Beginning.

Monday:
I had to skip class because I couldn't figure out how to open the door and thought I was stuck. Basically nothing happened and every time I thought I would get out the house cause I felt bad for wasting the day I realized I could leave... Kinda Sucked.
I was craving a hard shell taco too cause I thought I smelled taco meat cooking but it was just a meat sauce for some pasta, sadly.
Also, I booked places to stay in Brussels and Berlin. The place in Berlin is gorgeous and I'm super excited to go now. I just have to research directions and things to see and then I'll be all set for NEXT MONTH!

Tuesday:
I woke up at 6:30 due to a dream that was odd and creepy then I woke up again at about 10. I got stuck again but this time I decided to investigate what was stopping the door and figured out the skeleton key actually has a purpose as a second lock for the door.
Earlier in the week I learned that Amanda and Kelly had never heard of Friendlys...this is ridiculous and blasphemy and can't possibly be true. In class I met a girl from the Cayman Islands who apparently hates it here and that was pretty much it...

On a side note I started reading Percy Jackson, it's pretty good. Not great, by any means, but good. I kind of wish the characters were older because as I get older I can't picture 13 year olds in my head. Especially boy ones, they always end up looking 16...

Anywho,
Adios

Weekender Edition

MUSEUMS, MUSEUMS, PALACE, AND PARK!

Friday:
Woke up and thought I had pink eye...I'm fine now, but I could have sworn. So, yeah I had to go to an appointment at STA about Scotland with an eye that couldn't quite do what eyes do and look normal. Guy probably thought I was high or working off a hangover or something, which I wasn't.
We were going to go to the Doctor Who Experience but it turned out that people here actually like and respect their TV shows and go to events held for them. So, we're gonna have to go some other time.
We decided to go to the Natural History Museum instead and holy crap, it was crowded... So many little kids with their back packs and parents running around waiting 15 min. for the Dinosaur Hall. Just ridiculous. Had a blast.


HEY! Side comment: Go check out Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, and Hard'n'Phirm. They make nerd sound awesome.

Saturday:
Went to the Science Museum and pressed some buttons. The Brits still have the heat turned all the way up even though it's 50 degrees out. I really enjoyed the Medical exhibits and the Airplanes.
Afterwards Amanda and I went on a walk to Hyde Park where we spent 30 min. just walking on the North path and then we promptly got lost in a subway where we walked in a circle and came out 50 yards from where we entered...the place smelled like piss too, good times.
Then we went to Covent Garden and got the greatest hot chocolate in the world at Muffinski's, the muffins were good but the hot chocolate was better. We got back on the tube after and went to Leicester Square where we found the adorable Asian imports store in China Town again and perused for a while over the brightly colored merchandise.
Then we headed back to Nido and Amanda and I decided to try the restaurant next door which caters to students. The pizza was delicious and the drinks were strong. I had a Mojito with an entire tablespoon of sugar at the bottom and it wasn't that bad if you didn't drink the sugar. Then we ended up talking for 2 hours there before we made the observation that we needed to ask for the check. This place is so awesome they give you free shots with the check and we almost stayed and asked for a bottle of whatever they gave us. It was the least alcoholly tasting alcohol I've ever had, it was sweet too which I liked. I also, throughout the course of the meal talked Amanda into living in Vermont this summer to work at Kanazawa with me! YAY!
That was all I did Saturday, I just went home and crashed after that.

Sunday?
I slept in. Until 11am. I fell in love with Will Wheaton on the Nerdist Podcast and read my ethnography that I need to write a review on. Then I stopped reading it cause it's only semi-engaging. I went out and bought dinner at Tesco Express in the form of a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich, sliced apples, tropical punch, cheetos wannabes, and chocolate milk. With a Bounty (Mounds) for desert. Greatest meal ever.
I also watched Gnomeo and Juliet and must say that Shakespeare was my favorite character... I also planned a trip to Hogwarts a.k.a Alnwick Castle.
I discovered my new favorite thing too. You have to be there to understand it.

ENJOY YOUR BURRITO...

Wednesday.
Illustration, where you're supposed to be more anal about your sketchbook than how often you take a shower. She wants references, sketches, artists you like, and everything we do in class. It's too bad black and white prints cost 25 pence each page or I would totally have all that stuff ready now. Whatever people that assume suck.
Anywho, we did 5 minute heads and I must give my thanks to Jen because without having done them before they would not have had any resemblance to whomever I was drawing. It was essentially bonding day for the class and we all cracked jokes and got to know each other. Unfortunately I didn't catch many names. We'll get there.
I then stayed up late reading because I'm a huge nerd and indulged my nerdness by listening to the Nerdist Podcast because it's awesome.

