Snow snow snow

It's winter holidays here, I have a month off and I haven't really done anything at all, so this is more of a yeah, I do remember this occasionally.

It did however start snowing Saturday afternoon here, and it has been enough to disrupt travel systems in pretty much all of the UK, flights have been cancelled in the UK and through parts of Northern Europe, it's actually not much snow at all, the biggest problem is that it isn't going away and there's forecasts for more.

This was our storm: 

Yeah, this caused a bit of havoc.

Yesterday I went out shopping with Anne, I didn't really get anything, we went to go see the Cathedral:

Looks quite pretty! 

And I don't really have much more to say, not a whole lot has been happening aside from taking care of a plant and snow.

Happy Holidays!

In the land of snow, ice and rain

Okay, maybe not the snow bit anymore.

Yep, haven’t updated in awhile, there’s a good reason. It is end of term one, which means –everything- is due, and it wasn’t until 4pm today that all of my projects were finished and handed in, which means, after a very stressful week, I’m finally able to relax, aside from two lectures (tomorrow and Friday) and winter holidays begin after my Friday lecture.  Yay!

Something else happened, it snowed here in the UK, not just a simple dusting, no, we got around a foot of snow for two days, and on top of that, we had two snow days! I haven’t had a real snow day in like forever, so it was the greatest thing ever, I tried to work on my assignments, but there was just that time where it was all big and fluffy flakes that I said screw it, threw on my winter stuff and asked my housemates if they were coming out with me! Hayley and Emma joined me, me and Emma watched as a car towed a lorry up the hill our residence is built on because it was icy and full of snow, and then when Hayley came out and joined us we walked around the student village in look for untouched snow to make snow angels. Afterwards we started up a snowball fight between the three of us, we plastered Hayley pretty good, and in attempts to get Jess to come outside, we started tossing snowballs at her window.

All in all, the two snow days were great fun, was a little disappointed when it rained Saturday morning and the snow was all gone, and the library still closed early, but all of my assignments due last Friday and this past Monday got extensions due to library closure so it worked out in the end.

Looking forward to this weekend, not just because it starts my vacation, but I’ll have a guest over, and hopefully I’ll get to go to London soon and see all the Christmas decorations and maybe spend some time in the British Museum.

Cheers.

And in other news...

I have been lost to the scary land of homework and essays, but only until Monday as that is when my last project for the Michaelmas Term is due.

There is also snow, not a whole lot, but it's quite a winter wonderland here at the moment, it's also quite icy, I've had to take the bus into town for the library because there was no way I was walking it with six books and a laptop.

When I have time again I shall do a bigger post... maybe. Lets see how well I remember!

Looking for work, and finishing term one

Only a couple weeks remain before the first term finishes and the winter holidays begin. I'll be staying in the UK, as I am currently looking for work right now since I finally received my National Insurance number. Yay.

I haven't really been up to much, mostly doing my assignments, working on a "book proposal" now, which is just a fancy name for write an essay and give a list of topics that are explained briefly. The topic for that is the United Kingdom and all the changes that have gone on it, such as Devolution, Decolonization, and various other things. After that, I get to make a "poster", again, they're being funny and calling it that because it is just an essay on A3 paper with a map of Germany.

I attended a meet and greet between the exchange students that came to CCCU and the ones from CCCU that want to go on exchange. Only one person was interested in Canada, which we really were not surprised about, well, we were a bit, we figured nobody would be.

After that, I had an enjoyable tea time with some friends from Freeman Court, Riona, Katie, Laura and Anne while we watched the boys clean the kitchen.

Oh, and I did finally hear today that they will be fumigating my flat in order to get rid of the bugs, because the conventional sprays they've been using have had no affect. No idea when they'll do that, but we imagine they will do so in the Winter Holidays because almost nobody will be around (except me :( ), but I'm sure I'll figure out somewhere to stay if I need to leave my flat for a day or two.

Cheers.

New background

Those who do read this will now have noticed a new background, I was playing around with the templates on another blog I've started (not sharing the link at this time), and I noticed this one and loved it.

It just seemed so perfect!

Rain, and more rain and lets throw in some fire alarms for fun

Okay, maybe it stopped today.

This last week has been a looooot of rain, my poor little umbrella wasn't able to stand up to it so it decided it was time to call it quits. That was the first day it rained this past week, I got very wet that day despite wearing my coat. Really, the reason was I never had a chance to dry off that day, as I needed to go to the library immediately after class and have the careers helpers look over my application form for my National Insurance number, to make sure I'd written it up correctly. I mailed that on the way to my next class, it's supposed to take two weeks to come back, but we'll see!

