September 30

       I woke up to the sun shining through my window which made me very happy. I'm rarely happy when I wake up (no matter what the weather looks like), so I knew I was off to a good start! Even though my hall mates decided to have a party until 1:30 am in the room right next to mine, I still managed to get a good amount of sleep. Orientation officially started today, and there are a lot of international students! As I was sardined among this rowdy crowd in a large lecture hall, I realized that student respect issues are a universal problem. Some things never change.
       [Dear educators, I commend you on your patience and willingness to work with high-maintenence students. I'm pretty sure that I, if placed in that situation, would lose my cool.]
       During break, I met a girl from Dublin and a guy from Romania! I also met 4 more Americans which was rad at first until I realized that people from other countries are more interesting (at this point anyway). I later signed up for 3 social outings offered by the orientation program: 1) A guided tour of London and Covent Garden, 2) A trip to Brighton, a seaside resort, and 3) A riverboat disco along the Thames (I don't really know what that means, but everyone highly recommends it).
       This is a bit unrelated, but did you now that it is impossible to (safely and legally) watch a full episode of Glee online from the UK? I know this frustration makes me a nerd, but I was pretty upset. What to do... iTunes rental??? Also, you have to buy a tv license if you want to watch broadcast tv here. Strange, I guess it's like buying cable back home.
       Anyway, after waiting all day for my luggage to arrive, I finally got it at 8:45 pm! God is good, and He provides.
       It amazes me that the Lord creates so many different kinds of people in so many different places and yet we all are share the same need for friendship, community, etc., but especially for love. It is my prayer that I can show His love even in the smallest of opportunities. A smile and some brief encouraging words go a long way.

Prayer request of the day: That I would show God's love to the lonely, specifically.
      
      

September 27-29

            It has been a long journey! I traveled from Sacramento to San Fran to Toronto to London in approximately 20 hours. Very uncomfortably, I slept on the plane and during layovers. It was enough to carry me through without being completely exhausted. Our plane landed at 8:55 pm on Tuesday the 28th, and I soon found out that my main suitcase decided to ditch me for Vancouver. So, my guitar, small duffle, backpack, and I proceeded to pass through immigration surrounded by about 100 Asian students. It felt just like California, ha. Soon enough, I chased down the lucky Middlesex orientation workers who had been to and from the airport all day and got myself a ride to the campus. On the bus (they call it a coach), I met girls from New York, Finland, Germany, and Slovakia! After checking into my hall of residence, I settled into my room as much as I could without most of my things (which should arrive tomorrow). After a prayer of thanksgiving for God's provision, I had a small snack, read a bit, and went to sleep.

           Strangley enough, I slept well and all through the night (we're 8 hours ahead over here). It was overcast outside, but there was enough sun for shadows, so I was happy. Later, I went on a campus tour and decided that the campus is beautiful! It is so green, and the brick, old-fashioned buildings are so classy. This day was mostly a free day, but we did have the chance to go to the local "Walmart," called Asda, for some much-needed shopping. The place was packed, and we only had an hour to shop. Thankfully, I met another international student who helped me find almost everything on my very long list of essentials, most of which are somewhere between Vancouver and London in my unfortunate suitcase. After our Supermarket Sweep experience, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. I did some more settling in, took a desperately-needed shower (yes, all that stuff was in the suitcase also), had dinner, and looked through endless study abroad paperwork on all the horrible stuff that could possibly happen to me while I am away from home. Scary... and overwhelming.

            All in all, things have shaped up rather nicely. Everyone is very friendly, I have a room all to myself, and the orientation program looks promising and fun. I'm taking things one day at a time, praying that I don't worry and that I face every opportunity and challenge with faith that God will take care of me.

Today's prayer request: That I would make friends and show God's love to them.