So here I am. In Robin's hood. Post-visa troubles, post-flight rescheduling, post-humiliating breakdown, and I am finally in Nottingham. Yes, I had a breakdown. I knew that would catch your attention! If, as a Canadian, you've ever had to get a visa to work or study in a European country, you know that what they're really after isn't an endless series of precise and nonsensical requirements, such as the long form version of your birth certificate outlining your genealogy dating back to the time of Christ, or a 45mm x 35mm colour photograph on professional photo paper with a cream or grey background, featuring a portrait shot (no smiling, no hair in the face, no sunglasses), signed and dated no less than six months before the time of the application of your visa......gasp.....their REAL aim is to test your will to survive. Well guess what UK Border Agency. You can kiss my big fat visa, that is in my passport, that is in my flat in the breathtakingly beautiful town of Nottingham. In ENGLAND. Ha.
In other news, I walked into the Secret Garden today. I swear it was the Secret Garden. It's actually in the middle of the University of Nottingham campus, and it isn't technically a secret. (Well, it's not a secret at all, actually). It's just off the corner of a main path through campus. I'm sure not many students notice. It has the old wrought iron gates, high walls and perfectly carved topiaries, as you'd imagine. A nice little oasis and a reminder to me that Europeans actually care about making things pretty.
If any of you reading this can't remember or weren't informed, I'm studying a Masters in Human Rights Law (LLM) at the University of Nottingham and I'll be here for the next year. Most of my time will be in the books, some time exploring the town, a bit less time getting exercise, and then occasionally breaking the surface from all that to catch some air and write to you all back home (or wherever you are in the world).
For now, I am very busy furnishing my new apartment, choosing courses, taking introductory workshops and meeting students with every kind of accent you can imagine. It's all very colourful, and all very exciting. I hope you will take some time to write to me also this year. Your words and voices keep me afloat!
All my love,
Julie
p.s. news on lifts and jumpers to come....
