I'm Hot 'Cause I'm Fly... You Ain't 'Cause You Not.

Melissa and I just ate so much Penne with Meat Sauce... we might explode.

Everyone left us for Berlin this weekend, so the two of us have spent a good portion of the day together, making (and subsequently eating) all of the food in the house. Suprised? Didn't think so.

Soon she will leave me, though, for ROMAAA. I must say, I'm a little jealous, but hey, I'm going to Frankfurt in a few weeks!! However, Melissa will be accompanying me on that adventure ;) We will be flying over for the weekend to visit my beautiful cousin Ian and her husband Burt! I am very excited, because it's been 5 years since I've seen Ian... and I LOVE cousin-time. Also... we will be in GERMANY!! Aka: The Mother Land.

In other news, I got tired of staring at my (off)white walls last night, so Caleb and I went to work and decorated my world!

Yeah, I know... My wall says, "I'm Fly"... and CLEARLY by this picture... I should not have to explain why.

Since my package of photos FINALLY came in, it only seemed appropriate to graffitti my walls with family, friends, and funnies.

Gotta say, though, hanging up all of the pictures definitely made me a little nostalgic. I'm very excited to see all of my chicken nuggets when I return.

A little closer for ya, Since I know how much y'all love my smilin' face.

I wish I had something more interesting to share, but honestly, this week has been severely low-key. I started a new class today: Language in the Media. Seems to be pretty interesting, so far... but my teacher is like about to explode with baby, so I'm not really sure how this semester is going to go? I don't think she was either... judging by the fact that she said, "someone will see you next Tuesday," as we were leaving the classroom.

This weekend should be pretty blog-worthy... Courtney and I are having girls weekend, which is to include an "American Party", "Carnage", Cupcaking, and BEDAZZLING! I will try my best to take pictures of everything to keep ya in the loop.

P.S. The first person in the greater Swansea area to contact me after reading this will get FREE PASTA!!! WOOOOOOOO

Mad Love.

I'm not Talking Planets or Galaxies and the Distance Just Makes it Worse. I Know What You're Thinking, this Probably Sounds Rehearsed.

Five minutes peace.
Shout out to Justin Pierre, raspberries, and peppermint hot cocoa for getting me through today.
Confession: I am homesick.
I guess it's normal to feel this way after being away from "the norm" for a month... but seriously. I would do some wildly entertaining things for the following:
1. A head scratch from my mommy.
2. A belly bumping from my daddy.
3. To be the little spoon next to L'Boyfriend.
4. A McGriddle, Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and/or a Claussen Kosher Dill.
5. Aquamarine night with Maren.
I know, I know... stop being a baby. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I've been given and the friends I've made along the way... but I really do miss some of the every day comforts of home. I miss being around my family. A lot.
I don't know if you follow the "love languages"... some people think they're a crock of shit... but I think they are essential to understanding how people are wired. Call me cray-cray, but take the quiz and tell me your results aren't spot on. For example... my highest score is "Physical Touch"... followed closely by "Quality Time". That means, I feel the most loved when I'm hugged, kissed, and given time... And 66.6% of these things aren't happening on a regular basis OR EVER; which means, I'm seriously deprived.
I would say I certainly get my fill of quality time, seeing as we don't spend too much time in school here, and spending time with people is an absolute necessary for me. But sadly, I can count the number of hugs I've recieved on one hand and I certainly have been doing NO smoochin' over yonder... not that the latter is a bad thing, seeing as I've got precious cargo in the states.
They say absense makes the heart grow fonder... but I say... absense makes the snuggler go insane.
Don't believe me? Ask every store in Swansea about the girl crying for a body pillow. They'll know exactly who you're talking about.
Oh yeah, I ate some cake today with Melissa. Delicious.

Marilyn was wrong... Chocolate is a girl's best friend.

Carrot Cake. MMM.
Mad Love.

