Greetings From Ireland!

Hello Again Readers!

I apologize for my three-week lapse in posts! As you can imagine, my life is constant chaos right now! Since I wrote last, I have been to York, London, High Leigh (a conference center north of London), Dublin, and Sligo! I will attempt to do a brief, one or two sentence summary of each, or this posting will get entirely too long!

York- So meaningful! (Mostly just because of the surname, I'll confess!) We went to York Minster (so gorgeous), walked the Roman walls, and experienced the Jorvik Viking center (Think Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney meets historical Viking town--smells and all). Bought many Christmas presents there, be forewarned!
London- Where do I begin? Such a whirlwind week! Riding the Tube/Underground ("Mind the Gap!), took a red bus tour and saw all the sights, took a river cruise on the Themes, went out dancing, went shopping, basically did the "tourist thing." Next time, museums and shows!
High Leigh- Much needed break after London. A lot of classes (yes, we do study over here!), and a fun "Party" (talent show) in which I performed some self-written "emo" poetry about Edward Cullen (hence, the Facebook pictures).
Dublin- Now I understand all of the stereotypes about the Irish being big drinkers! We were there for the 250th birthday of Guinness, which I'm sure didn't help matters. Went to the Dublin Writer's Museum, went on a James Joyce Walk, and took in a comedy show at a local pub (great way to understand the culture and current events, believe it or not!)
Sligo- Everything I thought Ireland should be! Green, sheep, farms, rolling hillsides, and best of all, the ocean! Our cottages are right by the coast, and fully lives up to the expectations of the gorgeous West Coast of Ireland. Also, a good spot for some "down time" after Dublin.

Next, we're off to Belfast (where we have homestays!), and then France! My birthday (one week from today) will be spent on the beaches of Normandy and banqueting in Bayeux :)

Love Until Next Post,
Allison

P.S. To family and roommates- I won't be able to call until Belfast, because I can't add money until I am back in the UK. So, until then, think of me fondly!
Special note to my mom: I can't wait to see you! It's coming up so fast :) Please bring me some more pens (handwriting 2000 word essays really depleted my supply!) Gel pens, blue, o.5 mm, you know what I like :) And don't worry, we will talk on the phone before then! Don't stress :)

Wales!

Hello From Wales!

I'm currently stationed at St. Deniol's Library, which is a residential library in the small town of Hawarden, Wales (Coincidentally, pronounced the same as Hardin!). We are here for almost a week, relaxing, reading, and writing papers. On our way down, we stopped in Liverpool and visited the Beatles' Story :) (Emily K- I took lots of pictures for you!)
The time we spent in the Lake District was idyllic. Beautiful views everywhere, and a good time of community bonding in our own private conference center.
Our next stop is YORK! I can't wait! I will probably buy their gift shop out :) We are on to London after that, which I'm sure will be unforgettable. We are doing "the tourist thing" this visit to London (I think we end up there three different times...), and will be having fun visiting museums and taking the Tube and such.
This is going to be a quick posting, because I am borrowing a very nice friend's computer "just to check my email," so I should probably get it back to her. Just so you all know, I am happy and healthy (that was mostly for Mom and Dad). By the way, Mom and Dad- When my phone is out of the service area, incoming calls go straight to voicemail, which explains our problems earlier this week. Also, I got my glasses fixed for FREE at the Queensferry Walmart! (Yes, there are Walmarts over here!)

Lots of Love to you all! Next Post: After London...

Allison <3