The Halfway Point

Hi Everyone,

I have made it to the halfway point!! Time is going by so fast. The campus is pretty quiet this week. Reading Week which is basically like Fall Break is going on, so a lot of students went home for the week and the International Students are going on little trips to places like Italy, Spain, and Amsterdam just to name a few.

Here is an update of what's been going on with me:

TENNIS: So, as you all probably remember we lost our very first tennis match, but we were not discouraged as a team and are looking to bounce back. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to play last week due to rain, which caused the match to be cancelled. Tomorrow however, our tennis match is in-doors so we will for sure play. We had a good practice on Monday...early, but still good.  I am looking forward to helping the team to our first win. I will let you know how it goes!

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: I was super excited to see this musical. And it was AMAZING. Visually it was very appealing and there a lot of nice flashes of fire and light through out the performance. I have to say I was also very impressed with the singing. I have the upmost respect for Opera singers. It really was a fun night! The seats were perfect!! I will say I didn't realize how long the show was it definitely was over two hours with the intermission. It was also the 25 year anniversary here for the show which made it special as well.

I don't have a musical on the calendar for this week but next week its...CATS! I can't wait for this show!! I look forward to sharing that experience with you all in the near future.

Classes are going well! I actually turned in my first graded assignment today!! It was for my Media Production class. Basically, we had to record a three min radio "talk" (story) and then today we had to edit and submit it. I chose to talk about when I became 5th in the Nation for Poetry. It was an odd feeling to only now be turning in my first graded assignment. Hopefully it goes well. I have my first paper due coming up in early November and I am beginning to put it together.

During Thanksgiving, which isn't celebrated here in the UK, myself and five of my other friends are going to Barcelona!!! I am super excited! We were able to split the cost of the apartment we are staying in to only $70 between the six of us and our flight came out to around $75 dollars. We will be there for just three nights and plan to cook a little Thanksgiving dinner! I cannot wait for this!

I am really enjoying my time here and I am making so many new friends. It is going to be sad to leave, but also a big part of me misses the US. Time really is flying and before I know it I will be looking back on my journey. I still have so much to do and see while I am here! This study abroad experience has definitely changed my life.

Well that's all for now. Until next time. CHEERS!

Ty G.