the poem I forgot to attach.

When I am Old I Will Wear Purple
Jenny Joseph's 'Famous Poem'

Warning! When I am Old I will wear Purple! When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple - - With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandles, And say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells and run with my stick along public railings, and make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain and pick flowers in other people's gardens and learn to spit! You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat and eat three pounds of sausages at ago, or only bread and pickles for a week, and hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry, and pay our rent and not swear in the street, and set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised when suddenly I am old, And start to wear purple! --Jenny Joseph

another chill day

So today, I had my second class. I was far less nervous. It called naturalism and the actor, and its going to be really really good. the prof is really really passionate and really knowledgeable. its pretty sweet. we talked for pretty much the whole time then did some scene work, but i was too scared to volunteer today. i'm worried that i'm not good enough to compare to the people here, but I mean, I know i can do it. i just have to be confidant in who I am, and know that my abilities are there. so then I came home and watched a movie then made some dinner.

it was yummy.

then I talked to my dad, who has pneumonia and my brother who has swine flu. my whole family is sick. pray for them to get better!

thats all. i really want to go shopping tomorrow, so i might just have to, especially since i haven't really bought anything but food and transportation and books since i've been here.

IT WORKED!!!!!! Video Post 1

I tried to do a video post. it failed.

See, I'm keeping up

Today was a relaxing day. I went to town to buy my books, bought some Mcdonald's for lunch, and met Kim. We walked around for like an hour looking for the store, only to find out that it was closed down. Luckily there is another one in town that sells the text books instead, so we went there. We only found that out because we stopped into a thrift store and asked a nice lady who was working there where it was. She was really sweet. I've found that about a lot of people there. Sure they look down on you for being American, but overall, everyone is really nice and willing to help you if your lost of confused. Its a welcomed surprise. Also, not only did I buy some text books, but I got this really beautiful copy of Pride and Prejudice. I am now reading that instead of Wicked.

Then, Kim and I went back to Richmond park. Again, it was stunning. Everything the English Country side looks like in movies, but its real.

We found the same tree, and were much more successful in climbing it. Kim got much higher than me. I was too scared to climb up it the way she did, and therefore could not get as high.

Then we walked back, and went to our respective houses for a while.

Then Adria, Kim and I went to a boys house, one of Adria's friends from Romania, and made crepes with nutella for dinner. very healthy.

we ended up watching this show called "strictly come dancing"(i think) with Tudor (adria's friends)'s flat mate adrian. It was so funny because he was really into it

Then we came home, this time minus the scary drunks we encountered last night. the end.

also, I enjoy reading comments on my blog. just sayin.

Ketchup

WARNING: this is really long. sorry. there are pictures at the bottom if you aren't keen on reading.

So i've fallen a bit behind these past few days, mostly because I haven't taken many pictures. But I'll tell you what has been happening. So after we got back from Brighton on Wed, a friend of ours from America was having a trial night as a bartender at a club in town, so Cate and Megan and I were going to be supportive and stop by and see her. Ok let me just take this moment to say that I have never been to a club, other than when there is a good band playing, and honestly I never have any desire to go. Not my scene. However, we were going to be good friends and go and check it out. So Cate and I got dressed up, ate dinner at home, then headed out to this club. we were not the least bit excited. quite the opposite actually. So on the way, Megan texted us saying she was going to the popular club across the street which has a two hour que and a £10 cover. We were not up for that, but we were already on the bus, and so there wasn't much to be done. We got down town, and the line was 2 blocks long, so we walked around for a bit, then decided, so as to not "waste the night" to head to the pub that had the international party the first night and get a drink. Last time we went, it was insanely, and not fun, so I wasn't expecting much, but it was actually quit chill, and really great. The bartender was really nice, and no one hit on us really, and I had a dark rum and coke, and we had wonderful conversation. it ended up being awesome.

