My Life So Far...

Wow, I have not wrote anything in here for quite some time now. Much has happened with my life during my blogging absence. First, my further education plans have been changed drastically. My original plans were to apply to school in both Denmark and Norway for studying media. But a few months ago I had a new idea. 

Choosing a major is very difficult decision. For the past few years I have struggled with what I want to be in the future. Most children always dream up typical careers for themselves, but I was slightly different. Though, Bill Nye the science guys job didn`t seem so bad, mixing random chemicals together. But, come on, who doesn`t want to be a mad scientist. Becoming a mad scientist is a very relevant career path today's, especially with my understand of chemistry and biology. Last year I took some media classes and did very well (just graphic design and a films class). Media didn`t seem like a horrible idea for me to study. It was relevant, new, and ever changing. I could be something along the lines of a photographer for movies, film director or just something that the normal public doesn`t hear about. The possibilities seemed endless, but there comes the fateful question. Is this something I would actually want to do? 

After carefully mulling over this possible future career option, I decided that it wouldn`t be the best for me. So then what? I actually feel ridiculous for not considering the major I am now pressuring. Something that I have enjoyed for the most part of my life: literature. Ever since I learned to read I have devoured literary works and absolutely enjoyed them. How couldn`t I have thought about this before! The whole point of choosing a good major is to do something that you love. I know it sounds nerdy, but really, if you aren't a nerd about your major, you probably shouldn`t be doing it. 

So now began the search of Universities with good English programs, but where to find them. Now it wasn`t relevant for me to apply to Norway or Denmark. I want to go to a country where English is the mother tongue. So I had my options; the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Well I didn`t want to go to the States because I really love Europe. Ok, well actually the cuts out all my options besides one. Ding ding! The UK is the winner. I know, I will stop drowning who ever is reading this in cheesiness. But yes, I chose to go to school in the UK. Somewhere in England, Scotland, or Wales. Sorry Northern Ireland, I just didn`t find any schools up there. So I did my research and found many Universities that had an English literature program. The difficult was narrowing it down to which ones to apply to. 

First I should explain the application process in the United Kingdom. You only do one application and send it to this website called UCAS. Which is extremely nice! In the States we have to apply to universities and colleges individually. All I had to do for UCAS was send in my transcripts, a reference letter, write one page personal statement (without fluff, I guess the Brits don`t like hearing about it as much as Americans) and presto, that is it! This didn`t take me a long time, because like a good boy scout, I am prepared for most situations. Though, you can only apply to five different universities. So I couldn`t apply to every university that had a decent English literature program.

Ok, back to my narrowing down process, some how I need narrow down the Universities to five. I didn`t know how to start narrowing down, so I created a point system. Different points were given to universities if they met my certain requirements. The points systems goes:
2 points if the school was built before the 1900s: (I really wanted a old university, with that cool Hogwarts look, I mean why not? Heck, it is England, most of their buildings are older than America. It is awesome)
1 point good location: Not so far from the center of England (though this ended up becoming irrelevant, most of my universities that I wanted were hugging the coast of the UK).
1 Point if the English program sounds good: Many have a good program, so I had to make sure to find really good programs
1 Point for Creative writing: I am thinking that a combination of English literature and creative writing would be good.
1 Point rural location: After living in Bangkok, I am not really sure I like super big cities. Not like London is similar to Bangkok, but still. I think I prefer a smaller setting. Not extremely small, just a comfortable environment. 

This eventually narrowed it down to five universities (of course). Top winner and descending: Durham university (Northern England) , Aberdeen (Scotland), Lancaster (England, by Manchester), Aberystwyth (Wales eastern coast), and finally Essex (Near London).

Currently, I have been accepted to Aberystwyth and Essex. I am just waiting on the other three. I am really hoping I get into Durham. It is an extraordinary University. But it is very difficult to get into. Many people whole apply for Oxford also apply to Durham. So I have my fingers crossed! 

Seeing as it my top choice university. I planned a trip to England. Because I felt like it would be good to get an idea if I would even like living and going to school in the UK. Me and a good Norwegian friend went in the beginning of February. 

