gee golly Wally...it sure is swell to be home again.

TOKEN "HOME AGAIN" QUOTE
It used to take courage--indeed, it was the act of courage par excellence--to leave the comforts of home and family and go out into the world seeking adventure. Today there are fewer places to discover, and the real adventure is to stay at home.
    Alvaro de Solva

what are you talkin about Alvaro? kooky Alvaro...you're silly.

Nate's Euro-Romp, Session 2

OH BLIMEY GUVNUH'!

A free man writes to you.  He is free from the prison called Physics and is going to make a call to the pub tonight to celebrate (he had begun celebrating at 2:00pm).   What's going on everyone?!  I am officially done with summer school.  I have today and tomorrow to play.  Get kicked out of the University Saturday morning.  Where has the summer gone? 

Here's a little photo update of the sort of ruckus I've been up to during the latter part of my summer here in the UK.

Week 5: Scotland

Week 6: Belgium

Week 7: Italy

So what now for Nate?  Headed home?  *ahhh...home.*  Well mates, not quite yet... but soon. 

Originally planned on checking out Eastern Europe with a buddy, but that kinda fell through.  No go on Plan A.  My backups were either to do Eastern Europe by myself or to get on a Contiki tour.  Realized that Eastern Europe would require way more planning and $$$ than i expected by myself and Contiki was totally booked.  Plans B and C went down.  Plus my options for a place to crash/stash my stuff after the program didn't come through. 

So all my original options fell apart on me.  The good thing that came of all this, however, is all the uncertainty and excitement of not knowing where I'm headed.  It's sorta sweet.  There's freedom in going where the wind takes you.

As of now, I have a place to crash Sat and Sun (through the graciousness of my awesome physics lab TAs), off to Amsterdam on Monday with my buddy Caleb, Spain after that (hopefully meeting up with Kit and Sabrina!), and then....and THEEEEN, i'm home on Sept. 5!  I look very forward to being home.  Won't be long.  Look forward to seeing friends and family and eating that Alberto's fish burrito I've been craving for quite some time now. but until then, I enjoy the rest of my amazing summer here in Europe.

cheers. au revioir. adios. ciao.

Nate's Euro-Romp, Session 1

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

HEY KIDS! I'm still alive!!! This is good news yes? As some of you may have noticed, I've managed to yet again make myself a busy little bee. Between class (i totally underestimated the beast that is physics...takes up ALL my time) and playing on the weekends, I practically have no time for the little luxuries during the weekdays...like going into the city, hitting up the pubs, chatting on AIM, updating my xanga, doing my laundry, or showering. just not enough time. I'm sure you can relate.

So it's already the 6th week!!! I have only about 2.5 weeks left in the program. Well, when you're havin fun... Anyway, here's a really quick summary about what i've been up to the first 4 weeks of my summer in the UK!

the key word is summary...i have over 2000 pictures. shutterfly later?

Week 1: London

Week 2: Stonehenge and Salisbury

Week 3: Seaford, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Tintagel Castle,
              and The Eden Project

Week 4: Paris and Le Mont St. Michel

i thought about what i could write to recap things, but these images portray so much more than i could ever account for and leave room for conversation in person. plus i'm lazy. 

well, it's late and I'm off to Belgium tomorrow.  my closing thoughts?  i love traveling.  i love it a lot.  i love it for the plethora of different foods i get to taste...for the sights i get to see...for the scents i get to smell (wonderful and putrid alike)...for all the excitement i get for stepping into unknown territory, language, culture...for the warm people i get to meet.  I think, as Americans, we're taught to be quite guarded and wary.  I mean, we're often around the sentiment that the world is a deceitful and dangerous place.  Granted, there's truth in that.  But I find it odd, and awesome, to find that people around the world are for the most part...good.  and with that, my faith in humanity is gradually restored. 

ironically, it is this very process of traveling and being abroad that makes me realize how great home is.  although i am having the time of my life here, it's gonna be great to be back home where there are those i love and am loved by.

cheers mates.

Ello Ello Mates!

whoa. i'm like...in England.

the most chaotic year of my life has come to a sudden stop and i find myself in the United Kingdom.   there was a brief moment after checking in and unpacking on Sunday where I found myself going, "ummm...what do i do now?"  and then i thought, "YESSSSSS!" that was it. i'm finally here. i was at a point where i had nothing to do  ...NOTHING! it was absolutely wonderful. no commitments. no responsibility. no stress.  it's gonna be a sweet summer.  here're my initial thoughts on the UK and the Sussex program:

why it's absobloodylootely wicked...