Stonehenge

STONEHENGE!!!
I want to start off by saying that for those people who told me this was not as impressive in person was lying! Yeah, it is only a bunch of really big old rocks but I thought it was amazing. I loved every minute (60 to be exact) that I was there looking at it.


I went on a trip with a bunch of other international students from my university and I was able to meet a lot of really great people!! Some from the states who are here for a semester, (until christmas) and then one other CANADIAN!! He is from Calgary and he is really cool. The other thing that is really nice is that he lives with some of the americans and they live on my street, and we have never met so we are going to be able to hang out together a lot more which will be exciting!

This is the Canadian, his name is Brian, and he was in the middle of doing the egyptian because he thought he was really cool!! But he is a lot of fun to hang out with. He is in his 3rd year doing a year over here so he will be here the whole year with me so that should be fun! We are planning a couple weekend trips together to go and see some of Europe...more news to come!!


These are some of the biggest rocks I have ever seen in my life! Here are some fun and interesting facts!!! Did you know that stonehenge was constructed in three phases, by three different cultures; Windmill, First Wessex and the Beakers. They are still not sure how it was built, maybe it will always be a mystery?!?!? As of 1978 you cannot go close to the stones. There are ropes that have been placed there to help perserve the stones from further damage, which is understandable but it kind of sucks because there is a rope blocking off where you can and cannot go around it. BUT...as with all rules there is one exception, (not too sure what it is) but there are some times when you can walk between the stones but they do not publish that kind of information.

There are speculations about why this was built, and why in this spot. These speculations have a very wide range from human sacrifice to astronomy.

Angela and I, can you tell that we are so excited?! It was so much colder there than it was when we left from Canterbury in the morning. I do not understand the weather here, it is crazy insane!!
One last great shot! I am standing in front of stonehenge. I think I look pretty cool with my handset audio tour of stonehenge. It was fun to listen to for a while but my hands were cold because I didn't have any mittens.


Even though it took us 3 hours to get there this was an amazing trip!!! Now it is onto Bath for the remainder of the day! Look for the post to come in the next few days!!!

Dover Castle

Sunday October 8th, my friend Emily and I decided to go to Dover Castle and see something interesting since we were not getting a good Canadian Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed going through this castle. This castle is so old. Some of the buildings and parts of the castle date back to 2000 years ago, which is crazy to think about?! This is the entrance to castle when we went in. Dover castle is known as 'the key of England' since it is in Dover, and is the peak of England's coast.

William the conqueror strengthened this already present English fortress in 1066. The history before this is somewhat unknown. Henry II and Henry VII both added onto the castle what they felt necessary to help create this wonderful piece of work. This helps to illustrate the rich history in this country and it is so amazing that I can experience this!

This is the lighthouse that was built cerca to the 1st century AD. There are parts that were rebuilt around 1400 so help strenghten the lighthouse. It is a gorgeous masterpiece that is still standing close to 2000 years later.


Look at the English Channel. If you look really hard you can see France at the very far side of the channel. It was a little windy that day but it was nice and sunny out and such a nice day.

We made it all the way to the top of the castle and were able to look out to see the front of the fortress and see actually how big this castle is. Here is some interesting history for you to think about!!! Medieval England: the norman castle was transformed by Henry II during the 1170-80s, and he helped to create this then unparalleled fortress. Henry VII also had a lot to do with this fortress and helped to fortify Dover castle as well as two other castles in close proximity, Deal Castle, and Walmer Castle. There are so many artifacts from the ages that you cannot helped but be amazed when you go there.

One other important thing that I cannot forget to mention is that we were able to go into the King's Jake (his toilet). He travelled between his castles and palaces whenever the smell got too bad. I am trying to think how bad it had to get because you can still smell the toilet when you are walking into it. Such a nice aroma!!!

I had a great day. I did miss out on the turkey dinner but I think it was all worth it!!

Wetherspoons & Bar Eleven

What a great night out!! It all started at the student union bar after classes friday! A bunch of people from my professional studies class got together to have a night out on the town. It was a lot of fun! Lucy, Laura and I posing for a pic, which was taken upside down!!! How good am I at taking photos?

The night was great. A couple pints at the student union then we all headed down to Wetherspoons, a great student bar. Really cheap drinks, however there is not much of an atmosphere. But it's a good place to start the night off!

Chris...can you keep your tongue in your mouth??? I don't think that would be possible.

The girls are trying to pull a charlie's angles pose but for some reason it didn't work out right. Maybe that is because there were four of us!? That's ok. There was great old school hits playing the background...lots of fun!

It was getting a little late...can you tell by the expressions on our face? We are having a great time!!!
Near the end of the night everyone was getting a little insane!? Making "scary" faces and such. It was a night of great new friends who have all made my time here amazing!

Overall the night was amazing. Hanging out with new friends is a great way to spend a friday night! I will keep you posted on the good times to come in my life!!!

UK living!?

Canterbury Christ Church University!!!
This is my new university! I enjoy that there are buildings that are this cool. These are the old front gates of the university. They are not used very often now but they are open during the day and you can usually go in and eat your lunch or hang out in the courtyard as long as you have your student card to prove that you are studying at the university!


The buildings for the university are all over the city since there is no longer enough space in the univeristy itself. It is a pretty small campus so it is nice and homey! This is a pool to tell you where the building you are looking for is located. It's nice to have a sign post to make sure you are going in the right direction. There is one thing that makes finding the right room a little bit of a challenge. Here the call the ground floor-first floor and the first floor (in Canada) is the second floor so everything is a little mixed up. I am not sure if that makes any sense but it didn't at first for me, but now I have it under control.


This is the refractory (or the cafeteria) where we can get really cheap and GOOD meals. I am surprised how good the food is here. There is nothing like pita pit or anything but there are chefs there making hot meals all day and they are delicious!!!

The student union building. Not as exciting as the UCC at Western, which I miss! But it is nice. The drinks are usually pretty cheap and it is a chillin' place to come with friends after a day of classes.

The university wall!!! This is a part of an old wall that you can see from some of the classroom windows. It's really nice. You will look to one side and see a very modern building then you will turn your head the other direction and there will be an old city wall or building there. I love all the culture and the history that is surrounding me here!!! I hope you can all come and visit!!!

This is my new home! I hope that you enjoyed it. It is slowly beginning to feel like home, even though nothing will take the Western out of me!!! I am still and always will be PURPLE AND PROUD!!!