Cheerio

The End

2009-12-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

I am currently on US Airways flight 733 from London Gatwick to Charlotte Douglas. It is 2pm eastern standard time, and I’ve been on this plane for almost 7 hours. As I sit here, hoping my computer doesn’t die as I write this, I am starting to reflect back on this semester. What a ride these last few months have been. I’m still struggling to believe that I have not been in America, not seen my family, my friends, Tom, for 14 weeks, some even longer. Its incredible how much I’ve learned this semester. I’ve learned so much about theatre, and creative writing, public trasportation, British Culture, and I think, more importantly, my self and who I am in Christ. So I am about embark on another list-I love them so much, because they don’t have to make sense in any order, and they are easy to look at and read. I am also going to include some of my pictures from the last few days.

Sooo Here it goes.

What I learned during my semester abroad:

1. Flying is not that fun. Neither are airports. Or luggage. It’s the destination that is fun.

2. I am horrible at downsizing luggage. I brought WAY too much, and I have more muscular arms to prove it.

3. Public transportation is easy when your are confident. And pay attention to signs. And if you go the wrong way, just get off and switch directions. Don’t keep going when you know your going the wrong way.

4. Church is vital to making a home, and being comfortable.

5. I love planning trips. I could do it professionally if I didn’t want to travel so much.

6. Cooking is really really really fun. I feel like I have a little bit of a nack for adusting recipe’s to taste different and still good. I also love baking for other people.

7. I don’t like long classes, and ones that are only once a week.

8. I should never take less than 16 hours. It makes me way t lazy.

9. Winter is fun for a week. I love summer way more.

10. Friends are not as hard to come by as I thought. I have learned to be more open with people, and have made so pretty awesome friends because of it.

11. I know what I believe. I know not everyone agrees. I am ok with the fact that what I believe I believe is truth. And I am ok with standing up with what I believe in. God is powerful and amazing and I love him. He is more my life now than when I left.

12. I am so so glad I never have to live on campus again. I will never regreat that decision.

13. I could live permanently in London. Not forever, but I do love the city.

14. I’m not as introverted as I used to be.

15. I now understand what most of the nubers and dials on my camera mean.

16. I love cheese

17. I love pasta

18. I can be not socially awkward if I try really hard.

19. I love people. I love being around them, learning about them, enjoying who God has created them to be.

I love myself. God has made me the way I am because that is what serves Him best. I’m no where close to perfect, by the world’s standards. And further away from the more important ones. But I love who I am, who I am becoming, and where I am going in my life. I have grown so much this semester. I am not scared to ask questions, or answer them. This is who I am. I am proud to be alive in Christ, and be the person He has created me to be.

I'm sure, as I get further away from this experience I realize even more what I've

Anna's here, Luggage on Public Transport, and Snow in London

2009-12-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

So on Sunday, I left my house in Kingston for good. It was bittersweet. I got some pictures before I left!

but....ANNA GOT HERE!!

I picked her up from the airport and we made the hour trip from heathrow to clapham. It took FOREVER! seriously. I was annoyed.

That night, we went to the free organ concert at Westminster Abbey, but no pictures were allowed. It was absolutly beautiful, and we got into the abbey for free!

Then Anna and I walked on the South Bank,

then headed home so she could sleep!

Monday we woke up nice and early and went in London to go to the Tate Modern. I love that place, and we got their so early that we walked around the museum completely alone. Its much faster and more fun that way. Again, no pictures were allowed.

Then I had to go to my class, and do my final devising piece. This also took forever. Then Anna went to Wimbledon for Kim's Birthday with church friends. It was really really fun. I'm really going to miss those kids! I came home and worked on school stuff. uggggg

Tuesday, we got up and went to the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. It was really cold, and we really didn't know where to stand to see it, but I got some pictures. And the band that played during the change played ABBA and Michael Jackson. So weird.