I Had a Pocket Full of Dreams but I Gave Them All to You

I was tired of sitting around the house.
So, I took a little initiative and bought five greyhound tickets to Cardiff; which were later dispersed to my five favorite people: Melissa, Nick, Caleb, Courtney, and me. Yeah, I realized I put myself in the favorite people category, whatevs. Was there a plan? Not really. Was it awesome? DEFINITELY.

On the way to Cardiff... right before we all took a much needed bus nap.

Caleb and Courtney... working it?

This is about the time that only having four hours of sleep kicked in. We went out to "Locker" the night before for a "hat party" and had way too much of a blast. I mean, any party that doesn't require me to do my hair... I'm down. However, I think this was the point we began to regret serenading our dance partners with S Club 7's "Reach" and deciding bed wasn't necessary til 4 AM.

This was a building on the Cardiff Castle grounds... it was pretty incredible. The whole thing, really. It's kind of majestic to see something that doesn't have a prayer of existing in the United States. Mostly, because we just aren't that old. It is breath-taking to see the castles and old buildings here; some times I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Nick, at the Castle, trying to point us in the correct direction. He is a history major and this is all right up his alley. I wish Maren could meet him. I think the two would never run out of things to say!!

This was inside of a house... A HOUSE. WHAT?! It was so ornate and gorgeous.... I just can't imagine looking up from my desk to see this! All I see is crappy popcorn ceiling; how is that fair?

At a cute little Cardiff store, we spotted these little Sunflower hats... major shout out to my favorite youtube make up artist, Madison. CHICKACHICKAWOWWOW.

Of course, we had to stop in for Gelato and Lattes before the day was over.

All in all, it was an incredibly relaxing afternoon. Even though some of us were incredibly tired and possibly irritable ;) we had a great time. I am truly blessed to have met such amazing people in the short time I've been here.

Of course, a single day doesn't go by without a hobbit reference... For whatever reason, Caleb is really into The Lord of the Rings, so he likes to stop and take Frodo pictures. Luckily, if we were actually at Frodo's door... I could fit without peril. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the stellar genes.

On a completely unrelated note... I would kill someone for Taco Bell right now.

Mad Love.

Then there was a Star Danced... and Under that I was Born.

We went to see "Much Ado About Nothing" tonight. It was absolutely fantastic... by far one of the best companies I've seen put on a Shakespeare production. I've seen my fair share of Shakespeare, even done a few, but I am convinced without an outstanding cast, Shakespeare is nothing but beautifully crafted words. Don't get me wrong, reading Shakespeare is fantastic... but watching it isn't always so easy. If the actors don't have clear goals behind each action and word, often the audience gets lost in a sea of confusing text and the play is unappreciated. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this production (and the fact that students only pay three pounds for a ticket!!)

Since we arrived seperately to the production, here's a post-show photograph in the upstairs corridor of our house. Please excuse the frizzies; it rained all the way home!!

Other than the show, today was pretty quiet. Caleb and I went to check out the Glee Club; neither of us plan on joining. I ate dessert six times. AAAAND I planned a weekend trip to Cardiff. So, even though it was a quiet day, I'd say it was pretty successful.

Mad Love.

Keep it up, Homegirl, Don't you Quit

If you've been following my life for a while, you'll know by now that I'm not a person who likes to "sit around". I feel very unproductive when I'm not doing something. I understand that many of the ways I choose to spend my time aren't necessarily what you would call "productive" though. Never the less, an afternoon spent walking around town is better than an afternoon spent in my room. Which is exactly what I'm doing right now... and possibly also why I've spent the last 6 hours eating my feelings.

Just ask my room-mate, Caleb. He found out just how stir-crazy I get when I don't have an activity to keep me entertained. So, doing the best he could to keep me from eating a second bag of eclairs, he called a craft night. AKA: Let's cut stuff up and draw marshmallows with feelings.

Knowing this would inevitably end up in hilarity, I decided to take a few pictures... however, some of the feelings the marshmallows expressed are not suitable for all ages, so I have only included the blank slate.

Some times all you need is a pair of scissors and a sharpie to make the world better.

