Edinburgh, Scotland

HELLOO OVER THERE!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME!!! (yelling)

Scotland = Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Ton of Sheep, Kilts, Bagpipes, Scenery, and Amazing.

Scotland is officially one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The 6 hour drive from school was well worth it. The rolling hills covered in sheep and mountain snow covered peaks and lakes and water falls...it was breathtaking. I wish every one of you could have been there because my pictures don’t do it justice.

We arrived Friday afternoon to Edinburgh (Edin-Bourough), Scotland. My friends and I checked into the hotel and walked around the city and found ourselves that one of the most amazing monuments in Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is an old volcano that has turned into an attraction and popular place to work out…I’ll tell you why. The morning after I walked Arthur’s Seat, my feet were so swollen that I could hardly fit them in my boots, my legs were so sore that I couldn’t itch them, and my face was so windburn that it looked like I over did my blush 10 times that morning!!! Haha, and despite all of the tragedies, it was one of the most beautiful and fun things that I did this weekend, and I didn’t even go to the top! Friday night we went to a great pub and met some really nice locals…(Scots are much nicer that England people). Then we went to a dance club where I was further beaten up, but this time it was by girls high heels and boys huge feet! Yet, it was a fabulous time. Safe to say that I wasn’t up for much walking on Saturday. OH but there was more walking to come!

Saturday my friends and I went to the Edinburgh castle, which is one of the most well kept and preserved castles in Scotland. It was built into the side of a cliff. We toured that castle and viewed the canon shooting that takes place every day at 1. Needless to say, I almost peed my pants I was so startled. We also saw Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny which was placed under every coronation chair (when they crown a royal) in London until just a few years ago it was taken back to Scotland. After that we went to The Scotch Whiskey Experience!! (To further stress to alcoholism that I have now developed… J only kidding!) This is where we learn all about the five main different whiskey regions of Scotland and the different whiskeys that they make. We got to chose one to test drink from smelling them and learning about how they are made. Since Scots are so famous for their whiskey, this is where the largest whiskey collection in the WORLD is at (which is owned by one man who is a professional Scottish whiskey blender)…it was incredible the bottles of whiskey that were here. The most expensive one was from New York City from a VERYYY long time ago and it cost $1000 USD at that time. Its casing was sterling silver. SO, that was so much fun and very interesting. After that we went shopping a little bit and I went back to the hotel because I was beat. Got ready and went to dinner at an Italian place which was amazing and a nice change of pace from continuous pub food. I bet you can guess what I got…pizza J After that we met up with some friends and went to a pub to hang out and that is where I met some Scottish boys. We got to talking about cars and American football…and somewhere in there I mentioned that I was from Texas! Well they just had a blast with that one!

This is how that conversation went? “So, you where a cowboy hat all the time?” … “uh, No and I don’t ride a horse everywhere either…I don’t even own a horse.” … “WHAT?!?!” Haha so yes, the Texas stereotype travels even over here. The next subject that came up was Obama, naturally. I asked “A lot of Brits worship Obama…Do Ya’ll like Obama?”... his response, “BAHAHAHA!!!!! Do YA”LLL (stress on the ‘Yall’) like Obama!” (he was mocking me) It was quiet amusing because I have gone a month without being made fun of about saying ‘Yall’ by anyone foreign! That was about as far as our conversation went…well the part that I could UNDERSTAND!! Their communication is undecipherable. I was having a rather difficult time. After that we went to another dance club that was a ton of fun and then called it a night!

Sunday morning we woke up and drove to Hadrian’s Wall, which is a fort in England that is one of the most well kept historical war landmarks in England. It is where the Celtics were trying to invade someone (I wasn’t paying too much attention). After that we drove a little while and stopped in Durham, England. This is where we ate lunch and saw the Durham castle and cathedral! We were all spent so it wasn’t too eventful but it was a wonderful town and very enjoyable. And that leaves me here, tired as all get out, and using my hands to forcefully keep my eyes open!

