The Differences

Although I have only been here a short time (not even a month yet) it still doesn't seem as though I live here. It just seems as though I am on a long vacation and that after a certain amount of time it will be time to pack up and go home (not the same I bet with my exchange partner). But one of the things I have started to notice is the subtle yet fun differences in my little life here.

Tea... this is not just a drink, it is an institution. There are entire aisles dedicated to this drink and the condiments that go with this drink (biscuits, digestives, scones, you name it). I have to say that until I reached England I was not a tea drinker, I preferred my heavily loaded cup of coffee with all the frills. I have now crossed over and I am enjoying a cup as I sit here and write this blog. Alison shared with me that tea is a soothing and sympathetic drink and I have found this to be true. Tea is drunk throughout the day whenever, wherever and with just about anyone. I am reminded of the book I read "Three Cups of Tea" and it talks about how the first cup is an introduction, the second cup means your a friend, and by the third cup you are family. I hope to have three cups of tea with many people while I am here.

The Landscape... as most of you know I can tend to be a very talkative person (stop the snickering and laughing). But lately, I don't think you would have recognized me. I sit in the car literally dumbstruck by the landscape and amount of green I am surrounded with as we drive. I am not just talking in the country, I mean everywhere. In Alison's hometown the town hall is covered in baskets of gorgeous flowers hanging from anywhere they can hang them. Outside my front door is a lawn with a garden surrounding it that would make any gardener proud. I have to quote Alison's uncle Peter in saying "The green is easy on the eyes". On sunny days I have to remember that although I think Arizona is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. that there are so many different types of beautiful, and I have found one of them here in England.

Driving... I am not just talking about the other side of the road (which turned out not to be as much of a problem as I thought it would). I am talking about the differences in the road, rules and general knowledge of what the heck I am doing. First, I have to say that I miss the STOP sign. Here we just "GIVE WAY". As soon as I figure out who's turn it is to "GIVE WAY" I will be a much happier person. This ties in closely to the "roundabout". This concept is not tricky in itself, you simply look right and hope that you can join the mass before you get a rude gesture. I am talking about knowing which lane to join once you get in the roundabout. In any roundabout you can see between one, two or three lanes. Yesterday while driving I got in the wrong one and had to make the circle twice white I eased myself over to the lane I thought was correct (my navigation system was very upset with me over this). I know that this to will come with time, but I am grateful for the two "P" plates (plates that you put on your car to let people know you are a new driver) because it means I only get overtaken and stared at less than a normal driver.

I have included some photos of my new home which I am settling into because my travels (Bristol, Bath, Hereford, Cardiff, Wells, the Black Mountains and others that I am forgetting) are quietly winding down. It is time to go to work and start the idea of living. I have also included a picture of my "Mr. Darcy" which I met outside the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.

So What Now?

First of all I apologize for the long time since my last post, I finally have internet access that is consistent.

I don't how many have spent time living overseas... until now I can only say I had spent some time "living" away from home. I remember when I went to college and I felt so homesick that I actually thought I wouldn't be able to stay. I cried, prayed and waited to talk to my parents every moment I could. Eventually I settled came to find out that college was the best experience I could have asked for (but only time will tell if that continues to stay #1). But I can now say I think I have found the secret to a successful integration into a new society... go and live with a family that has just lost a daughter and that is willing to adopt a new one (a least for the first week). My current example is the Williams family which I have been living with (and will return back to on Wed.) for the past week. This gracious and incredible family hasn't given me the chance to feel homesick because of there constant love and patience that they have given me. I have been fed, walked around, taught (I can now officially say I know how to drive on the "correct" side of the road) and looked after since I arrived in their home. I challenge any hotel to provide half the service that the Williams family has shown me. I have returned to Oxford for only a couple of days and I already miss my new dad, mum and sister. If you ever have the opportunity, reach out to someone that is new just as this family has done for me. It is the one of the greatest gifts I have ever received and I only hope that I can return even half the kindness that they have bestowed upon me. I also want to give a major shout out to all of Alison's friend who have called, taken me out, picked me up and sent me welcoming cards. Again this is a perfect example of a gift which I could have never expected but found so amazing!

I have included some pictures that I took of the incredible garden and area around their home along with a sign that shocked me... I can't believe we haven't thought of offering it in the U.S. as an incentive.

Well this is it! "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go" the funny thing is I hate this song but it rings more true than ever now. I have had my disaster, arranged the little things (they didn't feel little at the time), said my goodbyes a thousand times (some more tear filled than others) and now I just want to go. I had a wonderful time at the Fulbright Conference and realized now more that ever how much people around the world share my love of the international adventure. Image going to a place where everyone feels the same as you and is about to embark on adventure similar to yours. We laughed, we cried, and paniced together (some days were great, other days we asked ourselves... is your brain also feeling like it has been put in a blender???) and yes, we even bonded over shared cups of coffee and tea (which I am realizing I like just as much as coffee). I am going to get on a long flight now and try to sleep so I can be picked up at the crack of dawn at Heathrow (thank you Emma) but before I go I am going to quote our Fulbright leaders in saying.... ALL WILL BE WELL.