Classes begin, it pours...and I go to Manchester!

the Princess might get killed for this one hehe

Lady Taps, love this girl!
sister love :)
Trafford Centre





Hi lovely people...having a bit of a writer's block, but I'm committed so here goes :)

This week we began having lectures, and thankfully, all of my lecturers do not have the common "Scottish drawl"...thank heavens, I can actually understand what they are saying. My lectures have over 200 people in them, yeah 200! It's just so amazing how 200 people can come together and listen without any chaos for an hour, I must say i'm impressed...but I do have to sit in the front because I get distracted by fidgeting people in front of me, and I also like to engage, silently though since we aren't encouraged to raise questions or points in lectures, with my lecturers...having that eye-contact or proximity is so important to my learning...so yes first week has gone well, my Law class is intriguing my oh my, I am a lawyer at heart, and I've made a few interesting friends in each of my classes, they call them courses here hey...

But the exciting part of the week was my trip to Manchester! I saw the Manchester United Stadium and it's wow, just so I could show off to my besty about it hehe! I visited my very good friend Tapiwa, we went to high school together and we never used to talk, until we both lived in different countries. It's amazing the things God uses to bring people together, for us it was a discussion about whether or not to leave Facebook, and we've been friends ever since, growing ever closer...that one is a friendship from the Lord, we all need those kind of friends, people sent to you, people who you can go to when you're tired and just need some wisdom, friends who sharpen you...she is one of those. I got to meet her awesome family, we hung out and talked, a lot, about a lot...we sang some of the old songs, mostly Catholic songs from high school...I got to hang out with a friend from Colgate University, who was also in Manchester, and we had loads of fun at Trafford Centre, the biggest shopping centre in the UK, how cool is that? And on Sunday, I visited her church and it was a tremendous blessing, had lunch and hopped back into the train on my way back to Edinburgh!! Even though it poured on me the other day, i was wet from head to toe, i still love this city...it's home, for now at least!

So, what did I learn this week? I was reminded of the immense power that lies dormant within me, and that I need to stir it up, everyday...and pour it out. I learned and finally admitted that yes living with anyone is challenging, but that doesn't mean I ought to stay away, but rather work it out, work myself out, get my heart right, and stay, that's what love is all about, sticking by even when it's difficult, because I care and see past the difficulties...Interestingly enough I found that I actually love children, they melt my little heart and fill me with joy, especially when they tell you "i love you"! So to all my friends, have kids and bring them over to my house, I'll fill them with tonnes and tonnes of love, I'll be a good mom, oops auntie...:)

Fresher's week! = Overrated

two of my awesome flatmates :)

the Pomona group...did I tell you I got trapped behind a fence and well because of my short legs I couldn't get over- Eric helped my out, such a gentleman lol, he's the tall guy with the shades :)

Hello dear people...I must say I have missed blogging, but there wasn't much to talk about this week. Just a quick update on what UK universities call "Fresher's Week". Basically it's meant to be a welcome to all new students and it's pretty big. The entire week is dedicated to events such as tours of the city, Trade Fairs, Society fairs, Dancing gigs, Concert after concert, Scottish Food tasters, Pub nights, Party after party night after night...phew...and lots lots more.

They tell you it's exciting but what they don't tell you is that thousands of people will be trying to get into the same place as you, very crowded place, long queues, and being me- if you know me at all, you know I tend to like my space lol, so no pushing...something I share with my sazita(namesake) Anesu Blessing, I love that girl! So yes, what did I do-I learnt Bhangra at a Bollywood dancing workshop, I got to meet the EU Christian Union, and there were some really interesting people, hopefully I get to know them better, I joined some societies, Debate (obviously), the Rock Revelation Gospel Choir, and potentially the Harry Potter Society, we actually get to play quidditch isn't that awesome? LOL I'm kidding, I'm not that crazy about Harry Potter!

