Late for Class...Oops

So to start off my day I accidentally slept in, got locked out of my building during a downpour after throwing out the trash, then I had to wait in line at reception to be told about a little button that makes everything work, and then I had to catch the 1:15 bus to be at class at 1:30. As a result I was 5 minutes late to class. Oops.

There were about 150 people taking it, comprising of undergraduate and graduate students. when I walked in the room was a sea of faces. Oh, well. I went to the back and sat for two hours during the lecture. It was an interesting one about motivation and whether it is a cognitive process procedure before the motivation begins for a decision, or an internal drive and instinct that decides the decision to be motivated. It went through Maslow's Hierarchy, Alderfer ERG Theory and Vroom's Expectancy Theory.

Afterward, I got a chicken salad sandwich and a hot cocoa for lunch and headed back to my room to study some more. Wow, my life is so interesting. But I blog about it to let everyone know that I am still alive. I think only my mother reads all of these. But they are almost like a little journal that I can keep at the end of the year. So I write about everything, even the days that kinda suck.

First Day of Class...

What can I say about sitting in class for two hours? It was somewhat boring, but intellectually interesting about sums it up. We took two mini fun quizzes (non-graded) that tested whether our common sense in supported by theories. When I got to the true/false question about whether women are slightly more intelligent than men, I said true. I got it wrong (we're all about the same), but I can argue that on a later day. I should say men and women's intellectual motives come from different places. =)

Anyway, before class, the first thing I saw was this:



Her name is Misty Blue. At least that is what the windshield proclaimed. I thought it was so cute I had to take a picture of it.

After classes I went back to my room and studied the required reading for next week's class. It'll take me a week to finish all of it, that's for sure. I made a good dent in it though. Now I'm going to bed. May start a new romance book to relax after all the social psychology terminology and theory.

Good Night!

Archery in Nottingham. My day is complete...

I started today by getting up obscenely early for a Sunday (I love my sleep) and tried my hand at archery. I really liked it, even though I'm not great at it, it helped to de-stress, which was the whole point for me. Since the de-stress archery worked, I decided to join even though it was 65 pounds to sign up for the gym facilities and 15 pounds for the yearly fee. Double all those figures, and that's what I paid in dollars. I try not to go there mentally, but I still cringe a little. But if it helps me de-stress and gets me out of my room to interact with people, that's always a good thing.

Afterward I had to run to two of the libraries on the University Campus to get 4 books that I have to read before October 6. Not to mention the 3 journal articles that I need to read as well. All this needs to be done in a week. Did I mention that it's just for ONE class. I try not to dwell on it either. But I am starting early and breaking up all the reading so I can finish it in time. And I really try not to think about the fact I'll be on that same accelerated reading schedule for the rest of the year. Fun stuff, right?!

Sorry there are no pictures. I really can only do picture taking on my weekends, so try to wait it out. I know I am pining for the weekend already. And Monday has not even started. Lord help me.

Relaxation Day...

Today I really did nothing. I woke up with a migraine. So after popping some pills I layed in bed and just rested. A read a bit after I felt better. Then around mid-afternoon after I discovered my bread had turned moldy I realized I had no food. Except for soup. So I had soup and made an excursion into Beeston to get some food. Did you know that if you want to grab a shopping cart, you have to put a pound coin in the shopping cart handle, and then when you put it back when your done, it pops back out for you. It's like you have to put down a deposit on your shopping cart to even use it. It certainly discouraged me from taking it to transport my bags all the way back to my flat. It's Saturday, and silly me I had totally forgot how crazy grocery stores get on the weekend. It was a madhouse! All the good bananas were gone, so I got oranges. Of course, bread was a must. I got cereal, milk, orange juice, yogurt, a few TV dinner thingies, and I also grabbed a jar of Nutella. I'm sadly lacking in chocolate lately. So after the check-out lady gave my 50 pound note a good look over (those are pretty rare around here) I trudged back to my flat and ate some of the spoils for dinner.

It was a pretty boring day. But looking at my schedule for this week, I'm going to be running around to libraries, classes and reading masses amount of information. So if you don't see a post everyday, DO NOT PANIC. I know this is the first thing you check everyday =) No, but seriously, don't worry. I'll check n regularly.

