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
Tonight was a landmark evening. Today was the lighting of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. For the past 62 years Norway has given Britain a tree for Christmas as a thanks for support during World War Two. I stood in the cold for two hours to get a good spot and to see them flick the switch to turn on the lights. Unfortunately when the switch was flipped I was looking the other way and missed it. But there are pictures of the 90 foot tall, 90 year old tree. Check out the pictures of course!!
Tomorrow I will be heading north west to Oxford. Look for a lot of pictures from there!
Todd Uncategorized Christmas Tree, Norway, Norwegian, Oxford, Trafalgar Square
Today’s Understanding Britain class had a little twist. We had two guest speakers (and their dog) in for class. They are homeless and living in the streets of London. The professor that teaches this class has a high interest in this topic. It is an interesting one indeed and provided a look into a sometimes misunderstood lifestyle. The UK is a welfare state and has provisions to take care of everyone. That is until you fall off the complete bottom as both of these individuals have. They are stuck in an endless loop of being unable to afford and do not have a permanent address for a passport and cannot get a job because of no official ID and no permanent address and no bank account for the previous reasons. It’s an endless loop which neither can get out. They rely on each other for daily survival and their dog brings a little happiness into their lives.
I’ve always thought this subject to be a little bit of a taboo but it was interesting hearing them speak and how they get money (basically begging getting around £7/day between the two of them) and getting food. It truly is quite a sad story and proves that some wrong decisions will lead to bad consequences.
It was another gloomy day here in London. Rather cold and very wet. Tomorrows forecast is looking better though! This Saturday I’ll be going to a football game (soccer for you Americans) for class. Real hard work I know! From what I heard the crowds can get a little rowdy. There’s still a little time until that happens though. Good luck voting tomorrow! Make the right choice!
Todd London Life, Uncategorized Class, Foot Ball, Homeless, London, QPR
I saw this on the internet just now and though it was a good read. There are very few trash cans along the streets of London for security reasons. It makes it very frustrating when you do have a hand full of rubbish to get rid of. Now there seems to be an answer! Bomb proof bins have been created. Sadly I will probably never see them, but there is a solution!
“London will be the first city to test out new bomb-proof garbage cans, which are also going to multitask as recycling bins with LCDs that stream travel info and news. Security concerns (AKA fear of terrorists dropping bombs in them) have kept rubbish bins out of subway stations and many of the city’s streets since the mid-80’s, causing frustration among citizens, not to mention what amounts to forced littering. The new cans, developed by British company Media Metrica, weigh one ton each, and were tested in the lifeless deserts of New Mexico for five years to ensure they are completely, totally indestructible, can absorb heat from explosives, prevent shrapnel spread, and extinguish “fireballs.” Eh. Put ‘em in New York City — someone will surely figure out how to utterly destroy them in 24 hours or less.”
Engadget
Todd Filling Space, Uncategorized London, Trash Cans
Sadly I received some bad news today. From 5000 miles away I have to say goodbye to my dog, Taylor. At twelve and a half nature had it’s way and he had to be put down. This incredibly hard and almost unbelievable. But it is for the best and he is no longer suffering. There isn’t much else I can do except post a couple pictures and say goodbye bud.
Todd Uncategorized Taylor
I’ve finally figured out how to get some pictures loaded! It helps to actually read about what you’re doing before going around and pushings buttons. But what do you honestly expect?
Read more…
Todd Uncategorized
