I think my life is back to normal...maybe

It has been a crazy last three weeks. With Spring Break and the family coming I had no time to do anything and was always on the go. Well now that everything is back to normal, I think things will start to settle down again. Sorry I haven't been posting anything, its just I haven't had the most time. So I will give you a run done of my Spring Break and with the family and then I will be back to a daily blog. Hope everything is weel back home and you like how my past three weeks have gone.

Spring Break 2012 - Germany - Italy - London

Started off my Spring Break by flying into Frankfurt and travelling around Germany for four days!

Mar. 22nd - Finally got to start my Spring Break! We left the house around 2pm to get some things before we had to go to the airport. Got to the airport plenty early and just hungout till our flight left. We landed in Germany around 10:15pm. Got through customs and went to search for our hotel. Well we were lucky and booked one right across the street so it wasnt hard at all. We got into our room and just hungout the night and watch German hockey, it was really interesting. Went to bed cause the next day was going to be a long one.

Mar. 23rd- Woke up around 7am to start the day. We checked out and walked back over to the airport. We had to take a bus into Frankfurt City Center which took about a hour and a half. Got into Frankfurt City Center around 10:15am. We had to go find a map right away because we had no clue what to do or what to see. We walked to the river and started walking down the side and just looking at everything that was around there. Then cut up to the main shopping area and walked around there. We headed back to the train station since we were going to take a train to Mannheim to meet Brittas friend Marc. So we got on the train about 5:15pm and got into Mannheim about 6:30pm. We met Marc at the train station and he brought us to our hotel for the night. We went to a seminar with him. It was all in German so me and Britta just sat and looked at everything around the room and looked confused the whole time. But after we got free food and drinks so we weren't complaining. After we were done there we went back to our hotel to change and get ready for the night. The group that put on the seminar booked out a club for us until 11:30pm so we went there and hungout with some of his friends and it was a lot of fun. After we just walked back to our hotel and hungout and then went to bed.

Mar. 24- Got up at 9:30am, Marc likes to sleep in so we didn't have to meet him till 11:15am which was really nice. We checked out and then went with Marc to a bakery for a pastry for breakfast. Then Marc showed us around the city. We started at an old water tower which is made into a fountain / park now which was really pretty but it isn't summer yet so there was no water flowing. Then had to walk down the main shopping street which was really nice. We went into a sports store that was five levels and had a rocking climbing wall all five stories up the middle of the store! Then we showed us the University that he goes to. It is in the top 3 for business in all of Europe which was really cool to find out. Next we walked to a Cathedral and went inside, it was the most amazing Cathedral that I have ever seen but I couldn't take pictures so if you want to see it you will have to come to Germany. We dropped our bags off at Marc's dorm and then went to a city called Heidelberg which is a very touristy town. We walked down the main street that had tons of shops and stores. Then crossed a bridge and walked up the side of the mountain to look out over the town. We could see the town, castle, and the river which was all really pretty. We caught the train back to Mannheim to get our bags and then caught a train back to Frankfurt. We got on a tram and went to stay at his mom's house. She had dinner ready for us and made us a very good lasagna and a sweet dessert. Then we went straight to bed because we were exhausted.

Mar. 25- Marc likes to sleep in so we didn't get up until 10:30am. His mom had laid out some breakfast for us so we ate and then went into Frankfurt. He brought us to the old opera house but we didn't go inside. Then we went to the top of the second tallest tower. We luckily got to take an elevator. You could see for miles at the top and it had amazing views!! Then we walked to the main square and got all of our souviniers. Then we climbed to the top of the Cathedral which was very tiring because there were soooo many stairs and it was a spirl stair case but it had amazing views too. Then we just walked down by the river until we got to the train station and then got the tram back to his moms house. Marc had to go back to his internship in Munich so he had to leave. So his mom made us dinner and we ate with her and just talked with her that night. Had to go to bed early because we had to leave the next morning.

