How London changes a person....

This post is dedicated to my mom, because her piece of advice for me before I moved here was "don't change." So I figured I would make a list of all the ways living in London can change a person.....in no specific order:

1. you walk much faster- in order to get past slow people and because it's freezing out all the time.

2. the tube is not quite as thrilling as when you were on it as a tourist.

3. you expect that you won't find things you need when you go to the store. (there are no wal-marts here, my friends.)

4. as a student in the arguably most expensive city in the world, you learn to make many many concessions in what you wear, eat, places you go, etc. Examples would be: my disgusting selection of food I buy at Tesco and eat because they are cheap (and oh-so horrible tasting); my wardrobe that has accumulated from things I've found on the sidewalk; pulling out my student card at any given occasion in order not to pay as much for something; reusing the same water bottle for months on end; etc.

5. its very possible to become a bit more cynical. (but as of right now, life is good pour moi, so i wont complain. except about money. and the weather.)

6. living in central makes everything outside of zone 1 seem like a foreign country. especially woolwich arsenal!!!

7. you get used to instant coffee.

8. you treasure gossip magazines more than you ever thought possible.

9. you start using british slang words in your daily dialogue. Example- "Does she fancy him? Because I know he wanted to pull her cus he thinks she's fit"- this is possibly a sentence thats come out of my mouth at some point in time.

10. NOTHING surprises you anymore.

I think that's a good start for a list. Perhaps I'll add more at a later date!

The day the world smiled!!!!!

OBAMA has won!!! He will be our next American president. And since my facebook status box isn't enough room to talk about my feelings regarding this year's election, I will use my blog!!

First of all, I personally am loving that Obama won, because I voted for him in the primaries and general (obviously).

Secondly, I live in London, and may I just say- the world (speaking for at least all of the non-Americans I know who live in London) is very happy! I'm going to make some generalizations here and say that they are FINALLY looking positively towards the US, as opposed to the past eight years, in which our popularity in the world shrunk drastically, and many nations began to consider us evil and imperialistic. They see Obama as a person with a more worldly outlook, someone who is not as stubborn and ignorant as Bush and his administration, and who will work with other nations for global solutions to problems.

Thirdly, I am completely annoyed with all the McCain supporters on facebook who are sore losers and whose statuses basically reflect their anger over Obama winning. I'm sorry, but WE (liberals and some conservative non-Bushers alike) have had to put up with BUSH for eight f***ing years now! Don't you think it's time we deserve a chance to have our representation in Washington?? I respect John McCain and Sarah Palin, and have not said anything deregatory about them as people, but that isn't enough for me to want to vote for them. Here's some great statuses I've read in the past 24 hrs= "Obama is a BAD MAN", "You will not see the change you are hoping for, you will be disapointed", "I hate ohio, I'm moving to Alaska", "I'm disgusted with Ohio" etc etc etc. Okay, I understand you're upset, and given the reverse circumstances (i.e. McCain winning) my status might say something like "I'm staying in England" or "I'm moving to Canada". I'll admit that. But it still annoys me that people would say things like "Obama is a bad man." If McCain had won, I would not put on my status, "McCain is a bad man." Get over yourself and give me a break.

Anyways, there's so much more I could say that would probably insult some people, but I'll leave it at that. Just thought it was better to blog about it that post a mean facebook status (i.e. sink to their level).

Week off!

SOOOO... I finished my papers last week and handed them in friday (what a relief). I didn't work at all last week because I didn't want to freak myself out by having to work and finish the papers. So this week is our mid-semester break. Which is sweet. Unfort I agreed to work tommorrow, which means I can't really go anywhere travelling... I don't really have the money to right now anyways (hence the reason I'm trying to work. Unfort, the place I'm working doesn't have too much work this week. I handed my CV to a couple places yesterday, so maybe with any luck one of them will call?)

