My 2 New Loves - 22 Days

Yesterday I got a new phone: the HTC Droid Eris.  It's a smart phone which means that I will owe more money a month, but it's about time that I upgraded.  Plus I seriously needed a new phone because my old one was crapping out.  I spent all of last night adding contacts and syncing to Facebook and twitter.  Because I am a nerd it was fun.  The phone isn't international though, so when a few days before I go to London I will transfer my number back to an older phone so I don't have to pay data charges while I am abroad.  I will have to get a phone over there for emergency purposes as well.

But my biggest and favorite gift came today, about 45 minutes ago.  My VISA arrived via FedEx.  My friend and travel buddy, Bailey, called me up to tell me that she got hers and I was happy for her but sad for me.  So what do I do?  I immediately go check the status of my Visa at itseasy.com.  No surprises, it says its "processing".  They provide the option for you to check your status, but they don't really update it very well.  About five minutes after that the doorbell rang and it was FedEx with my phone's car charger and my Visa.  I squealed a little bit.  There may have been jumping with a slight victory dance as well.

Now nothing is standing in my way of London and working in London.  Work is the reason I needed the visa in the first place.  I got a sweet internship at TDG (The Design Group).  They do branding and labeling for big companies like Olay and Nestle.  Anyway, that's my update for now.  See you soon!

Pip Pip Cheerio!

My Snuggie - 24 Days

Howdy!

I got some cool stuff for Christmas but one of my favorite gift was the gift of Snuggie!  I freaking love this thing.  I used to make fun of it, but that's just because I didn't understand.  Now I get it.  A blanket with arms!  Some of my friends argue that anyone could buy a robe and wear it backwards but it's not the same. A robe is heavier and has unneeded pockets and such.  The Snuggie is simple and awesome.

The Dog decided to join the photo and decided her butt was her good side.

So far in my Snuggie I have read a book (The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown), taken a nap, and played on my computer.  It's a the perfect tool.  Now I know people are going to think that I am lame, but once you go Snuggie you don't go back.  My big dilemna right now is whether or not I bring my new fav blanket to England with me.  I can see opportunities to use it over there and while I travel, but do I want to use the room in my Suitcase for the Snuggie that could be dedicated to clothes.  Let me know what you think.  Should I bring the Snuggie to Europe or no?

There is still no updated word on my visa yet and it's making me freak out when I think about it.  It's still processing.  I have less than a month to go.  I ordered rush processing, but I guess my definition of rush and the services definition of rush are completely different.  But I will post a picture of my and my ISIC ID.  I don't really need it but it gets me discounts and stuff.  I look at it and it makes me happy.

I'm such a badass.  I mean look at that face.

I also set up my long overdue eye appointment.  I wear contacts and I'm down to my last pair.  I think it's safe to say that those won't last 4 months.  But my appointment is cutting it really really close.  I have my appointment a week before I leave and then the contacts take a week to get here, so I will basically pick them up on my way to the airport.  Yikes.  Bad Rachel, BAD!  Hope it all works out.  Talk to you soon.

Pip Pip Cheerio!

CHRISTMAS - 28 Days

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm going to keep this post rather short.  I just wanted to check in and wish everyone a very happy holiday season and most importantly of all Happy Christmas!  That is how the Brits says it after all.  Today has been great so far.  I officially got my new luggage and some new clothes just in time for my trip.  Yesterday I got my International Student Identification Card (ISIC) in the mail.  That means that this is really happening.

I really can't wait to get out of the house.  I haven't seen my friends in days because I've been too lazy to do anything.  Well, that, and my phone has been on the fritz for the past week.  I don't have any constant communication.  I'm hungry for human interaction.  Not only that, but we got our second winter death storm.  It looks quite pretty outside, but it hasn't stopped snowing since late last night.  I guess it's not really a "death storm" but more of a white Christmas.

New Years is coming up and I have no set plans yet.  All will work out, but we should really begin the planning process.  I miss all my school friends.  I hope to see you all over break.  Anyway, I will post more about my new London gear later, but until then, everyone have a safe and Merry Christmas!

Pip Pip Cheerio!

Holiday Shopping - 31 Days

What up Internet?!

I just got home from finishing up my holiday shopping for the family.  I would tell you what I got everyone, but there is still an chance the fam might read this, so maybe later :)  The malls are crazy and and so was Target.  I swear people go a little bit insane over the holidays.  CHILL OUT everyone.  This is one of the best times of the year to people watch, if you are into that (and I am!).