I hope that all of you had an amazing week and weekend and I hope that you enjoy my post! I miss everyone very much and love YALL!! I am doing great but i miss home a ton...but I also want this trip to go as slow as possible. I havent even yet come to the realization that I am here. Maybe it will hit me when I got to France and I REALLY cant understand anything they are saying!

Have a great week and keep tuning in to Party in the U.K.!!

Cheers!

P.S. my pictures are a bit out of order so just go along with it…Enjoy!! And COMMENT!

V. – miss you!

Me sitting on Hadrian's Wall


Welcome to Scotland!


Scotland Border!



Welcome to Scotland! Border between Scotland and England




Scotch Whiskey Experience




Only one of the five walls filled with the largest whiskey collection in the world!


Outside the Edinburgh Castle with a Scot warrior!

Firing the Canon at Edinburgh Castle!

Me at Edinburgh Castle

My friend Emily and I on top of a canon

Little Mermaid Ariel Rock on Arthur's Seat!

All of us on part of Arthur's Seat

View of Scotland from Arthur's Seat at sunset

Someone carved my name into Arthur's Seat!!!

All of our shadows on the side of Arthur's Seat!

Jumping in front of Edinburgh view!

Peace to you on top of Arthur's Seat

It was SOOO windy on Arthurs Seat!!

Me in front of view of Edinburgh

All of the girls in from of Arthurs Seat...That isnt even half of it

Me in front of Arthurs Seat

Non snowy Scotland view

Beautiful snowy moutains on Scotland sountryside

How bout' them Saints!!!

So my prediction was correct....the Colts and Saints are going to the Super Bowl!!!!! I just wanted to express my happiness and jealousy to all of you in the States (excluding Owen) because you never really know how important and awsome NFL commentators and half time shows and commercials are until you are subject to watch what I had to watch for 5 hours last night. I cannot even express how AWFUL Brit NFL Commentators are...let me put it to you this way, At one point in the Saints game they were using Ping Pong as a metaphor to explain football. WHAT?! Oh and lets not mention the CREEEPY as all get out commercials that have over here. I can even get into that one. But anyways..i just want some Troy Aikman and Tiki Barber. Thats all. Oh and I would like to be able to watch the games at a decent hour..not 2 am in the morning!! Thanks.

Well, now that I have share my wonderful Brit NFL experience...I cannot wait for the Super Bowl!!!

Love you all!

Fake Magna Carta + Robin Hood = 1 Historical Weekend

Helloo United States! (and Africa...it is good to have you here Owen)

And here we venture further into my epic journey. This weekend was amazing and was filled with so much history and "Fake History". It all started on Thursday night at the Meet a Family Reception, where I met my temporary stand in family. (these are people who take a couple students in over the semester and take them on day trips, cook dinner for them, invite us over for drinks, etc. I was so lucky to receive a retired Minister, John Bruce and his wife Christine. They are a very kind couple with a 35 year old daughter (older couple), however extremely hip. At the dinner table John whipped out his iTouch and took the initiative in facebooking Amber and myself and asking us to be his friends on facebook...at the dinner table!! Funniest thing I have ever seen!!! Then they continued to tell us how one of their favorite pasttimes is to go a see movies at the Cinema (movie theater for those who dont know ;) ) and that they had just seen Avatar in 3D! BAH! SO, basically I have the hippest geezers in Grantham.

