Hectic Happiness

Madness, parties, start of class, more school pride, loving life.
So much has happened since I last blogged, I'll probably forget to mention half of it/this will be a super long post...apologies!

From two Fridays ago until last Friday, UTSA ran something called 'Roadrunner Days' (our mascot is Rowdy the Roadrunner). This has meant there have been lots of different activities going on all week to induct and welcome back students to the university.

One of the events was the lighting of the UTSA sign, the first year they've done it but President Romo would like to continue it as a tradition. It was nice to be part of something new and I found all the 'school spirit' that bit less overwhelming, good practice for when I go to our first home American football game of the season next week. The season actually started last Friday and we beat the University of Houston, at their brand new stadium 27-7! GO 'RUNNERS!

I also started my classes this week. School pride, even followed me there, at the end of each syllabus there was the Roadrunner creed, because it had to be. Very new to me. American pride was also not far behind. One of my classes is 'Intro to Global Analysis', basically International Relations and even in the very first introductory class, I found myself biting my tongue so as not to massively offend people... I think I'm going to have to express my beliefs in class, carefully but remember to like America and it's policies loads when it comes to writing papers. I am also taking 'Texas History' which will be a lot of I heart Texas, America's great, 'Europe in the 19th Century' so I will get to find out what the Americans really make of us and 'Managing Criminal Justice Organisations' which just does what it says on the tin really. Being English has really helped when introducing myself to the lecturers as I can ask them am I allowed to write in 'English english' (I can, yay!) and they should remember me.

Being remembered and making yourself known, is massively important here. There is so much constant assessment in terms of quizzes and papers but also attendance and participation counts for so much of your grade. If a tutor doesn't think you have performed well enough in class or shown up enough, you can lose a whole letter grade. In 'Texas History' in fact, if I get an A in attendance and participation then I can skip the end of term exam and be given 100% for it. Major. It's going to be a lot of work but I am ready for it and looking forward to the challenge.

This week I also experienced my first social events with Chi Alpha, a Christian group on campus that a flatmate of mine has introduced me too.We had a huge water balloon fight with about 300 people, it was so much fun and then we had loads of fun at the 'Dance of the Ages' party. I want as 90s. The party was the girls only; I don't think I have ever been to a girls only dance and I certainly haven't been to a sober one in a while, but I really enjoyed myself, just letting my hair down for a few hours.

(instagram.com/laufrancesmccann13)

Even though I have had such a good time starting to make new friends and getting to know my flatmates, I really am so appreciative of the internet for letting keep in contact with my good friends back home and those studying abroad and my family. I am also really grateful to them for wanting to keep in touch with me!Much love. Till next time. 

School Pride; Everything's Bigger in Texas

Coming from England to America I knew that there was going to be a 'peppiness' that I was going to have to get used to. In England there is pride, namely around sports but in general we're a reserved people that don't like to shout about ourselves too loudly, the Americans are the complete opposite.

On Wednesday, everyone on campus (to be fair at that point there wasn't too many) it seemed, turned out to watch the university's President Romo, undertake the ice bucket challenge courtesy of 2013's Mr and Mrs UTSA. - Check it out on YouTube. That was my first, minute taste.

Then on Friday, which was the first official day of the big move in weekend, I and quite a few more people, students, families and staff alike were introduced to the marching band and cheerleaders and it was awesome!!!!!!!! I'm a cheerleader at Keele and nowhere near the level of the UTSA team but I did miss my pom poms a bit. What I missed most though was my flute, marching band made it look cool to play and it was awesome. I'm not afraid to admit that the singing of the alma mater and the fight song may have given me some goosebumps...

Yesterday evening (Saturday), the university put on a huge night in the (highly impressive) gym with bouncy castles, games and pizza galore. Unfortunately, I had to enjoy from afar for 15 mins as before I got there my flatmate had decided to leave and I couldn't find a fellow lost sheep to befriend. Oh well, very disappointed but tomorrow's a new day and hopefully my new flatmates will be up for going to things or I at least will have that bit more confidence to say hi to people whether they be alone or in a group, we shall see and I of course shall keep you all updated.

Onward and Upward

Today has been my most favourite day yet!

San Antonio is known as the Alamo city as it is home to a mission that became a fort when the Mexicans invaded and the Texans tried to kick them out. One of the main 'heroes' was Davy Crockett and as Alex's surname is Crockett and I'm a history nerd, I have been so looking forward to getting to go and visit this place.

