How to Get Dressed: 101

Note to self (and my readers): put long, warm socks on before putting skinny jeans on.

I am new to this whole skinny jean thing. But they work so well with my wellies!

Expect an update this evening on the central London walk around.

Love,
lvp

Kingston, Keane, and the K3

Today was orientation, which I was so excited about since it meant I would meet some other students and hopefully learn my way around the campus (which is about a 30 minute walk from where I am living). The university is smack in the middle of the city—which I had decided to describe as a miniature London. It has everything you can possibly imagine, including all the charm and history a European city. I didn’t have a whole lot of time for photos, unfortunately, since we were on a fast-paced walking tour, but there will be pictures soon! I wish I could bring you all here, though, because a photograph will never do it justice. The town borders the River Thames, which thrills me, because anywhere with water feels a little bit like home. I love it here.

I met so many wonderful people, I could scarcely begin to tell you about all of them. But a good group of us—several of whom Karee had met at the airport upon her arrival—stuck together for most of the day, and then got dinner together at a nearby pub (which I enjoyed because they were playing Keane when we arrived) before going to The Slug and Lettuce (also a pub) for a free drink with the orientation staff. I, of course, drank the pitcher of Pepsi, which I had almost entirely to myself.

Before we could enjoy the food and drinks, though, we had to sit through several grueling hours of information sessions, leaving our brains mushy and our eyelids heavy. I nearly fell asleep during one of the sessions, but managed to wake back up before the following one—and a good thing too, because we covered SO many things that are so important. There is so much to do and to think about. It really is overwhelming. It’s hard too, because you have to go to different places around “campus” to accomplish different tasks—but the campus is spread across the whole city. They took us on a tour today, but I couldn’t tell you where anything is, because I was merely following the crowd! I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually, but to help myself out, I am venturing there tomorrow after lunch. I’m sure you will see some good photos from my walk tomorrow.

On a side note, apparently the bus system is a bit more confusing that it seems, or perhaps I just totally missed something. But Karee and I got on the K3 which, as far as I could tell, stopped at Long Ditton, which was about a block away from our street. Karee and I were both aware when we were getting closer, recognizing areas we had been before. And then…all of a sudden…we didn’t recognize anything anymore, and had no idea where we were. She asked the man sitting behind us whether or not the bus stopped at Ditton, and he said, in an American accent, that he did not know. We got excited that he was American, and talked to him briefly; he had only been in town for a short time but will be living here for the next three-and-a-half years. He was very impressed that we were studying abroad and wished us luck! Encouraged, we got off the bus that had obviously taken us too far, and waited for the same bus going back the other direction. We asked the driver to stop at Ditton, which he kindly did, and we arrived home safely…although quite cold.

An adventure is not an adventure if you don’t get lost or confused at least once! That’s my motto.

Love,
lvp

And after all this, won’t you give me a smile?

Things I will miss about the USA (cont.):

• Free grocery carts
  

Today, Karee and I both slept until about 13:00, because we both had quite rough nights, thanks to jet lag. After going to bed around 22:00, I woke up, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, at 1:30 am. I attempted to fall asleep back asleep with the help of music, but I had way too much turning in my brain. I caved and got on Facebook, and also watched an episode of the Tutors. Around 3:15, I saw Karee's status, saying that she was awake. And then around 4, I tried the iPod trick again. After 15 minutes, my sleep timer had shut the device off, so I just shut my eyes and forced myself into sleep, which didn't come until sometime close to 5 am. Needless to say, I hope tonight goes better than last night!

Upon waking, I couldn't wait to take a shower. But, unfortunately, that did not happen, because the hot water was not working. I thought maybe it would warm up after I got in the shower (not sure where my logic was in that decision), and ended up standing in the tiled cubicle shivering, before I heard a knock at the door. I got out, put on a towel, and was thrilled to see Anne, the angel! She asked me if I was having trouble getting hot water, and then showed me a switch in the cabinet that would make all the difference. However, the water still was not getting hot, because I think it needed to warm up. Needless to say, I did not get a shower and am hoping to do that as soon as I complete this post.

After making myself look somewhat presentable, Karee and I set out for shops…without a map, or any idea where we were going. We managed to get to Surbiton with the helpful directions from Anne, as well as the frequent advice from locals, who were so kind and patient. We made our way to the T-mobile and Carphone Wearhouse stores, where we were told something shocking: in order to purchase a phone contract for any length of time, you must have a UK bank account. One would think that they could merely use your American account to check your credit, which is all they really want the UK one for, but nope. So, Karee and I are still phoneless in London.

After the disappointing trip to the mobile phone stores, we went to the 99p store (like our dollar stores) to see what groceries we could find for cheap. There wasn't a whole lot in the food department, but we did get shampoos and the like. Then we went to Sainsbury's for the rest of our groceries, which was quite an experience! You have to pay for the grocery carts, but, thank goodness, can get baskets for free. Everything is in smaller containers, lasts for much less time, and is more expensive (or at least it seems to be). But, today, I spent a grand total of £17, and got quite a lot for my buck, I think.

