Taking the UK: Visitors Welcome

Over the last month I've had a few sets of visitors. They invaded my space, made me miss lectures, and stressed me out... But I wouldn't have traded a second of their visits for the world! First came my sisters, or as we put it: The Bitto Sisters Took the UK.

It was Steph's first time in Wales and Ashley's first time out of the US ever! How awesome is that? They flew out of Dulles into Heathrow and made it to Cardiff all on their own on the 209 coach where I collected them and brought them Welsh cakes. (I think Ashley may turn into a Welsh Cake, there will be further updates on that in the coming months)

We have trained her well, the excited thumbs up face from the airport

I got to take them to many castles, Cardiff and Caerphilly and Coch, and they were quite tourist troopers for the part of the visit I had with them.  Who knew there was that kind of climb up to Castell Coch? (If you're interested you take the 26 from Cardiff and the bus driver will tell you when you get off). I'm pretty sure I almost died... or maybe I just need to get myself to the gym again.

Coch! (Say it as you please)

The best part of Coch was that it started out crazy obsession with the falling men of the UK. They are really funny, I mean have you ever actually looked at those signs? The "caution: wet floor," or "mind your head," or don't fall on your bum bum ones? Well, here are few examples:

We kept finding them everywhere. I think I just made have a thing for funny signs. They just make me laugh. And in Wales, they are in Welsh (which I think may be a made up language that people use because they were tricked into it, similar to Scientology) and English! We got to make it to some amazing places, but this is what was best of all. When the three of us walked through Bute Park... Which I believe I have previously discussed as my favourite place in the world. Steph documented this well and here are a few.

The Bitto girls did well when we ran around and travelled, so much so that this is what happened when we came home, it was nap time.

                                 

Well sadly my sisters left after a couple of short days... But then next came John! We spent more time with people rather than travelling around. But I did get to have a private tour of Cardiff Castel, that was amazing!! We got to show him what Cardiff really has to offer: Rugby! We didn't end up watching the match anywhere but in my room, but that is because the city was flowing with French people! (Not that I have anything against the French, but as my friend Catherine said: Honestly, who likes the French?) So we stayed home and watched online. We watched WALES WIN A GRAND SLAM (therefore also the six nations).  We also did end up going out in the true University student style that same night, St. Patricks day! We bar crawled around the city and had a lot of fun getting some friends home that were a bit too drunk. But it was all worth it in the end! Here is what I learned from the many visitors:

1- Don't take sleep for granted, but don't let jet lag get in the way either
2- Show them everything you can, but make time for friends as well
3- Eat a lot of food, and make sure all visitors to Wales get Welsh Cakes (Go to the Cardiff Market to get them, and get lots of the original ones)
4- Be sure to walk them through Bute Park, if nothing else, it's lovely and it embodies the tradition of everything is better after a cup of tea and a walk
5- Clean your room before any visitors arrive, and clean it again when they leave (you have no idea how much stuff you accumulate)
6- You will have no personal space or time, embrace it. They won't be here long.
7- Know how to use the public transport, it's the easiest way!
8- Check your bank account regularly, visitors are expensive
9- Remember the importance of always having an umbrella, and teach them as well
10- Smile! People love you enough to come visit you! They flew a long way to be there!

I'll leave you with a last few pictures! Just to show how much fun we can be :)

Ashley, Steph, and Caitlin at Cardiff Castel

John and I in Bute Park

From me to you

For anyone who was in my Senior year English class... you'll recognize this idea. I came up with this poem describing everything we had been through in 4 years of high school in one little poem. I feel that it is needed again to remind those I care about how much I rely on them. I may seem very independent and confident, and maybe my mother and older sister raised me to be that way, but really I do rely on these friends, family, etc., around me to help me through my day to day life. And I guess I just wanted to say Thank You without getting my words too messed up.

To the snuggles
To the hours of talks
To the nights on Handley Hill
To putting away the secrets in a well hidden box
To late night phone calls
To picking up the tabs
To being the DD
To paying for the cab
To knowing when to show up with wine
To letting me be a baker
To laughing when I burn myself
To being my caretaker
To listening to me
To being there for you
To only  hearing a portion of the story
To being there right on cue
To being a shoulder
To being a hug
To being mine as well as yours
To all  the pushing as well as the love
To trying to be strong
To telling you good-bye
To meeting you for beer and a burger
To hearing about the latest guy
To not talking about the f-word
To hugging it out
To accepting my outbursts
To being my friend without a doubt
To letting me hear your story
To the much loved coffee dates
To coming up with solutions to every problem
To discussing matters of the fates
To the ups
To the downs
To caring for your happiness
To love that has no bounds
To the inside jokes
To the smiles the stay with me
To the crazy moments
To knowing that in my life you will always be
To all the family
To all my friends
To the occasional soul mate
To knowing that you'll be there in the end
I know these line are of nothing to boast
But from me to you, this is my toast

Now for you to figure out which ones are about you, well... maybe they all are. I could never live in another country then I grew up in without my strong support group that I have in both countries. So I'll say it again: Thank you.

