....away from England, that is! Actually, I think once we get set up we will have a lovely time and everything will be wonderful. Mike is in love with the campus, excited about his classes, and loving it. I am massively overwhelmed and wishing there was some way we could be on the plane home tomorrow. Our student housing apartment is so hideous. Emily Lara keeps walking around saying things like "Did it spill?" (stains on the carpet), "We don't color on the walls" (marks on the walls), and "I don't know where the groddy went" (spiders). The plane ride over was a nightmare because there was turbulance the whole way so we had to be strapped in for the entire 7 hours (and Emily Lara, being over 2, was treated like an adult so she couldn't lay down...she had to be sitting up with the seat belt strapped and both arm rests down the whole dang time). Then getting to the hotel and getting the car was horrific...then there was the hotel itself which was an experience and a half. Then I went to call my mom and discovered that I hadn't gotten the access number for my calling card, which you have to get before you leave the US...so I spent about $12 leaving messages for my mom and $30 talking to my sister. Then we had to drive down to Exeter, which was the most terrifying experience of my life. Driving on the motorway (freeway) was fine, but *getting* there was terrifying. Don't ever drive in London. Once we got down here, though, I was glad we had taken the car after all. It is so nice to be able to easily get to the store, etc. Esp. in this setting-up phase.

The first night we were here I was just a wreck because I felt so isolated. Our internet connection didn't work and we have to pay by the minute for local calls AND 800 #'s. We spent $14 speaking *briefly* to my parents--and that was just for using the phone...we still had to pay the 18 cents/minute for the calling card on top of that. Needless to say, we will be having people call us back! (incoming calls are free) Anyhow, it is a little better today because we have the internet and we went out exploring with Mike. I'm sure things will look up once we have an area rug over that horrid floor and a few things arranged and organized. I just keep thinking to myself, "So why was this a good idea? How can I get home?" The ways to get home early aren't very nice though--DH could flunk out of the program, DH could get disabled or die, we could get a divorce. I'm thinking staying sounds less hideous than those options.

Marianne

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Terrified, mortified, petrified, stupefied... by you!
--"A Beautiful Mind"

Awww, Marianne, I feel your pain!!! If you ever want to vent expat experiences, I'm here for you! lol. Just remember that you prayed about it and you know it was the right thing. THings will work out. I'm sure once you meet people in your ward and start to get settled in, like you said, everything will be fine. If not, just keep thinking, "this too shall pass... this too shall pass..." Good luck with everything!!

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~*~ Katie ~*~






http://thewanfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/

Well I haven't moved out of the country before although sometimes Florida did seem like it, , anyway I just know it got better with time so I hope that happens for you as well!!
I'm glad your internet is back up and running though, then you can at least stay a little more connected!
HUGS!

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Ohh hun..I am so sorry. I'm sure it's hard, being so new, and sooo diferent. But before you know it, you'll be in love with England. I'm sure of it. (((HUGS))) And, if all else fails....do as Katie said...just repeat evey night.."this too shall pass....this too shall pass..."

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You guys are great! I knew you would know *exactly* what I was feeling, Katie. Man, I am just so tired of being the foreigner, KWIM? Things are a little more put together today, which is good, and tomorrow a ward member is giving us a tv and vcr (yeah!). We also had dinner at a pub, which was both delicious and fun Everything here is old and sometimes that is really cool, sometimes that is really horrible. I'm looking forward to having a stable home base to go exploring from and seeing lots of the country.

Marianne

__________________
Terrified, mortified, petrified, stupefied... by you!
--"A Beautiful Mind"