My lovely wonderful boyfriend has finally joined me, which is yay. The bugs seem to be leaving me.. somewhat alone. I still don't trust the creepy crawly little bastards, and I'm still afraid to look underneath my bed. I do really need to take the vacuum to it, but again, that fear that all of a sudden I'll see a bunch and revert back to being a little girl as I run away from my bedroom.

I have finished one essay, almost done another, and ready to start my last two for the Michaelmas term, which should be nice to have a bit of a break before starting my next assignments, the first due in February of the Lent term and the rest just following in March.

Hopefully I shall have my NI soon, so I can get work (and hopefully, I can get work).

It's kind of late, it's been an exciting last few days, I'm kind of writing this to get rid of the damnable writers block I'm having even though I have every single point to my essay planned out and waiting to be written. But nooooo, can't have that can we writers block, no indeed we cannot.

Well, nyah on you writers block. I will win, you will lose.

Anyways, in the last four days we have had three fire alarms, and for once they did not do their 10am fire alarm testing, I'm guessing they're rather aware that our alarms work considering all the ones we've been having lately, not to mention it went off later in the evening today.

Seems also on the 23rd I've "agreed" to speak to CCCU students wishing to study abroad in Canada, I don't recall this, but it doesn't particularly bother me either way if I do or don't. That should be interesting, maybe someone will want to visit Algoma for a semester or two, who knows!

I think I need to stop my ramblings for now, and head to bed, cheers!

I had a good title thought out earlier

But sadly, it has escaped my mind.

This past weekend has been first, the Gunpowder Plot and Treason day (Guy Fawkes day!) on Friday, secondly very quiet because I've been home alone, thirdly death to bugs and all bug kind, and fourthly time to get my first essay of the term finished. I have until 4pm to hand it in tomorrow, which is good because I want to ask my lecturer if I've formatted it correctly before handing it in. I normally don't do full drafts and edits on my papers, I'm usually fairly happy with my first and only make minor changes (yes, I know this is a terrible idea, but it's worked fairly well for me), but this, I want to do well so I tried. Keeping it under 1000 words and still getting my points across has been the biggest challenge for me, I should've done the first draft sooner, but I know for my second essay to do that (due on the 18th).

I've fallen in love with pasta bakes, I don't know why considering pasta has always been one of those things I've viewed as "Eh.. I guess I should eat it" type foods, it's definitely never been hated like soup has been, but it doesn't stand anywhere near the beloved potato. Penne (has to be penne, I love penne), creamy tomato sauce and cheese? What isn't great about it? Especially when you cut off a chunk of white cheddar, cut it up a bit, toss it over top for the microwave, mix it about halfway through and then eat with joy.

As for the bugs.. well, I tend to see them once a week or so, so not sure if the spray is working. I did find one crushed underneath my shoe this morning, that was.. interesting. I can say for sure I promptly ran to the kitchen, grabbed our poor little vacuum and did my room again. It didn't want to work at first, I was afraid it had died on us we've been vacuuming so much! I'll have to report it if it keeps acting up, I just hope we get a cute little vacuum with a face again if it has to be replaced.

I've also received my forms for my National Insurance number (fiiiinnnaaalllllllly), I worked on it a bit yesterday (first needed to go to ASDA's and buy black pens because surprisingly I didn't bring any..), I also got a cute highlighter set which is good because mine like to die on me and it's nice to have backups. Tomorrow I'm heading to the drop-in sessions I used to get my CV set up, to ask them if they can look over the forms between my two classes (I'll need to print off my answers for Goodbye Lenin! anyways, and look for some more research books for my next research essay). I've already decided, first thing I do when I get a job, buy a bloody printer.

Not much else going on, very excited for the end of the week!

Cheers.

Happy Halloween and in to November

Well, I wish I could say I've been leading an entirely super exciting life, but the thing is, I've been mostly living and enjoying for the most part my little adventure in England. Most of my excitement these days tend to come from the rush of adrenaline, fear, panic and a complete loss of sense when I turn into a little girl and scream at the sight of bugs.

Yep, I have bugs in my room again, and I'm not the only one as one of my flatmates does too (we don't like our new flatmate, the dreaded bugs). Our poor vacuum seems to have taken the news of the new flatmate quite harshly, he's almost burned out. That was Halloween, that ungrateful jerk of a flatmate went about scaring us all senseless.

I'll even post a picture to our evil flatmate: New Flatmate, evil bastard

Otherwise, it's essay season. My Global Cities essay is coming along though I sometimes just sit and stare at it thinking "well, what now?" and my earthquake essay is ready to go as soon as I finish the first one. Then I have to do a map of Germany and some strange project in another class.

Cheers.

Oops

For some odd reason I believed I had recently updated this, instead of leaving it for well over a week. Though, I can say I haven't really been up to much, I've been mostly attending my lectures and preparing for two essays due in roughly two to three weeks from now, the topics being the evolution of the Global City and reasons why earthquake hazards become disasters/catastrophes. I have two other projects I need to start thinking on, though they aren't due until early December so I have plenty of time in that regard.

