Yesterday, Tammy & I decided to kick off the weekend by seeing some of the highlights of London. What better highlights than Big Ben & Buckingham Palace, right? :)
So, to the Tube we went, & got off at Charing Cross [Trafalgar Square] & wound our way around till we saw Big Ben peering over the tops of buildings. Oddly enough, Big Ben isn't nearly as tall as I had expected. Anyway, we turned around to see which direction we needed to walk in to get to the Palace & behind us is Westminster Abbey! Awesome! We crossed the street to get a better look, & went into the church [St. Margret's] in front of the Abbey. [Fun fact: Winston Churchill was married in St. Margret's!] :) So Tammy & I kept walking in what we thought was the right direction. Turns out we were wrong. So we found a bus map, & headed in a more general direction of the Palace. We walked - & walked - & walked. A pitstop at Starbuck's was deemed necessary to warm us up & it was delicious! Haha! :) After that, back into the cold, we wound our way around & got lost again. When Tammy stated that she remembered it's in the same direction as Victoria Station, we were definitely headed in the right direction. All of a sudden - BAM! -----Buckingham Palace----> :) Finally! At last! We took pictures [of the Palace & of each other], got our pictures taken by some strangers [always a fun time] & took a walk through Green Park. Beautiful area! Then we hopped on the Tube & came back to Regent's. Tammy made the best comment of the day as we made our way back into Regent's Park: "Maybe one day we should walk through the Park here." HA! All this time we've been out & about seeing the rest of London & we have barely seen the park we live in! :)
Only us. I swear.
Last night we went to O'Neill's in Piccadilly - an awesome bar, with a pretty great band last night. :) I just need to remember that I hate bringing a coat with me - time to "drink myself a jacket!" :)
Today Tammy & I went back to Piccadilly to see the place where the Beatles held their last public performance 40 years ago today. Nothing special - just a cool building - pretty cool on the other hand because the Beatles were there! :)
Now we're just being bums & having a night in, unless Tammy makes a decision to go out for dinner because she's hungry. But who knows. :)
Tomorrow is our day-trip to Bath! So excited! :)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
a stroll along the river thames
I had a CRAZY day today - but such a BLAST! :-D For my Literary London class, we have to take 3 walks throughout the semester. The first walk, which I did today with Tammy, Anitra & Lanette, took me to Tower Hill via the Tube. Across from the Tower Hill Station is The Tower of London! So cool! Then we walked up to a church called All Hallows - went inside, got some cool shots, went down into the crpyt & saw that William Penn was baptized there! Whoa! :-)
Then we went back toward the Tower, & there was the river Thames! Hooray! As we walked closer to the river, there it was - the symbol of London - Tower Bridge! :-D It's just as exciting as I hoped/thought it would be! :-) The cool part was that we had to walk across the bridge - so I got some cool river shots! Although the water itself isn't much to write home about - it looks murkier than the Delaware!! Hahahaha :-D [I didn't think that was possible!] :-)
After our trek across the bridge, we made our way along the other side of the river [The Queen's Walk] & made our way into Southwark [the South work of London] & stopped in at Southwark Cathedral. The gothic architecture is beautiful - unfortunately my camera died at this point, but Tammy got some pictures. We went inside - there was a piano concert of some sort going on - so we wandered the perimeter - it's beautiful inside, but they don't allow pictures - although I think Tammy snuck a few, haha. Some more walking after that along the RiverWalk. It was pretty chilly today, but nice & sunny!! Hooray for sun!
Then we went to the GLOBE!!!! HOORAY!! SHAKESPEARE AT LAST!! :-D It was beautiful - I coaxed my camera to take a few more pictures of the stage - it was wonderful!! We took a 30 minute tour, which I thought would be of the theater, but also of some other things - but it was just the theater - which I forgot is an amphitheater. It was chilly.
Back out to the RiverWalk & we saw Millennium Bridge [AKA The Wobbly Bridge] - according to my teacher, the day they opened the Millennium Bridge, so many people were on it at the same time to walk across & it actually started to shake & wobble in places - so they closed it down after that & added more support to it. We didn't walk on it today, but it is a pretty nifty foot-bridge.:-)
We passed the Tate Modern - a HUGE building - but once again, saved for another day.
