sisterhutch

I'm not sure if I have enough fun stories to warrant an update, but I'll give 'er the old college try. Whatever that is supposed to mean.

I'm still in love with my housing! My bedroom is probably the best room in England. Even better than the Queens, no doubt. It has a fun, slanty ceiling since it's an attic room! It's quite large, and has a real wardrobe in it. One that will take me to Narnia soon, I hope. Oh Aslan! However, there ARE problems in housing land. Two of my roommates have backed out, so...pretty much it's looking like we have to either find two random British people who need housing to move in with us, or we move out. Grr.

Getting used to British life is easy some days. However, there are still things I can't get the hang of. I'm not sure why, but a lot of English appliances and whatnot require one to pull a cord or flip 5 switches or turn a dial counter-clockwise whilst reciting "God Save the Queen" or something similar. One time I couldn't figure out how to turn on the light in a bathroom at someone's house, so...I just went in the dark (yes, I could've asked for help, but sometimes you just don't feel like telling people how idiotic you are). Then I turned the wrong dial thingie for the sink and got water all over myself. I hate feeling completely helpless with something as seemingly simplistic as going to the bathroom (or, "the toilet"/"the loo" here).

Sometimes I do feel like a celebrity, and that's fun! I went to a birthday party for a 12 year old a couple days ago, and one of the girls thought it was amazing that I'm an American, just like her hero Corbin Bleu (High School Musical). Also, at church tonight, one person found out I was an American, and they began to spread it around like gossip. It was funny. One boy ran towards me at the end of the night, yelling "Are you the American?" all excited-like because his girlfriend is American as well. I guess that was exciting for him. It's REALLY fun to meet someone for the first time, and they assume you're British at first. Then, you watch their expression slightly change as they melt into realizing (and sometimes actually exclaiming immediately) that I'm not from around here. They get really excited when I tell them I'm from Florida, because 98% of them have made the Disney pilgrimage. Then they ask what on earth I'm doing in a country with such "embarassingly dreadful" weather. I love the Brits. And their weather.

Church today was yet another experience. This one is called Trent Vineyard, and it is of the famous Vineyard line of churches worldwide. They meet in an old warehouse, which is quite awesome looking. This was the largest church I've seen around here. It wasn't as pentecostal-ish as I was prepared to observe, but one thing I did see at this church that I have NEVER seen at another: a bar. Yep. This church has a bar in the back that serves everything, even Absolut Vodka. Welcome to the UK. Also a very British thing: the sermon today was about saving the environment and being green. They had a prayer service afterwards for people with asthma due to pollution in the air. Interesting.

Sorry (again) that this is a naked post (no pictures!). I'll get 'em up eventually.

Later, mates :)

I have a house! Well, 1/5th of one anyway. I just woke up about half an hour ago from my first night's sleep in my new room. When I woke up, I went down two flights of stairs to make myself a cup 'o hot tea, and just came back up to sip 'n check e-mails. So far, being British is fun :) I did put WAY too much sugar in this cup 'o tea, however...its sorta like tea flavored candy.

I am also currently using the unprotected internet of a neighbor. In the background, I hear loud, thumping house music from my Dutch roommate. House is the type of music that I don't really understand at all. I'm willing to listen and learn, however, since I happen to love my new Dutch roommate! Her name is Josie. She's a student at Nottingham Trent University who is studying Criminology. She's really funny and amazingly nice. She's also a swell cook, and a very well-rounded individual. She was born in Mexico to Dutch parents, but is mostly just a British gal.

The city of Nottingham (called "Notts" by the local trendy youths...which just makes me think of Knotts Berry Farm, which is the opposite of Nottingham) is wonderful. I've met quite a few interesting people already! The pub debate on the existance of God was an experience I won't soon forget, as well as the time I went to a shopping mall and was chased down by a middle eastern man asking if I knew how to read the Hebrew word on my shirt (and I do - "echad," thank you very much Doc Smith). I met my first gypsy the other day - she was selling silk flowers (I thought about starting to write down a list of "firsts" for myself this year). I even experienced my first "speaking in tongues" incident on Sunday - from a man sitting right next to me. At a BAPTIST church, of all places.

