New Friends, Money and My Quest For a Bike

Well, I am doing better today. It is 1:30 and I haven't yet turned into a blubbering mess. I went to an orientation for international students this morning and met several really nice people. I met two girls from Ohio and made plans to meet up with them this evening. I also have met some people at my college, and even two within my major!
I knew today would be a rough one for me, with it being my birthday, but so far, so good.
Yesterday I went shopping and bought a bunch of stuff I needed. Everything is SO expensive here! I was in shock yesterday, not only from jetlag and severe homesickness, but also sticker shock about prices! I spent the equivalent of $40 on hangers, and they were the cheap ones! My tiny cheapo travel alarm clock was the equivalent of $16. This is intense, and to top it all off I found out that I would have to pay for my own internet connection in my room. (The good news, however, is that I may be able to get internet, phone connection and cable tv in one relatively decent package) I am starting to stress a bit about how much money I am going to be spending, but I know I will just have to grin and bear it.
I have not yet been able to buy a bike, and so that remains my goal for the day. There is apparently a bike shop near some thrift stores that I am going to try and make it to today. I would love to get some cheap ammenities for my room, and at this point second-hand is A OK with me!

Arrived Safe and (Relatively) Sound!

Well, I am finally here. My trip was long, it took a flight, two trains and a taxi, but I arrived safe and sound at 102 Barton Road.
A huge part of me never wanted the 28th of September to come, as it would mean saying goodbye to my home and setting off for who knows what in a foreign country. But the day came, of course, and I felt like I was on a rollar coaster that I had no control over. I wanted to scream "Stop!" but I knew that I had to go. A whole year (actually my whole life) has built up to this chapter, and from the start I knew that fate wanted me to go to Cambridge.
The flight was long, and I was squished in next to an overweight man with body odor and sweating issues. Seriously, when I first saw him he looked like he had taken a shower with his clothes on. Ew.
Besides that, it was a thankfully uneventful trip. When the airplane was approaching the airport we flew over a honest-to-goodness castle. That was pretty incredible!
When I arrived at the Cambridge train station I was greated by several Cambridge students involved in some sort of a religious international student organization. They had no trouble picking me out as an international student, with my huge suitcases and woefully inadequate clothing (it is COLD here!). They seem like a friendly bunch, and at this point, since I have no friends here, I will take what I can get! They are putting on some welcoming events this week, and I plan to attend. In order to attend, however, I need to get an alarm clock, as well as MANY other items. I absolutely need a bike, as my apartment is a distance from the college and the main part of town. I am going to go momentarily to scope out the bike situation. After that: food, hangers, towels (a shower would be grrreat!), lightbulbs? and a million other details.
It is my strategy to just keep as busy as possible until I get over being homesick. Right now I feel pretty low, but I knew that I would. I am far from home in a foreign country and I don't know a soul. I know that will change, but for now I just have to keep my sunglasses on because I can't stop crying. I have got to cut this out or all my new classmates will think that I am bonkers.

Yay for the Fed Ex Man!

My visa arrived today, which is a huge relief. After getting turned down the first time for my visa, I knew that I would be cutting it close. But I had no choice but to re-apply and hope it came in time!
Thankfully, it did, and I was woken up bright and early by the sound of the doorbell, which meant one of two things: Mormon missionaries or Fed Ex delivery. If it was the latter, I did not want him/her to leave with my precious passport because I wasn't there to sign for it. If it was the former, I would just have to pretend that I am Jewish.
So I jumped out of bed with my star and moon pajamas and crazy hair to run downstairs and open the door.
What a relief, to at least be ready in a legal sense for my trip!

Leaving in one week

I am leaving for Cambridge in one week, and no part of me really feels like it is happening. I will fly out of Philadelphia on the night of the 28th, arrive in London on the morning of the 29th, and take an hour or so long train to Cambridge. From there I go to the University, get my key, and go to my new home at 102 Barton Road.
I hardly know where to start to get ready. It would be nice if all of my trip logistics were actually worked out by now, but they are not. I still don't have my visa and I am still waiting for two loans to be confirmed. But, ready or not, here I goooooo!