I have taken in upon myself to be as awkward as possible on the Tube; it is such an interesting place. In the mornings, it is very common to have a face smashed into someones armpit or to have a chin jammed into your back but heaven forbid if eye contact is made! Therefore...for those of you who know me...it's the perfect time to make things awkward! A simple smile directly into someones eyes and a friendly, "Good Morning" evokes a response more awkward than any I've ever experienced. Passengers quickly look away with a face filled with confusion and uncomfortable tension. It is a truly beautiful moment.
All that is left to complete my commute is to count the number of Beats headphones being worn and who the awkward person is receiving dirty looks for disturbing the silence broken only by "Stand clear of the closing doors! This train is ready to depart! MIND THE CLOSING DOORS!"
In tribute to those loud, obnoxious yet amazingly awkward headphone wearers...I dedicate this post to relevant and ironic songs that play in my head...
For my wonderful mornings of awkward encounters, I dedicate this beautiful song of complete randomness: Bicycle Race by Queen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lKwmMjcWfQ
This week, I was able to do something that I have never done before...I went to the ballet. Even for growing up dancing, I have never been to a live show. I have been considering attending since I arrived and since Swan Lake has been showing at the Royal Opera House, I knew I had to see it. On an impulsive moment, I made my way down to Covent Garden early to pick up a same day ticket. The opera house only had 60 of these tickets and I came very close to missing one. However, I bought a standing ticket for only 10 quid (my new favorite term for the pound). The show was amazing. Although I couldn't see the full state from top to bottom, I was so close to the dancers. It was absolutely gorgeous. The moment was one of complete show and gratefulness for the opportunities that I am lucky enough to experience.
It typical 'Taylor' fashion I almost missed the 4th act. In my curiosity I was wondering around the theater and went to look at some of the original costumes on display. Little did I know that the obvious thing to do would be to take my ticket. The door man was kind enough to let me back in after my eyes about popped out of my head in a look of terror. I was able to see the Odette and her Prince reunite.
For my perfect first ballet experience, I dedicate this song of beauty: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4 and also my favorite piece from the ballet itself: the waltz from Act 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lANZUesf3xU
This week also reaffirmed my feeling of happiness at my internship. The people there are fantastic and so great! Heather, a wonderful woman who I wish I knew better is heading to Africa for a six month sabbatical. She will have an amazing time and it was so touching the way the office came together to wish her well! After a cake and bubbly farewell in the kitchen we finished up our work and went to the local pub to send her off. It was a great change to get to know everyone and I cannot believe how lucky I am to be working with such amazing people. I can't wait to continue building these relationships.
To my coworkers who truly inspire me and to the organisation that does great things for great people, I dedicate Big Boss Man by Jimmy Reed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XklUL-3v9Dc...I sure did find me a good Big Boss Man.
I was able to spend the end of the week with the wonderful Angela Ianniello. It was great to see her and to catch up on all things wonderful, bland, and fabulous. We had a great time in Camden Town and back at the flower market. I cannot wait for her to be back in a few weeks and to bring that crazy cat Lady Cat-alie with her! KITTEN!!!!
I have so many visitors that I will be reunited with soon! I am also so excited to welcome TJ and miss Hannah from Montana next week! I am selfishly keeping them to squeeze all the information on their take over of their host countries (they're so wonderful how could they not take over!?) It's bound to be an amazing time! My old man is also coming in a few weeks! This is literally making my ears twitch because I am so excited. All those years of talking about this history and he finally gets to see it! I am honored and so proud that I can be the one to experience this with him.
As the second half of this journey begins, I become that much closer to seeing the rest of you from home! I am so excited to see you all and to be able to share London with you. But to be honest, I know that the real reason you are coming is to see MEEEE! Honestly, it's a little creepy, but I suppose I cannot deny you the life altering benefits that a glimpse of me will add to your life. To you travel hungry and Taylor obsessed crazies...I dedicate Mariah Carey's Obsessed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Yt0xJKDY8
Sunday was Alexa's birthday. Believe me, there is nothing more that makes me more proud, emotional, annoyed, homesick, and utterly giddy about my little sister turning 18. It makes an older sister just want to roll her eyes for the heck of it...don't ask how my mom feels about it :) But in all honesty, I am so proud of her. She is going to be start an amazing stage in her life and I can't wait for the belated celebration that will be coming soon on my return. Those of you that know my sister will already know this, and for those of you that don't...you will appreciate this anyway:
She rocks
She rolls
She's got polish on her toes
But when the day is done
She can be a lot of fun
I love her oh so much
Even when she throws a punch
She can't really hit that hard
But I'm good at playing the victim card ;)
This poem's not that good
But I hope you understood
That my sister is the best
Much better than all the rest.
