. That and tea, and chips (fries) On my way back I walked to the park which is connected to the school and got lost! In the best possible way. It's huge, and beautiful and so green. There were so many people walking, a lot with dogs ( I miss Eli ).








Just so you know there are really no words or pictures that describe a place just the way I want to, but I really try to. Here's to some pics that don't justify the beauty of this place but they get pretty close :)

I saw so many squirrels! 

Garden in the middle of the park 

Loved these flowers!

Seeing the world

Thought this deserved its own post. I signed up to spend the weekend in Amsterdam and to go see Bath! And I'm planning on spending a weekend in Paris as well***

Dippy Egg

        I didn't sleep much last night. I'm still suffering from jet lag :( I try my hardest and can't sleep. I don't know if it's because it gets so cold in my dorm or because my bed is not the most comfortable.

 Yesterday was my first whole day in Swansea. I woke up early and called my new Canadian friend Rebecca, she couldn't sleep either. We needed to get some stuff from the store and while we were waiting for the bus saw Leah who rode the bus with us to Swansea. She is the sweetest girl! She has beautiful red hair and has the greatest accent. She also needed to get some stuff so we were going to go together and then met Pille who is from Finland and she joined us.

City Centre which is the downtown of Swansea is only ten minutes on the bus and maybe a 30 min walk. The walk is well worth it, you walk right along the bay and its just beautiful.

After we bought what we needed we rode the bus back to campus and Rebecca and I hung out until 6:30 p.m. when we had to go the a big student international dinner. There are 2000 international students here! From over 100 different countries. It is amazing. There was traditional dances from Wales and they even let the students try to dance. Yes I tried :)

And then afterwards they gave us shirts depending on what dorm you live in and there was a huge party! It was like nothing I have ever been to before. Alcohol is sold everywhere, the campus sells it at every one of its gift shops. I couldn't believe that the school had organized such a huge party and knew that people were drinking. They had a free photobooth and the music ranged from "La Macarena" to the popular songs I listen to back home. It was really fun! I danced and I tried Cider Beer (delicious) hahaha and I hate beer. 

That was yesterday (the days kinda mesh together when you haven't slept much) today I woke up early to go to another orientation and then went to the library. Two of my friends and I walked alongside the bay to get to the city centre again just to explore. There is something quite amazing about going somewhere and not knowing what you will find. Swansea is beautiful. We found a castle in the middle of the city! And there was a harbor and the buildings are just so beautiful.We were there for awhile, found a little cafe and had some lunch and then rode the bus back because we got tired :)

The sun does come out, but most of time its cloudy. The weather in the first half of the day is nice then it gets cold around six. It rains off and on throughout the day as well. The people here, I love them! They are so friendly. The city is small so you find students everywhere. It's weird depending on the bus or walking, but I think it is a really good experience.

p.s. I chose this title because when I was coming back to my dorm one of my housemates asked me if I wanted some "Dippy Egg". He thought it was weird that I had never heard of it so him and a girl made some and I tried it. Its just toast cut the long way and you dip it into the egg. hahaha. oooh and the English accent is EVERYWHERE. 

SwanZEE

I am finally here!

After one delayed flight, that made me miss my connecting flight, which had me board a later plane to then miss my ten a.m bus, I am here!

As soon as I arrived to Heathrow it really hit me that I had no idea what was ahead of me. I get off the plane, past customs to find no one waiting for me.... Until I realized that I was at terminal four and (thank goodness I read the whole email)needed to get to terminal three. I must have forgotten how big Heathrow airport is! I managed to take two bags (120 lbs) down to the train that takes me to the terminal I needed. Took an eternity. Once there I saw a girl with Swansea written on her shirt and was so happy! She took me to my group that would be riding the bus back to Heathrow. Right away a girl from Canada and I hit it off, and I also met a girl from Germany :) the four and a half hour bus ride wasn't bad, although I was starting to get sleepy I enjoyed the green scenery and how the bus driver was driving on the opposite side of the road :)

                                                               (glare from bus haha)


We arrived to the University around 7 p.m. I got my dorm keys and unpacked. I share two bathrooms with a shower with around ten other people. It's not that bad though. I have yet torun into anyone, but it's only my first night. I get a sink in my room with a mirror which I'm so happy about!

                                              Outside view of my dorms

Inside

View from my window. Yes it rains here quite a bit :)








I'm excited to explore tomorrow, I should be sleeping right now. Jet lag :(

Luck of the Irish

    As I'm writing this, I'm sitting down at my terminal with so many thoughts racing in my head. How happy I am, how I will miss Utah (yes I do love my SLC), how nervous I am, and how excited I am to be discovering so many new things, and all the people I will meet. But first off, I'm thinking about how looooooong this day is going to be. In about an hour I will board my first flight to New York. Then in New York to Heathrow, London then a four hour bus ride to Swansea, Wales. I want to make sure I sleep (despite what my Dad said) because once in Europe it will be seven in the morning! I want to make sure I stay up once I'm there even though my body will be wanting to sleep. I'm sure I will be wide awake, because I'll be so excited!


I wish I could take all my loved ones with me, saying goodbye to everyone was really hard. Yet, before I know it I will be on my way back and I want to make sure I enjoy every single day I'm away and that I won't really be away from anyone. Sounds cheesy but I will take all of you with me in my heart :)


Brandy* My PYT I love you so much, and will miss hanging out with you and seeing you everyday. I'm sorry I will miss your birthday but I promise we will celebrate when I come back. PLEASE be so careful when you start driving by yourself. Be good and take care, listen to mom and dad (I have to say that since he will read this) :p I will just be an email away if you ever need anything, advice or just to vent about Brandon. Please email me so we can set up a time to skype. I love you my little sister! Thanks for being such a sweet, smart, funny person. Give Eli a big kiss from me, and take him on tons of walks. Ohh and ask Dad how to write comments so I can see them! 


xoxox


p.s. I chose this title because my skycap was Irish! He had that great accent and his energy was so uplifting that my dad and I figured that whether "signs" exist or not, this was bound to be a good one.

Comments

      Hope you are doing well :) Just wanted to let you know that if you would like to leave a comment, I made it open to anyone whether you have an account or not. All you have to do is click on the lower part of the page where it says, "comments" and type a message and then it gives you an option of how you want to "comment as", just click on "Anonymous".  It would be helpful if you add your name in the message, that way I can see who it is :) Thank you! I would sure like to receive some virtual love and support* 
       
      TWO MORE DAYS!!!

Three days left!

I can't believe that it's almost time for me to leave! Although I have been to England* LOVED IT *, I've never visited Wales. (Wales is its own country bordered by England) I'm feeling so many emotions, but more than anything I am so happy and excited! I have always wanted to study abroad and I'm so glad that I get to actually do it. Living in a different country where I don't know anyone makes me feel a little scared, yet in a good way. I can't wait to explore Swansea, travel, make new friends, live by the ocean and see more of the world :)

Thanks for visiting my blog! I thought this would be a good way for my friends and family to see some pictures and read about my experience. I will try to update as much as possible. Take care, I need to pack now!

Da bo chi (That's goodbye in Welsh) 

Swansea University