Then we got off the RiverWalk to make our way to Waterloo Station to get on the Tube. Well, we were going in the right direction & then we weren't. So we turned back around - Tammy asked a very nice English guy where to go & he said he was headed there & that we could follow him. Once we made it up a hill, we still couldn't see it - he was talking to us, asking where we were from, etc. Very nice guy. He pointed across the street that it was "just over there" - we didn't see anything. Then we went through an underpass - still nothing. THEN we saw it! It's a HUGE station!! It's Regional Rails as well as the Underground - he pointed us in the direction of the Underground & wished us well. Very nice guy. :-)
So, that was our day in London!! Wonderful, SUNNY day! :-D
Then we went back toward the Tower, & there was the river Thames! Hooray! As we walked closer to the river, there it was - the symbol of London - Tower Bridge! :-D It's just as exciting as I hoped/thought it would be! :-) The cool part was that we had to walk across the bridge - so I got some cool river shots! Although the water itself isn't much to write home about - it looks murkier than the Delaware!! Hahahaha :-D [I didn't think that was possible!] :-)
After our trek across the bridge, we made our way along the other side of the river [The Queen's Walk] & made our way into Southwark [the South work of London] & stopped in at Southwark Cathedral. The gothic architecture is beautiful - unfortunately my camera died at this point, but Tammy got some pictures. We went inside - there was a piano concert of some sort going on - so we wandered the perimeter - it's beautiful inside, but they don't allow pictures - although I think Tammy snuck a few, haha. Some more walking after that along the RiverWalk. It was pretty chilly today, but nice & sunny!! Hooray for sun!
Then we went to the GLOBE!!!! HOORAY!! SHAKESPEARE AT LAST!! :-D It was beautiful - I coaxed my camera to take a few more pictures of the stage - it was wonderful!! We took a 30 minute tour, which I thought would be of the theater, but also of some other things - but it was just the theater - which I forgot is an amphitheater. It was chilly.
Back out to the RiverWalk & we saw Millennium Bridge [AKA The Wobbly Bridge] - according to my teacher, the day they opened the Millennium Bridge, so many people were on it at the same time to walk across & it actually started to shake & wobble in places - so they closed it down after that & added more support to it. We didn't walk on it today, but it is a pretty nifty foot-bridge.:-)
We passed the Tate Modern - a HUGE building - but once again, saved for another day.
Then we got off the RiverWalk to make our way to Waterloo Station to get on the Tube. Well, we were going in the right direction & then we weren't. So we turned back around - Tammy asked a very nice English guy where to go & he said he was headed there & that we could follow him. Once we made it up a hill, we still couldn't see it - he was talking to us, asking where we were from, etc. Very nice guy. He pointed across the street that it was "just over there" - we didn't see anything. Then we went through an underpass - still nothing. THEN we saw it! It's a HUGE station!! It's Regional Rails as well as the Underground - he pointed us in the direction of the Underground & wished us well. Very nice guy. :-)
So, that was our day in London!! Wonderful, SUNNY day! :-D
Saturday, January 24, 2009
An Afternoon with Shakespeare...
Tammy & I ventured out to Covent Garden this afternoon. Let me start by saying that I will avoid Covent Garden Station at all costs!! 193 steps is what you have to look forward to if you don't want to wait for who-knows-how-long in line for the lifts. Ridiculous! So, Tammy & I climbed the 193 steps from 16 stories below street level. Unfortunately, this may have not been the best plan of action. Round & round - up & up - we climbed & the more I could hear Tammy start to wheeze. Uh oh. At long last, huffing & puffing [& in Tammy's case, wheezing], we made it to the top. We got outside into the fresh air, Tammy used her inhaler while I studied the map for the direction of the theater. We walked into the cold & saw all the shops & how beautiful Covent Garden is. Instantly, we looked at each other knowing we have to come back! It's such a great area!! We wound our way through the Saturday crowds & found the theater. A little after 1PM the show began. William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I have never read the play & didn't know any of the storyline. It was so exciting! I love this play! All the magic & silly characters! The confusion of love spells, the trials & tribulations of love. Wonderful. Beautifully acted by the Royal Shakespeare Company. I wish I could go back & watch it again. The language certainly pulls me in, but the characters themselves really bring me into the story. I love that. I love Shakespeare's genius to create something so fantastical & out-of-the-ordinary. It's so exciting!
