Introducing Me

The first question I have always asked myself when I stumble across a new blog is, Who is the person who is writing this? So I find it only appropriate that my first post be to answer this question.  I am a 22-year-old girl from Southern California who will be leaving in two weeks to take a year-long study abroad at Kingston University, just outside London.  For privacy's sake, I will be referring to people by their first initial here.  As such, I am simply D. 

So, why am I taking a study abroad?  Quite simply, because I want to.  I have wanted to for years, ever since I found out this type of program exists.  I took myself to England when I was 18 and a senior in high school for my spring break, and fell in love with what parts of the country I saw.  Granted, I already had an obsession, but actually being there only made me want to go back, over and over again.  So, why not live there for a year? 

Of course, I now also have the added incentive of dating someone who lives in the UK.  My placement in the country is an hour-and-a-half train ride from his home.  While many people think that is a lot, it is the closest I could have been placed, and is much better than the eleven-hour flight that has been required to connect us for the last three years.  It is a change that we are both beyond thrilled about.

So who am I? There are so many facets to cover.  I am a Sociology major with a concentration in Social Work.  I am still in the process of deciding where in the social work field I want to work, though am leaning toward a battered women's shelter or anti-human trafficking campaign.  This past school year, I took a course in Braille Transcribing, and will be working on the manuscript for my certification this upcoming year.  I suppose you could say that I am a helping type person, who wants to help others through their situations in some tangible way.

I am a chronic History Channeller, especially regarding English/European and Biblical history. I enjoy creating period clothing and have attended many Renaissance Faires.  I have tried to get into reenactments, but unfortunately that has never worked out.

I also have Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis, also known as simply lupus.  It is an autoimmune disorder that, to put it simply, causes the immune system to go into overdrive and attack healthy tissue.  This can cause problems varying from minor skin rashes to joint pains to organ involvement.  I am extremely grateful that I am stable enough to take this trip.  It affects my daily life, but I refuse to let it define me.

I often work with children, whether babysitting or in daycare settings.  For the last three years, I have worked at my parent's church providing daycare for the Mothers of Preschoolers program (MOPS) and different covenant groups (Bible studies) that met during the week. 

Right this moment, this is all I can think of to post about myself.  As far as background information goes, it should be sufficient.  I hope that this has piqued your interest and that you will return to follow my adventures and my thoughts as I embark on a year living in the beautiful UK.