Then I went to my class again lameeeeeeeee, but I think we did well on our final, so i guess it was good. Then we went into Covenent Gardens to have dinner. We ate at this little italian place that was a really great price. We had food and dessert and wine for 2 for only £34! It was really good too!

Today, we got up and went to the South Bank again. It was snowing. I know that sounds really cool, but actually it kinda stunk. Because we wanted to see London, but it was snowing and cold and gross. We did go though. We went to the globe, but its a little expensive to get into, so we just took some pictures outside, and then walked to Parliament and Westminster Abbey to take some more pictures.

Then I had my LAST CLASS!! and now, we are having some home cooked chicken parm, and hanging out with Kim and doing nothing. Cause I'm done with school. YESSSSS.

J'aime le Francais

2009-12-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

SOOOO, its been a while. Sorry.

I've been working hard on getting essays done, and rehearsing for classes, and packing. I am moving out of my house into Clapham on sunday, and ANNA IS COMING

(this is her on the left)

We are going to be annoying tourist for a week. Its going to be awesome.

SO this past weekend, we went to PARIS!! WHOO

Here's the thing though, to get there, we had to take a ten hour bus trip. which was aweful.

Here is us before:

Here is us after.

We got there at 7am. Our walking tour was at 9am. We chilled in the hotel, and had some breakfast (where that picture was taken)

The walking tour was actually really good. I learned some new things about paris. And was really tired.

Then we grabbed some lunch and went back to the hotel to take a nap.

After our nap we went to walk down the champs elysece. It was all decoracted for Christmas. Beautiful.

And Had some dinner.

Then we walked under the arc de triumph

and then headed to the Tour Eiffel.

Then we headed home, and went to sleep.

The next morning, we woke up, and checked our bags, and headed out to enjoy our day. We headed to the Louvre because it was free day, and waiting in an insane line for about 1 hour (awesome considering it went all the way through the courtyard with the pryramid and into another, and all the way around it.) It was awesome. Here's some cool pictures I got.

Then we went toward the Tour Eiffel, and got some pain and fromage (bread and cheese) on the way.

We took some cool pictures outside and then tried to go up.

The line was insane though, so we decided against it because we had to make our bus home. We went back to the Champs Elyse and got a waffle. YUM.

Then we went home. It was a great weekend, minus the insanly long cummute. But I had a great time. I would really love to live in Paris in the future. I hope it happens!!

This week has been busy. I'm packing and finishing my script, getting ready for ANNA!! I plan to finish the script tonight, and then one of my last two papers tomorrow, and pretty much be home free for the rest of school!!!!!

"Inspiration" or "Research"

2009-12-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

So, for the three of four people who read this. I love you guys. Thanks for making me feel loved. I can't believe I'm almost done with this experience. I litterally have two weeks and two days left. It is insanity. This weekend, I'm jet setting on a cheap coach trip to Paris. I'm not as excited as I should be because I'm really stressed about school work and life in general. In other news, I'm submitting some pictures of a photo contest here at school. We'll see if they are any good!

So here's what I need help with. The male character in my script is lacking depth. He sits there and lets people use him to get what they need, and loves them past it. He is human, because he gets angry and moves on, but he doesn't have any character flaws. I need him to have some flaws. So what I need from you, my loyal reader base, is some ideas on character flaws to give him. The opposing character in the piece is self loathing and frivolous. She does what she wants without considering the consequences. What I need is some character flaws for the male character that will continue to accent the issues she has, but make him real.

Please help me out. I'm desperate.

Thank you.

The last few days have been Foxy

2009-12-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

I've not done too much in the past few days, but I do have some sweet pictures!

On Sunday, I went to church and had some lunch after at a nice pub we go to sometimes called Spice of Life. cheap and GOOD pub grub. yum

Then I hung out in central, and did some Christmas shopping, which I LOVE doing (seriously) and then hung out in McDonalds until Cate and Dan and Megan and Raquel came up. Then we walked around looking for The Fly, where we were going to see a show. We found it, but the show had been pushed back 2 hours so we went to Spice of Life (again) and hung out until the doors opened.

