I'm in England!!!

It's Monday morning here in Coventry, and I'm quickly checking my emails at an internet cafe before heading to the information fair, where we can learn about banking in the UK, clubs at the university, and more.

I'm here with a few hundred other international students right now- the only students allowed on campus this week. I've yet to meet another American- though I did see someone with a Notre Dame hat yesterday- he had to be an American, right? :-)

Here's what I've learned so far: 1. My name sounds better coming out of the mouths of native French speakers. 2. The food so far has consisted of potatoes, potatoes, and more potatoes! Now, I like them as much as the next person, but I have a feeling I'll be sick of them soon! 3. Starbucks really is everywhere. As are McDonalds, and PizzaHut.

Photos and more details soon! Should have internet through the university starting later today, I hope. :-)

Last Post Before Heading Across the Pond!

It's Monday evening, and I'm surrounded by boxes and piles. As overwhelming as moving is, I think I may just be on track for a not too terribly stressful last night here. At least that's the goal. We'll see.

My flight leaves this Friday morning (arriving Saturday morning, London time). Before then, I have many trips to Goodwill to make, friends and family to say goodbye to, and two large suitcases to stuff as full as possible. Oh, and I have to finish my presents that I'll be bringing with me to Rotary presentations (homemade cards with photos from home). Tomorrow morning I'm heading up to Bremerton to enjoy my last political event before heading out- a debate between my (now former) boss and his opponent. Should be fun!

Many people have asked me about the origin to my blog's name: What Will Work? Well, it began back in college, if memory serves. I was a political science major, peace and conflict studies minor. In all those social science classes, I was overwhelmed by the problems facing today's society, and the burden they will (and have been) placing on my generation. I would often find myself scribbling in my notebooks "What Will Work???" Instead of getting depressed with all the things that needed fixing, I started to think about all the things that could be done. And that's what I hope this masters program will help me to continue. Finding positive solutions to the difficulties that we face. That's how I decided to select "What Will Work" as my website address.

Well, I better get back to packing. Tomorrow I'll go exchange some money for pounds since I won't have a bank account for a few days once I arrive. I got my international drivers license today, just in case I'll need to drive while abroad.... all these little things are important!!!

Last Rainiers Game... ;-(

Baseball is a crucial part of me. I've never in my life been far from it. So today, I went to Cheney Stadium as I always have, every summer, to enjoy some quality (most of the time) minor league baseball. My guys certainly didn't disappoint. A walk-off homer by Prentice Redman gave them the win, and series sweep.

But today was the last game of the season. I hate the last day of the season. It means that fall and football have arrived. I'm pretty sure the reason I despise (American) football is simply that it takes baseball's place. This year the last game was even worse than I remember from years past, as I won't be in the country at all next season. I've never, I repeat, never missed an opening night at Cheney Stadium my entire life. Twenty-four years in a row I've sat in Section 17, row 3 (sometimes row 4), seat two on a cold (and most years rainy) April evening. And I've seen every July 3rd Independence Day celebration game except the year I was interning in DC (no, 3rd isn't a typo- the Rainiers celebrate a day early). I'll miss both next year.

There's always internet radio, of course. So you can bet I'll be listening online next April. But it's certainly not the same.

Happy off-season, all.

Week wrap up

Well, it is finally the end of a very, very, very long week. I had my wisdom teeth pulled on Tuesday, which I had spent the last 5 years of my life avoiding due to unreasonable terror and apprehension. Now that it's done, and I've been almost four days without too much hassle or pain, I have to wonder why on earth I didn't have it done sooner. Oh well. I just can't wait until I'm totally back to normal, when my jaw doesn't ache after talking--- it would be nice to go a day without feeling like ice or heat would provide needed relief.

Today is my 24th birthday. I started the day with a "goodbye" presentation at my sponsor Rotary club. Other than a minor technical glitch, I think it went well. I hope that I conveyed to them how thankful I am at the opportunity they're offering me. After the presentation, I went to my bank to find out how to transfer money to Coventry to pay for tuition. Thankfully, no fees! And I stopped at Dairy Queen to pick up some soft serve, which I made into a single serving size of one of my favorite cakes- soft serve ice cream frozen with a top layer of rice krispies and coconut, which I really enjoyed after dinner. Probably not the best thing for my healing mouth, but it's my birthday darn it. Got to have something special. I celebrated the rest of my birthday very quietly at home, watching one of my favorite movies with my dad and sister, while my mom was busy cheering on the Mariners in the other room. Apparently she did well, as the M's actually won a game. I still think I had a better time watching Major League. It never gets old. "Just a bit outside" is probably one of the best lines ever given. I postponed a party until a time when it's easier for me to eat... the Tacoma Rainiers game next Thursday night. Come one, come all! Tickets are on me! Just send me a note so I bring enough.

Just a few photos, in case that video below isn't working...

Introduction to Washington Video

Here's a brief introduction to myself and where I'm from. Enjoy!

k

Quick update

It's late (I've been way too busy watching Olympic fastpitch)... so I won't write much. But I'm way overdue for an update.

My housing is arranged for England- finally! I'll be living on the first floor of a graduate student apartment building. I have my own room, my own bathroom, and will share a kitchen and living room with 7 other students. It's just what I wanted. Right in downtown, close to class- Starbucks very close (too bad I don't drink coffee), and an Ikea a couple of blocks away. Home, sweet home!

Another new development is that I was assigned my host club and counselor. I'm paired with the Leamington Spa Regency Rotary Club, which appears to meet about 10 miles from where I'll be living. I've already emailed my host counselor, and am really excited to meet him and the rest of the club when I arrive.

Tomorrow morning UPS will be delivering my approved visa and my passport. So I'll be legal to leave!