Thursday:
Sat next to a smelly kid in my workshop class and he decided typing meant smashing the keys like they were going to be bolder on the screen the harder he hit them. He also made those deep nose sniffs that aren't even okay when you're really sick let alone when you're sitting next to a person in a quiet computer lab. Did I mention it was 60 degrees and gorgeous out while I was in class all afternoon for 3 hours straight learning nothing and getting nothing done? Cause that happened.

OH! I flossed my teeth today.

Then I went to Kelly's and we got tipsy and sang some songs with the muppets and various other bands.

I Feel Kinda, Sorta Bad

But not really.

MONDAY!
I had the day off so I slept in, took a shower, read some of my book and then tried not to contract hypothermia. It was a full morning really.
In the afternoon I went to see the fantastic Amanda to plan our trip to Berlin and both my and her preludes to Brussels and Paris respectfully. Unfortunately when I got back to the house the key would not work...at all. So I entertained myself for about an hour and a half by taking a walk around the block and then heading to Tesco Express to get a snack. By the time I had done all that Bridie was home and I got inside. (be prepared for more of these stories because I feel like they'll occur.)
I then proceeded to watch a lot of Rhett and Link because I felt I should and they're great.

Tuesday...
I basically got up, read some Nora Roberts, and dragged myself to class. Nothing really exciting happened in class but I did bond with the 5 girls I was grouped with cause our discussion group had to be divided since our teacher wasn't there. Also, I called EasyJet to cancel my seat from Paris to Berlin and I'm really bummed about wasting $70 because they don't do refunds but I don't care, now I'm more experienced and will read the fine print before booking for Dublin.
I also realized how much I miss Adelphi because I'm not there to go through the RA process with everyone, I'm not in on inside jokes, and I'm one of those people that likes to be in on everything and experience it all first hand instead of having it retold to me. Whatever, I'm in London.

I Almost Died Sunday...

Let's talk about that...

Ah, plans and how I constantly break and make different ones. Paris is no different. I'm not going anymore, I decided spending my life savings (seriously, $90 for a train ticket) just to go to Paris is a waste of my time and money plus I only wanted to go to see the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. So, I made a promise to myself that in my future there is a trip to just Spain and France exclusively.
In walks Loryn the Cheapskate with mother's nagging voice in my head constantly complaining about me needing to get a 3rd job just to have money for next semester. And inevitably I have to cancel a flight from Paris to Berlin, I already booked one from Brussels and I bought my train ticket to Brussels ($60) and I just need to look for Hostels which are $8-15 a night in Berlin and then plan something to do or whatnot.
Essentially this trip is only going to cost me $250 with all expenses and maybe even shopping since I don't plan on buying much, just taking photos.

Friday:
Kelly and I went to the National Portrait Gallery where we chilled with Austen, a Bronte sister, George Washington and Princes Harry and William. We wandered aimlessly around for a while since we were near both Trafalgar and Leicester Squares where we found a row of Pizzeria's all selling pizza from the same ovens under different names...
Then we headed over to the Millenium Bridge, unfortunately I did not bring my camera because I thought we were only going to do the Gallery. We did see the Tower Bridge from afar, walked past the Globe, past the replica of my greatx5678 grandpappy Sir Francis Drake's ship and ended up and the London Bridge station where we promptly took it back home.
When I got back ironically my host mother had made me pizza for dinner. After dinner I started listening to LastFM.com and rediscovered DaVinci's Notebook - The Gates. Also, I have decided to officially start stalking Charlie McDonnell if it's the last/only thing I do while I'm here.

Saturday:
I stayed in bed...like all day. I just could not for the life of my find enough energy to move farther than the breakfast table all day.
I finally finished the HUNGER GAMES! Not okay for little kids. I laughed, I cried, I wanted people to stop all the damn dying and killing but I loved it. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
This was also the day I had my Brussels>Paris epiphany.

Sunday:
I felt guilty for staying in bed all Saturday so I went out in the afternoon and thought I would take some photos at Finsbury Park the tube stop after Arsenal. I got there and some football playing black guy tried to flirt with me but I just laughed him off and kept on walking into the park taking photos. I got some pretty good ones. I found a duck pond with Canadian Geese and swans, this was exciting. Then I found some really cool textured trees with moss only growing on one side with a very noticeable line where it stopped.
On my way back I noticed a store that reminded me of Big Lots in sketchiness and in cheapness so I wandered in and found nicely priced drinks and pistachios. As I was standing in line there was a huge black kid trying to steal a package of cookies after he opened it and ate one. The "security" guy tried to stop him and told him he had to pay for them and the black kid got mad so they started pushing each other around. The black kid got in a punch while the security guy tried to kick him in the groin. Eventually the black kid shoved him into the cash register nearest them and left all pissed off leaving his stick of a cousin behind since he didn't help or stop the big one. By this time the cops have been called and they shut the doors so no one can get in or out but the manager tells them to take the skinny kid to the back until the police get there because she doesn't want to lose customers because of stupid kids.
Needless to say, I didn't almost die. I wasn't even scared he was gonna go all apeshit. I just wanted my pistachios and juice boxes... This is how I came to the conclusion that I will only go to Manor House if I want to return to Finsbury Park.

