As per request

I was on skype with some friends from Minot last night and I told them I had absolutely nothing to do today so they suggested I write about what I've come to terms with this semester here in England, make a top ten list and include a soundtrack to my life here in England. Enjoy!

Yesterday marked my four month anniversary with England. It's been a rough relationship but I am growing immensely because of it. This experience has made me love myself more than I ever thought I could. I am 5,000 miles away from everything I know and love and do you know what? I am doing just fine. More than just fine actually, I am doing wonderful. It is not easy....by any means....to be here away from all of you but the fact that I am doing wonderful proves to me how strong of a person I am. This type of experience is not cut out for everyone and I would only suggest it to those who are comfortable enough with themselves to be dependent on just that—yourself. Because at the end of the day, no matter who you know here, you are all alone. This doesn't mean I haven't made friends here because I have. Really lovely friends in fact. And I want to thank all of my family and friends back home who have supported my decision in coming here. It's your support that keeps me going over here. I can't believe how much I have grown in just four months, and I still have six left here. I am looking forward to the new year, and what it has in store for me. I am so excited to return home to all of you and show you the new me.

The top ten memories of my time in England thus far (in no particular order):

1. Seeing Coldplay live in concert.
2. Dancing the night away till 4 A.M. on Halloween.
3. First real football match.
4. Going to London (Notting Hill in particular).
5. The first time I walked into an English pub.
6. Being surprised with a Thanksgiving meal.
7. Having a cup of tea every morning.
8. Chester in itself.
9. Karaoke nights at my favourite pub.
10.  Making friends with some really lovely people.

Soundtrack to my life abroad:

City and Colour—Against The Grain

Friends Electric—People All Remember This Year

Coldplay—Prospekt’s March / Poppyfields

Kate Nash—Nicest Thing

Chairlift—Bruises

Eddie Vedder—Rise

The Maccabees—First Love

Noah and the Whale—Rocks And Daggers

Two Door Cinema Club—Undercover Martyn

Alphabet Backwards—80's Pop Video

Broadcast Radio—The Harbour

Laura Marling—Alas I Cannot Swim

Kings of Leon—Sex On Fire

Mystery Jets—Hideaway

Ladyhawke—Paris Is Burning (Peaches Remix)

Tubelord—Arm Watches Fingers

Merrrrrrry Christmas.

I completely forgot to mention the highlight of my week. I GOT TO DRIVE THE OTHER DAY!!!!!! Big moment in this girl's life you see because it has been a dream of mine to drive in this country. Yes, it was in a car park but that doesn't matter. Driving is driving.....and I did it. Here's a video of it!

Hah. Well there it is! I really hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.

Lots of love!

J-net

xxxxxxxxxx

Now my feet won't touch the ground

Here are a few pictures from Coldplay. 

Absolutely life changing.

DECEMBER ALREADY

Sorry for having it in two segments. It's less frustrating for me to make them that way. By the way, the Thanksgiving surprise night I was given my first advent calendar (High School Musical themed). For those who don't know what it is (I know I didn't until I got one) an advent calendar is filled with 25 pieces of chocolate and on each day in December you find the number that is the same as the day, open the window and eat the chocolate. Genius really.

Also, I think I may have mentioned how I had to cook a feast because I lost a game of pool in my last entry. Turns out I make an English breakfast better than...well.....the English. Strange? I thought so.

MISS YOU ALL!

JKB