Well... I can officially cross "Be an illegal immigrant" off my to-do list. Not that that was on my list, but hey, it's there now right? To explain, after my decision to stay in Bangor for the full academic year I was never told I would need a visa. So instead of going home and getting that taken care of over Christmas break, I went to Germany, Austria and the Netherlands and had a rockin' time with Erik. When we returned to Liverpool on our way back to Wales, I was stopped at border control and then had to wait in "passport jail" while they decided what to do with me. Technically trying to enter the UK again without a visa was very illegal and they weren't very happy about it. Understandably. So the immigration lady let me in with a stamp for one month, long enough to finish my exams and get out of dodge. Well then I got ill and was in no shape to get on an international flight, so I had to wait until I felt better and we got stuff sorted out with Central and Bangor about how we were going to resolve this issue.
So on Valentine's Day, instead of going to class, going out with friends and hanging with my flat, I was on a train headed for the Manchester airport at 5:15am. I flew into Chicago and then back to Des Moines and was once again in my own house with my parents before dinner. It was good to be back home (though not on the best terms) but it was really weird at the same time. I wasn't supposed to be home, so I was pretty bitter about that. I would have much rather still been in Bangor; going to class, partying and hanging out with everyone. I had my paperwork finished, fingerprints done and application mailed off before lunch on Tuesday, so then I just had two weeks to blow in Iowa. Hm... what did I do for fun when I lived and studied there? Needless to say I learned pretty quickly that the UK and Europe in general is based around a much more social scene. There always seems to be something to do and even in the down time I don't feel bored. I ended up spending most of my two weeks driving around DSM, drinking coffee and being a hipster in Smokey Row, and keeping up on the classes that I was missing. I did get to see a lot of my family and catch up with them and I also had a really good weekend at Central.
I didn't tell any of my friends that I was coming home (except Erik and Lucy) so when I showed up on campus it was definitely a surprise for people who weren't expecting to see me until June. I had a lot of fun walking up to my friends and watching their faces as they tried to work out why I was standing in front of them. I got to meet some of the new people to campus that I didn't get to meet since I was gone, and I learned that some people in Pella can party like we can in Bangor. :) I have hope for next year not being as boring...
My two weeks at home also gave me a lot of time to reflect on my time in Bangor so far, and the time I have remaining. Basically this was a good practice for the day that I actually have to pack my bags, get on the train, and leave this country. I have grown to love this place and the people I have met and though I want to come back as soon as I graduate from Central, I really have no guarantee that that will actually happen. I was missing everyone from Bangor while I was in Iowa (even though I had a lot of contact with them on Facebook) and I realized how much each and every one of them means to my life and my experience this year. It will be so hard to leave in June, but I am determined to make the most of these next few months before then.
My visa came to me in the mail early in my second week at home, so that was a huge relief. I now have legal clearance to be in the United Kingdom and though it cost a ton of money and a lot of stress in my life, I'm glad I can be back in Bangor enjoying time with everyone. My plane back left Des Moines around 11:30 Monday the 28th and after a five hour layover in Chicago, we were flying back towards England. I love traveling, don't get me wrong, but international flights are not my favorite. There's something about flying for all those hours and then having to drag my luggage on four different trains to get home that just doesn't make me very happy. But after I paid the cab and dragged my suitcase up to our flat, even though I was jet-lagged and dead tired, it felt good to be home. After unpacking and getting the smell of sitting by too many people you don't know off of me, I heard Jack and Tom talking in the hall and threw open my door to see them. I was greeted by happy screams and even a nice hug from Jack. After we caught up for a bit, Shireen came over and we got to catch up. A lot happens in two weeks, so we talked for a bit and then headed down to high street. Obviously my just getting back means we go shopping and buy new shoes right? Right. Then I went to Pizza House with Jack, Tom and Lewis and we got some delicious pizza for dinner. (Buy one get one half price!) After dinner we watched a film in the kitchen which made my heart very happy, it was picking up right where we left off two weeks ago. :) I slept through the middle part of the film, that awkward sitting up sleeping because you just can't physically keep your eyes open, and at 9:30 when the movie got over I was ready for bed. 12 solid hours of sleep later and I feel much better. Shireen and I went back to high street this afternoon so she could buy her shoes, and we enjoyed our free pizza from Dominoes. (It's about time those coupons came into date!)
The week is my reading week so I have no classes. I should be working on the papers that are due in about a month... but instead I'm enjoying the sunshine and getting to catch up with everyone. Tonight we are going over the H block to hang out and it will be awesome to see them again. The rest of my week is filling up quickly with Skype dates, coffee dates and nights out. Our crayon party (where we go for a pub crawl dress as Crayola crayons) is on Friday and Jo and I still have so much to get ready for that! My papers might have to wait until next week, but it's alright. I'm so happy to be back in Bangor. :)
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