Went out last Wed to my school's halloween party. Since I didnt have any costume, I dressed up as an eighties girl- from my clothes. The only things I got to go with is some crazy eyeshadow. It was cool- the best part was the food (but i guess thats usually the best part in my mind lol)

Fri, my friends and I went to Zoo bar, some club in Leicester Sq. It was ok- we had to finaggle lower cover charges out of the door guy- but somehow Alex did it lol. They were also pretty insane about us not setting our coats down anywhere (mostly because they wanted us to check them- for 3 pounds? not gonna happen) But anyways it was enjoyable.

Sun, I went to Brick Lane w Arthur and Alex. It was sweet! It was rainy that day, but still pretty cool place. We got some good Japanese food, Alex got us kicked out of a restaurant, went through market, watched Brazilian he-she dancers, watched a weird artsy film at Whitechapel gallery, all in all a good time.

So, this week is dedicated to attempts at productivity (since I'm not going anywhere) and finding a halloween costume to go out on Friday. Anyways, thats all folks.

Desperate times...

You know you are poor and desperate when you find a sweater on the sidewalk and take it home with you, to wash and wear it. Welcome to my life. hahaha

Actually it didn't seem in bad condition and it's from H and M, so really I could've done worse. I told my friends that when they see me wearing the sidewalk sweater, it's okay to laugh. Because I would. And probably will when I wear it.

London this week has been fun, but busy. I worked on Tues, Wed, and Thurs at various places throughout London... London Transport museum was one of them. It was pretty cool, but I heard that it costs 10 pounds to get in- which I don't exactly think is worth it. But doesn't matter anyways since I got in free. One good thing about my job is that they feed us. Which is wonderful!

My friends and I went to a Salsa club last night- pretty cool. Def busy- but fun. Some old Latino man was trying to give us dance lessons. Well, mostly I think he was offended by our horrible salsa moves. haha.

Two papers due on Fri of next week. Have I started them? No. Am I reverting back to my horrible procrastination of college days? Yes.

ten best things about london/ ten worst things

TEN BEST THINGS ABOUT LONDON (I.M.O.):
1. chips and cheese!!!!!!!!!!!
2. cider!!!!!!!
3. regent's park
4. walking everywhere
5. living in CENTRAL london
6. drinking in the streets- legally:)
7. primark
8. finding new places all the time!
9. my classes and teachers <3
10. my friends:)

TEN WORST:
1. oxford st= just awful
2. everything is VERY expensive
3. stores closing REALLY early on sunday
4. pretty much everything being closed on sundays. specifically the library. lame.
5. having to work (to afford groceries).
6. COVER CHARGES AT CLUBS!!! INSANE!!!!
7. music played at overpriced clubs. is lame.
8. taxi's and how they almost hit you ALL THE TIME
9. people who choose not to wear deoderant- very bad when you stand by them on the tube.
10. the huge difficulty of finding normal things i need (like clothed hangers for example)

Something I've never ever done before in England..............

WORK! I worked. In England. haha. I guess it just seems weird because I've never worked outside of the US before, and every other time I've been over here I haven't ever worked. But it felt good. I mean, as good as serving rich people hors d'oevres at a Tate Britain gallery opening can feel. Which is average at best haha. But I'm not complaining. I made money in POUNDS!!! And got a free sandwich. My job is through a wait staff temp agency called Esprit Group. I'm only making 6 pounds an hr, but that means $12.00 US- which is cool by me.

In order to work I had to go to a training session on Tues night then Wed had to go to Oxford St and try to find work shoes- which was not an easy FEET haha (pun intended). And by the way, I LOATHE Oxford St. BLAHHHHHHH! It's the most annoying, most crowded street in London. ARGGHH, just thinking about Oxford St makes me tired and annoyed haha.