Let me tell you this, it was love at first sight…. Well actually not so drastic. But right as I got of the plane I felt temperatures that shouldn`t have been felt until April! It was amazing. We were coming from a cold week from Norwegian winter to what it would seem like a spring day, it even rained while we were there!. I shouldn't complain about winter in Norway, it is much milder than Minnesotan winter. But I still enjoyed no snow and temperatures were you hardly needed to wear a coat. 

We flew into Newcastle (Northern England) so we could visit Durham University and the University of Newcastle. Once we got to the airport we found the train station so we could ride into Newcastle centrum. From there we went in search of a place to sleep for the next two nights. To makes things easier we just went to the tourist information center to find information and directions of possible hotels or hostels. Though it was a little adventure finding the tourist information center. We got directions to where it was, but nothing to specific. We knew the general location, but that doesn't really help in a big city. We asked some people and just got closer and closer until we eventually found it.  Probably after little over an hour. Then we proceeded to look for the hotels and hostels that we were directed too. We went to the hostel first, but it was quickly dubbed sketchy. It was just kind of strange. You could just walk in, you had to ring this doorbell, then someone would come to the door. I tried to ring it about 10 times, but no one came to the door. So we just moved on. Then we trekked to another variety of hotels around the general area. We were trying to find the cheapest. Ironically the one we eventually checked into was the nicest look and cheapest. Plus it was next door to the train station, so we didn't have to walk far when we went to our next destination. 


The rest of the evening we too it easy. We walked a bit more around the centrum and got familiar with the city. I found quite the treasures that night. I found LUCKY CHARMS and some Bert's Bees Chapstick (again, I sound a little crazy, but I just like that one better than the Norwegian kind). So naturally I feasted on Lucky Charms that night. Though I key point I learned that night, after having a glass of wine..... wait at least one hour before eating Lucky Charms (just like the eating and swimming). I swear it was enough time, but obviously not. A complete horrid combination. Not suggested.


Anyways, the next day we too the train to Durham to visit the University. It took about 15-20 minutes (I don't remember exactly). We got there about an hour early just in case we couldn't find the University right away. We had zero problems with that. The train station was set on a hill above the medieval set town called Durham. I usually don't say this, but the city was absolutely charming. In the distance the sun was rising behind castle like buildings, which were clearly recognizable as part of Durham university. Are path was very clear, just walk towards the illuminated buildings. Walking up to University was again an experience. I loved it. Once getting closer to the castle you were surrounded by tightly packed buildings on cobble stone streets the simply twisted randomly without order. Once you get to the university we find where we are supposed to met the people with our appointment and proceed with them. I won't say more, I could rant about Durham for rather long time, so I will just say one more thing. I learned that some of Harry Potter was filmed at Durham. This definitely screamed to my inner Potter fan.  

After being stunned by Durham we returned to Newcastle. We had to stay one more night because the next day we were visiting University of Newcastle. I actually didn't visit the University, but my friend that came with came with did. So I just did some exploring. Oh, I forgot to tell you about our clubbing experience in Newcastle... Well, I suppose just "club" would be more proper. After going to american themed restaurant, we just casually went in search of some club we could go to with our age range. As we walked around we found many pubs, though they were filled with people older at least fifteen years older than us. In due course a club was found, called Digital. It was pretty snazzy with a good atmosphere and actually people in our age range, plus drinks a frugal person would be proud of. I had two highlights of the night. First was meeting this random guy who had his friend who is a girl teach me about confidence when talking to girls. Cause you know, when ever you go out, it is obviously all about getting girls and nothing else (if you are bad a detecting sarcasm, this wont make sense). Anyways, this girl taught me that you should always compliment a girl on her eyes and never, I repeat never look at her chest area whilst talking to her. The cherry up top of this ice cream was when every I saw her through out the night, she would always double check I remember. The second highlight was meeting this girl called Victoria. She was super awesome. Somehow it seemed that she knew everyone that was in the club. So we just nonchalantly moved with the crowd through out the club and I was introduced as the American and quickly became familiar with people slightly. But it was nice a very nice night. After the club closed around 3 am or something close it seemed to be tradition to go to this extremely small restaurant open at this ungodly hour. It was a placed that reminded of KFC. We didn't get anything but it seemed like everyone has some sort of munches syndrome with the kitchen. But yes, that was our exciting last night in Newcastle. Next day to Edinburgh, capital of Scotland!

