Hello again!
Sorry for that break. It’s been a busy few days. Stonehenge, Salisbury, clubbing, work, getting a cold and, finally, internet. I’ve got a bit of catching you up to do.
First Friday. Stonehenge was amazing. We couldn’t walk amongst the stones, but we walked pretty close around them. The stones are stunning not just because of their size, age and mystery, but also because of the “normalness” of the land around it. It’s all farms and little roads. Relatively flat, the mundane-ness is interrupted from time to time with a mound that at one point contained a dead person. I’m sure they’re all dust by now. Sheep graze and cars pass. It’s really windy and really cold. Luckily, though, the rain had stopped as soon as we get there. It was replaced by blue sunny skies and big fluffy clouds. We were very lucky.
Because it was so cold, we stayed long enough to slowly walk around it and take everything in, but not much longer. We scurried back onto the bus and headed to the nearby town of Salisbury. There my buddies and I ate at a pub called the Wig and Quill. I got a delicious pub food called steak and ale. There’s a picture of it on the facebook album I just put up with my other pictures from the trip. I’ll post a link soon for those who don’t have access to me via facebook. It was delicious and very filling.
After lunch we met back with our tour guide (who many ladies deemed exceedingly dreamy) and he showed us around the Salisbury Cathedral. The cathedral is amazingly beautiful. It’s apparently a rarity because it was built in one go over a relatively short period of time. Most other cathedrals are built piece by piece over the years and therefore show a variety of different time periods’ styles. This one is purely gothic. Amazing.
There are a bunch of fantastic things about the chapel, but I think the one you all would be particularly impressed with is that it is the home of the Magna Carta. Yes, that ancient document that is the predecessor of our fair land’s bill of rights. I got to see it with my own two peepers.
The day had been packed, but I still had one more very exciting thing to look forward to after my trip, a video chat with Joey! In anticipation of this event I took my computer with me to the Faraday house and stored it in a locked room so I could return and use their internet after the trip. I did not anticipate, however, that the Faraday house closes at 5:00 on Fridays. I also did not anticipate that it wasn’t open on Saturdays either. Brianna was a super friend and let me take her computer to posh McDonalds to talk to the boy (YAY!) but this also meant that I didn’t have a computer to do work with on the day I had set out for my work day of the weekend (BOOO!). I had a huge project to get done too. I was very nervous. I spent Saturday trying to get work done without my computer. I did research and brain stormed and sketched, but it wasn’t the same. I would have to wait until 11:00 AM Sunday to get it back.
In the mean time, my flat mates were planning a night on the town. Everyone was going out to a club, and I decided to join them. That’s what study abroad is for, right? We took a wile trying to find an outfit for me, and everyone had a hand in doing me up for a night out. After everyone was fluffed and polished we set off, taking a double decker buss to the correct part of town. The club was packed and very very loud. We stayed there until it closed at 3:30 in the morning. It was the first time I had really been to a club. I really enjoyed taking everything in. It’s kind of bizarre being the age of happening cool people in the world. They’ve always been older than me. Now here I am in the heart of London dancing fo’ real with all these crazy people my age (and avoiding the creepy drunk ones who were much older). Though it was a fantastic experience I don’t know when I’ll repeat it. I was exhausted and achy when we got home. My ears still hurt from the loudness of it, and I have a feeling that these things are a lot more fun if one is single, accompanied by a significant other or has consumed a more alcoholic beverages than I did. I think I prefer a night in a pub with friends.
I did not get enough sleep, because I had an amazing amount of work ahead of me. To make a long story short, I worked straight all Sunday and into Monday. I got about 2.5hours of sleep before class. Everything turned out great. My project went over very well, and that afternoon I napped a lot.
After my nap I had a lovely talk with my housemate Julia and we also have a very fun trip to a grocery store nearby. They have portable price-readers (a.k.a. AWESOME LAZER THINGERS!) and very good sales if you go late in the day. I bit of home work last night and then more sleep. This morning’s CMD class was fine, and then another nap this afternoon. I have to try to keep my cold from getting the best of me. I feel naps might help with that. I also just love sleeping. I sounds lame, but that’s the way it is.
Tonight: Avenue Q for my drama class. Maybe even wireless internet. My life pretty much rocks.
(Here's a link to the facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2255001&l=cb8cd&id=5522913)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Obama's Inauguration
Tuesday afternoon was inauguration day! It was very exciting. At four o'clock all students were invited to pile into our lounge-type room, nash on some free refreshments and follow the inauguration on a projected screen. The room was packed! My buddies had secured a nook in the corner that had its own TV and couches.
The British who work here and the faculty were all present. So many people showed up that they had to spill over into another room. I stayed in the more rowdy student filled one. People are saying that Obama is my generation's president, might as well welcome him with my peers.
It was really loud before the real stuff started happening. Important people would show up and the English news anchors would comment. When people started giving speeches, however, the room hushed. Obama's speech was amazing. I really don't have words to accurately explain the feeling in the room. We were all very inspired and extremely proud of our president, even more so because we were in a foreign country. This whole week it's been amazing seeing Obama on the news and on the front page of papers here in London. When he spoke, though, the filter of English culture was non-existent. Despite us being in another country, he was speaking directly to us.
In America Obama spoke in the early afternoon, but by the time the whole thing was over for us in England it was pretty solidly evening. Therefore, my friends and I though that this would be a great time to take advantage of our London experience and raise a glass to our new commander in chief. We walked down the street to the pub we visited last week and all got a drink. I had a half-pint of a beer called Old Speckled Hen. I didn't want to drink too much because I had a class in a little while. I left my buddies early to go to class, got to class, realised that the teacher didn't plan to show up and sallied on forth home via tube. And that, my friends, was where I was when Obama became president.
The British who work here and the faculty were all present. So many people showed up that they had to spill over into another room. I stayed in the more rowdy student filled one. People are saying that Obama is my generation's president, might as well welcome him with my peers.