Friday the whole school went on a trip to Lincoln...which is a little North West from Grantham. This is where the famous medieval Lincoln Cathedral is (breath taking architecture and also where Lord Alfred Tennison was burried, along with many other historically important individuals), and also the Lincoln castle (where one of the three exsisting copies of the Magna Carta is kept). However, in reference to the title of this blog, the real Magna Carta was residing in the U.S.A. for a breif period. Therefore, I was subject to viewing a "Fake" Magna Carta. I walked down the famous "Steep Hill", which was extremely hard and a little embarassing to walk up. And I also spent part of the day in a quaint little tea shop with a couple friends because it was raining and very cold, but the experience is what counts and that part was amazing. I am still continuing to make more and more friends and I kid you not that I...out of everyone here at this school....has made more friends and personally hangs out with and knows more people than anyone here. haha! I know your not surprised (mommy and daddy) but it feels great to walk in anywhere and actually know pretty much everyone there. This excludes the girls who practice VooDoo and have a secret Quidditch Club (from Harry Potter)...I tend to steer clear of that group. But anyway (no 's' Dad), I have made a ton of great friends even though they are all in different groups and I am planning a trip to Amsterdam with a big group of people in two weeks!! So excited!

Getting on the the rest of the weekend, Saturday I went to Nottingham (Home of Robin Hood) with a group of 8 friends (some new and old) and we mostly went shopping which was a wonderful detox (haha mom!!) and a nice breath of fresh air and break from historical monuments...But this is before I figured out that I was on Robin Hood territory!!! Dont worry, I kept the purchasing to a minimum, but it was a wonderful day to hang out with friends and get to know new people and new places. After shopping we made our way down to the assumed historical castle of Nottingham...where Robin Hood lives. To our dissappoint, this castle I speak of burnt down and was rebuilt not too long ago....So this is yet another historical let down this weekend haha! But I still got to pose with Robin Hood which was a highlight of the day. The best part of the day was going to The Oldest Pub In England!!!!!!! How awsome is that! 'Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem' is what it is called and it is built into the side of the Nottingham castle (that part didnt burn down). We had a drink there.....necessity...and soaked up all of the TRUE history.

Overall a fantastic weekend...I know what you are thinking...how is she getting all her homework done. Well, that is a good question. I guess that is what Sundays are for...right??? :)

Again, I wish that I could be sharing all of my experiences with each and every one of you. But this is the best that I can do and I am so glad that yall are enjoying it because I enjoy your posts just as much!! I miss all of you so terribly much. Just tonight I had an epiphany..."I am actually in Europe...WHAT?!?!...This is reall?? I cannot beleive that I am here" Yes it is just now dawning on me slightly that I am in Europe and I am living all of this right now. I am still in love with my roommate Cassie. We went out and had drinks tonight at a Local Harlaxton Restaurant and Pub called the Gregory with one of our friends Kerry. And we are all becoming best friends. By the way...I have no idea how I am going to convert back to American lifestyle after this. I am going to be converting dollars into pounds to be able to tell how expensive something is and to decide if I want to buy it or not haha...AND I will not be able to drink alcohol legally...bummer. So I guess I better live it up while I can. Classes are going great...I dont want to scare you too bad (mom and dad) and I am enjoying all of the learning and different styles of teaching.

I am flossing (mom and Aunt Jean)...when I think about it haha! Ill do it right now so I dont forget....hold on one second...pause....more pausing....pause some more...Okay Im done! You can rest assured now! Well it is getting late here so I hope that all of you enjoy my pictures and adventures from this portion of my epic journey this weekend. There is so much more to come! This is Only the Beginning!!! I love you all so much and I hope that yall are doing well and not missing me too much (you better miss me alot)!

Cherrio!

Texas
(This is the nickname that everyone has given me at Harlaxton...seriously everyone calls me this and says that I look like I would be in a Miss U.S.A. Pageant...BAH!!)


This is my meet a family with my "sister" amber!
(Amber, Christine Bruce, ME, Reverend John Bruce)


This my and my roommate Cassie at Meet a family reception



This is the Lincoln Cathedral...one of the most beautful architechure I have ever seen
(Where Lord Alfred Tennison was burried, And the Magna Carta is kept in the Castle right next door)



Me in the Lincoln Cathedral!


Me at King Edward's grave at Lincoln cathedral
(He was a good King)

Me and Robin Hood in Nottingham!

