I told you it was the longest day ever.
We go to the Residential Orientation to learn all the rules. The meeting includes all the CSU students. Also there are the girls across the hall in 2, Rebecca and Mahdice, the boys down the hall in 5, Lucas and Fletcher, and some of the girls upstairs in 10, Jenni, Katie, and Becki. In total there are 15 people here from CSU Fullerton and Long Beach. One of the R.L. (Resident Life), Maggie, shows up late and when we raise our concerns of no power, pressure, and an unplugged fridge she runs to get another one, James. He takes us to our rooms and flips on a few switches in the hall. Apparently the fuse was turned off. He also finally gets for us our welcome packets that include the orientation schedule. It seems now they are ready for us, after we arrived.
Next Maggie took us on a walking tour of the area so we knew where the "local amenities" were including the quickie marts and tube station along with Foundation House and Metrogate. Foundation House is where the Admin ad our classes are and Metrogate is where the PC Lab is located along with the mail. Once we got to Foundation House, we were left on our own. My flatmates along with the girls across the hall and the boys were all hungry. We decided to stop at a pub and then get some food. Everybody ordered a drink. When some started to order a second round, Nicole and I were so hungry we went down the street to a fish and chips place. How appropriate, though I did get fried chicken and chips and it was so good. Part of the joy from the chicken came from not having eaten anything besides chex mix for at least 10 hours.
We came back to the pub where they had ordered nachos. I was a little surprised to see nachos in London, but they looked decent. But when I looked at them again, I noticed the chips were slightly orange. They were not normal tortilla chips, but Doritos. They were good nonetheless. We left the first pub to find another. After roam the streets near our flat (we did not want to get lost on our first night), we found a bar. It was classier than the pub. After a drink we left. We split up into two groups. One to the liquor store, the other to get food. I went to get food. We fond ourselves at Burger King. I am still hanging my head in shame. We met back at Flat 1, my flat and chatted until 2 in the morning. That would be 6pm back home in Orange County. By the time I finally got to sleep I had been up for over 30 hours with only a few minutes of sleep and very little food.
And with that my very long, very emotional, very long day was over.
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
09 September 2008
06 September 2008
Literally, the LONGEST Day of My Life...Part 2
Where did I leave off? Landing, that's right. So we landed an hour early. We had a very good tail wind going for most of the trip. The sky was filled with morning light coming through the overcast sky so England looked very sleepy, or maybe it was just a reflection of how I was feeling at the time. It was nearing my normal bed time, close to midnight in the states. As we flew in, the colors of pasture were very muted but I could tell in light they would appear very green like Ireland.
After landing, I had to go through immigration. It have been on the other side of the airport from our gate because we walked a long way. The line for immigration was long and I must have waited for at least 20 minutes until it was my turn. I called my parents while in line to let them know that I had landed. I could tell that they had been asleep and I envied them. I am amazed I made it through the line without passing out from exhaustion. There were other students in line and one had been detained because his letter from the school had been mistyped. I hoped this would not happen to me as I was supposed to be meeting someone at baggage check. It is nerve-racking to go through because they are so serious. I walked up and answered their questions directly and he stamped my passport. I was through!
Around the corner and past some random empty, under-construction hallways was baggage claim. All the baggage was off the carousel and stacked. A few airport workers were standing by it and I pointed mine out and they wheeled it around to me. I am glad I did not have to pull the luggage of the carousel myself. It is right on the edge of the limit of 50 lbs. Two down one to go. Customs was all that remained. But there was no one there so we walked right through. Before getting out there was a duty free shop to walk through but I was ready to get out of there.
Once out, I began to look for a fellow student whom I was meeting to split a taxi. She was supposed to arrive an hour before me and meet me at baggage claim. Since baggage was in the middle of customs I decided to go all the way out to the meeting area in case she came in a different terminal. I waited around for about an hour and finally decided to leave. It was nearing 10:30 by this point.
I walk outside and follow the signs to taxis. There were a number of them lined up, so I went to the front of the line and handed the driver a paper with the address on it. He said okay and off we went. Taxi drivers in London go through a two year test called The Knowledge. They have to learn where every street is, which can be difficult since some of the streets change name every few blocks and some are very similar that are right next to each other (like Queensgate Mews and Queensgate Terrace are right next to each other). Leaving the airport and driving in London traffic is crazy. First of all, the different side of the street is just bizarre and will take some getting used to. Also their traffic lights are awesome. When the light is about to turn green the yellow light is lit in addition to the red light. As a driver, I would find this useful as I frequently look to the other traffic to see when the light is going to change. This has also become useful to me as a pedestrian so I know when the cars are going to start moving again (so I don't get hit). I got my keys and arrived at my residence. It was only 11:30 and I knew there was only one other person who had picked up their key. I go into the building and look for my flat, no. 1. I thought I would be right by the front door, but the first door I see is marked 9 and then around the corner is 10. I leave my bags in the hall and walk up the stairs. The numbers keep going up. I walk outside and look to see if there is another door to enter. Nothing. I walk back in and notice the hall continues to the side of the staircase and leads to a set of stairs going down. I try this. I see number 6, so I must be going in the right direction. I find no. 1. It is in the basement at the end of the hall. I walk in and am happily surprised to find a kitchen and a bathroom in the room.