I am going to work on my budget soon to figure out how much I should expect and plan to spend each week. I have a feeling that transportation, groceries, and phone bills are going to get pricey…

Karee and I are going to watch some Harry Potter tonight after we eat some supper. Seems like the right thing to do in London.

Love,
lvp

Take offs and landings.

It is here. I am here.

It seems so surreal…that this dream I've had for so long is actually unfolding before me.

I still don't really believe that I am in England. Partially because it feels so right—I feel like I'm in a place I've been all my life, or at least a place that I've been before, not in a brand new home with people I have never met in a completely unfamiliar town—and partially because my commitment to not have expectations is not allowing me to think very far forward. Once I was on the plane, all I could think about was making it through customs. Once I was through customs, all I could think about was finding the representative who was picking me up. Once I was picked up (after a 45 minute wait), all I could think about was seeing my new and temporary home for the first time. And now, after meeting my wonderful landlady Debs, her kind partner Drew, and my awesome housemate Karee (as well as Anna, a student from last semester who is leaving tomorrow), I can scarcely think of anything else. If this is all my trip consisted of, I would be content.

I have learned so much in 12 hours. I have eaten sweet toffee pudding, which is nothing like American pudding, but more like a cake soaked in a very sweet sauce. I have stuffed more clothes into a tiny drawer than I ever thought possible. I have discovered that a 2-hour (no more, no less) nap shortly after arrival can make all the difference in dealing with jet lag (it is now nearly 22:00, and I will be going to sleep as soon as I finish this post, thus putting me on a normal sleep schedule straight away). I feel this strange, odd connection to the former tenant of my, lovingly dubbed, "little room" (which is about the size, if not smaller, of my bathroom in my Queens dorm); Anna tells me that Ruthie "was hardly any taller" than me, and everyone is quite certain she was also a Literature major. I have learned that in order to properly flush the toilets, one must lift the lever after pushing it down.

Tomorrow, we are going exploring around Kingston and shopping for essential items. I will be taking numerous photographs, weather permitting, so just be patient a bit longer. Before I go, I have a list…

Things I will miss about the USA:

• Sweet Tea
  
• Driving (without traffic)
  
• Cookout
  
• Ice
  
• Free refills
  
• My iPhone
  
• Dryers (for laundry)
  
• Target 

Things I won't miss about the USA:

• Large food portions
  
• Driving (with traffic)
  
• Public transportation system

That's all for now. I'm falling asleep on my computer.

Love,
lvp

Indescribable.

Please pray for the nation of Haiti.  

For a first hand account from an American missionary in Haiti, click here.


Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true.

When I first went to Europe in the summer of 2004, I knew that I would be back. In fact, I began to imagine living there, and I cannot believe that at the end of this month, I will be living there—as a student, as a visitor, as a tourist, as a friend, as a child, as an adult. There are so many aspects of studying abroad that I am looking forward to, but what I am anticipating the most is personal growth. One morning in London, when I was there as a 15-year-old, my mom woke up with a terrible headache. With much anxiety, I ventured to the nearest pharmacy (which was about a block away from our hotel), asked the pharmacist for migraine medicine, paid for it in pounds (or maybe Euros), and walked back to the hotel with a skip in my step and a newfound sense of confidence. This was a big step for the girl who couldn't even stand to talk to the pizza guy on the phone.

I don't really want to have too many expectations, since those usually only lead to disappointment. But I am hoping to grow a lot over these five or six months. I know that I will be challenged, encouraged, pushed, discouraged, excited, pressured, loved, hated, refreshed, renewed, and energized in my decisions, my faith, and my situations. I am both ecstatic and apprehensive, but it is usually in my most fearful moments that I really see development occurring in my life. This summer, I worked at Camp Crestridge in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I signed up to spend three months there without knowing a single person, and certainly without having any idea what exactly I was getting myself into. Of course, I left in August with some of the greatest friends I have ever had, and with a piece of my heart inside the camp gates. Little did I know that this experience was actually preparing me for the adventure on which I am about to embark. I am nervous about the newness and foreignness of living in London, and yet, I am not nervous at all. Because I know that Someone has gone ahead and paved the way for me, and that all I have to do is live—seeking the Lord's heart daily and chasing after what He has for me.

So here we are. In 17 days, I will be getting on a plane that is headed for London. I will get picked up by the Meet & Greet service from Kingston University, where I will be studying for the semester. I will be taken to a house in Thames Ditton, where I will meet the family and roommate I am to live with over the next few months. I will attend several days of orientation activities, including a trip to Brighton, during which I will begin to create the friendships that, in no time at all, will seem as though they had always existed. I will also be getting involved with and attending St. Mary's Church, which is the mother ship of churches all over the world, including River City in Jacksonville and City Church in Charlotte.

The possibilities are endless, and they are even more so because I serve a God who infinitely and unconditionally loves, and has things for me so far beyond what I could ever imagine for myself. I want to be a blank, open book in His hands. I want to be renewed, moved, and used by Him every single day. And thebest part? I believe that I will be.

I hope you can enjoy reading and following along with my journey as I skip, stumble, and stand back up again. Thank you for all that you are.

Love,
lvp

Music recommendation of the day: Matt Nathanson, Some Mad Hope (album)