I've Arrived!

 
 
Well, I made it.  Here's the condensed version (which would have been longer, but I didn't have internet until today):

The flight/travel:  I didn't cry!  My dad got really choked up when I was getting on the shuttle, and I almost lost it, but I didn't.  The flight to Chicago was short and uneventful, and the flight over here to Manchester wasn't terrible.  I knew I wasn't going to sleep (I don't sleep on anything that moves, really).  I did manage to snooze for about an hour, but the guy sitting next to me had a seizure.  He just started shaking, so I ran and got a stewardess.  He threw up on himself, and then kept fading in and out of consciousness, so they gave him some kind of medicine and oxygen, and I ended up changing seats.  We were supposed to arrive at 8:05, and we got here an hour early.  No problems at Border Entry.  It took almost 2 1/2 hours to get to the school's shuttle, wait for it to get there, get to accommodation, and get my room keys.  By that time, I was ready to pass out, but it was time for:

Orientation:  Very informative.  Lots of stuff about banking, safety, health, registering, etc.  Here's what I learned:  a) Don't walk alone at night through dark alleys or carry lots of cash, b) You have to walk a lot, and c) the University doesn't really tell you, but everyone expects you to have a mobile* phone.  My cell doesn't work here at all.  I planned to use Skype and do without one, but I don't see how I can.  They give you all these numbers to call on campus if you have problems with anything, but there are 0* phones for you to use ANYWHERE without walking a block to a pay phone.  What if I'm in my dorm, and someone falls down the stairs, and I need to call the A&E*?  I guess I have to steal their mobile because they'll obviously have one.  Our rooms don't even have phone jacks.

My accommodation:  Very secure, a little bigger than I thought it would be.  I live in a flat (share a hallway and a kitchen with) a guy from Greece, a guy from Nigeria, and a girl from Taiwan.  I guess they want to give us a global experience.  I'm actually very appreciative of where I live because a couple of other Americans I've met live really far away, and my hall is smack in the middle of everything.

Cuisine:  I ate my first curry with Miss Penny (the sole person I knew in Manchester before I came here) last night.  It was absolutely divine and nearly burnt my lips off.  I didn't really realize until I started eating it that I hadn't had anything but coffee, two biscuits*, and a Turkish delight* since Thursday's breakfast on the plane.  I'm actually eating the leftovers this morning for breakfast (Mom, if you're reading this, I swear I'm going to the supermarket today, and I will eat.  I have enough money, I just haven't had time.).

Other Stuff:  I met two Americans and a French person yesterday.  There aren't many Brits around until tomorrow since only internationals were checking in before.  I joined the international society, and they take little day trips, so I'm going on a day trip to the Lake District (to see Beatrix Potter's house) next Sunday and Edinburgh overnight in October for really cheap.  I also may teach and English class for them because the director thought it would be funny that someone from the US with such a "terribly Southern accent" should teach English.  I got discount tickets for my first shows here at the Student Union:  The Ting Tings and The Fratellis!  The View just announced a UK tour, and the Manchester show is already sold out.  Nice.  I guess I'll never get to see them.  Although if I see them on the street, I'll probably punch them in the face.

FINALLY, a sign that I am meant to be here: I got on the flight to Manchester, and guess who was on the cover of the in-flight magazine?  Queen Madge, herself.  It is destiny.

* Mobile is pronounced MOH-byle. 

   0 - this number is "zed" not zero.  

   A&E - Accident and Emergency (an ER, reached by dialing 999).  

   Biscuits - unfortunately just cookies and not the Southern kind, and definitely not my mom's.

   Turkish Delight - This gelatinous sort of pink candy covered in chocolate which is yum-may        (and I first heard of in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  It was how the bad queen got        to Edmund.  By giving him candy.).

Attached are pics of:  the airplane, the view from my room, the train station where I went to IKEA (all by myself I might add), and the magazine cover that confirms my location.