So then thursday I slept until 12, then had some left over pasta for lunch. Then Cate and I tried unsuccessfully to get some text books at borders. complete fail. Then we came back and made some sandwiches and headed to this amazing park near our house. Richmond Park is one of the most beautiful outdoor places i've ever been. it has the huge fields and ponds and trees. you forget you in greater london. Cate and I ate and watched glee, then found a tree to climb, which was quite and adventure to even begin. I'll try and post some of her pictures later, I didn't bring my camera.

FRIDAY

Today, Kim and Iwent to Buckingham Palace and paid a freaking arm and a leg to get in, however, it was totally worth it. You couldn't take pictures inside, but we went to the queens gallery and the staterooms in the palace, which are closing this weekend, so I'm very glad I got to see them.

above is the back of the palace. below is the royal gardens
below: as close as I could get to taking pictures inside.
outside the Queens Galleries

Above: in front of the palace, where the light was really awesome. this is where the changing of the gaurd happens, but not today. i think that may only happen when the queen is home, and today she wasn't.

Then Kim and I were really hungry, so we walked around for a while looking for something to eat.

We walked through this park, and took pictures in the chairs that are everywhere for anyone to sit in, and also of Parliament, which is beautiful from this view

. We eventually ended up eating at this really touristy Asian food place under the Julbillee bridge. It was really good though, so whatever, I'll be a tourist.

Above: Dinner. My soda Below: Big Ben in a great light.

Then we met audria, my other housemate at the train station and went to a hillsong event. It was for the youth group, but we went anyway because there aren't many young adult things yet, so we thought it would be good to go together to this, and it totally was. It was funny to watch the high schoolers hang out, and the worship, or course was amazing. I am praying that I can get comfortable here, and not feel like a loser in the way that I dress. I'm so tired of being pigeonholed as the american, and judged for it. I feel like a loser because of who I am. I just need to remember that God made me who I am for a reason, and I need to be joyful in his creation.

Sorry that was so long....i will try to keep up next time, so this won't happen again.

Brighton

So today, we took a trip with school to Brighton, which is a resort town in England on the channel. It was the resort home of king george IV, this is the home he had built. its in Indian style, with Chinese decor on the inside. It was really beautiful, odd but beautiful. Its on the right in this picture.

Before we toured to inside, we had a few hours to walk around the town. Its such a cool place, especially when you get past the touristy part. We went to the beach, which is rock, not sand. and cold, but stunning. It had a pier, like myrtle beach.
This is the beach. It was a little chilly, and drizzley, but its england, so there you go.

**Random** this is what you push to cross the street

This was like a mini pier we went on to take some pictures

I climbed on the wall to get this picture. Cate was afraid I would die. It made me want to climb sometime soon.

We then had fish and chips for lunch at this place my land lady suggested. It was AWESOME! I felt british.

Then we took a tour of the Royal Pavilion (that indian building). Inside was stunning, but we weren't allowed to take pictures soooo....

Then we went and got some tea and scones, and I again felt very British.

We walked around the super cool hippie district. Although, there was some random guy smoking a joint on the street. We went into some cool secondhand shops, but the stuff is still rather expensive so i didn't buy anything. Brighton is such a cool place. very chill and nice. i would totally live there.

Tomorrow I'm going to find books to buy. SWEET.

Becoming normal.

So life is slowly becoming normal. Today was a chill day, and it was nice. I went in to town this morning to get some fresh veggies at the open air market:

Then I walked around the shopping square, which is only pedestrian during the day.
I took some random shots. Only these 2. I was pleasantly surprised, considering it only took one shot to get them both. I think I'm improving.

Then I went to look for a cashpoint (atm) and I tried 4 different ones, and none would let me get money out, so I took the bus back home, and called the bank after I warmed some soup for lunch. Apparently I should have filled out a sheet telling them I was traveling, because they keep blocking my account. T

his time, though, I think it has been fixed for good. Then Cate and I watched Pride and Prejudice, which made me really excited about marriage, and really miss Tom. Then we went into town to get money out, and stop

ped by ASDA on the way home. I only spend £15 on groceries, but I got ALOT! I am getting better at shopping. Then I cooked dinner for myself-fresh steamed veggies and pasta with cheese and french bread. Good meal. I also had some AMAZING apple juice (i will blame Tom for getting me addicted). And then Tom and I talked for a while on Skype, then I talked to my family, who are headed to disney tomorrow. LAME.