It was really loud before the real stuff started happening. Important people would show up and the English news anchors would comment. When people started giving speeches, however, the room hushed. Obama's speech was amazing. I really don't have words to accurately explain the feeling in the room. We were all very inspired and extremely proud of our president, even more so because we were in a foreign country. This whole week it's been amazing seeing Obama on the news and on the front page of papers here in London. When he spoke, though, the filter of English culture was non-existent. Despite us being in another country, he was speaking directly to us.
In America Obama spoke in the early afternoon, but by the time the whole thing was over for us in England it was pretty solidly evening. Therefore, my friends and I though that this would be a great time to take advantage of our London experience and raise a glass to our new commander in chief. We walked down the street to the pub we visited last week and all got a drink. I had a half-pint of a beer called Old Speckled Hen. I didn't want to drink too much because I had a class in a little while. I left my buddies early to go to class, got to class, realised that the teacher didn't plan to show up and sallied on forth home via tube. And that, my friends, was where I was when Obama became president.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Classes and Wanderings
Hello all!
I'm so happy that you all are keeping up on my travels. I miss all of you, so it's super awesome when I get comments here and messages on facebook. It makes me so happy.
So these last couple of days have been packed full. Classes started on Monday and I think all of my CMD comrades are suffering from culture shock. This isn't our professors' CMD. I mean, that's why we're here, to gain a new perspective on life and our work, but since our professors' way has been the only way for so long it's tough trying to reconcile the two. We're all completely enamored with our two teachers, and the assignments are really going to make us stretch our design minds and our leg muscles. I'll tell you more about the projects as soon as I understand them better.
I will tell you that the project for our Multidisciplinary Design class has us visiting the Tate Modern (Museum of Art. To do this my buddies and I ventured into the City for the first time. The City is the oldest part of London, originally settled by the Romans. Since then it has been burned, bombed and rebuilt. It's got some of the oldest and newest structures in all of London. Today it is the business section of London, like our Wall Street. We clamored out of the tube stop, turned a corner and there was one of the Structures I have been waiting to see up close, St. Paul's Cathedral! I couldn't get Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins out of my head the whole day after that.
After admiring that magnificent structure my buddies and I proceeded to get very lost. We walked all the way across the City, and then back a bunch of it. We crossed the Thames and waled past Shakespeare's Globe Theater until finally. exhausted, arriving at the Tate. I was really tired. Really. Kate (a CMD flatmate of mine) used the term "cranky" as well to describe my state of being. I was pooped. We observed all we needed to and then left. I couldn't handle galleries at that point. Some other day. The way back to the tube station was painfully direct. I went back to Faraday, did some research for our project, dragged myself home via tube and collapsed in my bed. I don't remember too much bout the rest of that night. I think I attempted to do more CMD... nothing exciting.
NEXT DAY! Our first CMD class! Sandra, our professor, is wonderful. She's very sweet. (A CMD prof? Really?) We got to know each other, and also the ad design kids in our class. Yep. We got ad design. It should be interesting to see how they react to CMD, or how the class changes to accommodate the two majors. Of course, this isn't the 'Cuse brand of CMD, so who knows. We learned about branding and did an exercises making mood boards. Yep.
After class I decided it was cheaper to eat out here than to pay for the tube home and back, so Janet and I decided to get lunch and dilly dally until the inauguration party started at 4:00. We went to a cheap sandwich shop around the corner (recommended by Halley, another CMDer). It was delicious food, and the Chinese guy who runs it had a conversation with me about Obama. I can see myself going back there a lot. Good food. Friendly dude.
After lunch Janet and I decided to go to the Thames. Sandra had told me that a lot of family records are kept in a beautiful building there called the Somerfield House. Turns out they haven't been there for years. the ladies there were very helpful in pointing me in other directions. Basically, I'm gonna have to go to where ti all began. Bath. I hear it's lovely.
We had some time to kill so I asked Janet if we could try and find an arch that I though was very petty in a street nearby. We succeeded in finding it. After admiring it we walked under the arch, turned the corner, and there was Covent Garden. I was in heaven. From the covered plaza we heard a woman singing. We walked toward the music, and as soon as we passed through the door she started singing I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady. It was perfect. Janet and I flitted from store to store. i couldn't get enough of it. I even found the columns that Eliza sits upon. Yep! I got a picture!
Well, class is gonna start soon. I have three classes today. I'll write all about hose and Obama's inauguration as soon as I can. Until then, take care and keep on writing me!
Cheers!
I'm so happy that you all are keeping up on my travels. I miss all of you, so it's super awesome when I get comments here and messages on facebook. It makes me so happy.
So these last couple of days have been packed full. Classes started on Monday and I think all of my CMD comrades are suffering from culture shock. This isn't our professors' CMD. I mean, that's why we're here, to gain a new perspective on life and our work, but since our professors' way has been the only way for so long it's tough trying to reconcile the two. We're all completely enamored with our two teachers, and the assignments are really going to make us stretch our design minds and our leg muscles. I'll tell you more about the projects as soon as I understand them better.
I will tell you that the project for our Multidisciplinary Design class has us visiting the Tate Modern (Museum of Art. To do this my buddies and I ventured into the City for the first time. The City is the oldest part of London, originally settled by the Romans. Since then it has been burned, bombed and rebuilt. It's got some of the oldest and newest structures in all of London. Today it is the business section of London, like our Wall Street. We clamored out of the tube stop, turned a corner and there was one of the Structures I have been waiting to see up close, St. Paul's Cathedral! I couldn't get Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins out of my head the whole day after that.
After admiring that magnificent structure my buddies and I proceeded to get very lost. We walked all the way across the City, and then back a bunch of it. We crossed the Thames and waled past Shakespeare's Globe Theater until finally. exhausted, arriving at the Tate. I was really tired. Really. Kate (a CMD flatmate of mine) used the term "cranky" as well to describe my state of being. I was pooped. We observed all we needed to and then left. I couldn't handle galleries at that point. Some other day. The way back to the tube station was painfully direct. I went back to Faraday, did some research for our project, dragged myself home via tube and collapsed in my bed. I don't remember too much bout the rest of that night. I think I attempted to do more CMD... nothing exciting.