Mon night was sweet! I went and saw the play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre- it was sweet!!!!! I loved it!!! DEFINITELY worth five pounds!!! And full frontal male nudity hahaha- actually that wasn't a good thing in this case. lol. Also, when Alex and Arthur and I were walking down there they had to clear off millenium bridge because there was this insane 'jumper' guy... I'm not sure if he actually jumped or not. He looked a little demented though.

Anyways, tommorrow is Friday- horray!!!!! Bye.

Drinking instant coffee and tea.

Yes, my life has become a mixture of instant coffee and tea. I love coffee, but have always had nothing but disdain for instant. However, since there are not too many options at the moment, I have resorted to instant. And tea.

Not a whole lot of new news since Tuesday, except another trip to GUANAVARA- the Brazilian club did occur yesterday:) Dance lessons kind of happenned haha. On the walk down there (it's in Holborn- takes about 10 minutes from Russell Square), Arthur and I walked down the road drinking Strongbow- I'm definitely a fan of the relaxed attitude towards drinking alcohol on the streets here. Awesome! Thye did 'outlaw' drinking on the Tube however. (But most people do it anyways).

I'm working on a paper for my one class on the Abortion Debate in the US for my Theories in IR class- I think that'll be one of my major projects of the weekend- exciting I know!

In much more exciting news- I'm going to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Monday night to see Timon of Athens- a Shakespeare play!!! SOOOOO excited!!! I joined "Arts club" at my school and it's our first 'event'.

Anyways, out for now:)

Motorbiking around London

I can without a doubt say that riding on a motorbike (motorcycle) through London is in the top ten list of the most scary things I've ever done. JD was driving, and I was thinking to myself (when we first started going) am I crazy? Do I trust him not to get me killed and run over by a bus? But as we rode more and on the way back from Camden (we stopped at Camden), I got less and less scared, and it actually was pretty f***ing awesome!

After the death-defying motorbike ride on Fri, I went out with some of my classmates to Club KOKO in Camden. It was sweet- there were a couple bands playing and the alcohol was definitely flowing haha. The only pain I was feeling was in my feet- I ended up walking barefoot the whole way home! Gross, I know.

Sat consisted of Regent's Park (of course) and going out with Hannah (fellow Phi Mu and American comrade over here) to Putney. Hung out w some of her English friends, which was change from my norm- there are no English kids in my class.

The past few days have been pretty normal- just catching up w/ schoolwork after the crazyness of the weekend.... all for now:)

Samba dancing at Brazilian club...

So last night, Thursday, I went with my friends Alex and Arthur from my class to this Brazilian club. We met up with some of Alex's Brazilian friends also. It was a lot of fun! They actually give you lessons at the club on how to Samba dance. So I tried and needless to say, I suck. haha. I probably might venture back at some point though, if for no other reason than to watch this dancer guy who is paid to just dance like a freak on the dance floor for hours and hours. He didnt stop the whole time I was there- which was about 3 hours. Also there were people dressed up in various costumes paid to entertain(?) I guess that's what you'd call it. The one dressed like Marilyn Monroe didn't do too much besides dance on a table and drink all night, while some guy lifted up her skirt the whole time.... very odd.

Crumpets and linked arms.

So! Today, Tuesday, I went grocery shopping. Let me just say, it is enormously harder to grocery shop when you don't have a car. This is me on a shopping trip:
I bring my reusable Tesco bags with me and walk about ten minutes to Tesco (cheapest groc store around). Go in and buy as much as one basket will hold (mind you I'm holding up the basket with my foot half the time cus its so heavy.) Then pay and load up the bags- which feel like 5 bowling balls at that point. Then walk ten minutes home lugging my bags and walk up the three flights of stairs with them. = hard work.

I bought some items off the 'reduced to clear shelf' - I am not ashamed to admit. One thing was crumpets. It turns out that they are just English muffins.

One thing I do not like is people who link arms and walk on the sidewalk. Perhaps that would be okay in a small town, but we are in London! There is no room for that! Unlink your arms you selfish space-taker-uppers! (my own vocab there).