Tomorrow, I'm going to Brighton with my British Life Class, which should be fun. According to my Land Lady and her husband its amazing and also the English version of San Francisco lol. SO tomorrow there will be alot of pictures hopefully. until then!

The last few days

I have fallen a little behind, so this may get long...i'm not offended if you don't read all of, so don't feel obligated ;-)

Yesterday was the best day here so far! Kim(with me at the bottom) and Audria (from Romania) and I all got up and took the train into London and the tube to central London, and went to Hillsong Church!! It was awesome! When we walked in, the guy who runs the young adult ministry spotted us, and showed us where all the other students and young adults sit, and then invited us to free lunch! The service was so cool, and they did songs that I'd never heard before, which was very cool! The message was awesome! Then after we went to get pizza, which they paid for, and met a bunch more students and young adults from the area. It was cool to get to know people in London who do more than sit in pubs and get drunk. There is a small group in Kingston for college age students, so I'll be going to that! Its really awesome!

Then I got home, and Cate and I and another girl named Megan went to an irish pub to hang out. We had a white wine which was good, then a glass of cider which was good. I think that was probably as much as I'll ever drink, not like i was in any way even tipsy, but thats as far as I want to push it. I would just prefer a soda, although the cider was carbonated, so that was good.

Then today, we went into London, AGAIN, and my camera did not die, so there are more pics on facebook. We walked around in Oxford Circus, and on a side street found a cool little second hand store, but I didn't really find much, and it was all sort of expensive so...I may keep checking back because it was such a cool place. Then we went to this place called TopShop, which is like the huge department store with ONLY clothes. It was INSANE. I was completely overwhelmed with how huge and crowed it was. That many people made me so tired. I did get some sweet purple keds for £15, which is like $24 soo that was fun.

We also went to a store called Faith, and this was the lower level. We decided that you can wear whatever you want in London, and no one thinks its weird. Its so awesome. Even in Kingston its like that. I think I may try it tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

Then we started looking for somewhere to eat, and ended up taking a bus back to Trafalgar square, where we found a cute italian restaurant with a good lunch special. I had this awesome Linguini. And it was only £7, sooo yummmm

By that time we were so tired and ready to go home, so we walked to the square to go into the National Galaries, which are free, and use a free bathroom (most in London cost £.20 to use) This is Kim from Winthrop, who I have really enjoyed spending time with. In the background is Trafalgar Square and then way in the back that tall building is parliament!

After we got back, I chilled for about 2 hours, then Kim came over and we made dinner and me and her and Audria just hung out and talked. Cate wasn't feeling well, so she just went on to bed.

Overall this weekend, my first one, was really great! I am so excited to meet people in my classes, and more people from Hillsong Church and just create a niche here! I miss everyone back home, but I am excited to make the most of this experience!!

British Life Quiz

Ok, so I've started to find the little niches of the English Language that are somewhat different. I'll post the answers later.

1. if i am wanting to buy "trainers," what type of store should I go to?

2. If i am queing in the UK, what am I doing in America?

3. there is a sign that say "to let," what is it most likely in front of?

4. if I bum a fag, what do I need?

5. how much do all museums in london cost?

6. where is the tube?

7. i've just bought an oyster card, what can I now do much more easily?

8. what is ASDA the british equivalent of?

9. what are british cents called?

10. is London awesome? (the answer to this is yes)

Being a tourist

This is what the bus I ride everyday looks like. Its all very exciting, and thank God, I completelty understand it. Its wonderful to feel like if I am alone and lost I know how to get to my house and my classes on the bus. Its a really good security.

I thought this was funny. "mind" the step

So today, we went to this place called Hampton Court Palace. Henry the 8, of the Tudors, lived there. He is the one who killed all his wives if you were wondering. It was SO beautiful. I have some other really good shots of the grounds, but Blogger takes forever, so this is one of the best. except its a little crooked.

