Where In The World Is Katelyn Meyers?

Never. Going. To. Leave.

(Sorry in advance for all the typos- I’m writing quickly!)

So, it has been ages since I’ve updated. Sorry all. To say life has been crazy is an understatement. This city has grabbed a hold of me and isn’t letting go- not that I’m really resisting :)  

Life has been GREAT! I’ve been making some amazing friends, experiencing new things and different cultures, enjoying life in a metropolitan area…and (of course) learning… a lot!

So, let me bring you up to speed. School has been great. Starting to get a bit overwhelming but I knew that would happen. Lots and lots of reading. Lots and lots of theories and lots and lots of copying, ha. I do love the way they have the courses set up here. For every class  I’m in, they assign us to a seminar- it gives us a chance to break up into small group throughout the week and discuss the articles/lectures in a much smaller group. My last seminar is at Friday at 4 (gross) but I actually love it. There are only 8 of us and we are like a small family, that discuses International Organization, but whatever. We all went for a pint after class last week, I mean really? Awesome.  Next feat- get our professor to join us.

Asides from that I have been busy frolicking the streets of good ‘ol London. Hayley and I have found our new gem of a place in the city. “The Sports Café.” Yes. American football- NFL and College. Praise Jesus, Halleluiah. We ventured over that way two weekends ago to catch the Michigan (sorry Dad) Michigan State game. Hayley went to Michigan State so it was great to see all the American fans/British fans that like American football. We made some friends, had some beers and enjoyed rooting for a team we actually knew!

Our Gem.

Hayley supporting Michigan Sate. 

Four of my girlfriends and I have started a Tuesday night dinner party as a way to start our first of two weekends of our week. Our first Tuesday consisted of Mexican food- shrimp tacos, homemade guacamole, homemade salsa, an awesome salad and a homemade apple crisp. Oh Mexico how I’ve missed you. It. Was. Delish. Great company, a little wine and you would think we had known each other our whole lives……or 13 year old gossipy pre-hormonal teens. Take your pick.

Looks gross- but was SO good.

I have REALLY gotten to know London. Since the tube is much more expensive than the buses (and actually, taking the bus is faster for me) I have been commuting to school by bus. Yes, the double-deckers. The best part is, it has helped me to really know my way around. In fact, some lady asked me for directions the other day and I could actually answer her, woo hoo! I’m a local! To get from my flat to school I have to walk about 3 miles straight down Oxford Street (the equivalent of 5^th Avenue)- all the big stores and TONS of people. One day while walking towards campus a very large man ran into me….I wasn’t going to move if he didn’t. I was annoyed but kept walking and before I knew it I was being pushed forward. WHAT? Yes, grown man turned around and pushed me in anger. Ha. I had my headphones on so I couldn’t hear what he was yelling at me while pointing to his shoulder. You know what buddy? You ran into me too. So, I just screamed “ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?” and kept walking. Where is the love people, where is the love.

(Oxford Street)

Aside from people watching (constantly), tons of reading, occasional cooking (I GOT AN OVEN!) and hanging out with my new girlfriends- life is going great. Things are ALWAYS busy, there is always something to do and I’ve been meeting tons of friends.

Another Girls Night Out. (Hayley and Abbey)

(Hayley and Charlotte)

I will update more- my bad guys. Tomorrow night I’m going to Brick Lane to barter for legit Indian food. I know, tough life.

Much love from London- Miss you all.

Katelyn

What? Katelyn Embarrasses Herself? Shocking.

So, first day of school- woop! I’m a big kid on campus, not literally. Today was my first day and I was ready to dive in. I only had two classes today, an hour in International Organization and two hours in Research Methods.

Just my luck, there was a tube strike today so all the undergrounds were closed. That caused a major problem for two reasons: 1. That is how I have been getting to school and 2. Everyone in the world would be cramming on the busses. Fantastic. Last night I did a ‘dry run’ of my bus route- thank goodness I did because I definitely butchered it and ended up running around Oxford Circle trying to find the correct bus at 7:30pm on a Sunday. Oy. Always an adventure.

