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.

UNICORN TEARS & TWO 50 POUND SUITCASES

Before I started packing for this trip I researched Pinterest , blogs and reached out to friends who had studied abroad before to get insight on what/how to pack.

WHAT'S IN MY CARRY ON(s)

This day came way faster than expected. I am now sitting here at Dulles International waiting for my plane to board in about 30 minutes. I decided to get this quick post out before hand. I knew pretty early on that I wanted to take 2 bags on board in case my luggage was to get lost I wanted to have enough things to sustain me for a few days if need be. I had one Vera Bradley Small weekender and One Coach carry all bag. I once again used packing cubes to get everything in a nice neat place. Those things are a god send! Here is what I was able to fit in both. 

BYE, AMERICA: PARTY EDITION

I couldn't leave DC without a party, so two weekends ago I had a big goodbye party at The Brixton on U Street. It wasn't planned that the Brixton is a British themed bar but I will go ahead and call it Karma that we ended up there. 

HOW'D I GET HERE

My journey to Newcastle began two years ago at a grad school fair in Washington DC.  At that time I had applied, was accepted, and had declined the Peace Corps twice. I was not shy to service as I had completed two years with AmeriCorps but I just wasn't ready to leave and honestly scared of the unknown.