As I posted earlier, my laptop had a meltdown today and died on me. Turns out the fans have burned out and need to be replaced. Bad timing since I am right in the middle of final exam week. I figured it out this morning but I had a math final exam today, so I just worked on my notes, went to school, took the exam, and decided I would take the laptop back to Best Buys so they could give me an estimate on repairs. I was fretting all day about this because I am trying to raise money to go to Oxford and every penny counts. There are no pennies in the budget for a new laptop, trust me. While I was packing up the laptop, I decided to pull the receipt out in case they needed proof of purchase and I discovered that I had purchased a warranty when I bought the laptop 3 years ago. I had totally forgotten about that. So I carry it into Best Buy and tell them the problem. It was an interesting experience that I will write about later but long story short, they had to ship my laptop back to their company to be repaired and they said it could be 7 days or 6 weeks before I get it back. They can't give me a definite date. The repairs are covered but in the meantime, I am without a computer.
So for the first time in years, I stretched out on the couch and was under the blanket, cat curled up in my lap watching TV when I get a knock on my door. Since I wasn't expecting anyone, I was kinda startled so I looked out the peephole and this crazy woman says, " Laptop loaning service with a delivery" That crazy girl was my best friend Marilee. I called her after I left Best Buys and she took it upon herself to bring me her laptop since she knew I was gonna have to drive to campus every day to do my online school work. This means she will have to go without a computer for a few days and that is a big sacrifice for her since she is taking classes online too. When I asked her about that, she simply said she would would do other work. She is willing to inconvenience herself so I can have what I need. That is unconditional love. That is the one thing I have been blessed to experience that few people in this world ever know. That is the heart of my friend. This one is for her.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
UGGHHH
I have a math final today and a psychology final and test (another day of 2 test in the same class during final exam day ..grrr) on Friday and I woke up today to a broke laptop. I tried to cut it on but I am getting a message that there is a problem with the fan. Could my frustration level be in higher? I had to come to school early to get my emails and am posting this from the library. After I take my test, I am gonna take the laptop back to Best Buys and see what it is gonna cost to repair it. My head hurts, my stomach hurts, and I am tired. I can't wait for this weekend.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Daydreaming
It is right in the middle of finals week and yet, this trip is all I can think about. I need to focus… lol. I’m trying to nail down the last minute details, such as getting a travel physical from the school, get registered for classes at Oxford, make travel arrangements, etc. I’ve started putting stuff on my spare bed that I think I might need. We were told to lay out everything we need to take, then cut it in half since we have to haul our luggage thru the streets of Oxford from the point were the bus drops us off to the university. Apparently, it is quite a hike. How it can be any worse than rushing across NC State campus hauling a backpack full off books trying to make it to class is beyond me but we shall see I suppose.
We went to a final orientation meeting at school to prepare us for the trip and to get some pointers from students that made the trip in past years. They told us things like the laundry facilities there are outrageously expensive so we should brace ourselves for that fact. They also said get a converter for electricity because the UK runs off 240 volts and we run off 100 volts. Oh...here’s another little fact I didn’t know. They provide a bottom sheet and a duvet for us at the school but no top sheet. When I asked why, they said it was because the British don’t use top sheets. That is considered an American way of making up a bed. I never knew that. I can sleep in a blanket rolled up on a mattress so I don’t care but I thought that was interesting.
Well, time to end this and get back to studying. Be sure to send the link to this site to anyone you think would be interested. I need to build my subscription list and word of mouth is the best way.
We went to a final orientation meeting at school to prepare us for the trip and to get some pointers from students that made the trip in past years. They told us things like the laundry facilities there are outrageously expensive so we should brace ourselves for that fact. They also said get a converter for electricity because the UK runs off 240 volts and we run off 100 volts. Oh...here’s another little fact I didn’t know. They provide a bottom sheet and a duvet for us at the school but no top sheet. When I asked why, they said it was because the British don’t use top sheets. That is considered an American way of making up a bed. I never knew that. I can sleep in a blanket rolled up on a mattress so I don’t care but I thought that was interesting.