It is situated in Downtown San Antonio, so I had to get the bus there. Word of advice, Google maps have no clue, I got on the bus and checked with the driver my full schedule and he told me a quicker and more efficient way to get from a to b. It took about 40 mins on an air conditioned, wifi-ed (awesome) bus and we were in Downtown in and I was happy and in love. YOU CAN WALK AROUND! After, trying to get a McDonalds one night out here on campus and losing the path half way so having to walk along the side of a busy highway, a series of consistent paths going everywhere I wanted was a delight to see and made me feel at home.

The first thing I saw that made me smile was a 'Five and Dime' so I immediately began singing Summer of '69 to myself, as I walked down the road and had the Alamo surprise me. It's at the end of a busy shopping street, set back and hidden by trees so you can literally stumble across it.

Inside, it isn't that big but very emphatic. The mission (the smaller building) is now a Shrine and photos cannot be taken inside. It is very broken down in terms of the walls but the stain glass is still in place, something I loved, the representations of faith and the Bible still last even when the other bits start to fall. Also inside, was a flag from most American states along with one from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales which touched this Brit a little. 

Everywhere around the place is 'Crockett' this and 'Crockett' that. I can't wait to take Alex and see how many discounts we manage every time we mention his surname. 

I also checked out the local shops. They varied from gimmick stores to a mall that extends along part of the Riverwalk that goes along the edge of the Downtown area.

 <<Only in Texas. Awesome.

My final stop of the day was the Alamodome (though due to a local competition it was nearly called Dome On The Range - would have been brilliant). This is where all of the UTSA American football games are held and it is also used by professional teams for their games and concerts happen here too. Though, I shall not be rushing to see One Direction, despite it being advertised in such a 'convincing' manner. 

Now I am back at the flat and am the most happy and content I have been since I got here. I think it also helps that I officially have a flatmate and a mate, Tori, yay! As I have already mentioned (Greetings From the Lone Star State) it was really bothering me not really having anyone around to talk to but now I do!! :D She's a freshman and absolutely lovely. We've been here and there together but have also had our own things going on which has been absolutely perfect and gelled really well. We think another flatmate is moving in on Sunday as this weekend is the final and main move in weekend so if we have a fourth flatmate, then she should be arriving this weekend too, very exciting!! 

Greetings from the Lone Star State!

I have landed and I have moved into my campus apartment so I'm almost settled, certainly settled enough to now be blogging about it.

Firstly, just as I hope you've noticed is a theme of my blog, I am going to be honest. I don't see the point of dressing things up, here are the facts plain and simple, I am not going to tell you this has been easy and I've constantly smiled because I haven't. At the same time, this is not my sob story; I'm not a baby.

After 23 hours of travelling on Monday, I fell asleep crying. I had spent that day in 3 different time zones, I was alone, exhausted and quite frankly fed up. I spoke to the rents and Alex which helped loads but really I just needed sleep. I snuggled up and awoke feeling a lot more positive and ready to face the day ahead. I wandered onto campus and was glad that even though UTSA is 3 times the size of Keele (Keele has 10,000 students, UTSA has 30,000 and is small in America!!) the campus is pretty easy to navigate. I went to bed so much happier that night, aided by my back home support and loads of American reality TV (guilty pleasure, don't judge).

Wednesday and Thursday were international orientation days. They were great to get more hyped about the University but unfortunately, apart from the people I ate lunch with on Thursday who were lovely, I haven't managed to integrate properly with them all and make actual friends. Most of them, yes speak English but it's their second or third language. Props to them by all means, my French and German is very conversational so there is no way I could study at degree level in those languages, but unfortunately, it's difficult to connect with someone when you have to constantly repeat/rephrase what you're saying. I have noticed how my accent has lightened and I have started to speak slower already, though to be honest that will help as much in England as it will here (scouse and proud!!).

Thursday was another difficult night. I moved into my university accommodation at University Oaks. I am living in an all girl, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom (I haven't shared a bathroom in about 8 years, help! I've grown accustomed to 1 hour baths) apartment on the second of 2 floors. It's really rather nice to be honest, no better or worse than at Keele, if anything the living spaces are a little bigger. So far, only I am here. One of the girls has moved her stuff in but she is yet to appear. Realising this after another long and busy day, when I've been feeling really lonely was not at all ideal, but hey ho, a little cry, rant to Alex, chat to the rents and a good night's sleep I was all good this morning.

