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!)