NEXT DAY! Our first CMD class! Sandra, our professor, is wonderful. She's very sweet. (A CMD prof? Really?) We got to know each other, and also the ad design kids in our class. Yep. We got ad design. It should be interesting to see how they react to CMD, or how the class changes to accommodate the two majors. Of course, this isn't the 'Cuse brand of CMD, so who knows. We learned about branding and did an exercises making mood boards. Yep.
After class I decided it was cheaper to eat out here than to pay for the tube home and back, so Janet and I decided to get lunch and dilly dally until the inauguration party started at 4:00. We went to a cheap sandwich shop around the corner (recommended by Halley, another CMDer). It was delicious food, and the Chinese guy who runs it had a conversation with me about Obama. I can see myself going back there a lot. Good food. Friendly dude.
After lunch Janet and I decided to go to the Thames. Sandra had told me that a lot of family records are kept in a beautiful building there called the Somerfield House. Turns out they haven't been there for years. the ladies there were very helpful in pointing me in other directions. Basically, I'm gonna have to go to where ti all began. Bath. I hear it's lovely.
We had some time to kill so I asked Janet if we could try and find an arch that I though was very petty in a street nearby. We succeeded in finding it. After admiring it we walked under the arch, turned the corner, and there was Covent Garden. I was in heaven. From the covered plaza we heard a woman singing. We walked toward the music, and as soon as we passed through the door she started singing I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady. It was perfect. Janet and I flitted from store to store. i couldn't get enough of it. I even found the columns that Eliza sits upon. Yep! I got a picture!
Well, class is gonna start soon. I have three classes today. I'll write all about hose and Obama's inauguration as soon as I can. Until then, take care and keep on writing me!
Cheers!
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Prime Meridian of the World!
Greenwich was absolutely lovely yesterday. Brianna, Janet, Hallie and I (all CMD buddies) hopped on the bus at 10:30 and zipped around the relatively uncrowded London learning a bit more about familiar and unfamiliar landmarks. We first circled around Westminster and learned about Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and a couple more. Then on through the strand along the Thames in the direction of the City. I had never been through this end of London before. I'll have to walk around some other time, but I did get a wonderful view of the tower of London and the Tower Bridge. Through the city into the East Side our tour guide told us of the history of London and the major events that helped make London what it is today.
Greenwich is about 6 miles downstream from where we started. We got off the buses on the north side of the Thames and took a Victorian era walking tunnel under the river. When you hear Victorian you think of a certain aesthetic. This bridge was certainly not of this aesthetic. It was literally a damp tile tube. I enjoyed it all the same!
Emerging from the tunnel I find myself in the middle of Greenwich. It was a sunny day and though the trees were bare the lawns were green. Soggy, but green. If you think about it, I had never yet been outside of the real dense metropolitan part of London, and though I'm pretty sure Greenwich is still technically London, is had a much quainter feel to it. My other room mates who went on the trip spent the day in museums. We spent it in markets!
When I go thrifting or to markets in the states I might enjoy ogling at objects that originate from the '70s, '60s or '50s. The objects being sold in this market easily and often dated back to the 1800's. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed the crafts that I saw. The Greenwich markets can offer some very good deals. I got a very nice blanket for my bed for £10. However, I also made an investment in a coat that I fell in love with. That was not such a deal, but still a good purchase. This coat is a knee length brown felt coat made by this Italian lady. It was such an experience trying it on and having her insist on buttoning it up for me and pull it here and there until I had put it on right. I turned around and all my buddies made a collective approval sound. Talk about peer pressure. Ha ha. Well, I wouldn't let this lady sell me anything. I tried on two nearly identical coats before I found the one that fit me perfectly. It's very soft, very warm and very London. I'm a bit in love with it. Ever since I bought it, however, I've been paying extra close attention to the money I've been spending on food and the like. I splurged in one place. Gonna be extra reasonable in another.
After the markets we met up with the guide again so she could take us to the Prime Meridian of the World. I learned about longitude and latitude and how they can be used to pinpoint a ship's location in the sea. We got to see different tries at making the perfect clock for ship captains. Most importantly, we got to straddle the meridian. I'll put up the pictures soon!
Today is my first day of classes. I have my Inter Disciplinary Design Studio this morning. The rest of the afternoon is free. I'll have to think of something to do. The BBC told me this morning that psychologist have determined that today is the most depressing day of the year. Good luck with that one everybody. More again soon!
Greenwich is about 6 miles downstream from where we started. We got off the buses on the north side of the Thames and took a Victorian era walking tunnel under the river. When you hear Victorian you think of a certain aesthetic. This bridge was certainly not of this aesthetic. It was literally a damp tile tube. I enjoyed it all the same!
Emerging from the tunnel I find myself in the middle of Greenwich. It was a sunny day and though the trees were bare the lawns were green. Soggy, but green. If you think about it, I had never yet been outside of the real dense metropolitan part of London, and though I'm pretty sure Greenwich is still technically London, is had a much quainter feel to it. My other room mates who went on the trip spent the day in museums. We spent it in markets!
When I go thrifting or to markets in the states I might enjoy ogling at objects that originate from the '70s, '60s or '50s. The objects being sold in this market easily and often dated back to the 1800's. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed the crafts that I saw. The Greenwich markets can offer some very good deals. I got a very nice blanket for my bed for £10. However, I also made an investment in a coat that I fell in love with. That was not such a deal, but still a good purchase. This coat is a knee length brown felt coat made by this Italian lady. It was such an experience trying it on and having her insist on buttoning it up for me and pull it here and there until I had put it on right. I turned around and all my buddies made a collective approval sound. Talk about peer pressure. Ha ha. Well, I wouldn't let this lady sell me anything. I tried on two nearly identical coats before I found the one that fit me perfectly. It's very soft, very warm and very London. I'm a bit in love with it. Ever since I bought it, however, I've been paying extra close attention to the money I've been spending on food and the like. I splurged in one place. Gonna be extra reasonable in another.
After the markets we met up with the guide again so she could take us to the Prime Meridian of the World. I learned about longitude and latitude and how they can be used to pinpoint a ship's location in the sea. We got to see different tries at making the perfect clock for ship captains. Most importantly, we got to straddle the meridian. I'll put up the pictures soon!