Upon entering you are in the common room. There are two couches, a table with chairs, and a tv. To the left is the kitchen with a full size fridge (more on that later), stove, oven and microwave. Through the common room is the bedroom with two beds and a bunk bed (4 in total). And off the bedroom is the bathroom. A nice set up. I decide to hold off on getting my stuff out until others show up. I pull out my computer and begin sending emails. Eventually one of my three roommates show up, Jessica. This is the person I was supposed to meet. Apparently my flight was moved to a different terminal so we missed each 
other. We decide to pick our beds (I choose the bottom bunk) and start unpacking. Eventually the other two roommates show up, Nicole and Stephanie. Not after long, all of our stuff was put away in our wardrobes and suitcases under beds and in corners. We met some of the others on our floor and compared rooms. They all have very different setups, but I like ours. It works for us. That was until man things were not turned on.
We had a meeting at 5 and demands were to be made.
To be continued...
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
After landing, I had to go through immigration. It have been on the other side of the airport from our gate because we walked a long way. The line for immigration was long and I must have waited for at least 20 minutes until it was my turn. I called my parents while in line to let them know that I had landed. I could tell that they had been asleep and I envied them. I am amazed I made it through the line without passing out from exhaustion. There were other students in line and one had been detained because his letter from the school had been mistyped. I hoped this would not happen to me as I was supposed to be meeting someone at baggage check. It is nerve-racking to go through because they are so serious. I walked up and answered their questions directly and he stamped my passport. I was through!
Around the corner and past some random empty, under-construction hallways was baggage claim. All the baggage was off the carousel and stacked. A few airport workers were standing by it and I pointed mine out and they wheeled it around to me. I am glad I did not have to pull the luggage of the carousel myself. It is right on the edge of the limit of 50 lbs. Two down one to go. Customs was all that remained. But there was no one there so we walked right through. Before getting out there was a duty free shop to walk through but I was ready to get out of there.
Once out, I began to look for a fellow student whom I was meeting to split a taxi. She was supposed to arrive an hour before me and meet me at baggage claim. Since baggage was in the middle of customs I decided to go all the way out to the meeting area in case she came in a different terminal. I waited around for about an hour and finally decided to leave. It was nearing 10:30 by this point.
I walk outside and follow the signs to taxis. There were a number of them lined up, so I went to the front of the line and handed the driver a paper with the address on it. He said okay and off we went. Taxi drivers in London go through a two year test called The Knowledge. They have to learn where every street is, which can be difficult since some of the streets change name every few blocks and some are very similar that are right next to each other (like Queensgate Mews and Queensgate Terrace are right next to each other). Leaving the airport and driving in London traffic is crazy. First of all, the different side of the street is just bizarre and will take some getting used to. Also their traffic lights are awesome. When the light is about to turn green the yellow light is lit in addition to the red light. As a driver, I would find this useful as I frequently look to the other traffic to see when the light is going to change. This has also become useful to me as a pedestrian so I know when the cars are going to start moving again (so I don't get hit). I got my keys and arrived at my residence. It was only 11:30 and I knew there was only one other person who had picked up their key. I go into the building and look for my flat, no. 1. I thought I would be right by the front door, but the first door I see is marked 9 and then around the corner is 10. I leave my bags in the hall and walk up the stairs. The numbers keep going up. I walk outside and look to see if there is another door to enter. Nothing. I walk back in and notice the hall continues to the side of the staircase and leads to a set of stairs going down. I try this. I see number 6, so I must be going in the right direction. I find no. 1. It is in the basement at the end of the hall. I walk in and am happily surprised to find a kitchen and a bathroom in the room.
