Conclusions are never really that...

So, I'm back stateside. Tried my hardest to beat the visa system and failed. 6 job opportunities in 3 months, but not a single one could or would agree to sponsor me in the United Kingdom. Turns out investing thousands of pounds into their educational system isn't enough.

Broken hearted as I am, new doors will open.

I won't lose the relationships that matter.

I won't lose my desire to experience the world by living in international diverse locations - even if I am restricted to the boundaries of the United States. The world should start to realize that the best way to make peace is to meet each other and allow citizens of all nations to interact.

We're all human.

Anyway - back to the point... 

I'm back in America and getting on with my MA in Publishing. If you're interested in following up on what I'm managing to pull together from my hometown, follow my writer's blog:

kristinbergenewriter.wordpress.com

Here I post what I'm planning in publishing, in my writing and how I am pushing through the changes in my life. Culture shock is an understatement, but my creativity will not be lost forever.

xx, Kristin 

Favorite Part of London

If there is one question I get the most, it's:

"What is your favorite part of being in London?"

From curious family and friends from home, to my friends living with me in this incredible city. It's a great question and it gives me a genuin chance to be reminded why I came here and why I'm fighting now to stay.

The reason I love being in this city, the main reason, is the diversity and the mix of cultures from all over the world. It's a neutral playground where the open minded can meet others as individuals, rather than sticking to the cliches. It gives one a chance to put aside international conflict and discover the humanity that fuels the core in all of us. We all suffer from heartbreak and disappointment and we all get excited when a job application comes through or when we can see the light in something we really desire.

I love the cultures.

I love to be the foreigner.

I love that I can go to the pub and not one of us is from the same county, and somehow, we all manage to get on.

This is something I have to remember as each day I apply for more jobs, hoping that just one will call back and give me the position to allow me to change my visa and stay.

Just one.

xx, Kristin

Thanks New York

It's been a few months since I've updated this, but I thought it would be a great place to thank everyone for my two weeks home. After nine months it was the longest I'd ever been from home and at the end of my dissertation I nearly collapsed from stress and fear of what is going to happen now that it is all finished. I still don't have an answer to 'what now' but I can say at least that it is my objective to stay in London longer.

Coming home was what I needed. It was really great to see everyone. Your constant support has been really helpful and will continue to be so as I begin this next part of my life.

Thank you all for everything.
xx, Kristin 

Adele says A LOT in One Song

Take a listen and breath for a minute as Adele sings about her London in her song, Hometown Glory.

xx, Kristin 

London Olympics 2012

I thought this might be a good moment to share some pictures from my involvement in the Olympics so far. I'll make another post later about how how incredible it has all been so far!!!

Stairway to Stadium

The Security Entrance to the Stadium

ME! In Front of the Official Entrance

THE STADIUM!

Sculpture, Moat and Corner of Stadium

At Night after the Opening Ceremony Rehearsal - Monday.

One Place the Cycle Race went through Kingston

Woman's Field Hockey: Netherlands vs. China & Germany vs. South Africa

My Knee and the American Flag - PRIDE.

Woman's Field Hockey

Earl's Court Decked for the Olympics

Men's Volleyball: Bulgaria vs. Italy & Great Britain vs. Argentina

Men's Volleyball

More coming soon!

xx, Kristin 

Right...

Okay.

So.

My life in it's current state - I'm jobless, there are no more classes but lots of rain, I'm a bit unsteady in what I'm supposed to do next and I have a slight fear that I have skin cancer on my nose.

But who am I kidding. I'm a hypochondriac and I live in a rainy city. There is little chance of that.

Right?

Looking for sunnier days - in my brain, not on my nose.

xx, Kristin

Assessments are DONE!

I have been insane with trying to get stuff done so that I could enjoy myself over the last week. The end of my term was the last bit of May with my last official deadline on the 31st. My word count was a total of 11,000 words which is manageable for a writer but in an exceptional turn of events I lost some days and lost access to my baby MacBook. I agreed to go on a trip to Barcelona that left on the 28 May, meaning I had to have all my assessment turned in before then. The Sunday before my deadline an accident involving a glass of wine and my keyboard caused me to spend the next week in the library from mid-afternoon to mid-morning. (It was a hot week and I was unwilling to spend it in the library so I pulled all nighters instead as any pale-faced girl who craves a bit of sunlight would do.) I can only thank the lord that I started my assessment at least three weeks in advance and that they were able to save my files before taking my MacBook away to be mended.

In the end: I won! I finished everything and feel confident in the work I submitted.

Also, I made it to Barcelona and got so much sunlight that I think I'm good for the next month. Soon, I'll post about my trip, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and maybe I'll even get to posting those pictures of my flat that I've lived in since January.

Hanna arrives on Wednesday morning and I am very excited about that! I have no idea what we are going to do yet but I believe a trip to Brighton, Cardiff and Dublin are in the works. All places I've been and all places I'd love to see again!

Can't wait to see my little sister!!!

xx, Kristin

Cooking

For the first time in my life, I made fish. 

It was salmon. 

It was delicious.

I can have another one tomorrow.