The End. Bitches.

GAME NIGHT!

Wednesday:
Arsenal game at Emirates meant that Piccadilly was human 3D Tetris. I wasn't sure the doors were gonna close with my backpack near the door but since a guy got on after me and nudged my in so my head was below 2 armpits and I was bent over backwards I was fine. I did what any normal Londoner would do and pulled out my Nook to read Hunger Games.
I had Illustration again too which essentially meant doing the same exercise I did in AP Art junior year where we use found objects to paint with ink. We had to do 20 drawings of one of the objects from the stories we chose so I just kept drawing hands holding rocks...She liked them but no one actually got to 20, I think me and this other kid Cullum tied with 12-13 each.
I also was told that I had to come back with a British accent which will be easy to fake if it's not there in 3 1/2 months but I'm guessing there will be something different in how I speak.

Thursday:
Made some guy friends in class and afterwards I stopped at a corner store where I found the beautiful Snapple Juices for sale and bought 2. I then found a really good deal on candy bars and bought them as well. I also took some pictures of the little church and clock outside Ladbroke House where my class is.
For dinner I had the most spicy stir-fried whatever and I took about a sip a bite and then took a bite of bread to stop the burning sensation... I also made an official Skype date with the lovely Fareda Mohammed for Friday night. Then I remembered to tell the world that English Muffins are just regular muffins here. They aren't special but they are very familiar.

Tootaloo

Blah.

Monday: "Dia de Amore"
I woke up at 10-ish mostly because I kept hitting snooze on my phone... I didn't really do much but I did go to Primark again and bought a sweater. After that I got almost to City campus before I realized that I didn't have my ID so I had to take the tube back to Arsenal and trek all the way back to class. Luckily, I made it in time. And learned that I did not, in fact, have to read for class because she just goes over everything again and posts the powerpoints online.
Monday night Amanda and I booked flights from Paris to Berlin and Berlin to London. Friday we're going to the train station to see if it's cheaper to get to Paris by chunnel or plane. After that we felt accomplished so we went out for Valentine's drinks at a bar down the road. There were a few singles but mostly everyone was with groups of friends whether coupled or not which I was fine with because being shoved down the throat with happy couples is an American thing.

Tuesday:
I got up semi early and went to Whitechapel Art Gallery. It was an interesting show, it was manipulated photo prints. Mostly B-list celebrities from the early part of the 20th century cut up with various images to either interrupt or complete the photograph.
I ended up in the gift/book shop reading a book I kind of want to buy because it's premise is to show people things that should be common knowledge. After spending an hour in the shop I went to class and took a buttload of notes on stuff I have no idea what it means and then we talked about possible ideas for our assessment only to realize none of them fit the criteria. Basically a waste of my time.
Last night I found oatmeal, raisin cookies and Fanta so I had them for dessert.

That's all you missed last time on: ME!

The Doctor Who Experience

Friday:
We tried to plan what traveling we were going to do and were going to get things booked and sorted for the coming weeks but obviously that failed and we ended up just chilling and talking. Amanda ended up going to take a nap and Kelly and I bought some Bicardi Breezers, Rum and Coke and watched Doctor Who until late.
Nothing really exciting but it was fun and then I stayed up late watching Criminal Minds like I have been because it's a great show and I'm addicted.
The positive thing is that Amanda and I decided to go to Paris and Berlin and not Barcelona because it's super expensive.

Saturday:
We went to Trafalgar Square for the day. We walked around the square where there was a protest/rally for Egypt and rights of all sorts. Mostly it was a photo day and it was beautiful and sunny out. We ate at a place called Pizza Express that was expensive-ish but good and satisfied out craving for pizza. Then we got chocolate cake. Gorgeous.
We toured the National Gallery and saw Monet, Manet, van Gogh, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Degas and Da Vinci. We also took a walk down to Big Ben and The Abbey for random photo shoots like normal tourists.


Sunday:
Read for Cultures and Magic and took notes. Ate all my snacks...made half a peanut butter sandwich with a snack bag and my hand. I also watched a lot of Criminal Minds and decided that from now on I'm exploring London on my own on Sundays unless Someone wants to join me. I also realized I had a lot of cravings...I know what I'm eating when I get home.

My weekend actually sounds really boring but to me it wasn't.

Playing Ketchup...Catsup?

BLAST! Two entries in one night! Okay, I promise to try to keep on schedule from now on....show of hands as to who believed that.

