I waley love Wales :)

Helllooooo! Apologies for the corny title...I thought it was too cute to resist :) After four trains, two buses, and one lost Margy, I finally made it to Margy's lovely abode in the Student Village in Swansea, Wales. We started off the weekend by showing Swansea what Iowa was made of...Unfortunately, they go out way earlier over here than we do in America so we arrived late to the club where all the students were and couldn't get in. Instead, we went to a different club filled with locals. After I got over the fact that there was someone my mom's age in a short bright blue dress dancing to Lady Gaga, we had fun :) Saturday was our day to explore the city. I think I told Margy and Sarah a bajillion times that I was so jealous of their ocean-view from campus. This weekend confirmed the fact that I have to live by some sort of body of water after I graduate! To top it off, when we were checking out Mumbles (a small town about 15 minutes away from her house with THE BEST ICE CREAM EVER) there was a perfect rainbow right over the ocean. It was a nice, relaxing weekend for Margy, Sarah, and I (apart from Margy and I being sick....and eating our weight in carbs). I loved being able to see the city where Nolan and Kelly met, as well as where a few of my friends spent a semester last year. Our biggest accomplishment was planning our Easter Break trip. The plan is to hit up Spain, Italy (with the hopes of being in Vatican City for Easter), Austria, Germany (We are for sure going to visit Dachau, a concentration camp Grandpa Goeken liberated, which I am really looking forward to.), and France in three weeks. After that, Margy and Sarah have to head back to school. I, on the other hand, have one week left to explore. Michelle, Tim, and I will meet up then and plan on using that week to rent a car and navigate around Ireland. I am beyond excited!!! 


Let me know if you have any traveling tips/suggestions where to go in any of those countries! I'm going to bed with the hopes of sleeping off this cold and waking up with the care package I've been looking forward to all weekend -- basketball shoes and grandma's famous sugar cookies!  Good bye! Miss you all so much :)

A day in the life of a tourist!

Hello friends! I realized that I am beginning to feel more at home here because I have very little to write about Exeter itself! My flatmates (and honorary flatmates) have officially become a (very) dysfunctional family, but I love each and every one of them for what they bring to the group. This weekend 13 of us went to London for (Australian) Alex's 20th birthday. It was a great weekend and I was able to experience my first hostel with all of them (IN THE SAME ROOM). I love them all to death, but I could have gone the rest of this trip without knowing who snores and who talks in their sleep. By the end of the trip we were all threatening to lock ourselves in our rooms for a few days, but within five minutes we were all gathered in the kitchen reminiscing over the weekend and cursing whoever left their dirty dishes in the sink...but that's a whole different story! 


Although I have already made a trip to London, I don't think I will ever get tired of the city! It's so beautiful and there is so much to do there! I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing Big Ben. It is so intricately designed and I am always left speechless by its magnificence. My highlight of the weekend was definitely getting FRONT ROW tickets to Billy Elliot. Michelle and I went Saturday night and it was AMAZING! I was blown away (literally, there is a scene where Billy is flying and dancing and the special effects of wind and smoke made it almost difficult to breathe there for a little bit) by the talent. I was convinced that I wanted to go to Wicked again, but a couple of my friends from Exeter convinced me that Billy Elliot is a must-see show and I am very grateful that they said that!!!! In order to get the tickets, Michelle and I stood in line at the theater Saturday morning. They only release 10 front row tickets every morning and we were tickets 9 & 10 so we were EXTREMELY lucky. After getting our tickets we went to changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I didn't see my future husband though (Prince Harry) so it was slightly disappointing. Following that, we split up and quite a few of us went to Portobello Road. It was soooo cool. I could have spent the entire day there. There was awesome food (I bought a to-die-for doughnut...I think everyone was concerned that I would become diabetic this weekend). Antique shops and town houses of every color imaginable (complete with perfect little flower boxes) lined the road.  I would love to live on that street someday. It was such a cool atmosphere! Sunday marked a big day for Michelle and I. We started out the day by going on the London Eye. For those of you that don't know, it is a ferris wheel with a view of the skyline of London. It was really cool, but I don't think I would recommend it to someone as a must-do in London. I am happy that we did it though. Following that, we went to the British Library. I really wish my dad could have been there with me. There was a case there dedicated to the Beatles with original Beatles lyrics in the case; I was in awe. We also made the trip to Platform 9 and 3/4 since we were at Kings Cross station. It was a fun little stop in our day before we headed to the British Museum. The British Museum was really cool. We didn't have much time there, so I focused most of my attention on the Egyptian room. It was so interesting, and I think I could have spent an entire day there! However, my camera broke so that put a little damper on the day, but any day that ends in Pizza Hut and a 5 hour bus ride home with friends can't be bad right?! 


