One year ago today

Today has been one year since I first arrived in Colombia. I can remember the day quite well. I got up really early at Eastern Uni in Pensylvania where I was visiting my friend, and got dropped off at the train station. We both got the train to Philadelphia where we tried to sort out my tickets. I think that turned out to be quite confusing, but I cant remember why. That day all trains to Florida were cancelled due to a hurricane that was on its way, which made me nervous as I was supposed to fly to Miami that afternoon. Anyway, I left Julie, got on the train, made my way back to New York City where someone I knew met me with their car and drove me to JFK airport. I checked in. Simple stuff. The flights, thankfully, weren't cancelled. I had my first idea of what Miami airport was like. I dont like it. Made it onto my next flight and flew down to Bogotá, Colombia.

It was dark as I flew over the country so I didn't get a very good view of it. I saw the lights of Bogotá and I still didn't believe I was actually there. Despite having heard that Bogotá airport can be difficult, I didn't have any problems and I made my way outside to where I got my first view of what Colombia can be like. Lots of people speaking a strange language I didn't understand, all crowded round waiting for their people to arrive. I turned right out of the airport door and saw an American lady with a sign with my name on, so waved and headed over in her direction. And so I met Jennie who was working with Childrens Vision. We met, introduced ourselves, probably hugged, and then she introduced me to about 10 of the kids, who later I would learn all their names and funny little personalities, but to be honest I have no idea of which kids were there. Part of me wishes I knew. Anyway.

We got in the CVII bus, and me and Jennie sat talking while the kids slept through the 45 minute drive through the city. Driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, lots of manic Friday night Colombian traffic, and I saw kids sitting by the side of the road, with nobody else. We arrived at what was very soon to become home, and dropped the kids off at their home and went into my house. There were 2 other people there, Asa and his girlfriend (now wife) Milena. I met them and he carried my suitcases up to my bedroom.

We left almost immediately to go round to the 'chicken place' as I call it because I can never remember the name. I walked along the road talking to these people who had lived in Colombia for a long time and I had no idea where I was or what to expect. In the chicken place we sat at a table by the window and ordered the rotisary chicken and salty potatoes, typical of Colombia. A man with one arm and scruffy clothes was sat eating at another table. A dog was wandering round the restaurant and kitchen. People were hanging round outside. A bar across the road was playing salsa music very loudly. I got a pretty good idea of what the neighbourhood was like! And then after eating, I went home and sat chatting to Asa for a bit. And then went to sleep in my new bed in my new bedroom.

And then the next day I got up, unpacked, had pancakes for breakfast, and went and met some kids and was shown around the kids homes.

But I'll never forget my first day in Colombia. I cant believe its only been a year. Only one year I had no idea who anybody was out there, I couldn't speak a word of Spanish. And now, well, I got told off for asking for a glass of water from the kitchen in one of the homes because apparently, its my house, my kitchen and I should help myself! Its home. One of them, anyway.

I feel good!!

I've got 10 minutes till I need to head Neighbours way, down 4 flights of stairs, so as I've nowt else to do due to there being NOBODY about, I might as well write.

Went to Pizaa Hut last night with my hall group (bible study)and it was amazing. SO much fun! There was about 12 of us I think sat at a long table, and me and Alicia were in the middle, and we couldn't stop dancing. We've discovered a very addictive dance that once you've started is really hard to stop. I call it the 'Claire dance' because Claire passed it on to us. Anyway...was great fun getting to know people a bit better.

Got home at about midnight, was in bed not long after and lay there for a while, looked at my clock and saw 1am.....2am.....3am.....4am.....and there was no dreaming in between so I'm pretty sure I didn't doze off at all. If I doze off, I dream. I know because I was watching a film the other night layed on my bed, and dozed off for a minute. And I had the most vivid dream I've had in a long time - I was suddenly on some random street walking into a random shop with one of my best friends, I turned round, and he talked. And then I woke up. And was confused for a minute because I thought I'd actually been there. But thats not the point. Point is, I only got 3 hours sleep last night and I've been tired all day. Having 3 hours of Physiology lectres thoughout the day didn't help. Blood pressure? WHO CARES!!!! I also had 2 hours learning about the ageing process. WHO CARES!!!! Apparantly its all relevant for nursing. It was a long day.

But I'm feeling happy. I'm loving life, making good friends, having a good laugh, am freezing cold so get to wrap up warm (as much as I love summer, there is something about putting on the layers and the scarf and feeling snuggly). It feels good. I'm finally over my chain of illnesses that have plagued me the last month. I feel good. So I feel happy.

Off to watch Neighbours. Wonder what will happen today? It's all too exciting!

Non-existant articles and Little Miss Sunshine

This is ridiculous. I've been sat here in the library for what seems like forever trying to find some stupid article about Nursing history and I can't find it anywhere. It's pissing me off. Libraries aren't supposed to be this difficult! Thing is, we don't know if we're supposed to be looking for a book, or a magazine article, or an e-journal, or what. So it's hopeless. I don't think it'll be the end of the world if I don't do this work but I would like to and I don't seem to be able to.

And I'm tired. So tired. Slept better last night than I have all week but it was still only for 6 hours in the end so it hasn't helped me quite catch up yet.

Went to see 'Little Miss Sunshine' at the cinema last night. 10 of us went hoping to watch 'The Devil Wears Prada' but it was fully booked so we saw the other film instead, and it turned out to be one of the most random and funniest films I've seen in a long time. So, I had a great night.

Going home tomorrow! I'm excited. Have been more homesick than I was expecting. I guess because in Colombia I couldn't see my family, it would have made me bankrupt to see my family. And here its so cheap and they're so near yet so far. So I'm glad to be going. And Richard is speaking at my church on Sunday so it'll be fun to see him too. Wish he had all the kids with him, but that would be a little much to ask!