To my sister that I love so so so soooo much! I dedicate Sisters by the Hanes Sisters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTef_onLNnw
I will end this extended post with saying that Winter has hit. This past weekend was freezing! I heard that the time has come when Londoners stop checking the weather and just assume that it is going to be terrible. It is time to whip out the scarves (oh wait...I wear those even when it's not cold!) and to accept the fact that I will probably not feel my nose or toes for the rest of my trip. However, Oxford Street has strung its Christmas lights and that yearly buzz of excitement and jolly anticipation has begun. The only thing left to do is suffer through Halloween and avoid all associations with that stupid day.
I would like to end with my favorite song. To winter, my favorite season for songs, and the person who loves all music of this time as much as I do, I dedicate Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMmSbxB_Sg
Cheers!
PS. If anyone is bored or interested in what else is on my YouTube playlist this week:
1. Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY
2. Crying on a Suitcase by Casey James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMO9tdrcoyQ
3. The Parting Glass by The Wailin' Jennys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4egb2gpIg4
4. Two Out of Three Aint Bad by Meatloaf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8JA9Qs2Mho
5. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ6fjGS1lRg
6. Hard to Love by Lee Brice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0liNLHmvKY
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
When I Make it to the Real Life, Grown-Up World...
1. I will never write an academic paper again!
2. I will have a fireplace.
- I love learning and I thoroughly enjoy school. I think that it helps me become a better person every day and I am able to contribute a little more to the world because of it. I am taking an Urban Tourism class where we have been learning about regeneration policies and how different kinds of tourism impacts a neighborhood. It is fabulous. I am learning so much. I am also taking an Art and Society class where we discover different masterpieces around London and talk about how they fit into society at the time. Again, this class is great and I am learning so much about the city that I live in. I am also taking a foreign policy class that is interesting and a little difficult to follow, but it is interesting to hear perspectives from around the world
- I really enjoy class, but the sitting and writing papers and essays just takes up too much darn time! I know that it's just a part of it and I will be fine. But I would much rather get home and read an entertaining book that doesn't make me think to hard or at least doesn't have an authority figure who requires an essay after I've read it.
2. I will have a fireplace.
- In which I will sit in front and read the previously mentioned book.
3. I will work at a place with an espresso machine.
- I am only slightly embarrassed to say that I look forward to work every Wednesday, primarily because I get to make a late using the AWESOME coffee maker. My boss Richard and the IT mastermind Bruno have been my unsuspecting coffee mentors. They don't know it...but I spy on them when they're in the kitchen. I probably shouldn't admit that, but I think it's worth mentioning that my barista skills have improved greatly.
- Work overall is great. I am earning more responsibilities and Directory of Social Change has been hosting some great conferences! The people are what make this place extraordinary! They are all great, caring people who really make the environment in the office comfortable and they are motivated by their jobs to make the business work in the most efficient and productive way possible. I am truly very grateful for all they have done for me and I look forward to the next half of my time there.
- Employees in the UK receive six weeks of paid vacation (or holiday as it is called here) a year. While, I think that is quite a lot and would probably never be able to take off that much work, it is the attitude that they have towards these holidays that I want to take with me. Holiday is a time for family and for seeing the world. The English travel around Europe and find their favorite places that they hope to pass down to their children. They also don't always go back to the same 'favorite'. Traveling around and discovering new places is something I've always wanted to do and I want to continue doing as I grow older. This rejuvenation and time for relaxation is something that I have to remind myself is important. While I want a very successful career and professional life, it's important to put that success to use by taking myself and my family on holiday. Beach time, anyone?
5. My guest bedroom will be the best of them all.
- 'Tis the season of guests! I had the honor to be visited by Anne and Emily 2 of my girls from home. It was amazing to see them and to be able to add two editions to our pack! I know that someday all my friends will be scattered all over the world. When they come to see me from all over the US, France, Switzerland, South America, and maybe even space ;)...then my guest room will be ready to entertain them and their families. There will be cute antiques and a comfy bed and enough pillows for an army! I love having guests and I look forward to all those who are coming soon; My dad, Angela, Natalie, and TJ. And even those who live here and just walk down the sidewalk or jump on the tube to come visit. One day, I'll host you all in style!