Other than that really I've just been getting by, having dates with Jesus in the park-awesome, meeting new people, getting to know my flatmates- who are really awesome people just so you know. There's Nikki who is an American student like me, Marianne, who is Scottish, Rachel, also Scottish, and last but certainly not least, Kirstin who is the sweetest ever, I feel bad because so many times when she's speaking to me I ask her to repeat like twice, or else i just nod goodness I have to get used to these accents...but one thing I've mastered...when you say hi, it's hi-you so it's hiya! Or thank you is "Cheers" and when someone says that to you, you say no problem! We're learning here, right... Two quick points and then I'm done (spoke like my Pastor right there, I miss that man)...One I just learned while speaking to a friend, and the other, while listening to Doctor Burke in Grey's Anatomy lol...

We all have dreams, we all have some passion, a deep desire...something we want to do with our lives, for people, for our family...for the world, for God...everyone has that...but very few actually live to fulfill those dreams or visions, or passions, very few...it's so sad, but I don't wanna be that person, I don't wanna be the person people look at and say, wow she had so much potential...or God looks at and says what did you do with what I gave you...I don't wanna be that person, and I don't want you to be that person. So what is the difference between the one who meets his/her purpose, and the one who lives/dies with a dream unfulfilled...the answer lies in what Doctor Burke was saying, he said: I didn't have the natural talent, natural excellence that others may have had...but where I lacked in natural ability, I made up for in discipline..I practiced and worked harder...that's the difference between the two people. The truth is God will never give us a purpose that we can meet easily, if our dreams are small or like us they can't move us, but if they are bigger than us, they move us to stretch our muscle, and become bigger,, and better, excellent...and fulfilled. But many of us look at our present circumstances and say, wow...that's big, I'll do it when I'm 30...then 50...then where did time go? So what will I do? I'll start today, no now...write a little, now...study harder, now...I'll look at others who are where I want to be, speak to them, listen and stretch myself a little everyday...Right now I don't have the ability, the resources oh my gosh this dream seems impossible, but I'm committed to it, and I'm gonna give it my all...trusting God to come through and complete what He has begun in me...Come on people there are lives to save, dreams to birth, days to be lived, nations to be changed...get up and practice some discipline, where you fall short...God bless you and have a blessed week!

It's been a ... week!

Yes, it's already been a FULL week at the University of Edinburgh, and honestly, I miss studying and working hard :(We did begin our Pomona Core Course which is Scottish History and so far it has been a great class, great professor, with great discussions!

It's been a RAINY, WINDY week! It won't stop drizzling, and the wind one day was like almost carrying me away lol. I did sign up for this so yes, Edinburgh has finally come alive, I can't complain!

Another TOURISTY week it has been! My Pomona friends and I had to meet with Tom (our program director) every afternoon, and we got to see the new and old towns of Edinburgh. If ever you visit here soon, you need to know that there are 3 main roads: Dalkeith, North and South Bridge and Causeway Side. Once you find one of these, you won't get lost, kinda like Foothill Blvd in Cali and Robert Mugabe in Harare! The old town was crowded and unplanned with poor sanitary, the new town was planned and with distinct wealth classes.

I'll call this week EYE-OPENING on so many levels. Got to understand what 9/11 means to the Scottish (I'd be happy to share), got to do a lot of reflection on my life, and I got to spend lots of time with my Lord! I also realized, after moving in with my flatmates, how corrupted our world has become. This generation, my generation, is representative of what tomorrow will be, we are the mums and dads and presidents of tomorrow. May God help us! When did alcohol and clubbing and this lifestyle become the "must do to be happy" standard? When did it become common ground for people coming from all over the world? When did God cease to be the Lord and uniter of people? When did Heaven cease to be our goal? My heart grieves...and I realize how blessed I am to be this strong...but some are not, they are fragile first years coming to uni for the first time, trying to fit in, they might just walk through the wrong door...I hope that my presence here will cause a difference, because God in me is the majority! Pray with me will you...and I found a church :) it's called Hope Church, 30 mins away.

