I LIVE IN A CASTLE

First thing first- the plane ride. Getting to the airport early and trying to get life together with all the chaos that was occurring in Chicago made life interesting. But after we boarded we thought the flight would take off soon right? Wrong. We sat parked for a little over an hour all boarded and settled, then took off an hour late. Then the plane was ridiculous hot, yes hot. Not cold like usual but burning up so much so that everyone was sweating and the person next to me almost got sick. I had an aisle seat luckily because I needed to stretch out after hours of just sitting there. With little to no sleep during the overnight flight we then landed in London and then ventured to the border and to claim our luggage. Since I had a bright Vera Bradley patterned bag I spotted mine easily and was ready to get out of my hot, dirty clothes. Well no luck there we sat and waited for a little over an hour for the coach to take us to the manor. I accidentally fell asleep during the ride but the countryside I saw was amazing and we saw some sheep!!!! 

Pulling up to the manor is a sight like no other. You look out the window and see the amazing and rather large manor, which you are sure is a castle, and realize : I LIVE HERE. This isn't real, someone pinch me. 

Then when you kind of accept it you get off the bus and meet the president of the school, then take a short walk through the main lobby to a great hall for a brief introduction all while trying to see every little detail of the immaculate ceilings and paintings and sculptures. It's so beautiful. Then we got to eat food and once we had a light, rather late lunch we got to see our rooms. I have three roommates, so four in total, on the top floor with a window that leads out onto a balcony we're not allowed to climb onto. One of my roommates I had met on the bus ride from the airport and I knew one already. Our room is GINORMOUS. It has so much space and a gorgeous patterned molding ceiling. Again the window has a view that is like no other of the word perfeci (perfectly in latin) and the English countryside. Once unpacked we got to explore the grounds and manor. It's rather easy to get lost but with a few days of practice it will become so easy. 

The grass is so green and fluffy and there are flowers still in bloom in the conservatory, there are lion statues all over which make me happy, plus trees galore and a pretty manor to admire from the outside. Although it's kind of chilly it's rather warm compared to the -50 I experienced last week. 

This weekend is about getting adjusted to the manor and all the people. The Bistro had open mic night which got people up and dancing and the days are spent with activities with our seminar groups going throughout the manor. Today we all enjoyed fish and chips and I even got a gluten free version. 

Off for more adventures and picture taking!!! 

Bise Bise