6. I'll prove to my sister that I can actually cook.
- I am a very good cook...no matter what my sister tells you. We all know there was a dish that I royally screwed up on...but no one can remember so it can't be that important. While I've been here, I have cooked some pretty good stuff. Broiled salmon with a honey, mustard and herb glaze along with some very good friend chicken and beef and broccoli are just a few! When I have my own kitchen and the means to stock my shelves...watch out Lex! I'll be better than you ;) I'm already a better baker...but bring it on!
7. I will have a spot.
- I haven't visited enough places in London yet to have a spot. I go to the same coffee shop once a week but other than that, I don't go out to the same place and I don't eat at the same place. But someday when I am a local somewhere, I will. I was able to go to some great places this week, including London Oktoberfest. Some of the Westminster girls went to the Bavarian Bierhaus for a beer last week. It was a lot of fun and although it wasn't Munich (it was also a Wednesday) we had us an eyeful of dirndles. I'll have to look into the purchase sometime...
- Anyway, on the way home I realized how great a spot can be. The Bierhaus isn't for a weekly visit, but having good conversation over a drink was a great way to break up tedious class and work. On the way back I was welcomed home to the first floor with laughter and delicious smells leaking out of the window. I walked in to say hello and found about 30 people all hanging out in the kitchen! I saw some friends and met some new ones and the room had such a great buzz of energy! After a late dinner of steak and risotto cooked by an amazingly humble neighbor...I realized that maybe that spot is closer and more 'at home' than you think.
8. I'll come back to London.
- I would like to come back here as an adult, if not sooner. This place already holds a special place in my heart and as I grow and mature and even change, I want to come back and see how the city has matured and grown and changed. I want to come back to these neighborhoods and see if they still feel the same. When Anne was here she made the comment that the streets look fake. It's kind of true. Some buildings just look like they have a mass produced front to look old. I think that is my US perception where there are no really old buildings. Old is relative and compared to Europe...US buildings are not old. Also, I went to Camden Market again this weekend (it's the huge one that I went to first) and I saw so many things that I missed the first time. I could keep revisiting places only to find new things every day! I want to come back and someday, I will.
Cheers!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Why I Should Have Been Born a Hobbit
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."
It had a perfectly normal door, with white paint and a doorknob on the right hand side. The door opened to a quaint little room, with a small desk and dresser and a simple yet comfy bed. In this room lived a girl. A girl who loved books, walks, and campfires. A girl who loves visitors and food. A girl who is awed by the simple things...the comfortable things...and the unexpected. This girl should have been born a hobbit.
If I were a hobbit I would have had to been born after Mr. Bilbo Baggins. I would have gotten much too frustrated with the unadventurous folk that lived near. All of these adventures that I've have really made me realize how boring of a story my life would make. *Family...don't take that the wrong way just keep reading and all will be explained.* It's true though. Bilbo fought a dragon, Frodo lost a finger, Gandalf had really good eagle friends, and Faramir could melt any girl's heart. I, on the other hand, get really excited by good chocolate and walking.
So let me apologize to those of you with limited Lord of the Ring experience...these following references mean nothing...just ignore them and read about what actually happened if you're interested.
This week went by crazy fast and I have not had much time to do anything but await today. My one month anniversary of living in London. Wow. It has flown by so far. You wonder how Tolkien fit all of those years into a few books. I've basically written a few books and it's only been a month! Imagine if I was walking to Mordor! You all would have to read these posts for decades! I digress.
I have been here a month and the novelty is not necessarily wearing off, but I'm used to being awed at completely random times. As I was walking home last night with some friends from DU (Evan and Kyle were visiting) we passed a gorgeous building; Somerset House. It is a huge cultural and art center located in London that looked like a palace that some old woman had talked her husband into commissioning. It was lit up and glowing in the dark and absolutely breathtaking.
"This is why I love this city," I told the boys. "This crap happens to me all of the time."