And this is what blogs are for. 

xx, Kristin 

Publishing Oscars

The last year has been fantastic. Great people, great courses and great knowledge. There are so many things I want to say about everyone and everything, but with the pressure and stress of final assessments I will have to save those words for later.

What I really want to do is share my appreciation and shock to the generosity of my classmates in bestowing me with this guy...

for their nominations and votes on the Best overall contributor MA Publishing/Creative Writing 2012.

Kingston University: MA Publishing 2012 

xx, Kristin 

Travels

Greenwich

Cambridge

Harry Potter Studio Tours

Liverpool

It appears I've been places in England recently. I thought I wouldn't do much traveling over this three week break. I thought I'd be up to my eyes in studies. I thought wrong a bit. This has been a fantastically bizarre three weeks, where I've been left with a killer cold and a swollen throat. However, I'm very pleased with it all anyway.

xx, Kristin 

Thames River in Kingston

If I wasn't so nervous of Swans, this would be my favorite. 

xx, Kristin 

INTERNET!

I FINALLY HAVE 

THE INTERNET 

IN MY FLAT!!!!

... but I don't know what to do with it ...

ah well, bed time.
xx, Kristin 

Kaylan with her first sight of Big Ben.

Oh. My. Gosh.

My life has been insane for the last few weeks. Kaylan came last week. I spent the week before trying to get all my work done in order to dedicate myself to being the perfect tour guide, but it still wasn't enough. The first few days Kaylan was here I still had a ton of work to accomplish and needed to attend a few unmissable classes. However, we really did get a surprising amount done in a week.

She arrived Saturday night at 8pm, however I was up and ready for her at Heathrow at 8am. Due to the use of twenty-four hour time over here, I've now adjusted to running by those guidelines. When I see 8:00 - it's in the morning, when I see 20:00 - it's at night. However, not to let a day in central go to waste, I still went along with everything I intended to do with her for the day. I went shopping at Camden Market and Nottinghill Market and then wandered about the city with some dried mangos until returning for Heathrow at 20:00.

Andi, Me and Kay with Tower Bridge.

The next day, we ended up in Richmond Park after a delicious roast at The Albert Pub. I went in with a mission to show her The London School of Ballett, which rests somewhere within the ancient forests and fields lush with royal, english deer. We walked through the gates, I pointed into an unknown place beyond the first row of hills and we set off in that general direction.

And by George, we found it!

Really happy with my success of finding my way off trail to a place I've only been once, we decided to lay in the grass, in the sun and catch up. We spent hours in the park and it was such a nice day.

The next couple of days, I left her with my friend Stacey so I could get work done - including scanning birds - and attended class. We then went to another pub. In fact every night of the week we ended up at a pub, but who's surprised by that?

Me, Kay and Stacey in Kingston.

Once I could spend time with her again we went right into central and managed to piece together a spontaneously successful week. Wednesday night, hearing that a few of my friends were going to the Hunger Games premier Kaylan practically jumped off her chair for the chance to go with them. So we did. It was really weird to see such pretty celebrities in person, but they still seemed really plasticy. It was a pretty - no pun intended - entertaining evening. During the week we also met up with Emma, managed to catch a mid-day showing of The Phantom of the Opera, experience the Kingston nightlife and see all the major London sights - Tower Bridge, Big Ben, London Eye, the Abbeys, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, etc.

Liam Hemsworth at Premier.

Basically, I'm wiped.

Which means, I am not editing this post.

BUT IT WAS A BLAST!

xx, Kristin

Visitors

My life is always full of excitement it seems and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This Saturday one of my best friends from home, KAYLAN ALBAN, is coming to visit me for a week in London!!! I have no idea what I'm going to show her, but I hope she's coming with a London Bucket List!

Today, I also broke my credit card to make sure that my sister, HANNA JOY, can take advantage of getting to London while I'm here. She'll be coming from 5 June to 20 June!!!

I'm so excited for all these visitors! If there is anyone else out there who feels that urge to just get on a plane and see something new, I have room for you to visit!

xx, Kristin

Kings Tun

I've been having a seriously busy time over the last couple weeks. Now that school is back in session, my struggle with balancing writing my book and accomplishing homework well is very much out of whack. Monday I have to do the work for Tuesday, Tuesday I'm in class from 11am to 8pm, Wednesday I'm doing the school work for Thursday, Friday I'm catching up on what I've missed. Saturday and Sunday I try to work on my book and by Sunday night I usually recall that I haven't been outside in three or four days.

But, anyone who knows me knows that I cannot restrain myself from not working on my book everyday. Two "free" days a week that I can dedicate to its shaping is not enough. For me the logical step has been to give up sleep. I am usually awake until at least 2:30am working on my book.

I drink a lot of tea.

It's an expensive habit.

Anyway, still no internet. Still no pictures of the flat.

Still thinking and missing all you Stateside.

xx, Kristin

Some of My Favorite Things...

Every time I get lost in London I fall more in love with the place.

From stumbling off a main street with the beauty of modern architecture, to wandering into an old street with buildings that have a longer history than any in Cooperstown. I can't say which I prefer more - but in the end it doesn't matter.

