Yo Quiero Taco Bell

Borrowing a classic phrase from the Taco Bell advertisements, I'd like to demonstrate my complete cravings for American food I've come to know and love. I miss Jimmy Johns. I miss Penn Station. I miss Mennas Joint. I miss Buffalo Wild Wings, and I also really miss spinach at Subway. I want the  grilled steak my dad makes, or the breakfast casserole my mom makes, or a cooked ham. I'm having a phenomenal time in England, and it's not that I dislike the food here, it's just that its starting to really hit me that I'm not at home. Food has been the most consistent reminder of that. At my home here, I've been living off of bread, peanut butter, jam, cheese, cereal, milk, apples, and granola bars. I can go grocery shopping in under ten minutes now because I know exactly what to get; I always get the food I recognize. Not really an ideal diet, huh? 

Please don't think I'm shallow. It's much more than food that I miss. Food just happens to be the one constant reminder that I am quite a ways from home. I miss my family immensely and my boyfriend. Luckily though my parents and twin sister will be visiting me during Enrichment Activity Week here, which is a week given to students for study purposes but most everyone just travels anyway. I'll be very happy to see them in person and show them all the great and beautiful sites of London. 

A beautiful surprise from home

I've had some excellent support from home. Of course I miss home, and it's great to hear from my friends and family so I can tell them all the great things I've been up to. I am so incredibly thankful for Skype and Facetime. Without those, I wouldn't be able to see my family or say hi to my boyfriend, and that would be terrible. A couple of days ago, I got the best surprise ever! My boyfriend had sent me an enormous bouquet of roses and lilies. It was such a sweet gesture, and it was so great to get his kind regards and support in such a surprising way. Thanks babe! I needed it. 

Besides missing loads of things and people from home this week, I've kept quite busy. I made some new friends who have already agreed to show myself and my friends their favorite places around the area. I've already tried a new restaurant (Nandos) and played some football in the park! One thing that was incredibly disappointing this week was the discovery that I'm not allowed to volunteer on my particular visa. The Kingston volunteering scheme was one of the main reasons I decided to come here. When I found out I wasn't eligible to volunteer I was devastated. I still am really. I'll just have to find new ways to keep myself busy and doing good. 

I can't believe I've already been in the UK for over a month. Where has the time gone? Where??