Mar. 26- Well it was an early morning for us! We had to get up at 5am and out the door by 5:45. We got the tram into the train station and walked to the bus. We caught the bus from the City Center back to the airport. We got to the airport and checked in and everything and then had two hours to kill till our flight! We got boarded and everything and we were on our way to Venice, Italy!! We got into Venice about noon and had to catch a bus into the City Center. We got off the bus and went to buy our tickets for the water taxi to go to our hotel. Right before we got on, I realized I didn't have my camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I walked real fast back to where our bus was and talked to a guy there and then went into the booth and talked to another guy and he called some people but never found my camera. So I didn't start to well in Venice and the rest of the day I was really bummed but I knew I couldn't let it get to me because I needed to enjoy my Spring Break with Britta. So we hopped on our water taxi and it brought us to the island of Lido which is right off of Venice and that is where our hotel was. Our hotel was ten steps away and across the street from the water taxi stop. So it was right on the water which was amazing and looked over to Venice mainland. We got all checked into our hotel and unpacked most of our stuff since we were going to be here a little bit. We wanted to go find the beach so we started walking around the town but couldn't find it so we went back to our hotel to get warmer clothes on since the sun was going down. We asked the front desk guy where it was and we were off. We went to the beach and walked around it was beautiful and we found some great seashells and noticed the water was really clear which was really cool. After we walked back to the hotel and just hungout. The only show in english was Jersey Shore so we watched it! It was all we had to watch! Then we went to bed cause we were tired!

Mar. 27- We got to sleep in a little bit and got up about 9am. Went down to breakfast and it had lots of good things and could of eaten it all day! We went to a glass blowing factory on the island of Murano. We went inside and had a demonstration of glass blowing. The guy showed us how to make a vase and a horse. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen!! Then we got to walk around the shop and see all the things that the people had made there. Then a boat brought us onto the mainland of Venice. We got there and saw all the little shops and everything so of course we had to go in every single one to see everything. Somehow we ended up on the other side of the island. We bought a water taxi pass so we could ride it as much as we wanted to. We got on one and rode it back to Lido. We changed and went back into Venice for dinner. We found a restaurant on a canal and both had pizza and sprite. We were tired after dinner so we just went back to the hotel and watched some tv and went to bed.

Mar. 28- Got up and had another great breakfast! We took the water taxi through the Grand Canal and then finally got off. We walked through the market and saw all the fruits, vegatables, and seafood. It didn't smell the greatest because of the fish but it was really cool to walk through. Then we wandered some more and ended at a point which looked over Venice and it was really pretty and of course took lots a pictures. We went back to the main spot in Venice and walked around some more. Went back to Lido and took a nap because we were worn out. Got dressed again and went back into Venice for dinner. We wanted to go to Hard Rock Cafe because we want to go in every city that we go to. It was so good and could of eaten so much more food there. Came back to the hotel and watch Ac Milan vs. Barcelona and it was a great game and went to bed right after!

Mar. 29- Got up for another great breakfast. We wanted to just have a relaxing day so we went to the beach on Lido and just laid out. We just hungout and just played cards and enjoyed the sun. We defientely got enough sun because we were starting to turn red but I would of turned tan so it was all good. Went back to the hotel and changed and went into Venice. We walked around some more and I found a Puma store so we had to of course walk through it! We went back to Lido for dinner and it was probably the best dinner we had so far. We packed most of our stuff because we were leaving in the morning for London. So we went to bed early.

Mar. 30 -Woke up and had our great breakfast one more time!! We went back up to our room to finish packing and then went to check-out. We sat by the water in Lido for a bit but then got bored so we got on the water taxi and went into Venice. We went to a park and just sat and played cards for a really long time. Then we were sick of sitting there so then we went by the canal and sat and played more cards. Then we got on the bus to take us back to the airport. We got checked in and then sat and waited for our plane. We got on our plane and headed for London. We got into London and waited in customs for about a hour or a little bit longer. It was so boring and just wanted to get through. We got through and then had no clue where to go. We followed a little sign that said holiday express. It brought us to a shuttle bus and we got on the last one of the night. We got into our room and went straight to bed.

Mar. 31- We got up around 7:30 and went down to breakfast. It wasn't as good as Venice but it had to do. We packed up all our stuff and checked out. We got on the shuttle and it took us back to the airport. We got on another bus to take us into London city center. We got off at Liverpool St. We got on the tube and rode it to Kings Cross station. I went to find the apartment and called the guy at noon. He met me at the apartment at 1pm and let me in. We filled out all the paper work and he showed me everything and then he left. I had to wait around for my parents to get there. My family finally got there at 2:45pm. We had tickets to a football game at 3pm. They brought in there suitcases and we were off. Luckily Anns friend got us a driver and he brough us to the game. We didn't get there till halftime but it was still worth it!! It was a great game and I had a lot of fun with my family being there! We took the tube back into London city center. We just started walking around to try and find somewhere to eat! We ended up in Piccadilly Circus and ate at Adam's rib and it was really good! We got on the tube and went back to our apartment and went straight to bed!!

