Back Across the Pond.

Well, here we go again.

It seems only yesterday that I arrived in Massachusetts, full of nerves and anticipation, ready to start my first year. Looking back, Freshman year was such a whirlwind. The first semester and hockey season flew by and before I knew it, I was flying home for summer.

Summer 2014 was one of the best summers I've ever had. I feel like I say that every summer, but that can't be bad thing! The best part about this summer was that I spent so much time with friends and family. I'm so happy that I got to visit lots of old friends from school and hockey. I think it's so important to keep in contact with people who have been a big part of your life, never forget where it all started! I was also fortunate enough to have travelled a lot this summer, which was amazing! We went to Oslo, then France and Spain. Obviously I can't forget our special trip to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. My previous blogpost is about our time at Glasgow if you want to check it out. Overall summer was a lot of fun, full of happy times and great memories. Thank you to everyone who I spent time with and made summer special, you know who you are :) I miss you all so much already.

Here are some photos from summer:

My flight back to America was lovely and smooth, I even arrived early! I did think I'd won the jackpot when they closed the plane doors and I had 3 seats to myself. This was then shattered when an old couple decided to move to my row because there was a crying child near their original seats. Not so lucky after all...

I'm so excited for my second year to start. I can't believe I'm a Sophomore already! We will all meet tomorrow, move in and then Pre-Season starts on Wednesday, ice baths here we come! I'm really looking forward to being back with the team, playing hockey again and enjoying every second of my time at UMass.

Here's to another amazing year at the Zoo!

Roll UMass!

Ciao,

Hannah x

A Fresh Start.

Ok, so here goes.

A fresh start.

Here I am over 10 months later finally writing another blog. I can't promise when my next blog will be, all I know is that I want to start writing again. I really would love to build up my blog, so I guess it's time to start putting some effort, consistency and persistence in place! 

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” - Albert Einstein

Over the past few months there have been a number of events that have put life into perspective for me. Certain things have made me realise that life is way too short to sacrifice your happiness. Therefore, I've made the conscious decision to do more of what makes me happy. I strongly encourage you to do the same.

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

I am feeling very refreshed after returning from a week in Spain with family and friends. We were fortunate enough to stay in a beautiful villa in Puerto Banus, near Marbella. The weather was flawless, we were blessed with wall to wall sunshine all day long. There were so many cafés, restaurants, bars and beach clubs to visit that I am already planning to return next year!

"If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax." - Christian Louboutin

In the forthcoming weeks I plan to spend some quality time with my family and friends before heading back to America. I'm looking forward to the upcoming weeks as there are some exciting things in the pipeline!

"The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy  - it’s all that matters." - Audrey Hepburn

So now I've made the promise to myself to keep up this blog. From now on, I plan to vary the content of my blog posts by exploring new topics and publishing more opinionated discussions. I also want to delve into broader subjects, such as writing about lifestyle, motivation, favourite products, popular trends, celebrities or even animals! 

Who knows!?

Ciao for now,

Hannah

Season Starts.

It's the weekend, finally. Firstly I want to apologise because I haven't been keeping up the blogs as regular as I wanted. I do plan to make them much more frequent, but everything is a whirlwind over here right now!

Since the last post I have now settled into my permanent dorm. I'm sharing with another girl on the Field Hockey team, Hailey. We all share with athletes in freshman year as they are able to understand the demands of being a college athlete, having to go to training, having games, getting plenty of sleep and 'trying' to eat healthy...etc! I'm even luckier than Hailey and I share the same sports schedule as we're on the same team :)

Most people living in my halls/floor are college athletes, such as baseball, soccer, crew and softball. It's really easy to socialise with other athletes at university as we all have a common ground. Obviously there are 'non-athletes' living with us too, who are (mostly) all really nice. I recently learnt an 'Americanism' for people who aren't athletes at college...they refer to them as 'NARP's) Non Athletic Regular People. Haha! Isn't it great?! Definitely need to introduce that in England!