So, I did some last minute reading last night….untill about 2. I know I know- I didn’t procrastinate, I was just nervous. So, go to bed knowing that I would have to leave at least 2 hours early today. Yikes. 5:45 rolled around far too early but I peeled myself out of bed and got goin’. I got to the bus stop and it was PACKED. WHAT?! Go to bed people! I waited for probably 20 minutes when, of course, I started the panic game. What if it doesn’t come? What if it is so full like all the other buses that I can’t get on? What if I miss class? OMG. OMG. OMG. (Did I mention it was raining?) Eh, no biggie. Bus pulled up, I got on, we drove of. Got to school an hour early. Pat on the back, Katelyn.

So, let’s get to the juicy part. I head into my class with Hayley and we sit in this really nice lecture hall- oh, I might mention it was Charles Darwin’s actual house back in the day. We are chitchatting with a couple girls around us when our professor starts talking about Moodle, the online site we all go to in order to see classes, groups, discussion, etc. We all enrolled a while back and a few days ago they sent us an email asking us to fill out information about ourselves, emails, contact info, a picture, etc. So, I filled mine out promptly, attached the photo and sent it in. Well. Our teacher pulls up Moodle (my class in particular) and there were my face…right on the middle of the big lecture-of 109 people -projector. Talk about mega embarrassing. Of course Hayley and I (and a new friend Abbey) start cracking up. I mean of the entire class, only two of us had pictures- apparently it wasn’t necessary. Holy cow- I was red as a cherry and counting down for him to finish his speech. Needless to say, when I got home, the picture went kaput….as did my ego.

We had an hour break so Haley and I got some extremely needed coffee and headed into our 286 person Research Methods class. It is definitely a tough class and is really intimidating….but our professor is hilarious! We spent 30 mins talking about the American Gothic picture and the difference between descriptions and inferences. Pretty fun. Or I’m a nerd…probably both. Favorite moment:

Professor: “Tell me something you can infer from this picture.”

Some boy raises his hands: “They are married.”

Professor responds: “How can you tell that/ Why do you say that?”

Boy answers: “Look at how happy they look.” (The class goes nuts)

The day ended with me taking the wrong bus about 8 stops too far…turning around and heading back home. I went for a long run in Hyde Park tonight- it was beautiful.  It was right at sunset and there were a million people out. I think a lot of people walk it after work (in work clothes and workout clothes). A lot of people meeting friends for a snack near the lake or Marble Arch. I did two laps and by my second lap I had a couple runners I’d recognized and would say “Hello, again.” Ah, fantastic.

With that, and no more Moodling, I’m off to bed.

Cheers and much love from London,

Katelyn

Holy Royal Horse Poo!

Ok, quick update because I’m so excited I could literally pee my pants. So, this morning I was determined to wake up and go for a run. I have been here for well over a week and haven’t run a mile. If you know me, you know this is insanity. Between classes, apartment hunting and walking for blocks in the rain….I figured I have paid my respects to the workout God’s enough.

So today, Saturday morning, 7am…I threw on my ultra-American running clothes (Nike shorts and a t-shirt) and walked two blocks to Hyde Park.

Oh….my….gooossshhh. AMAZING! I don’t ever EVER want to leave this place – for running purposes only. So, if you don’t know, there are tons of “Royal Parks” in London. This one connects Hyde Park, Kensington Park, Green Park and St. James Park. The total loop is about 7 miles.

I started my jog (in the sunshine…big deal, big deal) and kind of followed this older-man of a runner. He seemed to be doing the long loop so I just trudged behind him so I didn’t get lost in the massive park. 

I was literally laughing out loud at one point…I was passing the Royal Guards practicing the Changing of the Guards, I passed Kensington Palace and I passed the Marble Arch. What?!  If I veered a certain way I could have passed Buckingham Palace but I didn’t want to spoil it all on one run/get lost. 

(Kensington Palace)

Ok, I don’t mean to boast, I am perfectly happy with running in 90 degree heat in the cul-de-sacs of my San Antonio neighborhood; however, when you find yourself in complete awe while drenched in sweat and dodging Royal Horse poo, it is one to brag about.

Ok, that is it for now.

