University of Bath: Thank Goodness For College Campuses

No matter how different things are here, one thing is the same: a college campus is a college campus.

I'm sitting in the library looking over 'The Parade', which is the equivalent of OSU's Quad and people-watching while pop-music streams in from the open doors. Everyone is milling about while clubs and sports teams recruit for the year. THAT part is a little different, however: the fencing club is right in front of me poking each other with epees.

Speaking of campuses, this one is beautiful. Huge grassy fields, tons of trees, and a duck pond make it into a combo OSU & Central Park. I'm thrilled to know I didn't pick an ugly campus! I was able to get a deluxe tour of campus this morning as I wandered around looking for the building that hosted my first orientation meeting. Fortunately I've learned to live with myself and left my room 45 minutes early to accommodate my lack of directional abilities.

[Side note: I may join the water polo team...or at least motivation to join the water polo team just stopped in front of my window, wearing his water polo shorts (Read: male booty shorts) and six-pack abs.]

I found a small 'grocery store' on campus, but the name is deceiving. This 'grocery store' is about 1 part grocery and 2 parts alcohol. And it's situated about 2 buildings down from the library. Clearly these Brits have the whole 'studying' thing figured out.

On that note, I'm off to go try and find the buildings in which I must complete registration. I only have 2 hours until my next orientation meeting and goodness knows I'll need that entire time to find anything on campus. It's not a big campus...it's just that I'm me & I'm perpetually lost.

Cheers!

Words That Describe Where I Am: London, England & The UK

I've made it!
Just wanted to post a quick update to say I landed at Heathrow Airport about 2 hours ago and am now waiting for the bus that will take me to Bath.
I'm not sure when I'll have internet access again, but when the time comes I'll provide a rousing account of my journey (Spoiler: It wasn't that rousing).

In Summary: I'm here, London is beautiful (and by 'beautiful' I mean cloudy), and I'm off to Bath via bus in 15 minutes!

T-18 Days (or 'The Part Where The Nerves Set In')

Two and a half weeks until I leave for England/Great Britain/the UK for a year!
I've yet to figure out what I'm supposed to call it. According to one website, all 3 titles encompass a different region:

England: Just England. Go figure.
Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales.
United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland...most of Ireland.

So now you know. And I know. Technically I can't go wrong. I could even throw in the British Isles, which includes England but a whole lot more. The other isles are fun to say, too. Things like 'The Isle of Man'. You can bet I'll be making a stop there.

But back to the real topic, I am nearly ready to go: I have my plane ticket, accommodations, passport, and loans. I just got the e-mail letting me know my visa is currently being processed. Fingers crossed that UK government employees move faster than US government employees...

And finally, since I do not yet have photos of my trip, here are a few pulled from the University of Bath website. This is what my apartment (really, it's a dorm but I prefer apartment) will 'supposedly' look like. I take nothing for granted.

   
The photos, as well as some info on 'Clevelands Building' can be found here!