Gah...

So I have been back in the US for about 5 months now...and it's...different. I still talk about England and my European experiences like it was yesterday. I guess to me, it was only yesterday. I really miss my new friends, but we have been keeping in touch.
I went back to Worcester for my spring break and it was...disappointing to say the least. Even though it was awesome to see the people I used to live with and I couldn't thank Kelly enough for letting me stay, it was so sad in Sarah Siddons. The new people who resided in our flats were pretty much horrible...I mean there were these Americans and Canadians that really just blew...and everyone stayed in their own rooms and didn't talk...very unwelcoming. It really just broke my heart that I had to leave and these people got to stay...GAH!
Being back in London was so amazing, it feels like home to me. I watch Ugly Betty and movies and they are all being placed in Europe, and legit start crying...cause I miss it so much..it's a hot mess. My only mission now is to live in England for a little bit. I mean why not I don't have anything here chaining me down.

Good Bye Worcester!

Who would have thought the hardest part of all this would be having to say goodbye? I just sat here starring at my computer for about ten minutes crying, how am I supposed to write down everything I am feeling? I don't want to leave all my new friends.., hell I consider most of them my family now, Ok I can't write about going home right now.
So Friday we went to the dive one last time. And holy moly was it a good night. Kelly and I played some pool and we all hung out wit the boys. After a couple of shots the Aussie girls and I got up to sing karaoke to Sweet Child of Mine...oh lordy I think for a hot second I thought I was Axel Rose! Any way Carl and Will brought some of their basketball buddies, which was enjoyable for the most part. They heard I was from the States and started asking me about basketball, and of course I knew my shit, my Dad raised a sports girl! (Thanks Dad!!!) This one guy and I had a conversation about Davidson and they all realized my love for UNC!!! I think they were legit shocked that a blonde American girl knew her shit...I wasn;t. After that I believe I took some Tequila shots...yuck and went up again with the Aussie girl to the stage and sang the Australian National anthem...they adopted me lol! After another hour of enjoying the Dive I walked home with Carl and Will back to the flat. Carl decided to call our friend Nathan to drive us for food, it was like 3am but seemed like a brilliant idea! So Nathan I come to find has only had his license for six months...he is a baby lol. And me being in the drunken state thought it was a choice idea to drive with him, it was like a NASCAR driver. Carl thought it was HILARIOUS! Then on top of that I evidently could not make a decsion on what to eat at mackers...so evidently they decided I was getting nuggets lol cause they ended up in my lap!! The rest of the night was a blur, but I did get sprayed with a fire extinguisher by one of the b-ball guys...I slapped him and there was also a food fight...boys will be boys !
Saturday was a packing day, I have a lot of shit...ugggg! Kelly and I went to town one last time and just walked around and got Greggs...I love that damn sandwich!
Sunday was Will, Nathan, and Jake's Basketball game! I love sport days, my whole family gets into them and cheers! Prerna and I were animals! Will and I have had discussions on the game of basketball so at halftime he came over to me and asked if I had any opinions. OF COURSE I DID! I told him that on defense the boys hands need to be up, and that number 21 needs to stop throwing a tantrum when eh misses a basket cause then he lallygags and leaves the boys on defense a man down. Evidently he told the boys this and they did much better, and he actually thanked me! It was funny tho I guess boys here are not use to girls cheering and a girl knowing her stuff...if you know me you know I have NO problem running my mouth!
Tonight we are ordering Pizza as our last family meal...AHHHH. Tomorrow Kelly, Myself, the three other Americans, and Michael leave...it will be a hard day. But I know in my heart I will see these people again! I owe a lot to Worcester, a new begging, rejuvenation!I was never expecting to really be sad to go back to Jersey. On the first day I arrived I told everyone "I'll make you like me!" but in return I think they made me love them! I will forever in my heart hold this place close to me. The people,experiences, and lifestyle have made this a worthwhile adventure!
So I guess all that is left for me to do is come home to Jersey guys!

These are the times to remember...

