Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW

Well as you may have figured out already, Manchester got its first snow during the overnight of November 29th and 30th.  Even though there is less than a 1/4 of an inch, I can already tell the people and the city are moving slower than usual.  Manchester is not exactly equipped for snow, so I am waiting for them to get a couple inches and the city shuts down.  I would have to laugh!  hahaha, but I also come from a place that is fully equipped and ready to get us moving in several inches of snow. 


The snow here today was more like icy snow so it was just at that freezing point.  I bet it came down almost like sleet.... Here are some pictures for you to see.

Decided the BEAR hat was appropriate
for a cold snowy day.

A view from my window this morning when I woke up.

A little icy snow in my hand.  I had to feel it.

All Saints park about a block from my home.

I had to feel the snow up one more time :)

Well I am sure there is more of this to come.  I will keep updating you on the things that are happening in Manchester. 

Peace and Love, Allie

p.s. Everyone, I finished my buying paper. Whoo Hoo... now just need to turn it on DEC. 6th

BEAR hat....

So for about the past 2 months I have been looking at what I call the 'bear hat' at River Island.  And guess what.... I finally purchased it.  I loved it in the store, but I seem to love it even more now that is in my closet.  It is really getting cold here in the 20s so it seemed necessary.  I will be wearing it tomorrow.

It is BEARyy Warm!!!

Love, Allie

MUFC vs. Blackburn

Manchester United 7 - Blackburn Rovers 1
Attendance for today's game: 74, 850 people

Side of the stadium

People walking around before
the game

Our game!!

Vendors selling merchandise

The front of the Old Trafford Stadium

Me with the Stadium

Man U ticket :)

Police on horses patrolling the area

People everywhere getting ready to
go into the stadium

Consessions

Inside from the East End

MANCHESTER UNITED

Me with the field 

From our seats, we were high up, but
but helped during the game!

Flat Stanely made an appearance

Warm-ups

Warm-ups

Warm-ups

Man U warm-ups

Watering the grass before the match?

As they came out, they shook hands.

During the match

Crowd and scoreboard

7 - 0 baby 19 minutes left in the 2nd
half. Blackburn did score one.

Manchester United kicked Blackburn's butts today wining 7 to 1.  In my opinion, the atmosphere was great and it was very exciting to score that many times, especially considering the first score happened with in a minute and half.  I have never been to a profession 'football match' before so this was an experience of a lifetime considering it was the Manchester United (one of the most respected and well known football clubs in the world)! The attendance was just about sold out.  I looked it up on the internet and it seats around 76,000 people so the stadium was about 1,150 people from being completely sold out.  There were lots of die hard fans by us screaming and chanting Man U chants.  Even though we sat 5 rows from the very top of the stadium, I felt like we had awesome seats. I will talk to you soon!

Love, Allie

p.s. click on any of the photos to make them larger

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving family and friends!


I am so thankful for many things in my life and I wanted to express them through words since I will not be at home with my family going around the table saying what we are thankful for!

1. I am so thankful for my amazing FAMILY.  I can't express in words how thankful I am for them and I am not sure what I would do without them.  Well, I kinda do know what I would do without them - go crazy - or that's how I feel here in England.  I miss seeing them everyday and can't wait till that is back to normal!
2. Also, this year I am super thankful for this study abroad experience in Manchester, England.  It has truly changed me as a person from the inside.  I have learned so much about myself, other people and cultures, and the world.  
3. I am also thankful for the amazing friend I have worldwide.  My friends are so lovely and I wouldn't be able to replace any of you - so with that being said I am extremely thankful to have you in my life.  You have helped me through hard times and celebrated the good.  Thanks for being one my true friends.
4. I am thankful for books.  Books are something so silly to be thankful for but, I think books have made me the individual I am.  They help me relax, but they are also a key item to learning.  I am also thankful for learning.

Just a few of the things I am thankful for in my life.  I hope you take this day of thanks to say a little prayer about what you are thankful for.  

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

love, allie

In My last 30 Days....