I've been to three churches so far - two Baptist ones and an Anglican one. The three experiences couldn't of been more different! The first Baptist church was more like a Catholic service, the 2nd one was the most Pentecostal-like experience I've ever had, and the Anglican one was a special night-time service that was more like the 18-30 service I went to in Jacksonville. Completely unexpected! This is going to be an interesting year :)

Oh, and I went to Amsterdam. Well, the airport anyway. Amy (my teammate from Montana - good girl!) and I decided to take a quick picture on my Photobooth so we'd have some Dutch proof:



I think this picture showcases my teeth quite perfectly.

Hopefully I will soon have more fun pictures to post here, as long as this internet-sharing-neighbor doesn't mind me continually using his/her internet. I need to go finish unpacking and start my first day as a real resident of Nottinghamshire.

Later gators :)

I'm in a hotel room right now, sitting on a hideously ugly bed in Indianapolis. The past couple of days have been crazy, but fun! I went through two really long days of personality assessments and conflict management stuff with the Indianapolis version of Lyle Bundy! He's a LOT like Bundy, actually. Amy (my Montana teammate) and I have learned a bunch about each other...mostly that we are EXACT opposites. I think it will be a good thing though, because we both wish we were more like the other. Maybe we'll rub off on each other and meet somewhere in the middle...? Basically, I'm supposed to work on social skills with strangers, and trying to be more assertive. That should be some goooooooood times.

Exciting news for me: I'm a growing young lady! And no, I'm not referring to the large amounts of Skyline Chili that I stuffed into my face tonight. Turns out that my Meyers Briggs assessment has CHANGED. I've been an INFP for the past few years, but I think I'm turning into an ENFJ. It shocked me when that's what I came out as...but I think that might be me now...or in the future...or somewhere. I talked a lot with Indiana Bundy about how I'm feeling much more independent, and starting to realize that I'm kind of an adult. So weird.

I'm going to three exotic places tomorrow: Detroit, Amsterdam, and Manchester.

And I'm moving to another country tomorrow.

I'm sitting here in the bedroom of my youth, surrounded by *hopefully* everything I'll need for an entire year...yikes! So far, I only have two huge bags and one carry-on bag. How is it that all of my clothes fit into these things? Witchcraft, I tell ya. Well, witchcraft AND those air-suction-tight bags! Pretty sweet invention.

My farewell tour was a good time. I went to Panama City for the Babbinos, Alabama for the Braswells (my sister, bro-in-law and niece), Jacksonville, FCC, and good ole home. I'm amazed at how many hugs I've gotten...and a lot from people who don't normally do the whole "hug" thing. I feel quite encouraged :) My grandparents were a lot of fun to visit. They both officially forbid me to marry a British fellow. I think my grandpa said something like: "don't even bring one of them over back with you." My parents were with me, and my Dad started joking around about how I'm a terrible daughter to leave him for a year, to which Vera (my grandmother) quickly and sternly added, "Well, at least she isn't shipping off to Vietnam getting shot at for 14 months, Jim!!!" Haha...I guess Dad forgot about his stint in the Marines. Silly Dad. So yes, it's true. I'll be gone for less time, and hopefully be shot at far less than my father when he was my age.

So...am I ready to go? I think so. Am I excited? YESSS! The more I sit here in Florida, the more I think "sheesh...I can't wait to get out of this heat!" If in nothing else, I find encouragement in the fact that I'm leaving this oven of a state.

