Welcome to my new and improved blog. I’ve taken some time to get everything back into shape in hope that I will expand topics to keep things rolling.
There’s a new name, a new look, but the same old me! No content has changed and the pictures are still there however I hope to develop this into somewhat as an outlet for my thoughts and anything that I experience as I will soon be entering into the real world.
Please leave feedback in the comments section of anything you would like to hear about. In the meantime take a gander through the pictures. I always see something new in each one, and I was there!
Stay tuned for some pictures from the Jack Daniels Distillery.
Todd Site Maintenance Feedback, Jack Daniels, Status Update
I was asked to write a short article on my time in the UK by the company that I work for, Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy. This will be published in their newsletter (hopefully).
Dreams are an extension of a person’s imagination. The possibilities are limitless and the experiences are boundless. I had always dreamed to be able to live in a foreign country and the university I attend, the University of Pittsburgh, provided a chance for that dream to come true. I was presented with a number of choices but one stood out, London, England. The United Kingdom is an English speaking country which had a large impact on my decision. The country also has a long and illustrious history and its culture is closely related to that of the United States.
Each day presented a new challenge, especially the first few days. Something as simple as crossing the street became dangerous if I relied on my instincts. Driving on the left side of the road affects more than just those driving; I had to constantly remind myself to look right and then left. My reliance on my own vehicle was quickly replaced by a dependence on the London Underground (subway); a fleet of red double decker buses.
As with any large city space is at a premium. The program provided all students with a flat (apartment) within the city. I lived in close quarters with four roommates. This took an incredible amount of understanding and patience and even then a long walk solved a lot of problems.
Let’s not forget the main reason why I was there. My schooling while abroad consisted of four classes covering British culture (two classes), twentieth century art, and international trade. The classes were a mix of lectures in the classroom and field trips to different venues around the city. Many of the museums and art galleries were free to visit but having the insight of the instructor proved to be a great asset. It was quite a challenge to balance enjoying the city and completing my schoolwork. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and get the work done!
My family and I had the unfortunate experience of realizing just how unfriendly a large city can be to a disabled person. Public transportation was built to move as many people as possible, as fast as possible. An Underground station rarely had step free access to enter a train. This provided a new challenge of how to use an escalator when someone is on crutches. My mom made the best of it however and we had a fantastic time while my parents were there. They even trusted me to drive them around!
At the beginning I looked at the days remaining as if they would never pass. As I began to adjust to this new way of life my outlook on that changed. I began to think about how much I would miss London and all that is has to offer. My time there had its ups and its downs but overall it was a fantastic experience. I fell in love with the city. Completing this dream was a huge achievement. It is one that I am very proud of and one that I will never forget.
Todd Goodbye London London, Summary
So I have been a terrible writer and left my blog stagnate. I finally have found a few minutes in each day that I can work on it! My first thing on the list is to update the software processing everything. You guys won’t see much of a change but it will make it much easier for me. I hope to also find a new look for everything as well. Some editing of content will also occur but will only affect previous work.
My next content based post will be an article for my company about my experience in London. I have sadly neglected to the point where they may not want it. Oops! I’ll give it a whirl though. Stay tuned for some new stuff and I hope to get some new ideas to keep this thing going!
I apologize in advance for any down time that may occur. Hopefully everything will go on will go off without incident!
Todd Site Maintenance Status Update
Here it is, my first post of 2009. In fact my first post in quite a while. My ‘reentry shock’ was non-existent. I Came home and slid right into my old ways of life. I have to partially thank the business of the holidays and such for helping. Speaking of the holidays, they were great and went fast! It was nice to spend a good amount of time with my family.
My mom is doing much better now. She’s able to get around quite well! We’re all thankful for a good recovery!
I did move into my dorm room today. This will be my first night back in Johnstown. Room is good, has a desk and lots of places to store things unlike my flat in London. I’m quite thankful for that. Food is terrible but is provided, LOL! Tomorrow I have my first two classes, Principles of Marketing and Programming in JAVA. Exciting, I know! I’m also starting back to work. I can’t wait to see everyone there. I’ll be posting updates of my classes as time passes, should be quite a fun semester, NOT!
As sort of a mini-blog that I’ll probably be keeping more up to date I’ve made a Twitter account. Basically it’s just a short statement of what I’m doing and what I have done. Nothing in detail, but just a little snip-it of what’s going on. You can check it out at www.twitter.com/tdevers I encourage everyone to make an account and make to sure click follow on my profile to follow me (HA HA!). I just signed up tonight so I’m not 100% sure what it’s on about, but it seems to be quite popular.
