When One Door Closes, Another Blog Begins!

Hey Everyone!  I know it has been a while since I have last posted and that would be because that wonderful Summer of studying abroad is over and I am back in the United States.  But not to worry, I have recently created a new blog if you would like to keep up with the fun and adventures I will be having during this next phase in my life.  Feel free to check me out at Forever Your Ladybug (title inspired by parents).

All in all, while this lovely blog about studying abroad in Dublin and London may have ended my life has not and I would love for you to join for the new fun to come!

More days with the Family in London

Days one and two with the family!

Tips for traveling abroad

These are just a few tips or suggestions I have when traveling abroad.. and some things you will need to bring:

-bandaids!!!! if you are walking you WILL get blisters especially if your shoes are new.. but even with old ones, you will need them

-antibiotic ointment (to go with bandaids)

-tissues (you may get sick out of the blue like i did, but don't worry if you don't bring them you can always steal napkins from restaurants like I was)

-Medicine- for common colds and anything you may be prone to

-comfortable sneakers

-correct converters. take note if your normal plugs are two or three pronged. Most laptop chargers are three pronged so make sure you get a converter that will support both 2 and 3 prongs

-a raincoat- I felt that whether you bring an umbrella or not.. you should really get a raincoat or just a simple rain shell. They fold up really easy and don't take much space, but WILL keep you dry

-an umbrella- of course for reasons stated above.. it will probably rain (especially if you are going some place like Dublin or London)

-rainboots- this counts under all rain gear

-an alarm clock- even if you have your phone it is good to have an alarm clock just in case

-a REUSABLE water bottle- if you are staying anywhere for a length of time, it is essential and will save you loads of money! Trust me

-a small over the shoulder purse- I do not know quite how to describe this so I will attach a picture of one

now it does not have to be as fancy as that, it can look more like this: I just wanted you to get the picture

-Purex 3 in 1 detergent- to save you time and money i suggest buying these amazing things "Purex 3 in 1" They are amazing, don't take up a lot of space and you can even separate out how many you will need

-a small plastic container- if you are going to be taking lunch with you anywhere this is also a must

-sunglasses

-good toenail and fingernail clippers

-a pumice stone if you are going to be doing a lot of walking

-a nail file

-plastic baggies

take note- some of these things depend on how long you will be staying in an area. These were all important for me because I was staying abroad for a long period of time.

Day 23 and 24: portobello again, Inception, skyping with everyone and their mother, and a bike tour

Saturday of this weekend was portobello market in the morning again. I went this time with Amy in stead of Rachel and Megan because they were in Scotland for the weekend. I had to go back to get more of the trail mix for everyone because we all devoured it! But this time when I went back it was just me buying like seven bags (no joke i really bought seven) and the guy thought I was nuts. I swear he thought they were all for me and kept saying things like "I have never seen anyone buy it in such large quantities" and "make sure you refrigerate it, it can last up to 3 months" even after I told him it was not all for me. Whatever, its delicious! (BTW this picture is oh me actually riding the bike.. i took it :) )

Later that evening I went to go see the movie Inception at the Odeon Theatre up on High Street, not too far from me. It was a great movie and so tricky. Later that night I talked to my mom and donny and just everyone right before it was bedtime.

Today was Sunday and I decided what a better way to spend my sunday than go on a bike tour. I went on the East London bike tour. It took me all past the globe, burough market, over tower bridge, down past other huge buildings, the ugliest building ever called Lloyds, through the working class town, through the actual 1 square mile city of London and down by st. pauls. It was really a great ride and not too intense with a really small group of people. After that it was laundry and shower time tonight as well as some more talking to mom grammy poppy and donny and was supposed to talk to dad too, but I am sure we will catch up tomorrow. Both just so busy. Hope you all had a great weekend. I will add some photos later!

Love and miss you all.. and mom.. 12 DAYS!!!!!

Day 22: Class, coffee, Topshop and interviews

Friday still was not the most exciting day ever because I had class in the morning where we did lots of brainstorming for our project. After class I had to come back to get lunch and speak with Dan Simmons from the Drexel Athletic Center about the position I was going for for Co-op. He was really nice and seemed to love me and really want me to be a part of their team somehow.

I decided that the afternoon before my next interview should be spent getting a coffee and going to the Knightsbridge area for some retail therapy ;) just kidding. So for anyone that does not know, Harrods is in the Knightsbridge area. I went to go in there with my coffee in hand, and apparently you cannot go in there with a drink. So, I walked right out. Did they really think I was going to throw out my fresh coffee.. no way! So instead I walked all up and down the main street until I got back to the Harrods and Topshop area. Topshop was much nicer and let me in with my coffee and so I shopped. I only bought stuff because my mom told me she was taking amy (my best friend since I was two) out shopping before she went off to college in a couple days. So I got a cute sweater and a skirt to make up for my mom not being here :)

After that I came back for an interview with Ritas Franchise Company and stayed in for the night.

Days 19-21: Classes, meeting with groups, interviews, GBK, the park and High street

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday weren't the most special days over here in london but they were good. I had Professional and Personal Selling on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both of those classes were great, the teacher is really cool and shows us all these real life videos and stuff to apply some of the ideas he is telling us about. Tuesday was getting groceries and meeting with my group for the other class to come up with our fantastic idea.
Wednesday was relaxing and preparing for interviews as well as going to sit in the park and go visit all of kensington high street because I had not walked it before.

Thursday was Product Promotion and trend reporting, everyone else had class in the afternoon. I prepared for my interview that evening and after that I went to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. Later that night I wound up having another interview not until 11PM, but it wasn't too bad being so late, I think it went well!