The show was SO good. We saw an american band called Foxy Shazam, which I had never heard of until I found their gig online. They were really great live. Totally insane, but great. (Litterally insane. The singer ATE his cigarette. The keyboardist played with his feet. The horn player split his pants. I'm not joking. Check out this video.) It was a really great night.

I've just had class for the past few days, although last night, I did make some sweet from scratch cinnamon cookies. And shared with the people in my house. Its my way of getting them to like me, or loving them, you know whatever....

Today in class, my partner and I had not even gotten our lines totally down, well more I hadn't, but we had to preform in class. UGGG, but it actually turned out really good. Thank God I'm getting better at improv, because we had literally NEVER done it with words. and our class rather liked it. Whoo

Giving thanks and Market shopping

2009-11-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from the awesome Portobello Market in Notting Hill.

This week has been a pretty sweet one.

Update on Timing- I'm going to Paris in a week, Anna comes 2 weeks from tomorrow, and in 22 days I'll be on my way home. Its really crazy how much time has flown.

Monday and Tuesday were very chill. Just hung out and worked. On tuesday, classes were meant to be cancelled during the afternoon, which is when my only class is. But I, like most of the people in my class, assumed that wouldn't apply to us because our teacher is a little clueless when it comes to things like that, so litterally over half the class showed up anyway. Instead of leaving after 15 min like a normal college class would do, we decided it would be better to stay and work. It was the weirdest thing, because no one in the class was like, no thats a bad idea lets just leave. We sat around and worked on our pieces for our final, and basically had class. I only stayed for half of it, but it was just really suprising that people would do that, because usually kids here are less apt to do anything than even kids back home. WEIRD. After I left, I walked to Primark and did just a little bit of shopping. I bought a really great jacket, some socks, a hat, and some flowers for my hairs. All for only £13. What a deal. Then I grabbed the rest of what I needed for thanksgiving and headed home.

That night, Cate's partner for acting's show was opening/being preformed/idk and so we decided it would be fun to go, and see what student work here was like. It was in a bar on campus. I literally did not understand anything. It was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. All the actors did was sit around and drink wine and yell alot. and half the time it wasn't loud enough. It was set up like a cabaret, so there were lots of different pieces. Some were really good, but as a whole, the show made literally no sense. Apparently, even Cate's partner, who directed and put it all together, didn't even understand it. Weird.....

Wed, I slept really late, then went to class. After class, Cate and I stopped by Raquel's for a few min, then headed into the city to see another show. It was at a place called the Arcola Theatre. We had a blast (NOT!) getting there, but made it about 20 min early, in time to actually check out the space before we went in. It was just like I imagine my theatre to be like. There was an organic bar with lots of cool thrift store places to sit. There were three different spaces to preform. The one we were in was really tiny, and like the blackbox at Winthrop, just smaller. it held about 40 people, and was about half full. The show, A Real Human Person Who Cares and All That, was fantastico. Going made me really excited about the future I hope I'm going to have.

On Thursday, it was Thanksgiving. In protest of it not being a national holiday in the UK, I skipped my class, and slept nice and late, and worked a little on my script. Then Cate and I headed to Clapham to make some dina. Dan was cooking the turkey, so we made some other sweet dished. Kim came after class, and made some REALLY awesome mac and cheese. I made homemade mashed potatoes and broccoli cassorole. Cate made rosemary roots. It was a FANTASTIC dinner, especially considering we were not in America, or with our real families.

After we ate, we played some Taboo, then headed home to end the day in a food coma.

On Friday, we went back to Clapham, ate leftovers and played with duct tape, and watched Modern Family.

Today, I went to the market, as I mentioned earlier. It was sooo fun and hip and awesome. If I lived here, my entire wardrobe would come from it. I got a really hippie vest and a sweater and some sick earings, and herbal tea.

Then I came home and vedged for a while, planning to go have more thanksgiving. However, it was pouring rain, and I litterally waited on the bus for 20 minutes. One that I should have had to wait 2 min on. Seriously it was horrible. So, Cate and I decided to eat dinner and watch elf, and are not listening to sappy Christmas music and missing home.

