Liverpool!!

On Wednesday, we took a trip to Liverpool! The international office schedule a tour of the town for us. We hopped on the train from Ormskirk and we were off on our way! We arrived in Liverpool at central station (it's only a 25 minute ride) to be greeted by Bri (our tour guide who is an American that studied at Edge Hill and now lives in Liverpool). We went all around town and she showed us everything. The real trick will be to see if I can remember everything she said. We by the art museum, library, and Liverpool museum. They were all beautiful buildings that were probably built a long time ago. We down Matthew Street!! Home of the Beatles! We went into The Cavern which is the pub that they always played at. It was so cool to walk down in the Cavern and see it. It kind of looks like a dungeon and filled with history. They had Beatles music playing and memorabilia all over the place. There's a band that dresses up like the Beatles and gives a concert just like they would back in the day. So I think a group of us are going to go back for that one night. We walked along the pier where the Titanic sailed from! Haha...It was sweet. I wanted to do some cheesy Titanic picture but I decided not to act like a complete American and attempt to blend in. We went by the Beatles Museum. We saw a beautiful church that was bombed during the war and the inside of it no longer remains but they did take the outer walls because it's so amazing. We went by Concert Square where all the pubs are and a big college hang out. Our tour ended and 4 of us girls stayed for dinner and watched the Liverpool football match! We went to a local pub and watched with the locals. So much fun! They get so into it, I love it!! The best part was the bathroom because they had a tv in there so you didn't miss any of the game! Needless to say, it was a wonderful day. I'm sure we will be going back to Liverpool many times.

Tomorrow, we are going to Wales to see the Conwy Castle! I can't wait! I will tell you all about it. I've also put up pictures of Liverpool on my webshots. I hope everyone is wonderful! I miss you all!

Much love,

Jackie

Updated Address

Hey guys here's my updated address:

Jackie Magnuson

11 Eleanor Rathbone

Edge Hill University

St Helens Road

Ormskirk, Lanachire

L39 4QP

UK

If you by chance sent something to me without the "11 Eleanor Rathbone" I'm sure it will be ok... but for future reference!! here it is :)

Ps. I had my first Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich!! It wasn't quite JIF! but it will do

Life in Ormskirk!

I have to be honest and say that I just wrote an amazing, eloquent, beautiful blog....and.....well...it was deleted!!! booooo ...... so here's my 2nd attempt at updating you on my life. warning: it might not be as good as the first but you will never know ...haha... here goes!

Life in Ormskirk is grand! Most of the day is spent in orientation, going into town, and hanging out. The British freshman "freshers" came yesterday. I'm surrounded by all boys: Kenny, Colin, and Tom. Colin and Tom are real nice however they have crazy thick accents. I feel like I'm saying 'what' every other sentence when I'm talking to them. You forget it's English. It's going to be interesting once I start classes because I'm going to have to pay close attention in class. There will be no room for daydreaming or I will have no idea what the prof (or should I say tutor) is talking about. Today I encountered my first spider! But, I stayed cool, calm, and collected...it didn't scream!! Are you proud mom? I asked Colin if they are common here and he said no. What a relief! I pray he's telling the truth! However, I did ask him to kill for me...it had incredibly long legs! scary English spider... I wonder if it has an accent too...haha...jk.. :)
Today I "registered" for classes which really means I got my class schedule that only had one of the classes I signed up for and I have class on Mon, Weds, Thurs, and Fri. Not acceptable. I need a three day weekend! The British tutor who is the liaison for the US students gave us the Head of the Department we need to contact and that was called "registration". It's so laid back and unorganized here. For example, I can't get on the internet and check what classes are available and when because they don't update it and they cancel classes out of the blue. By the end of the week, hopefully I'll know what I'm taking. BUT! I am taking Intro to Tourism and Leisure management! YES!! I hope we travel :) :) :)
Today Emma and I went into town and we had SUBWAY!!! (Don't worry Uncle Keith and Aunt Terri I'm saving my McDonalds trip for when I'm really homesick.) It was great! Nothing like a good ol' turkey and cheese. funny story... I asked the guy for white American and he looked at me like I was crazy. I asked him what they call it and he said cheese. haha...So no white or yellow American cheese in England. FYI for all of you thinking of coming over here one day. I think that story is a great example of the differences in England. For the most part, everything is the same except for some small things...like white American cheese!
We are planning to travel to Wales at the end of the week or maybe the weekend!! We are going to see the Conwy Castle! It's awesome that we can take a day trip to Wales...it's like going to Chicago but much cooler!

Well I hope the second post was ok, and you are all doing grrrrrrrrrrrreat! I miss you and love you!

Jackie

ps. keep praying for me :)

I'M IN ENGLAND!!!!!!

Well considering most you who are going to read this have already received my email...hmm I'll try not to be too repetitive. But, yep I'm here. Safe and sound. I feel as if where do I start... So much to say!

We arrived around 7 am British time on Thursday and we were really busy that day. We ended up being on the go all day which really helped to adjust to jet lag. Not gonna lie, I was real tired on Thursday and could have fallen asleep standing up but they gave us tours of the town and school and went through a lot of orientation stuff. That night we hung out the Venue. It's the restaurant/bar on campus. It was really fun. We met some British guys who have amazing accents! OK, they all have amazing accents. It's wonderful. It's interesting because you can tell they are from different parts of England by the way they talk just like the US. It's really weird to see them driving on the left side of the road! When ever we cross the road, we always look a few times and then a couple more just in case. We've been in town (Ormskirk) the last couple of days to shop and have dinner. Today I went to my first pub :) We watched Liverpool vs. Totteham. It was great. Since Ormskirk is only 30 mins from Liverpool, everyone cheers for them. So today at the pub, a couple of Brits were cheering for 'Tot' and you could tell the locals didn't like it. They got a lot of weird looks. We cheered for Liverpool and fit right in. School doesn't start for another week. The British freshman or 'freshers' come tomorrow. On my floor, we have 3 Americans and 4 British students coming. I'm surrounded by guys....oh IWU...it feels so far away. Nothing is the same. So far apart and I'm not just talking about the distance...

On that note, I'm heading out. I know this was short and vague but I'm real tired. It's time for a nap. I hope all of you are doing grrrrrrrrrrrrreat! I miss you all!

Much love,

Jackie

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

I'm leaving on a jet plane

don't know when I'll be back again...

Ok, Well that is partly true. I'm leaving soon! Wednesday to be exact!! I can't wait! I'll be flying out of O'hare directly to Manchester, UK which is about 30 minutes away from Ormskirk where I'll be studying at Edge Hill University this semester!! I plan on updating this blog alot while I'm in England. I might not email very much, but this way you guys can randomly check it and keep updated on my "adventures across a big pond on a small island." Some quick facts...I'll be living in a dorm with the other American students going abroad with CCIS.org (that's the program I'm going with). I'll have a single room...I'm excited about that :) There's about 50 - 60 US students going over together. I'll be taking Sports Management and Business Administration classes, but I won't know exactly what I'm taking until I get there. Another fun fact, here's my address:

Jackie Magnuson

Edge Hill University

St. Helens Road

Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP

United Kingdom

So...that's pretty much it! The next time I update this I'll be in ENGLAND!!! Keep me in your prayers! I will miss you all so much!!

Love,

Jackie