Finally Here!

After about one year of preparing for this trip, mentally and paperwork-ly, I finally made it here! My flight was on July 2 at 5:35pm on Virgin Atlantic. That morning I was so nervous, I had the worse case of runs. I've never been that nervous before, but it was a very different kind of nervous. I was pushing away my worried thoughts and I didn't really let it simmer into me, but no matter how hard I was working against my thoughts, my body had the best of me. I was a little cranky though, considering my slightly uncontrolled bowel movements. I finally calmed down when I got to the airport because it was complete chaos. The were lines going in every direction and I really couldn't miss my flight. J.B. and Harrison had done that already and I didn't have the luxury of another day to solve my problems! Anyways, I eventually got through check-in (with overweight baggage btw) and waved farewell to my family. I felt my stomach clench a little as I realized I was flying alone, without a familiar face by my side. Surprisingly, I didn't cry! I managed to convert some money and head to the restroom before boarding. I will tell you, it was all so incredibly surreal. When I boarded, I originally sat next to a Pakistan woman whose husband was sitting a section back from where we were sitting. I had agreed to switch as long as it was an aisle seat. Well, there was an aisle seat but it was next to the bathroom. I did not pay $1600 to sit next to the bathroom. So I declined and she ended up asking the man sitting next to her husband. He agreed to switch and he sat right next to me for the rest of the flight! He was a very tall and handsome 29 year old Englishman named Ed, Edward. I wish I was a little more outgoing, but I tried my best to help the conversation going. He had a lot to share with me and I had questions I wanted answers to.

I found out that he traveled all throughout Europe, he's been to the states and he taught in South Africa for a year. I can't help but feel so young and naive against his backdrop of culture, experience and stories. I can only hope that I can gain as much wisdom and passion in life as him. To be honest, he created this amazing picture in my head of who Englishmen are and how carefree they can be. Yet again, it could be just him. He was an awesome person to sit next to and I wouldn't have it any other way.

When I arrived at the airport, I was nauseous beyond belief! I got instantly better the moment I stepped foot off the plane though. Going through customs was a breeze and getting baggage was very quick also. Lugging my luggage to the bus station around terminal 1 and 3 was a pain! I was sweating up a storm trying to pull that thing. I met two girls from UCLA while I was trying to figure out where I was going. I think their names were Sam and Sandra, but that's not important anymore because I haven't talked to them since I got to Sussex.

Update, July 17: So I'll try my hardest to pick up on where I left off two weeks ago. I actually ran into Sandra recently so hopefully we can go out! Anyways, we eventually ended up on the National Coach to Brighton from the bus station in the airport. I had already bought my coach ticket to get to Brighton but Sandra and Sam didn't so they had to ride an hour after my departure. I did sit alone on the bus because I had no friends at the time, lol. I was starving the moment I got off the plane, so getting on the bus for a 2 hour trip was super sickening. Thank goodness I didn't sit next to anyone because I would have to talk to them and that would have made me feel even worse considering sleeping was a much better choice. When we finally got to the Pool Valley stop in Brighton, I hung out with Lisa Do, her friend David and Jaspreet. We had a little time to explore the pier before the school's shuttle service picked us up. It was fun but I was definitely tired. After exploring, we got back to the bus stop and waited some more. Another bus pulled up and J.B. and Harrison walked out! I was extremely ecstatic to see a familiar face. We caught up for a bit before we got on the shuttle to head over to Sussex. They dropped us off in front of the Lancaster house, so we had to walk over to York house to pick up our packets and keys. Afterwards, J.B. and I headed over to Park Village to pick up our keys and drop off our stuff. I lived in house 19 and J.b. lived two house down, house 15. They moment I walked in, I saw a girl named Laura from Spain and she offered to help me drag my suitcase up a flight of stairs. We then met up with Harrison and J.B. to the BBQ. I had my first legal drink, Stella Artois with a burger! We sat with a bunch of girls in a circle on the grass, munching on lunch. After lunch/dinner, I don't really remember what we did. Oh, right! We tried to get internet. I desperately need to tell my mom I arrived safely but I couldn't without internet. I forgot my username and password at that, so I couldn't sign into the computers. Thankfully, J.B. knew his so I was able to facebook my brother and give him an update. I also met my next door neighbor, Christine, who also went to UCI and that night we went to the York house to pick up her lost luggage haha. We also spoke to an RA for York house and his name was Tan. Yes, he was Indian, and he had a crooked nose, haha. But, I'll admit, I have a thing for Indian guys! (Especially when they have an accent. This is foreshadowing by the way.) I think that was the jist of my first day. Everything was so new, surreal and different. I tried to put myself out there and talk to people. I did for the most part and I knew I really wanted to milk every experience I can get while I'm here.