I am just like Robin Hood

Me at a Bagley sign in Nottingham!!!

This is the Oldest Pub in England

Me by the Oldest Pub in England

London.

Hello There.

I just got back from the AMAZING city of London. I had more than a blast, and I think that part of that was because I got so close to alot of the people Im here with and not just acquaintences. So that was fun! Friday we touched off from the Manor at Harlaxton and drove to London where we took a 2 hour bus tour of the whole city. Amazing. There is so much to see and it is such a huge town, you have to go for at LEAST a week. So I definitely plan on going back soon! The pictures are a bit out of order...this post was a bit harder to put together.

This is the town of Surrey (where The Holiday was at!!)

This is me in the back of Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace

This is my standing under a HUGE tree in the Gardens at Hampton Court Palace (Sunday afternoon)

Me standing against another HUGE tree in the Gardens at Hampton Court Palace

This is me trapped in the dead end of a "Bush Maze" that is in the Gardens at Hampton Court Palace

Me sending Peace from the U.K. to you in the U.S.A (At Hampton Court Palace)

This is me standing in front of Buckingham Palace :) (Saturday)

This is me and my friends Laurel (left) and Sam (right) at Buckingham Palace at the Changing of the Gaurd Saturday morning

This picture is me and my roommate Cassie and in front of the play that we went to go see Friday night!!

This is a picture of me outside the Leicester Square (where we saw the play) on Friday but you cant see it very much

This is a picture of my by the Tower Bridge (which was the only stop we made on the bus tour on Friday)

Friday afternoon was spent going to Leicester Square (the big theatre district) to buy tickets for a show! I went and saw "The Little Dog that Laughed" with my friends Cassie (roommate), Carrie, and I cant remember the other girls name. The title doesnt make sense to me at all but the show was great and really funny. We went to a really cute pub for drinks and dinner before the show. Later that night I got back to the hotel and went out with some of my other friends Laurel and Sam and met everyone at this popular bar in London called "The Rocket" were we had drinks with alot of people from school and danced to some kickin' American hip hop :)! (and keep in mind that we got in at 3 am) Overall, great day!!

Saturday came early at 8am. I got ready for the day to go sightseeing with Laurel and Sam and a couple of their friends from the States who were in London for the weekend after being in Kenya for a month doing medical research. We first went to Buckingham Palace where we saw the ceremony of the Gaurd Chaning...very interesting! At that point it began to down pour on us...good thing I had an umberella. And it was also freezing outside. We continued on the Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben. All Amazing and I have to go back to get the full effect because it was raining and miserable. We spent the rest of the afternoon in this very cute pub in Covent Garden (which is my favorite place in London I have decided...among Notting Hill) eating and enjoying each others company, and then we went to the British Museum which was very cool but I was so tired that I ended up splitting from the group and going to relax in the cafe with my littel friend Hot Chocolate. At this point I had been trying to get ahold of Larkin all day because my phone wasnt working correctly but finally with the extensive help from Lauren and Danny (mostly Lauren) I got ahold of him and left from the museum to go to his house (south of the Thames river...bad side of town) haha! Got there and then realized that i left my cell phone in the taxi cab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so I have been trying to recover it ever since but it doesnt look too hopeful. (sorry mommy and daddy) I met his flat mates who were very very cool...one of which was a large bunny rabbit call Zandar BAHA! it was the cutest thing ever. We hung out for a while and then we went to Notting Hill (Livin' the Hugh Grant dream) to go to a FABULOUS Taqueria with some of his friends from school!!! After that we went to a Piano Bar in Notting Hill that was completely rockin and a great time (maybe one of the coolest things I did in London). It was about 10 and I left to go back to the hotel to meet my friends to go out dancing. We went to a really hip club called Fabric that Larkin warned me was SUPER Intense and a couple of his friends DJ there alot. This club was Insane....It was three floors and was a huge rave with just techno out the wazzooo and people from every country in the world and it was awsome. Finally got in at 5am....yes I know....5am. But hey people....ITS LONDON!! So basically I have had no sleep and I am among the walking dead right now haha.