Today is my first day of classes. I have my Inter Disciplinary Design Studio this morning. The rest of the afternoon is free. I'll have to think of something to do. The BBC told me this morning that psychologist have determined that today is the most depressing day of the year. Good luck with that one everybody. More again soon!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Settling In
Today was a relatively calm day. I woke up earlier than most girls in my flat, got dressed and went out to the grocery store. We had no food in the house and I though making breakfast would be a nice surprise. The grocery store was a lot of fun. Nearly all the brand names are different. I had to make sure I was buying butter and not goose fat. They didn't have any pancake mix or syrup, but I found some nice bread and fixins for French toast. Yum! I also bought some flowers.
Back at the flat the girls slowly came out of their rooms and helped me cook up a breakfast of french toast and eggs. It was a lot of fun and super tasty.
After breakfast everyone went different ways. A bunch of girls went out shopping for home basics. I was pooped from shopping and cooking, so I took a nap and then went to McDonalds to get some internet. There I talked to Mom and Dad on Skype until my battery ran out on my laptop. As I was packing up the man sitting next to me initiated a conversation. Turns out he's a recently homeless guy who is studying astrology. He guessed my sign and told me a bunch of stuff about myself. It was a lot of fun talking to him about the English culture and all, but I made sure to walk around and into department stores and around the block before going to my nearby home afterwards just in case.
Back at the ranch the girls were all in various stages of unpacking and napping. Eventually Brianna, Amanda and I decided to go out for a walk We went to nearby Regent's Park and walked a bit through Queen Mary's Gardens until the sun was setting. We took the major roads back. I was leading the way the whole time and we didn't get lost. Yay!
Before dinner I had to go out and buy food. I got lots of good stuff for relatively cheap. For dinner I made a tasty lox and cream cheese (spreading cheese) sandwich and rice with curry sauce. Yum. I made too much rice so I shared with the girls in the flat who are all now promising to cook me delicious things. I like that.
Now I'm internet-ing and soon Bri and I will go and pick up some stuff from the store for a night in with the girls. We have 200 channels on our TV. Hopefully something fun will be on. Till then, cheers! I'll get pictures up soon, but out apartment is still upside down from moving in. Tomorrow: Greenwich!
Back at the flat the girls slowly came out of their rooms and helped me cook up a breakfast of french toast and eggs. It was a lot of fun and super tasty.
After breakfast everyone went different ways. A bunch of girls went out shopping for home basics. I was pooped from shopping and cooking, so I took a nap and then went to McDonalds to get some internet. There I talked to Mom and Dad on Skype until my battery ran out on my laptop. As I was packing up the man sitting next to me initiated a conversation. Turns out he's a recently homeless guy who is studying astrology. He guessed my sign and told me a bunch of stuff about myself. It was a lot of fun talking to him about the English culture and all, but I made sure to walk around and into department stores and around the block before going to my nearby home afterwards just in case.
Back at the ranch the girls were all in various stages of unpacking and napping. Eventually Brianna, Amanda and I decided to go out for a walk We went to nearby Regent's Park and walked a bit through Queen Mary's Gardens until the sun was setting. We took the major roads back. I was leading the way the whole time and we didn't get lost. Yay!
Before dinner I had to go out and buy food. I got lots of good stuff for relatively cheap. For dinner I made a tasty lox and cream cheese (spreading cheese) sandwich and rice with curry sauce. Yum. I made too much rice so I shared with the girls in the flat who are all now promising to cook me delicious things. I like that.
Now I'm internet-ing and soon Bri and I will go and pick up some stuff from the store for a night in with the girls. We have 200 channels on our TV. Hopefully something fun will be on. Till then, cheers! I'll get pictures up soon, but out apartment is still upside down from moving in. Tomorrow: Greenwich!
Bidet Day!
Seize the bidet.
There's no day like bidet.
Here bidet gone tomorrow.
Eight Bidets a Week.
The bidet is mine!
It's the first bidet of the rest of your life.
I'm having a bad hair bidet.
Independence Bidet (starring Will Smith)
It's a beautiful bidet in the neighborhood.
Save it for a rainy bidet.
Bidet Tripper (by the Beatles)
Ferris Bueller's Bidet Off
My flat has a bidet. We're very amused.
Have a nice bidet.
There's no day like bidet.
Here bidet gone tomorrow.
Eight Bidets a Week.
The bidet is mine!
It's the first bidet of the rest of your life.
I'm having a bad hair bidet.
Independence Bidet (starring Will Smith)
It's a beautiful bidet in the neighborhood.
Save it for a rainy bidet.
Bidet Tripper (by the Beatles)
Ferris Bueller's Bidet Off
My flat has a bidet. We're very amused.
Have a nice bidet.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Catching Up
I'm sitting in the poshest McDonalds EVER at 10:33 at night so i can get free wi-fi. The internet is on its way in my flat, so right now this McDonalds is the place! It's got these cool pleather swoopy chairs and fancy wall paper and everything. I'll take a picture later when I have my camera with me.
I just moved into the flat. We signed the lease yesterday and the landlord moved in the correct number of beds for us. The internet has been ordered up and everything is ready for occupation. They even gave us a bad of bed cloths. Nice of them. There was a bit of drama in the room selection process but hopefully everything is peachy. Yes, I'm living with seven other girls, but they are seven very lovely girls.
In the last couple of days I've been running around straightening a bunch out so I'm set to start classes on Monday. I have a pay-as-you-go phone that I bought for 4.50 pounds. Good deal. I also napped. I also visited a pub and got baby's first pint. I asked for a half pint (especially 'cause I already had a half pint with my dinner) but he misheard me. Brianna helped me out with it. It was a cider ale called Strongbow. It was delicious. Three CMD friends and I had gone to dinner together where I got a dish called the "Dirty Rat." It was a burger with blue cheese sauce. It was so delicious. Ask Bri, I talked about this burger for the rest of the night. I talked about it still today. I'm talking about it now, It was tasty. Then we went around the corner to a pub called the Queen's Lager. It was good times.