Anyway I should go back to try finding this damn article. Chao.

Free days are fabuloso

I watched Bring It On last night. Such a classic. We were gonna go to union to play pool after but we got a text saying there was only one bar open and it didn't have a pool table. So we went to the off licence, bought wine and sat in the kitchen playing cards. Great fun. Even better that I could sleep all morning as I don't have lectures on Wednesdays.

So now I'm sat listening to Robbie Williams and eating an orange lolly. Yummy.

We've developed a bit of a Neighbours fan club in our halls, everyone knows that 5:35pm is set aside for Neighbours. Fun! But because me and Sarah are going to the CU later we had to watch it at lunch time. Shocking stuff man!

I've started lectures, I have 19 hours a week of them. Gonna be tough. Gonna be interesting but much easier if I can manage to sleep at night. Yesterday was a looonnngggg day. Found some Christians on my course which is cool, they're really nice. Of course I live no where near them but I can at least I can see them during our long days!

So now got not a lot to do till 5pm when I'm walking up to the CU.

My rainy day, all full of loud ringing

Woke up at 7:50am in time for the 8am fire drill.
Is it not cheating if they pre-warn us about a fire drill?
Stood outside for 15 minutes with everyone else from my halls, some people obviously having just dragged themselves out of bed.

Walked up to the campus and had an introductory morning to nursing, lots of people talking to us about things I don't remember now. Went to the disecting room and saw some half heads.

Walked to the Medical building to find out I had already signed up for the I.T test I want to take. Unnecessary journey.

Started walking home and bought a second hand anatomy book. Very hungry by this point.

Realised I have no food and really need to go shopping. Buy a chicken tikka wrap, an apple and some skips for my lunch. Eat and watch Bill Bailey - Part Troll.

Walk back up to campus in the pouring rain and in my gorgeous new boots and get lost trying to find the registry office where they had a nice big fat cheque waiting for me - first bursary payment. Walked round in circles between the 2 quadrangles and then walked across the road to the information desk and found out the registry was one of the only places I hadn't checked while wandering aimlessly round the quads.

Went to the bookshop and bought a white coat and 2 bottles of water.

Walked to gym and signed up - more money but is very cheap for a years membership. Saw Helena and Sinead coming out of gym so started to walk home with them.

Walked to the (better) union and signed up. Had my photo taken and I think my hair was pretty bad because of all the rain.

Finally got home ready to crash and then went out again and walked to the doctors to register. Thankfully didn't involve any money.

Got home in time to watched Neighbours and got 10 minutes into it when the fire alarm goes off again. 2 in 1 day...are you kidding me? Found out I know the person responsible - she was straightening her hair. That is how sensitive these fire alarms are. Went back inside and finish watching Neighbours but didn't understand.

Came upstairs. 4 flights up. Legs hurt, too much walking today. Now Sarah is ordering pizza, chicken and potato wedges for some people in our kitchen. Lovely. Going to the (better) union tonight hopefully, could well do with a good night out.

Sitting alone in my room with nobody about - sometimes that is lov-e-ly

I keep trying to upload photos but tinternet is being a bugger and wont let me.

I had to register today, and as the whole university application process is one big muddle to me as I didn't have a lot to do with it as I was out the country, I didn't realise until yesterday that in order to register you have to pre-register on the internet and then be faculty approved. That was like gobble-de-gook. Anyway, after traipsing round different buildings this morning all over campus, and waiting F-O-R-E-V-E-R it seemed, I finally have my student card and am registered.

Was exhausted when I woke up this morning, took me about half an hour to eat my breakfast. I tried getting an early night (midnight) but didn't sleep til nearly 2am. It is melting hot in these halls and I just could not sleep.

Over the weekend I went to stay with a friend who I've known since I was a baby, typical that as soon as I move up to Glasgow, she is moving down to Wales so we still dont get to see each other! But I had a great time catching up with her and her husband and we relaxed and chatted and then got exhausted by walking up a mountain. It was amazing up there. Scottish mountains, with the sun shine and a cool breeze blowing and a big motorway in view....so that dims the beauty a little, but it was still amazing!

Got an email this morning off my Colombian friend Lucy who is in the States and a phone call from my friend down south last night. It's nice catching up and hearing from people.

I don't get to wear my hat

A few days on and I am loving it. I feel so at home here and everyone is so nice. Man, I've got 3 homes. I suppose I'm quite lucky in that sense. Not too many people have 3 places in the world they feel happy and comfortable and at home in.

Spent today at the emergency room at the hospital. I had to have blood taken a week ago and the bruise is unbelievable. It swelled up instantly and was bruised over my whole elbow and half my arm within 2 days. Its been getting better since then but yesterday it started to seize up again and by this morning I couldn't move it and it is so painful. So, my lovely Sarah came with me to A&E which thankfully didnt take too long. The sign said 'Average waiting time - 6 hours' but we were there for only 1 1/2 hours. I was seen to quite quickly really, and my temperatur was up so they reckon its infected. I'm on antibiotics, which is marvelous during Freshers week, which is one big drunken fest really. Not that I'm like that, I am sensible with my drinking really, but its a shame to miss out on all the parties. Tonight is a fancy dress Wild West party but I cant go, and we've bought the pink sparkly cowboy hats specially, and I dont get to go. That would have been fun. Sarah is being lovely and staying with me, which is super nice but I feel kinda guilty that shes missing out on the party. But, we do have 4 more years worth of parties so its ok really.

Anyway, not much else going on atm. Am currently listening to Delirious in Spanish. It's great understanding 2 languages.