Wednesday:
ILLUSTRATION! Except it wasn't that exciting because she put the wrong short stories up so all the sketch I did were for shite. Whatever. I walked into class and the teacher asked me if I was in the write class and almost told me to leave when I didn't say the full name of the module. She gives off the Professor Trelawney vibe, if you say one certain thing she'll either go ape shit or complete shut down and she's just really skinny and it freaks me out.
I ended up with a story where a guy falls off a cliff because he thinks his daughter is drowning and his wife doesn't pick up on his signals from afar. The mother saves the daughter who wasn't actually drowning and when she returns to shore there's a crowd around his body and it goes between past and present. Good stuff.
AND! all the measurements are in metric...and some aren't even in that. What the hell does A4 mean? It's probably 8/4 for all I know! Bullocks.

Thursday:
I hit the snooze button on my alarm every 5 minutes from 8:45-10am this morning. It rained today for the first time I believe and I broke out my umbrella and walked to class after eating breakfast. There's a nice church and clock I'll take photos of when it's not wet out across from the building I have class in.
Lecture went well today, the professor has a Spanish/British accent that I understood better than just British ones which was nice. Then I went to the Seminar from hell...the professor was different and didn't have any idea what we were supposed to do or how WordPress works. It's not worth it even if you can figure it out, I don't know why we didn't just used Blogspot, so much simpler. I'm pretty sure we were supposed to have photoshopped portraits of ourselves by the end of class but she had just opened photoshop when I got up and left after fiddling for an hour. Class was over and the next one was coming it, the woman's voice is high-pitched and warbly. I got a headache and wanted to tell her to shut up and that I would run the class, people were literally just getting up and leaving and I realized I will FOREVER get the WORST teachers when it comes to photography and learning photoshop.
I wanted to get some shopping done today too but I couldn't top-up my oystercard at Arsenal today when I went so I went back to the house and did it online only I have to wait until tomorrow to use it. Which means I didn't get anything done that I wanted to today and everything was all emo-y. I did, however, take notes on places I would like to go and Kelly, Amanda and I are going over it all tomorrow afternoon to plan and book stuff. I have given myself a $600-700 budget for all traveling in and out of the UK so I have $1200-1400 of my own left for food and other stuff but I have another $2000 from Sean in case. I'm hoping for both of us I won't need it.
Also, I'm crashing Jen's wedding when I get home.

Ta Ta Mon Amis!

Whoopsie Poopsie

I forgot to blog Tuesday night and I apologize for that. My bad.

Monday:
First day of classes, I had Cultures and Magic. The professor cut an hour off class time which made me happy. We watched half an episode of Human Planet about people surviving in the desert and had little discussion groups about it. I'm a little worried about actually making friends in these classes because unlike America where we meet 2-3 times a week and see the same students day after day the classes are once a week and you only see them 12 times. 11 actually for this class I get the 21st off. Like I said, it's gonna be difficult to befriend my Londoner classmates. Also, we didn't even have a classroom until the morning of class so people were still coming in with 30 minutes left.
This was also the day that I realized I only have 14 weeks to enjoy Europe and that I should really get on with booking/planning trips because I might not return for a while. (Though if I have it my way I'll come back for a few years and work here so I can take a trip to a country every month.) I'm excited to return home because it means my own bed and my wonderful car. It also means it's almost time for Kanazawa and after being in London for so long I think I'll find all the Vermonty tourist spots even better than I did before.

Tuesday:
I woke up, as you do on a weekday morning and went to Youtube and found the Boob's new song Hollywood where he dresses up as the Bieb which means I had a good morning. I was expecting to go to a huge lecture filled with 234 kids but when the class split for our seminar groups there were barely 100. I met some nice girls in this class and was complimented on my accent, I won't lie, I found this amusing. I learned that every building in London is a maze and you always end up going in a circle, even if you think you're lost you're probably around a corner from the main entrance.
For dinner my host mother made me some sort of bacon wrapped chicken and I was very confused but she also made mashed potatoes from scratch and the smell was so familiar it was heavenly. I thought it was mac'n'cheese at first since those are the two things I'm so used to eating with most meals at home. And I've been craving a brownie from a box with a little vanilla ice cream....B&J costs about $8 here which is beyond not worth it until weeks 6/7 when papers are due and I miss home too much to hold back.

Tuesday Night:
Kelly, Amanda and I went back to Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus/Chinatown/Holborn/Soho/Buckingham(area) and wandered around for a couple hours and took photos. I was hunting for clear nail polish and I did find a cheaper one but it was still on the expensive side but whatever. I got back at about 9:20ish and uploaded the photos then promptly returned to watching every back episode/new episode of Criminal Minds/House. It's an addiction really.
I fell asleep to the melodious tones of Charlie McDonnell and his CD This Is Me. I recommend listening to it here: http://charliemcdonnell.com/music/ .