It's not crap, but the basic sentiment is true. This city surprises me every day. I love it here. From the simple things; like eating a dinner of creamed mushrooms, rice, and an amazing salad at Margaux's to my favorite breakfast of buttered toast and tea it's the simple things that make me sigh with content*. I also found a great coffee shop near one of the campuses that I sit at and finish my reading for class. The guys making coffee are fabulous. They're attractive and attentive, and I hear on a good day they fill a giant bowl with numbers that they get...hey whatever brings in business. I bet they fill that bowl on a slow day! Anyway, it's the routine that makes me feel like I fit in here. Seeing the same faces and smelling and tasting the same things makes me feel like I actually live here. It's very comforting.
I do miss home. I miss all the people at home. Today, I was able to talk with my family and friends from the Shire; Mom, Dad, and Lex. Along with the besties Ashley and Brittany along with the one and only Marisa. Katie and I had a fabulous Chipotle dinner on Tuesday to talk about everything to comfort our homesickness. Not only that but my Fellowship (Babes Abroad) how the heck do we have the conversations we do. I also have a great family here. Westminster girls...you rock. I am so lucky to have such a great support system both at home and here abroad in what I will now call Gondor. Thank you all!
A month sounds so long, yet it's really not. My girls here have really made this place home. We went to a chocolate festival yesterday. Yes, I released my inner Peregrin Took and made myself sick on chocolate samples and truffle making. It was glorious! It's no wonder that hobbits eat all day long. They should! Why miss out on anything and only by having that many meals in one day will I be able to eat all the chocolate present in that one room on that one day. Send me to Valinor and call me an elf!
I'm pretty sure my office can be dubbed a part of Middle Earth. I love it. The people are fantastic and I am learning so much. It's an amazing opportunity to work within this country as well as study. It is also a very humbling experience to learn from such amazing people who are teaching me the ropes and giving me as many opportunities as I ask for. Thank you Directory of Social Change!
Since I cannot stay on one train of thought for very long, I return to the main topic of this post; Why I should have been a hobbit. I love food; markets, Monday night dinners with Margaux and Desiree are a highlight of my week, and my craving for beer is easily fulfilled here where I think Meriadoc Brandybuck would be proud. I love adventure; walking this city has made me wish I didn't need to wear shoes as my trainers have holes in them. I love my place here in this city; my room is nothing special but what it represents is huge. I am just one person in this big old city. I live my life and the percentage of people who notice me is very small. I am okay with that. The comfort I have started to get from this city means more to me than any experience I have had so far. I live here. I work here. I am a part of this community and I have excelled at it. I belong here just as much as anyone else and I could be very successful here. It is comforting to know that I can live anywhere. I have proved that to myself. No, London is not Antarctica, but it is different than anything I have every experienced. I have navigated the culture, the people, and the "system" and I truly believe that I can conquer anything. I am looking forward to the next two months and hope they are filled with as much fun, laughter, and cider as this month has been.
Cheers!
*Yes Ms. Parker, everything listed here is food but there's more I promise!
It had a perfectly normal door, with white paint and a doorknob on the right hand side. The door opened to a quaint little room, with a small desk and dresser and a simple yet comfy bed. In this room lived a girl. A girl who loved books, walks, and campfires. A girl who loves visitors and food. A girl who is awed by the simple things...the comfortable things...and the unexpected. This girl should have been born a hobbit.
If I were a hobbit I would have had to been born after Mr. Bilbo Baggins. I would have gotten much too frustrated with the unadventurous folk that lived near. All of these adventures that I've have really made me realize how boring of a story my life would make. *Family...don't take that the wrong way just keep reading and all will be explained.* It's true though. Bilbo fought a dragon, Frodo lost a finger, Gandalf had really good eagle friends, and Faramir could melt any girl's heart. I, on the other hand, get really excited by good chocolate and walking.
So let me apologize to those of you with limited Lord of the Ring experience...these following references mean nothing...just ignore them and read about what actually happened if you're interested.
This week went by crazy fast and I have not had much time to do anything but await today. My one month anniversary of living in London. Wow. It has flown by so far. You wonder how Tolkien fit all of those years into a few books. I've basically written a few books and it's only been a month! Imagine if I was walking to Mordor! You all would have to read these posts for decades! I digress.
I have been here a month and the novelty is not necessarily wearing off, but I'm used to being awed at completely random times. As I was walking home last night with some friends from DU (Evan and Kyle were visiting) we passed a gorgeous building; Somerset House. It is a huge cultural and art center located in London that looked like a palace that some old woman had talked her husband into commissioning. It was lit up and glowing in the dark and absolutely breathtaking.
"This is why I love this city," I told the boys. "This crap happens to me all of the time."
