one bloody more!

My roommates and I recently made a pact to try and do something every night. We realized that we were sitting in the flat more than normal(for being abroad) and decided to fix the situation. Monday we saw another play, 39 steps, which I really enjoyed. Tuesday we went to dinner at the union pub for fish and chips. And Wednesday we went to the Notting Hill Arts Club; where we listened and grooved to two bands. The first one was decent, but the second band was amazing. I loved them. I don't get into music very often and I definitely don't go out and buy cds, but I wanted to go out and buy their cd during the concert. Their name is the HooDoo Scoundrels, but they were just signed in the US so they're going to drop the hoodoo part, and be "the Scoundrels." They're going to be in Chicago in two weeks so anyone who wants a reason to road trip there now has one :) Anyways the place was a very artsy fartsy place and Vivian commented, 'I feel like we're in an Urban Outfitters Magazine,' so true. But it was one of my favorite nights so far, I don't remember the last time I saw a band live besides the at the terrace and this was a very cool smaller venue. "One bloody more" refers to what everyone yelled instead of 'encore' at the end of their set. They then proceeded to play a song that the guitarist didn't even know until the singer told him the cords, and they rocked it.

To continue with my week of not sitting around we decided to finally go to a legit club last night. And club we did. We drank, a fair Madison amount before we left, and headed to The Zoo Bar. It's a pretty sweet place that has many rooms for drinking and dancing, and we enjoyed ourselves, probably too much, but these nights do happen.

It would have been an excellent night if I hadn't misplaced/lost my coat check number... stupid me. So without the number I couldn't get my coat until they closed at 3:30am, it was 1:30am, and we were not staying. So instead of thinking through the situation clearly, I decided i'd lost my coat and proceeded to have an emotional irrational break down while I was freezing without a coat at the bus stop. I have great friends though and they tried to comfort me while I tried to maintain control over my emotions. I failed, but we took a taxi home and was lucky enough to find Bennett online and via skype he was able to accomplish that task. I woke up this morning feeling quite silly but I called Zoo Bar and got my coat back this afternoon. Wasted tears, but I never would have believed that last night.

Today was the best part of the week though, because not only did I get my coat back(!) but I also got to go to the Tower of London. The crown jewels were the best part and it is almost unreal imagining them being used for centuries and worn by the royal family. The issue of the royal family is also so weird to me, I never realized how much of a role they play in the everyday workings of London life. I've always pictured the queen as head of state, but everything revolves around tradition and those traditions all stem from the royal family. It's crazy to me, I could go on about it for awhile but I won't bore you with my opinions on the matter.




Anyways, successful week! We also booked our flights for Spring break! We're going to Athens, Santorini, and Rome. I'm already so excited.

average day?

Today could be written like an average day. Finally getting to sleep in, heading to class, coming back, eating dinner, having a drink, going to sleep. And the funny thing is, it seemed like a normal day to me, but what I got to see, three months ago, would never have been an average day in my mind. I woke up around 10, had breakfast, skyped, had lunch, and then headed out for class. My class however was taking place at London's National Portrait Gallery.


I got to stare at JMW Turner's and John Constable's works as my assignment and I was done doing that I wandered over to the Rembrandt's where I was reminded why he my favorite artist. Andrea and I then decided to go explore the neighborhood.

We took many photos in Trafalgar Square and then headed towards Big Ben. On our way there we ran into a cute little cafe that had homemade desserts. I got the best blueberry muffin ever and she chose lovely looking piece of apple pie. We walked around Parliament and crossed the bridge to get better pictures :)


It was a very successful day and now we are off to get fish and chips. It is probably as surprising to you as it is to me that this will be my first fish and chips of the semester.

By the way my voice is back along with a clean bill of health and I thoroughly enjoyed Windsor. The Castle was pure history and we got to tour the state rooms inside which have been restored to their full glamor after the a fire in 1992 had destroyed that entire part of the castle. Within the walls of castle is St. George's Chapel; fit with flying buttresses, a rose window, and amazing fan vaulting, it is quite lovely to behold, and the royalty that is buried within makes it worth walking through even if it was not grand. We walked over King Henry VIII's bones and that of his last wife's along with passing many previous Queen and King's. Before we had entered the church we got to experience the changing of the guard which I absolutely loved because it was changing to the Irish guard and they used bagpipes in their march. There are four branches of guards; the Irish, Welsh, Scottish and English. They all have different head gear and use a different march/instrument when changing the guard.