Apr. 1- Well I was ready to go at 7am this morning but rolled back over and slept longer because I knew my family was not ready to get up. We got on the tube to go where we wanted to go. We had to switch lines so we were walking to the next line when we turned around and couldn't see my mom anywhere. We started to panic because we didn't know where she was. We walked back a little bit and then saw her around the corner. We got on the tube and started heading to St. Pauls and noticed we were on the same tube as Britta and her family which was funny so then we got off. We went through St. Pauls Cathedral and it was soooo big! We went downstairs to the gift shop and looked around. It was Palm Sunday so they had a precession through the courtyard area with donkeys and everything so we stayed and watch it and participated in Palm Sunday even if we were in London. We then started our trek to Tower Bridge. We passed a lot of buildings along the way and stopped and took pictures. We finally made it to Tower Bridge and took all of our pictures. We then headed to Tower of London. We had to stand in line for tickets for awhile but that was okay because we just chatted. We went inside the Tower of London and walked around to see all the sights. Next we went to see the one thing that everyone goes there for, The Crown Jewels. We went through the building and learned all about them and saw all of them. They were pretty impressive and one day I will be able to afford something in there! Then we went and had lunch one last time together in London. After we were done eating I had to say bye to the family because I had to catch my train back home. Britta and I went to her hotel to get her bags and we were on our way to the train station. Our train left at 6pm but had some delays along the way so we didn't get back to Edinburgh till 11pm. Once we finally got on a bus, we didn't get back to the palace till midnight. We both went straight to bed!

Apr. 2- Well back to reality today. Got up for breakfast and then unpacked all of my stuff. Went to class for three hours and only watched movies the whole time. At night, just chekced emails and talked to my advisor to get my classes figured out and I am on track for my exercise physiology program. Went to bed early to catch up on some sleep.

Apr. 3- Woke up and went to breakfast. Went to my two classes and they were boring like usually but I have to take them. Lunch wasn't the best but I have to eat it! Missed going out to eat with my family and on Spring Break. Had my kitchen job after lunch, I had to empty the freezers and repack them. My hands were very cold after that was done! Then it was time to catch the bus into Edinburgh to meet the family. I got off at North Bridge and they met me right there! Then we had to figure out what to do. We met up with Brittas family and went to a pub for dinner and just chatted about everyones vacation so far. After we had to find our way back to the apartment. Had to stop along the way for groceries but then finally figured out how to get back to the apartment! Just relaxed and watched some tv and went to bed early for a long day the next day.

Apr. 4- First full day with the family today and we used the whole day!! Our first stop was St. Giles Cathedral. It is the biggest Cathdedral in Edinburgh. We went inside and looked around and Nikki got a photograph sticker so she took pictures for us so we can remember it since it is one of the few Cathedrals you can take pictures in. Next we went to the musuem because I had to find an artifact for history and write a paper on that. Then we decided to walk around the museum a little more and see other things that they had. It was like all the other museums but with Scotland artifacts. Ann had to get her whiskey, so we went on a whiskey tour. We rode on a barrel and went threw and had a presentation on how whiskey is made. Then we had a taste tasting and whiskey is nasty so I won't be drinking anymore whiskey! Then we went to get a quick lunch and explore more. Next we went to holyrood Palace where Royalty stays when they come to Edinburgh. We got a tour through the palace and it was very initeresting to see and listen to what has happened through the years in the palace. Then we were going to go to the National Gallery but it was closed so we couldn't. So with Britta's family we went up to Little Athens. It is ruins on top of a hill that kind of looks like Athens. We could see so far around Scotland and also could see the sea. Then we had dinner but we werent hungery so we just had appitisers and dessert. My family went back to the apartment and then I went to meet Britta because we were going to come back to the palace because we had class the next morning. Her family went to dinner so I went with them and had a little snack. Then ofcourse they had to go to the pub so we went with. By the time we were going to leave it was already late. So I ended up sleeping at Brittas apartment for the night.

