An Edenborough in Edinburgh

Greyfriars Bobby statue

We went to Edinburgh this last weekend. It was so beautiful and breathtaking. I wasn't expecting it to be so hilly, but it gave my calves some great workouts. We left Friday and rode the train. It was a 5 or 6 hour journey. Saturday we got up and around. We found a parade. Scotland is fixing to vote on whether it wants to stay a part of the UK or be its own country. The parade was full of people wanting to stay.

Parade we stumbled upon

There was a lot of good stores and I bought me some good things. We just took in the city. Sunday we went to The Elephant House for breakfast. That is a cafe J. K. Rowling were worked on Harry Potter. It was good food.

The Elephant House

We heard that Camera Obscura and World of Illusions was good. It was five stories with a roof top view. It was worth the money. We walked around. We had a delicious late lunch. We shopped a little more. We were sad when we had to get on the train to head home. On the way to Edinburgh it was dark when we rode by the ocean, but on the way home we got to see the view.

View from train

View from train

 I was asked by a teacher to buy a Scottish newspaper. I failed and ended up bringing her an Irish newspaper, but it did have an article about Scotland. She laughed and said it was ok. I felt so bad. We are working on planning our next adventure. Student teaching is going well so far. All is well.

Week Two

We had a short week because of Labor Day. It was a pretty good week. Tuesday was our first staff meeting. Open house was Wednesday. Most of the parents in my class came. Friday we went bowling with a nice teacher who set up a night for her students and parents to get together and bowl. Today we were invited to go eat Sunday Roast. It is a big deal here at pubs and hotel restaurants. You choose roast, lamb, or chicken as meat and there got a lot of yummy vegetables as sides. The nice teacher who took also took us to commissary and BX. We loaded up on food and I got a Vera Bradley lunch bag.  There is not more paper sack lunches for me. I start teaching math to part of my class in a few days. I'm nervous,  but getting excited for it. We are adventuring to Edinburgh this weekend.  We're pretty excited.  We have heard all good things about it. I got to go get some sleep so I can be my best.  Ok, I might read a bit first.  Bye until next time.

My First Week

London Eye

Poppy field at Tower of London

Big Ben

Kings Cross station

Platform 9 3/4

Brandon train station

My train tickets

Hey Guys!

Sorry it has been a little while. I will try to get better. I have been getting set up and adjusted. It has been a fun and interesting journey so far. I spent most of last week at school. I got a really nice cooperating teacher and students. My first weekend was spent in London. We hopped on the train early Saturday morning and came back Monday afternoon. Our main transportation in London was the hop on hop off buses. We got to sit on the top deck and take in the view of most of London's sites. We stayed in a hostel. It wasn't a back experience. We spent a lot of time walking around Hyde Park. Sunday morning we had a mini photo shoot in the park. I got to go see Platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross. We will be going back for at least one more weekend with the plans to see a play. We are in talks of going to Edinburgh next weekend.  

And it is still raining

When my plane descended early this morning, it was raining. As I sit here typing this before going to bed, it is still raining. Where I come from, rain is pretty rare and when it does rain, it doesn't rain for very long periods of time. Rain makes me want to put on my cozy clothes, get in bed, and read my books.

I had pretty good flights. There were a lot of cute little kids traveling. I struggled a little finding the bus, but I made it. I as escorted around by two lovely ladies then arrived at our humble dwelling. I made a dent in the packing process. I'm waiting to talk to my mom. After, I'm going to read in my bed then sleep at last! And it's still raining.

This is from last night.

I'm off.

I'm sitting in plane fixing to leave.  All 8 can think of is that I'm tired and hot. I remember reading somewhere to take blanket they give you on plane. I hope I still remember that after I, hopefully,  sleep.  I'm a little nervous about finding bus once I get there, but I have maps. Almost time to turn phone on airplane mode and just use it with wifi until December.  It's very hot in Houston, but it's supposed to be pretty cool in England.  I'll probably end up being hot here and cold there, but not miserable.  So I probably dressed ok. I'm sitting in the very back of the plane, but I do have a window seat. I know we get a meal, but I'm not sure if it is sooner or later. I think I'm going to read my Glamour and then hit the sack. Talk to yall in England next!

       

On my way to the airport

We are in the car about an hour away from the airport.  I have two large suitcases, one carry on, and a backpack. I was lucky to have my sister and my mom help me pack. I tried to tell them and myself to just put in what I need  There is a chance that I over packed. I might just have to be that American walking around Heathrow with her cart filled with luggage.  I will let yall know later if I feel like I brought too much, not enough,  or just right. It is a little hard to pack light when you need a regular wardrobe and a teaching wardrobe. Space bags are really great with helping you fit in all your stuff, but beware that it is easier to go over weight with them.

To all you future study abroaders, your parents might start to act a little crazy before you go. Try to reason with them, but at some point you have to let them be. They are just worried about you. 

I don't know if I'm forgetting to tell yall anything. I have a 3 hour layover that I can write yall anything I forgot to say.

My Visa has Arrived!!!

Me and my passport with my visa in it

I have a visa! For a little while I wasn't sure I was going to get it. I am going to do my student teaching on an Air Force base in England. I'm going to be in a 4th grade class. There are three of us going. We were supposed to leave last Sunday. I couldn't go, but the other two did leave.   No Visa = No Travel   I will be leaving this up coming Sunday. I have all my stuff piled together. Now I got to go figure out how to fit it in my suitcases. I have been pinning ideas about packing and such. If you want to check out my study abroad board, it is here. I'm off to pack.