Today we registered our classes and got a couple official things figured out. We also signed up for some extra curriculars. I'm excited about two things in particular. One is a volunteering opportunity at a farm a bit a ways out. Another is a program called Host where I can sign up to be hosted a weekend at a time by people from all over the UK. I have to pay to get there and then they take care of me for a weekend. I'm really pumped. As soon as I know my schedule better I'm signing up for weekends.
So tomorrow I get settled in my flat and maybe do some exploring around my new 'hood and London in general. Sunday I go to the prime meridian (Greenwich) with a bunch of people. My favorite English guide individual is going on the trip and he said he'd be Bri and my's buddy. That's fun. More tomorrow and definitely more after my outing on Sunday.
Love to all! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Cheers!
I just moved into the flat. We signed the lease yesterday and the landlord moved in the correct number of beds for us. The internet has been ordered up and everything is ready for occupation. They even gave us a bad of bed cloths. Nice of them. There was a bit of drama in the room selection process but hopefully everything is peachy. Yes, I'm living with seven other girls, but they are seven very lovely girls.
In the last couple of days I've been running around straightening a bunch out so I'm set to start classes on Monday. I have a pay-as-you-go phone that I bought for 4.50 pounds. Good deal. I also napped. I also visited a pub and got baby's first pint. I asked for a half pint (especially 'cause I already had a half pint with my dinner) but he misheard me. Brianna helped me out with it. It was a cider ale called Strongbow. It was delicious. Three CMD friends and I had gone to dinner together where I got a dish called the "Dirty Rat." It was a burger with blue cheese sauce. It was so delicious. Ask Bri, I talked about this burger for the rest of the night. I talked about it still today. I'm talking about it now, It was tasty. Then we went around the corner to a pub called the Queen's Lager. It was good times.
Today we registered our classes and got a couple official things figured out. We also signed up for some extra curriculars. I'm excited about two things in particular. One is a volunteering opportunity at a farm a bit a ways out. Another is a program called Host where I can sign up to be hosted a weekend at a time by people from all over the UK. I have to pay to get there and then they take care of me for a weekend. I'm really pumped. As soon as I know my schedule better I'm signing up for weekends.
So tomorrow I get settled in my flat and maybe do some exploring around my new 'hood and London in general. Sunday I go to the prime meridian (Greenwich) with a bunch of people. My favorite English guide individual is going on the trip and he said he'd be Bri and my's buddy. That's fun. More tomorrow and definitely more after my outing on Sunday.
Love to all! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Cheers!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Prawn
It's like Shrimp. No, it's not Kosher. Yes it is tasty! Just had a prawn sandwich on oatmeal bread with mayo for £1.60. Soooooo delicious.
Finding a Flat
We were up again at seven in the morning for the grand opening of flat hunting. It really is set up like a bizarre little real-life game. Over one hundred kids are gathered in a room, given very useful tips about traveling around London and finding a flat (packed into a span on 1.25 hours), split into smaller groups for a briefing about London geography and neighborhoods, given a top secret list of flats that fit our needs and roughly our budgets, and then let loose, all at once, to secure a place to live. Alliances are made, deals are broken and plans are formed all within the first half hour of mayhem.
Bri and I weren’t sure who else we were living with. For a bit, a place with a few other CMDers (that’s Communications Designers for future reference) looked probable, but right before we split into smaller groups I find that they had a group of four all set. After thinking it over, the two of us decided that we could find a group easily that needed two more people if we had to, but in the mean time we’d look at places with the group of four to get our bearings. Another CMDer and her friend had the same idea, and we all got together making a group of eight girls.
The list contained names and descriptions of flats that are furnished and that are available for rent for only four months (as opposed to the usual six) and names and phone numbers of the landlords. After discussing our game-plan the eight of us decided the best way to go was to grab one of the English helper people to guide us around the city. To my delight the young gentleman we were given was none other than Louis, the chap from yesterday that suggested a stroll down to the Thames. In no time we had made an appointment across town in a half an hour to see our first flat.
With Louis on our side we were able to find the tube stop, get tickets, catch a train and find the correct meeting point with time to spare. Louis knew everything. He could tell us the best routs, the pros and cons of the neighborhoods, the characters of the individual landlords, and so on. I am absolutely amazed how he politely whisked a group of eight flabbergasted and clueless American females across the town without us getting run over, lost, mugged, starved or even late.
We saw a total of six flats in roughly seven hours. Louis explained the workings of London transportation. We got to ride the tube, catch a double decker bus, and even ride in black taxis. Louis said he’d never suggest we catch a taxi given how much they cost, but the real estate agency was nice enough to pay for our rides.
Our little group ended looking at eight person and four person flats. When we started out no one had agreed on specific living arrangements, but once we saw the first eight person flat we realized that finding a place that could fit all of us was very do-able. We could find a bed for everyone.
Somehow every flat we saw was nicer than the first, culminating in what Bri and I thought was a little too nice with shiny floors, a flat screen TV and leather couches. It was between this one, and the one we ended up going with that the group had a lively debate over. We were split almost down the middle with who wanted which place. It was a tough conversation because people who had never met each other before this morning now had a say in where everyone was going to live for the next four months.
The flat we decided on is the one I had fallen in love with. It has a beautiful red brick exterior. The stairs (all five flights if you don’t take the elevator) are green carpeted with Frank Lloyd Wright-esque windows. Inside the flat the floors are wooden and the rooms are spacious. We have two full baths and a total of four bedrooms. Somehow magically the rooms split up elegantly into who was willing to share with whom with one three-bedder, two two-bedders, and one single. We have internet. We have furniture. We have a washer/dryer. We might even have a cleaning service. We are around the corner to grocery shops and a tube stop. All and all, we are about 15 min from the happening part of London and I’d estimate about 25 from our classes. Sounds good!
Ok. Now I have to get dressed and sign that lease. We have a list of things we need to get done today, but thankfully, find a place to live is all taken care of. A good thing too, my feet and legs are so sore. I hope everything is well with you all. Don’t feel shy leaving me a comment here, on facebook or via my e-mail. Much love! Cheers!