Apr. 5- Had to wake up at 5:45am to get up and catch the bus back to the palace. I was so tired and the walk was so cold. So starting the day I wasn't too happy. We got back early enough that I could go take a shower and a long one that is. Then headed down for a quick breakfast before class. Both classes went really fast today because we got out about forty minutes early in each one. Good thing we did because I was very tired. Then went to lunch and then had to wait around for my kitchen duty because no one in the whole house could take my kitchen job!! The house wasn't very nice that day. My kitchen job went fast but then I had to get up to the bus stop to meet my family. We walked back the the palace and walked around the grounds so they could see all of that and then we went inside. Took them on a tour of palace so they got to see what goes on inside the palace everyday. Then my host dad picked us up and we went back to their house. We chatted with them for a little bit and then she made us dinner. She made us a wonderful meal and was very filling. After we chatted a little more until we had to leave. We caught the bus back into Edinburgh and went to the apartment and went straight to bed.

Apr. 6- We had to get up early today because we didn't want to miss our bus for our tour. We made it plenty early and got good seats on the bus. We were going to to a highlands and loch ness tour so the family could see some of the highlands before they left. Along the way, our driver told us many different stories and pointed out plenty of historic sights. We stopped a couple of places along the way to get out and take photos and then hop back in and keep going. We made it to Loch Ness and we got to tour the castle that was there and then go on a little boat tour across loch ness. But unfortunately I didn't see nessie, but maybe next time. We hoped back on the bus and headed back to Edinburgh seeing more sights on the way home. We got back about 8pm and went and found some dinner for the last time together. Went back to the apartment so they could pack up most of their stuff so they didn't have to in the morning.

Apr. 7- And they were gone. Got up, got ready, and went to the Airlink to send them off to the airport. Had to say my goodbyes to them and wouldn't see them till I got home. They got on the Airlink and I was off to Brittas apartment. Britta let me in the apartment and then went back to bed for a little bit since I was there so early in the morning. Got up and had some breakfast and just hungout for a little bit. Then we came into Dalkeith for the country fair. We walked around the fair for a little bit till everyone got hungery and then we went to the black bull for lunch. After we went back into Edinburgh and just hungout. Nobody was really too hungery so we ordered pizza to the apartment. Then we had to go to the pub one last time with Dena before she left. Came back and went to bed.

Apr. 8- Happy Easter! Woke up and had Easter breakfast at the apartment. Then we were going to church at St. Mary's but didn't realize that it was a Polish Mass. SO EVERYTHING WAS IN POLISH!!!! I had no clue what was going on so I basically sat there and stared into space because I was lost!!! After church we walked around so her family could get some souvineirs for back home. After we came back to the apartment and just hungout and everyone was really tired so we went to bed early.

Apr. 9- Happy Birthday to Britta! We had to wake up at 6:20am to say goodbye to Brittas parents and they were off to the airport. So we came back in the apartment and were going to sleep some more but nobody could fall asleep so we just worked on homework until we had to leave the apartment. Britta and kaia were going to spend the day together so I split off from them to go get Brittas birthday present. Then I came back to the palace and decorated her room and wrapped her presents. Went to lunch and then cleaned up my room for a little bit before I had to go to class. Went to class for three hours and pretty much just watched movies. After class, I headed into Edinburgh to meet Britta and Kaia for dinner. We went to a little pub on the grassmarket and had dinner and hungout for a little bit. Came back into Dalkeith and went to a little pub to just hangout for a little bit more since Kaia was leaving the next morning. Went back to the palace and watched Friends for a bit and then went to bed.

Apr. 10 - 14- This week has gone by really fast and just so many things going on around with with school, school back home, and trying to figure out work and my new internship this summer. Just have been going to class, doing my kitchen job and been working on all the papers that are do at the end of the year here! Not too much going on this weekend, just hanging out trying to catch up on some sleep. Enjoying the nice day today and hopefully going to get outside and enjoy some sun for once while it is out!

Will be blogging everyday now since everything is back to normal here and quieting down some. Only three more weeks here and I will be back home! Cannot believe how fast time has gone here and that it is almost over!!

Hope all is well back home!!!

Miss and love you all!!!