Now it is time to throw on some sweatpants, get under the covers & enjoy some more of Eclipse. :)
Now it is time to throw on some sweatpants, get under the covers & enjoy some more of Eclipse. :)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Homesickness Has Hit Hard
I guess with everything going on lately: classes starting, seeing more of London, meeting new people - I got swept up & thought a little less about home. Yesterday, with some downtime after classes, it all caught up with me. The emotion just came pouring out of me & I couldn't stop it. I talked to Mom for about 2 hours & she helped put me right again - at least temporarily. She reminded me that this is my adventure - that I deserve this trip & all its glory. She even suggested I make a countdown calendar for her visit in 3 weeks - which I, of course, agreed to do. That is my activity tomorrow after breakfast. :)
Tammy helped as well - she has been my shoulder here - & at home, too. I would not survive this crazy new world without her. I am, needless to say, grateful to have her in my life. She also told me that we were going to the Metropolitan Pub around the corner for a few drinks with the girls & Alvin. Of course this lifted my spirits instantly! So, off we went & had a few laughs with everyone. My homesickness [temporarily] evaporated.
Today was a better day. I went to my one class of the day & I am excited for the weekend! On Saturday, Tammy & I are going to see A Midsummer Night's Dream. I can't wait! :)
My challenge is to appreciate London & the fact that I am here & just take things one day at a time. Yes, I need to plan things like trips & what bars I want to go to & what London sites I want to see - but nothing more than that. Otherwise that unfriendly nuisance called homesickness will come back around! I'm going to make it a point to not let it get that bad again. Hopefully.
Anyway, enough of my sob story. London is a beautiful city! The Park is gorgeous! The architecture, the different restaurants, all the stores on Baker St. & Oxford St. are amazing!!! I keep looking for things I want to show Mom when she gets here next month.
But, now it is time to go out to dinner with the girls & check out some new pubs! :)
Tammy helped as well - she has been my shoulder here - & at home, too. I would not survive this crazy new world without her. I am, needless to say, grateful to have her in my life. She also told me that we were going to the Metropolitan Pub around the corner for a few drinks with the girls & Alvin. Of course this lifted my spirits instantly! So, off we went & had a few laughs with everyone. My homesickness [temporarily] evaporated.
Today was a better day. I went to my one class of the day & I am excited for the weekend! On Saturday, Tammy & I are going to see A Midsummer Night's Dream. I can't wait! :)
My challenge is to appreciate London & the fact that I am here & just take things one day at a time. Yes, I need to plan things like trips & what bars I want to go to & what London sites I want to see - but nothing more than that. Otherwise that unfriendly nuisance called homesickness will come back around! I'm going to make it a point to not let it get that bad again. Hopefully.
Anyway, enough of my sob story. London is a beautiful city! The Park is gorgeous! The architecture, the different restaurants, all the stores on Baker St. & Oxford St. are amazing!!! I keep looking for things I want to show Mom when she gets here next month.
But, now it is time to go out to dinner with the girls & check out some new pubs! :)
Monday, January 19, 2009
First Day of Classes
Another night of waking up to boys screaming & running through the hallway drunk. Not fun. 8AM came too soon this morning. But I obediently got out of bed, dressed, & down to breakfast. I walked to my very first London class [Literary London - of course] with Anitra & Lanette & hoped & prayed that I would be able to understand the teacher should she have a thick accent. Fortunately, she almost sounded American - her accent was so faint. Hooray!
My second class of the day is Modernism & the Novel. The teacher is rather...odd. His mannerism is a little annoying - after nearly every sentence he adds "Yeah?" or "Check?" If he is responding to a student's response, he may say "Brilliant" [which I love] or "Check." It's a little...out there, but I guess I can adjust.
I went to my last class of the day - British Monarchy - & was there a total of 5 minutes. The teacher is sick - class is canceled - on the first day of classes! Hooray!
When I left my room for this class, it wasn't raining - but, when I left after a few minutes, it was pouring. I'm talking torrential downpour. Now, after about 10 minutes, the rain is gone again. Very odd.