I've also been waiting on forms so I can receive a National Insurance number, similar to the Canadian Social Insurance number for those curious, so I can work. Those should hopefully arrive this week, and hopefully sooner rather than later as I would really like to get a job. I have lots of free time, but not a lot of disposable income to travel/go out often.

I have started to look for work, and the things that go along with it, such as preparing a CV that an employer in the UK would look at (there are differences from a resume in Canada, though they're kind of small), the HR staff at the University has been very helpful in giving me help on writing it, proofreading it and giving suggestions of how to organize it so it looks appealing. As soon as I can get to the library (thirty minute walk to the library and possibility the computers aren't working is very unappealing) so I can print off a summary for an application I'm submitting, I can submit said application. It's very tempting to  invest in a personal printer, and I've also submitted my CV for the Temp Bank at the university HR department.

I've spent some time with friends, notably Anne (either in the library, random bump intos along the way between the uni and home or going out as done tonight) or the Freeman Court Family.

And yeah, that's my exciting life. I'm currently in the market to make it more boring, but more busy at least!

I guess I could also say I've started looking at what I want to do Post-grad since it seems that the fourth year of my programme may be delayed and.. I really do not intend to give five years of my life to this BA when I could've finished it in two and a half years.

Cheers.

Thanksgiving and a day of rest and essay writing

Yesterday we three Canadians exchange students did our Thanksgiving dinner, it turned out really well, though we didn’t do turkey and I feel bad for not realizing there were a couple vegetarians who were coming (I’m really sorry you two!). Our meal was two chickens (we rubbed butter on the skin and then spiced them, it made it taste awesome), sweet potato mash (they were really hard to cut, Anne accidentally cut her finger open, we had a fun time keeping that from bleedingL), oven baked stuffing that Emma made, and for dessert we had an apple crumble type pie experiment from Jeremi and a chocolate frozen cake from Halley. Overall, it was very tasty and well done by everyone. We invited more than just us Canadians, since cooking that much food for three people is a bit on the insane side, so we had my housemates, Cameron from Wales, and two of the American girls.

We all had fun and afterwards we all helped clean up and straighten up the kitchen and then all went our separate ways. Most headed towards the Jolly Sailor, a pub in the town centre, and I headed across the street from my place after resting for a bit and hung out with Riona and the rest of the Freeman Court. I tried for the first time, Pimms, which was very interesting with all its fruit. I stuck around until I was exhausted (which was only around midnight but late enough all considering what I’d done all day) and went home to bed.

Earlier though, yesterday, I had to go to Augustine House because my student card had finally come through. As I was waiting in line to ask for the international office at the i-zone, Jane-Anne Kilvington actually ended up calling me and asking me to come in because I had been talking with her assistant and mentioned I hadn’t been having a good time so far in dealing with the university, getting everything sorted and getting in touch with the people I needed to speak to. She asked me what was going on and I discussed some of the problems I’ve been having since I got here, and how frustrating and stressful some of them had been since no one really knew how to help me or who to speak to about it. She told me, should anything else come up I should come speak with her first, which was nice, and that way she could help send me to the right people if she wasn’t able to help me herself. Things seem to be finally sorting themselves out, the dinner (or maybe it was getting my student card) seemed to be the point where things started turning for the best.

I went afterwards to get my CV checked out, since the university here is doing a careers and employability week in order to talk about many of the things needed to gain experience, skills and to be aware of them and boost your confidence in the job search and interview process. My CV is almost finished, apparently what I had was on the right road to being a good one, I just needed to finish filling out sections, and we spoke about how best to present my visa working limits, since the word Limitations isn’t very nice. CV’s here are really nice though, you don’t have to attach information like birthdays because the businesses here are not allowed to discriminate against age except in certain industries (serving alcohol comes to mind). Just about finished it, but had to leave my room and go out because I was getting too distracted, and my bed too appealing.

Now I just need to continue writing my essay, and find that map of Germany I'm supposed to be doing a poster with. Yay history and evolution of Global Cities!


As and aside and an edit, have I mentioned just how awesome aero hot chocolate is? I swear to god I am going to miss it when I go home. Also, eggy bread (french toast without vanilla/cinnamon/syrup) is awesome when you feel crummy.

Uh.. been awhile!

It’s been awhile, and I haven’t been updating really. There’s a reason, if I haven’t been feeling a bit on the ill side, I’ve been stressed out and frustrated, and I really didn’t want to write posts like that, or.. really do anything.

