Long awaited post...

So, I was informed by my mother that I hadn't updated this blog recently. It's true. I do need people to keep me accountable for this as well, because I don't want it to fall away. I haven't done any major site seeing recently so I don't have much to update.
I started my classes last week and it was good to see what I will be studying. Basically I'm taking a Primary module, a supplementary module, and 2 research skills modules. (module means class). My primary module is Cultural Heritage Management: Philosophical/Theoretical Approaches. I really enjoy this one so far. We are learning all about what Heritage is, the controversy that surrounds it and all of that great stuff. My secondary module is Philosophical Approaches to Conservation. In this class so far we have talked about the history of conservation of buildings in England. This class should start to get more interesting, but my professor is slightly dry. The readings are interesting though. My first research module is Practical Conservation: Stone and Wood. I had the first portion on Stone recently. This was absolutely fascinating. We learned about the major kinds of stone in England, we talked about whether cleaning old buildings is a good idea. We also went on two trips. The first to a quarry where we saw them removing the blocks of stone from the earth and then saw them processing it into slabs, blocks, etc. The second trip was to York Minster Stoneyard. This was by far my favorite part. We got to see the restoration work being done on the Minster and talk to the Carvers and Stonemasons. We saw their work up close as well. It was absolutely amazing. I can't believe that people are able to create such beautiful carvings.
I'm going to visit my friend Liz this weekend in Durham. That should be great. I'm excited to see Durham cathedral and anything else that she has discovered in her time at the university.
I'm also starting to realize how much work doing an MA actually entails. I'm up for the job, but it's starting to sink in and stress me out a little.
Overall, I'm enjoying my time here and beginning to appreciate how much having a degree from a different country as my BA will benefit me in the job search.
Love you all, miss you!!!

Over the last few days I have done a little sight seeing. My friend Liz, who lived on my floor at Calvin and who is now at Durham, stayed with me for a few days. While she was here we went into town and saw some of the local sites. This also gave me a chance to use the bus and find out where I will be going for my classes. Like I mentioned before, the Archaeology department in located on the other side of the city in King's Manor. Here are a few pictures.

It is really a beautiful building and I'm lucky to have my department there. I do wish it was a little closer to campus, but the bus system is very simple to figure out.
We also went to Yorkminster Cathedral which is the biggest Medieval Cathedral in Northern Europe. It was really beautiful. As a York student I get in free, which is really nice. I took a lot of pictures of this, and put most of them on facebook, but here are a few that I really like.












































I did not get a chance to go up into the tower or go through the undercroft, but I will have plenty of opportunities to do that over this year. We also did some shopping in town. There are quite a few places to shop in York and it's a much bigger city than I had previously thought it was going to be.
I quite enjoy it here and am very glad that I decided to do my MA here.
I begin my classes on Tuesday and so my leisurely week is about to end. I have made some good friends already and am starting to settle down into a group. I'll try to keep updating this blog as much as I can, but as I get into classes it might be less frequent than I has been.
Thanks again for the prayers and support and I love you all. Cheers!

Settling in

So, I have been meeting a ton of people in the last few days. I was a little depressed when I got here because I didn't know anyone and it was a new place and I was tired. Now, I know quite a few people, I've overcome the jetlag and I've explored the city and campus a little as well. I am sort of looking forward to starting up my program because it will provide a little more structure than I have at the moment. I've met alot of people from England, but also quite a few from other countries as well.
The pub crawl was fun last night. We went to 6 different bars in York and it was a good time to see some of the city and what types of bars there are around here. This was where I met alot of people.
Tomorrow I'm going to be working on getting a mobile phone and setting up a bank account.
Well, that's the update of late.

Miss you and love you all!!

Safe Arrival

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I have arrived in England and am settled into my room quite nicely.
The flight went well and I managed to figure out the underground and then the train station and then the taxi. Needless to say it was a VERY long couple of days, but I'm here. I've already made it to two super markets, one on campus and one off, to buy the basics. I have my own room and my own bathroom, both of which are quite a bit smaller than I have been used to.
Today we have a bus tour of York and then the "pub crawl." I don't think it's as bad as it sounds, but I guess I'll find out.
In the next few days I will be working on figuring out how to get to King's Manor, where the Archaeology Department and my program are located. This building is on the other side of the city from me so it could be interesting. I think walking would take at least 30 minutes. The bus system is really good but I am going to look into getting a bike as well. The city is very bicycle friendly, but I will have to get used to being on the left side of the road. I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. :)
Here's a few pics of my first few days here.

This first pic is a view from my room.
Here is my desk and bookshelves.
This is my little bathroom. There is a sink on the left and a shower on the right.
This is my closet

This is my room Here is the common kitchen. We each have two cupboards and a shelf in the fridge. It's much more space than I was expecting.
This is my hallway with the other rooms on each side.
I will try and update this once a week or so (hopefully).
Well, thanks for all of your support and prayers and as long as you are willing to give these things I will greatly appreciate them.
I miss you all already and I miss the comfort of having friends and family nearby.
Cheers!