So, Worcester, England! Damn you for being an awesome place and capturing my heart. When I first started with the idea of going abroad, I was really just doing it to get the heck out of Jersey and because Dana was going to France. I couldn't bare to think of her making all those amazing memories...I wanted some of my own! Going through all the paper work at Willy P was hell, and I did it basically with no help form the school. Once I found out I was going, I was terrified, what had I really signed up for? I am going to go out on a limb and assume most people thought I would get homesick and whats not, I was worried myself. But a month before I left I had a dream ( I strongly believe in what my dreams tell me) I dreamt that I didn't get accepted to the program, I was re leaved, but then disappointed in myself. I was upset that I just let myself be babied and take the easy way and stay at home in my comfort zone, I awoke the next day knowing I had to go!
And looked what happened, I actually liked it! I came here and learned about myself. I met amazing people and some not so amazing people. I got to travel and see beautiful places, But most importantly I think I grew up. When I was home I didn't really have a drive. Here I learned that I want to do so much more. School is only a small part of my life (thanks julie!) And yes, even though I didn't take the conventional route I am just fine, and my way is the right way for me! (Thanks mom,dad, and daney!) Here, in amazing England I learned that I am a confident person, I got better fashion (thanks jesus!) I also have come to understand other people and how to interact with them. I learned how to cook, healthy! I make my own soup using only veggies, and I love my fruit smoothies at night! The friends I have met here are one in a million. Prerna and Kelly are my besties. We have been through a lot! Boys, Girls, School, Drunken night, family drama, they are good girls. By meeting them it only solidifies that I am a good person who can meet good people. I got an insight to other cultures and learned how good it is to have a best guy friend for advice, MICHAEL!!! I can actually go places on my own and not take the quickest way with the least amount of people, and I go out! (Dana is soooo proud!) But I think the most important thing I have learned is that I am capable of anything. I was afraid I would fail and be miserable..but I didn't, on the contrary I am trying find a way to miss my plane!
So this is out last week, seven more days...AHHHH I AM IN DENIAL!! This weekend Kelly and I went to London one last time...we saw Legally Blonde the musical! I never got to see it in the city so this was pretty cool. Before the show we went to Camden, which is mecca for cheap things and barganing. I got soo much stuff! Then we went to Kelly's family friends house, it was a lovely couple who live in fairlawn but the husband got transferred to london for 3 years, they have a flat in the rich part of London, kinda like the upper east side. My room had a view of the London Eye! They were so sweet, we lit the Channukah candles and they made up french toast in the morning! The day of the play we went to oxford street just to walk around, then I had a brilliant idea of getting balck shirts and decorating them for this up comming Wednesday! So we did, one for me, Kelly, and Prerna. You see hear on Wed it is social night at the Uni, where all the sports teams dress up with a certain theme, This week our basketball friends are doing swimmers and lifegaurds. So I decided we would make our own shirts with Sarah Siddons on the front which is the name of our building and on the back our nicknames and 09! Prerna's said Prenny Lane, mine was Jot Jalapeno, and kellys was wastyface! I love us girls.
So this was our last Wednesday out at Bushwackers! The girls and I wore our shits and just had a blast. We hung out with Nathan and Jake from the basketball team, though Jake tended to wonder away Nate stayed with us the whole night...like our own body guard. We just danced our hearts out to all the best music, there was a part when they played Christmas music..not very clubbish. At 3am we decided we would go home, and there were no taxis willing to bargain so we walked home...poor decision. It was freezing! Prerna and I had the brilliant idea of running home, which wasn't that bad. We got exercise and home to hot chocolate faster!
Today is Thursday and my day off. Prerna and I decided to go into town. On our walk in it started snowing!! How perfect is that? We went to Greggs for lunch which is an amazingly cheap sandwhich store, we both got our favorite, TUNA CRUNCH! And then just walked around the town. Tonight we are all going to the Dive to say goodbye to Espen, he leaves in the morning! Ahh this is soo hard to say good bye!
Ok this is the first part of the last blog...I will finish it on Sunday, my last day here!

Watch out Paris here comes Jennifer!!

