Part I

It was around this time last week when I had one of the most testing days of my time studying abroad. 

Since I don't have class on Fridays and I had a busy, tough week school-wise, I decided to take on last Friday as a day to run errands and explore the city with my camera. The first thing I did Friday morning was go to the dance store around the block from my flat to get new ballet slippers. The store only carried one style and brand but they fit and would work for class. I haven't worn leather, one-strap, full sole in almost ten years!

The next thing on my list of errands was to stop by an ATM to get cash out. I usually go to the Royal Bank of Scotland branch by my flat and use one of their two ATMs. One said out of order so I put my card in the other. Guess what - it took my card and proceeded to say "out of service." I frantically pressed cancel while a line started forming behind me. It was no use so I went inside to wait in line to talk to someone. When I finally got up to the desk, I explained to the woman that I had used their ATMs before and everything had worked but this time it took my card and then stopped working. I told her that I needed to get it back and that I was a visiting studen. She basically told me that because I wasn't with RBS and it was a card from another branch, it was probably a security issue and that I would need to contact my bank. Hence, no getting my card back. Oh and by the way, the machine was working when I stepped back outside.

With no debit card, no credit card and seven pounds to my name, I rushed back to my flat to email my parents. I knew because of my tough school week and the fact that the honeymoon period here was starting to wear off (thus starting to get homesick) that I needed to cry. Losing my debit card and feeling helpless definitely triggered it. If you were in my flat you would have thought I was crying over a murder! 

Shout-out to Mary and Amy to responding to my desperate, Facebook pleas to call my mom! It was around 12 pm here when everything happened so I knew that because of the time difference and the fact that her phone doesn't receive emails, she wouldn't see my email until 1:30 or 2 pm my time.

I stopped crying and went back to the bank to be more aggressive. I talked to a different, more sympathetic woman this time but she basically told me the same thing. To make an already long story short, I had money wired to me and am having a new card shipped to me. Definitely set back planning for trips and booking hostels, but I'm so thankful for all the help and support I received. It was a learning experience and worse things definitely could have happened.

My friends and I had previously planned to see Perks of Being a Wallflower that night. I haven't read the book but the movie was directed by the author so I would say it was true to the novel. See it if you haven't! It was sad, but uplifting and a great way to take my mind of the day's events. If you didn't know it already, a touching article, sappy commercial or dramatic movie can make me cry. Even after all the crying I did earlier in the day, I still had tears left to give to this one!

The next road bump in my day? Having my computer fall less than a yard off my end table when I went to bed. It still works but part of my charger is lodged into the computer and won't come out. Luckily I'm able to rig a charge and as long as it keeps holding a charge, I'll wait to have it fixed. Afraid to take it out of my room now and I have a mini panic attack whenever it comes apart.

The next day was pretty uneventful although I did go on a jog/walk run through the Meadows. I only run once every blue moon (or when I'm bored and haven't been able to exercise). The weather was beautiful Saturday afternoon and it was nice to clear my head, sweat and see more of the Meadows. 

View of the Meadows from the library.