Upon entering you are in the common room. There are two couches, a table with chairs, and a tv. To the left is the kitchen with a full size fridge (more on that later), stove, oven and microwave. Through the common room is the bedroom with two beds and a bunk bed (4 in total). And off the bedroom is the bathroom. A nice set up. I decide to hold off on getting my stuff out until others show up. I pull out my computer and begin sending emails. Eventually one of my three roommates show up, Jessica. This is the person I was supposed to meet. Apparently my flight was moved to a different terminal so we missed each 
other. We decide to pick our beds (I choose the bottom bunk) and start unpacking. Eventually the other two roommates show up, Nicole and Stephanie. Not after long, all of our stuff was put away in our wardrobes and suitcases under beds and in corners. We met some of the others on our floor and compared rooms. They all have very different setups, but I like ours. It works for us. That was until man things were not turned on.We had a meeting at 5 and demands were to be made.
To be continued...
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
04 September 2008
Literally, the LONGEST Day of My Life...Part 1
Today is my third day in London and I have yet to update my blog. I know you are all anxious to find out what I have been up to. So here goes... (Sadly there will be no pictures as I forgot the connector cable to my computer, but they will come soon)
The day before I left I was a wreck, I slept only a few hours and had some packing left to do. I decided to only take one checked bag and had the 50 lb. weight limit to worry about. Many different combinations of shoes and tops and other items went in and out of my suitcase for most of the day. I have never had to pack for 4 moths before and it was hard, especially when I have no clothes for cold weather. Relieved to be finished packing, I went with my family to my aunt and uncle's house for Labor Day after getting some money exchanged. That was a hard experience as the Pound is almost twice as strong as the dollar. Then we wet to my aunt and uncle's to have Labor Day festivities. I said goodbye to most of my family. Then I went to say goodbye to my friend Manda who is leaving for the Philippines the same day I leave. When I got to her house, it was packing disaster but she finished in time.
After a little more packing and reorganizing I finally go to bed that night.
In the morning, I woke up and I was freaking out. All the uncertainties I faced had me scared stiff. I just sat in bed wondering what I had gotten myself into. I talked to my mom and called my brother and I felt a little better.
Around 10:30, Dad drove me to the airport. I called Manda and talked to her a bit as she was already at the airport. I would go in between moments of calm and nerves. I go to the airport and check in my luggage, super easy since I did online check-in the previous night. After a teary goodbye, I went through security (they were super nice by the way). I must have used 4 or 5 tubs to get my stuff through the x-ray machine. I almost forgot about my 3-1-1- bag and then I forgot to take off my shoes. I am glad there was no line because I would have held up the entire process.
Now that I was through security, I needed to find my gate. I was in the United terminal, number 7 and my gate was 77 which is all the way in the corner. I walked so far and my bags were beginning to weigh me down. As I walked past the duty free shops and newsstands I noticed a La Brea Bakery and a (drumroll please) Baja Fresh! I was so happy. I was planing on going to Chipotle before I left but did not get the chance. I finally arrived at my gate and sat down. It was only 11:45 and I had two hours before my flight left. After a few minutes I decide it is time to eat lunch so I lug my stuff over to Baja Fresh. I am going to miss good Mexican food. I talked to Manda and my brother one more time. Finally loading began. I had remained calm for a while but when the plane pulled away from the gate and we took off I was so excited. Take-off and landing are my favorite part of flying.
I was in seat 17A. A window and a bulkhead seat. Some older man was sitting next to me ad he was hogging the arm rest. Not much of problem except for a bulkhead seat where the tray comes out of the arm rest. He seemed completely oblivious to the situation and kept his elbow glued to the armrest when the food showed up. After a lasagna lunch (dinner?) they turned the lights down and I finished watching Sex and the City. I tried to sleep but that did not go so well. In total after a few 15-30 minute naps, I slept for maybe a total of 2 hours.
Around 2 hours out breakfast was served (fruit and a sandwich?). I had been watching the map/info view and when London came into view I began to freak out. We were arriving at least an hour early, 7:00am. Brutal. We had touched down with a very smooth landing. Overall the flight was way too long with a decent amount of turbulence.
But I had made it.
Step 1 complete.
Now I had to get to my residence.
To be continued...
Until we meet again,
-Maggie
The day before I left I was a wreck, I slept only a few hours and had some packing left to do. I decided to only take one checked bag and had the 50 lb. weight limit to worry about. Many different combinations of shoes and tops and other items went in and out of my suitcase for most of the day. I have never had to pack for 4 moths before and it was hard, especially when I have no clothes for cold weather. Relieved to be finished packing, I went with my family to my aunt and uncle's house for Labor Day after getting some money exchanged. That was a hard experience as the Pound is almost twice as strong as the dollar. Then we wet to my aunt and uncle's to have Labor Day festivities. I said goodbye to most of my family. Then I went to say goodbye to my friend Manda who is leaving for the Philippines the same day I leave. When I got to her house, it was packing disaster but she finished in time.