Today we went as a whole group to Hampton Court Palace which was the home of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn (Bailey...), William and Mary (from the Glorious Rev.) and so many more. It was such a beautiful place and a great experience. We were there for about 4 hours and then we came back to the Manor and I am writing all of you now :) I cant remember if I left any funny details out of this post but I will update if I think of anything.

I miss all of you so dearly much and you would not beleive how bad I wish that yall were here with me....especially you mommy, daddy, christi, lauren, danny, and derrik haha because I wouldnt have to compromise doing what I want to do for what other people want to do (because I am the center of attention in this family and dont you forget it!). And Because we like the same things and food!!!

I hope all of you had a great weekend (not nearly as great as mine obviously ;) ) I hope my post was efficient so you could live vicariously through it...if not, write a letter to the editor please. Well back to a week of school and reality! Hooray.

I miss and love all of you so much! Oh and mommy, I L (to the) O (to the) V (to the) E my Rebel!!!!

Chip Chip,

Eli (Ali in an English accent)

Yeh Mate?

Ello Mate. (in a Britist accent)

I just stepped out to empty my rubbish (trash) bin, and now I might put on my trainers (tennis shoes) on and get a lift (ride) in the taxi.

Just some daily Brit lingo for all you American folk. I enjoy it :)

I hope everyone is doing just dandy and staying warm!! It is still snowing here...CRAZY! I am doing better in coping with my class load, but it is not easy. I am making better friends with my roomate Cassie...we have tons in common and she is super outgoing. But i miss all of you guys so much!!! Food is still Rank and I have no joy in eating it...But tonight I am staying in my room and fixing OATMEAL!!! My favorite. I have had a few people approach me and ask me if I am rich....uhhh.....ummmm....hmph. How in the world would you like me to answer that? And in no way have I given anyone the reason to ask me that Daddy. (a.k.a. I am not flashing my money around and telling everyone about how Glamorous my life is) HAHA!

I am going to London this weekend and I cannot wait to tell everyone all about it! Hopefully I will have enough time to get everything into this one weekend! I am still knee deep in the Odyssey, but I am liking it more. Anyone feel free to skype me or send me messages this weekend because I wil have my new SKYPE PHONE! So I can receive your messages from skype on my phone!

Okay well I better get back to the Odyssey. I Love all of you and I miss you more than you know and I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Ta Ta!
Al

The Odyssey

Whats Up? <-----(That one is for you mom :) )

So I have been spending majority of my free time and my other free time...and my non free time reading for my classes. As of now I am ankle deep in The Odyssey. I gues it is appropriate because I am on an Odyssey of my own.. People are getting really cliquish here and are only hanging out with people they go to school with in the States. But it is only the first week so I hope that they start to branch out a bit. There are alot of cool people suprisingly, but also alot of SUPER wierd people. I had to sit next to a girl the other night that had 2 inch black nails that were pointed into a spear shape!!!! it was disterbing. I think she must practice witch craft on her free time. ANYWAY (no 's') <---(for you dad), I like all of my professors, but I have a ton of reading. Along with the Odyssey, I have to read 'A Midsummers Night Dream' by next week and other exerpts from books for my British Studies. I am still starving and in need of some good food. I am also in need of America....any little piece of America. So feel free to send me some. I am going to London this weekend. So that should be exciting! I will take tons of pictures. It is kind of akward to ask people to take pictures of you because I want to have pictures with me in them but i dont really know these people very well. Stinks.

Well it is time for me to hit the sheets. I have a presentation tomorrow!! Whoot!
I will update all about London later this week!

Love you all to death!!!

Ali Baba

Im Starving...

SEND ME FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so hungry.

The Goose

Hi Everyone!

