The Other Chi-Town

How can I be so lucky to have lived in three beautiful places in England? Here I am, settled in (mostly) to my house here in Chichester, and I couldn't be more delighted with the city so far.

Chichester is a cathedral city, but other than that single large defining feature, it's very quaint and small. The town centre is almost adorable. Going down the main streets on Friday afternoon was exciting, discovering familiar British shops and unique local treasures alike. There were stalls set up with local produce and meat, not to mention fresh meat pies, sweet baked goods, and cheese wedges. That wasn't even the official farmer's market which happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which I have yet to explore!

We also took a little look around the cathedral gardens, which were lovely.

I admit that there's not as much going on as there might be in Cambridge or Norwich, but I'm anticipating a school schedule which will keep me busy enough not to notice. The Chi calendar of events seems to have live music listed at least once a week, anyway, and lots of little things like salsa classes or folk singalongs. And, if I'm honest, my house is amazing and who wouldn't want to spend time there?! It's far removed from a student house - beautiful neighbourhood, lovely large rooms, and a nice roomy kitchen where I can maybe try out some historical recipes. I did a very British thing yesterday and spent Saturday evening watching X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing with my flatmate - shows I would never take to in the States, but I always love the enthusiasm for them and, even when it is a little cheesy, yeah, I like to root for my favourites...

Finishing lunch, tidying up, and then getting on with a bit of work now!

An Admin Afternoon

Without fail, when you arrive in a new country, there is a lot of excitement and confusion. Luckily, I think I've moved back and forth from the USA to the UK enough times that the confusion is all cleared up. I know just where to go for shopping trips, I am familiar with the way things work, and rarely ever do I get tripped up over the differences in language anymore (I did learn the word "cobbed" the other day where I would have said "hocked a loogie", though!).

I do still feel excited, though not the same overactive tummy butterflies that I had the first time around. Now, it's excitement born out of returning, seeing British treats at the grocery store that I missed in America, taking trains and having good public transport available instead of needing a car, and seeing places and people that haven't been a part of my life for the past year, except over the internet.

But, ah, yes, there is one more thing that comes with a big move: administration. So far today, I've spent the morning tidying my suitcases (just one more day before my Cambridge holiday ends and I head to Chichester to set up house). The afternoon has been one long mess of registration. I registered my Oyster card, my railcard, my Nectar card, and even a Costa coffee club card. I looked up where to register for a GP (or doctor, if I was still in the USA). I ordered a SIM card that I will need to register as soon as it arrives. The only things I haven't registered for are two academic conferences that I plan on attending, one of which I am giving a paper at, and that is only because my federal student loan has been held up (not by the shutdown... yet... but rather by some updates the financial department at my university had to do).

I do feel productive, anyway. I'm sure the next week will feel like more of the same, until finally I get started on my course on the 8th and can get down to why I came back in the first place!