THIS WAS FUN, NOW TAKE ME HOME

I had my first bought of homesickness today and it was so strange; I honestly never to thought it would happen. I'm a girl scout for goodness sake. Today was the first day I thought "I want to go home", it lasted for 10 seconds but still. It's not that I miss home per say. I think I just miss the familiarity of my life; the routine of it. I used to just wander around DC but I think that is because I knew the city. I find myself just walking around the places I know here, wanting to venture a bit further but not doing so or looking places up, including how to get there but not going. Then I start wondering maybe I am not as adventurousness as I previously thought. When you take away favorite foods, your bed, friends and family it can be a bit overwhelming. Even my Netflix is different (and I am PISSED!) and I think it hit me today. If you follow me on Snapchat, you know I haven't been sleeping well; in fact I have not had a good night sleep since I have been here. I can't seem to get my brain to shut off so that I can sleep soundly. I do not think it is anxiety that keeps me awake but maybe just a weird subconscious need to stay connected to life back home. I am sure this isn't a post some would expect from me, assuming this experience is great all the time but if you know me, you know I have to keep it one hunna.

I think diving into this experience has been one of the best decisions of my life. (I hope it pays off with a J.O.B) I am learning a lot already. Anyway I took myself to lunch at this cute little cafe after running some errands. I sat by myself and read and I felt pretty okay with that. Now I am drinking the cutest mini bottle of wine and about to crush a chocolate eclair so life is good. I am ready to take some trips soon and there are some being planned by my social circle here; made up of some awesome ladies btw; so all is well!

I am officially obsessed with all things Elderflower/berry

DIY COFFEE CREAMER

Hi friends! It has been awhile since my last post, I deeply apologize! Things just got crazy, I was sick for an entire week and then grad school life hit and assignments started. I am in the middle of writing my 2nd essay now. I wanted to get on here and write a quick post about how I made my new home in Newcastle feel a bit like home home. 

A SATURDAY AT GRAINGER MARKET

This past Saturday I took a walk with a flatmate to Grainger Market here in Newcastle. I have walked past it a few times running other errands with the thought that I need to pop in at a decent time when the shops are not about to close so when Celete asked me if I wanted to go with her on Saturday to check it out I replied to her text immediately with a big YES. 

PRIMARK = BAE

It has been a full week in Newcastle and I cannot believe it, time is zipping by. I have spent time exploring and settling into my dorm room. I am pretty satisfied with my accommodations, I have my own bathroom which was clutch for me. However, after one night in the bed I knew I needed 3 things, new sheets, new pillows, and a mattress topper ASAP!

GETTING LOST and FOUND: NO WIFI EDITION

I have been here in Newcastle now for almost a week and I am really starting to like it. So far the jetag has been real but not too much homesickness. Everyone here has been so friendly and a few think it is so cool that I am an American. I got in Thursday morning and was greeted by the school and shuttled to my housing. My trip was super smooth and drama free UNTIL I realized I was sans internet. 

I was without internet for a day and a half and it truly felt like it was a month; I was so lost with out it. Let me tell you, one finds out what they are made of when they have zero WiFi. I think not being able to get a hold of family and friends to let them know I was okay in my dorm stressed me out the most. I met an awesome girl from Palestine, she ended up being a god send. She helped me get my internet together, took me to get a SIM card, and introduced me to some people she had already met. Here is a bit of advice for those of you who may be introverted like me: FIND YOURSELF AN EXTROVERTED FRIEND AND HAVE THEM DO ALL THE WORK. I have met some great people and I did nothing!, thanks to hitching myself to my extrovert's wagon.  We went exploring down on the river Tyne on Sunday and found a great street market.