So this weekend I got to go see Daney in Paris!!! So my flight is on Friday at 8pm. I have my FAVORITE class on friday, Justice and Revenge in Literature. It is really interesting but also I have a HOOOOTTTTT German teacher. Anyway I had to leave this class a little early, and I was talking ot my teacher, Andrius and he goes "Are you really leaving Jennifer? My star American pupil...?" and I said yea I had to but in my head I was like mdkfjhsjkghesuih I LOVE YOU lol...don't judge me! So I leave for the airport, and get there fine, early actually. Here in England they don't believe in giving you your gate number untill like a half hour before your flight so I had to wait in a lounge..when it was time ti board I went to the gate only to discover I couldn't find my phone! All I kept thinking was I will be in Paris with no communication to Dana who speaks the damn language then I started to worry about Dad. "How could you lose a phone Jennifer...your not getting a new one..." Then I started to tear up I ran all the way back to security who saw me in a frenzied state and six of them huddled around me, and they were really helpful. This amazing man was like let me have your bag and we will put it back through the scanner...so he comes back and is like I can not open your bag but check this side pocket...SURPRISE I'M A DUMBASS! There it was staring right at me...GYPSY PHONE! All the gaurds were really nice and all hugged me, I guess I looked like a basket case, then I had to run through the airport to the gate...everyone was staring, I fell into my seat cursed for five minuets and then went and ate a whole chocolate bar..it was well deserved. My flight was fine except for the damn air speed bump that scared the hell out of me and totally did the KFC pee thing ( you know what I'm talking about Dad!)
I finally land!! I had to wait in line for customs which made me nervous, last time I went to France they were not very nice at customs, but I got through in a flash, they loked at it and said have fun! Dana was waiting for me outside the gate and we ran to each other as if we were lost lovers..awkward for those around us but we did not care! That night I was staying at her place with the host family...SHE LIVES IN A MANSION!!! I walked in and peed myself! This place is bigger then our house at home...and it's on the Cheyennes Liaise and here kitchen looks at the eiffle tower!! And her room is sooo cute, high ceiling and pretty curtain a fire place...heaven pure french heaven! The next day Dana had a test so I slept in and showered. I was not fully awake when I went to shower but I should have remembered from Dana talking about it..the shower is not real, you have to hold the thing where the water comes out! So I turn the water on and the hose is laying in the tub and then it came to life! The damn thing started snaking every where and getting the bathroom soaking wet...it was rough. When dana finally returned we went to get my hot dog on a baguette! It was the same place and everything...I think Dana was amazed I remembered..fat ass does not forget food! Then we went shopping..it was a little market place, kinda like canal street but the French don't bargain. I got awesome brown boots that are the thing in Paris, I love them! After that we went to her Australian friends house, we had some drinks on the way there...like on the metro...hilarious! Dana also made me run through a metro card thing with out a ticket...oh yea I am a rebel! Around 3am we got back to the hotel and fell fast asleep in the amazing kind bed! In the morning we had a continental breakfast...it was GOD...hash browns, omlett bar, cheeses, fruit,pastrys, juice.bacon...really good stuff! We then went to Versailles, which is beautiful and big. The gate is in gold and the artwork inside is amazing, Napoleon def made himself taller in the portraits though...on the way home we were in the train station wating and the doors that you would normally need to open with your ticket were ALL OPEN..key word. A gaggle of Asians came in and tried stuffing there cards in and the machine wouldn't take it, then to top it off they would start to walk through and just when you think they were going to make it they'd run back as if there was a force that would shock them if they crossed the line. Finally some English guy just ran through and all the asians started jabbering a way and then one guy pushed another one through and they all paused and then cheered when he got through...like they were shocked he lived..that right there was PRICELESS entertainment!
Then I had to go home...sadness but only cause I was leaving Dana...Paris is all right but I am a London girl at heart! I got home with no problums and now am back at the dorm typing this up..and I just looked that I will be in the USA two weeks from today...I am really sad about this!

Stranded...but HAPPY!

So today I decided to be spontaneous. Three of my Aussie friends, Clare,Alice, and Kate went to London on Friday, but I had class so I couldn't. Our other friend Carl who lives 25mins from London was going to meet up with the girls on Saturday and show them around, and on Thursday night before they left he said I should join them on Saturday. Well if you know me at all, you know I am not the type to just decide to go somewhere, plans are needed. But I went to bed on Friday and all I could think about was how I wanted to go to London. I then convinced Prerna, Will, and Kelly to come along, so I wouldn't have to travel alone! We got up at 6am ( UNHOLY TIME) and grabbed the train and was there by 10:30! Carl and his brother Russel, who mind you was a spitting image of my uncle Kenny at the age of 26, met us at the tube station. The six of us decided to go to Camden and meet the three other Aussie girls, needless to say the girls shopped until they dropped! (I didn't dad...you can start breathing again) After that I had a run in with a rouge pigeon..I hate birds! This bird had the guts to dive bomb my head, alas making me look like I was a crazy lady running from a damn bird! After that ordeal The three boys, Prerna, Kelly and I went to Footlocker and New Era...stores for boys. But it was really fun to see the boys be sooo into shopping..Will actually said "I need to do retail therapy!!!" We then all met up for dinner and this mexican food place. After dinner the girls went back to camden to get their bags from the hostel so they could go home, the three boys and the others decided we wanted to go on the eye! The London Eye is this HUGE hundred foot fairest wheel. You can see allll of London, mind you we went on in the dark...while it was raining. Still well worth it! After that we went to a pub called the slug and lettuce..weird name but awesome drinks. It was really nice to just sit around with a nice drink and good company and just be in the moment, I mean when will I ever be back at 10pm in a London bar drinking with these friends...probs never! We then got a call from Clare saying how the trains were not working and there was no way of getting home tonight....awesome! It ends up that we are stranded in London. Thankfully Carl offered up his house. So all eight of us slept in his living room on the floor...not the best accommodations I have ever had but it was fun! I had no clothes since I assumed it was just a day trip so I had to borrow a pair of Basketball shorts and a huge tshirt...I am sure I looked very attractive. And in the morning I was awoken by Casey (their dog) licking me..YUM! I have never been the one to spontaneously do anything...but if I am being honest...that was one of the funnest days/nights of my life! It was fun not to have a plan..and just roam! It was a great day with awesome people...have I told you guys...I really don't want to leave England?