These trees were shaped like arrow heads. There was a power source under it, i'm not sure what it was for, but i thought it looked like a little house, so I took a picture.

Today, I got enrolled, got my ID, and then Cate and I went to the grocery store. It was the british version of walmart. Its even owned by them. I hate walmart, but it was very convenient. That didn't really make up for it, but I got some PB&J and some pre-made pasta dishes, so I'm having that for dinner. yum

I think we are going into London again tomorrow, and this time, I WILL bring my camera.

Fun from Kingston.

This is three days :-)

Before I left, waiting in the columbia airport where I actually almost missed the flight because it was such a small flight, and i went to fill up my nalgene after they called. They said my name over the intercom and told me I had only 1 min to get to the gate. it was silly. the man sitting beside me looked like and older version of steven colbert. i wish i had asked for his autograph.

This was the sun set leaving DC on the way to the UK. stunning. God is so good. The flight was long, and I didn't feel that great. This time I had a sweet old british man, and really wished that I was in first class, because they have their own seat pod. its awesome.

After I bought my british phone, kim and i went to sit and wait for the other girls that were with us. It was so fun to talk and watch the pidgeons and the children playing. then we went to a pub.

My first full drink. It was cider and I really liked it. I only drank like 1/3 of it. I don't really like it all that much I have discovered.

This is at the internation "mixer" we had tonight. I had another beer, i can't remember the name, but it was not that great. Cate, apparently, attracks all the boys. it was really funny to watch them flock to her. There were some fun philisophical and drunk political conversations tonight that were interesting to listen to.

These days have been great! I have met a ton of people, some of which I will probably continue to spend time with, and others I may not see the whole time I am here. Cate and Kim and I will spend some time together, but I will also spend time with my other roommate Audriann. She's from eastern europe, as well as another boy. yesterday i went into london with them, and FORGOT MY CAMERA! but it was really fun. also weird to be the only native english speaker in the group, and in a country that is english. it was long, and on the way home, we missed the bus and decided to walk the almost 3 miles home from the train station. we eventually, though got cold, and decided to just wait, so we did and rode the bus for the last mile i'd say. today was much better, but not all the busses run 24hrs, so we had a little trouble finding one that was running, but it was fine, and now that its 3 am i will got to sleep!

More photos will come when i take them!

About to head out

This was the general feelings with everyone I said goodbye to this week. It was definitely sad, but I am SO excited to get there and get started. I have been watching everyone have fun and learn things for the last month, and now I GET TO ALSO!! I am still really nervous about the whole transportation thing. but it will all work out. I fly out tomorrow at 2:25 from columbia. Pray for a safe flight!

more pre-flight

i enjoy updating this with like 2 sentences.  also, about nothing.  

My modules (in america we call them classes) are now posted online.  From what I can understand, I have one class everyday, except tuesday, when I have...NONE! Its going to be a good semester.  I will have some class on the weekend because of the british culture class I am taking, which is all about the field trips.  Its all very exciting, and seemingly chill. I am making an effort to (a) figure out the public transportation  system before I actually need to to get around.  (There is a definite potential for walking to most of the campus, but its a long walk, so public transport will be great if I can figure it all out) and (b)not spend all my money before I get there  (Money is also really stressing me out because the pound is much higher than the dollar (1lb = about 1.62 dollars) and my rent it about 150 a week, plus I have to buy food, and just live, and I want to live it up.  Streeeeessssfuuullll.  Hannah and I turned in our tenant application today, which, from what I understand, seals the deal on a town home in Yorkshire apartments for next semester.  Mainly I'm still skeptical because it was really simple to complete this process, and everything else seemed to be so difficult, I feel like this should have been too, but it wasn't.  Weird.  House warming festivities will follow.  I don't have cool pictures yet, however, I feel like this has potential to become a photo blog.  I like those better.  

Please continue the prayers, because in His perfect time, God is totally answering! 

this was way more than 2 sentences.  

ok thats all.  

did i say progress?

i tried to start packing today.  30 min later i stopped.  it was too overwhelming.