My biggest complaint in the last little while is Christ Church really doesn’t seem to know anything about me, this has been like this pretty much since I arrived. I had been put in with the American history groups that are here, sent to a history lecturer in order to choose my classes and Geography having no idea I existed, let alone that I was supposed to be in the Geography modules. Going to pay for my accommodation, or at least finding out information about it? I don’t show up on the system because I’m classified as a group, I’d already been here a month when they told me that.

Getting my money transferred here, oh that was fun! I went in to a shop that does Western Union Transfers, called the Money Shop, and filled out the forms and handed them in only to be told that there was no account by the number I had been given, not only that, when I called to find out what was going on, I was told my account had already been paid. I went in to ask about it, to find out that when they say that, it means that someone has gone and picked up the transfer already. Yes, they told me someone had picked up my money transfer, which requires identification such as a passport, a specific code and details regarding who it was sent by, who is receiving and how much is expected. I had already been having a few shitty days at this point (because of Blizzard shutting my account down for suspicious behaviour and being a pain in the ass to contact thanks to lovely time differences), I was stressed out and trying to control myself in order to get back to a normal calm, this really did not help and in fact, it made it a great deal worse. I burst out in tears in the shop, which I had pretty much been told someone had stolen my money (around 1600 pounds). I had to make an emergency call to my mother about it, and thank god for her patience in this because she had to put up with my own panic, her own panic and Western Union.

What happened to my money? They deemed it was a suspicious account and returned it. The bank gave the wrong contact number, so we were never notified about it. My mum had to go back to Western Union, retrieve the money and send it again, and send me all the information. The next day, I went to go print off the information, only to find out the computer system at the university was down, only a few students could sign on, PDFs and various other documents couldn’t be saved or opened from the university computers. I don’t have a printer in my dorm, I have to rely on the university printers, I was kind of screwed at this point. So I had to email my mum again stating I couldn’t get the document to open, and needed her to email me the details in plain text. After that, I had to go back to the Money Shop, fill out forms again, and finally, I had my money.

So, this Thanksgiving weekend, I’m very thankful, for my mum and all her patience in putting up with me, my friends and flatmates for being wonderful and understanding, the school staff for helping get everything sorted out finally, and the ability to honestly just go out and walk around and find something new (well, old) and just get lost in the history of it.

Also, we Canadians of Parham Road are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner since the University is hosting one for the Americans in November, but not us. We get to bring our new friends in to something of our culture, while they add bits of their own. Sounds like a normal Thanksgiving dinner to me!

Cheers.

2010-09-16 Canterbury 3

Web Albums

Testing this out, if it doesn't work, let me know.

More pictures

Trying out something new, more to follow when I figure it out!

What can I say?

These last few days has either been a lot of lying around, sleeping, running around, or getting super lost.

I can say, I for sure know my way to both the North Holmes Campus and Augustine House, both places I will be spending a lot of time in once classes actually start.. and before apparently since I've been at one or the either every day including the weekends. I also know how to get to the city centre, though that's not that difficult considering just about every turn will bring you there!

I also know how to get unbelievably lost in the city centre. Go figure haha.

I did finally explore Castle Wall, a gorgeous roman wall from the third century which has been touched up in places with red brick, and the Dane John Park which has a mound, a cool labyrinth play park, huge and ancient trees, World War Two ammunition shelters, fountains, sculpture, et cetera. At the end of the wall is Canterbury Castle, a beautiful old ruin that you're allowed to enter and explore. Largely all that remains of it are the outer walls, but definitely worth  a visit if the chance ever comes up.

After my first attempt to explore the Castle and surrounding area, I ended up very lost. Sadly, that day I had been carrying my laptop in my bag and after a few hours even something that light feels really heavy.

Before exploring and getting lost, I'd been at an information fair for international students which gave information about the various support groups, student union, local emergency services and so on, they gave out a neat key chain which is in the shape and size of a pound and can be used for carts and trolleys.

Afterwards, I've been going out to the frosher pubs, since it lasts two weeks here and I felt like going out for once and having a good time. I met several new people, Riona, Andrew, Eoghan, my two flatmates Emma and Jess who just moved in in the last couple days, and many, many others.

Starting to cook more, and get things sorted, for example today I attended a programme orientation which was for first year students but they suggested the Exchange Students attend in order to meet the Lecturers and learn more about how the courses were handled. I had to fill out more forms for the school regarding my international status, and went up to the Geography Department and sorted out my classes, just need to find out if I need to switch them around any or not!

Aside from that, I can say I have definitely been a vegetable the last couple days, and eaten plenty of them too, and have enjoyed my bed. My classes don't start until next week, the first week I was here was get the International Students settled in, second week is move in the UK students and start the first year classes, next week.. well, I guess I'll finally be starting!

Looking forward to that, anyways, though I'm sure I'll grumble I bit once it starts. Cheers for now.