Crap, I'm in Cardiff, was I sure to pack...

1-Umbrella (rain): I think I can safely say that it rains here more than there is sunshine. Not that I'm complaining, it gives me a reason to splurge on wonderful Wellies and get an all around stylish look for rainy times. Therefore I will be better looking than most other women in the States when it is raining there. Keep in mind, there are many different types of rain, and all of which require an umbrella. Luckily if you find yourself without one, most street venders and every single shop sells some by their doors for a few pounds. Personally I love the "I love rain" umbrellas that I see everywhere. Because in Cardiff, it rains every day. Even if it's only for 10 minutes. Therefore I recommend that you carry an umbrella at ALL times.

2-Hairbrush/comb (wind): As Cardiff is on the water, there is a lot of wind. Anyone who has ever been to a beach (especially the OBX) knows that it can get mighty windy! Well just imagine that, but all over. You will see many people walking out of their houses looking amazing to go to work, class, a date, a meal, pub times, concert, rugby match, etc., but within 5 minutes their hair is in disarray, clothes not in the proper place, and worst of all... their cheeks are red from the wind. I refer to this as windswept. It never fails to make someone go from looking great to looking crap. And now that I have a fringe (bangs), I realize how horrible wind can be. I have taken it upon my self to carry a hair tie with me at all times, because I have curly hair.  But for those that don't, or maybe straightened it, get a hairbrush and keep it in your bag, you'll need it.

3-Rain coat (rain with wind): Are you looking like a hot mess in Cardiff because of the crap weather? Do you have your umbrella and hairbrush? Oh crap...well, how else can we fix it??? Mostly because your umbrella is bound to turn inside out and then what use will a hairbrush be when you're soaked to the bone. By then all you need is a towel or a dryer of sorts. May I recommend a sturdy rain coat. This keeps out the inevitable rain that is bound to happen whenever you're NOT expecting it. But it must have, and I will not budge on this insistance, a hood. If you don't have a hood, there goes the hair! I spent a good $50 on a Northface rain jacket before I moved to Cardiff last year, and I have to say, hands down, that it is the best investment I made while being here.

4-High Boots (so much rain there are puddles bigger than a car): Ashely and I were walking to a cheese and wine (aka a wine and cheese, I have no idea why it's flipped) and it was a bit drizzly. Enough that we could handle it without an umbrella (although there was one in my bag) and no rain jackets. But we did just miss a nice steady rain, and now there were puddles. Boo, I say, boo. Now, I learned very early in life to watch where I'm walking, or else I run into things and fall over (at which point I always say: awww maaaaaaan). Ashley, I know, does this too. But due to the black sidewalk (aka pavement), and it was night, we couldn't see the huge puddle that Ash stepped in. She was wearing cute fabric flats and skinny jeans, looked great when we walked out of the house 5 minutes ago, but now (still looking good) she had wet feet and a sad look on her face. :( That is why I always try to wear high boots if there is even a threat of rain. High boots keep out the rain, if they are leather, not only around your feet, but also most of your leg! This means us girly girls can cross our legs without wetting most of the other leg because of a soggy bottom half of your jeans.

5-Red things (sporting events and all around Welsh love): If you ever plan on leaving wherever you are on a Welsh sporting event day, don't you dare where anything but red. I love my red cardigan, my red dress, my red shoes (that I haven't bought yet), and my recently acquired red Wales scarf. This is how you show your love. Unless it's St. David's day, then you where a daffodil pinned onto you somewhere. Even better, really want to show your Welsh pride? Get a daffodil hat (yes, they are real) and throw on a Welsh rugby jersey, then make up your own language... I'm sure it'll sound similar to Welsh.