So, I now have lots of time to kill, & just might go buy some of my books. We'll see.
That's it for the first day - TTFN.
My second class of the day is Modernism & the Novel. The teacher is rather...odd. His mannerism is a little annoying - after nearly every sentence he adds "Yeah?" or "Check?" If he is responding to a student's response, he may say "Brilliant" [which I love] or "Check." It's a little...out there, but I guess I can adjust.
I went to my last class of the day - British Monarchy - & was there a total of 5 minutes. The teacher is sick - class is canceled - on the first day of classes! Hooray!
When I left my room for this class, it wasn't raining - but, when I left after a few minutes, it was pouring. I'm talking torrential downpour. Now, after about 10 minutes, the rain is gone again. Very odd.
So, I now have lots of time to kill, & just might go buy some of my books. We'll see.
That's it for the first day - TTFN.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
End of the weekend...
Classes start tomorrow. That's a slap in the face. I constantly have to remind myself that I am here for school. Bummer. Anyway, this weekend was pretty awesome. Got my cell phone - which I love - but I know I'll only be calling 3 people, at least. But that's okay. Missing dinner yesterday sucked, but finding a cool restaurant, & realizing it's in Trafalgar Square was freakin' cool to say the least. Dinner at the Cafe in the Crypt - a pretty odd, but funky place to eat. Walking around Trafalgar Square was really cool - even though it was windy & freezing cold! Tammy stopped every few minutes [sometimes seconds] to get some pictures...I, of course, was too cold to reach for my camera. Anyway, we walked, discovered the fact that the National Gallery has free admission! Sweet! After meandering back to the Tube, we stopped at the Metropolitan Pub near school - had a drink - & then called it a night. Not bad for missing dinner in the cafeteria! :)
Today, Tammy & I trekked in one direction to a "dollar store" - got a few essential things, then came back for lunch. After that, we walked in the other direction for school supplies & to at least locate the bank. After finding a few things on our list, we decided to keep walking. & walking. & walking still. Stumbled upon Marks & Spencer - a posh department store - walked around, gawked at the prices & left. Up the street a bit, we found Oxford St. - apparently a really great [& busy] shopping area. To say the least. Waterstone's = my new favorite book store [pretty much the London equivalent of Barnes & Noble - only bigger]. Primark = new favorite department store [pretty much Target, but bigger]. It was a very successful shopping trip. Plus the fact that Tammy & I walked up & down Baker St. 4 times to get to different stores - exercise! WHOA! Haha - that never happens! We contemplated finding the nearest Tube station to at least get back to Marylebone Rd. - but we kept on walking. & walking. & walking.
By the time we got back on campus & stopped for dinner, I was starving! Luckily there were some good eats tonight! :)
Now my bed is comfier [not quite my full preference of comfort, but it'll do], my desk is clear [for the moment] & we have snacks! :)
The only downer to the night was the fact that the last part of Grey's Anatomy on YouTube [we expected to watch the episode in 5 parts] had an unauthorized audio clip & therefore we started to watch the end of the episode on mute. It sucked. & of course we can't find it anywhere else on the site! Ugh! Bummer.
Alright, enough of my rambling. Good night!
Today, Tammy & I trekked in one direction to a "dollar store" - got a few essential things, then came back for lunch. After that, we walked in the other direction for school supplies & to at least locate the bank. After finding a few things on our list, we decided to keep walking. & walking. & walking still. Stumbled upon Marks & Spencer - a posh department store - walked around, gawked at the prices & left. Up the street a bit, we found Oxford St. - apparently a really great [& busy] shopping area. To say the least. Waterstone's = my new favorite book store [pretty much the London equivalent of Barnes & Noble - only bigger]. Primark = new favorite department store [pretty much Target, but bigger]. It was a very successful shopping trip. Plus the fact that Tammy & I walked up & down Baker St. 4 times to get to different stores - exercise! WHOA! Haha - that never happens! We contemplated finding the nearest Tube station to at least get back to Marylebone Rd. - but we kept on walking. & walking. & walking.