Yesterday I went on a shopping excursion and bought myself a few 'needed' things. I got socks (which I did need), leggings (which I kind of needed), and two going out shirts (which I wanted). It was a successful day and I got to see Oxford Street, which is one of the biggest shopping strips of the city (and has been for many centuries).

Off to the pub. cheerio!

no voice.

This morning I awoke breathing threw my nose and feeling a little better. That was however, until I tried to talk. It seems that my voice has disappeared along with my runny nose. Most people might think this is not that big of deal; for me, it's a huge deal. As most of you know, I enjoy talking, it's probably one of my favorite things to do in the world and hearing the awful sound that comes out of my mouth when trying to say anything is slightly depressing. We are however going to Winsor Castle today, so maybe we'll all be in such awe of that that we won't talk. Hopefully my voice will be back by tomorrow, and the entire cold will be gone with it.

In search of Peter Pan

Today marks the two week of studying abroad in London and this morning I awoke feeling much better than the last few days(as I had been fighting off a little cold that my roommates were nice enough to pass along to me). So I finished off my second week of school with Screenwriting and started walking back to my flat. It was then that I realized something great. The sun was shining! I came back to the flat skyped with Bennett for awhile and then decided today was the perfect day to go on my first run though Hyde park. It's still a bit chilly so put on my fleece, my mittens, and my 180s and headed out to explore. I didn't bring my camera which had pro's and con's. I couldn't take pictures of all the beautiful things I saw but I also didn't have to carry it and didn't have to look like a tourist. I headed out not knowing where I was going to go but as soon as I saw the little arrow pointing me in the direction of peter pan I knew what i wanted to see. Many of you may know this statue from the movie "Finding Neverland;" it's a wonderful film and some of the scenes take place in this park by the statue. On my run there I stopped at new favorite spot for reflecting; it's a tiny little path that leads to a bench that overlooks an old bridge that runs over the lake, it was gorgeous. In the lake as I ran I saw mallards(minnesota's bird) and it gave me that little feeling of being home. I ran for an hour, well I ran/walked for an hour... it's been awhile since i've ran and I had to take a few breaks. But I ended my adventure at Kensington Palace which has a little pond in front of it(supposedly one of Keira Knightley's favorite spots to hang out). But it has a wide variety of birds; swans, seagulls, ducks, crows, you name I swear they're there. And for someone who has a slight fear of birds it's not the place to be if the person next to you is throwing out bread crumbs! But I do like watching. And while i was there, there were these two moms who had their baby's in strollers right next to them and they were throwing out handfuls of bread. They had a full bag each and the birds were going crazy. The little babies were crying because it looked like they were being attacked and I swear those children will hate birds the rest of their lives. But the moms were just loving it, so I vowed to never throw bread out there ever especially with children present.(unless Jen is there, because she's more scared of birds than I am, haha)

Anyways my run is complete, and it made me feel wonderful. I wrote yesterday about wanting to feel like I could truly be living here not just studying, and running through the park definitely made me feel that way today.

shapeshifters.

This morning in my gender, culture, and literature class we discussed the need to feel like we fit in in the city we live in. We read 'The Lonely Londoners' (yes i've already read a whole book!) and it portrayed London from the eyes of immigrants from the East Indies. We used shape shifter as the word to describe how they molded into their surroundings and did everything in their power to truly become a Londoner. And although they did becomes Londoners at heart, it was hard for most of the English at the time to fully accept them into the English culture. Although times have changed and London now is one of the most diverse cities on the globe, it's interesting to consider being a student studying abroad how I could possibly consider myself to be a shape shifter. In the course of this discussion i just had to mention that shape shifters are also found in the Twlight series...but my point was that the Native Americans in the book choose to turn into wolves, just like you can choose to take the shape of whatever you'd like. That is the point. I think in my time here I would like to get away from the illusion of American tourist as much as possible. I don't want to be an American studying abroad, I want to be an American living abroad and be able to experience all the joys that come with that title. I am learning the tube and buses, the random sayings that set our English languages apart, and if all goes well I think i will feel at home here by the end of the first month. When I wrote my essay to get into this program my main goal was to immerce myself in a different culture, not really knowing what that meant. I know what that means now, at mostly. We may speak the same language and some of us may say our ancestors were English, but in how we act and live, we are literally and figuratively an ocean apart. I can't name everything, but two things comes to mind and I both find them completely refreshing. The first is imagine you go to a bar, meet someone new and start up a conversation that somehow gets on the topic of politics. Now imagine having that conversation while both people have completely different beliefs and stand on different sides of the aisle, but can talk with respect for the others opinions and take no offense to what is being said. It's brilliant. The second is to imagine a world where guns don't really exist. Police Officers don't even carrying them unless the Royal family is about. People can't own them and there is absolutely no need to. They think we're crazy for our easy it is to get guns in America and I think they're right! Anyways, culture is different where ever you go, but these are just two things that have really stuck out and are prevalent in my mind as i'm out and about meeting people.

