I'm Back!

Hello all - I'm not sure if anyone is even still reading this, but just in case, here's some of the highlights from my trip to Southern England with Emily! (Who, for those of you who don't know her travelled up from Canada to spend reading week with me):

• Went to Shakespeare's birthplace and his grave
• Saw a Shakespeare play preformed by the RSC in Stratford! 
• FINALLY went on the London Eye
• Walked around Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Gardens, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery and Oxford Circus
• Watched a traditional Pancake Race/had pancakes for Pancake Tuesday
• Went to King's Cross Station to see Platform 9 3/4 
• Went to a Canadian "themed" bar
• Wandered around Oxford University - seen where they filmed the stairs, great hall, library and hospital wing from Harry Potter
• Went to the Eagle and the Child pub where the Inklings used to meet (C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, etc.)
• Went to the Roman Baths 
• Went to Stonehenge 
• Had afternoon tea at the oldest house in Bath 
• Went to Jane Austen's house/museum

Also, it's leap year on wednesday - apparently in Britain it's tradition for girls to propose to guys on a leap year!

Cheers, 

Alexis 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Not much is new in my life because, guess what? I've been sick :( But fear not, I am on the mend now thanks to the dozens of litres of orange juice (in England = fresh orange) i've been downing! I've been busy too! On friday, the lovely Emily Woodbeck is coming to visit me and we are going to tour the South of England - Stratford, London, Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge. I love travelling, but booking train tickets, attractions and hostels is not my favourite part of the experience! The 10 days we will be gone will also be the longest time i've been away from my housemates since Christmas - it will definitely be weird! Then when I come back I am going to see Labrinth in concert and then off to Ireland in March and hopefully lots more places for my Easter break. It's been stressful trying to deal with the crunch of managing schoolwork, social life and travel these past few weeks but it's definitely worth it.

I was just helping my friend Becca with her flights to, because she is coming to visit me in Canada! She is going to come back with me in July and stay for two weeks or so...i'm really excited and you'll all love her! :)

Tonight for Valentine's Day, our bar is doing a version of 'Take Me Out' which is a really popular British game show (not going to lie, I'm completely addicted!). Essentially, 30 girls stand there and a guy comes out and says a few things about himself, shows a video about his life and does a talent, and if the girls don't like him they turn off their lights and he can choose one of whoever is left at the end to go on a date with - YouTube it, it's really funny!

Cheers,
Alexis

Travel!

So two exciting things happened to me this week...the first is that I have officially booked my trip to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day! Six of us study abroads are going - we'll spend a few days in Belfast and then head over to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day, stay up all night and hop on our 5 am flight the next day! I've been saying that I wanted to spend St. Patrick's Day in Ireland ever since I got accepted for exchange, so i'm thrilled that i'll actually get to do it! Secondly (and admittedly less excitingly) I spent the day in Preston on Sunday - we went to a museum there and I learned that Rick Astley and Kim Catrall are both from Lancashire! Then we went shopping, had dinner and hopped on the train back!

In other news, the flu is now officially spreading around my house (the joys of dorm living...) so i've been busy sanitizing, popping vitamins and generally avoiding anyone who looks sick....so keep your fingers crossed that might next post isn't titled 'I'm Sick!'. My friend who lived in our house first term from Spain is also coming up to see us all for a week tonight, so that will be exciting and on wednesday we are having a "birthday party" for Harry, our favourite One Direction-er (a band) so should be a good time!

Have a great last few days of January!

Cheers,
Alexis

Weekly Update!

So what have I been up to this week? : Reading.

Oh, the life of an English major! But fear not, I have made some time for fun and am working hard with my study abroad friends to find our way to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day...wish us luck, it's really difficult to find hostels! Also think that I have drunk my weight in tea this week...still busy catching up with everyone! Hope that you are all having a more exciting week then I am!

Cheers,
Alexis

I'm Back!

Hello all,

I know I haven't posted in a long time but that's because I was busy in Canada spending time with most of you! But now i'm back in the UK and settling back in....trying to overcome my jet lag. But by request of my mama I thought i'd share some long overdue photos of my room with you since I haven't done much but sleep and unpack since i've been back!

Enjoy your week! 

Cheers, 

Alexis

See you soon!

Headed back to Canada tomorrow...see you all soon! 

XOXO

Alexis 

Me Where Harry Potter Began

13 posts seemed unlucky, so here is a photo.