It's the little things

Sometimes something small can make you feel at home. For me, it was putting 40 odd some pictures on the wall. It's really funny and everyone is asking about them, who they are, and what we are doing in them. They are all above my bed and pretty awesome. I just wish that I had more room to put more up!

The other little thing is the Blackweir. Although last night it was pretty packed because of soccer matches, it's so close to my favorite hot spot Boston Beanery that I just love it. It's a very chill atmosphere, and even though there is no Mark serving my drinks, there is Rhys who makes one mean Long Island. It is officially my drink because I'm from the East coast, which is close enough. This is also similar to how whenever they play "country roads" it's my song because I'm from Virginia, which is close enough to West Virginia. It's nice, there are some really comfy couches and the atmosphere is exactly what I want. Last night we went and didn't even have a drink, but just sat and played board games (specifically connect four, or in Jason's case connect 5). It was a fun night, and we just relaxed and had a good time.

Another little thing is my teal ribbon silly band that I haven't taken off yet. Although I broke one of my two, the other one is still going strong. Seeing it makes me happy. I'm also lucky enough to know a whole bunch of Canadians, but most importantly, Ashley! She and I can talk about Thanksgiving and trying to figure out how we are going to get home for Christmas, sightseeing that we want to do around here, and where we are going to get jobs when we come home for the summer. It's amazing how one bus ride can make you feel at home because you have someone who is pretty similar. I love this girl, little does she know, and I hope that I get to spend as much time with her as possible over the next few years.

Another love of my life is not Primark and Boots. Besides everything costing the same just with a pound sign in front, it's very fun. Going out is a whole different lifestyle... and i plan on addressing that all together in what I shall call, Fancy Dress vs American Halloween

Nos da

first few days!

Here I am!

Who can believe that I am actually in Cardiff. My room is about 1/10 of any of my rooms over the past 7 years of my life, but at least I have my own bathroom! Woo shower! Even better, I have one of the backrooms, which means that I get to look over our garden! Yay garden!

Well I have some amazing flatmates (so far) and they are lovely! Rachel and Katy are just so amazing and in the true British fashion, welcomed me with cake and a cup of tea. It was just perfect! They are very good to me and I don’t think I quite deserve it, but that is how it goes I guess. We are still waiting on the other 5 people of our flat to come, and hopefully they are as amazing as we are!

Life is pretty fun here, and I’m starting to get myself settled. Spent more money than I should have yesterday on buying food things and things for the room, but at least it look’s nice. I have red sheets, which aren’t satin, and a funny little duvet! I know that today we are getting our student ID cards, and going shopping again!

But this place is like a fairy tale. We live right next to everything that we need, but it’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy it.  There is a castle down the road, we live all around parks, and I already had people ask me to say things because I’m American. Very typical, very interesting… There is so much to do here, I really hope that I get a chance to do them all within my four years here. It’s very exciting.

Who would know that in order to get my American in everywhere I can I would start listening to B.o.B and  hard rap music. We went out a few nights ago to the Student Union which is also a club, and it was a blast! I amazed the girls when I could rap along with Slim Shady and sing all the Journey my heart could handle. Leave it to me to have my first night here involve wine and staying out until 2 am! Man, lets see if I can keep up with this now with the jetlag and the pending courses starting. This should be interesting. At least yesterday on the bus I met someone in my program and we can get together and she lives 2 houses down from me. (Important) She has been awesome and today is her birthday! I love birthdays, so we are going out to our pub tonight, it's pretty amazing. Called the Blackweir, it has a Beanery feel to it, and I'm already good friends with the bartenders. Leave it to me to figure that out too soon. But they are a blast, and the drinks are cheap (also important).

The big fun thing right now is that I have internet for the first time in days! Checking my email and making everything work, getting on facebook … I was starting to feel out of touch with the world. But I have it working, thank God!  Will update more later. I just have to start putting pictures up here too!

Packing and Leaving

Eventually you hit a wall. It's going to happen someday, now matter how hard you try to avoid it. You could wear a helmet through life to lighten the impact, but where is the fun in that? You'd just look stupid all the time anyway.

Well I hit mine. It's called packing. Little do you know I have two suitcases and two carry-on's that I'm allowed to take. So that is what I am doing. I know I should double check and make sure I have everything, but my room looks so clean! I can see the floor for the first time in weeks! I think in all my life I've never been excited to have a clean-ish room, just ask my mom. But it's all said and done, and there is nothing anyone can do about it!

Leaving has been hard. I'm not going to pretend that I don't cry, or that I'm not going to miss anyone... I am. And I'm sad about all the people I didn't get to see. But it'll be ok. I'll see them at Christmas! But to not be able to say good-bye to them, it just makes me sad. That is actually the best word for it, sad.

But now it's time for my adventure. Something that I will never forget, and completely enjoy. I will miss the states, the family, friends, and food. But it'll all be worth it in the end. I'll get to have a new life, with new people, and that is very exciting. I'll experience something that I will never get the chance to do again, I just have to do it. And now that I'm starting my new adventure, hopefully you'll be a part of the world I am hoping to create.

Much love
Caitlin
Anna-Banana
Chipmunk
CAB

Master Card, American Express, and Visa

For those of you who don't know, I'm moving! Going to Wales, and staying for a while. I'm slowly working on getting my United Kingdom Citizenship... and studying there will really help! Now just to get there and get my VISA...
Applying for a Visa is a long and complicated process. Not to mention that its super expensive. No, I don't mean the credit card, I mean what I need to study in the Optometry school at Cardiff University. I'm already moving to another country, have to buy all sorts of stuff and a plane ticket... you think they would let that one be a bit on the easy side.

NOPE!

First, I have to give them all this information: parents date of birth, place of birth, address, where I'm going, what I'm doing, what days I'll be there, and most importantly: how many speeding tickets I've had. For those of you who don't know, I have had more than my fair share and needed to be sure that I didn't get any in the past 20 months so I can keep my license... I feel like a member of AA, "Hi, I'm Caitlin, and I have a speeding problem. I had my last ticket December 4, 2008. It has ruined my life, my relationships, and my wallet. It took me hitting the bottom to realize that I needed help,  I got cruise control and it has saved my life." Will I get this Visa? I'm not sure... But I can sure as hell hope.

I mean one of the great things about moving to Europe areas, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION! Yee-Haw! I wont have to drive! No more tickets! I can catch a bus, train, walk, have a friend give me a ride, etc. Pretty great if you ask me! I kinda wish the US had that sort of system, maybe I would have had one or two less tickets.

After dropping over $350, I got to get up at dark-thirty and go get my finger prints done to be sure that I am who I say I am. Maybe they should have taken a hair sample and pulled a tooth to be 100% sure. I have some to spare. The student visa will go out when I get my information back about my financial aid, which is a whole different nightmare!

But until I get my Visa sent off, I will stick with my to-do list. First thing: quit my job