I just enjoyed resting and taking it easy today. Now I'm going to read and go to bed. I know what your thinking...what a party animal. ;)

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

Today, did not disappoint in the boring department. It was a two hour lecture on how to search the Library's website and navigate their massive e-book, periodical, dissertations, etc. Considering that they use the same search engine of PsycInfo that Austin College did, you can imagine how enthralled I was. The only remotely interesting and useful part of the Library Lady's Lecture from Hell was the snippet about finding my professor's Reading List for each lecture that is recommended that I read before each class. Luckily none of them were cruel enough to assign me anything to read for the first lectures this week. But I may start on them early.

Next on the agenda was registering with the Health Centre. (Yes, that is how "center" in British language is spelled.) It was boring, three sheets of paperwork, detailing that everyone in my family and I are healthy as a horse. But I did put down under medications my nightly face cream. It's medicated, so it fits the category.

After that, I had to go into Nottingham to straighten out a few things. No pun intended since the first thing I bought was a hair straightener for 12 pounds which was a steal, since everywhere else was selling them for 20-40 pounds. I tried it out when I got back to my room. It works, but I'm not sure about the fact that I can hear it humming. Weird or not, it works, and that's all I care about.

Next was figuring out why my Orange cell phone had lost all it's minutes so quickly. The salesman neglected to tell me the first time I was in his shop that I had to press "343" and switch my plan to the "Camel Plan". Needless to say I was a little more than upset, because first: He never mentioned this the first time I was in his store. And second: Why did he not simply sign me up on that Camel plan in the first place and saved both our time. Stupid greedy salesman.

After I was down to 8 pounds in my wallet (and I took 40) I walked around the City Centre and relaxed the day away. I found another Starbucks! And I even took a double decker bus home. So here are my pictures of that little walk and ride around town.









Um, I would tell the library they spelled "central" wrong, but may be construed as being a smart ass and they would be right. It may be fun, but I was only passing by. Maybe another day I'll channel Shawna-ness.




Is it ironic that on Angel Row I watched a dove get hit by a bus?? I hope not. that was just sad. With lots of feathers.






Lord, am I happy that I am done with boring informational lectures on topics that should be common sense. Anyway, so my mom was asking why there were no pictures of my bathroom. Well it's because it is very hard to take a photo of space that is maybe 3x5 feet. But here are pictures of my effort to please my curious readers.




Now I am going to sleep in tomorrow, read my trashy romance book, read a few papers of the Reading List that look interesting. And then maybe go out to a crowded bar with people I only met a week ago. Maybe, since I want to try archery on Sunday at 10 am. It may sound later in the day, but I'll still be getting up at 8 in the morning. Which is a little earlier than I like. But it's archery in Nottingham, England. I guess I'll just to make it work! ;)

Free Day!!!!

Yesterday was monumentally boring... Session about career development that explains that CV's must be on what type of paper, what font, the UK can have them up to 3 pages long, blah, blah, blah. Then there was the super fun session on...mmmmm...it was so boring that the topic completely flew out of my brain.

Anyway, today I had a FREE DAY!! And Lord did I need one. First on the Agenda was going to the Fresher's Fayre (and yes that is how the British spell it. "Tire" is also spelled "tyre". Strange.) to pay the fees for clubs. I joined the AmeriCan Society, because they have Thanksgiving Dinner and the Psychological Society, because, Duh!, I'm studying psychology. This Sunday I'm going to try my hand at Archery. I'm in Nottingham, I would regret it if I didn't at least try it here. While walking around I took these photos of the campus.








Then after blowing out the fuse in my room trying to set up my Skype phone, I decided to break down and get an Orange phone. Which looks like this:



And I know it looks like what a 10 year old would carry around, but it was only 10 pounds. It was the best price I could find.

To get one I had to go to Nottingham, so I went to Waterstone's:



And their Romance section (which pitiful in my opinion):



The Starbucks across the street from Waterstone's where I got a Starbuck's England mug:



And then went to McDonald's and had home cooking, kind of:



And then I just went sightseeing, like a regular tourist. I saw St. Peter's Church, a British Taxi, a liquor store with more booze than I have ever seen crammed into such a small space, and random store's and streets.










At the end of my day I took the bus back to Broadgate Park. My home (for the year). I sat next to a nice old lady who was on her way to see the movie "The Duchess" and we chatted a bit about this and that. When she got off, the next lady who sat next to me was not as friendly, but cordial. So while on the bus I snapped off a few more photos too. Can you spot the second Starbucks I saw on the way??

Walking, More Walking and an English Pub(s)

The Big red Building on the right is the International Buidling and is where my I-WHO school and professors are located. I'll take a few classes there enve though it's still under construction.