Bri and I weren’t sure who else we were living with. For a bit, a place with a few other CMDers (that’s Communications Designers for future reference) looked probable, but right before we split into smaller groups I find that they had a group of four all set. After thinking it over, the two of us decided that we could find a group easily that needed two more people if we had to, but in the mean time we’d look at places with the group of four to get our bearings. Another CMDer and her friend had the same idea, and we all got together making a group of eight girls.
The list contained names and descriptions of flats that are furnished and that are available for rent for only four months (as opposed to the usual six) and names and phone numbers of the landlords. After discussing our game-plan the eight of us decided the best way to go was to grab one of the English helper people to guide us around the city. To my delight the young gentleman we were given was none other than Louis, the chap from yesterday that suggested a stroll down to the Thames. In no time we had made an appointment across town in a half an hour to see our first flat.
With Louis on our side we were able to find the tube stop, get tickets, catch a train and find the correct meeting point with time to spare. Louis knew everything. He could tell us the best routs, the pros and cons of the neighborhoods, the characters of the individual landlords, and so on. I am absolutely amazed how he politely whisked a group of eight flabbergasted and clueless American females across the town without us getting run over, lost, mugged, starved or even late.
We saw a total of six flats in roughly seven hours. Louis explained the workings of London transportation. We got to ride the tube, catch a double decker bus, and even ride in black taxis. Louis said he’d never suggest we catch a taxi given how much they cost, but the real estate agency was nice enough to pay for our rides.
Our little group ended looking at eight person and four person flats. When we started out no one had agreed on specific living arrangements, but once we saw the first eight person flat we realized that finding a place that could fit all of us was very do-able. We could find a bed for everyone.
Somehow every flat we saw was nicer than the first, culminating in what Bri and I thought was a little too nice with shiny floors, a flat screen TV and leather couches. It was between this one, and the one we ended up going with that the group had a lively debate over. We were split almost down the middle with who wanted which place. It was a tough conversation because people who had never met each other before this morning now had a say in where everyone was going to live for the next four months.
The flat we decided on is the one I had fallen in love with. It has a beautiful red brick exterior. The stairs (all five flights if you don’t take the elevator) are green carpeted with Frank Lloyd Wright-esque windows. Inside the flat the floors are wooden and the rooms are spacious. We have two full baths and a total of four bedrooms. Somehow magically the rooms split up elegantly into who was willing to share with whom with one three-bedder, two two-bedders, and one single. We have internet. We have furniture. We have a washer/dryer. We might even have a cleaning service. We are around the corner to grocery shops and a tube stop. All and all, we are about 15 min from the happening part of London and I’d estimate about 25 from our classes. Sounds good!
Ok. Now I have to get dressed and sign that lease. We have a list of things we need to get done today, but thankfully, find a place to live is all taken care of. A good thing too, my feet and legs are so sore. I hope everything is well with you all. Don’t feel shy leaving me a comment here, on facebook or via my e-mail. Much love! Cheers!
Day 1 (Continued)
So Bri and I set off on a little jet-lagged adventure. Just walking down an everyday street is wonderful. The double decker busses are everywhere as well as the black taxis.
TIDBIT: Taxi drivers in licensed taxis must study for (I think) four years learning every street, landmark and everything else about London before they can drive people around. They say it’s harder than getting a degree. Once they pass the test they are said to have “the knowledge.”
The architecture is a brilliant mix of modern, old, and really old (as it should be). I also love walking down the street and hearing snippets of conversations. I am fascinated by accents and the slang. I’ve picked the brain of every Brit I get into conversation with about pronunciation and word use.
TIDBIT: In England they say everything with more words than they need. They qualify everything with “quite” really” and “very.”
Give Way=Yield
Way Out=Exit
Even the cautions signs say things like this, “Fire Action: If you discover a fire…” It’s like, “Eureka! I’ve discovered a fire!” They even told us that if we need help we won’t get a good response if we ask directly. Instead we need to say something like, “Pardon me, sir, I happen to be drowning. Do you have a moment to toss me that life preserver?” That might be a bit extreme, but seriously.
OK. So. Back to my afternoon yesterday. Bri and I walked down a while until we got to a glorious building called the Somerset House. As far as we can tell it’s a huge gallery. It’s amazing from the back, the side and when we turn the corner suddenly there’s the Thames. It was amazing to see. Boats drift past. The water’s a kind of grey-brown-green with choppy little waves. We decide to get a better view while crossing the Waterloo bridge. As we step onto the bridge and look to our left our breath is taken away. There was the dome of St. Paul’s cathedral. They must be developing the area around there because there were also a bunch of cranes. It was all very picturesque, but nothing compared to the view when we turned to look over the other side of the bridge. Behind us the sun was starting on its downwards arc in the sky silhouetting Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London eye. I took a picture. It and all the other pictures I mention are up on my flickr account. Just follow this link to the album(and e-mail me if it doesn't work).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29126917@N04/sets/72157612552112646/
Our goal was only to see the Thames, but after being blown away by that skyline we decided to try to visit the actual sites up close and personal. We cross back over the Thames by way of the Hungerford bridge. Once back on the North side of the river we followed whatever path looked like it would take us in the right direction. (Of course we didn’t go down shady alleyways, always kept our bearings and had a map just in case, Mom.) Somehow we kept accidentally running into amazing things. This is how our rout went: (Now is a good time to have my picture page ready for visual aids.)
Across the Hungerford Bridge we accidentally wandered through Charing Cross Station.
Outside of Charing Cross station we accidentally wind up in Trafalgar Square. (pics!)
From Trafalgar Square we see Big Ben just down the road. (pics!)
On that road we see guards on horseback in front of the Guard Memorial. (pics!)
Walking through the Guard Memorial we end up outside St. James Park.
We follow St. James Park looking at the huge white pelicans and Buckingham Palace is right there peeking through the trees. (pics!)
We decide it’s time to start heading home, turn down a street that will lead back to the Thames and there’s Big Ben… like… right THERE.
We look through the buildings on the block we walked down see Westminster Abbey.
There’s Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. (pics!)
We walk down the shore of the Thames and pass Cleopatra’s Needle, an obelisk from 1500 BC.
We follow the Thames until we get back to where we started, admire the skyline once again but now in sunset and get back to our neighborhood just as it’s getting dark.