Hey Everyone,

Wow! Time is surely winding down here in Manchester. I can't believe I have made it to this point of saying I only have one month left. Just yesterday it feels like I was hugging my mom goodbye and now soon, I will be back home for Christmas.

In my last thirty days here in Manchester, I am going to accomplish a lot!  First off, I have a report for Fashion Buying I am finishing today (even if it kills me), a writing worksheet for Fashion Theory, a Financial Management test, and 1 CAD project and a test for Product Technology Management.  And all of those things are due between December 6th and December 17th. But enough with the work and on to the fun things.  First off, I am having my first Thanksgiving away from home and some of us Americans are having a semi-traditional meal.  I will upload some photos after Thursday evening. And then one of the things I am most excited about is the MANCHESTER UNITED game on Saturday, November 27th against Blackburn.  Supposedly, they aren't the greatest team, but I am just excited about the atmosphere and going to a 'match'.  And last but certainly not least, I am going to Paris with Danielle on Dec 17th - Dec 20th, which will be a great way to end my trip.  

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a lovely Thanksgiving back home in the USA.  I am very thankful for my family and friends around the world. You people have blessed my life and I hope some how, I can touch your life as well.  I am also very thankful I got to have this experience in England as it has opened my eyes to so many new things and opportunities.  Last but not least, I thank the Lord for everything he has blessed me with a good family, lovely friends, and food on the table.  

Miss and Love you, Allie

p.s. this seems unreal, but this is my families first Thanksgiving not all together.  :( mom and dad will be in warm L.A. and robby will be in sunny Florida and the girls will be home with their families.  as robby quoted we are just jet setters. :)

North Wales -- Caernarfon Castle & Portmeirion Village

Hey Everyone,

I had an awesome video that I made just talking a little about my day yesterday in North Wales.  It is currently not loading and I think its because of the internet so for now I uploaded a bunch of photos, but if I get the video to work soon I will share it with you.  Hope you like these....

Me with part of Caernarfon Castle.

Part of the city Caernarfon Castle is located in.  I was standing
near the top of the castle!

At one of the highest points of the
castle!  It was so interesting walking
around and seeing all the parts inside!!

Another picture from the castle!

Had to take a picture of this
window, would like to have
these in my house some day!  (Robby
keep this is mind -- you can be the
architect.)

On the inside of the castle!

The dried up water area by Portmeirion Village.

Some of the building in the village -- it
is made up of restaurants, shops and bed &
breakfasts!  Nice area to have a holiday at.

Part of the village on the side of a hill -- I was at the bottom!

More of Portmeirion Village!

Starting our hike through the woods!

In the wooded area :)

Near the coast, this area was very dry

4:30pm and the moon was already out -- Full Moon!

My conclusion for today was I would have loved to spent about another week or so in Wales.  They had such cute shops and may I say my weakness -- thrift stores.  The first I had found in the UK -- unfortunately by the time I found them we were leaving the castle area to go to the village, but maybe thats fortunate for my wallet!  haha :)  

Peace and Love from England,

allie

New Blog & Dublin

First off, I would like to invite you to start reading my new blog, allieW.  I have started this blog to post things about fashion, beauty and working out.  Three random things I really enjoy.  


This past weekend I went to Dublin with Miya and Aaron, which was a blast considering we left at 7:55am on Friday morning meaning all of us got up by about 5am to catch a 5:30am bus to the airport.  One terrible thing about living in a big city with public transportation to the airport, it takes about an hour to get there.  But all in all, the airport went very smoothly and security incredibly fast considering it was pact there.  Manchester International Airport was on their game!!  Many American airports should take a lesson from them as we were through security in 20 minutes and the light was out the door when we started!!! Very impressed!

At Trinity College.

Arriving shortly after 9am, we set foot on Irish soil and I got another stamp in my passport (one of the best things that happened on that trip).  We got on the airlink express and headed to the Abraham Hostel where we stayed for the two nights we were there.  

Me drinking Guinness for the
first time at the Guinness
Storehouse in Dublin.