MUCH love from London

Kate

Cheers From London

So, surprise surprise, I’ve been slacking big time on the blogging. Have no fear, Katelyn is back. The last 9 days have been full of crazy adventures, to say the least. I feel like I have been here for 12 years, not a mere week and a half.

Mom and I arrived Wednesday morning- luggage in tow and ready to go (sweet rhyming Katelyn). With rain pouring down and wind going crazy, we decided to head to my school for my enrollment appointment. Half way there we realized just how jetlagged we both were. We stopped for some coffee (two LARGE cups for me- which later kicked in to my pleasant surprise) and were on our way to UCL. Wow….the campus is AMAZING. Plopped right in the middle of London- it is a really old campus with beautiful architecture. Actually, it has been used in many movies- Gladiator (my fav!) Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Atonement and Inception- to name a few.

After enrolling with the school, I received my email address and ID card (it is very official) and mom and I decided we were too tired to do much more….well, besides go to a pub of course. We hopped on the tub and headed back to our neck of the woods. We found a quaint little pub nearby and got a full on English dinner. The pints/cider hit us more than usual and we swaggered our way back to our flat….and stopped for a mars bar on the way. (Right mom?)

The next few days were full of your basic moving scenarios. The best was finding my flat- totally a God thing. I came knowing I had student accommodation but, after doing the dorm thing in undergrad, I was hoping for a more private home. I went through a group called Flatland and ended up with a list of a few available options. Mind you, everything is pretty much booked so it was pretty slim pickins…. Mom and I hustled over to our last option of the day and it was heaven…in London.

My street

My little studio is located just 2 blocks from Hyde Park and about 4 from the Queensway tube. The best part is my street is straight out of a movie…it is super quiet, a pub or two just outside my door and a few food markets. If you head a couple streets over it is basically Times Square. TONS of restaurants, bars and stores. It is the perfect location.

The Crib.

My flat itself is actually pretty big. I got a great deal because the central heating is broken so I have a roll-a-way heater. What? Awesome. I can definitely deal with that. I am in the basement but have a cute little patio right outside which I share with one other girl from Australia. I have a tiny little kitchen (lacking a stove but over a pint the other night…my landlord said he had a tiny one he would give me, if I promised to bake him cookies. Score.)

First dinner in my flat.

The night before mom left I took her to my favorite place in Notting Hill- a pub with an outside garden. We played Monopoly all night and had some great Mediterranean grub. I might add- I kicked some major butt….

Wednesday morning I went with mom to the train station and sadly said goodbye. Best part is, I know she is coming back- it was WAY fun to have her…and I know when she comes back the fun will increase because I’ll have learned my way around. 

Two Words Mom: Jack? Ma?!

As far as classes go, things here are MUCH MUCH different. I have four compulsory modules and three out of about 15 I can choose from. Basically this semester I am required to take Research Methods, International Organization and Public Policy Economics/Analysis. I get to pick one for this semester- I chose International Peace and Security. Next semester I picked Terrorism and Conflict Resolution/Post War Redevelopment. Needleless to say, I’m much more excited about next term. This term I have classes M-F (except Wednesdays). We have lectures for an hour then are split into tiny seminar groups throughout the week for each class. I’m thrilled about my Friday seminar from 4-5. Woof. Pretty sure I will become good buddies with everyone in my seminar who will also suffer through…dreaming about the pint after, right?

The beginning of a long, long year of reading. 

I’ve been meeting people from ALL OVER the world. England, America, China, Japan, Amsterdam, Ireland, India etc etc etc. It will be great to have conversations with all of them in our seminars- ohhhh worldwide perspective.

Tonight we had a cocktail hour with all our professors. I might mention, they are all REALLY young. It is a pretty young program but the largest in the UK.  The new director just transferred here form America- but he is the only American on staff. Regardless, they are all young, fun and quite entertaining. Perfect.

Besides that I have been filling my time with relaxing, a little reading and some major exploring. Tonight I went to China Town with a few friends and explored the area. It was super amusing … and bright…. Not to mention there were hanging cooked ducks everywhere.