And here's the rest

Wednesday, September 15^th 2010,

Had to wake up early again, still was not sleeping very well so not a lot of sleep was to be had that night, and I only got up at 9:30am, though I had set my alarm for 8:30am, and I finally left by 10:00am. I had to walk, again, to the Hepworth building and meet with Ken to once more, discuss classes. This time, I left with a class list and when I asked questions about it he mentioned I should refer back to Algoma for more information about how many I can, and should take and how this is all going to work out. I sent off an email, but I’m still waiting on that reply. I had to choose some classes, just to get me started until things are figured out on everybody’s end, I chose Cities, Western Europe, Regions of Risk and Space, Place and Politics going off the assumption that each class is equal to a six credit course, because it goes on through all three terms. I’m going to need to speak with Nicole back at Algoma to see if I can apply for the extension, since I actually do have a summer semester and I’m able to choose enough classes.

Afterwards, I just walked home, behind the university is some old ruins, I hated myself for not having my camera and I keep forgetting to go back, I will at some point. I have most of the year. After getting back, I cleaned up my room a bit, mostly stuff from unpacking and I just hadn’t found a good home for it yet, and then took some pictures around the kitchen, hall, room and flat. Amazingly enough, not long after this, the repair guys came in to fix my cable outlet for the internet, I was happy with my clean room. Chatted and joked around with them while they were fixing it, and then thanked them for it when they finished and it all worked again. Was wonderful to be able to sit here without worrying about my cable falling out randomly and disconnecting me while I was doing something.

I can’t say the rest of my day was too eventful, I was tired, I grabbed some sealable containers from ASDA and some laundry detergent so I can wash my clothes when I have enough for a load, watched some movies when I got back and finally, since I arrived, had my first hot shower. I have showered since I arrived, however, ice showers are not fun. Hot water is wonderful, awesome and most beloved, I hope it never leaves again. I will be terribly sad.

Thursday, September 16^th 2010

Finally, today! I got an email from Ken about my course selections today before I left, I didn’t sleep well again, but I’m hoping this stops soon, but he told me I was right in my assumption about how classes worked here. I got a bit lost on my way to the Augustine House, but made it only a bit late to the welcoming for the Tier 4 students and the other international students. They talked about what was around Canterbury and Kent, things we should go see before exploring further past the county. After that was done, we were let out to go get something to eat and drink, then we came back to discuss registering with a doctor, and why this was a good idea! So that was done, I have a doctor, I’m going to be registered for a health card number or something, they’ll get back to us about that. Still need travellers insurance, because that actually covers the costs, though it’s free to visit a doctor in the UK.

Afterwards, there was a session about Tier 4 Visa, which explained the rules and what to do for an extension. It was very distinctly something meant for people who were studying for their full degree here, the three of us on exchange weren’t really sure what to make of it since we don’t really fit in either programme they have set up to welcome and help the two different groups of international students. Immigration in the UK, well, the information around it, is heavily regulated by the government and no advice can be given professionally without an OISC certification, though this and the paper I will be writing is okay (I asked) because it’s essentially opinion and experience, and I must say that it was based on my experiences and try not to use advice so much (haha). Laura Spencer, the International Advisor, spoke to us about an Entry Clearance Correction Scheme that she runs in order to fix any mistakes or problems on the visas, and of something called a Schengan Visa which may or may not be needed to travel throughout Europe. More information definitely required there.

We wanted to explore, and really it was getting more difficult to sit around in the Augustine House not doing much when we wanted to explore, so we left and walked around the town centre some more until Jeromi had to get back for an outing with his housemates. Anne decided to go nap, and I decided I was going to go back to the Run of the Mill (pub up the street with wi-fi), and just relaxed. It’s not something I plan to do every day, but it’s nice to do every couple days because it’s relaxing and has a really nice atmosphere, and I can enjoy myself doing the things I normally would be doing. Plus, I’m not exactly missing out on anything considering it shows football (soccer), various other sports that are popular in the UK and plays music both popular around the world and in the UK.

I still don’t have any roommates, so my hallway is feeling a bit lonely but I’m sure I’ll feel differently in a week once the British students have moved in. I’m at least getting my appetite back too, which is just always good. While messing around with my mobile (I swear it hates my room), I went out front and met some more students from the UK, they gave me big hugs saying how they loved Canada (Canadia as one said) and Canadians, and invited me to spend time around. Anyways, things are getting better.  

Fire alarms in the UK are annoying

It’s been a couple days, and it’s probably going to be updates every couple days, I write everything down in a notebook I purchased to the best of my ability, or memory if I don’t have the chance to write it down as I go. It’s a good practice, it’s helping me remember more of what occurs during the day, which really is not a bad thing in the long run, and something I will need later on. The next few entries will be between the 14^th of September, to the 16^th of September since it’s the late evening (11:15pm) and I’m not up to too much for the rest of the night. Soon, I’m going to start writing out that paper about my experiences in getting to where I am now.

