Amanda VS The World: A REAL, LEGIT CASTLE??!

With Easter Break just around the corner, the next few weeks are going to be buzzing. I got to start off the week with a group of friends and a hike to Devil's Dyke; which happened to be just a bus ride away. The weather forecast showed that it was supposed to be overcast and a possible chance of rain, but that didn't stop us. Missing the first bus, we caught the next 25 into town where we all separated to go and get some lunch and rejoined an hour later to catch the next bus for Devil's Dyke.

When we got there, I was blown away by the view of all of the rolling hills. It totally looked like the country side of England. It was lovely.

We ended the small hike all starving and wanting lunch. The restaurant close by was all booked for the evening so we all waited until the next bus to take us back to the city centre where we eventually stopped for lunch at Wetherspoons where we got decent pub food and a pint for cheap. We all then headed home and did our separate things but I was super stoked to see what photos I got from the morning.

The next few days were full of birthdays! Naomi (from Oxford) had a small outing that weekend as well as Savannah. Katie made them all lovely treats which we all shared together, which was very tasty.

Since I love concerts so much and have been dying to go, Katie and I looked up a few that were coming into town and there was one that I was so excited for, Glass Animals. The night of the concert, Katie, Verlee, and I headed into town to the venue which none of us knew where to go but we made it just in time for the first opener. The concert was super chill and every performer gave it their all! I love when I can tell the performers are passionate on what they are doing because it can truly make the show a million times better in my opinion.

For my documentary class, we finally started filming and this week we filmed the history on Iranian Tea and even got to share some lovely treats and tea with everyone. I got to try out their cool little instrument plus I filmed a bit and held the boom.

As you know from the last few blogs you could tell that I've been spending a lot of time in flat 29B and this is the part where I talk about hanging out there. Haha. Well, what is so special about this time is we threw a game of twister into the night as well as having sentimental talks.

I cherish every moment with my friends here because we all are truly lucky that we all get to share such an amazing experience together. This week, Danielle (from New Zealand), McClaren (from Missouri), Savannah (from Iowa), Katie, and I all got together in my flat and booked all of the trains for Italy and at the moment of course it seemed so long until Easter Break but all of us were super excited for the adventures that laid ahead. We just spent that night hanging out and chatting; with of course tea included. For the last few months, some of you may or may have known that I have been in the deciding whether or not to transfer universities; and since the deadline was coming very close I worked on my personal statement and boom! I submitted. As of right now, I am still enrolled with NAU and if I don't get into the Uni I applied too then it won't be the end of the world; I guess we will see, I will keep you updated. On a random note, I find it awesome that I live so close to my mates. Whether I'm bored, want to eat lunch with someone, or something as simple of just wanting to chill or study with someone; I could just walk a few feet and I'm in anyone's flat. I appreciate that I can do that here and it's going to be so so so strange once I leave Brighton and I can't just do that anymore, kind of a mood killer but I know for a fact that my friendships that I have created here won't end here. Word.

Moving on, as you may know that I am in a study abroad program called USAC and one of the things that is so awesome is the fact that they have field trips planned for us and this week was our trip to visit Bodiam and Rye; where we saw a sweet Castle and explored such a cute town! The Bodiam Castle was sick, it was exactly what I imagine when I think of “castles” with the moat and all. As for Rye, the cobblestone streets and little cafes was so picturesque and not to mention they have a street called “mermaid street” and I mean come on, who doesn’t like Mermaids? But unfortunately no mermaids, it was a street aligned with awesome flats and pubs – super British looking. Of course, the trip had come to an end and it was time to head back to campus. I always enjoyed field trips in elementary school so having them in college is just as rad.