Sunday, September 23, 2012

Oh! Rainy Day

My group posing in front of Westminister Abbey
I should have known that two weeks with stunningly beautiful weather was just too good to be true. Today I participated in the last organised event of Fresher's Week. The event was a scavenger hunt across London to find famous places. With my group, we travelled to the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, the Globe Theatre, Millenium Bridge, Oxford Street, and finally we got lunch at Planet Hollywood. It was a great day except for the rain. My trousers got soaked through to my leggings. I was wet and cold. Two things I very much do not like. The wind was incredibly strong and I thought I was going to be blown off the Millenium Bridge when we passed over it. I actually used an umbrella along with my raincoat today, which is very unlike me; I actually have never used my umbrella before today. Well, I suppose it will getting much use here in London. My group decided to do most of our travelling by the London Underground (the tube). Thankfully, the tube was warm and dry. It was crowded too, but I'll take crowds over rain any day.

getting our photo taken with a street performer in Trafalgar Square
I came home and my landlady had a wonderful meal of Moroccan lamb cooked for me. I ate with her two sons and daughter-in-law. I loved having the experience of being part of an English family. I felt like a foreigner when they would speak of things I'd never heard of or call things by different names, but it was very kind of my landlady to invite to supper with her family and I really enjoyed interacting with them over a meal. The food was excellent too.

Today was great despite the rain. Now, tomorrow I get to wake up and start classes! I am very excited to begin my semester at Kingston. I have had a very long summer, but I just can't wait to take all of my classes. I'm taking English Literature at Work, British Life and Culture, Editors' Craft, and Spanish III. What's not to be excited about with THOSE classes?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

One Week and Brighton

I arrived in England just one week (and a day) ago. In this one week I feel like I have done SO MUCH. It can't have only been one week because I've done ten times the things I do in any other week. Let's see, in just this week I have arrived safely in a new country, settled into an English home, enroled in University and chosen my classes, gone shopping in Kingston (bought a cute purse at Primark too), I've discovered my new favourite pub, tried the fish, walked around Central London (twice!), learned how public transportion works, navigated my way through a foreign grocery store, found a beautiful park to visit, met new and interesting people, and today I even went to Brighton. It has been such a fantastic week and I'm hoping for fourteen more! 

The Royal Pavilion
Did I tell you I went to Brighton today? Well, I did, and it was gorgeous! We had the most wonderful weather and the sea was just stunning. Speaking of stunning, I visited the Royal Pavilion in Brighton as well. Unfortunately, no one was allowed to take photos inside, but it was the most beautiful interior design I have ever (and probably ever will) see. This may have been the best part of today. Our guide said that once the concert room had finally been finished, the Prince Regent (later King George IV), who lived there, cried. He cried it was so beautiful, and I can't say I blame him. Even after years of restoration and missing artifacts the pavilion was glorious. complete with dragons and oversized chandeliers. 

Before the Royal Pavilion though, my friends and I visited the Brighton Pier. The view was magnificent, and inside the pier was an arcade, slot machines, and there were even roller coasters at the end of the pier. I could have easily spent a while on the pier, but we all decided to get ice cream and go for a walk along the lanes to look at the shops after we visited the Pavilion. First, the ice cream was amazing! It was called a flake and they stuck a piece of delicious, melts-in-your-mouth piece of chocolate right through the ice cream. It was outrageously delicious, so make sure to try one on your next visit! 
Next, we walked through the lanes to look at the shops. While there were some interesting shops, I was mostly fascinated with the street performers. Talented musicians really livened up the walk along the lanes. One man even sang "Hallelujah", one of my favorite songs ever.