6-Good Socks (cold): Maybe this is because, as my sister said once in an airport: "Our people are a tropical people." Then I quickly reminded her we were Polish... where it's cold. But I did grow up in Virginia, which is roughly about the same latitude as Italy. I guess that means we do have all our proper seasons, including a full blown summer. But as I'm sitting here on my bed in a Snuggie, I think that is proof enough that I'm cold. Heck, my mom would know that because I'm wearing socks. That's right Mom, Dad, Steph, and anyone else who ever let me jump into their bed when I was a child and complained about ice cold toes, I'm wearing socks. And often! I still wear my flip flops out and about, but man... in my house... it's cold. I remedy this by putting on socks. I wear wooly socks, slipper socks, knee high socks, athletic socks, holiday themed socks, the list goes on. When I'm out of socks, it makes me sad. In fact, yesterday, I wore two pairs of socks because my feet were cold. Although I still, and I don't think ever will, wear them to bed.

7-Mug (cold, rain, wind): We've covered the cold, the rain, and the wind. And honestly what is better to warm you up than a nice warm cuppa??  It's amazing!!! Travel mugs tend to be, well, non-existant here. I mean there are entire aisle's of them in Target. Why do I have to pay an absurd amount just to get a silly one from the Wales Touristy shop?? Well thank god for my birthday and for Catherine... she got me this great mug. It says: Men have feelings too, but who really cares! It cracks me up every time I read it. And it makes me happy because I know there is something delicious inside waiting for me.

www.addicted-to-whatever-site-you-find.com

I found that with my few first weeks back in the UK, I am unable to get myself away from the internet. Although it is a lovely thing that supposed Al Gore invented (or so he says), I think I speak for all procrastinators, college students, people who are bored at work, and don't forget the bloggers: we can't live without it!!

I was here a whole week without the wireless connection in my house and disappearing to the library every day to get in and check my gmail, catch up with people on g-chat, facebook updating the world on my shenanigans, or even just catching up on the news. This doesn't include my favourite activity of the world, streaming my US TV shows because they will not air in the UK for another 4 months. (But that is because that is not what libraries are for. They are for learning, which at that point I was not doing as classes hadn't started yet.) Gotta love it! I'm sure that the streaming thing is illegal, but if there was a cheaper option to grab these I would do it! Considering that it comes down to having decent protein in my diet or getting a TV license... I think protein wins. I can't live without my red meats... they are my favorite after all!

I can't even imagine what my world would be like without it. It's funny how I can remember way back in the day when we all had AIM, ICQ, dial up, for my US peeps: when we had hotmail accounts. Who remember's their ICQ number? I wish I did, that thing was hilarious! And it spring boarded my social life in middle school. As I'm sitting here late at night on my computer, because the stumbling fresher's are walking from Tally into town to do their nightly clubbing rituals who are therefore keeping me awake, I realised that I don't know how I would waste the hours of the day without internet. (Disclaimer, follow the ***) What would I do without Suri's Burn Book tumblr, people.com, BBC, or dearblankpleaseblank.com?? I probably wouldn't laugh as much as I usually do, I probably wouldn't email funny things, I definitely wouldn't know all the random crap I know about Hollywood Gossip, and I would not be up to date on the Amanda Knox trial (but lets not go there as I haven't made up my mind on how I feel about that yet).

The internet is very useful for all sorts of everyday things, that could probably also be found in books. But who has time to read through 35 multivolume texts when I can just google it? AND the google search engine page changes every day! Seriously, who hired those guys?!?! They are wonderful! The Freddie Mercury day? I was so excited when my sister showed it to me! What a great way to remember many amazing days in history. Besides the fact that Google is taking over the world and I'm ok with it, the internet is useful for research, finding recipes for tonight's dinner, watching last night's episode of House, and attempting to find the answer to that stupid Dispensing homework problem that I just gave up on until tomorrow. I guess what I'm trying to say, is it's not just for fun and time wasting... just look at the good things that came come of it too! Here are my favorite examples from this week: Laughing at the Pundit Kitchen Putin page, skyping with friends and family back home, finding out the Christmas plans so this year I don't miss Christmas with my family because they wanted to celebrate it a week early, finding out when my student loan money was coming in so I can keep myself within my budget, and being able to email my family telling them that I have received their cards and they should hopefully be getting one in the mail soon in return. I guess what I'm trying to say is: good thing I have the internet, so I can keep up with all that is happening with my close ones all over the world. I hope they think that too :)

***I've always been a kid who gets my schoolwork done first thing. My mom often says both my sister and I had it done before we even got home from school, so I am doing my work. As well as maintaining a good social life and eating correctly.