I didn't know I enlisted...

So this morning at 4am I was on a battle field. I was awoken from a comatose state (due to the fact that I took a benadyl) by loud BANGS outside my window...I was disoriented and confused so I did what I thought I should do, tucked and rolled. I tucked into the fetile position and rolled off my bed onto the floor where I then proceeded to army crawl to my window. Don't ask me how I knew how to army crawl(probably to much Army Wives) but I made it to the window where I skillfully used a bottle of wine to pull the curtain back, outside I could see smoke. At that moment I knew this would separate us men from the boys. I jumped to my feet, which I was proud to say I could do since I had done yoga only 6 hours ago and was sore, looked out the window only to learn that there were fireworks...though I wasn't in the safe zone yet, a rogue piece actually did strike my window. After that wake up call, I could tell it was going to be a good day.
After classes today we girls decided to treat ourselves to movie. Sadly it was New Moon, I hate my life. How is it a crazy pale girl gets a vampire AND a wear-wolf? Yes I AM aware it is a movie..but it doesn't make it any less depressing lol. Any way Prerna and I were making snide comments the whole damn movie, either cause we are both bitter about our love lives or the movie was bad, you can be the judge. SPOILER ALERT ONLY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK! At the end Edward asks Bella to Marry him...it is a lovely scene, quite...romantic...and once the words have left his mouth..you hear me "OH CHRIST!" I didn't realize it until the words had left my mouth that it was out loud...oh well. Though I must give credit where credit is due, New Moon has done it;s job...I cried, I laughed...and I officially became a cougar..Damn you Taylor Laughton!

DUBLIN!!!

So this weekend I went to Ireland!!! I didn't realize how excited I actually was until I couldn't fall asleep the nigh before. It meant a lot to me because I only recently found out that I was actually Irish my blood. As we are getting ready to land I saw a RAINBOW!! Like legit a rainbow in Ireland ad we are landing!!! Soooo we arrive in Ireland on Thursday night! It is me. Prerna, Marianne, Kelly, Kate, and Dana was meeting us at 11pm at the hostel. We stayed in a place called Paddys Palace...for a hostel it was a palace! The heat actually worked...what more could you want? We all grabbed a bite to eat and then I asked Dana what she would want for dinner since she be getting in late...she said whatever you can find. So after searching for gluten free food I decided on a bag of chip, an apple, and chocolate milk! She was thrilled! So once we all got settled we went to bed. We woke up at 8:30 to start our day. We met up with Steph and Matt ( my cousins) at this free walking tour. It went all around Dublin for three hours. It was great, our tour guide was from NY so it was pretty ironic. After that we all decided to go to the Guinness factory...that was fun for the most part, it is hard to travel with 6 people some like to go faster then others. Through the tour we got to pour our own pint...so now I can say I poured a perfect Guinness pint! I really am not a fan of beer but I told myself I had to try it...so now Dana has a picture of my before drinking the Guinness face to the "OH MY GOD THIS IS HORRIBLE!!" face. Throughout the tour we met this nice guy from Canada and he became our new friend and we literally hing out the rest of the day. When the tour was over we walked out into pouring rain!! I had my nice boots on and refused to ruin them, so what did I do....I put plastic bags over them...Canada tied them..and I walked through the streets of Dublin with plastic bags over me shoes! Sadly...they still got wet! Saturday we awoke and went shopping!!!! I got so much...that I probably didn;t need...but WANTED!! (sorry dad!) I got a sweatshirt...a Irish Harp neckalce and my ring!!! My lovely Claddagh ring! YAY ME! Then we went to Christ Church, which was beautiful!!! Though I am starting to think all churches here are like that!They had a creepy crypt with a cat and mouse that was mummified!! It was like itchy and scratchy!!! That night Dana and I and Kelly met Dana's friend from school at this bar called Flannery, which was located in Camden and is evidently where all the local kids hang out! It was sooo much fun dancing and meeting people. On our last day we met up with Steph and Matt for a literary Pub Crawl...the girls for the literary info, Matt more for the pub part hahah. In the afternoon we watched the rugby game at a local pub and then went for a traditional Irish dinner! I had fish and chips with mushy peas which were amazing!!! Matt, Steph,Dana and I hung out till about 1am drinking and dancing! Have I mentioned how cool they are!!???? Monday morning came and we had to leave...totally sad!!! But I will be back one day!