Pebble beaches
We ended the day at Brighton by sitting on the pebbled beach and soaking up the sun. We loaded up on the bus and I was excited because as soon as we arrived back in Kingston, my friend and I intended to see 'The Taming of the Shrew' at the Globe Theatre. I dream of visiting the Globe Theater as I am such a fan of Shakespeare. However, our bus got back so late we didn't think we could make it to the theatre in time seeing as we would have to catch a train to Waterloo and then walk another half hour or so to the theatre. We just wouldn't have made it. We were really bummed of course because we already had our tickets to go. It would have been so nice too since we had to listen to the inappropriate, immature, and just plain disgusting rants of the two girls seated behind us for the duration of our ride back to Kingston. We were ready for something more sophisticated and artistic. Anyway, I am unimpressed that Kingston University sold us the tickets as part of the international welcome when the scheduled Brighton trip for internationals made it impossible for us to make it on time as it was. I am SO ready for classes to begin. I'm honestly still waiting for the University to really impress me. I've been having a phenomenal time in England though! It has certainly been a great life decision.

Fresher's Fayre is tomorrow though and I plan to sign up for as many different clubs and societies as  I can manage. I want to make sure I get involved with the University and I look forward to meeting new people. Also coming up is a day trip Greenwich and another trip to London. Then on Monday, classes begin. I certainly have plenty to look forward too!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Blimey, it's Harry Potter!

Today was awesome! I went on a Harry Potter walking tour in London. Our first stop: Platform 9 and 3/4. It was so cool to actually be there and get my photo taken on the pretend platform. Next, Our guide took us through Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square and noted places that are believed to inspire J.K Rowling's famous works and places that the film was actually shot. At one point our guide said, "you are now standing on the place that Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood after disapparating from Bill and Fluer's wedding." Say what?? Yes, this was real life. Well, here are some pictures of my time chasing Harry Potter. Now, I'm going to go watch all of the movies.


If only I could get to the Hogwarts Express on the other side. It's tough being a muggle.

The place believed to have inspired J.K Rowling's "Diagon Alley"

Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Walk in the Park

Today I found (with the help of my good friend Kelsey) the most beautiful park. Just away from the busy shopping centre, I made my way to the other side of the Thames River and to Canbury Gardens. It was an enormous park and with today's stunning weather, the place was picture perfect. As I was walking along the bank of the Thames, I did a little bit of people watching. Since it was such a sunny day, families and couples took the opportunity to have picnics in the park, a young man spread out near the bank for an afternoon nap, and children were prancing around the grounds playing tag and football. I am already planning a trip back.

A walk along the Thames
Then, tonight I saw Anna Karenina with my friends. Since I've worked at a Cinema for over 4 years I felt so compelled to go and see what the cinema was like here. This cinema was HUGE! Other than being a larger facility than the ones I've worked in, it was basically the same. Until I got to the concession stand. I always compare concession stands when going to new theatres after having worked in one for so long. I like to just catch the differences in product, price, and even the people they have to deal with. Now, I went out on a Saturday night and at my home theatre, the concession line would have been very long, but here it seemed only a handful of people were getting concessions. It seemed it a bit strange to me, but it did give me a chance to glance over what they offered for concessions. Besides the typical popcorn and soda, there was an enormous collection of candy. I think I'm really going to like the cinema here!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Central London

Well, I went to London yesterday! I'm still excited about it too. I was so exhausted when I got home I didn't have time to write a post about it, but now that I've slept and had my tea, I'll tell you all about it.

I woke up early on Friday because I had NO IDEA how to get to the train station. Naturally, I used Google Maps and trusted that it would take me to the right place. It did. Of course, I chatted with a nice woman at the bus stop to make sure I was getting on the right bus. Hopefully at the end of this trip I won't feel like so much of a tourist, but for now I guess I'll be asking a ton of questions. 

Catherine and I on the train to Waterloo Station
Okay, so I found my way to Surbiton Station and met with some friends there. Before boarding the train to Waterloo though, a stranger approached us to ask us first, for some money, but then upon hearing we are American, began to question us about US politics. I knew the English were very interested in American politics, but this was my first time actually discussing it with a stranger. He was very opinionated and I actually loved sharing a conversation with him. It was great to hear another nations thoughts on our own upcoming elections.

A View of Big Ben and the London Eye
After arriving in Waterloo Station, the CMU girls and I were practically jumping in our seats when we saw the London Eye and Big Ben in the near distance. And, in an instant, the thrill of London was all around us. We joined the bustling crowd and snapped some very tourist-y pictures.