It's not crap, but the basic sentiment is true. This city surprises me every day. I love it here. From the simple things; like eating a dinner of creamed mushrooms, rice, and an amazing salad at Margaux's to my favorite breakfast of buttered toast and tea it's the simple things that make me sigh with content*. I also found a great coffee shop near one of the campuses that I sit at and finish my reading for class. The guys making coffee are fabulous. They're attractive and attentive, and I hear on a good day they fill a giant bowl with numbers that they get...hey whatever brings in business. I bet they fill that bowl on a slow day! Anyway, it's the routine that makes me feel like I fit in here. Seeing the same faces and smelling and tasting the same things makes me feel like I actually live here. It's very comforting.
I do miss home. I miss all the people at home. Today, I was able to talk with my family and friends from the Shire; Mom, Dad, and Lex. Along with the besties Ashley and Brittany along with the one and only Marisa. Katie and I had a fabulous Chipotle dinner on Tuesday to talk about everything to comfort our homesickness. Not only that but my Fellowship (Babes Abroad) how the heck do we have the conversations we do. I also have a great family here. Westminster girls...you rock. I am so lucky to have such a great support system both at home and here abroad in what I will now call Gondor. Thank you all!
A month sounds so long, yet it's really not. My girls here have really made this place home. We went to a chocolate festival yesterday. Yes, I released my inner Peregrin Took and made myself sick on chocolate samples and truffle making. It was glorious! It's no wonder that hobbits eat all day long. They should! Why miss out on anything and only by having that many meals in one day will I be able to eat all the chocolate present in that one room on that one day. Send me to Valinor and call me an elf!
I'm pretty sure my office can be dubbed a part of Middle Earth. I love it. The people are fantastic and I am learning so much. It's an amazing opportunity to work within this country as well as study. It is also a very humbling experience to learn from such amazing people who are teaching me the ropes and giving me as many opportunities as I ask for. Thank you Directory of Social Change!
Since I cannot stay on one train of thought for very long, I return to the main topic of this post; Why I should have been a hobbit. I love food; markets, Monday night dinners with Margaux and Desiree are a highlight of my week, and my craving for beer is easily fulfilled here where I think Meriadoc Brandybuck would be proud. I love adventure; walking this city has made me wish I didn't need to wear shoes as my trainers have holes in them. I love my place here in this city; my room is nothing special but what it represents is huge. I am just one person in this big old city. I live my life and the percentage of people who notice me is very small. I am okay with that. The comfort I have started to get from this city means more to me than any experience I have had so far. I live here. I work here. I am a part of this community and I have excelled at it. I belong here just as much as anyone else and I could be very successful here. It is comforting to know that I can live anywhere. I have proved that to myself. No, London is not Antarctica, but it is different than anything I have every experienced. I have navigated the culture, the people, and the "system" and I truly believe that I can conquer anything. I am looking forward to the next two months and hope they are filled with as much fun, laughter, and cider as this month has been.
Cheers!
Getting ready to make truffles at the chocolate festival! Photo is from Youka!
One of the many holes in my trainers...
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Why it is Essential to Always Have a Plan...and Why Those Plans are Absolutely Worthless
I have always had mixed feelings toward plans. I have experienced efficient planning that leads to successful events with my mom, and I have also flown by the seat of my pants with my friends for years. All of these experiences have almost always been successful and not to mention a great time. So...I have never really known where I fall; am I a planner, or am I not?
London has not solved this quandary. When I am in unfamiliar territory with places to be on a deadline, planning is a must. Also, living in east London, when the Tube closes at midnight and where the night bus takes ages to get anywhere, requires at least some general guideline in order to avoid paying for a taxi. I've been planning. I've also seen those plans go up in flames at the precise moment that they're meant to guide me to success (preferably on a yacht, in a Formula 1 race car, or atop angels wings on very special occasions) ...
I've planned for fun:
Every Monday, Desiree, Margaux and I meet for dinner. It's great! Good company and good food is an amazing way to start off the week. Unfortunately, my week started off a little crazier than that. I need a trench coat. So, I took myself down to the Burberry Factory Store; 50-70% off...chyeaaahh! As expected it was still a little out of my price range but still outrageously fun to walk around and touch things.I had a backup plan! It was time to head downstairs to wash some clothes...