We had a long bus journey to Maine to start our season! A good 5 hours at least each way. We stopped to cook and eat fresh lobsters for dinner followed by ice cream for pudding. Also the UMass tradition took place on our return. The tradition is that every new person on tw team has to stand at the front of the bus with big headphones on, and sing a song of ther choice through the microphone. I'll spare you the videos...they were all horrendous haha! Obviously I sang One Direction as the team all hate them, I have no one to share the 1D love with! Argh! Haha!

So far we've had a solid start to the season, with 4/4 wins, 3-2, 2-1, 6-0 and 3-0. We are ranked 14th and in our second game we beat Michigan 3-2, who are ranked 9th, a great scalp for us! I'm so honoured to be playing for UMass and I have been given pitch time in every game so far which I'm very appreciative for. I even scored my very first collegiate goal from a penalty corner against Lowell, which was obviously an amazing feeling as I didn't expect to score at all this season haha!

The hockey is going really well, we're practicing from 2.45-5.30, 6 days a week, combining video analysis and lifting also. As you can all imagine I'm loving life playing so much hockey and wing in this team environment, it's the best.

I keep remindig myself that I'm actually here to get a degree also, it still doesn't feel real, I have to pinch myself. A lot of the time I forget I'm actually in America! Classes have started now, so I'm getting used to my schedule and lectures, and trying not to get distracted in class by these American boys hahaa... I've decided to major in Journalism, specifying in Sports Journalism with a minor of psychology or sociology.

This past week I have been having some difficulty...language barrier and all. You wouldn't have thought I'd have trouble with translation, but communication with some Americans has proved problematic at points. Never have I ever had issues with pronouncing my name, yet here it's mind blowing, purely because I actually pronounce the 'a' in Hannah, whereas they say it as if its spelt 'Henah'.

The small difference of how I pronounce words in comparison to the yanks has been a repeatitive problem. This is a conversation I had in the dining hall today with a member of staff...

Me: "Where's the buTTer please?"

Staff: *blank face*

Me: "the buTTer?" *signals to bread*

Staff: *looks like I'm speaking Chinese*

Me: "Do you have any buTTer?"

Staff: "What is that?"

Me: "The stuff you put on bread..."

Staff: "OH, you want buddaahhh."

Just by actually pronouncing my T's, I nearly require a translator!!!

We have another game tomorrow against BC, and should be a tough one. We're on a 'roll', in a winning swing and ready for a battle on the field tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, but right now I'm desperate for a nap! So I'll just add a bunch of pictures for y'all to peak at ;)

Ciao,

Hannah x

UMASS BABY!

Alohaaa!

I thought it was about time for a blog post as I have finally found 30 minutes to lie down on my bed and write it...(even though its 11pm).

During the days it's non-stop and then at night I'm too tired to do anything. However, tomorrow we have our first 'lie-in', so I can afford a later bedtime...rebel, I know ;)

Sooooo...

I have no recollection of dates or days because, right now, I'm eating, sleeping and breathing hockey so my brain can only cope thinking as far back as beginning this blog. So bare with me!

So for these 2 weeks we are in 'pre-season'. This is where there is no lectures or uni work, literally just hockey. The first and second year students (freshmen and sophomores) are staying in dorms along a corridor, which is obviously great fun and just like starting boarding school all over again!

Near the end of August I will be moving into my permanent dorm with an American girl who's also on the hockey team :)

(University of Massachusetts Campus)

After literally dumping my suitcases in my temporary pre-season dorm the craziness began...

The first day was filled with standard stuff like physicals, meetings, getting equipment etc etc. Then it was all hockey timeeeee.

However first we had to complete the mile test. We had all been set target times that we were training for over summer and mine was 6.30. It was super hot (for an English kid) at 9am but we all ran it as a group and it was really motivating! I finished in a time of 6.33 which I am really happy about but also know I could've got those 3 seconds. Next time for sure...

On Tuesday we have the 300s fitness test so I'll be trying to hit my times in those as well!

A 'typical' day so far in pre-season has kinda gone like this...

- Breakfast 8pm

- Hockey 9am-11.15am.

- Ice Bath.