In Dublin, we did the Dublin bus tour that took us on a 23 stop tour that had live commentary to tell tourists about each of the locations.  Also, we did a walking tour around Dublin learning about Mollie Malone, Trinity college, and seeing some of the market areas; it was very refreshing and the weather was nice.  The highlight of the trip was going to the Guinness Storehouse and learning about how Guinness beer is made right in Dublin at the factory.  Also, we got to pour our own tap and of course, taste test.  I didn't exactly have a taste for Guinness, it was incredibly heavy and bitter.  Overall, this trip was a success and would recommend Dublin to anyone!

My certificate saying I have crafted "the perfect pint."

Peace and love from England,

allie

Blackpool

Sunday, November 7th, 2010 


Blackpool is the kid friendly UK version of Las Vegas.  There are casinos for adults, but more than enough amusement parks, arcades and of course the beaches.  The streets of Blackpool consist of various little vendors selling thing you would buy in any tourist destination such as tshirts, key chains, mugs, and post cards.  Another big thing here was the "ROCK CANDY", ever other shop along the promenade is a rock candy store.  They had rock candy in ever sort of shape including boobs and penises because on the weekends Blackpool is known to host some of the craziest hen night and stag doos parties which are the British term for bachelorette and bachelor parties.  That is a good insight to why there are plenty of inappropriate candy figures.  Blackpool was quite kid friendly as there was an arcade on every corner like there is a casino on every corner of Vegas. 


For lunch, I had "fish & chips" because that was about the only thing offered in Blackpool being along the coast and all.  The portions were extremely large and even though it was super delicious, I had to leave some behind or my jeans will stop buttoning before I leave this lovely country.  


In the afternoon, I checked out the shopping area and walked along the beaches.  Last but not least, we went through the illuminations once it got dark around 5pm.  It was ten meters of lighted area along the promenade which was very cool to see and then were back on our way to Manchester.


I have sad news that there will be no pictures from Blackpool as there was an error when transferring them from the digital camera to the computer.  I had some great pictures of the boob/penis rock candy (hilarious by the way), my food, and the wonderful beaches.  I even wrote a special message in the sand for you but it got deleted. :(  


Peace & Love,


allie

More free time than the world would know what to do with....

Hey Everyone,  As you can see by the title of this blog life in England is very free spirited.  Not much going on and definitely no course work being done as there is none, so in all of my free time I have been doing things I like to do eat, read and shop.  

I tried out a Japanese noodle place called, Umami, for lunch one day with Miya and may I say it is awesome.  My small dish was chicken teriyaki, very delicious and just the right amount. 

 My main dish was noodles with king prawn and honey roasted pork.  Once again very delicious and this meal was quite affordable.  There was a unanimous vote that we will be hitting Umami up again before we leave Manchester.  

Life lesson 1 billion, never buy knock off Nutella.  Even though it tastes as great as the branded chocolate hazelnut spread it is a dangerous weapon sitting in the cupboard especially when you are so bored you just want to eat and eat and eat.  The Nutella is officially gone and I will never be buying that again or at least not in the UK.  

 I bought some new Barry M. nailpaints.  Colours included mint green, gray, rasberry, and crackle black. Crackle black is a nail effects paint where you paint it on top of another colour and it cracks and you see the colour underneath.  It is very neat.  Also, when you have tons of free time a girl changes here nail colour at least twice a week.  :D

 I bought a new fashionable headband for the colder days here in the UK and obviously the very harsh winters in South Dakota.  It was only £2 at Primark, really how could you pass that up???

Last but not least, I have been using most of my free time to read EAT PRAY LOVE.  I have finished the EAT and PRAY sections and am now on to the final section of LOVE where she is in Bali, Indonesia.  I am very excited to finish the book and see what happens with Liz Gilbert's life, but more excited to watch the film with my mom and sisters once I get home.  I decided I had to do at least one productive and intelligent thing with all my free time.

BUT on a good note I think much of my free time will be filled up in the coming weeks as my coursework is getting closer to being due the first week of December and I am going on several trips in the coming weeks.  

Peace & Love, allie