I did a lot of walking today. I walked about 2 miles to Jubilee Campus, which is on the opposite end of University of Nottingham. I know what your thinking. Why did you get housing so far away from all your classes? The main reason I did is because I didn't know where my classes would be. It was a 50/50 shot and I lost. But I actually like my room.

I did get an interesting offer form a Medieval History postgrad though. Her classes are near Broadgate and she said I could move into her room, since she found a room near Broadgate. But here's the rub: I like it here. I like living so close to a small eclectic town, with cheap grocery prices. I like my spacious room. I want to buy a bike, so I can just ride my bike to the other campus, because I want to lose weight. All very good reasons to stay. Not to mention the wonderful friends I've made, just today. I'm making my sticking point the bathroom. If there's no bathroom in the room, I'll have to decline. I've had enough of sharing a bathroom. Four years of it, five if you count the weekends I had to share with Keimo, Lorna and their brood. So that's non-negotiable. I love my bathroom. Sure, it's small, and I have to get up extra early just to take a hot shower. But it's MINE. The only downside to my sticking point is the price. I would love to pay 2,000 less pounds. I would be ecstatic. But if I'm unhappy in my environment, it will reflect in my work. If I can't work, there's no point in my being here at all.

I also went out to a genuine English pub. I got a single tall cran and vodka, then a half pint of cider. I liked the cider. It was sparkling and had a sweeter taste to it than beer. Not bad for spending about 4 pounds. I also got to chat with some very cute boys, which is always a plus for me. Mostly because it doesn't happen often. the first was Ben, who is English and doing his postgrad work in international law. He has plans to become rich, he mentioned laughingly. Great to find a guy with a sense of humor about his ambitions. the next guy was a German named Andre. Who was sooo hot. Kind of quiet, but it was loud, and talking was difficult. He even hugged me before we said goodbye. I gave him my email, and he just emailed me right away, which is a good sign. I think. I definitely want to see him again.

Freshers Week

So yesterday was when the international and postgraduates were moved into the building. It was a pretty quiet day to say the least. Today I had the day off, but the undergraduates from around the UK have rolled in. Nearly 1500 kids came today. It was recommended by the staff to go to a "Welcome Talk". I knew I would most likely be the only postgraduate. They talked about the bicycles they'll sell toward the end of the week that other students have left behind. The bike should cost 10-15 pounds which is a great price. I'm going to get one if I can. At the end, the speaker asked if he had any questions and as I expected...no fresher’s raised their hands. Big surprise! So I asked the first. Where the sign for the bikes would be posted? On the door of the bike shed. Duh. But it served the purpose of getting the kiddos to ask their questions.
I went into town to get some soup, a pot, and a can opener. Right now I'm surviving on sandwiches, bananas, yogurt, orange juice, and now SOUP! By the way...What the hell is Oxtail Soup and does it taste any good? I even grabbed a can of Mac n' Cheese. Yes, in a can. I've never seen that before, but I'm game to try it.
It took me an hour and a half to find a pot, and I ended up with 3 for 5 pounds. All three places that could sell them were almost completely out. I luckily got one of the last.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I can start the ball rolling for everything. What I'm not excited about is finding my way over to Jubilee Campus. I'll probably have to walk before I can ask anyone who would know the route better.

I'm Here!!!

Hey Ya'll

I finally got into Broadgate Park and my internet is up and running. Money is tight, since everything is double the price and I've been really watching what I spend. At the campus drugstore they were selling toothbrushes buy one get the 2nd free. When I got to the check-out she rang me up for both, but I insisted on her checking the sign. I was right and I got my free toothbrush. Yeah! It's the small things, right?
My room is nice, and I'm settling in. I'm just trying to get my bearings. I need to go shopping for essentials (toilet paper, hand soap, food, etc.). Yesterday, I went into Nottingham and found the bookstore. It's about as big as the B&N, maybe smaller. It was a good location to find, since it was in the center of town and I used it as a focal point. I usually can find my bearings better if I'm looking for something specific, like a store. On the 22nd I'm starting the introduction to the program and then the roller coaster will begin.

So far I think I've walked more this week than I do in a year. My legs are really sore, and I'm trying to not pull anything. So far so good. I found out my classes will be located on the other side of campus. But at least postgraduate work is a lot of independent learning and I won't have to go over there everyday. I still have to figure out the Hopper bus route there though.

That's about it for now. I'm going to walk to Beeston and find those essentials