This morning I sorted my last few bits and then made a trip to Target. It was a nightmare hour's walk in 30 odd degree heat but my room is now fully kitted out and my pictures are up and making the place so much more homely. I also bought a Brita filter water bottle as American tap water tastes like warm English tap water with an added dash of chlorine - bleurgh! and buying a water bottle everyday isn't that practical.

(instagram.com/laufrancesmccann13)

Hopefully tonight's sleep won't come after tears! Having my room like this is helping so much already. I'm also being sensible about this. At no point have I said 'I hate it here, I don't want to be here! Take me home!' Because that would be stupid. Yes, this is an incredibly difficult and there are certain situations I think could be helped by better planning on the part of the University but hey ho, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am literally just waiting on making friends, everything else is great. Classes start on 27th so my flatmates have to be moved in by then, and then it'll be term time and I'll be in lectures making friends. This won't be easy but it'll be damn worth it. 

Also, mini 'shoutout' to the weather here in Texas and to one of the greatest comedians to ever live. It is so unfair that he could make so many happy but not himself. Depression is an illness and suicide can be a consequence of it. R.I.P. Robin Williams. 

Goodnight Vietnam. 

Texas Time!!

I'm going on an adventure!!

This is IT. The day has arrived, my journey to Texas is about to begin. 

I have had an absolute nightmare of packing, seriously. My suitcase and hand luggage are at their absolute limits but I'll only have 3 pairs of shoes with me and no heels or trainers - massive issues! Just means I'll have to have a mini shopping spree even earlier I guess, yay!

I have also had a bit of a money nightmare. I initially ordered a UKASH card but unfortunately, it could not arrive on time (they are sooooooooo busy this time of year) so I have ordered a Travelex card to pick up at the airport. They are only supposed to take 4 hours to make so having ordered it on Saturday, there is no reason it should not be ready to collect pre-flight. 

My journey is going to last 11 hours altogether. First, I'm on an 11am plane from Manchester and I'm...

'Going to Pilllyyy!!' (to be said a la How I Met Your Mother). I'll be waiting there for 2 hours before hopping on a plane for San Antonio!! There I will be staying at a StayBridge Suite hotel for 3 nights until I can move in to my University accommodation. 

I'll write back once I'm settled and tell you how it goes, until then lets just pray US Airways look after me (I've never been to the States never mind on a connecting flight before!) 

Penultimate 'See You Later's and Money

I have just got back from a brilliant week in Wolverhampton with Alex (boyfriend). However, we had so many mini trips that I almost feel like I've been travelling and Texas is still 5 days off! 

Firstly, we went to Birmingham. I fell into the awe of the Bullring and then over Chinese I was surprised with tickets to see Wicked for that evening. The show was absolutely fantastic! The characters all played their parts really well and I was glad Glinda was supposed to be annoying because I could not stand her! We then met up with our friend from uni, Jack for a 'see you after Christmas' (still weird and a bit horrible to say) drink in good old Whetherspoons; it was great. 

We then spent a day and night in Shropshire. I know that it is a county but I can't be more specific as went from a gorgeously country church through a copious amount of fields to a marquee in the grounds of a citadel for his cousin's wedding. The bride was beautiful and the food, music, drink and people were all on form for a fantastic day! 

Finally, we went to Bridgnorth which is not somewhere I've ever felt the need to visit but I'm glad I have now. It was lovely, quaint market town with lots of character, trains, a castle that's partially fallen down and cosy Costa that's great for people watching. 

I arrived home to the cash amount of American dollars I have ordered. I have decided to budget my money monthly and not put it all into dollars/on a travel card immediately as I know what I'm like, I'll probably spend it all in one go on cowboy attire and BBQ. 

I found moneysavingexpert.co.uk (recommended to me by a friend and I now recommend to you) to be a massive help in making my decisions about from whom to get my cash and my money. In the end I ordered my cash from the Co-op. They do free delivery on amounts of money over £250 and the money arrived promptly after I completed the bank transfer. I got $497 for £299.51 which was one of the best exchange rates. The card I have chosen is the Ukash card and according to moneysavingexpert.co.uk it is basically the best. It had the best exchange rate, the fewest amount of charges (I repeatedly checked for hidden ones) and seemed the most simple to use. The only current downside to it is that it is yet to arrive and I am flying out on Monday, however I am sure it will be here no problem. 

I hope this is somewhat helpful, as always, don't hesitate to ask me about anything :)