Blood Pudding, YUCK!!!! We don't really eat that either....

Hello All!



This blog was set up for those of you sad souls that are not on Facebook, but I will most likely be writing more on this site than on there, cause I can tell the hilarious stories of my quirky and ridiculous adventures and situations ("who knows what 'the situation' is gonna do about the situation).



I arrived in London-Gatwick on Sunday morning, safe and sound, at 7:10 a.m. Tried my hardest to figure out the luggage "trolley's" and then loaded my 4 LARGE suitcases, yes large and yes, two weighed 70 pounds, but you try packing nearly 29 years of your life into 4 bags and moving to a "foreign" country! We had been told to meet the driver at the information desk, but there were two parts to this airport, North and South gate. Unfortunately, I was unsure if he was coming to my gate, and I went up the ramp to the outside and realized that I would have to unload my luggage from it's quite comfortable trolley, onto a bus to go to North gate, and then back on to a trolley there. I opted to take my chances with South gate, and luckily ran in to 4 others that were looking for transportation. Then we shoved my 4 large bags, 3 from each of the 4 other females, and 2 from each of the 2 gentlemen into a "9 seated people mover", which here is a "minibus" consisting of 3 seats up front, three in the middle row, three in the back, with a backend similar to that of a minivan. Needless to say, it was some of the most creative car packing I'd ever seen. When we arrived at the hotel, our rooms were not available, so we stayed in the lobby looking like holy hell and waiting to get checked in to our rooms for a quick nap and a "meet & greet" at 6 p.m.

Monday was my biggest "whoopsy" day yet, which was quite embarassing, and so typical. I of course set my alarm on my phone for 7:15 a.m. as I was trying to work myself into UK time, and we were starting with things around 9:30: criminal background check, pension plan, lease car, etc. and then fancy lunch with important executives at 1:00. When my phone rang, I was wondering why I was receiving a wake-up call, as I had not requested one. When I rolled over and looked at the clock, I nearly lept out of bed because the called asked if I had been down to the reception yet, and I realized that it was 11:15 a.m. rather than 7:15 a.m. Damn dark hotel rooms!!!! I had originally only seen the 1, and had thought I was missing the lunch, so thank goodness it was only 11:15, no shower and teeth brushed, hair in pony tail, down to reception by 11:30 to "take care of business." Of course the English are so polite, they just kept asking me if I was okay and feeling alright. So silly of me!

Tuesday was my first venture out of the hotel with Marilyn, my relocation "buddy". She was a delight, and fancy enough to make sure I did not find my way to a house in what the English seem to think is a "rough" area and I call it the norm :) We found a delightful Victorian house near the Town Center of Maidstone, Kent, UK, which is the county city of Kent County. However, one of the other boys, who I will not name, managed to steal the house out from under us, due to the fact that he'd seen it first. THEN, not only did he steal the house, but he took all the noodles at dinner for the spaghetti, and then barely ate any of them....I digress. Saw many cute village towns in the Maidstone area, and found many cute and quirky places, and finally today, Wednesday, ended up with two on a "short lsit" for my roommate, who happens to be a sorority sister of mine from TCU and also in the same program as me in Kent. SMALL WORLD!!!

I have enjoyed my exploring, and have enjoyed more listening to the English speak to one another on their "mobiles". They are so cute, as the majority of the say "byeeee" in this higher toned voice, that just sounds so "sweet". Am somewhat picking up the lingo, and enjoy using it. I also love getting a coffee, and watching others in the group that have not visited before or are unfamiliar with UK cultures come across and hear things that are so different, it's hilarious!

Everyone seems to be very nice, lots of fun, and only a few of the guys are overly dramatic, but that can be expected from many of the men in the social work field, if you catch my drift. NOTICE I said many, and NOT all. We are planning a trip into London this weekend, and expect it will be a fun time.

Tomorrow is driving with a "tutor" and I hear it's going to be hilarious, because they have a break on their side of the car. All kinds of crazy and needed "understandings" that are not part of road signs and research books. More to come!