Last day here...Now Spring Break

Nothing really was going to happen today since it is the last day here before Spring Break. Slept in this morning since I dont have class till the afternoon. I finally got out of bed at 10am, felt so good to finally sleep in for once. Took Tyler's lunch duty since he had left for Paris so I had to be there at 11:30am and finished at 1:15pm. But now he will cover my shift for me when my mom, ann, and nikki are here so it works out! Than I went to class at 4:30, than dinner and than back to class till 8:30. Just laying things out that I need for spring break and looking at some last minute things before tomorrow! Our flight isn't till 7:30pm tomorrow so we have some time during the day to get ready and than it is off to Germany to start spring break.

I dont know how much internet access I will have so if I dont blog one night you all will know why. I will try to blog as much as possible so you can all know what I am doing and how much fun it is!

Hope all is well back home!!

Miss and love you all!!!

almost spring break

Well it was a rough morning this morning. Did not want to get out of bed and just wanted to sleep all day!! My eyes hurt mostly all day but I just sucked it up. Went to breakfast and than went to my two classes. Were very easy days since it is almost spring break and the professors didnt want to do anything. Did my house job today since Gina said I didnt have to do it yesterday cause I had just gotten back. Than we went to lunch and decided to go into town. Went shopping and I didnt find anything but Britta did. She got flip-flops and a dress. We came back and just hungout till dinner. After some of us went out and played soccer in the front yard. It was a lot of fun and nice to play with some people here!! We are going to do it again sometime soon! Tonight just printing boarding passes, booking two more hotels, and finishing some stuff up for spring break. Bed again early tonight!!!!!

And I am back

Left home at 4:20pm on Sunday and landed in Amsterdam at6:30am. Had to hang around the airport for a while because my next flight to Edinburgh wasn't till 9:45am. Once I got into Edinburgh, I took the Airlink to the city centre and caught the bus back into Dalkeith. I walked back into the palace at 12:05pm, just in time for lunch. So ate lunch quick, than had to meet with tyler and justin to finish some things for our presentation. Than we had class and we presented. Took our house photo today once class was done. We will have to see how that turned out. Went to dinner and now just hanging out and talking to Britta about how both our weekends went. The eyes are killing me right now and I have been struggling all day and it will be a definite early night tonight. Going to take a few days to recover and adjust again!

I had so much fun this weekend at the wedding and it was great to see everyone!!

Hope all is well back home!!

Miss and love you all!!!!!

Last Day Here

Woke up this morning and went to breakfast! I didn't really want to get out of bed but I had lots to do today! After breakfast I went and worked on my globalization paper. I got pretty far on it but needs some changing. Once Britta was done with class we skyped her parents until lunch. After lunch I worked more on my paper and tried to figure out my classes for next Fall. I think I figured it out, but have to double check WHEN I GET HOME TOMORROW! Went to class and than had a break for dinner and than went back to class for another two hours! Got to love three hour classes, but only one day a week. Tonight just doing the paper and packing all the little things I need and trying not to forget anything!

Hope all is well back home!!

Miss and love you all!!

I COME HOME TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost time to go

Woke for breakfast this morning and had cereal and toast and an apple because I was very hungery and it is a good thing I eat. Than went to my two classes which get more and more boring every class period but they go by pretty fast so I am not complaining about that. After lunch I took a nap because I was so tired and tonight will be a late night writing a paper so I don't have to when I am home. After my nap I went and worked on my project with justin and tyler. Also tried to find somewhere to watch march madness but it isn't working too well but oh well I am living in Scotland right now so I can't complain. Went to dinner and than after went to the conference room and I have been here all night trying to figure out what I am going to do for my globalization report that is due on Monday and it is stumping me hardcore so it is going to be a late night tonight. Still trying to figure out if I can watch the two play-in games tonight.

Hope all is well back home!!!

Miss and love you all!!!! ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!!

Just another day

Don't have class in the morning but decided to get up for breakfast, otherwise I am really hungery before lunch! After that I got ready for the day and went on my computer. Looked up things for my paper and look at emails, facebook, and ofcourse ESPN. Once most people were up, I did my host job and made the steps look good as always. Got a quick workout in before lunch. Went to lunch and wanted to take a nap after but I have class so that didn't happen. Sat through the three hours of class and it went by slow today and I don't know why. After class, me, tyler, and justin started our presentation that we are presenting on Monday so we have to get it done before I leave. Tonight, me, britta, and lael are doing our study guides for biology for our midterm. They are so confusing! The teachers are not so good here besides the Scottish professors. Wish all my professors were Scottish, they do a good job!

Hope all is well back home!!

Miss and love you all!!! 3 MORE DAYS!!!