Needless to say, Bri and I were just speechless. Later I tell our English guide to apartment hunting about our walk (in fact, he’s the chap who suggested we visit the Thames in the first place) and he said that we unknowingly took probably the best possible walk around the big sites. I don’t know how we managed it. Also, Mom, Rick, let me point out that this entire time it was me choosing the directions and getting us from place to place and back without getting lost. Just sayin’.
The rest of the night included another orientation talk and dinner provided by SU Abroad. It also included me falling asleep on top of the covers facing the wrong way on the hotel bed out of sheer exhaustion. And thus was day, and thus was night and it was good. Next post, apartment hunting.
TIDBIT: Taxi drivers in licensed taxis must study for (I think) four years learning every street, landmark and everything else about London before they can drive people around. They say it’s harder than getting a degree. Once they pass the test they are said to have “the knowledge.”
The architecture is a brilliant mix of modern, old, and really old (as it should be). I also love walking down the street and hearing snippets of conversations. I am fascinated by accents and the slang. I’ve picked the brain of every Brit I get into conversation with about pronunciation and word use.
TIDBIT: In England they say everything with more words than they need. They qualify everything with “quite” really” and “very.”
Give Way=Yield
Way Out=Exit
Even the cautions signs say things like this, “Fire Action: If you discover a fire…” It’s like, “Eureka! I’ve discovered a fire!” They even told us that if we need help we won’t get a good response if we ask directly. Instead we need to say something like, “Pardon me, sir, I happen to be drowning. Do you have a moment to toss me that life preserver?” That might be a bit extreme, but seriously.
OK. So. Back to my afternoon yesterday. Bri and I walked down a while until we got to a glorious building called the Somerset House. As far as we can tell it’s a huge gallery. It’s amazing from the back, the side and when we turn the corner suddenly there’s the Thames. It was amazing to see. Boats drift past. The water’s a kind of grey-brown-green with choppy little waves. We decide to get a better view while crossing the Waterloo bridge. As we step onto the bridge and look to our left our breath is taken away. There was the dome of St. Paul’s cathedral. They must be developing the area around there because there were also a bunch of cranes. It was all very picturesque, but nothing compared to the view when we turned to look over the other side of the bridge. Behind us the sun was starting on its downwards arc in the sky silhouetting Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London eye. I took a picture. It and all the other pictures I mention are up on my flickr account. Just follow this link to the album(and e-mail me if it doesn't work).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29126917@N04/sets/72157612552112646/
Our goal was only to see the Thames, but after being blown away by that skyline we decided to try to visit the actual sites up close and personal. We cross back over the Thames by way of the Hungerford bridge. Once back on the North side of the river we followed whatever path looked like it would take us in the right direction. (Of course we didn’t go down shady alleyways, always kept our bearings and had a map just in case, Mom.) Somehow we kept accidentally running into amazing things. This is how our rout went: (Now is a good time to have my picture page ready for visual aids.)
Across the Hungerford Bridge we accidentally wandered through Charing Cross Station.
Outside of Charing Cross station we accidentally wind up in Trafalgar Square. (pics!)
From Trafalgar Square we see Big Ben just down the road. (pics!)
On that road we see guards on horseback in front of the Guard Memorial. (pics!)
Walking through the Guard Memorial we end up outside St. James Park.
We follow St. James Park looking at the huge white pelicans and Buckingham Palace is right there peeking through the trees. (pics!)
We decide it’s time to start heading home, turn down a street that will lead back to the Thames and there’s Big Ben… like… right THERE.
We look through the buildings on the block we walked down see Westminster Abbey.
There’s Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. (pics!)
We walk down the shore of the Thames and pass Cleopatra’s Needle, an obelisk from 1500 BC.
We follow the Thames until we get back to where we started, admire the skyline once again but now in sunset and get back to our neighborhood just as it’s getting dark.
Needless to say, Bri and I were just speechless. Later I tell our English guide to apartment hunting about our walk (in fact, he’s the chap who suggested we visit the Thames in the first place) and he said that we unknowingly took probably the best possible walk around the big sites. I don’t know how we managed it. Also, Mom, Rick, let me point out that this entire time it was me choosing the directions and getting us from place to place and back without getting lost. Just sayin’.
The rest of the night included another orientation talk and dinner provided by SU Abroad. It also included me falling asleep on top of the covers facing the wrong way on the hotel bed out of sheer exhaustion. And thus was day, and thus was night and it was good. Next post, apartment hunting.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Day One
Today was quite the day. Actually, it was two days. My Monday and Tuesday ran into each other, despite the attempts of the lovely people on Virgin Atlantic to simulate a night time and a morning time. I jumping the gun, however. The day started in Shaker heights Ohio.
Dad and Emily wished me a good trip and gave me hugs goodbye before they left for school, leaving Mom and I to do crazy last minute things like doing laundry(me) and baking muffins(mom). I ran around the house trying to find things I forgot, and finally we were off. Mom brought me to the airport, helped me check in and hugged me before security.
I had a short flight from Cleveland to JFK and then a long one from JFK to Heathrow London. The shorter one was just fine except for the screaming boy in front of me. However, thanks to my 21 year old cat's constant yowling I find that I've been trained to drown our obnoxious noise. It also helped that the kid was yelling in Turkish. Though I didn't mine the screaming the man next to me did. He was pretty well self contained except for a few agitated jerks and at most a shushing aimed at the boy. The poor man was also obviously afraid of flying, so I'm sure a screaming child didn't help his nerves. The only other notable aspect of the flight was the complimentary drink I had. Apparently they were out of tomato juice except for "spicy tomato juice." I tried a cup and it was delicious, though I can see how many people would disagree. It tasted like if you made Frank's Red Hot Sauce a little bit milder and into a drink. Yum!
The second flight was just looooong. They airline did all it could to make it more enjoyable, and the design of everything even down to the silverware and the safety pamphlets was a treat! I always love bold geometric vibrant and simplistic designs. Virgin airlines had it. That extra effort on the design front is not something that airlines seem to devote too often, but it really made the trip a lot more fun. We also had a plethora of things to do through the TV screen imbedded in the seats in front of us. I watched half a movie and an episode of a TV show, but for most of the flight I attempted to get comfortable and sleep. I wasn't very successful in either endeavor.