Right after I post this, I'm closing down all of my computer-ish things, packing up the last tidbits of my life, and heading to my parents amazing Southern Baptist church. After that, we're headed to VIncent's Italian Restaurant (it's a Sunday lunch family fave) and then....Orlando International Airport! I'll have a layover in DC, then I'll be in Indianapolis until September 12. On that day, Amy from Montana and I will fly to AMSTERDAM (!!!!!!) for like an hour layover, and then go on to Manchester, England where we will then transfer all of our junk to a train to Nottingham. For a year. Yowza!

Guess I better go finish packing. I love you all!

I am in LOVE with this website: trashthedress.com  There's something obviously beautiful about a wedding dress.  I love the whole "destroying the dress to get an awesome picture" concept. 

I had a surprise party last night!  How exciting is that?  Very.  Terry and Tammy Davis hosted a Crystal Night at their abode, complete with the entire Chambers family (!!) and all of my favorite kids from the youth group.  I couldn't have been happier.  Terry made everyone go around in a circle and say something nice about me...it was awkward since I don't know how to respond to compliments ever, but it was incredibly sweet.  Jaden Davis (he just started Kindergarten this year!) said, "You are a good friend," and I thought that was adorable.  I got a lot of "You do good stuff on the computer" comments :)  Arron Chambers said "Let me put it this way...if Ashton grows up to be like you, I won't be disappointed."  Yikes!  I sort of had to numb myself and not really pay attention while everyone was talking because I would've started crying, which is always an awkward thing.  I held it together pretty well, I think.  Then we ate lots of Mexican food!  Everyone keeps making me Mexican food because I'm sad that England has no Mexicans...man, I love chips and salsa and everything Mexican.  iOle!

My last Sunday at church was good.  It's so strange to say goodbye to people when you are pretty sure you're never going to see them again.  I think I sound really morbid when I say goodbye...I think the phrase "It was nice getting to know you in America" slipped out of me once.  I was at The Well (Arron's 18-30 service on Sunday nights) and I really wanted to find Arron and ask him to pray for me right then and there.  For some reason, I started PRAYING that Arron would pray for me.  I think I might be the only person in the world who prays that other people will pray for them...but anyhow, that's what I did.  At the end of the service, he asked me to come up on stage - and he prayed for me.  The band and other "The Well" leader people came up and surrounded me.  I never thought I'd be someone who would've enjoyed that sort of thing, but it was really comforting.  Sort of a confirmation for me that what I'm doing is important, and that I won't be alone.

I think people here really genuinely like me. 

Some mothers came up to me to thank me for being a good influence on their kids.  That's so weird. 

I'm going to miss my favorite youth group kids a WHOLE lot. 

Tomorrow is my last day working at a church.  I wonder if I'll ever work at another church...who knows!  What an adventure I have before me.  Life is so crazy sometimes.  All of the time, actually.  I think I'm starting to like it better that way.

It's true. Not gunned down in the studio like all the MCs (RIP), but rather shot twice in the left arm and once in the right with Tuberculosis, Meningitis, and Hepatitis B (or A? I forget). Now no matter how hard England may try, they can NOT give me these diseases. It's about time I got these stinkin' immunizations though...I've tried a few times before, but things like tires blowing up and me being stranded on the side of the interstate has hindered me. Bugger.

I was really nervous about getting the shots! I was not playing the part of Braveheart Lion in this episode of my life. The lady asked me if I was right handed, and I looked her in the eye and said, "No ma'am, I'm left handed......(7 second pause)......Oh, wait. Did I just say I'm left handed? Because I'm definitely RIGHT handed, yes." She looked at me like I was an idiot, and I don't blame her. Sometimes I just get stupid when I'm nervous. All of the time, actually.

I read Harry Potter now. I'm addicted. Probably going to need some sort of patch, eventually. Thanks, Lady Bonstance, for making me dependent on a substance like a real friend. I hope that my parents won't think less of me :) I'm now halfway through book 3, and I think I'm in love with Ron Weasley and his flaming red hair. He could catch me on fire any day.