4 POUNDS FOR ONE LOAD IN A WASHING MACHINE THAT ONLY HOLDS 3 PANT LEGS!!! There was no way that I was going to or ever will pay that. Washing 1.5 pairs of pants for 4 pounds (not including the drying) was definitely not happening. Hello sink...
I spent the rest of the morning before class washing the necessities by hand in my cute little sink. I'm becoming very primitively domestic. Ahh such skills I will have! Now I plan my outfit two days in advance so I can wash and it has time to dry...jeans take two days. Tragically, so falls another plan into the burning pit of failure and bare legs cringe at the prospect of goosebumps sure to appear under damp jeans.
I've planned for academia:
Classes here are much different than at home. There are primary and secondary reading lists and it's sort of a guessing game which books will do the most good. I finally sat down to research which books I needed to purchase and which books I was able to check out from the library. It was simple really, I requested the necessary books from the library to pick up at the Regent Street campus and made sure the books I needed to buy at the bookstore were in stock. I planned to leave for class early the next morning to pick them all up.
What should have only taken an hour turned into three consecutive days of 1.5-2 hours/day of walking to find these books. The University has campuses all over; some within walking distance of each other and some not. I walked and searched, sometimes not finding the right building or finding the store to be closed, and even discovering my books were not ready for pick up. I still do not have my library books. Ugh. To make matters worse, there are so many people and so many tourists in the city that nobody walks on the correct side of the sidewalk and major pedestrian congestion is chronic. They drive on the left! So walk on the left for cripes sake! The good news is, all of this walking is really helping me stay in shape...
I plan for exercise...kind of:
I have done my best to stay in shape while I am here. As I've said before, London is a walking city and I take advantage of that while also using the stairs...all the time. But, I thought it was time for a little more structure so I went to Argos (the local everything-you-need-to-survive store). It was raining that night. I love rain. I planned my short journey that would only take me twenty minutes to walk to in the rain. I thought it would be relaxing and refreshing. False. After a little detour and an hour later I finally found it. Only to my utter confusion, I only found catalog kiosks in this tiny little store. I tried to look up some dumbbells and my frustration made it nearly impossible for me to hold in my screech of anger, so I quickly left empty handed and walked back...(which by the way was only 20 minutes when you take the right streets). I still ended up walking about twice as long as planned, which is a common occurrence.
Note: I ended up figuring out the system the next day when it was light outside, not raining, and I had a good night's sleep. Dumbbells and workouts have been in place ever since.
I plan to 'Oxford':
I had a wonderful Saturday in Oxford with Desiree and Margaux. We had planned everything. Desiree and I left early so that we could get to Paddington station with enough extra time to get our tickets. You see the think about London's public transportation is that they like to do maintenance on the weekend. The direct lines to Paddington were closed. After rushing and waiting for the late bus, with frantic calls to Margaux who was trying to get tickets but couldn't because we needed the booking card...we made it with just enough time. But not to fear! I had the rest of the day planned thanks to my handy dandy England guidebook! A trip to Oxford University, walking down high street, and a meal at the Eagle and Child is what we wanted. Turns out (after much walking and staring at numerous maps) Oxford University is made up of lots of different colleges and not really open to the public for free. Campuses are scattered around the city and there is not a main building to attach to the touristy "I came to visit Oxford" photo.
For lunch, I wanted to visit the Eagle and Child, a cozy little pub that Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and other brilliant folk used to frequent in order to talk and write their books. Also, with the commanding encouragement of Joshua Brewer I knew that I needed to snap a photo or two. We walked in, ready for some heavy English pub food and feeling good about the cute little setting. When the girls walked to the bar to order, they were told we had to wait forty minutes while the new food shipment was unloaded. Okay...no thank you! It's 14:00 and we're starving! We left. We found greener pastures however, at a cute little French restaurant that probably gave me the best meal for the best price that I have had since I arrived in the UK. Margaux graciously informed me that of course it was the best...it's French.
The day was really very wonderful. It was great to get out of London for a little bit and being with great friends is always an occasion to have a great time. We walked around the University Park and watched some rugby. It was a fun casual way to laugh and get our fill of boys in little shorts doing manly sport. Unfortunately, none of them were the eye-candy type, but the idea was still a good one. We walked around Magdalene University and snapped lots of photos while discussing where our lives will be in a few years. It seemed a rather fitting topic of conversation to be had in a place that is built around knowledge.