I've pretty much locked myself in my house in an attempt to relax after finals.  I think it's giving me Cabin Fever instead.  Yesterday I converted several DVDs to MP4 files so I could take them with me on my computer and not have to deal with lugging DVDs all the way across the Atlantic.  Still got a few more to convert for myself, and a few for my future roommate.

Only 31 more days til I am in London!  That's one month.  O goodness, I get a little giddy when i star thinking about it.  But I'm also starting to get nervous for the whole ordeal.  I can't tell you why.  I think it's more of an excited nervous.  I've been having weird traveling dreams the past few nights.  I'm forgetting, losing, and missing things and flights in these dreams.  I should stopping eating right before I go to be, maybe that will stop these dreams.  When I start to think negatively about my trip, I turn my thoughts to meeting a Spice Girl or Robert Pattinson or a Harry Potter actor.  I know the likelihood of these things happening is slim but it's lots of fun to think about.  I also discovered a few days ago that there is a Jane Austen Museum in Bath.  I will definitely visit there sometime during my stay in London. I'm kind of a Jane Austen fanatic.

Tonight, my family and I are going to the Transiberian Orchestra concert.  It's such an awesome show.  We've gone the past 2 years, so it's become sort of a tradition.  I'll let you know how it went.  We are also expecting another Death Storm tonight complete with freezing rain, snow, and ice.  Just when I could finally see the street in front of my house it will be covered again.  Thanks Mother Nature!  You're  a peach.  I'll be posting again soon.

Pip Pip Cheerio!

Visa "Problems" - 34 Days

Hello internet.

So it's official, I am done with my fall semester.  I finished up on Thursday with my media law test.  My fav boys took me out for some Thai food on Wednesday to celebrate/say goodbye.  One of my best guy friends was leaving the next morning so I was planning on saying goodbye to him in person right before my test.  When I got to his house, no one answered the door, the window or their phones.  I never got a proper goodbye and it makes me really sad.  I won't be seeing these guys for about 8 months since I will be in London next semester.  Super sad day :(  Thursday night I went out for some sushi and drinks with some awesome girls, and there I did get to give a proper goodbye.  The end of the semester and came up so quickly, and I was sooo stressed that I didn't get to say goodbye to as many people as I would have liked to.  So this is me saying from the bottom of my heart "Goodbye everyone!  I miss you already.  Hugs and Kisses ~ Rachel"

Fall semester may be over but what is not over is my Visa process.  Itseasy.com received my visa around Dec 10th but as soon as they got it my status said "Problem" and as you can imagine, I was freaking out.  I called them up and they hadn't received one major piece of paper work from me.  I FedEx'd the package so the everything should be hunky-dory now.  Right now my status is "Processing."  I hope to get my visa before Christmas.  That would be an excellent Christmas present.  Moral of the story is, don't forget your paperwork when applying for a visa.  It will kick you in the butt if you do.

We haven't had a big snow since the blizzard that took over our lives for 2 days a little over a week ago. If there are doubters that this snow wasn't any big deal, I'm posting a picture to disprove that.  Look at how high the snow is on the little tables.  It's ridiculous.  I couldn't get out of my driveway without burning rubber probably 4 times.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season.  I will post again soon since I'm not as stressed anymore.
Pip Pip Cheerio!

SNOW DAY! 44 Days

Hello Internet!

This begins my time blogging for when I study abroad in London this coming spring semester.  I will be traveling through the Central College Abroad, and I will be staying in the the Vandon House in Downtown London.  Curious as to just how awesomely located I will be?  Well here's a hint... I will be able to see Buckingham Palace from my window. (BALLER!)

Like the title says, I have 44 days until classes start, and last night we had the blizzard of the decade leaving me snowed in at home.  Just enough time to start a blog, and get some stuff organized (Yes Mom! I'll attempt at my room).

Yesterday, I finished up my visa process by getting my biometrics done downtown.  Basically they took a non-smiling picture of my face and gathered some finger prints.  I'm sure my picture was just wonderful.  I was smiling really big and the lady turns to me and says, "how about a closed mouth smile?"  Great that's what I need, a mug shot.  But let me tell you, the Visa process sucks!  I decided to use the expediting service found at Itseasy.com and I'm glad I did.  They will help me if anything goes wrong.  I sent my stuff off yesterday, but I hope it's not delayed in it's delivery with this weather.

Anyway, let me tell you what I want to do with this blog.  I want to update it at least once a week while I am over there.  I will post pictures and tell stories about my experience.  I'm hoping that it's everything that I built it up to be.  All that's left to be done is to wait for my visa to come back.  Wish me luck!

Pip Pip Cheerio!