Somedays when I find a moment to breath between writing my book and taking care of my studies I get lost of reflecting on the last year. I know I've mentioned it before, but I still struggle to believe the difference that's overcome me already. Everyday I'm happy and if I'm not - I write. I've never had such motivation and inspiration. It took one impulsive and daring move to find me in one of the most satisfying places of my life.

I am so much better at living, compared to one year ago.

xx, Kristin

Snow in London

Guess what world - It does snow in London.

It might not be the mountains piled on sloshy sidewalks that I'm so familiar with, but it was was enough for local Londoners to draw profanities on the roofs of tiny cars. We were drawn to the window as we heard laughter in the streets to see scores of people having snowball fights. It didn't take long for us to join in, throwing bread at them like they were ducks, while they aimed for our window. Their bad aim only got us twice, but once almost through the window when we lingered too long.

This morning when I woke up the only sign there had once been snow on the streets is the damp chill of the day. It's so dark and grey here right now I'm confused into thinking it much later than 4:30 in the afternoon. Though it doesn't get to me, as I see scowls so clearly on others faces. Starbucks coffee is enough to keep me relaxed an happy.

xx, Kristin

Still No Internet

We have pretty much moved in to the flat. Sadly, I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of the place yet. Perhaps I'll do that today and post tomorrow?

We still haven't figured out the internet. It's our next project, but trying to get the internet when you don't have internet is a bit of a challenge. We've been going to Starbucks and a local pub - where I am now - to get some facebook and proper email time. Now that classes have started again, I've bonded with the postgrad room on the third floor of the library to use their internet.

My classes are really great. It seems we are really diving into exciting projects for our publishing assessment. For creative writing I'm going to have a ton of work to do - but I'm not complaining.

I want to be a writer so I must write.

I want to be an author so I have to write more and write better.

In conclusion: Bring it on - I'm ready.

I'll tell you all more about my classes at Kingston once everything has settled a bit more.
xx, Kristin 

ps: If you want my new mailing address - send me an email at: kberg032@gmail.com and I'll get back to you when I get the chance!

Flat on Old London Road

Two posts so close to each other? I must love you guys or something to keep you so well informed. 

The good news is -

I've moved into my flat.

The bad news is -

I won't have internet until we can figure that all out.

The good new is -

It will be an excellent excuse to get a lot done on my book. 

Once the place looks like someone lives in it, I have every intention of taking pictures of my flat. It's really cute, and I think it's the perfect little place for two students to live - minus the lack of desks in the place. We are going to try and get them to give us desks or at least another table tomorrow. Can you see me trying to write my book without a desk? Where will I keep my post-its!?

I think I also want to find a cheap long table or something - maybe an ironing board - to use as a table and hold up all my "trinkets." The flat didn't come with any shelving, so I'm having to be inventive on a budget. I'm using my suitcases under my bed to hold clothes and bags. I leave them open and use both sides to organize a bit. I'll be hanging all my shirts and sweaters in the closet. 

I'm laughing even now at how I have my room set up. You'll see what I mean once I take pictures. Tonight I've decided to stay one last time at Philippa's. My flatmate isn't back from her trip yet, and I don't really want to stay there alone - without internet or company on my first night. 

So, until I get my internet up this blog will be silent, but I promise the moment it comes up I'll make a little post telling you all I can skype and chat again. I honestly have no idea how long it will be, I don't know whats involved and I've never dealt with anything like it before. 

Growing up comes with a lot of tedious and frustrating situations. I've made it through them all so far - relatively unscathed. Sometimes I do wish that I was still a kid and had people taking care of me. I think they are better at taking care of me than I am of taking care of myself. 

Let the journey continue.

xx, Kristin

One Week

I've been back in London for a week.

Most of my time has been trying to fix my sleeping, catching up with friends, figuring out the flat situation, reading (that's one trilogy and three books down for the week), and continuing to work on my book. I've now finished a solid 30 pages, and have another 40 waiting for me to mold. This would be a lot harder if I hadn't finished the whole book two years ago.

Good times.

I should be moving into my new flat this coming Wednesday. This is the moment where I ask you all to take a breath and say a little prayer that everything goes smoothly, and my next nine months will be blissful and trouble-free in this place. It shows me to get my first flat on my own in a foreign city, on the day my flatmate won't be in town. 

However, no one should worry too much because I do have a lot of support on this end.

Support - I always seem to need it. It's worse than just plain approval, because you need to rely on someone to be supported. With approval it's all you until you look back and see the nods and smiles. Maybe this is a new goal for myself, seek approval not support. It will surly force me to grow a little more and make my own decisions at the peak of choice making time. I'll stop worrying about other people when I need to make decisions for me.

... OR maybe I'm just being stupid - Can't blame it on not sleeping enough, haha.

Anyway, it feels good being back in London even though I do miss my friends and family. I'll have to start working harder on those train-tracks over the Ocean right onto Main Street Cooperstown. What would that be called: Atlantic Rails, West and a Bit More West Trains, Sunset Station? Ah well - building first, names later - although Sunset Station gives me a good idea for a shortstory.

xx, Kristin