Just because you're abroad, doesn't mean life stops back home.

So, I will be blogging more later this week after my trip to Wales to tell you more about my life here. But, the thing that I have really realized this week is that life doesn't stop back home. It seems like a dumb statement, but part of you thinks that life back home will remain the same until you get back. It doesn't, though. I am not saying that is a bad thing. I am just saying it happens.

You have probably seen all over facebook by now that my two younger sisters eloped this week. Jade married Dmitry Marinin on Tuesday, September 28 and Arielle married Alexander Saltysyuk on Wednesday, September 29. The kicker - I wasn't there. I knew that it was going to happen and I am extremely happy for them. But it doesn't change the fact that when preparing to study abroad, you don't plan for that to happen when you are roughly 4000 miles away. Am I mad or upset? No. The girls know that and I am sincerely not. I know that there will be formal ceremonies and I will be a part of both.

Why am I writing about this? One, it is a big deal! They are my sisters! Two, when I applied for this exchange, I mentioned one of my goals to be adjusting to be far away from home because with theatre I can't be in Indiana. So, this situation clearly applies to that goal. I always knew that living in New York City and not Indiana, that I would miss important things. I wouldn't be right at home to go to. It would be hard.

Hard? Yes, extremely difficult.

For the next three months, I will be skyping and e-mailing my family helping to put together 2 weddings. Looking at wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, colors, flowers, invitations, music, locations, etc. Things I always thought I would be right at their side for. The fact of the matter is that I can't always be right at their side no matter how badly I want to be. And believe me, I do. Life happens, though. Everyday, everywhere. The UK, USA, Russia (my new brothers are Russian, by the way), etc.

After finally having a good cry (for those of you who don't know, I am a crier. It has always made me feel better), I realize that just because I am not by their side doesn't mean I am any less active in the process. They couldn't force me to be any less active ;) I will plan, I will give my opinion, I will smile, I will laugh, I will cry, and I will be happy for them. And when the official ceremonies roll around, I will be there to give my full support as my wonderful, beautiful baby sisters walk down the aisle on their special days!

So, have I actually fulfilled a goal while abroad? YES! I know that missing important things after I move to NYC will be hard, but I will always be a part of those things. No distance could ever change that!

Am I ready to move to NYC? Of course, but only after I give my M.O.H. speech at Jade's reception!

Jade and Dmitry

Arielle and Alex

My first couple of days outside the US and in the UK

Wow! What a whirlwind these last couple of days have been! I guess I would've been a little less crazed had I packed earlier than Friday... oops. Packing, that's a good place to start.


How do pack everything you need for three months in one checked bag (under 50lbs), one carry-on, and one personal item? It seems ridiculous.  Ok, so I could've brought more luggage. But I didn't want to pay for luggage, I'd rather use my money on other things. So packing was difficult. I had to narrow down what I brought with, which wasn't hard until the shoes.... I love shoes, but I had to be realistic and only bring what I needed. So, a pair of tennis shoes, sneakers, black flats, and rain boots were my choices. I know, only those shoes! I only brought 5 pairs of jeans, 2 dresses, and about 10 shirts. It takes skill to narrow down and entire wardrobe to just that. Once my clothes and all other essentials were packed, it was time to pack the important stuff: Jade, Phoebe, and Winnie. Unfortunately, they didn't make it through customs....

Saying goodbye was the hardest part. Not much need to go into detail... simply it was a bunch of tears and hugs... I didn't think it would be so hard to walk away from parents in the airport.

The plane ride was alright. The inflight movie was "Just Right" (I think) and the food was awful! But I was able to do some journaling which is always nice. The flight with layover was about 12 hours... long I know! I arrived in Manchester England at 7am England time and 2am Jasper time! Didn't sleep on the plane... seriously, it was like early evening in Jasper! Once I arrived at the airport, I sat around forever..... There was some confusion with the pick-up location, but eventually someone found me and I made the 40 minute trip to Chester, UK!

Finally! Home, sweet home for the next three months! I made it! My roommate - Fantastic! She is from California and her name is Kortnei! She is so lively and funny and I think we are going tear the UK up! I met so many people the first night that it is unbelievable.... Kortnei, Laura and April (neighbors across the hall, also from the US), Danny and Johnny (down the hall, also from the US), Ali (down the hall, from UK), Nate (random guy, UK), Alex (international student, France), Manu (International student, Spain - I think), Carmen (international student... I can't remember). Almost all of us went out to Cruise. It is a local club and it was amazing! It had 3 bars, 2 dance floors, and a lounge! It was so much fun, we danced almost all night in the dance room upstairs.... crazy lights, fog, and great music! It got a little crazy though, because this week is Fresher's week and there are a ton of parties for the freshmen and since you only have to be 18 to drink, there were a lot of drunk people. ***I would like to say that I am glad our drinking age is 21***

It was freezing as we walked back to campus, but it was my first time into the heart of Chester, and it was unbelievable. I knew I would get a full tour of it the next day, but I was so sad that I didn't bring my camera... My first night was amazing! Great people, awesome nightlife, an amazing city.... yeah, I'm pretty lucky ;)

That brings me to today. Again, crazy. Full of meetings about being an international student and what to expect. Getting stuff for my room. Eating nasty food (more about this in another blog). But then came the tour.  This city is filled with so much history! This city was supposed to be the capital of the Roman Empire, but then  Empire fell.... wah wah. The walls still have some of the original stones from when it was built during the Empire! You can see all the different types of architecture throughout the city: Roman, Saxon, Elizabethan, Georgian, etc. There was so much to see and so little time today. Luckily, I am here for three months! Below is a video from the heart of Chester!

I finished off my evening, by going to a pub with about 17 other international students. That food was the best that I had eaten in 2 days! Great company and good food, but time to head back to home.

I closed out my night by skyping with my family. I love and miss their beautiful faces and was so happy to talk to them and catch up on 2 days of stuff! What a crazy whirlwind these last days have been, but I am so happy to be here and cannot wait for more wonderful experiences! *sigh* Goodnight, world.