I plan to play it by ear:
Even though it's hard for my plans to come out exactly how they were planned, there are some days where I don't plan. After a quick lunch with a friend I had a about an hour to kill before class. I needed some notebooks and I ended up at PoundLand in Kilburn. Not the greatest neighborhood but I always enjoy discovering new areas that I have never been too. I got a great deal on notebooks and my love for PoundLand grows every day.
I also was able to visit St. Paul's Cathedral with my Art and Society class. It's beautiful and grand to say the least. You'll have to look at photos from Google at the inside because I couldn't take pictures. It took my breath away, and a trip to the top of the dome gave me the best view of the city I have seen so far. It's gorgeous. I plan to go there for Sunday service next week. I went to Wesley's Chapel this week with is also amazing on a much smaller scale.
Fun fact: Not familiar with St. Pauls? YOU'RE WRONG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4
I ended the week celebrating Andrea's birthday. With a visit to Greenwich and the Meridian we spent a wonderful Sunday discovering new sights and as always...spending it in good company.
I'd like to end this post with a shout out to the wonderful people of DU. Congratulations on hosting the first Presidential Debate. From what I saw and heard, the event was amazing and the University was playing it's best hand right at the perfect time. Congratulations to those in charge (Sam, Parker, Stuart, Ariel, Gergana, and whoever else I'm missing from this) you all pulled out a no hitter. And congratulations to Vince Szilagyi for being brilliant and basically branding himself a bad ass for the time being and until probably forever. I wish I could have been there with you. I'm so proud!
So, am I a planner? I'm not so sure. My genetics will probably always insist that I plan, but I have found that it's more appropriate to consider those plans a rough outline and always accept peer editing.
Until next week,
Cheers.
London has not solved this quandary. When I am in unfamiliar territory with places to be on a deadline, planning is a must. Also, living in east London, when the Tube closes at midnight and where the night bus takes ages to get anywhere, requires at least some general guideline in order to avoid paying for a taxi. I've been planning. I've also seen those plans go up in flames at the precise moment that they're meant to guide me to success (preferably on a yacht, in a Formula 1 race car, or atop angels wings on very special occasions) ...
I've planned for fun:
Every Monday, Desiree, Margaux and I meet for dinner. It's great! Good company and good food is an amazing way to start off the week. Unfortunately, my week started off a little crazier than that. I need a trench coat. So, I took myself down to the Burberry Factory Store; 50-70% off...chyeaaahh! As expected it was still a little out of my price range but still outrageously fun to walk around and touch things.I had a backup plan! It was time to head downstairs to wash some clothes...
4 POUNDS FOR ONE LOAD IN A WASHING MACHINE THAT ONLY HOLDS 3 PANT LEGS!!! There was no way that I was going to or ever will pay that. Washing 1.5 pairs of pants for 4 pounds (not including the drying) was definitely not happening. Hello sink...
I spent the rest of the morning before class washing the necessities by hand in my cute little sink. I'm becoming very primitively domestic. Ahh such skills I will have! Now I plan my outfit two days in advance so I can wash and it has time to dry...jeans take two days. Tragically, so falls another plan into the burning pit of failure and bare legs cringe at the prospect of goosebumps sure to appear under damp jeans.
I've planned for academia:
Classes here are much different than at home. There are primary and secondary reading lists and it's sort of a guessing game which books will do the most good. I finally sat down to research which books I needed to purchase and which books I was able to check out from the library. It was simple really, I requested the necessary books from the library to pick up at the Regent Street campus and made sure the books I needed to buy at the bookstore were in stock. I planned to leave for class early the next morning to pick them all up.
What should have only taken an hour turned into three consecutive days of 1.5-2 hours/day of walking to find these books. The University has campuses all over; some within walking distance of each other and some not. I walked and searched, sometimes not finding the right building or finding the store to be closed, and even discovering my books were not ready for pick up. I still do not have my library books. Ugh. To make matters worse, there are so many people and so many tourists in the city that nobody walks on the correct side of the sidewalk and major pedestrian congestion is chronic. They drive on the left! So walk on the left for cripes sake! The good news is, all of this walking is really helping me stay in shape...