Shakespeare's Globe, Parliament Pub, and The Piano Bar

2009-11-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

So The rest of this week was uneventful. Mostly. OK, not really.

Thursday, My Script Got read in class. It didn't go over as incredibly as I would have hoped (you know thunderous applause and no negative feedback. O and a publishing deal), however, I think my class did like it. They identified with characters much differently than any one else who's read it has, and they had some great suggestions as to how to improve it. I may or may not have started a new one. I just got a really good idea and so I figured I should write it down, and see if it goes anywhere. As daunting a tasks as it is, I really enjoy writing. So even if they go no where, its fun to be creative in that sense.

That night, Kim and I took the bus to Fullum Broadway and met some girls from our small group and had some tex-mex. Good night. Also, this is proof I have British Friends. Yay!! They are all really really awesome. I'm really going to miss Hillsong.

On Friday, my British Life class had a trip to the Globe Theatre and Parliament. So I woke up and headed to the South Bank. I met cate, Raquel and Megan on the way in, and Kim met us at the theatre. We took a tour of the Globe. Its pretty sweet inside. I wish the season was still happening but it ended in October. :-(

After the tour, we walked around in the Exhibition and I got some sweet posters for my classroom(!) and then we headed to get some food and to Parliament.

We were already tired when we got there. We also had the most dry tour guide EVER. In his defense, I don't think he was actually a tour guide, but still. it was SO. BORING.

After, Kim and I called up a friend from church (another British Friend!) who works in Parliament. She showed us around another part of the building, then we went and had a drink in the pub inside of Parliament(!) I felt very cool, and got to see the British Parliament Rugby Team and the South African one, who were in town for a match. Here tour was about ten times better than the legit one.

Yesterday, I woke up really late, and hung out and got some work done. Then we headed to Raquel's for dinner. After Dinner, we headed to Kensington High Street to the Piano Bar. It was the coolest place! There was live piano music and TONS of people. We had such a great time. Then we took the tube/bus/another bus/walked 10 min to get home because London shuts down at mid, and there are no more trains. It was SUCH a great night though. Lots of good friends and good music!

Today, I woke up to go to church. As I was getting off the bus, a monsoon broke lose, and I got completely soaked, even though I was wearing a raincoat and had an umbrella. Welcome to London. All I could do was laugh!!

Church was really great. Love. that was what I heard about for an hour. SO SO amazing. My God loves me, and he opens up my heart to being able to truly and unconditionally love other people. SO awesome.

Kim and I then went to Subway, the into a sports shot to find some football jerseys. The rain let up, but it sure was cold. Its officially winter I'd say.

I'm just starting to really really love it here. I'm glad I have a whole month left, although I am really missing certain people.

Class and British Friends (sorry no photo's)

2009-11-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was uneventful. I woke up much too late, after a four am bed time, then ate a little lunch of plain pasta...I was too lazy to do anything else....and headed to class. In class we talked a little about British newspapers, which from what I can tell are mostly not good-they are much more about celebrities and "pop news" than actual news that should matter to the world.

Then Cate and Megan and Lauren and I went to the Kingston Mill for a drink and some dinner. Then I headed home and proceeded to pretend to work on my script while also having a three hour conversation with ma man.

Today was close to the same. I woke up, went to class. I had some of my script read in class, which was hard, but helpful. I wanted everyone to be like "Oh, I love it! Its so great! La La La" and while some people I think did like it, there were more criticisms, but really helpful one. It was an effective session.

Then I came home, and the cute British children where on the bus from the library again, so that made the ride much more enjoyable. I had some lunch, cleaned my room (MUCH NEEDED) and took a nap.

Then, tonight, I went out with some friends from church. While only one of them is actually British, I still felt like I had some British friends. We had tex mex and then walked around for about 20 min looking for a place to get coffee. Too bad we're no longer in Ireland...or Barcelona...or Rome....or any other place in the world, where things don't ALL close at 630. It was ok though, so Kim and I just headed home. And here we are!