PS: I love getting mail, not email, real mail. So please, send me something... My birthday is next month if you need an excuse :)

F&*$, the zipper busted

Another year beginning at Cardiff in just a few days, and I've started the marathon packing sessions. I'm one of those people that pack and am ready to go about a week before I departure and then repack the suitcase maybe 17 times. Luckily this round only required 4 repacking attempts. (And only one suitcase change) Well, this year I didn't have time to do that. Mostly because I decided that it was more important to run around and see the people who matter to me. From going to Colorado, to Harrisonburg, to Williamsburg, to Northern VA (all over the place) over just a few days.Man I'm exhausted! It really is such a shame I didn't get to Florida, but I will try my hardest to come see you Meg Ward, I mean Ahrnsbrak. But we must power through to work on the packing...

With only 2 suitcases, because 3 is just too much to handle for my freaky small hands, and 50 pounds of stuff in each... I just don't know how I do it! It is so much harder than you would think. There is always something that I'm forgetting, and it'll just be a shame when I get to the airport and realize I don't have it. It's funny how you forget how much crap you have before you try to fit your whole life into a suitcase.

Example A: Who knew I had 27 pairs of shoes in the US alone. I know for a fact I left at least another 5 in Cardiff in storage. This is crazy talk. And how often do I actually wear these shoes? Well often enough that half of them are too beat up for me to justify bringing them. But man, I love shoes. Anyone who came to my house in Copper Beech at JMU would know about my shoe closet... it was a closet in the hall between the two rooms on the top floor that had 5 shelves full of shoes. I think I need to start getting rid of these shoes, or just stop buying them. Although practical flats are needed, so New Look when I get back :)

Example B: Movies, everyone knows I keep the majority of my movies in a giant CD case. It makes sense for travel and what not. But recently I've discovered that this CD case just isn't big enough! I don't even bring my seasons of TV with me. And when I get the Harry Potter DVD box set or the Lost complete collection eventually I'll really have to get a new one. But luckily I only am bringing 5 extra out of the 150 I own. To give you some perspective: I'm pretty sure I left at least 15 there and the 100 in my case so only leaving behind 30 movies... not bad I say, not bad.

Well the fun will soon begin when I actually carry these suitcases to the car and getting them down the stairs will be a challenge in and of itself.  I'm pretty sure at least one of these bags is overweight, and hopefully I can make the lovely airline worker at the airport feel sorry for me and not charge me for it. I guess it's time to turn on that southern charm and smile really pretty and ask many questions about their day and how things are going for them and "oh I would really appreciate it if you could do this for me please ma'am." Got to work that charm while I can still say I'm Southerner.

Long story short, I guess what I really need to keep in mind is just to check for my Passport, medicine, umbrella, and my cards before I walk out the door and the rest is up to what I threw on my floor before I started the packing process.

Lessons Learned From My First Year in Cardiff

The most important thing is to figure out the lessons you learn along the way. Every year on my birthday, my Dad ask's me if I learned anything important in the last year. Well at least this November, I'll have a whole list for him! These are the things that I considered important that I will carry on to next year. They are in no particular order, just how I thought of them over the last month or so while I've been home:

The value of a good cwtch: For those that don’t know, a “Cwtch” has no direct English translation. It is similar to an affectionate hug, or as I say: a good snuggle. When things are down and a good ole cuppa won’t fix it. I find a good snuggle will.  My flatmates or even some friends who were down, if they didn’t want a cwtch with a person, they found my teddy bear just as good. But then there were some who were rather amazing at the cwtch when everything was low and just needed a bit more than a hug.

Importance of friends: I honestly wouldn’t have been able to make it this past school year unless I had such amazing friends. People to make me go to class, who were fun to sit with, made my degree fun! They didn’t make me feel bad about going to the library for the afternoon, we had fun while we were doing it. Having a few great flatmates made it really feel like home. I will never forget when Rachel and Katy gave me tea and cake when I first walked in the door. I loved being there with them. You can get homesick when you’re that far away, but sometimes all you need is a movie night with a Canadian who has similar enough of an accent that you feel like you’re at home (That’s right Ashley…).

Food does not have preservatives in them- eat quickly. Milk will go bad in a few days, so drink up or you get chunky milk in your tea. All though I’m convinced this is overall healthier for you, it’s a bit hard to get used to buying food every few days. 

Know what days the grocery does specials: I found that if you go to Lidl on Sunday afternoons, that’s when the meat is on special. Being a college kid and knowing how expensive protein can be, this is very very important! When you find a way to make money stretch because you have pub golf on the next Monday, you find out when the specials are. Or buy two for one because you can always put one in the fridge!