Late the next day (which was friday) we took a train to Edinburgh, which was about one and half hours north of Newcastle. The reason we went to Edinburgh was because when we flew home we could land in an airport closer to where we lived. 


Again, I was even more enchanted my Edinburgh. After we got off the train we went to our hotel. We planned ahead this time and booked it before coming to the city. Slightly smarter than wondering around a city. I even liked Edinburgh better because it had much more of a medieval atmosphere about it. Just behind our hotel was the old main street that also acted as the old centrum. It was cobbled stoned, but much more spread out than the streets of Durham. Though it was also followed by ancient shops and boutiques. The best thing was once you walked to the left and went all the way up the hill you found Edinburgh Castle! When we first got there it was night, so the castle was lit with glowing lights. Yes, I know must of looked stunning. It did.




The next morning I decided to take a little trip to the famous cafe, The Elephant house. For those of you know don't why this is famous, you're about to become very jealous. The Elephant house is where J.K Rowling wrote some of first chapter in Harry Potter and the Soccer's Stone. It was surreal sitting in the same place where she sat and often came too. I had breakfast and tea here. You can obviously see where she received inspiration for Hogwarts and possibly other settings in the books. Outside the window I sat next to lay Edinburgh castle hanging over its steep cliffside. It was just amazing, I mean this was part of the birth place of Harry Potter! Regardless this made my day. 

Through out the day we explored Edinburgh, I went to the castle! Though this was probably the only disappointing thing about the trip. The outside of the castle was breath taking. But sorry the inside was boring. It was mostly one giant war memorial. That was interesting, but I preferred a tad bit mer older history. I have this thing were most history before the 1600s bores me and most of the history was after that time, so I wasn't a happy camper. Plus it was fourteen pounds to get in! That is about twenty-two american dollars. But anyways that didn't stop me from having a good night!

One thing I forgot to mention was the graveyards! I found most of them very interesting. I know creepy. But is cool when the graves are older than your own country.

Ok, another thing that I loved where the alleyways. They were packed tightly and completely hectic. Though you have to pass carefully at night. The street lamps didn't pierce it dark corners. So be wary, excepted cannibalistic hobos or vampires linger within. 

The night before my friend Benjamin found a totally awesome club called "Sin". No, it is not a strip club if your mind wandered. It was similar to the club in Newcastle, just slightly better. The music was a bit more of me and it was cool once you got inside. The rest of the night was filled with one random New Zealander who liked sheep (no surprise there, I mean I think there is more sheep in New Zealand than people), two Scottish girls who were awesome (one even guessed we were from the Falkland island, who knew that other people knew about them!), and finally some random Canadian in a gang of costume people that would be expected in a circus. All good fun. After our escapades we returned to our hotel to turn in for the night. 

The next morning we had to go back to cold Norway. It was nice to get back home, but I still miss England. 


After that, two weeks later I went to Thailand to visit the family. It was nice to go home (or sort of home, it was sort of my first time being the house that my parents live in with all our stuff in it). It was nice. The first day we got there, we flew directly to Phuket (southern Thailand, where most of the pictures of Thailand come from). We spent the weekend there and then trekked back to home-sweet-home Bangkok. The next week I spent hanging with the family, playing xbox, going to the doctor (very nervous making in Thailand), dentist (again nervous-making), got two suits made for me (causal and formal), and had a overall great time. I hope to go back soon. 



Well that very much catches you up with my life at the moment. I have a little more free time now. So I will try and blog at least once a week. It is good practice to get me in a writing mood again. 


Luke