Three month anniversary, and still counting!

(bear in mind, though I am posting this now... I wrote this before Christmas and forgot to post it!)

Wow has it been a long time since my last post! Granted, when I started up this blog, it was meant to be much more than what it has been. I was thinking that with my busy schedule of Master's course work and general life adventurism I'd be blogging night and day. Much to my surprise and dismay, I've been unable (extremely unable) to keep up with even a morsel of my original intentions. It's alright, though. What I lack in blogging I make up in photos on Facebook. However, that is diminishing too as I can't be bothered now to even snap photos anymore. The question is, what have I become? At the tender age of 23, I feel as though I lack the energy to even express myself creatively anymore... which is something that should be relatively easy and enjoyable.

Though all of these musings are marvelously besides the point, I have decided to actually dedicate this blog about the many major details of my life. Just so you out there (the 2 or 3) who actually read this blog will appreciate what I do to keep my days full. Now, five days before Christmas and four days before the Eve, I finally have some quiet time to reflect.

As the days draw closer to Christmas, so come the many wonderful Christmas cards from across the ocean to remind me that I am loved. However, I have sent my fair share of holiday cards using the very efficient (but expensive and often times inefficient because they have a tendency to go on strike as the worker's union is very much alive in this country) Royal Mail. I am just happy that most of my cards have made it safely back home.The Christmas cards that I chose to send (most of my friends and family in Utah) are from Oxfam. I believe that charity is present all the time here in the UK... everytime I walk down the street somebody is trying to get me to donate to some charity. I think that it is good. I once read somewhere the the United Kingdom is one of the most charitable nations in the world. I can now understand why.

Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings

Fashion is one area of interest that I have come to love and obsess about since the age of 12. I try to not only stay with what is new and trendy, but put my own twist in it as well. That's why the UK is the perfect country for such a fashionable journey. I have discovered that leggings can be jeans too! At first, I was turned off by such a combination. But the more I saw it around at stores such as H & M and Top Shop, I started to think, why not? So I went online and ordered myself a pair. With a little redirecting via the post office of England, I got them today. What's great about jeggings? They are thicker than regular leggings so I can face the UK wind a little better, they give the appearance of wearing jeans without the discomfort, and are tight enough to fit into boots (unlike regular jeans). Indie town Bristol is all about leggings and tights, and naturally, the tightest jeans of all, jeggings! I give this discovery an A+ for comfort, style, and functionality!

Week 1: First Impressions Always Count.

When I first arrived in the beautiful city of Bristol, UK, I couldn't help but wonder, is this real? Am I really here in the middle of this vibrant, artistic city? Is my life for the next year really going to be filled with the whole new experience of living in a new city and country? At the Heathrow airport soon upon my arrival, the beautiful faces of my good friends Becky and Jo that greeted me reminded me of how lucky I was to have such great and true friends. It was also a reminder that I am not alone as long as they are here with me.

As the weekend passed, I met some other International students who were mostly from Europe (through the International student activities). I realized that these students were just like me, in a sense. Even though I do not have a language barrier that most International students face, we are the same. A stranger in new surroundings. We are like multi colored eggs in the same basket that is our faraway home (some further away than others). In a way, they are lucky because they able to automatically have a group of friends in which to bond with from their respective countries of origin. Whereas I struggle to find Americans to spend my time with. Americans are few and far between in this British city. However, I am lucky that Canadians are plentiful enough for me to become pub friends with. It is easy enough for me to find North Americans, the accent is extremely distinguishable and almost all sound exactly the same. It is interesting to me how people from all across  the Americas who are from all walks of life can have the same accents, whereas here, people who live 15 minutes away from each other can have entirely different accents. Culture differences between here and the States are definitely apparent. But they are few and I am adjusting quite well. There is not a lot of culture shock for me. In fact, I am confident in saying that the shock value is less than 1%! Not surprisingly, England is definitely quite up to date and extremely similar to the U.S. in many ways. Of course, that being said, there are noticeable differences. One example is that even though England is more traditional and old than the US, they definitely have the ability to handle modern changes/theories better. I think it must be all the tea they drink here. Tea, an old tradition that traces back to Imperial China, has transformed and adapted through thousands of years into something people still enjoy in their everyday lives. Like tea, England has that special way of carrying with it all it's past history, yet with a modern and extremely adaptable flavor that fits in well to the world we live in today.

This exquisitely beautiful city has made me nostalgic in a strange way. Though not resembling Utah in any realm of the imagination, the familiarity in the sense of comradery between friends and strangers is definitely apparent. I hope that this lasts, and that my new life here will be filled with great cheers, dears, and beers.

The Bristol Council House right near my apartment building.

The pianos all around the city speaks of it's famous love for music and art.

A visit to the Bristol harbor side. The City is known for it's sailing.

The Last Hoorah. Good tithings come to those who can laugh with friends.

September 18th, 2009. I had a gathering at my house filled with people that I love. I never planned for it to be anything big. Just a small potluck dinner where people can chat and have their last moments with me. The first to show up (as always) is my best friend Aymara. She will be truly missed as her warm embrace and support can never be replaced. Next came BFF Sylvia, we call her "Mouse" because she's really the sweetest little thing. Soon after, amazing Tasha graced us with her presence. Around 8PM is when everyone started pouring in. Little by little, the Jimenez Family, Alan, Gina and Spencer, Amy and Dillon, Lydia, and of course Nina (with her cute niece and sister) all came in saying their last "good byes" before my big trip. What was truly great to me was that every single person who was there meant something to me. I was getting tearful towards the end of the night as I realized that it would be a while before I see these people again. Their smiling and friendly faces reminded me of how lucky I was to be surrounded by such greatness. 

Richard Bach, the writer, said, "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

This ringed true for me throughout the entire evening. I reminded myself that this is not the end, the goodbyes, the tearful hugs, the farewells, it is the beginning of my new life. And it is indeed a testament to the next time we meet again. Which is certain to be filled with precious moments, as we are what man truly  needs more in his life than anything, true friends.