Know the important Welsh words: don’t ask me to say them, but I do know a few… such as cwtch (snuggle), bwyd (food), nos da (good night), dim (no)… really that’s all I learned. I do need to learn more I’m convinced, or at least how to say all these words. There are too many ll’s, ydd’s, w’s, etc… honestly, does the language have vowels?

Always carry an umbrella: In Cardiff it rains for at least 10 minutes every day. It might rain all day, or you might just get that annoying drizzle, but you will get wet if you don’t have an umbrella. Even if it looks like a beautiful day outside with sunshine, no clouds, and a bit of hot temperatures with little to no wind… if you leave the house, go to Barry Island, you will get caught in the worst downpour of the last 10 years! There is a reason why the street venders sell umbrellas that say “I Love Rain,” because to live there… you have to!

I should have gone to school in Ireland: I found throughout my time in Cardiff that people from that Island loved me! I would run into them in class, clubs, pubs, Boots – and every single time they thought I was lovely and wanted to meet up with me afterwards. Two of my best friends at Cardiff are even half Irish! It’s crazy, but if I wanted to find a husband quick, as my mother wishes, I should have gone to school in Ireland!

My Last Hurrah (or should I say Huzzah?)

I know it's been a while, but that is what happens when you have exams, international trips for best friends' weddings, more exams, and packing to move back across the ocean. It's been a real blast living in the UK! I love Cardiff and I spent my last weekend going out in style! I'll give you a play by play for the last few days:

Friday: I got to go take advantage of the NHS for one last time before I come home, woot! Yeah free health care! Considering my medicine, if I get the non-generic brand will cost me about $200 a month, this is amazing! I got to have one last coffee date with Glendragon, and it was a good one. Only 3 hours at the coffee shop, that's pretty good for us. They last at least 2 hours and have been known to go up to 6 if we just keep talking. I'm going to miss him. 

Saturday: JOUSTING TOURNAMENT! It was so absolutely everything I hoped for and more! There were knights, a guy dressed as Robin Hood, and an American Civil War buff (I will explain shortly)! Katy got to sword fight, we cheered on knights in their jousting and horrible grammar, and got rained all over! It was just such a good time, I would say that anyone who has the chance should do this every year at Cardiff Castle, you'll see me there! Now for the American Civil War guy, who actually was the guy dressed as Robin Hood... It was kinda freaky when after a sword fighting display he came over because he heard my accent and asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Virginia, he said "I should have known, you look like a true Southern Bell, I can tell from the way you say y'all and how you carry yourself." It just made my day. We spent a good hour talking about the American Civil War, when he should visit Virginia and when they do all the reenactments, and the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley in the fall. Of all places, I find a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan who owns a Museum quality 3-star general outfit at a glorified Renaissance Fair. Granted, this blows Medieval Times out of the water. That may be because it was in a castle and was really really funny. 

 

After the jousting, came back, packed then made an awesome dinner and got dressed to the nine's to meet some good friends at a pub in town. I wore my 4 inch high heeled shoes and rocked a LBD, I looked way too over dressed, but it was fun while it lasted :)

Sunday: This morning, after getting home last night at 2 AM woke up at 5:30 AM to go drive to Gower and jump in the Irish Sea/Bristol Channel/Atlantic Ocean... Where it's located, it could have been any of the 3. At 5:45 we headed out the door in clothes that were easy to take off and put back on with many towels and warm thoughts in our heads. Around 8 AM at least 390 people ran into the body of water completely naked and swam around with the jellyfish. It was great! There was a stag party next to us, and that was how they ended their stag weekend, people who awkwardly ran into their neighbours from Port Talbot and feeling a bit embarrassed, and the nudists. It was a great way to raise money for the Marie Curie Foundation, and well worth the impending pneumonia ! We broke a world record, my name will be in a book for at least a week until the next attempt to break it in Ireland. It was great, and side note: people have tattoos in the weirdest places. 

So to end my shenanigans in Cardiff, I've had more than enough to fill my plate. I've had an amazing year filled with good, bad, awkward, fun, mind blowing, and crazy good times that I hope to never forget. It has brought so many opportunities for me to do things that I never would have done at home. It may be an expensive year, and I need to learn to manage my finances, but it was worth every second I spent here. I learned a lot, and hope to learn more over the next few years. And moving internationally, if you have the chance- do it. You really learn how to pack efficiently and its worth the stress :) There are many people I will miss this summer, and a few of them will be all moved away somewhere when I get back in September and I guess that'll just give me an opportunity to travel the UK some more. And maybe get some real home cooked food :)