Well, time to end this and get back to studying. Be sure to send the link to this site to anyone you think would be interested. I need to build my subscription list and word of mouth is the best way.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Step one....
Step one
I just got my passport for my trip so the preparations are well underway for my trip. My picture looks horrible of course, but I am told it is like this for everyone, a requirement almost. I have to raise some additional funds for things the grants and scholarships didn’t cover. It was suggested I build a website for fundraising but I am adding a link on here for donations. I keep meeting people from the UK and I flood them with questions regarding the differences in our countries and societies. They are all very gracious and most helpful. “Be prepared to drink a lot of tea” and “Carry an umbrella” have been the repeating themes so far. One guy tried to joke that the “It rains all the time” rumor is just a myth but his laughing out loud while he was trying to hand me that line of crap was a dead giveaway. I used near Seattle so it is all good. I am fully prepared to acclimate to that kind of weather. I know all about layering your clothes and wearing things with hoods. Besides, I’m a firm believer in dancing in the rain. It cleanses the soul.
I just got my passport for my trip so the preparations are well underway for my trip. My picture looks horrible of course, but I am told it is like this for everyone, a requirement almost. I have to raise some additional funds for things the grants and scholarships didn’t cover. It was suggested I build a website for fundraising but I am adding a link on here for donations. I keep meeting people from the UK and I flood them with questions regarding the differences in our countries and societies. They are all very gracious and most helpful. “Be prepared to drink a lot of tea” and “Carry an umbrella” have been the repeating themes so far. One guy tried to joke that the “It rains all the time” rumor is just a myth but his laughing out loud while he was trying to hand me that line of crap was a dead giveaway. I used near Seattle so it is all good. I am fully prepared to acclimate to that kind of weather. I know all about layering your clothes and wearing things with hoods. Besides, I’m a firm believer in dancing in the rain. It cleanses the soul.
The Oxford blogs begin...
The Oxford blogs begin...:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I am going to Oxford University this summer to attend their study abroad program with about 30 other students from NC State. I went to the orientation meeting tonight for all study abroad students and then we went to a meeting for all the Oxford students only. It started raining on the way to the meeting and, of course, I didn't have an umbrella with me, so I got soaked. The irony of the situation hit me.. I was walking thru the rain to attend a meeting about going to spend my summer days in a country that is known for being rainy year round, instead of in my blessed sunshine. I had to laugh. At least it was warm outside.
We were told to keep a blog about our trip to keep everyone back home updated on our travels so I guess this is the first of many to come. I can't wait. Gonna have to start a countdown once I book my ticket. Watch out UKer's... here I come!
Posted by Shelli at 9:18 PM
1 comments:
Dwayne said...
So will you be able to watch the Sox play while you are there? LOL
April 14, 2009 8:27 PM"
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I am going to Oxford University this summer to attend their study abroad program with about 30 other students from NC State. I went to the orientation meeting tonight for all study abroad students and then we went to a meeting for all the Oxford students only. It started raining on the way to the meeting and, of course, I didn't have an umbrella with me, so I got soaked. The irony of the situation hit me.. I was walking thru the rain to attend a meeting about going to spend my summer days in a country that is known for being rainy year round, instead of in my blessed sunshine. I had to laugh. At least it was warm outside.
We were told to keep a blog about our trip to keep everyone back home updated on our travels so I guess this is the first of many to come. I can't wait. Gonna have to start a countdown once I book my ticket. Watch out UKer's... here I come!
Posted by Shelli at 9:18 PM
1 comments:
Dwayne said...
So will you be able to watch the Sox play while you are there? LOL
April 14, 2009 8:27 PM"
My dream
The chance to travel abroad and pursue my education is a opportunity of a lifetime for me. I chose to wait until my children were grown to finish my college degree so I would have the freedom to give my studies the attention and time they deserved. I have found this decision to be a wise one, as I have accomplished much more than I ever thought possible. While I was a student in Georgia, I maintained a very high GPA and was inducted into the National Honor Society and placed on the National Deans List. This taught me I could accomplish anything I set my mind to with simple hard work and determination.