Tuesday, September 14^th 2010

Still not used to the time difference, and still having difficulty falling asleep at night and waking up for what I need to do in the morning, this morning I had to walk to the North Holmes Campus and meet with Ken Kennard, since CCCU really isn’t sure what to do with me and one of the Canadians, Jeromi, since we’re both Geography students but we keep getting put alongside the group of Americans who are studying in the History programme, the look of confusion is easily noted when mentioned we three aren’t part of the same group, and even more so when Jeromi and myself speak up. Worst still is, Geography was never told I was coming, I’m in the system, but as Ken Kennard put it, the right people haven’t been talking with the right people.  Since nothing could be done with my case until History talked with Geography, I was told I was free until the next day, while Anne had arrived to talk with Ken and Jeromi was sent to the Geography department.

I went downstairs and finished up my last post, I saw Anne walked out so I had ran to catch up and she mentioned she was going to look at mobiles, so I joined since I needed to anyways and good company. That’s how we got to the town centre, which is just a neat area which is mostly for pedestrian use (it’s actually marked in places as pedestrian zone only), and looked around the shops for mobile carriers, there was Vodophone, Orange and T-Mobile. Orange actually took away its plans for Canada and the USA, so we didn’t stay long, but at least Vodophone and T-Mobile had something in place for the influx of international students Canterbury seems to receive every year. It’s actually cheaper to call a cell phone or landline in Canada, being 5p a minute (100p in 1 pound, p is pennies), and 20p a minute locally. They sold mobiles for 9 pounds at T-Mobile, and the international rates for pay as you go were the same, so we stuck with T-Mobile and purchased our mobiles.

Afterwards, was lunch, at a nice little pub though the name is lost to me right now, something about a buttermarket, anyways, they served food and we thought it was a good idea. I tried fish and chips, though sadly not in a newspaper, but instead on a plate. Was great, very tasty. After eating we decided to explore a bit more, and took pictures (which I will post later), after that we made our way home so we could relax and do whatever we needed. I ended up going eventually back to ASDAs in order to buy some more food, and sat down for a little long before deciding I wanted to check out a pub just up the street that had free Wi-Fi and welcomed students. The dorms don’t allow any gaming at all, claiming it unproductive, though it is a bandwidth issue as well they have said (please don’t do this Algoma, your students will hate you), and have blocked specific ports because of this. After awhile, Anne came and joined me and we sat and watched the football (soccer) game for a bit until it started getting dark and late and the pub filled up.

Home again was uneventful, I just tried to sleep until of course, the fire alarm went off around 12:30am, the people living on the top floor had burned some food. Luckily, I was dressed though it was oddly like being back at Algoma for a few minutes, shivering in the cold. At least I have hot water now, not because of burned food though, one of the people upstairs showed me a hidden switch for the hot water.

Oh, and some pictures!

I went around today with one of the other Canadians, her name is Anne Stokes, to get a mobile for when I'm here. It's just pay as you go, but that is all I will need. It's only 5p for me to call landlines and cells in Canada so it was very appealing for us, not to mention the phones only cost about 10 pounds each, and then another 10 to top up the phone.

So, while we went looking around we ended up in the town centre, around St. Augustine's Cathedral amongst other things. I didn't take any pictures of the Cathedral, I'm sure that I'll take a tour of it sooner rather than later, and there were plenty of other interesting things to do.

Finally I get to it

Canterbury is a lovely city, I have to say and will really keep saying it; however as to be expected it is very different from any type of city I have ever known. The streets are very narrow, which includes the sidewalks, and everything is very packed together. I’m jetlagged, I ended up sleeping for twelve hours and missing the first two inductions, though I made it to the tail end of the second one and found out I need a private meeting with the American International Advisor which will be tomorrow at noon, I need to check again where it is because I’m afraid all I was distracted by being tired, hungry and very late. The private meeting is only because I don’t know which modules I’m supposed to be in, or chosen, in order to do classes here.

My plane ride was fairly uneventful, my mum and my boyfriend Michael took me to the airport and we wandered around for a bit before 8:00pm EST rolled around and they had to leave, and I had to go to the boarding area. I chatted with a lady returning to England, mostly about the process in which we had to get on the plane to leave. Around 9:30pm we boarded the plane, and I sat in my seat beside the window and that was when it started to rain. I made a joke to the person sitting beside me about how we were bringing the rain with us. When we took off, I got to see Toronto from above all lit up, it was very neat, the person I sat beside had studied Geography and Geology so he was one of the few people who has never asked me if I would be doing cartography mostly. Window viewing at night is really only good when the lights are off, but the majority of the flight the lights remained on so people could read or do whatever. The inflight movies were Letters to Juliet, which was an adorable and cute love story and Iron Man 2, which I’ve seen before and it got too late so I fell asleep.