By the time we got back on campus & stopped for dinner, I was starving! Luckily there were some good eats tonight! :)
Now my bed is comfier [not quite my full preference of comfort, but it'll do], my desk is clear [for the moment] & we have snacks! :)
The only downer to the night was the fact that the last part of Grey's Anatomy on YouTube [we expected to watch the episode in 5 parts] had an unauthorized audio clip & therefore we started to watch the end of the episode on mute. It sucked. & of course we can't find it anywhere else on the site! Ugh! Bummer.
Alright, enough of my rambling. Good night!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Not tired...
So, today was a lot of fun. Minus the mandatory lectures for orientation. Minus the lunch that I didn't eat. But, wandering campus a bit, going out exploring with the girls, our first tube ride & the Jack the Ripper tour. The tour was so much fun! Aside from the fact that it was freezing cold, it was really interesting. It was a cool way to see London at night, with some history thrown in & trying to picture London in the 1880's. I already know I must take Michael in March.
During the tour, we stumbled upon a market open on Sundays & several restaurants. I'm really excited to check out & show Mom next month.
Talking to Mom today cheered me up even more...I really can't wait to see her & show her my new [temporary] city!
Tammy, sitting next to me, reminded me that "the munchies are coming on!" Haha, it is quite odd not to have a stash of junk food, or a fridge stocked with water, soda, iced tea, etc. in our room. I am quite hungry & have to wait till breakfast in 8 hours! That's unbelievably uncool. Then again, I'm happy I'm not stuffing my face every 5 minutes with doritos, oreos, cheetos, etc.
Alright, enough talking about food...Tomorrow, Tammy & I shall venture out to get some odds & ends for our room & school supplies. Then we shall venture in the opposite direction to get cell phones & maybe even a hairdryer! Haha.
On that note, I do believe it's time to go to sleep on the thinnest of mattresses [if you can even call it that].
During the tour, we stumbled upon a market open on Sundays & several restaurants. I'm really excited to check out & show Mom next month.
Talking to Mom today cheered me up even more...I really can't wait to see her & show her my new [temporary] city!
Tammy, sitting next to me, reminded me that "the munchies are coming on!" Haha, it is quite odd not to have a stash of junk food, or a fridge stocked with water, soda, iced tea, etc. in our room. I am quite hungry & have to wait till breakfast in 8 hours! That's unbelievably uncool. Then again, I'm happy I'm not stuffing my face every 5 minutes with doritos, oreos, cheetos, etc.
Alright, enough talking about food...Tomorrow, Tammy & I shall venture out to get some odds & ends for our room & school supplies. Then we shall venture in the opposite direction to get cell phones & maybe even a hairdryer! Haha.
On that note, I do believe it's time to go to sleep on the thinnest of mattresses [if you can even call it that].
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Arrived at long last!
We are here! Oh my! It's so unbelievable! I'm still in shock! It hasn't completely hit yet. I think it will when classes start on Monday, & I don't go home for the weekend.
Luckily for me, the girl who needs to be in constant contact with her family, has Skype & a webcam! Seeing my family 3 times today was AMAZING! It's certainly going to be a rough start here in London, 3000 miles away from home.
On the flip side, after our first floor meeting, this whole non-catholic school thing is pretty awesome. No more dry-campus, or other strict restrictions held by good ol' CHC. Haha! I think I can get used to this :)
Anyway, back to the good behavior side of things...we got our class schedules tonight at the meeting...I'm excited about the classes I'm taking, just wish I could have taken more. Oh well, no complaints here!
Luckily for me, the girl who needs to be in constant contact with her family, has Skype & a webcam! Seeing my family 3 times today was AMAZING! It's certainly going to be a rough start here in London, 3000 miles away from home.
On the flip side, after our first floor meeting, this whole non-catholic school thing is pretty awesome. No more dry-campus, or other strict restrictions held by good ol' CHC. Haha! I think I can get used to this :)
Anyway, back to the good behavior side of things...we got our class schedules tonight at the meeting...I'm excited about the classes I'm taking, just wish I could have taken more. Oh well, no complaints here!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
So I started packing...