"Overkill" by Colin Hay is my favorite song right now. Also, the entire "Chutes Too Narrow" Shins album is rockin' my face off these days, thanks to Mrs. Serenity Johnson. Excellent!

Life is good. I only have 9 days left in Jacksonville...that definitely hasn't sunk (sank? sinkded?) in yet. I have so much work to do that it ain't even funny, bro. Speaking of that...I'm going to go do some of it.

Today is insanity.

I've been on the phone for 2 hours straight. With about 50 different people. Every time I'm about to hang up from a conversation, someone starts calling me on the other line! I just started laughing because I felt like I was taking donations for the Children's Miracle Network. That makes me think of Dairy Queen...mmm...Blizzard.

Me on the phone:


My "team" at Church went out for Birthday lunch today. We had someone with a July birthday, so...Happy birthday, Randy! 8 of us went to this wing place (i.e. sports bar). I usually loathe places like that because I hate wings and I hate sports. However, this place is fun. They have an Asian wing sauce that I don't loathe, and they have TRIVIA! I don't play, but I love watching all the old folks on my team play. Alright, so they're not "old," but..."older" anyhow. I've never heard a group argue that much over the lyrics to "Bad Bad Leroy Brown." Entertaining. Also, this really nice lady named Darlene (who reminds me of my mom, except she has a bit more of a southern accent) talked about how she was flipping through the channels the other day and saw Hulk Hogan on the toilet. That made me laugh inside a whole lot. She's such a prim and proper southern belle...and to hear her horror at that obviously terrible site just tickled my funny bone.

I've decided that most people take their jobs WAAAAAY too seriously. I'm no class clown, but sheesh...

So I'm trying to update my immunizations so I can go to England. I went to a local clinic place that does that sort of thing, and they were out of the immunies that I need. However, the lady went above and beyond in niceness to help me. I thought "wow, what good service!" But then I realized the reason she was so nice to me was because she thought I was going into the ARMY... I told her I was "headed overseas"... Oh well. So I called the local health department that said nice lady advised me to call. Every time I actually get someone on the phone to talk to, they say "Hello?? HELLO?!? Is anybody there??" I keep screaming into the phone "YES, PLEASE HEAR ME...I NEED YOU TO SHOOT ME IN THE ARM SO I DON'T GET HEPATITIS A OR B," but still...they just eventually give up. My phone is not on mute. I've talked to others on the phone (as I previously mentioned...all day practically) so what is up with the Health Department of Duval County??? I just want to go to England, that's all.

Today is a special cleaning day at the church. It's so funny how seriously things like a cleaning day can be. We're all allowed to wear jeans today, which is a pretty HUGE deal! It makes me laugh that some of the adults still won't wear jeans...but will opt for casual khakis. Aren't old people strange? Just wear jeans, bro...it's fun. I promise.

So anyhoo, I feel as if this day is going to be one of those days where I feel I'm living inside The Office - my fave TV show (that needs to start back up soon so I can see how Jim and Pam's date was). Our boss just sent around an e-mail saying that he has gift certificate prizes for the people who find the strangest thing, oldest thing, and funniest thing whilst cleaning out our areas. It looks like my assignment today will be to clean out a stairwell that's filled with old publications and stuff, so I'm not holding out hope for one of those gift certificates. Unless I find a really funny, old bulletin. Maybe with one of those classic typos like "For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs." Baaaaah ha ha...The Baptists love those bulletin jokes.

We even get free lunch today. Gee, I hope Michael approved this expenditure with corporate... Man, I really do miss The Office.

Pictures on Flickr!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sisterhutch/sets/72157601020930937/

I didn't take many pictures at all. Mostly because I didn't want to look like a tourist.

All and all, I had a lovely time. Rachel and Bonnie were amazing travel companions, and New York was an amazing city. If I had a million dollars, I might consider moving there for a week or two. Like J-Lo. And her big booty big booty.