TECHNOLOGY CAN BE GOOD.

Oi! Hello again. I figured I would type up a quick blog post on the apps I have been using to communicate with people back in the States. The wifi in my building is often times absolutely terrible, and when that happens (7pm to 11pm everyday) I yell at my phone (or computer) about how stupid each app is, but really I don't mean it. 

The first app that is least problematic and perfect for chatting is WhatsApp. It is a free messaging app that you can get on any device as long as you have phone number to set it up with. I love that it is so easy to use. It can usually send messages when wifi signal is low too, which came in handy when I forgot the receipt to top up my phone and couldn't communicate with anyone unless on wifi. It also has emojis, and since I have an Android, I think this is super fun. To be honest, I will probably continue to use this once I am back in the States since I am usually not without wifi. I just blimmin love WhatsApp. 

The next app is Skype, which is very well known. I use this almost everyday actually. I would say about 85% of the time if functions properly. Most of the issues I have are wifi related though...I think. 

The last app is Viber. At the beginning of the semester, I actually preferred this over Skype because it was working the best. But now it is my go-to if Skype is not wanting to function properly. This app is also free and is very multi-functioning. You can message, call, and video call with it.  

To be honest, all of these apps have saved me at some point during the semester. Along with this I use Facebook chat and direct messaging on Twitter. I have an actual phone plan here that gives me an allowance of data to use each month, so I do use WhatsApp while I am out and about in London. Hopefully this helped someone to find an app that may help with communicating with people abroad. Although, I feel like most people have heard of these before. But anyways, I hope you had a great weekend and have an even better week! I am off to Spain next week, so expect loads of blog posts once I return. 

A. 

Day trip to Brighton

Lauren, Maggie, and I decided to take a trip to Brighton last Friday. We hopped on a train at Victoria station fairly early...and by that I mean we left to get to that station before 9 am. First priority was stopping at Costa, obviously. Then we got on our train and headed towards Brighton. It only takes about an hour to get there. Upon arrival we decided to head down towards the beach, but ended up stopping into Waterstones for half an hour. This post will probably end up including loads of pictures, FYI. 

I absolutely love the beach. Usually I hate rock beaches, but they are perfect when it isn't warm outside. No sand in your shoes or stuck on your clothes! 

After sitting on the beach for a few hours, we walked to the pier. Most of the little shops selling were shut. And the rides don't start running until noon (we were there a little before that). We also got really lucky in the fact that it wasn't windy! at all!!

I couldn't believe how calm the water was. 

We also walked through the arcade area but I didn't take any pictures. 

For lunch we ate right on the beach. I had a brie and cranberry sandwich. Absolutely delicious. I'd recommend making yourself right now. It was so lovely to eat outside in the sunshine!  

We then decided to venture to the Lanes, which are Brighton is known for. 

We stopped into this tea shop after I recognized it from one of my favorite Youtuber's vlogs (at about 9:20). I had a 'Mojitea' which was super yummy, Both Lauren and Maggie had strawberry lemonade tea, which literally tasted like summer. 

We then headed back towards the sea in search these colored huts...which we found after a long walk down to Hove. We all went a little crazy with the amounts of pictures we took of these. But honestly, they were just too cute. 

As it was nearing sunset, we decided to head back towards Brighton and sit on the beach some more. And.....we took more pictures. 

This baby was running around without pants or a nappie on. He/she was also screaming, and wet from playing in the water. I think it was screaming because it was cold. 

I have about ten other pictures that look like this one. 

The tide was out and the beach suddenly grew into an actual beach with sand. 

By this point, we were all pretty cold from being outside almost all day. We decided to head back to the train station and catch a train back to London. 

I feel like I can say this now (having been to many places in the UK)....Brighton is definitely my favorite city in the UK. Seriously, if I had to live here, it would be in Brighton. We are also heading back to Brighton in about three weeks with the rest of our program. I am very excited about it and can't wait to go back!