After sleeping till noon today, I realized I needed to start packing in order to figure out if I can take 1 bag, or 2. After pulling all my clothes out of the drawers, I filled the first bag & quickly. Naturally, attempts will be made to pack everything a little tighter...but the predicted resolution will be 2 bags. Of course, this isn't as bad as it may sound - it means I will have more room for souvenirs & gifts on my return home! :)
Mom came into my room, after my realization that 1 bag will never do, & she just looked at me. It was that Mom look - the one I know too well ever since I started college. She mentioned last week that she is "missing me already." Of course, for anyone who knows how close we are knows that I am missing her, too. The 2 of us will be crying at the airport, hugging, clutching each other, until the last possible moment. I'll start crying the moment I wake up next Wednesday. Too many emotions running high these days. I guess that's what I get for deciding to study abroad for 3 1/2 months.
Michael has bought his ticket, & we bought our Ireland tickets, too! I can't wait to take my brother to the bars & see my family in Dublin! Spring Break will such a blast!
Mom & her friend Cathy are looking to come over in February & I can't wait to show my Mom my new home! Plus, having experienced Mom & Cathy drinking [which is quite comical], I know that finally getting to join them will result in some awesome stories! :)
Dad has also begun his search for airfare. He also just started filling out his application for a passport, only to realize that he does not know where his birth certificate is. So yet another application was printed & will be handed in tomorrow. [Hopefully].
So my family is coming to visit & I couldn't be more grateful! I am going to need them!
But what I am MOST excited about is that Tammy & I will be ROOMIES again! It's been so long [2 years] since we lived together! I can't wait for that! Plus, London with my best friend for 3 1/2 months is kind of amazing in & of itself! :)
Alright, I'm done ranting, I swear! :)
Mom came into my room, after my realization that 1 bag will never do, & she just looked at me. It was that Mom look - the one I know too well ever since I started college. She mentioned last week that she is "missing me already." Of course, for anyone who knows how close we are knows that I am missing her, too. The 2 of us will be crying at the airport, hugging, clutching each other, until the last possible moment. I'll start crying the moment I wake up next Wednesday. Too many emotions running high these days. I guess that's what I get for deciding to study abroad for 3 1/2 months.
Michael has bought his ticket, & we bought our Ireland tickets, too! I can't wait to take my brother to the bars & see my family in Dublin! Spring Break will such a blast!
Mom & her friend Cathy are looking to come over in February & I can't wait to show my Mom my new home! Plus, having experienced Mom & Cathy drinking [which is quite comical], I know that finally getting to join them will result in some awesome stories! :)
Dad has also begun his search for airfare. He also just started filling out his application for a passport, only to realize that he does not know where his birth certificate is. So yet another application was printed & will be handed in tomorrow. [Hopefully].
So my family is coming to visit & I couldn't be more grateful! I am going to need them!
But what I am MOST excited about is that Tammy & I will be ROOMIES again! It's been so long [2 years] since we lived together! I can't wait for that! Plus, London with my best friend for 3 1/2 months is kind of amazing in & of itself! :)
Alright, I'm done ranting, I swear! :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Packing? Who does that?
So...we leave in 9 DAYS! I am totally excited, nervous, anxious, terrified, and pumped! I cannot wait!
I have so many different check-lists...lists for what to buy, what to pack, what luggage I am taking...It's RIDICULOUS! They never go away! Haha!
Mom says I need to start packing this week. I have no idea what I am taking. I know I bought all these things specifically for London, but now I am just thinking "do I really need all of this stuff?" Who knows. Better pack it, never know till I get there! Right?
So my goals for this week [my last full week in Philly] are to lay out all clothes, etc. & pack them all - load up all the stuff I bought specifically for London - & pray it all fits! Haha!
Perhaps I should take a look at Tammy's links for "How to Pack" from Google! :)
I have so many different check-lists...lists for what to buy, what to pack, what luggage I am taking...It's RIDICULOUS! They never go away! Haha!
Mom says I need to start packing this week. I have no idea what I am taking. I know I bought all these things specifically for London, but now I am just thinking "do I really need all of this stuff?" Who knows. Better pack it, never know till I get there! Right?
So my goals for this week [my last full week in Philly] are to lay out all clothes, etc. & pack them all - load up all the stuff I bought specifically for London - & pray it all fits! Haha!
Perhaps I should take a look at Tammy's links for "How to Pack" from Google! :)
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