I can't believe I've been here almost a week already! I have been meaning to blog, it's just so hard to find the time. Classes have been going really well. Luckily, Dr. Murray lessened our writing assignments to only 4 page a week instead of 12. That was awesome. We still have a lot of reading to do, and I'm a little behind, but I'm going to catch up tonight and then be set. I'm finally on a pretty regular sleeping schedule, and I'm getting used to the beds. I'm on the top bunk in our dorm room, so that has definitely been interesting! I've never slept on bunk beds in my life! In my last blog I wrote that the hardest thing to get used to was the money, but I'm getting pretty good at using the coin pounds. Now, the most different thing is the food served at school. For example, today we had steak and kidney pie. It was definitely something I'd never had before. I tried it, but it wasn't the best thing I've ever eaten! haha! It makes me miss Mom's homemade chicken pot pie-yum! The mashed potatoes were amazing though!
Yesterday we took a tour of the entire Manor, and it was absolutely fantastic. This place is one of the coolest places I've ever been. I still can't believe I LIVE here! I'll post more pictures at the bottom of this entry. Two other students here were telling me ghost stories they had heard about the place, which kind of creeps me out! And, I was told that the original The Haunting movie was filmed here, but I'm not sure if that's true. I'll have to look it up and post what I find. Yesterday I had a meeting with Dr. Murray in the Conservatory (doesn't it make yo think of the board game "Clue"?) It is absolutely beautiful in there! There are plants everywhere, the air is crisp and cool, and there is even a small fountain and fish pond! The glass windows and walls allow for the sun to shine through, and the sky is so blue it doesn't look real. We have had really great weather here lately, so I hope it continues. I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow, though, so I shall see! There is still so much of the ground around Harlaxton Manor that I want to explore. There is a croquet field, large green fields, a smaller stone structure that we've nicknamed "Rapunzel's Castle" in the back corner, and so many other places. I also want to explore Grantham and the village of Harlaxton more, so hopefully we can do that next week.
Last night we went out on the town for the first time, and it was a BLAST! When we got out of the taxi, the place we were going to go, The Inferno, was still getting ready to open, but the owner invited us in and gave us tickets for free champagne AND cards to get into the pub every night without a cover that we can use for the rest of our time in Grantham. How cool is that? To pass the time until The Inferno opened, we went to The Goose, a pub across the street. It was REALLY nice, and the inside was decorated better than most Applebees or Krieger's in the states! The drinks and food were really reasonably priced, and I was able to have my new favorite drink, a Strongbow, for only 2 pounds (about $3.5o). The atmosphere was great, and we sat outside in a gated patio area for a while because the weather was beautiful. The sun doesn't set until 10 or 10:30 here, so you are able to stay outside for longer in the States. There also isn't humidity, and it isn't buggy, so sitting outside is very enjoyable. At The Inferno, there was a Freddie Mercury (from Queen) impersonator. The singer was awful, but the atmosphere of the club was incredible. There were smoke machines and a big dance floor. The drinks were pricier than at The Goose, so I chose to use my coupons for free champagne instead.
Today was a pretty easy day. We had class this morning, and I was able to take a nap this afternoon to catch up on the sleep I missed last night. Dinner was definitely better than lunch, and then 6 of us planned our trip for this weekend. We were going to try to go to Dublin, Ireland, to tour the Guinness Brewery, but the traveling we would have to do (planes, trains, and ferries), turned out to be too expensive and time consuming to do within 2 days. This was kind a bummer, but instead we are going to Edinburgh, Scotland, and are able to stay until Monday because our class is going to London on Monday. It is going to be a long, exciting weekend! I cannot wait! My high school friend, Joe, will be in London on Monday, and we are going to meet and spend the day exploring the sites in London. I've talked to a few students from other schools here at Harlaxton, and they have all said that both Edinburgh and London are great places to visit!
I tried to put pictures from my last few days on my Flickr site, but it went over my "monthly picture limit" available for my free account. I don't want to pay for the extra space, so I'm going to look for another option to post my pictures. I've been taking so many, and I want to share all of them! I will post what I'm going to do once I decide.
Tomorrow we are going to Nottingham, where "Robbin Hood" is supposedly from. We are talking about the legend in class, so it will be cool to see the city. Also, the city has 250,000 people, so compared to the 30,000 in Grantham, it should be very interesting. I've also heard there is a huge mall there, so maybe we will get a chance to do some shopping! I bought a Harlaxton t-shirt yesterday at the "boutique," and I think next week I'm going to by a fleece jacket that is embroidered with "Harlaxton College, England" and the Harlaxton crest on it. It is really cool and looks warm.
I need to catch up on some reading, so I'm going to sign off here. I promise I will try to update more frequently so my entries aren't as long! Below are some of my favorite photos from the Manor and a few from last night!
Shaun, Jenna, and Me after we got out of the taxi before heading to The Goose.
Monday night at The Bistro
The land in front of the manor, beyond the gates
The building we've nicknamed "Rapunzel Castle"
Carriage House! I live right behind the door on the right.
Side view of the Manor. The "refectory," the cafeteria, is in there.
From the bottom of "The Grand Staircase." Its a two-story circular staircase with this sky image at the top. All around the staircase and on the banisters are wooden-carved angels. This picture does not do it justice.
Standing on a wall over looking the land in front of the Manor
Carriage House! I live right behind the door on the right.
Side view of the Manor. The "refectory," the cafeteria, is in there.
The front of the Carriage House, where the girls live!
Front courtyard
From the bottom of "The Grand Staircase." Its a two-story circular staircase with this sky image at the top. All around the staircase and on the banisters are wooden-carved angels. This picture does not do it justice.
This is where I live: Harlaxton Manor!
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