I chose Oxford as my Study Aboard destination for several reasons. First of all, it is a world renowned institution and I know my participation in this program would enhance my resume tremendously. As one of the top universities in the world, Oxford has been the choice for some of the greatest leaders in history, including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and our very own Sir Walter Raleigh. Bill Clinton even attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. The Oxford University website, http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html, states, “Oxford boasts one of the most extensive global alumni networks in the world, with 160 branches in over 60 countries”. It would be the highest honor imaginable to be able to be associated with this caliber of students on an academic level. I am also interested in experiencing the teaching styles and academic excellence derived from a culture that is close enough to my own to make it comfortable but different enough to make it interesting. The experience of being taught by actual Fellows and Dons in the Oxford tradition of tutors spending one on one time with each student combined with classroom lectures is very appealing to me. As a CHASS major, I am required to take British Literature and European History. What better place is there to take these courses than in the very place they occurred?
Another reason I chose Oxford is its location. My mother’s family heritage has been traced back to the Royal Stewart Clan in Scotland and other family ties in Great Britain. The United Kingdom has always been a country of great interest to me and I would love to experience first hand the culture of my ancestor’s. I, like most Americans, tend to see my family as the people I associate with at reunions and gatherings. This opportunity will help me to see beyond those boundaries and to understand we are far more global then we comprehend.
I believe that studying abroad is something every Communications major should consider because in our careers we will be dealing with people from all over the world. If we limit ourselves to our own culture, we will not be able to truly understand others, were they came from, how they communicate, what their traditions are, what is important to them, and how we can bring all that together to accomplish our mutual goals. In this day and age of mass media and instant communication, we have to think beyond our borders and reach out globally. We are no longer restricted by our geographical boundaries in our personal lives or our business associations. Establishing connections and networks worldwide is vital to our success in any industry and can only serve to enhance our personal growth.
I chose Oxford as my Study Aboard destination for several reasons. First of all, it is a world renowned institution and I know my participation in this program would enhance my resume tremendously. As one of the top universities in the world, Oxford has been the choice for some of the greatest leaders in history, including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and our very own Sir Walter Raleigh. Bill Clinton even attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. The Oxford University website, http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html, states, “Oxford boasts one of the most extensive global alumni networks in the world, with 160 branches in over 60 countries”. It would be the highest honor imaginable to be able to be associated with this caliber of students on an academic level. I am also interested in experiencing the teaching styles and academic excellence derived from a culture that is close enough to my own to make it comfortable but different enough to make it interesting. The experience of being taught by actual Fellows and Dons in the Oxford tradition of tutors spending one on one time with each student combined with classroom lectures is very appealing to me. As a CHASS major, I am required to take British Literature and European History. What better place is there to take these courses than in the very place they occurred?
Another reason I chose Oxford is its location. My mother’s family heritage has been traced back to the Royal Stewart Clan in Scotland and other family ties in Great Britain. The United Kingdom has always been a country of great interest to me and I would love to experience first hand the culture of my ancestor’s. I, like most Americans, tend to see my family as the people I associate with at reunions and gatherings. This opportunity will help me to see beyond those boundaries and to understand we are far more global then we comprehend.
I believe that studying abroad is something every Communications major should consider because in our careers we will be dealing with people from all over the world. If we limit ourselves to our own culture, we will not be able to truly understand others, were they came from, how they communicate, what their traditions are, what is important to them, and how we can bring all that together to accomplish our mutual goals. In this day and age of mass media and instant communication, we have to think beyond our borders and reach out globally. We are no longer restricted by our geographical boundaries in our personal lives or our business associations. Establishing connections and networks worldwide is vital to our success in any industry and can only serve to enhance our personal growth.
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