Todd Uncategorized Johnstown, Mom, Pitt, Twitter
I am finally home! We arrived home Sunday afternoon and from then on it has been pure chaos. I’ve been unpacking like crazy and searching for everything which seems to be lost. I’ve also been taking care of some things at home as well as taking my well traveled computer to the Apple store for some needed repairs. The little guy took some abuse during the trip!
So far I haven’t endured any re-entry shock. It didn’t take long to get adjusted to driving on the right but crossing the road in Shadyside today was a little treacherous. At this point the past 3 or so months seem like a complete dream. I still have a hard time comprehending all that I have seen and experienced. Pictures from the last day are posted. Sorry to keep you all waiting!
Todd Uncategorized Home
It’s never felt better to be back in the US. Although I think you all are just a little bit weird now. I arrived an hour late yesterday due to some issues at Heathrow and a good bit of turbulence along the way. Other than that everything went well. Today I make the second part of my journey across PA to home. I guess that’s not as exciting as crossing the Atlantic. I’m looking forward to it though.
Once I get everything unpacked a have a few last pictures to put up. Look for those either tomorrow or later this evening.
Todd Uncategorized Home
I arrived at Heathrow with little drama on this cold and wet December morning. It was quite odd leaving this morning. But I sit at the gate waiting for my plane an can’t but help but to feel a little empty inside. I will really miss this place!!
This will be my last post in the UK. From now on I’ll be reporting from US soil!! See you guys soon!!
Todd Uncategorized
It is the eve of my departure. It seems like just this past Wednesday I arrived here and now my bags sit patiently by the door waiting for the morning to come. It truly has become a bitter sweet moment. I’m so excited to leave but I’m so sad to leave London and most of all leave all the friends I’ve made here.
My last trip through the city was great. The weather held off and the crowds were minimal. Seeing everything for the one last time made the walk worth it.I have quite a few pictures but everything is packed now so they will just have to wait until I return.
Speaking of that! I’ll be back up probably before most of you guys go to bed. I rise at 5:30 to catch my 6:30 shuttle to Heathrow. From there on it will be a jump across the pond to Philadelphia and it will be a great sight to see all of the family back on US soil!
Stay tuned, the trip may be over but there’s lots more to talk about!!! Most importantly, GOODBYE LONDON!
Todd Goodbye London Last Walk, Leaving, London
And you know what that means. Only one more day!
In my time zone there is a very somber mood. It is technically Friday and there is only one more day left. There were lots of final good byes today at the CAPA Departure Party. It truly was a sad time indeed. It didn’t hit until a professor I truly enjoyed shook my hand and told me it was a pleasure. That kind of set the tone fore the evening. There were quite a few goodbyes and fair wells. Only the best of friends will see each other in one last attempt to spend time together. It truly has been one of the greatest and saddest times in London. The bus ride back from the club tonight was a reflection of what I have done, what I haven’t done and what I have now realized over my three and a half months here.
I’m completely staggered by my reaction to this and I can only dream what I will be going through on Saturday. I do feel now that I am a true Londoner and that I fit in here. I will be greatly sadden by my departure in just over a day.
Todd Goodbye London
In an effort to keep the updates rolling in, Welcome to Thursday! Only two more days to go. I have so many mixed feelings right now it’s not even funny. I’m ready and very excited to come home, but I’ve grown to love London and hate to leave.
I’m down to my last and final class of the semester. I had my last art class an hour or so ago. We attended the Saatchi Gallery. It was a rather odd one but I did find the most unique and what I think to be the coolest exhibit in London. In the basement of the gallery there was an empty room with models of old men in electric wheel chairs. Each chair had sensors and moved around the room as if the models were driving them. The models of the men were so life like that I was scared looking at one. I was ready for it to jump up from the chair and scare me. It truly was an odd experience and rather intriguing piece of work. I do have some pictures but I won’t be able to post them until I get back to the flat. So look for them tomorrow morning or so.
I did make it to the Natural History Museum last evening. It’s a great place. I wish I would have devoted more time to it. I still did get a taste of it though! I have also picked up my British flag so I’m absolutely content in leaving now. I do want to pick up a few things but if I don’t, I’ll still return a happy Todd!
Status Update
Like I said above, two more days. At this time Saturday I hope to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean with America in my sights.
Todd Goodbye London London, Saatchi Gallery, Status Update