Throbbing feet, sore limbs...the price for exploring Scotland!

My feet hurt soo bad, and at this point I'm just like arrrgh no more closed shoes. Of course with the rainy/cold weather in Edinburgh, I had to abandon my comfortable sandals for sneakers/matenesi (very comfy) and also boots. I feel like they are crying out to me - stop pleaase! At one point yesterday I actually felt like I was going to collapse. We walked over 2 hours along the River Fife Coastal Path, from a town called Elie, to one called St Monans, and finally the bus picked us up in Pittenweem. All of these are really cool places to go to if you are interested in history, ruins and hiking. We got to see some cows :) hehe, a great view of the water and the beach while walking, and some buildings built as way back as the 14th century! Honestly I don't remember much of the names, I took pictures though. Our guides, Tom and Jim were so knowledgeable that they gave us tonnes of info, after 2 hours of walking my brain sort of rested lol. We ended up in St Andrews, YES, where Prince William and Kate learned, got to see the castle, the University...and more walking.

We ended the day by attending a spectacular fireworks show at the castle here in Edinburgh, with the orchestra playing. Oh my gosh, best fireworks I've ever seen!

And today, class began...the books I didn't read over the summer are the ones we're discussing oh my! Wish me the best in my allnighters hey :) Tom took us on a tour of the Old Town in Edinburgh after lunch, and we got to see mucho mucho...My God is faithful hey...very faithful, it is well with me :)

Getting lost...in order to find your way

Sooo, yes I got lost haha oh my gosh, so embarrassed! This was meant to be my status update for yesterday, when we were wondering around town as a group, eventually finding our way...But today, on my way to Heriot-Watt University here in Edinburgh, I took the right bus but going east instead of west, so I had to sit on that same bus for about 2 hours. Well the good news is I'm now comfortable walking around town without a map- big achievement as I'm a bit directionally challenged lol. So the lesson is, duh bibi, ask first if you're not sure...but I personally think that getting lost on your own is good, cause when you do find your way, you'll never forget it. And the good thing is I got to see new places, Leith, Heriot-Watt uni, very very beautiful, just like Pomona.

Walking on the streets of Edinburgh, you know you're walking through history and culture preserved, a place that has a past, I mean Charles Darwin waled these streets way way back, and so did Julius Nyerere...and walking through, seeing the castles and buildings, makes me relfect a lot about the meaning of life and I've made a really huge decision that will affect the course of my life and destiny, walking through those streets...I was also reminded, visiting my friend, miss memento, that we have different giftings all of us...and someone will always have what you want or dream of- fact, but the important thing, is just living, and enjoying where I am on my way to where I'm going, and trust God, that everything is as it should be, and if not, it's all going to be alright. Beautiful life :)

couple pictures for you...

New beginnings

I am very excited...today is such a beautiful day, God is so good, and I might have found a healthy alternative to facebook- this blog! Finally in Edinburgh after a long yet enjoyable Summer and a few weeks with family :). Am just amazed at how faithful God is. Me, Blessing Havana, last child of 7 and the first to ever go to University am actually in Edinburgh! Now I've not only gone to school at Pomona College, but I'm studying abroad, how cool is that? Not by might nor by power...

Today is all about thanksgiving and birthing. It's month nine since the year began, I am obsessed with dates and I look for anything to make a day special...but September 2011 is the month of birthing. For the past nine months the Lord has been growing something in me, it has been a challenge, but this month, this month I have to birth it, and this is something that will change my life forever.

One of my fears coming here from Edinburgh, was that I'd be alone as I had no one I really knew in our group of 7 from Pomona. Well, I couldn't have been more mistaken! These guys are just amazing and just a blessing. Even though we enjoy doing different things, I don't like drinking for example, there is this sense of community and family, I feel wanted and accepted, and that's what matters most.

So thanks is due to the throne of the King...thank you Daddy, for taking care of me in every nation every season. I hope I didn't bore you with my first post, I'm just so excited, I'll try make it shorter next time :)