- EAT.

- Hockey 3pm-5.15pm.

- Ice Bath.

- EAT.

- SLEEP!!

Then there are extra things incorporated into the day such as video analysis, meetings or lifting in the gym.

(How not to ice bath...)

I'm having such a good time and everyone is so lovely! The team are great and so far I am loving the American uni life!!

The food is amazing! I get a cheeky little swipe card to get all my meals and there is so much choice and variation from sushi to steak, salad, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, pork, chicken oh I could go on...sweet potato fries...salmon...stir fry...Mmm Mmm Mmmmm.

(Just in case anyone wondered ^ BBQ Pork Steak, SO GOOD.)

Also, it is hilarious how some of the American girls react when I speak or say words they don't, such as 'full-stop', which they call 'period'. Or even a 'car-park'...parking lot. I have also figured they have no idea what a 'hen do' or 'stag do' is........their loss. Hahaaa. There are plenty more examples as well!

I do have a new America phone number now so don't text my old number. I'm using whatsapp to message you guys from home so message me on Facebook/twitter if its not working cause I'll need to alter your number to international :)

Yes, everything is super American out here. Literally how you see it in the movies haha...I'm even picking up some of their lingo ;)

I have been so unbelievably super busy that I'm pretty disorganised and have hardly had any contact with anyone from home! SORRY! Once I get settled into my dorm and the craziness has died down, I'll have it all under control and be back in contact with family and friends ha! But I'm fine and having a blast!

Well done to all you little clever beans from Casterton and Carlisle that got into Uni, I'm proud :) I'm chuffed the revision seemed to pay off for everyone and I'm also happy with my final results of ABB in English, Business and History of Art.

Ok, I'm genuinely about to fall asleep so I'm going to finish up...but I could literally write plenty of pages about everything so far, but I just wanted to touch base with anyone interested!

I'll be posting properly once I'm settled in my dorm and we've had our first game but in the mean time I might post some more pics!

Ciao,

Hannah x 

So Long, Farewell...

SOPPY POST ALERT. TISSUES AND ED SHEERAN MUSIC AT THE READY.

This is it! "Goodbye England!"

It seemed only yesterday that I was counting down 80 days to go at school and now it's here, I am leaving...TODAY. I can't believe it, how time flies!

I guess the most daunting part of leaving home today is, unlike most students who leave for university, I don't actually know when I'm next returning...

Most of you will know that us Farrell's like to travel, so it is very likely we could be spending Christmas abroad, meaning I wouldn't be returning home. Then that leaves summer...well 'summer'. That's where my dilemma begins. America actually has a summer, a hot one. England on the other hand.......

Yeah, you see my point.

Obviously there are loads of family and friends I will want to see by summer, but you might just have to come and see me if I catch a bad case of the 'American Bug'!

I'm currently lying in my favourite place (my bed) typing this blog, having no idea when I'll next be back home...which is kind of scary but so exciting at the same time!

Anyway, who knows where I'll be in one years time, I could be singing a different tune and ready to visit home...I said 'could be' haha!

All I know is that my final few weeks in England were brilliant, spent with amazing people making some great memories. One of the best summers I've had :)

It was so lovely to spend my last weekend with all our closest family and friends. Thank you everyone, top people! Love you all!

Next stop is New York for a few days with Mum, Dad and Tom before I head to Massachusetts and Tom returns to Oklahoma State for his final year at uni!! Scaryyyyy!

It's so strange experiencing the same emotions I did 9 years ago before starting boarding school. A completely different adventure, but so many similarities!

I am just SO excited for the future, new friends, experiences and challenges! 

Don't worry though, I'll miss this place. I'll miss the people, I'll miss the country, oh and obviously the English weather. NAAAATTTT.

Part of me doesn't know how to end this blog or what to say because it actually means I'm going...arghh...

...so errrrm we'll just go with a picture!

It's now the next morning and I'm sitting having my last fry up in Glasgow airport! 