My sister and I finished our trip safely- which is an impressive feat given that we (I) drove more than 1,100 miles through Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and probably some other states that I simply can't remember right now, all in the course of 11 days. We survived Coney Island's "Cyclone" roller coaster (though I really did think I was going to die for the first half of the ride). We toured some beautiful colleges (University of Virginia will always be one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, at least in my mind). And I got to visit Mr. Jefferson twice: a morning visit to the Jefferson Memorial in DC, and a visit to his home- Monticello, on our last day. For those who don't know, I'm a huge Jefferson fan. This was my second trip to Monticello. If I ever live in a house with property, I will have a garden just like his. I can only hope to have a view like his as well.

We were supposed to fly home on a Friday, just in time for me to photograph a friends wedding on Saturday. But the airlines had a different plan for us. Our plane broke, so we missed our connection to Seattle. So, we spent the night in Chicago- not a cheap place to find a hotel when everything is booked. Wouldn't recommend it. I did make it back in time for the wedding (with an hour to spare- just enough time for a shower, thankfully). Got some great photographs.

The morning after the wedding, my mom, sister and I headed off to Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, WA, for a second (yes, second) celebration of my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. My dad had too much work so he stayed home. I spent a lot of time next to the pool enjoying the 95 degree weather, went horseback riding, got a massage (yes, the massage was a direct result of the horseback riding- apparently I am not invicible)... went kayaking, and tried to read a few books. It was a nice little vacation, but I frankly was vacationed out by then. It was really nice to get home.

My family had our 11th annual Jimmy Buffett Party on last Saturday. It was a ton of fun, as always. But it was a bit sad, as I said a lot of goodbyes to people I won't likely see until 2010 when I'm back from England.

The morning after the Buffett party I went down to Portland for a night. There I got a chance to see a couple of friends, and stay with my cousin (thanks for the couch, Katy!!!). Cramming in all these goodbyes is depressing!

This morning I gave my first full program speech to a Rotary Club, the Port Orchard Rotary. I had a lot of fun, and got some great questions. I have another full program speech on August 22nd (my birthday!) with my sponsor club.

OK, I guess that wasn't a short update. Oh well. Might not be much next week, as I am having my wisdom teeth pulled- and I have no idea what I'll feel like doing... :-)

Road Trip Update

Well, it's day 4 of our long road trip. We've already met the campus cops at UCONN (Lovely story, really), toured UCONN (really didn't like it, sorry all you UCONN fans), drove from CT to Boston, toured Boston College, walked the Freedom Trail in downtown Beantown, toured Fenway, seen the Yankees beat the Red Sox in person (on a couple technicalities- the yankees suck)... and now it's 11:47pm and I'm doing laundry at our hotel. We're off to Cooperstown in the AM to see my favorite person of all time, Dave Niehaus, get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I know it's totally irrational to have a favorite person that I've never met, but I can equate so much happiness to Niehaus calls of Mariners' past (distant past, unfortunately- not so much good stuff lately).

After Cooperstown it's on to Coney Island, DC, then Charlottesville. Too bad my feet are killing me already... :-)

Last Day of Work...

Tomorrow is my official last day in the office. I've known this was coming for a long time- heck, I learned that I was accepted for the scholarship back in June '07--- but I never really thought this day would come! (saying this in a sad way- I really do love my job!)...

After tomorrow, I really have to get to work ensuring that everything is on track for school. Still don't have housing arranged (that is my big stress point right now). That and getting a visa. I've sent in the money, scheduled my finger printing appointment, so I can't really do much more till that appointment day.

So, I guess the next step is to enjoy my vacation. My sister and I leave next Tuesday for an 11-day road trip in the northeast looking at colleges and going to baseball games (Red Sox v. Yankees at Fenway- yep, I have tickets!).

Updates from the road, including what I'm sure will be a few funny photos and videos, will show up here, eventually.

D-Day is Sept 12- I'm on a morning flight to Heathrow... 58 days to go!

Airplanes and Orientation

Last weekend was my Outbound Scholar Orientation. It was so wonderful to finally meet other people who have been going through the same mess of paperwork, who understand what it's like trying to communicate with your university, host counselors, etc. We learned so much more about Rotary, and our scholarships. And the Rotarians who were there helping us were especially delightful. And very helpful.

The orientation really reminded us all of how soon we'll be leaving. It really pushed me into gear. I've already set up a speech for before I leave (an entire program, not just my "intro" speech!). And I'll probably have another set for my sponsor club before I leave. Today I bought my plane ticket! Instead of buying a round trip with a return date that I'd need to pay to change later, I found a great price on a one-way flight on STATravel.com. I don't know yet if I'll fly home during my year. My mom is visiting in December, so in theory, we could travel home together for Christmas, but it's really expensive. We'll have to see.

I also bought my ticket to International Student Orientation today. For about $300, I'll have six days accommodation, meals, and will get to attend a bunch of events with all the other international students. We even take a day trip to Oxford! And, included in the price is the pickup from Heathrow- so I won't have to deal with my two big bags all by myself! Hooray!

Now I just need to figure out the visa... and insurance, and a couple other pieces of paperwork. OK, that's a lot. But I can't do the visa yet- I'm waiting on a "Certificate of Acceptance" that Coventry has mailed to me, just hasn't arrived yet. Oh- and I'm waiting for Coventry to figure out how to fix their Accommodation website. That's where I have to go to find out what apartment building I'll be in. I was supposed to know last Wednesday, but apparently they are experiencing a technical problem that they can't figure out how to solve. And by now, it's late Friday night, so I'm sure I won't know anything until at least mid-day Monday England time. Bummer!

76 days till I leave!