Westminister Abbey
First, we made our way to Big Ben. WOW! It was SO beautiful. I've always dreamed of seeing this, that finally being there was almost surreal. Of course, it didn't end there. Next, we saw Westminister Abbey, and I think this was my favorite of all the stops. I don't know much about architecture, but this building was breathtaking. Take a look.

After some lunch, we made our way to Buckingham Palace and spent a while there. We even had our photo taken with a random stranger. Yay for tourists! We made our way through Hyde Park and I wished I could stay there for ages. I love parks! Well, we had many other stops to get to, so we made our way to the National Gallery, but first some of us got distracted by a ritzy street packed with high-quality shops such as Louis Vuitton, Coco Chanel, Burberry, Tiffany &Co, and Prada. Let's just say I felt a bit underdressed. Not to mention, it's fashion week here in London.

Feeling like a tourist
We ended our London trip on the London Eye. It was a pretty pricey ride, but also super enjoyable and being able to see over the whole city was priceless. 

Finally, we arrived back in Kingston and visited our new favorite Pub, the Kings Tun, we got a meal and a nice, cold drink. It was the great end to a great day. Until I had to find my way back home. It took me a couple of tries, but I found the right bus and crashed in my very welcoming bed when I got home. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The first days in a new country

Flying to England was the first trip I've ever made overseas, and it is the first time I've ever flown on a plane. Needless to say, my nerves were a bit worked up. Once I got on the plane though, everything was great. 
Despite a fifty minute delay, the plane ride went very well. It was absolutely amazing at take-off to see the city of Chicago all lit up beneath me. I had a fantastic view, right on the edge of the plane's wing. I could see the city below and watched the tiny cars look like they were floating on golden rivers. 
Sleep was not easy on the flight, and sitting for eight hours in a cramped seat became a bit agonizing. None of that mattered though when I could see over the beautiful country of England just an hour before we landed. It was the most magnificent view, for just beneath a row of puffy clouds was the place I was going to be living in for the next three months. Excitement level: uncontainable.

After landing in Heathrow airport around 9:30am (UK time), and breezing through customs. I met the Kingston University Welcome staff and had a lovely greeting after my long flight. I had to wait just over an hour to get on the bus to Penrhyn Road (Kingston's main campus), and then I had to wait another six or so hours for enrolment and my taxi to take me to my home stay. I was exhausted.

My landlady has been very kind and lovely since my arrival. My bed was ready, I had a hot shower, and nice cooked meal. It was such a nice way to end a very long day. 

a view of Richmond Park
Today, Torie made me tea for breakfast, and I'm already obsessed with it. It is just so good! Then, we went for a walk in Richmond park with Torie's dog, Millie, and the view was magnificent.

Later in the evening I went shopping with some friends in the busy shopping center of Kingston. I finally got a useful phone which will be incredibly helpful when I try and navigate my way around a huge, new city. I actually almost boarded the wrong train today, but thankfully a very kind and helpful woman pointed me in the right direction. She missed two of her buses to help me find mine and she even waited for me to board it before returning to her bus stop. I have already met such nice people! 


just doing some shopping

Friday, September 7, 2012

Four (4) Days

It seems a bit unreal that I will be boarding a plane in four days. Sleep is not easy. I mean, why can't I just get to England already?? At least I've been keeping myself busy. With my last day working at the cinema tomorrow, I'll have two days to spend with just my family before I leave. I'm not exactly prepared for a farewell, but I just know these next three months will fly right on by and I'll be home again before I know it. 

I can't wait to share all of my adventures on this blog! I fully intend on posting photos of me doing awesome things like this. 

Source

Or maybe even something like this. 
source


But who knows what I'll be up to? 

I am so excited to dive in to a new land and culture. Of course, I have no way of predicting exactly what's in store for me and I absolutely love that bit of uncertainty. It does become difficult when trying to pack however. I came across this dilemma about a week ago.


PICK ONE