The end.

Dublin Time.

2009-11-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

So this past week. (i've been really slack about this.)

On Wed, I thought I was going to small group. and I was excited. Then, as we were in the librbary printing our papers, we discovered that there was a field trip that night to the national theatre. Now, while I was pumped about the theatre, I was bummed to have to miss small group. I got over it. We went to the Kingston Mill and had some chicken burger and chips, then headed to the theatre. We barley made it on time, but we did. The show was called Nation. It was very interpretive, but I think it might be cool as a youth theatre piece. So I bought the script

Thursday, I skipped my class and did nothing all day.

Friday, I went to school to print my ticket. Then came home and packed and watched a movie.

We met at the station and headed to Dublin. I forgot like everything. But it was alright. The flight was HORRIBLE! There was no time without turbulance. The whole time I was praying asking God that if we crashed I wanted to die before the plane hit the ground. But we didn't. God is powerful. We made it to the hostel at about 12:30, and hit the sack.

The next day we woke up early and caught a bus tour around the country side. We went to a place called Glendelach where one of the first (I think) monasteries was built. It was cold and raining, but SO beautiful. And very peaceful.

Then we got back on the bus and headed to KillKenney and took a walking tour.

Then we headed back. That night, Ireland played France in football so, joining in the fun we went to a pub to celebrate. It was slammed, but everyone in the pub was SO nice, so I had a great time. After the game we walked outside and met one of the barmen, who was on his smoke break. We all decided to go have food together. It was so random but fun. We ate chinese food. Then Kim and I went back to go to bed, being the non partiers we are, and Cate and Megan went out to have some more fun.

The next morning, we woke up and checked out of our hotel and went and had bagels. Then we went to the street where once was filmed and Megan and Cate acted out some scenes.

Then we did a little shopping. I got some cool gifts for people, and then went to Trinity College.

We saw the book of Kells, which is from like 900ad. Really really old. We walked around some more and had some lunch. We took a few more pics and went back to the hostel to grab our luggage and chill out for a while. Then we headed home!

our hostel is the blue building.

We got home late Sunday. Yesterday was uneventful, I had class and we cooked and watched Once and pointed out all the places we'd been.

Today, I skipped my class because my partner was also skipping, and there was no point in going without a partner because all we do is partner work. I decided to cook an awesome dinner. So I made a pizza,

and a dessert. It was meant to be pumpkin cheese cake, but ASDA did not sell pumpkin or evaporated milk, so it ended up being a "half cheese cake." because it taste good I'm putting up the recipe. Yum

1 1/2 cups porridge oats
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cinnamon

PREHEAT oven to 350°F.

COMBINE oats, butter and granulated sugar
in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of
9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not
allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

CHEESECAKE:

3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large
mixer bowl until fluffy. Pour into crust. Chill

So, thats my week so far. Tonight, I'm going to watch the meteors. I'll try and put up more posts this week. We'll see if it gets interesting. I come home in 33 days.

addendum to My List

2009-11-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

I was looking through some old blogs (yeah i'm a nerd.) and I found this from March. Things have changed a bit. Somethings I have done, some things I'm okay with not doing. Something are within my sight.

3-20-09

Sometime in my life

-Live in Europe (in the process)

-Travel through Europe (in the process)

-Go to at least 10 different countries (in the process)

-Live in Dominican Republic, or at least go back more than once

-Teach in a public school, one that serves inner city kids

-Open my own theatre company

- Have dreads (done it. hated it. might do it again)

-climb a real mountain

-go hiking....alot (next semester i'm taking a hiking class. just saying.)

-get married (:-D)

-live somewhere where snow happens...often

-actually use something i've made

-have a child

-join the peace corps (i'm not sure this is something on my list anymore. I don't know if living alone in a country where I know no one and don't speak the language that is also scary and dangerous is for me. I just don't know.)

