Independence!

Today was a first - I rode the tube all by myself! And made it back in one piece!

I went to Primrose Hill, which is one of the poshest neighborhoods in London apparently. I believe it. I walked down the street with food shops and cafes and it was a lot of ladies who lunch and such. Rather lovely. It's home to all those Madonna/Gwenyth Paltrow/Sadie Frost types. Saw none of them sadly.

However, the real reason I wanted to go was for the park. Which is a lot bigger than I thought, but I got to see the loveliest view! So much of London was visible from there.

I then did some more walking and ended up back at Camden, which I went to last week. However, Camden is huge, and I was in a different area. Still, I had no idea I was that close! Reminded me of Driver's Ed when one day I was driving and I had learned exactly how some of New Orleans is connected - guess you don't learn those things when you're just sitting in the passenge seat eh?

I look foward to more solo adventures!

Summer's Over

That's right kiddos. My summer offically ended as of 10 AM yesterday morning, with my Structure of Politics as Communication lecture. (I think that's what it's called, it's a rather long class title).

It was a long summer, but a great one. And now, I know I was all, hmm classes won't be that bad, will be good to get into a routine.

And, I mean, they're not thattt bad. But just setting myself down to do the reading is difficult. I think I just need to get back into the swing of things. And also the idea that I only have a paper in each of these classes is marvelous! Kind of scary, but also marvelous!

So yes, besides Structure I had my Psychology of Communications class as well yesterday. My lecture/seminar leader is very strange but I like him. Long ponytail, sleeveless shirt, tattoos, played heavy metal as we walked into lecture, etc etc. And when we had to go around in seminar saying who would play us in the movie of our lives (Scarlett Johanssen, holla!), he said Tilda Swinton. Just to give you an idea.

Anyway, no class Tuesdays! So spent the afternoon at the Natural History Museum. No class Fridays either, so I'm sure will be doing another jaunt around the city. In fact, I plan on doing jaunts tomorrow and Thursday as well! There's always some time to do the reading, even if it is Sunday night?

Let's face it, I'm in London

Wow

It is still a little unreal that I am in London. I suppose later in the semester I might become a bit jaded, but for now I still think everything about here is amazing. I love it.

Highlights as of late:
-AMAZING food: coffee gelato, my first English breakfast (eggs, canadian bacon, beans, toast, chips, ahhh soo good), yummy thai, even the Weetabix I just ate a bowl of!

-Finally thinking that I understand the Underground. Think I'm ready for my first day of solo exploration on Tuesday!

-My really awesome flatmates.

-Beautiful, beautiful weather. Like I want to spend as much time outside as possible before the rain starts. Which it will, a local informed me at Hobgoblin (local pub) the other night. Way to rain on my parade (bada bing I'm here all week!)

Goal: To keep up more with news in America. Am feeling a bit out of touch and not good!

6.One Week!

This time last week I had just arrived at Goldsmiths. Crazy!

5. Fish and Chips

The highlight of my day yesterday?

Fish and Chips!!

Mmm, I love food. I love fried food. I love fish. Man, I'm now wishing I had taken a picture of my meal. But I was so damn hungry and excited.

The Oxford Arms, on Camden Road, where I enjoyed this meal, along with a nice Stella Artois.

We went to Camden to go to the market there, which has soooo much stuff there. Lots of cute dresses (in a Forever 21 vein), and I got a navy and white striped one. Of course. There was also a lot of gross tshirts and such. The salesmen there are slightly creepy and flirt with you, but I suppose it's OK because if you're nice maybe you can haggle with them. We also went to a classier market, with lots of stands with jewelry (where the vendors were often the people who made them, so that was nice).

This area is really funky, and I'm sure I stuck out as an American in my Gap. But it's all good.

Today, I finally found out when the rest of my classes are! I have a Monday morning and early afternoon, a Wednesday morning and a Thursday afternoon. Not too too bad. I like the three-day weekend!

Reflections

Answer: For the first time since getting here, am not drinking. My liver says thank you.

For the first night, I am also not going out. Need to rest up, there has been a lot of excitement the past couple of days!

Got a phone! Yay! Although still need to set up the sim card?? Ahh it never ends.

Had my first bit of ethnic food for dinner! A chicken kebab - esque thing from the local Super Kebab! Mm delish but I am still ridiculously full (also another reason why am not leaving my room, for it's weighing me down).

One of the reasons that I love this school so much: the location. As much as I love Richmond's campus, it can be a bit isolating and you have to drive everywhere. But it's so nice to just walk! And be in an urban environment, I really love that. It's a nice change. I took a long walk today and saw some lovely* residential areas! I love to explore!

*I sound even more of a tool when I say lovely here. Oy.

Wah Wah, Wee Wah

So the reality that yes, I will actually be taking classes here, set in this morning at orientation. But not for another week! Yay, I hope to be doing a lot more exploring, both of New Cross and of London in general.

I am lazy and no good at taking pictures. But I swear. They are coming. I just feel like such a tool, "oh look at that cute pub, let's take a picture!" I'm trying to fit in! Not look a tourist. But pictures, they will be coming.

I now have a student picture i.d. Woo!

Pip pip!

Well, it is day number 2 of London! I am too lazy to write a real post, but this is the post I wrote last night but didn't put up as had no internet.

Enjoy!

September 19, 2009

First day in London. Freaking exhausted after the plane ride, which landed before 7 am. And yes, my pick up from Gatwick wasn’t until 10. I managed to amuse myself until then though.

The dorm set-up is rather lovely, although it can be a bit isolating with the singles at all. But at least I have a private bathroom!

A highlight of the day: A dinner for the international students, at the church, served beer. Nice.
Me and some other Amurricans then went to the Student Union. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but it is a bar. And a dance floor. Like all I ever wanted.

Sadly, I am really tired and am writing this now when I could be dancing? However, it’s the right thing to do. And it’s only the first night. There will be plenty more.

Question: Can Elizabeth give her liver a rest this semester as she promised it? Only time will tell.

The Beginning

Tomorrow is the big day! Shoving off for London!

I am slightly nervous, but mostly excited. It's been a nice, long summer, but I'm ready for the next big thing!

I thought I would create this new blog if anyone is interested in the day-to-day happenings of my studying abroad. If you can stand to hear me blather about my favorite things, then maybe you'll like this too.

Cheerio!