I Just Figured Out I Can Mime a Bazooka Quite Easily

Last night I got to see Eddie Izzard for the third time in good old Birmingham. It was kind of a surprise as the tickets were obtained last minute, but as you can see from the photo, we scored some ace seats!

The National Indoor Stadium was much bigger than I expected from seeing the Backstreet Boys in the tiny little MEN Arena. It makes sense, though, that it would be so large since this is where Eddie comes from. People actually know him here!

What can I say about Eddie other than he is a genius. Here's one of the best videos I managed to get:





"What are you doing tonight?" "Oh, you know... just cruising down to Birmingham to see Eddie Izzard..."

I have the best life.

Backstreet Adventure

Phew. After all the waiting and anticipation, it's finally over.

That's right, people. I saw my Boys last night, and what a night it was.

I arrived in Manchester at around three o'clock and got shown around by a native. This was really good because I am utterly crap at directions so having someone around who could make sure that I didn't get lost helped immensely. After the clock hit about six I couldn't keep my mind off of the concert. We ended up in a bar a little bit before I headed to the arena, and they played Backstreet's Back on the TV and me and about 4 other girls got more excited than we should have, obviously identifying ourselves as the ones who would be screaming our heads off at the live thing later that night.

I got to the MEN Arena and retrieved my ticket, and bought myself a commemorative shirt. I then went and found my seat and was pleasantly surprised to see how well I had done for myself. And of course, all there was left to do now was wait.

I tried to make friends with the people sitting on either side of me, but no one seemed quite as enthused about everything as I was. Oh well.

As soon as the lights went off I was 12 years old again and all the cares of the world melted away.

I have to say, that even though all this time has passed and I would love the Backstreet Boys no matter what, that they really still do have it. I think this show was even better than the one I saw those many 8 years ago. I screamed and sang every single word right along. I called friends and let them have a little piece of the great time I was having. Everything happened so fast, and before I knew it, it was over.

One thing I thought was strange was that I seemed to be the only one screaming and singing. The girls around me just stood there politely the whole time, and every once in a while would look at me when I let out a whoop. The girl in front of me seemed really annoyed when I would yell. Sorry, but this is a concert, and if you're going to be lame, then at least let me have your seat! I was pretty sure everyone within earshot of me could tell that I was American. REPRESENT.

After the show was the real test of my navigation skills. I had booked myself a bed in a hostel for the night, and now that I was guideless, I had to find it on my own. Luckily for me, I met up with 3 French girls who were going to the same area as I was, and we worked together to get to our destinations. I went straight to bed so I could get up early to head home the next morning.

On a weird note, I woke up in the middle of the night with a screamingly painful charlie horse in my calf. Funnily enough, the exact same thing happened the night after I saw the Backstreet Boys the last time...

Anyway, I managed to find my way to the train station, get on a train, then on a bus home without a hitch. I really am becoming good at this whole traveling thing.

Not only did I have a splendid night with my Boys, but I also proved to myself that I can get around by myself in an unfamiliar city 5,000 miles away from home.

Not too shabby!

KTBSPA, dawgs.

Pictures at:
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037632&id=1074360098&l=96ec9a59d3

Cake or Death?

Phew, what an action-packed 2 weeks it has been.

Classes have fully started up now, and I still feel like I have enough free time to get into all kinds of trouble. It will take a bit to get into a routine that I feel comfortable with. ALL PART OF THE PROCESS.

Yes, the lectures part is important, and I am taking that as seriously as possible, but I also think that the relationships I've made here are equal. That is probably the reason why I keep going on about how amazing everyone (well, MOST everyone) is. I find it fascinating how in two weeks I've formed close friendships with people I didn't even have a clue existed three weeks ago. Funny how the world works. I just appreciate how everyone has come to my rescue when I've need them. I've got all the "I got your back love" I'll ever need.

I've watched a lot of British comedy, I'm pretty well-versed with most things, and every time I see something that I've seen or heard about in movies, I get so excited. To name a few: jaffa cakes, jammy dodgers, and Cornettos (DELICIOUS, BY THE WAY.

Now that I've settled in, it's time to start exploring this wonderful country. I want to see everything!

And pictures have been come by, because I'm too busy trying to see the world with both of my eyes. (There's a nice John Mayer reference for you.)

I've officially been in merry old England for one week. It feels like I've been here forever. Just yesterday I thought about leaving everyone while we were in a hall meeting and I got just a bit teary eyed.

The last week has been a blur, since there isn't ever a shortage of things to do. Classes started yesterday and I get the feeling that the atmosphere is a lot more laid back than back home.

I don't really have anything new to report other than I love all of the people, places, and things here.

It feels like I've always been here....

Wow, I can't believe it's only day 3. It feels like I've been here forever. I feel as comfortable if not even more comfortable here than back home. And what a wonderful feeling it is.

Yesterday was another orientation day, where they bombarded us with a bunch of information about being international and all that.

Afterwards I made my first journey into town and checked out the local shops. I wasn't even afraid of getting lost. For some reason I'm having a very easy time of finding my way around, which is completely surprising.

After shopping it was a quick break before the international student party. There are so many different and diverse students here, and everyone is so absolutely wonderful. Feeling so relaxed, I took part in some traditional English folk dancing, and I must say, tore up the dance floor. :)

Then we moved on to the Pig and Rat, a bar on campus, where I witnessed a traditional night out. What a crowd!

Made it to Merry Old England

I am sitting here writing from my little flat-like room.

It's been a loooooooooooooooong stretch of hours. The plane ride was of course, uncomfortable and long, as it got delayed an hour, and I made myself sleep through most of it which was a good idea, since I feel as if my internal clock is right on target.

When I landed I managed to find my way to immigration, which took another hour just to wait through the line. The immigration officer was extremely nice, which I wasn't expecting, and I zipped right on through. From there I was scheduled to meet up with some Keele representatives, but our meet-up time came and went and they were no where to be found.

MY VERY FIRST ENGLISH SETBACK.

Luckily for me and my eagle eyes, I spotted them right as they were about to leave. Good thing too, because knowing how I am with directions, I wouldn't have made it to the school for WEEKS!

I kept my eyes open and watched the surroundings on the long drive. The autumn leaves are changing the same way they do in Colorado.

I have a feeling that I'm going to have an amazing time.

Oh, and another thing. Every time a boy talks to me in his English accent, I fall in love!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane...

This is it, folks. This trip has been years in the making, and the day has finally come!

Yes, it is sad saying goodbye to good friends and family, but I am ready to jet to the other side of the world and leave everything behind for just a while. Put my American life on pause and go see the world from a different perspective.

So tonight at 8:15, I'll be off on my new adventure. I'll arrive at noon London time and from there make my way through customs and immigration. After that I'll catch a coach that will take me straight to Keele and on to my new home.

I don't really know what to expect, but I'm sure that I will have an absolute blast.

I may even decide never to come back. :)