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| December 2008 »
Helllllloo readers!
On friday Alyssa, and I as well as out friends Jenny, Sarah and Brittany took a train to Boston. Sarah and Brittany went to visit their friends at their schools, and Alyssa, Jenny and I went to visit Alyssa's sister at her school. I am still amazed at how small the states in New England are- We went from Maine, through New Hampshire and into Mass in two hours including all the stop time.
We arrived in Boston around 6 in the evening, and it set in pretty immediately that we were in such a big, busy place. The people in the bus station were literally running to a new destination. I have seen busy people but not running in masses to wherever they are headed...its so rushed! The other amazing thing about Boston is how many young people live there- there are so many universities there and so many students. The public transit in boston is way more confusing than what i have at home, but also really amazing.
We went to the grocery store and the prudential center, then headed to Alyssas sister's boyfriends place. We ate dinner there and hung out there until pretty late, then headed to Kailyns (alyssas sister) apartment. We crashed there, then got up the next day, had some good breakfast cooked by kailyn and Leo (kailyns boyfriend) and then headed to quincy market which is an amazing area full of stores and attractions. I unintentionally started christmas shopping while i was there!! There was a performance troop set up with a stage performing christmas songs, and a group of bell players. It was such a cool experience! i love the holidays.
After shopping, we went to a restaurant called fire and ice. There, you get your own raw food thats been chlling over ice, then bring it to the grill and the chefs cook it on the spot for you. what a fun place!!
My next adventure is going to New Hampshire for thanksgiving with Alyssa!!
talk to you soon!
So... Ive written three or four times but havent put any pictures up! I have been having trouble uploading them, but Ill keep trying. Anyway...some of the best moments of college so far have been spent with my friends from my floor.
I have a group of amazing friends, especially Alyssa. She is my best friend out here, we stay up together every night. Alyssa is also a blogger:) We met at orientation at the end of August, and became really really close towards the end of september. She is just a blast, and a truly caring friend. There is simply too much to say about that girl- We watch Golden Girls together, bug each other between classes, she has me watch hilarious german cartoon movies with her that although i dont understand i still find extremely funny, she makes me cds... I draw her pictures... she is my partner in crime!!!
I also spend a ton of time with my roommates Brittany and Sarah, my friends down the hall; Brianna, Jenny, Kelsey, Lauren, Erin, Kayla, Jess, Ashley, Millie, Katelyn and Sarah. Theres also people who arent on my floor or in my buidling, like Dan, and Bruce. I think each of these people have played a significant role in college so far, and without them, it wouldnt be the same :)
when I first came to UNE i thought id be the only person from a place far away... but its not like that at all. Right now there are people in my room from Maine, Mass, Minnesota, California, and of course, Oregon.
I know people from tons of different places in the US, and international students as well. Lets see... I know at least one person from the following states: California, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maine, Mass, New Hampshire, Florida, Rhode island, South Carolina, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Alabama. Im sure theres tons more from other places!
just a quick note :)
I just got back a few days ago from visiting home, but i'll talk about that later! In a nutshell, it was a blast. Seeing my family was so wonderful.
Anyway, something I have been meaning to share, is all of the funny differences in slang Ive noticed comparing where I'm from, to being at school in New England.
I call my grandparents grandma and grandpa, my friends here at UNE call theirs Meme and Pepe.
On the west coast we call beatle cars "slug bugs" and kids here call them "punch buggies."
at home we say very, really, hardcore...etc, and on the east coast they say, "wicked."
I call my shoes tennis shoes, most people here call them sneakers,
I call it pop, here they call it soda.
There are tons more I'm sure, but for now thats all that stands out to me. I only get teased for calling soda "pop." The rest they let slide:)
Hey guys! I guess I should tell you a little about myself before you read what I write... My names Nawwal, and I'm 18. I was born in Seattle, but was raised in the incredible city of Beaverton, Oregon. I have a tremendously strong and wonderfully hilarious family that consists of my mom, my step dad, my brother, my two sisters, my brother-in-law, and my darling little niece and nephew. I've spent much of the past four or so years being really involved in school with organizations like student government, diversity club, and tons of community service. I love kids...love love love them, and so i spent about 3 years coaching youth soccer and basketball. Im also really into art...its been a focus for me throughout the last couple of years as well. I decided to come to UNE after I visited last year and it felt like a great place to be. Its far from home but i wanted the adventure.
and if youre wondering about my name, Im half Egyptian.
So its been more than two months since the beginning of school and so much has happened! I flew from my hometown of Portland, Oregon on august 29th. I left Oregon really early in the morning, and the airport was way more crowded than my family or I had anticipated, so it was a really short goodbye. I checked in and for some reason was automatically bumped to first class! Unfortunately it was only a short flight to Utah, but still really awesome. After two more flights I arrived in Maine where a whole new part of my life began.
Since then, lots has happened; I became a tour guide, started my field work and the path to become a teacher, participated in my first presidential election and watched our country elect a new president, and closest to my heart; I gained a new nephew!
Much of my experience has been typical; I got to the dorms at UNE, made friends, started classes, and was definitely really homesick for a while. That’s a real part of college!! But the great thing is the friends ive made who have helped me through missing my family. No matter where you go to school, building a network of people to have fun with and exchange support with, is so crucial.
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