That picture ^ was taken at 5.15am before we left so I was way too tired to even feel a little sad! Hmm yes, the car was a bit of a squeeze to say the least! Four 23kg suitcases, four 10kg small cases and four backpacks! Not forgetting four people...I won't specify weights!!

Anyway I better post this as I only have 30 minutes free Wifi. How generous of you Scotland...

See y'all on the other side of the pond!

Ciao for now!

Hannah x

PS. I did warn you it would get a little bit soppy!

What Do I Pack?!

Holaaaaaa

 

With less than 4 days before I leave for America, I figured today was the day to start packing. If you know me at all you will be familiar with my packing procedure. If not, here is how it usually goes.



1.  Realise I should be packing, but instead head to the fridge.
2. Procrastinate for hours until I have very limited time to pack.
3. Suddenly everything turns into a mad rush.
4. Chuck/stuff/squish/push/squeeze/throw as many items of clothing into my bag as possible.
5. Leave feeling very disorganised, knowing I have forgotten something. (usually my pyjamas)

Now you would think that after 9 years at boarding school and travelling up and down the country for hockey nearly every weekend I would have become a more efficient packer...no, nope, not at all, incorrect. Far from it actually.

 

However, this time round I thought I needed to get my game together and alter my packing method...giving myself a whole 4 days, hmmm.

 

Seeing as I am travelling across the world, approximately 3154 miles (that's 5076 kilometres for you Americans!), and staying there for the best part of 4 years, my parents have sacrificed one of their suitcases so I can have two. Which 'should' give me enough room...

I started my packing by going through ALL my clothes and making two huge piles, one pile consisting of what I wanted to take to America, the other, ultimately, for the bin. I had to repeat this initial process multiple times before I had a suitable amount of clothing in the 'America' pile.

Lets just say I kind of under-estimated how difficult packing was going to be. I need clothes to cover all seasons and weathers, from boiling temperatures to heaps of snow, blustering winds and so on. It is SO hard to prioritise clothing. Sympathy, PLEASE?!

 

I found myself going through old clothes thinking "What if I need it for..." and "I could wear it with...", even though I haven't worn it in years! This resulted in me having to be extremely disciplined and brutally throwing away clothes I wanted to take with me. Wahhhh :'(

I figured I'm not going to die without all my clothes and shops DO exist in the USA! However, this did not stop steps 2. and 4. from my usual process occurring. I am still no where near finished packing due to my procrastinating. My procrastination included: eating, sleeping, candy crush, YouTube, eating, tweeting, singing, eating, dancing, YouTube, TV - Location Location Location ;) and more eating. I even went for a run!? And then ate again...

Anyway, I have finally managed to zip up one of my suitcases after about 10 minutes of sweating, pushing, pulling and squishing it to fit. My other suitcase however, probably won't get closed until 5.00am Tuesday morning!

I'm slightly nervous that I will forget something really important...passport Hannah, passport!! I am also pretty sad that I can't take particular things with me which carry sentimental value because they are too big/heavy or won't fit.

But believe me, I am taking as much as possible haha!

I'm pretty sure step 5. will also remain the same. I guarantee I will leave home feeling super disorganised and knowing me, I probably will forget my pyjamas!!
 

 

Anywayyyyy this is already longer than I planned! So I will stop rambling on! In the future some of my blogs will be similar to this, some will be a picture or even just a video, so there will be a good variation :)

That's all for this blog folks! Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you did :) Even though packing is a right BORE, it has increased my excitement levels by 100% because it is all feeling so real now!

 

YAY!

 

Ciao,

 

Hannah x

PS. Let me know if you want notified via email when I post a new blog, there's still a few spaces left :)

 

Welcome.

Welcome to 'The Next Chapter'.

 

"I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way."

 

In 7 days time I am flying to the United States of America to begin my time at the University of Massachusetts.

 

Although I will be sad to leave rainy England, friends and family, my excitement outweighs any negative emotion as I begin such a significant part of my life.

 

"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will be able to treat life as art."

 

Through pictures, videos and written posts I aim to share some of my experiences on this blog. I am excited for a new adventure and whatever the future will bring!

 

Ciao,

 

Hannah x