Meet the Flat (and Other Points of Interest)

I apologize for posting so seldom. My excuse is that I'd rather be out experiencing new things rather than sitting in front of my computer telling about what I've experienced.
Now for some overdue basic information.
Living Situation: I live in a university-owned flat (or apartment) with four other girls. Maria is from Poland, and is studying English Literature. Cecilia is from Mexico, studying Literature and Theatre. Jessica is from Calvin College (yes, Hope and Calvin under the same roof, and getting along quite well!), and Jenny is from Juniata College in Pennsylvania. I spend a lot of time with Maria and Cecilia, cooking and doing homework, as well as going into town. Today, I went to a market with Maria and our friend Maria (who is from Italy) where we were tempted beyond endurance by Turkish pastries, French cheese, and Italian chocolate. We had a very decadent afternoon of studying and munching when we returned.
Classes: I am taking "Writing the Caribbean" which is very intriguing and recalls some of the things discussed in my "Intro. to Global Politics" course at Hope. I also have "19th Century Literature" and "Literature, Space, and Place" (which is 19th and 20th Century American Lit). I think classes are going well so far. Here, we spend fewer hours in the classroom than in the U.S., so I spend much of my time reading outside of class.
Books I've read so far:
A Small Place - Jamaica Kincaid
Journal of a West India Proprietor - M.G. Lewis
Mansfield Park - Jane Austen
Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
The Awakening - Kate Chopin
What's up next:
The Long Song - Andrea Levy
"Goblin Market" - Christina Rosetti (a poem)
The Color Purple - Alice Walker
Other News: Lindsey, the other girl here from Hope, and I have been attending the Christian Union. It has been amazing to meet and talk with others who share our beliefs and to encourage each other. There are so many lovely people in CU, and this is where we are making most of our British friends. It's hard to make friends with the British students in our classes since they seem to have already made their friends, and while they may talk to us in class, that tends to be the extent of it. We've also been attending Sunday services at St. Michael le Belfry (where Guy Fawkes was baptised). We've been to an event hosted by St. Mike's for university students which was fantastic: free dinner, prayer, and meeting new people, some of whom go to the other university in York.
One of our favorite activities is sampling the various cafes in town. Bennett's, a lovely place right across from the Minster continues to be our standby, but we've also discovered that Coffee Culture and Cafe 68 on Gillygate are delightful.
Last weekend, we went to a concert in which a guy we met in a fudge shop was playing. It was a wonderful mix of soulful jazzy music, a comic guitar duo, a drum ensemble, and rocked out folk music. Definitely a unique experience!
That's all I can think of to share for now! Feel free to suggest things about which you'd like me to share.

One Week Down

A little more than a week has passed since I began my journey to York. My traveling buddy and I flew out of Chicago Monday night last week, arriving in Manchester, from whence we took a bus to the school. After hauling my suitcase up a narrow flight of stairs, I was in my new room for the next few months. Since arriving, life has been a whirlwind of welcome week sessions, tours, exploring, and generally trying to settle in. Through all of this, I've met many fascinating people from around Europe and the world who are also international students. I haven't met many British people yet, but I'm sure this will come in time!
One of the highlights of my time in York so far is Evensong at the Minster, the giant cathedral in the city centre. The choral music is awe-inspiring, the Minster, with its vaulted ceilings and intricate carvings of stone and wood wondrous. Going a few times to this nightly event has been an amazing reminder of God's majesty and glory.
Another highlight has been wandering around the city exploring! There are sections of the old medieval wall that can be walked, and one of the first things to cross my mind as I looked out over the wall was, "This must be what it's like to stand on the walls of Helm's Deep!" (another reference to The Two Towers, in case you're not familiar with The Lord of the Rings). The city is also full of fantastic little shops and coffee and tea places.
Classes started yesterday. I think it will be a delightful semester!
That's all for now!