Wade, Ellery, and I arrived successfully on Thursday morning September 18th at 7am out at Terminal 5 of the Heathrow. We were so happy to be greeted by our host Paddy Lynne, as well as another Rotarian Alan Solomons. They were quite overwhelmed by the luggage for all of us I am sure! We fit it all in Alan's clever SAAB though. Thank goodness! We were quite blessed with the hospitality of Paddy who housed us for the first week + of our adventure in London. She is quite a peach and was so generous to share her humble home with us. She actually had a full house! A Group Study Scholar, Jonny, from Bulgaria, as well as a former Rotary Scholar, Amy, from Whales was there as well. Yes, Paddy is going for sainthood ;) Pepsi, Paddy's lil pup, was glad to hang out with us well! He and Ellery really enjoyed spending time together on the floor.
We had a great week of getting to know Harrow. Paddy and I attended the Northwick Park Rotary 30th Anniversary; where I was able to meet many other rotarians and celebrate with them. We also met the mayor of Harrow at the All Saints Church Fare. Wade and Elle also joined the Harrow Rotary Club for my first presentation! It went very well, Harrow was very gracious! We also enjoyed getting to know Peter Sorrell from the group who came over for dinner at Paddy's as well as treated us to our first Fish 'n' Chips! We had wonderful conversation and food. We loved just meeting the Harrow folk and getting immersed in a bit of British culture (as this is our first time to the UK).
I have been busy with classes as well at the University of East London. I had orientation last week and now am attending classes full time. My schedule is 3 hrs of class on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, partnered with 8hrs of reading/research outside of class each day. Our courses involve several research/essays. My program, is so interesting and invigorating, but a lot of work at the same time. All of the sudden I have realized that I have been out of school for 4 years and it takes a bit to get back in the groove. Also more difficult with a 6 month old at home. But I am up for the challenge and will press in on the courses. I am so thankful to have such a supportive husband. We are learning to share roles nicely. It will of course help as Elle starts eating more people food ;) So I am just diving in to readings and getting at it with classes.
I am also trying to set up Rotary visits and will hopefully be able to experience some of London here as well. We are officially in our own place now. We did so appreciate the hospitality in Harrow. We now live on York Terrace with the International Student House. Kevin Coyne, a Rotary member and fellow American, helped us get everything set up for the living arrangements here. We really love the location right on Regents Park! I had my first run in the rain there today. The location is also close to many of London's famed attractions. So far we have just ventured in the shopping districts a bit (Oxford Circus and Piccadilly)! All that I can say is wow, lots of people!!
I will try to post more regularly with my adventures, observations, insights, thoughts...just wanted to get everyone caught up!
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