I made a spur of the moment decision to visit Swansea this weekend, which I am super excited for!!! I love hanging out with Margy and Sarah and I am excited to get some Spring Break plans figured out. Margy's mom sent her cookies which is basically the sole reason I am visiting her, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her ;) 


I miss you all! I would love to hear about what is going on in your life as well! Happy Valentine's Day!

The gate at Buckingham Palace

Portobello Road- I wish I would have gotten a better picture to capture it!

London Eye

Billy Elliot -- at the performance!

Got Bath?

No, this is not a post about my personal hygiene over here... This blog is actually about the day trip I went on with a few friends yesterday. Our day started out early (too early). We left for the train at 6:45; it shouldn't be legal to have to wake up that early on a Saturday...or ever. After we caught our train, Michelle, Imogen, Tim, and I went to the town of Bath, England. After stepping off the train, we were all in search of something to wake us up a bit. For me, that was a coffee. After sipping (okay actually gulping down) my first coffee since I have been here, I had an excess amount of energy that probably wasn't appropriate for the Roman baths. However, we trekked on. Our first stop was the Royal Crescent. As a member of Gamma Phi Beta, I was probably a little too eager to take some super cheesy pictures throwing up the "crescent." After snapping a few photos, we meandered into town and ran into the JANE AUSTEN MUSEUM. However, I was the only person in my group enthralled by Jane Austen, so we only went into the gift shop and the bathroom (complete with a photo of Mr. Darcy looking over you while you do your business). Following that, we continued on to a little pub where I had the English meal of a bacon cheeseburger and french fries. It was heaven, and I knew Grandpa would be proud of my choice :) After mapping out the rest of our day and filling up with grub, we went to the Roman baths. We had a blast! I honestly couldn't tell you if it was because the museum was really interesting, or simply because I thought everything was hilarious. We had audio tours of the museum, and I was mesmerized by how archeologists have been able to intricately piece together small details and illustrate the Roman lifestyle at the baths simply from things like how they designed their memorials and styled their hair....Tim and I were also able to take a lot of great selfiez. All in all it was worth the money for the two hours of enjoyment we were able to draw from the baths. When we walked out of the museum, I was able to see my first snowfall of the season, as well as be with Imogen as she experienced her first snowfall ever! Tim really wanted to watch the rugby game so we all went to the nearest pub for about 45 minutes, and I was able to learn about the game of rugby from the pros. (I think I get it, but I'm a lot more familiar with American football so the game made me excited to watch [the commercials tonight during] the Super Bowl!) Finally, it was time to head home and we caught our first train with no problem, but the trip had more excitement in store for us. Our second train was cancelled, so we were able to spend some more quality time together waiting an hour for the next train to come. What an exciting day! Here are a few pictures! 

Doing the "crescent" at the Royal Crescent

Just hanging with Mr. Darcy (in the bathroom) at the Jane Austen Museum

Michelle, Imogen, and Tim captivated by the audio tour

My favorite part (besides the Great Bath) at the museum

The Great Bath

Michelle, Imogen, Tim, and I

SNOW!

And last, but certainly not least...SELFIEZ.