This is a long post, prepare yourself! :)
I awoke at around 4:30am, grabbed my bags and left my little London home on the 28th August to fly to LAX, USA.. The journey leading up to this moment had been long, tiring and almost non existent. If you ask anyone of my friends, they will tell you there was at least 5 times throughout this entire process that I was positive I would never move to California, but here I am, and let me tell you, for me, it feels like quite the achievement.
It all started in February when I first emailed my universities international office to find out what options there were for me if I wanted to study abroad. I quickly got a reply informing me that my original preference (Canada) was unavailable and my only options were Australia or California. Both very far, both very daunting. For me, there was no question as to which one I would prefer. I had spoke to people before about the possibility of living in America, so for me it was always going to be California. The process that followed was painfully long and painfully boring. My life from this point onwards consisted of filing paperwork, visiting banks, studying and occasionally partying (only very rarely though ;)). I persevered and went to my visa appointments, got them approved and booked my flights and there we have it, I was ready to go.
I got my bag scanned and ran for my life to the gates with only 15 minutes to spare till they opened! As I sat, I literally wondered what I was letting myself in for. I had never been more nervous in my entire life then sitting in that departure lounge, waiting for them to tell me I could board. It was only when I sat on the plane I knew that this wasn't going to go as smoothly as hoped! I was moved three times in total on my flight. The first time my TV broke, the second time they got my meal wrong and asked me to move and the third time the little girl in front REFUSED to put her chair up. In my head, I was dreading the next 12 hours stuck on this plane.
However, all panic quickly subsided once i saw the Los Angeles skyline, i quickly fell in love with the city and was desperate more than anything else to just get a glimpse of the Hollywood sign! Unfortunately, this wasn't the case, I was to spend the next hour queueing through security and showing them all my documents in order for me to stay and study.
After this, everything was a complete whirlwind, I met up with a family friend who generously drove me to my university and helped me find the international office and get all paperwork sorted as well as quickly getting a mini tour of the student union (which completely blew me away, not at all what i expected!) and once that was done, I was left to it!
I grabbed my case which was bigger than me and got on a tiny yellow mini bus which supposedly took me to my accommodation, not certain I would even be able to pick up my key for my new room! However, when I arrived i had a residential advisor show me to my room. I felt pretty welcome straight away as i saw my name and my future room mates name on the door. As we knocked, my room mate quickly opened the door and just shouted 'KATHERINEEEE' in my face. Her name is Sh'Nea (or as I like to call her shneaaaaaaaa) and she's probably the craziest, happiest person i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. If you don't quite believe how crazy she is..
I think that will change your mind.
The first couple of days for me where a complete whirlwind, I went to a Basketball game, went to the beach (all to come in separate posts) and I didn't really have time to 'settle'. I'm definitely used to living here, i'm used to my everyday routine and coming back to my dorm, and eating with my roommates. All of the everyday stuff I take in my stride, and i love experiencing all these new things! Can't wait to see whats up next!
Next up: My first ever Baseball game!
♥
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