I know that my posts are very frequent but I want to tell yall everything! Last night was the first town pub experience. It was fabulous...minus the part where I was subject to taking a shot of jager, that was interesting. I went with a group of friends and met up with some other people from school. There was a 45 year old man from Scotland that tried to hit on me while I was using his phone to call a cab...all of my great friends just sat back and watched instead of saving me!! Awful. I cannot believe that this is only my third day...I still haven't taken many pictures but there is much time left for that. This morning I went to the Harlaxton village church...it was the cutest thing and very unique, but it was as cold inside the church as outside. Miserable. My roomates are so far so good. I really get along with one of them named Cassie. She sleeps above me haha. This morning while I was getting ready for church I looked out of my window at all of the beautiful snow and woods and I saw a big bunny rabit running around...it was delightful!

Funny Story -- So I was in the grocery store Morrisons and I went with 2 girls and 1 guy and I was looking for a plug adaptor. I approached an employee and said - "Do yall have any plug adaptors" (while sporting my fine southern accent). I looked back at my friends standing a few feet away and they were all laughing at me. I didnt find out until later what they were laughing at....it was the look that the employee gave me when I opened my mouth. Which is the same look that most of the Brits give me. Haha!
Note: I am the only person here that uses the word "Yall"

I cannot beleive that classes start tomorow...I am a bit nervous about all of the reading that I am going to be doing but Ill manage.

Andd......THATS ALL FOLKS! (Porky the Pig)

Yours Truely,
Bali Agley

I live in Pride & Prejudice

The first is the beautiful view outside of my window of British countryside.

The second picture is the Carriage House...where I live. It is Separate from the Manor.

Grantham

Hi Everyone!!

I am so happy that yall are commenting...it gives me something to look forward to everyday. This is my new home and it is so amazing!! I will post more later. So today I got ALL 18 of my books!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am taking Shakepeare (10 books/plays) World Classics (4 books) and British Studies (4 Books)...Insanity. I also went into the village of Grantham today...the closest village to Harlaxton College. There is snow EVERYWHERE!! It is so beautiful and I have taken lots of pictures. I went into Grantham today...which was the home of Issac Newton, and there is a statue of him and his home is there...I didnt get a change to take pictures but I will next time. I am making more and more friends every day. Everyone is so nice....but the food is SICK!!!!! So far I have been forced to eat fried fish and chips and a hot dog and chips (which I didnt eat - and those of you who dont know...chips mean french fries). Tonight we are having a Super nice dinner in the Great Hall which will be very fun and hopefully good food!

Stay tuned to Party in the UK!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!

-Hermione Granger (todays code name)

Taken.

On my first night in London I was Taken....Taken On A Wild Goose Chase for My HOTEL!! I landed an hour late and came to find that the whole airport had basically shut down...including the transportation and personel needed to travel to my hotel where I was staying. 2 hours, 5 buses, 2 men from Wales, 1 taxi, 1 lost passport, 1 hysterical crying session, and1 found passport later I finally made it to my hotel. Needless to say...it was an eventful evening. I have literally had a total of 8 hours of sleep in the past two days!!

But I am sitting in my dorm room looking out of my window at the beautiful British countryside covered in snow. I had a little chat with the principal and owner of Harlaxton Manor and we talked about Bama beating Texas HA! I will post some pictures later today. Im just getting settled in to my dorm room. I am in the Carriage House which is separate from the Castle. It is a quaint house with a court yard and it is a quick walk from the manor. I am rooming with 3 other girls (should be interesting) and I got the best bed of course! I have made lots of friends and am continuing to make more.

Stay tuned for more insight into my epic journey.
LOVE yall! (no one says yall here)

P.S.
Here is my mailbox number...I suggest using USPS (it is cheaper for international)
All of you better send me packages!!

Alexandra Bagley
Harlaxton College
Harlaxton Manor Box #24
Grantham, Lincolnshire
NG321AG
UNITED KINGDOM