With that, I’m off to clean my presh little apartment, have a glass of wine and enjoy the sounds of the city. I’m so lucky…

PS- if you have Skype, please let me know. If you are planning any trips to Europe…you better make a stop in good ‘ol London.

Much love from London,

Katelyn

Cheers, London.

So, the adventure starts yet again. I’m off to London today to start a year long Master’s program at UCL. I will be studying International Public Policy…amazing. My mom is heading off with me to get things set up and help me keep my sanity. As soon as I get setteled in, I will update more but just wanted to send my love…from across the pond.

Much love from (Seattle-San Antonio- London). 

Katelyn

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you;
they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” - Bernice Johnson Reagon

As the last six weeks have transpired, I have (obviously) realized I never fully concluded my story. Actually, I don’t even think it is over. A few people have often asked about the final part of my India trip- and I think not only to my own selfish satisfaction, but to all the people who have followed my journey, I want to add a few more blogs about the trip that literally, changed my life.

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So last I left off- I had pretty much done a grand scoop of things that had occurred once I flew back from Delhi. I had updated about Lisa and Laura’s arrival. I had elaborated about the 20 UT volunteers. I believe that is where I left off.

There was a span of about 4 weeks that occurred from my trip to Delhi to my trip back to the states where everything happened in about .2 seconds- literally. However, as I frequently told my family, it was in this time I actually felt like I was in my ‘element.’ With all the volunteers there I felt like it was an opportunity to finally show off what I had learned while I was there. Whether it was it knowing something as simple as what time the kids did things throughout the day -to knowing where to get stuff, where to go to find someone, how to work something, ETC-  I just felt like all the hard work of ‘figuring things out’ own my own was coming alive! Loved being able to help someone.

So, there was a day when all the volunteers were visiting Sooch that kids were the ‘happiest’ I had ever seen them. It was the last day of exams and, like most of us know, it was party time- wooo hoo! The volunteers had brought a TON of stuff for the kids to play with. It was a Friday afternoon and as soon as the children came back from school, the fiesta commenced.

It was pretty hot that day so we started off in the prayer hall with coloring. Geeze, not kidding, some of these kids could be future Picasso’s. So, not to get sappy, but this is an amazing moment. All the kids were doodling- most coloring pictures of strange action heroes, The Little Mermaid or (for the babies) scribbling on white paper. Before I knew it, my baby Priety came running up to me with a piece of paper she had be working on (no kidding) for the majority of time we had been there. Most of the children were so ecstatic about the amount of crayons, markers, glitter pens, colored pencils, coloring books, blank paper- etc- they would frantically color a page and move on to the their next masterpiece. Priety, however, was very diligent and pretty protective of her piece of art. As she came to me she said something in Hindi, which I didn’t understand. I looked over to Anjina and asked what she said, to which she responded, “These are her dreams.” OOOOKKK- as if I’m not emotional enough- wow. There were stars, flowers, etc. I couldn’t make out some of the doodles but it looked like dinner tables with people. (I will try and take a picture of it and attach later) but take my word for it; it is something I am never letting go of. 

So, the children then moved on to making head crowns, glasses, bracelets etc out of pipe cleaners. They all went out to the field and were playing with bubbles, balls, stickers, balloons, music makers- etc. Oh my gosh! It was like Mardi Gras! (PG of course…). SO many colors, giggles, tag games and screams for more bubbles- if that doesn’t make you happy, I don’t know what would.

When it got dark the children formed their lines and headed to the prayer hall where there was a big celebration in store. All the American volunteers ran to their rooms to put on the saris they had recently purchased. I did it last minuet not knowing this was the plan– actually, I felt really silly, I hadn’t worn anything remotely “girly” in two months- it was odd to have a formal black gown on, not to mention covered in gold sequins and exposing my midriff (woo, sass!). Any who, we all made our way to the prayer hall where Manjeet started a ceremony to recognize some of the new staff, applaud the volunteers and thank the house moms for all their hard work. The kids sat there in anticipation because they knew what was coming.

Ready for this? I screamed….and they screamed…and we all screamed for?

ICE CREAM! Ok, tacky- I know. But really, there was lots of screaming all day, especially while the ice cream was being handed out, so it just fit the commentary.