After a little more packing and reorganizing I finally go to bed that night.
In the morning, I woke up and I was freaking out. All the uncertainties I faced had me scared stiff. I just sat in bed wondering what I had gotten myself into. I talked to my mom and called my brother and I felt a little better.
Around 10:30, Dad drove me to the airport. I called Manda and talked to her a bit as she was already at the airport. I would go in between moments of calm and nerves. I go to the airport and check in my luggage, super easy since I did online check-in the previous night. After a teary goodbye, I went through security (they were super nice by the way). I must have used 4 or 5 tubs to get my stuff through the x-ray machine. I almost forgot about my 3-1-1- bag and then I forgot to take off my shoes. I am glad there was no line because I would have held up the entire process.
Now that I was through security, I needed to find my gate. I was in the United terminal, number 7 and my gate was 77 which is all the way in the corner. I walked so far and my bags were beginning to weigh me down. As I walked past the duty free shops and newsstands I noticed a La Brea Bakery and a (drumroll please) Baja Fresh! I was so happy. I was planing on going to Chipotle before I left but did not get the chance. I finally arrived at my gate and sat down. It was only 11:45 and I had two hours before my flight left. After a few minutes I decide it is time to eat lunch so I lug my stuff over to Baja Fresh. I am going to miss good Mexican food. I talked to Manda and my brother one more time. Finally loading began. I had remained calm for a while but when the plane pulled away from the gate and we took off I was so excited. Take-off and landing are my favorite part of flying.
I was in seat 17A. A window and a bulkhead seat. Some older man was sitting next to me ad he was hogging the arm rest. Not much of problem except for a bulkhead seat where the tray comes out of the arm rest. He seemed completely oblivious to the situation and kept his elbow glued to the armrest when the food showed up. After a lasagna lunch (dinner?) they turned the lights down and I finished watching Sex and the City. I tried to sleep but that did not go so well. In total after a few 15-30 minute naps, I slept for maybe a total of 2 hours.
Around 2 hours out breakfast was served (fruit and a sandwich?). I had been watching the map/info view and when London came into view I began to freak out. We were arriving at least an hour early, 7:00am. Brutal. We had touched down with a very smooth landing. Overall the flight was way too long with a decent amount of turbulence.
But I had made it.
Step 1 complete.
Now I had to get to my residence.
To be continued...
Until we meet again,
-Maggie
03 September 2008
27 August 2008
7 Days Left
It does not seem real yet. I find it hard to believe that in a weeks time I will be on a plane somewhere between LA and London. Leaving behind all my friends, family, and everything I have ever known.
I am having freak out moments every time I am reminded of my reality. This morning I received an email detailing how to get from the airport to my dorm. My initial reaction was 'I don't want to do this anymore. What was I thinking? I can't do this.'
I have to talk myself down. Lately it has been happening more often as my days left in Orange County countdown, but I just have to remind myself that God is in control and through Him I can do anything.
I have not started packing. But I have placed some clothes (like coats and business attire) in a pile ready to be packed. Plus I finally have luggage so I don't have to carry my belongings onto the plane. I don't think the security officials, flight attendants, other passengers would approve.
Time to get back to not packing.
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
I am having freak out moments every time I am reminded of my reality. This morning I received an email detailing how to get from the airport to my dorm. My initial reaction was 'I don't want to do this anymore. What was I thinking? I can't do this.'
I have to talk myself down. Lately it has been happening more often as my days left in Orange County countdown, but I just have to remind myself that God is in control and through Him I can do anything.
I have not started packing. But I have placed some clothes (like coats and business attire) in a pile ready to be packed. Plus I finally have luggage so I don't have to carry my belongings onto the plane. I don't think the security officials, flight attendants, other passengers would approve.
Time to get back to not packing.
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
06 August 2008
I Have a Home
Since the school year ended, information regarding London has been slow to come. Now that the beginning of the semester is less than a month away, emails are steadily arriving in my mailbox. The latest batch includes a list of contact information of the other CSULB students. A second email listed the address of the residence and my mailing address for the next four months.
This makes me excited as now I can look at maps and see exactly which neighborhood I will be living in and where the local tube station and shopping is located.
This makes me nervous too. I have a place to live and what I am about to do is becoming more and more real each day.
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
This makes me excited as now I can look at maps and see exactly which neighborhood I will be living in and where the local tube station and shopping is located.
This makes me nervous too. I have a place to live and what I am about to do is becoming more and more real each day.
Until we meet again,
-Maggie the traveler
03 August 2008
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