Cheers.

so many ups! one down.

Disclaimer: This blog is kind of a diary for my time here, this post may contain emotion and mushy love comments that you can skip and not read at any time.

London is amazing. It has entered into to the spot of favorite city in my heart and I now continue to embark on the journey of getting to live here for four months. Everything I do is a new experience and everywhere I go I learn more about the history of the city and of it's people. Saturday consisted of waking up hung over after a wonderful night of dancing and drinking at the Union Pub/random dance club across the hall and we ventured off to find the British Museum where our favorite tour guide Brit took us around and I got to see some of the amazing art I studied all senior year in AP Art History! Yesterday we went to the best outdoor market called Petticoat Lane Market where I purchased a pair of super cute flats for 4 pounds and a pair of pants for 6. I'd been super worried about my pants situation because I found a little rip(butt of course) in my light pair of jeans two days ago and the button came off on my dark skinny jeans(my favorite pair!) so I was happy to find cheap jeans that I think will work. They were a little skinny, but meant to be that way, so they'll be going-out pants as Andrea says. Anyways afterward, Andrea, Ellie and I explored the city; I had my first experience with real Indian food and loved it. We got veggie somoa's and they were delicious, they made my mouth burn but i went and got free samples of ice cream at this cafe which cured it.(although the guy giving me samples probably wasn't too happy I didn't buy anything :) Andrea and I also went to watch the Viking's game with Andy and Matt last night. We went to the Sport Bar, which is just a huge ESPNZone. There was a huge crowd and we ended up sitting on the floor but right in front of the huge screen. Vikes Won! And i'll get to wear my vikings shirt again next Sunday! Holla!

All of these things are wonderful, and I wouldn't give up this experience for anything, but I do miss a certain boy quite a lot. It's funny that we decided to take a break to not put pressure on the relationship when no matter what title we use it doesn't stop me from wishing I could be with him. It's the down time that gets to me, sitting in the flat while he's sleeping. My hope is that this will feeling will ease because I know time is going to fly by. It seems like I've been here for months when it's really only a few weeks. I still have so much of London to see and so much of Europe to explore. We tried to book our trip to Scotland tonight, and I shouldn't say we tried, because I succeeded. I was the only one who's credit card worked when we reserved our train tickets, so as of now I'm going to Edinburgh by myself! Kind of scary but the rest of the girls will figure it out tomorrow, we all booked our hostel so we're for sure going! First of as many weekend trips I can fit in (and afford) I hope!

Anyways, long story short. I love it here, I just want to soak in as much as possible and keep as busy as possible for more reasons than one.

we had a green!

The title, "we had a green!" has really become the theme of trying to cross the street here in London. Let's just say it's the complete opposite of Madison; car don't stop if you walk in front of them. And since the cars are coming from the opposite way it's also easy to say that even while we're trying sooo hard not to get hit, we've all stepped in front of a taxi and almost been run over. Alyssa, Andrea, and I went on a wine run a few nights ago and while crossing the street, in a crosswalk, with a green walk sign, and we thought we were going to get run over by a bus! A doubledecker to be exact. Very scary :) Anyways, I will be very surprised if no one on the trip gets hit for real one of these days, I just hope it's not me!

Last night we went to a bar/club called Sketch. It was very modern and we went to the bathroom in an Egg. Like these huge white eggs that opened into a toilet. We probably won't go again, it was a little too expensive and trendy for us, but just seeing it was worth going once.

In terms of classes, we started them this week and I'm excited for all of them, two seem like they'll be a lot easier than the others. I'm playing with the idea of dropping one class because even though I could handle 5 classes, I'm studying abroad and want to be able to experience as much of London as possible and not be tied down by all the class work. We'll see what I decide, but for now I have 5 three hour classes a week. The three hour class times are going to be a little much, but probably better than power lectures twice a week.

I'm about to get ready for tea time. We're going to a historic hotel to have a true tea time experience. Lots of little sandwiches and cookies, i'm less excited about the tea, but I actually did buy tea and have had a few cups since I've been here, I'll probably always be a coffee girl though(thanks to jen and marissa).

