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Name: Nicole
Birthday: 6/19/1979
Gender: Female
Interests: Writing, reading, acoustic guitar, crafty stuff...
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
1/10/2004
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| I finally have access to the internet after almost a week! I registed at the University today, then went straight for the library and computers :o)
Things have been going well. Duckie and I have done a lot of walking and exploring since we arrived last thursday. We managed to find a grocery store, the university, and the city centre without a map (cause apparently the only place that sells maps is the college bookstore!).
We love our flat! It's in a quiet neighborhood away from the noise of traffic and people. I guess Newcastle is on the top 10 list for best night life in the world...and you definately see that on the streets toward evening. But because we do live outside the main centre (i've been spelling that the british way without even realizing it) we have to do quite a bit of walking...about 20min to the university, grocery, and any shopping we need to do. But I figure it will be good for us! :o)
Duckie and I started a nightly tradition of watching episodes of the tv show Christy. It has brought us much amusement (and makes me feel like I am home again)!
We start classes next week. I was so worried the university wouldn't be what I imagined it would be, but I think I am going to really like it. So far everyone I have talked to there has been very friendly and the walk to my building once I am on campus is beyond beautiful! I had the weirdest feeling yesterday while I was out walking around in the city. I realized that though I have just arrived, I am going to terribly miss this place once I leave! Of course there are things I miss about the states and I miss my family, but I think there will be a lot of reversed culture shock once this experience is over! | | |
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Tomorrow, at 10:25 pm, I will board a plane for London. From there I
fly to Newcastle, my new home for the next year. Today has been a
bittersweet blur. It's hard to comprehend all the changes that are
about to happen--new school, new house, new city, new country! Am I
actually moving to Britian?! Funny to think that I used to dream about
living in a foreign place--now that it is real it is incomprehensible.
Duckie
and I have a livejournal especially for our adventures in Britain. We
hope to post lots of pictures too! Visit us at:
ukexperience.livejournal.com | | |
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I got my visa today! =] But what a stressful process!! For anyone wondering, the Chicago visa process goes something like this:
Step one: arrive in lobby of consulate ON TIME for your appointment (which is scheduled online) and wait...wait...wait...
Step two: get a name tag, number, and go to the 13th floor. wait ...wait...wait...
-at
this point in the process, I realized how NOT private this whole
process is. The waiting room was very small. There are three windows in
the room where you "plea" your case to get you application approved.
And you do this in front of everyone. Unfortunately, two people ahead
of me ran into problems and got into arguments with the officers at the
windows about not having enough proof of funds--which was MY biggest
concern with my application.
-another side note--on the visa
application under "what are your intentions after school" do not put
that you plan to stay in the country (even if you are, like I am). The
woman gave me a hard time over that, saying I had to have a special
appointment, but she changed her mind once she saw my proof of funds.
Step
three: your number comes up on a screen, you approach a window and tell
them why you are there. They ask for paperwork. And if all goes well,
you are given a card. They keep your passport.
Step four: return to
the consulate at 2:30 to pick up your passport. Again, lots of waiting
in the lobby. Back up to the 13th floor, and FINALLY you have your visa! | | |
| Is it possible to feel as if life is ending and starting all at the
same time? Sometimes I fear she is right...I will be broken by the
decisions I've made. I pray she's wrong. | | |
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