So as to yesterday, my day of arrival now that I’ve had my small rant, we arrived around 9:35am GMT at the London Gatwick Airport and they weren’t too happy with me at customs because they expected students to already have their loans sorted out by the time the students arrive, which I explained it’s sorted, it just hasn’t been deposited as of yet. After that, I went and collected my bags, the same fellow I’d sat beside on the plane helped me load my trolley and then I went searching for the meeting point for the driver who was picking me up. It took awhile to find him, but once I did he helped me get my bags down to the parking lot and into his van. It was very strange to sit on the left side of the car, it was almost like I was getting in to drive. We were almost stuck along the motorway due to an accident between Gatwick and Canterbury, but the drivers wife called to warn him, and moments later his employer called to say the same. He was a nice man, talked about the UK, Canterbury and he told me some funny stories about some American students he has brought to the university before.

Since I’ve landed, I’ve been called an American (and Irish) on many occasions, especially in the information settings though most apologize when I have told them I’m a Canadian, and even remark after a few more sentences of conversation that I don’t have as deep an accent as many Americans do. I’m living in a flat, the layout is two halls on each floor which have four bedrooms, a shower room with toilet and a full kitchen, that is 14 - 20 Hamill Terrace. So far, I am the only one living on my floor, though there is one person a floor below and six people on the floors above.

Getting here, and getting in my room was fine, though I felt a bit cramped at first it’s fine now, I got a bed and kitchen package which helped me get started. I went for a walk to the nearby ASDA (as-da) which is the UK version of Wal-mart. I only picked up some conditioner, bath soap, nutella, bread and peanut butter because my hunger ruled out the smart idea to check out what sort of kitchen I had, despite Jayne telling me I did in fact have a kitchen. Neat store, huge as per the Wal-mart franchises, I haven’t been in too many others though I’ve seen a few I’d like to go visit.

I have met two Canadians so far, Jeromi Chiu and Anne Stokes who are from the universities of Lethbridge and Victoria, we’ve tended to do things together because otherwise it’s to be lost in a wave of Americans who all have their own groups from their home universities. The school is arranging a thanksgiving dinner for the American students in November, we joked about having our own Thanksgiving dinner that we would make ourselves (and to anyone who wished to join us). There are many trips planned within the next two months, though in two months out of the nine I really only want to attend one of those trips and explore more on my own since it’s done through a private tour company aimed at students. I have also met, and socialised with the people living in the flat with me, they are from Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus and are all very interesting people.

I did have a fit, or two rather, of homesickness, which I’ve been told is completely normal, even for the students coming from the nearby communities and towns. They’ve shown us around a bit for the city, how to get to the Campus (though I still get lost) and how to get to St. Augustine’s House (the library/international office/staff offices/etc.) and given us maps and a self tour guide for the city.

It’s taken a bit to write this, because so much has been happening since I landed Sunday and it’s only Tuesday now, I’ve slept in for about twelve hours the first evening and for less than six last night because it feels way too early to wake up or go to bed. I’ll update again in a few days once the mess of my courses are settled.

Arrival

I have arrived, and so much (and so little) has happened today and I am exhausted so I think bed first and then I'll write a new post up for tomorrow evening, with some pictures I hope!

Today is the Day

My flight takes off tonight at the Pearson International Airport, at 9:55pm EST, to say I'm not nervous would be wrong. I'm fairly nervous, but I am also very excited to finally be going, and done.

The visa process itself has been highly frustrating to me, and for my family who has helped me complete all the documents I needed to fill in. It is done however, enough said, I will be writing a paper on it soon enough. As of tomorrow morning, 9:55am GMT I can put that behind me, and focus on my new adventure.

I'll miss home, of course, I can't imagine not missing it. I'm pulling the same funny cycle of moving in the direction of eight hours (Sault Ste. Marie is about eight hours driving from Toronto, the UK is about eight hours flying from Toronto). Going up to the Soo this last week reminded me why I moved up north, it's lovely, wonderful and just feels nice to go up there.

Anyways, everything is packed (I hope!) and I'm just about ready to fly.

Amending before

The very nice delivery guy from DHL called and said he would be heading back to the apartment yesterday in order to deliver my visa package, totally unexpected! Very nice guy him, props to him! I have my visa (well, it's at the apartment since I'm still away), and I can do everything else I need to do no problem. I am for sure going next Saturday. Yay!

At last.. Sorta!

My visa was approved yesterday (September 2nd), and it actually arrived today but alas, I'm visiting my grandparents for the last time and nobody was home. The delivery guy plans to call for 6:30pm to tell me if it's possible to be picked up tomorrow. It's done, it's approved, I just need to get it from the drop off point!