I plan for exercise...kind of:
I have done my best to stay in shape while I am here. As I've said before, London is a walking city and I take advantage of that while also using the stairs...all the time. But, I thought it was time for a little more structure so I went to Argos (the local everything-you-need-to-survive store). It was raining that night. I love rain. I planned my short journey that would only take me twenty minutes to walk to in the rain. I thought it would be relaxing and refreshing. False. After a little detour and an hour later I finally found it. Only to my utter confusion, I only found catalog kiosks in this tiny little store. I tried to look up some dumbbells and my frustration made it nearly impossible for me to hold in my screech of anger, so I quickly left empty handed and walked back...(which by the way was only 20 minutes when you take the right streets). I still ended up walking about twice as long as planned, which is a common occurrence.
Note: I ended up figuring out the system the next day when it was light outside, not raining, and I had a good night's sleep. Dumbbells and workouts have been in place ever since.
I plan to 'Oxford':
I had a wonderful Saturday in Oxford with Desiree and Margaux. We had planned everything. Desiree and I left early so that we could get to Paddington station with enough extra time to get our tickets. You see the think about London's public transportation is that they like to do maintenance on the weekend. The direct lines to Paddington were closed. After rushing and waiting for the late bus, with frantic calls to Margaux who was trying to get tickets but couldn't because we needed the booking card...we made it with just enough time. But not to fear! I had the rest of the day planned thanks to my handy dandy England guidebook! A trip to Oxford University, walking down high street, and a meal at the Eagle and Child is what we wanted. Turns out (after much walking and staring at numerous maps) Oxford University is made up of lots of different colleges and not really open to the public for free. Campuses are scattered around the city and there is not a main building to attach to the touristy "I came to visit Oxford" photo.
For lunch, I wanted to visit the Eagle and Child, a cozy little pub that Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and other brilliant folk used to frequent in order to talk and write their books. Also, with the commanding encouragement of Joshua Brewer I knew that I needed to snap a photo or two. We walked in, ready for some heavy English pub food and feeling good about the cute little setting. When the girls walked to the bar to order, they were told we had to wait forty minutes while the new food shipment was unloaded. Okay...no thank you! It's 14:00 and we're starving! We left. We found greener pastures however, at a cute little French restaurant that probably gave me the best meal for the best price that I have had since I arrived in the UK. Margaux graciously informed me that of course it was the best...it's French.
The day was really very wonderful. It was great to get out of London for a little bit and being with great friends is always an occasion to have a great time. We walked around the University Park and watched some rugby. It was a fun casual way to laugh and get our fill of boys in little shorts doing manly sport. Unfortunately, none of them were the eye-candy type, but the idea was still a good one. We walked around Magdalene University and snapped lots of photos while discussing where our lives will be in a few years. It seemed a rather fitting topic of conversation to be had in a place that is built around knowledge.
I plan to play it by ear:
Even though it's hard for my plans to come out exactly how they were planned, there are some days where I don't plan. After a quick lunch with a friend I had a about an hour to kill before class. I needed some notebooks and I ended up at PoundLand in Kilburn. Not the greatest neighborhood but I always enjoy discovering new areas that I have never been too. I got a great deal on notebooks and my love for PoundLand grows every day.
I also was able to visit St. Paul's Cathedral with my Art and Society class. It's beautiful and grand to say the least. You'll have to look at photos from Google at the inside because I couldn't take pictures. It took my breath away, and a trip to the top of the dome gave me the best view of the city I have seen so far. It's gorgeous. I plan to go there for Sunday service next week. I went to Wesley's Chapel this week with is also amazing on a much smaller scale.
Fun fact: Not familiar with St. Pauls? YOU'RE WRONG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4
I ended the week celebrating Andrea's birthday. With a visit to Greenwich and the Meridian we spent a wonderful Sunday discovering new sights and as always...spending it in good company.
I'd like to end this post with a shout out to the wonderful people of DU. Congratulations on hosting the first Presidential Debate. From what I saw and heard, the event was amazing and the University was playing it's best hand right at the perfect time. Congratulations to those in charge (Sam, Parker, Stuart, Ariel, Gergana, and whoever else I'm missing from this) you all pulled out a no hitter. And congratulations to Vince Szilagyi for being brilliant and basically branding himself a bad ass for the time being and until probably forever. I wish I could have been there with you. I'm so proud!
So, am I a planner? I'm not so sure. My genetics will probably always insist that I plan, but I have found that it's more appropriate to consider those plans a rough outline and always accept peer editing.
Until next week,
Cheers.
Margaux and Desiree at Oxford
Game at a local market
Cows! I'm home!
Magdalene College (aka part of Oxford University)
A lawn Vince would be proud of
View from High Street of another Oxford campus
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