Good, Bad, and Undecided

Well I made it through the plane ride without freaking out even once.  I am more shocked about that than I can describe given my previous flight experiences - and I am also alarmed by it as weird as that sounds.  The fact that I didn't flip out at least a little makes me worry that I am setting myself up for a big explosion sometime soon and I don't want that.

Oh well, in the meantime, I have arrived at my dorm after getting off the plane, going through customs (read: really really long line so someone can ask you why you are there and stamp your passport), picking up my luggage (it is completely haphazard out there at the luggage rotators), walking the ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE AIRPORT to get to the bussing station, beating up the machine and making it give me a ticket - I almost got one to the wrong town, but I caught my error before I committed to the purchase - boarding the bus and riding along for 90 minutes or so, and then walking from the drop off to my dorm.  Yes, sweetheart, you were right, they have stairs and I have heavy bags and it was a struggle of massive proportions, but they helped me and I got my crap in my room now so huzzah!

Once in my room I took stock of my situation and basically departed immediately to have a smoke (14 hours without one in high stress is pretty darn good so everyone who rolled their eyes can put that in their pipe), find a cold beverage (an activity that eventually got me quite lost, we'll get back to it),  and secure a decent internet connection.  Yes, I have purchased 3 months of mobile broadband on a stick just for this trip at the T-mobile (CURSE YOU T-mobil I thought I was rid of you!)  because the "wireless" here at St. Michaels leaves a great deal to be desired, such as basic functionality in rooms.  I also bought a pre-paid cell just to have and be available on or use for emergencies for a very reasonable £10.

Did I mention I got lost?  I am really tired.  I didn't sleep on the plane, my 'home time' clock says it is about 8 am now, so I've been up 24 hours at this point under some considerable circumstances and I got a little turned around already.  There are no real street markers here and everything is all narrow and none of the roads go where you think it would make sense for them to go!  Thus, I got lost for about an hour getting back from T-mobile to the dorms taking a detour to find a soda.  I was thirsty!  I eventually found my way back to the bus station drop area where another CMRS student was getting brought back, so I followed them and their guide - which was good, because I almost half know where the place is now, and I met another Katherine from Chicago who is also my next room neighbor on the way.

Granted, I don't even know where the bathroom is yet... but I am too tired to care.  We have a health and safety thing at 5:30 (Brit time guys, keep that in mind) and then some eating BBQ get to know you time - all taking place somewhere I don't know where it is mind you, but I am sure there will be a group to follow.  I'm going to go see if I can figure out the building and find the things in it before I venture out again, except out back to have a quick smoke I think - at least I stay within sight of the door doing that.

I have some video to post soon of "Stuff I saw out the bus window" but that is going to have to wait until I get some gusto back.  Fighting off the urge to tuck tail and come home this instant is taking up most of my willpower and staying positive is eating up the rest.

Love to everyone!