Yes, ice cream was passed out to everyone- and like I’ve mentioned before, Indian ice cream is significantly better than American ice cream. So, we were all happy.

The rest of the evening was filled with lots of Indian dancing. It is pretty funny actually; the boys typically dance together with thrashing, break-dancing kind of moves (which of course I loved). The girls, on the other hand, dance in a very traditional way- they all hold hands and walk in circles. Most of us foreigners got a good laugh at trying to figure out what their feet were doing (it’s complicated!) – however, it was fun to shuffle around in attempt to learn the moves.

Mesh country line dancing… with Lord of the Dance… with Bollywood = what we were doing (or at least trying).

SO yes, after a bit of a workout, lots of handholding and a great deal of laughs- we concluded out fiesta-dance party- Mardi Gras- color party-ball throwing-crown building- ice cream eating… party. Ahh, can I go back?

Much love from (or, wishing I was in) India….

Katelyn

Back at Sooch- Back at Home

Well, life at Sooch has been busy as ever. By the time I got back from my adventures in Delhi, I had roughly 4 weeks to enjoy being with the children, house moms and staff before I flew back to America. Talk about a whirlwind!

On the 18^th, a group of 17 American college students were coming to volunteer at two of the homes. While they arrived in India at the beginning of the week, they didn’t end up at Sooch until that Thursday. In preparation for 24+ people coming, I worked to prepare the house for the arrival. Sankia, the boy who assists in the admin building, became my best friend. I have always loved this boy- every morning after my run I usually head in the house to see him doing some sort of upkeep.  He generally keeps his head down but after my booming, “HI! Good morning!” I get a huge smile and a “helloooo!” back. A few minutes later I hear a couple taps on my door and find a cup of chai and another huge smile. I mean really….?! He is very kind- always smiling and willing to do anything, anything! I refuse to ever let him clean for me-  after all, he is my brother.

(Sanika- my brother)

One morning, after a quick run, I went inside and found Sankia in the lobby. Without saying anything I got a “Heeeeello! Good moorrnning!” Best moment ever. I wanted to run and give him a huge hug for initiating such a great morning hello- but I controlled myself and said hi and went upstairs to shower (well, bucket…). It was one of those moments that continues to keep me smiling. Ever since, we have been best friends- always laughing at each other, saying hello – etc. He really is my younger brother. I think he is pushing 18 so I’m allowed to say that I suppose.

ANYWAY- he and I have become buddy-buddy while trying to prep for all the volunteers. He speaks very little English so it is a lot of hand signing. **Point to a bed…show 1 finger…point to another spot in the room** IE- ‘We need one more bed over there’….We got by just fine.

To my delight, Lisa (the marketing director for the Miracle Foundation), her friend Laura and Janie (the Social Worker for the MF) came to Sooch 4 days before the volunteers did. I went into Ranchi to pick up all the volunteers, Laura, Lisa, Barbara- the whole gang. Most the group was just stopping for a quick lunch then heading to the train station. Laura, Lisa and Janie came back to Sooch with me. It is amazing how great friendships are formed so quickly here. I’m not sure if it’s the stress of being in a different country and the ease of connecting with people from a similar culture or that the Miracle Foundation has an incredible staff -but I have been fortunate enough to have made some incredible friends. Regardless, the next four days were great.  It was amazing to have an American family at Sooch- I think it was also a way to start my culture shock back to reality. Not having any Americans (steadily) for 10 weeks- I think it was the beginning of my transition back to the America.

In any case, the next few days were spent talking about everything I had sponged up the past few months. It was wonderful to spread knowledge about what I had learned and figured out. We went from house to house and introduced the new visitors to the staff and children, we all went to prayer together, we all played outside with the children, we all enjoyed the stars at night. We had dinner together- I showed them how to make chapati (actually, Nanki did) but I helped to initiated the lesson. It is the little things- how to blow on your chai at the perfect time so the layer of sugar on the top will stick to your cup. How to ‘properly’ take a bucket bath. It was just fun to see what I had learned through the newcomer’s eyes- relived it all, if you will.

With that and many more stories to come-

Much love from India

Katelyn