This was our pile of victims... ahem... scrap paper.

Caleb working diligently on his marshmallow shapes.

My inspirational art... haha.

More scraps of crap to add life to my bland walls.

The marshmallow clan. Lookin' good.

So, obviously, I'm going a little stir crazy only having 3 classes... I know I shouldn't complain. But with a limited budget and even less room... I'm starting to wish it wasn't illegal for me to work overseas.

Mad Love.

Pink Flamingos in the Pool

Last Friday night the school hosted something called "Freshers Ball," which from what I understood was a cross between prom and a rave... Now, while that all sounds like a good time, they charged 15 pounds for entry, and I could think of about 74 things I'd rather spend my moolah on. I wasn't alone in this thought- so, seven of us ended up getting all dolled up and eating at "The Carvery" across from the village. They have thanksgiving style food... cranberries, freshly carved turkey, mashed potatoes... and it's all unlimited!

Of course, no "prom/rave" would be complete without a photo session. This one perfectly depicts our group. Caleb- always bracing himself for what might come out of Courtney's or my mouth. Courtney and I- always being silly and saying/doing the weirdest things. Melissa- being absolutely adorable at all times.

Nick was so proud of his 41 pound suit. He went on and on about how good he looked all night... so of course, he had to be the center of our prom affections in this picture.

These girls mean the world to me. Allison, Bianca, Courtney, and Melissa are what keep me sane. Each girl is so amazing in her own way. I love 'em already!

Of course the night was not over for the true "prom dates". After dinner, Courtney and I had some serious food babies to dance off so we headed down to Wind Street with Kyle, Alex, Bas, and Freddie and danced the night away! Again, I should have brought my own camera with me, because it was a night that definitely deserved to be photographed all the way through.
Mad Love.

The Following Song is Brought to You by Chex Mix

My apologies for being fairly blog negligent for the last week. I have been out exploring Swansea! Since I was a few days late, I missed out on a lot of group sight-seeing; when I was ready to see things, they'd already been seen, so I didn't have company for a bit!! Thankfully, after we were all settled in our little bungalows, people were ready to get out and about again!!

I know you're probably going to hate me for this, but I also neglected to bring my camera along for most of my journeys. I know you're supposed to be able to see the world through my eyes... But I don't know if my lens can do it justice. Plus, my camera is pretty bulky, and not always carry-along friendly. However, I did manage to snap some pictures of my week so far!!

Of course, You know I went to London!! This was taken outside of Buckingham Palace! It was such a gorgeous day. Jacqueline, Melissa, and Alex are three of my good girl friends here... and of course, the girl on the far right is me ;)

This is the Caleb "friggin" Dobster... who is one of my flat mates and soulbrothas. A few of us went to the beach the other day, because it's been abnormally nice here lately, and played a little frisbee. Well, Courtney and I took a little beach nap, but the rest played.

Here are Allison and Melissa on the bus to the beach. We must ride this bus 6 times a day, whether we're going to town, school, or even Mumbles to do a bit of shopping.

Taking some time for a much needed beach afternoon with my girl, Courtney. She is probably one of my favorite people in the world right now. #GoldenGrahamsFuheva

We tried to get a shot with the beach in the background... which obviously was only possible if my camera was lodged in a pile of twigs... Hey, you get what you pay for.

This is on the walk back from the beach. It's the pathway from the main road to campus, and it's absolutely beautiful in the evening.

This, however, is probably the highlight of my week, so far. TACO SALAD. We have been trying to continue our "family dinner" tradition, since we are all split up in the Village now. Thank the Lawd for Taco Bell seasoning; without my TB... I may be a royal pain. Some of our other dinners have included Spaghetti, Hamburgers and 4 cakes, and tonight: Chicken and Potatoes. MMM.

There are more photos to come, of course, because others bring their cameras an we share via Facebook. It's just a matter of when they choose to post their pictures ;) I mean, what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't share our "Uni Prom Pictures" with you?! ...Be excited... be very excited.

Cheers.

Mad Love.