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cortney1015
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Birthday: 10/15/1984
Gender: Female
Interests: my dog Marie, my friends, Gamma Chi Alpa, adult beverages, theme parties, coffee, nose rings, marilyn monroe, las vegas, frank sinatra, I'm a work-a-holic.
Occupation: Student
Industry: Business
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
1/2/2003
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| The hardest part of my study abroad experience, was actually boarding the plane from the Charlotte airport. About ten minutes after my flight was called to board, I decided that I had to get on that plane and do this for myself. The thought of turning back crossed my mind, nearly a million times in my three hour layover. How hard would it be to change a flight from London to Cleveland? Surely alot easier than explaining to my family and friends why I'm back home four months early. Twelve hours later, I landed in London Gatwick Airport-- jet lagged, lugging two overweight suitcases, and alone. I never thought I would be so happy to lay in a dorm bed.
I'm a party girl by nature, so I usually find my way into the party crowd-- and London was no different. My first weekend out with my new friends, was an expierence I won't soon remember. Thank God for cameras, because our pictures were worth a thousand slurrs! One person bought their ticket from the people putting on the welcome party, but the other two of us didn't. Being that we were three American girls in dresses, we walked to the front of the line and made friends with the bouncer. People with tickets weren't being let it, because the club--Volstead, was at capacity. Since we were so nice, the bouncer let us be the last people in! We paid a twenty pound cover charge, forty dollars (ugh, I hate the exchange rate), and then stupidly went to the bar and paid ten pounds for a drink. As we were making our first round about the club, we met some very nice boys who had a table with lots of juices and Grey Goose who offered us a drink. I come from a city of 300 people at home, so having a table didn't seem like a big deal to me, but apparently they paid 2,000 pounds just for the table--not including the liquor. So, we were in quite a presence of wealth. I knew that when after I dropped a glass, this boy Daniel said, "Why are you picking that up? That's what the peasants are for." Well, no matter how snotty they were they were very giving with their alcohol and it was a good ass time. (That I recall)
Don't get me wrong, partying isn't all I do in London. I do go to school too, if that's what you want to call it. The British American College of London (BACL) is quite different that anything else I've experienced. The teachers tell you to buy the books, if you want. You can come to class 45 minutes late, and it is okay. Actually, class is pretty much optional. There are two papers, one at midterm and one as the final--no tests. So, the classes here are actually helping move along my senoritis quicker than I expected. I'm a pretty dedicated student, except for a personal days here and there, so I go to class. I've learned so much about English history, architechure, and poetry. London is such a historical city, that we are able to learn about something in class one day of the week and then take a fieldtrip the next day and see the remains of what we learned about. That's something you definately don't get in Ohio.
The opportunity to travel here is great. Flights are so cheap and if you don't mind staying in some skeezy hostel, so are accomodations. My school is great about schedules. They know we want to travel during our time here, so no one is allowed to have Friday classes so we can do whatever we want. While I'm here, I'm going to Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, France amongst traveling the English countryside. Its kind of silly, but I love reading people's all about me's on myspace and when it asks their dream vacation they put Italy or somewhere I've been, and I'm like, "HAHA. I've been there, and you're prolly never going to be." Shchadenfruede, I guess. My favorite place I've been in Europe has been Italy on our ten day travel break. I loved Vatican City and Venice. Both the most amazing places I've been in my life.
Its kind of scary spending tens of thousands of dollars, that I dont' exactly have, and just hoping I get a good enough job to pay the bank back, but the experiences I've had are totally worth it. Seeing places like Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Parliment, Westminster Abbey, the Roman Baths are spectaciluar experiences that I will never forget as long as live.
I'm not going to lie, the English suck at cooking and coffee, but I knew that coming into it. I have had the opportunity to try new things that I normally would have never thought I'd have eaten. My favorite has been sushi. But, along the way I have tried lamb, duck, eel, and so much more. The best thing that my refectory serves is Greek yoghurt with cereal. That's another thing, spelling. Its all wrong. And they look at me as if I am uneducated when I dont put a "u" in 90 per cent of my words.
Overall, I'm an advocator for study abroad. Sometimes I wish I hadn't choosen London because everything is twice as expensive here as in American, since they did not conform to the Euro, but still-- the best city in the world, in my opinion. I'm really missing American television (they're a season behind on everything), Taco Bell, driving, and my super amazing friends-- but I guess its just a small price to pay for this great experience. | | |
| Hiya, from London. So... I know I've taken a lengthy break from my OLJ, but it was needed. I'm just getting ready to head to the bar for a fun night with my girls. Just thought I'd let everyone know that I'm safe and sound and just peachy keen, as a jellybean! Tata
Cortney | | |
| watch out bitches. in seven weeks i'll be in london | | |
| I know, a long awaited entry is finally here! So, things have been different lately... I live in Florida! Insane. I'm having alot of fun on my program here at Disney. I miss my friends and family, but I'm starting to find my niche in this magical world I've been thrown into. I got to see my Aunt Kay and Uncle Mike for the past two days. It was a nice flavor from home and it was nice to talk to someone who has known me for longer than a month.
I've been semi-emo lately. I've just been very sad that of all six billion some people that live in this world, I can't find one to love me the way I want. And I know love isn't always about what I want... but, just one person. Not even like a "boyfriend" ... i'd settle for a summer love. I find myself pushing away people who could possibly fit this role... and its so hypocritical of me. I want to be loved, but I alsoo don't want to be cheated on or lied to or treated like a child. So, basically-- I don't know what I want. At night time, I want a man in my bed to hold me and cuddle me, and at day time I want to be my own person. Ugh! What a complicating life I live.
I also have been sleeping on the couch for the past week. I know this is kind of random... but the fully furnished 2400 dollar/month apt. disney gives us... has the shittiest beds in the entire world. Well, once I'm sleeping, I can make my way in there.... but its just not working out for me right now. And, on another note... I got bit by a spider and I woke up on Wednesday and my lips were almost swelled shut and I had hives ALLLLL (not like usual) over my body. So I had to go to the doctors and they gave me a shot of adrenaline in my armpit, which I dont recommed doing.... and I thought I was dying. Then they gave me an antihystamine and I slept and was sick, but then I got better.
I hope this helps everyone semi-catch up in my life... its all I've got for now. I'm sleeepy. | | |
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