That's all for Tuesday.

Why I love Regent's Park..

Reasons why Regent's Park is wonderful:
1. It's totally close to where I live
2. It has great paths for running
3. The waterfall
4. The totally awesome and wonderful smelling rose garden. (my parents' neighbor at home- Rickey-boy- would LOVE it. It smells awesome- and they have all dif names for the roses like: 'Remember Me', 'Ingrid Bergman', 'Nostalgia' etc. Love it.
5. There are many footballers around, some are attractive and shirtless I may add ;) haha
6. The ponds and bridges over the ponds.
7. You can see into the zoo from the one running path, so when I run there I see camels, llamas etc
8. On sunny days like today, everyone just lays out in the grass.

Anyways, that's it for now, but yep I love Regent's Park.

Classes, etc.

So on Monday I started my classes. I'm taking MA Toolkit, which is an academic writing class and Theories in international relations. They are both okay classes; it feels kind of weird to be back in school, after being out for three years. Ah well.

Still searching in vain for a way to get coffee. So far, I've only gotten Starbucks- which gets expensive after a while. I cannot find a coffeemaker anywhere! Lora said to get a kettle and 'cafetiere' which is some kind of french press. I just don't know where I will put all that in my room.

My roommate finally moved in on Thursday. Her name is Milena and she's from Serbia. She's 25 too, which is nice (as opposed to a youngster! haha).

Last night, I went out with Lora and Hannah (a fellow Phi Mu whose been living here for about a year) to 'Angel' (a trendy area kind of NE of King's Cross). Lora and I polished off two bottles of wine= very scary! haha. After that, I met up with some kids from my class around Leicester Square. We lost two of them in a club that the rest of us had some trouble convincing the bouncer to let us in...... so the rest of us walked to Tesco in vain hopes that they would still be selling alcohol at midnight. They weren't of course. So I got an egg and cress sandwich (drunken munchies) and we all parted our separate ways.

Today's agenda may involve: running, Portobello Rd, the library, the Tate, and dinner somewhere... but probably not drinking. Sunday, I am supposed to go on an 'American' pub crawl in Greenwich... don't know if I'll be up for any major drinking by then, but I guess we'll see. haha.

UNDER WATER!!!

So Dad and I went up to York and Scarborough (3 hrs north of London) this weekend. Whoa. There is some major flooding going on up there right now. York's river went over the banks, and over the riverwalk and into the parks even. The park benches were halfway submerged. It was crazy.

Because of the flooding there were major delays on the railways between London and York, therefore causing cancellations left and right. Our train was so crowded on the way back to London, we had to stand near the toilets half of the way. Not fun!

Ciao for now!

Everyone is London is in a hurry.

I really am wondering, why is it that all Londoners are in a hurry? Where are they all going? Did I miss something? I can usually be found standing around, looking aimlessly from here to there, why is everyone else who lives here always full speed ahead? Where is this amazing party?

Dad has a gripe- there is no Mountain Dew anywhere here. lol.

I really love the london paper- the one they hand out for free and everyone reads on the tube. It is really funny. The love connections part is great. "Richard. We met on No 8 bus last Fri. Hope you enjoyed your nectarine. Fancy a date/ pear/ peach?" That was a good one.

IN LONDON....

So, I have arrived. This is not going to be a long one... just letting everyone know I am here and safe. So far, there's just been a lot of getting stuff for my room and food, etc. My dad is here with me, so far we've been pretty much walking around and shopping. Okay, better get head off for now... down to Oxford St and the river to check out what's going on down there:)

Tommorrow I depart...

So tomorrow (Tues. Sept. 2), I'm off. My dad is coming with me to England, and staying for ten days. I on the other hand will be staying at least a year.... yikes! But AWESOME at the same time! I'm almost done packing.... just watching the Today show with my mom and drinking coffee at the moment. Something I will miss when I'm away! See you in England:)

Remembering and anticipating....