View from the Top

Growing up the only time I ever remember sharing a room with others was when first, I had nightmares and my parents were lucky enough to have me grace them with my presence, second, getting to have friends over to sleep on my floor, and third, going to my grandma's where she always enjoyed my company. Those are a little different than my loft Freshman year of college and the present situation of bunk beds. Oh bunk beds. It was never a childhood dream of mine to have a bunk bed with my brother, or even just to have them for when friends came over. In fact as I walked to my room two days ago bunk beds never crossed my mind, that was until I opened the door and alas alyssa had taken the one bed on the floor(don't worry alyssa we all would have done the same thing). But now came the question of whether or not to take the top bunk or the bottom? My first instinct was of course the bottom, i felt like that would have been the logical thing to do. But I decided I didn't care and that Andrea might like the bottom better so I i threw my bag on the top bunk. I've decided this view from the top has really enlighten me. how you ask. no idea, just trying to make the best out of a probably bad decision. ha, no really, I kind of enjoy sitting on the top bunk with my laptop and book with space to breathe. The book that sits next to me is a historical, a historical romance to be exact, and it involves a Duke. We walked down millionaires row (now billionaires row) a few days ago and it contains the flats(houses) of two dukes. When i figure out a way into their circles I'll update you on those details later. :)

On to more details about real life, Saturday we went on a three hour site seeing tour and I think, if possible, every book i've ever read that took place in London came alive within my imagination. We saw the places where harry potter's world became real and every King and Queen has been crowned(Westminster Abbey). Everything i've ever dreamed London to be has become real. Besides the carriages and outfits adorned in previous centuries. I wish I had an endless amount space in my brain to remember every word that is being told to me right now, but since i do not have a photographic memory i'm just trying to hang on to everything possible.

Yesterday we went to Harrod's, the largest and most beautiful store I have ever been in. (Note to self, if you ever grow up to be rich take a trip back here just to shop) It was a very pretty store but completely unrealistic in terms of my spending budget for this semester. We went out to a Thai restaurant last night which was located in the back of a lovely little pub and it was brilliant. I have to admit I didn't start eating Thai food until very recently but it was the best I'd ever had. We are already planning to go back.

Today I had my first class, in a pretty small room, but with a great lecturer(like Professor, but that term is not really used here). I'm sooo excited for my Contemporary Britain (which is like a poli sci class) and History of London. I probably raised my hand in class too much this morning to answer questions but I just couldn't help myself, I'm too happy learning more about the political system that i'm so curious about.

solidifying an ideal

London has been a place in my mind where earls fall in love with ladies and the author describes in detail the packed London streets which never sleep. I can't say that the London I was introduced to yesterday is the same London I've been daydreaming about for years. It is however, filled with the same buildings and houses that sit next to new roads, which are no longer crowded by horse and carriages but with cars, they have the brick facades that they have had since the 17th century (and probably the same windows as well, it feels like they're open when they're closed!) But our new flat is actually quite old, and in the most expensive area of London, Kensington, We are flanked by the Dutch embassy and Dubai royalty, look into Hyde Park when staring out our living room window and if we walk outside and turn left we are confronted with the former home of Princess Diana, Kensington Palace. I'm already in love with the history and cannot wait to fall in love with the present.

In terms of arriving here, everything went without a hitch, besides the machine printing out the wrong boarding pass and me looking like I was trying to get to New York with the name Gabbi Caddes. Oops. After that little mishap however, it was a smooth flight, went very fast with sleep, but good. We arrived in London, grabbed our luggage, and found Andrea's name on a piece of paper and had a impeccably dressed man with a gorgeous accent deliver us to our flat. I'm rooming with Andrea and Alyssa on Flat Three. More later, I'm off to a walking tour of Kensington :)

que sera sera

As many of you know my moto for the last few weeks has been based off my favorite doris day song, "que sera sera." (sorry I can't figure out how to get the accent over the e) So as my days in the U.S. dwindle down to four I find my emotions are no longer as mixed as they once were. I attribute this to having already said goodbye to Bennett. As sad of a goodbye as it was, the fact that it is over now allows me no longer dwell on the event and truly realize that I am leaving for four months. I haven't started packing though, which I should probably get on, but i find the task daunting. I'm trying to see as many people as possible before I head out but at the same time telling myself four months isn't long at all and with skype it'll be almost like i never left... hopeful thinking? We shall see :)