The most frustrating part about the trip, other than the failed sleep attempts, were the waits. This group flight served probably about 200 Syracuse students in one go. It was ridiculous. Lines wrapped around themselves and lasted forever. I was lucky enough to find my friend Brianna and her two lovely parents who helped me lug my luggage around. I don't know what I would have done without them. We had to wait to get on the plane, wait to get off, wait to be admitted to the UK, wait for our luggage, wait for our buses, wait to sign in at the hotel and wait for our suitcases to arrive. Oh well.
Brianna and I were absolutely exhausted when we got to the hotel, but we were advised not to sleep. After sending enough hints on the internet that we were still alive and well we decided to pass time by checking out an open house at the Syracuse University hub in London called the Faraday house. Mom, Rick, you would not believe it. Before leaving I looked at the map, and then left it in the room to see if I could get there myself. Since we had all afternoon I figurted if we got too lost we'd retrace out steps back to the hotel and start again. Not neccesary. We did not make a single wrong turn. It was maazin stepping outside of the hotel and seeing LONDON! The buildings are more quaint, the taxis are black and the cars are definitely different. Apparently the gas prices here are roughly $8.00 a gallon, so the cars have to be different. That plus the congestion fee one has to pay to drive around London makes the drivers pretty grumpy. I don't think I'll be crossing streets without a buddy for a while. Even when being careful I've had Brianna pull me back off the street a couple times while a car races around the corner.
We got to the Faraday house to find doughnuts, coffee and English people waiting for us. For this first week, SU abroad actually employs young Brits to talk to us and to help us out with the transition. Unfortunately Bri was too tired to speak much and eventually even I ran out of conversation. We thought we had killed a bunch of time, but it was still only 1:30 in the afternoon. As a last effort I asked one of the young gentlemen to suggest something around here for us to walk to. His answer led to the most memorable first day in London we could ask for. Apparently the Thames was only a 15-20 min walk away.
More in the next post. I'm gonna make a picasa page first. We can't have the details of my walk around London without pictures. La'ers!
Dad and Emily wished me a good trip and gave me hugs goodbye before they left for school, leaving Mom and I to do crazy last minute things like doing laundry(me) and baking muffins(mom). I ran around the house trying to find things I forgot, and finally we were off. Mom brought me to the airport, helped me check in and hugged me before security.
I had a short flight from Cleveland to JFK and then a long one from JFK to Heathrow London. The shorter one was just fine except for the screaming boy in front of me. However, thanks to my 21 year old cat's constant yowling I find that I've been trained to drown our obnoxious noise. It also helped that the kid was yelling in Turkish. Though I didn't mine the screaming the man next to me did. He was pretty well self contained except for a few agitated jerks and at most a shushing aimed at the boy. The poor man was also obviously afraid of flying, so I'm sure a screaming child didn't help his nerves. The only other notable aspect of the flight was the complimentary drink I had. Apparently they were out of tomato juice except for "spicy tomato juice." I tried a cup and it was delicious, though I can see how many people would disagree. It tasted like if you made Frank's Red Hot Sauce a little bit milder and into a drink. Yum!
The second flight was just looooong. They airline did all it could to make it more enjoyable, and the design of everything even down to the silverware and the safety pamphlets was a treat! I always love bold geometric vibrant and simplistic designs. Virgin airlines had it. That extra effort on the design front is not something that airlines seem to devote too often, but it really made the trip a lot more fun. We also had a plethora of things to do through the TV screen imbedded in the seats in front of us. I watched half a movie and an episode of a TV show, but for most of the flight I attempted to get comfortable and sleep. I wasn't very successful in either endeavor.
The most frustrating part about the trip, other than the failed sleep attempts, were the waits. This group flight served probably about 200 Syracuse students in one go. It was ridiculous. Lines wrapped around themselves and lasted forever. I was lucky enough to find my friend Brianna and her two lovely parents who helped me lug my luggage around. I don't know what I would have done without them. We had to wait to get on the plane, wait to get off, wait to be admitted to the UK, wait for our luggage, wait for our buses, wait to sign in at the hotel and wait for our suitcases to arrive. Oh well.
Brianna and I were absolutely exhausted when we got to the hotel, but we were advised not to sleep. After sending enough hints on the internet that we were still alive and well we decided to pass time by checking out an open house at the Syracuse University hub in London called the Faraday house. Mom, Rick, you would not believe it. Before leaving I looked at the map, and then left it in the room to see if I could get there myself. Since we had all afternoon I figurted if we got too lost we'd retrace out steps back to the hotel and start again. Not neccesary. We did not make a single wrong turn. It was maazin stepping outside of the hotel and seeing LONDON! The buildings are more quaint, the taxis are black and the cars are definitely different. Apparently the gas prices here are roughly $8.00 a gallon, so the cars have to be different. That plus the congestion fee one has to pay to drive around London makes the drivers pretty grumpy. I don't think I'll be crossing streets without a buddy for a while. Even when being careful I've had Brianna pull me back off the street a couple times while a car races around the corner.
We got to the Faraday house to find doughnuts, coffee and English people waiting for us. For this first week, SU abroad actually employs young Brits to talk to us and to help us out with the transition. Unfortunately Bri was too tired to speak much and eventually even I ran out of conversation. We thought we had killed a bunch of time, but it was still only 1:30 in the afternoon. As a last effort I asked one of the young gentlemen to suggest something around here for us to walk to. His answer led to the most memorable first day in London we could ask for. Apparently the Thames was only a 15-20 min walk away.
More in the next post. I'm gonna make a picasa page first. We can't have the details of my walk around London without pictures. La'ers!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
You Found It!
Huzzah! I have indeed created a blog. Of course, since I haven't actually left for London yet, I don't have much to say about my fabulous London experience... yet. So, right now, add this link to your favorites and make sure to check up on me from time to time. I'll also be creating a page for pictures so keep your eyes peeled for that. I leave for London this monday (the 12th), and I have a lot to do before that. I hope everybody is well and that you enjoyed your holidays. Cheerio!
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