Finding My Groove

So I've been in London for almost two weeks and things are starting to fall into a bit of a rhythm. My first full week of classes started on Monday. The school system is so different here, it's taken some getting adjusted to. I have four classes, each once a week, but for long periods of time (it's been a lesson in focus and staying awake in class for me haha). However, the nice thing is that some days I don't have class at all, like today, so I just get to write and enjoy some free time.

Another key difference is that after working for my university for the summer, or "uni" as they call it here, I've seen how things can be done well. Being a Summer Welcome Leader for Mizzou might make me a little biased, but I now know what a thorough orientation looks like. What they give exchange students at Westminster is nothing like what I was expecting. I feel like I was almost blindly thrown into my first week of "uni" here. But you know what? It's made me stronger for it. I'm learning how to find my way on my own, with help when I choose to seek it out. And isn't that what studying abroad is all about? Finding your way without someone holding your hand. It can be challenging, but it's also an opportunity to grow, an opportunity I'm going to take full advantage of.

My Residence Hall Room

So, as I'm starting to get into the groove of things here I'm trying to make it feel more homey and less like some place I'm visiting for a few months, so I decorated my room. It's quite small, but nice. And my flat mates and friends make it a fun place to live. Occasionally we'll remember that we've only known each other a few short weeks and kind of laugh about it. It feels like we've been friends for ages.

Leicester Square-What a view! 

Speaking of them, they made sure my 22nd birthday was a day to remember. Before I came here I was feeling a bit sad knowing that I'd spend my birthday thousands of miles away from my family and best friends. My mom has always done a great job of making my sister and I feel special on our birthdays since we were kids, so I was going to miss that. But I didn't have any reason to worry. My friends decorated the flat with "Birthday Girl" banners and balloons, they bought me birthday cards, baked me a cake, and one of them even got me flowers. It was so sweet and thoughtful and made me feel so special. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever had friends or roommates do something that sweet for me.

So to continue the celebration, one of my friends called a club promoter that she knows and got us a VIP table at one of the coolest clubs I've ever been to. It was a beautiful view of the entire city! From where we were sitting we could see Leicester Square out one set of windows and the London Eye and Big Ben out of another. It was breathtaking! All night I kept thinking how amazing it is to be here in London and how lucky I am!

My VIP Birthday Party :)

And it's true, I am extremely fortunate. I don't know how, but I have been blessed enough to get to do some amazing things in my 22 years. And everywhere I've gone I've been further blessed with amazing friends to share those experiences with. I should have known London would be no different. So, until next time, I'll keep counting my blessings. And I hope you choose to do the same.