I'm set to leave September 11th, flying around 9pm and arriving around 9-10am in Gatwick.

Also, happy birthday Elizabeth Cooke!

Things I have learned

Documents needed for a UK Student Visa

-          CAS statement from UK university, plus one copy

-          OSAP statement and/or bank statement (or letter) of personal funds

-          Passport

-          Birth Certificate to go alongside bank statement

-          Letter of registration from home university

-          Transcript from home university with your grades grades

-          Appendix 8 Self Assessment

-          Application for Tier 4 Student General Visa for over six months/Student visitor visa for six months and under

-          Biometrics (Passport Photo and Fingerprint record), passport photo must be submitted with application, fingerprint this will be done at the Application Centre

-          Visa Fee

-          Bill received at the end of appointment

All documents must be originals or stamped by the issuing business or organization.

There are only a few application centres in Canada, go to the closest and make sure you have absolutely everything.

Breaking a security seal is considered a Very Bad Thing, so, it should never be done, you are warned that you will have to start your visa process all over again.

Help will be limited, sorry, that’s the facts. Google is your friend however.

Your OHIP can expire if you're gone too long, always go to a nearby OHIP location and file an extension if you're gone for a long time.

Visa Appointment

At 10am this morning I arrived at the Eaton Centre, early by a long shot but I've either never been to the Eaton Centre or I just can't remember ever going, so I explored. Neat place! I dislike elevators that shoot from 0 to 25 though, very awkward feeling that. At 11:15am I was at my Visa Appointment, sitting at a desk when I received a paper about the most common reasons visa's are denied. Top of the list, lack of evidence of financial support. Uh oh.

When I finally got to the processing desk, I ask the girl working there what could I do? I hadn't received anything from OSAP stating I was to receive funding, I certainly wouldn't see the funds for a few more weeks. I was nervous and worried, maybe I was going to be rejected. She looked over my documents, asking me a few questions, I asked if I had everything else that was needed. She asked, did you fill out Appendix 8? The blank stare on my face likely gave it away, I hadn't even heard of it, she told me where to go to find it. Okay! More questions, I tell her it's for an exchange and my fees would mostly be paid to a Canadian institution, so she said she didn't need anything to show I could pay my fees, but she still needed proof to show I had the money to pay for rent, food and all that fun stuff. Back to needing proof from OSAP. I also learned I needed a letter of registration from Algoma, my home university and the transcript used in my application from exchange. Oh my.

She told me I could either reschedule my appointment, or I could mail everything in myself after gathering it. If I chose the second option, I would have 10 business days to do so. Doable, I thought, gotta be. OSAP document will be the hardest, I think. She sends me on to the next counter, where my picture is taken and my fingerprints are taken down digitally for reference for when I cross the border. Then, all done. My boyfriend had mentioned there was a nice bookstore there, and I need to calm down and get something to eat anyways so I explored the Eaton Centre a bit more since my first look around I had to keep an eye on my watch. Huge Indigo! It was awesome, I'd like to go back. Then, all that's left is to go home on the subway, which is easy enough.

After the subway, I made a few phone calls to Algoma (ow long distance), Nicole (financial aid office) was able to print off the OSAP document I needed right away which was awesome since I thought that would be the most difficult part. Mark was also a big help, getting the documents I needed plus some just in case, and having them all together in time for my boyfriend to come by and grab them. So a big thank you to those who helped, Nicole, Mark and Michael.

Travel Insurance

Blue Cross saves the day, will be able to get a plan from them to cover my time out of the country, and they warned me that I will need an extension on my OHIP card or I could risk losing my insurance. Yikes. Another thing to add to the list of things to do, but I'm almost done!

Update

I finished the Visa application today, and I have an appointment for it on Thursday at 11:15am at the Eaton Centre. I still need my fingerprints but dear god is it hard to find a place to get it done. I may just march into the police station and ask for it heh, the only way I'll get a reply back I guess.

I was asked if I could write a paper about my experiences in doing so, I've already started because I think it will be fun and really it's been a process a year in the making. Ups and downs so far, but it seems to be all coming together. I'll have to try and call and ask if it'll be okay if I don't have my fingerprints done in time for the appointment, or if I need to reschedule it.

Anyways, tomorrow and Saturday I will be at my Vavo's funeral and visitation, as she passed away recently so I wont get to think about this very much at all.

So it begins

Yesterday, by email, I received my finalized CAS statement from Canterbury which means I can (and have) start my Tier 4 Visa to the UK. I will be going for about eight months it seems, though exact dates of when I will be heading back home will be learned when I arrive.

My set date to leave is September 11th (great day to fly), I will be purchasing my ticket soon enough. I will be arriving there on September 12th, early the next morning GMT.

The processes are started, I'm looking forward to going.