-become bilingual, or close

- direct a play

- play the guitar

- sell or have a picture published

- be a leader

- see God change a community. Be a part of it.

- Have a script published. (I'm writing one...or two... right now)

Roman Holiday

2009-11-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

So Rome was great too! Lots of History.

The first night we got there, went and dropped out things in the not so awesome hostel,

and went out for a bite to eat. We had some red whine and pasta. Then we went to the room and slept.

The next day, we woke up and went to the Paletine. Its across from the Collusiam. There is SO much history in this one little square, and its all really really beautiful. Here's some pictures:

Then we got hungry, so we went to the Trevi Fountain, and had some lunch in the square. And Gelato!

Then we threw some coins into the fountain, so I'll be going back. Just sayin.

Then we went to the Panthion. It was crazy. Pictures don't really show how awesome it was.

Then we went to the Piazza Navona. We met a lady from Scotland who had a really cute dog, who we played with. As we were talking to the lady, an old quintessential italian man. He kicked the ball for the dog, and proceeded to tell the lady, in italian, that all people in Europe were actually Roman. THEN these two italian twin toddlers started playing with the Dog and with us. This is all at twilight while street performers are playing "I will always love you". THEN a street vendor came and blue bubbles for us. It was the most picturesque thing that has ever happened to me. Here's a picture.

After free pasta from the hostel that night, we played cards with Dan and talked and had fun. I taught every one to play spades!

The next day it rained. A lot. But we went to the coliseum any way. with our new friend who was staying in out room, Dan. It was really cool, and I gave everyone a rubbish tour about how people used to come to it to watch the popular movies of the time. Its crazy though how much it looks like a stadium we use today. Its weird.

Then, in the pouring rain, we went to the Vatican. We stopped in to take a picture, then went straight to the museum.

To see the Sistine Chapel. But you have to walk through the entire thing to get to it. We did it though.

Then we went back to the hostel and had some free pasta and played cards.

Then next morning we got up and checked out of the hostel, then had about 3 hours to waste. We went to this really old aquarium and got a free tour. We saw the original roman wall too, well a bit of it.

Then we had our last meal in Italy, and headed home.

After we got off the plane, we took the train that we were supposed to. Then we got on the tube, and got off at the wrong stop. So we went to a different place where we thought there was a train to Kingston. We were wrong. So then we had to take a bus to the station, then wait on a train, then wait on a bus. It literally took 4 hours. It was NOT fun. but that was about the only NOT fun part of the trip

Sense I've been home:

Sunday, I litterally slept all day, then did some work. Then slept some more.

Monday, I went to class, the to Raquel's, where we had shrimp pasta and attempted to learn the Dance to Fight For this Love by Charylle Cole, which is HUGE here.

Today, I went to class, and came home. I got alot of work done though. And my college of ed application done! It was great!

The end

Hola Barcelona!

2009-11-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

So, this week, I went to Spain and Rome. This is going to be a really long post, but I wasn't about to bring my laptop into hostels for it to get stolen.

SOOO

On Sunday, Kim and I went to the early church service, which was really great! Then we met Megan and Cate at the train station to take the train to the Airport.

Then we flew to Girona, Spain, and took and hour and a half bus ride into Barcelona. We walked around for a while until we found out hostel. We had a private room, which was sweet!

After we dropped out stuff, we went to dinner on La Rambla street. Then we walked down by the ocean, onto a pier. Then we walked back to the hostel and hit the sack.

On Monday, we thought we'd take a bike tour, but ended up not being able to find it. So, instead we walked up these SUPER steep hills to get to the Gaudi park, which had some incredible views of the city.

Then we went and had some lunch at a cute little bar and bought some souvenirs and went and got some food for dinner at the market.

We came back and took a siesta(!) and then ate the food we'd bought. Then we went to look for the beach. After lots of searching, finding the spanish Arc de Triumph and a park...

We eventually found it, and it was beautiful and warm.

On the way back however, we got nice and lost and ended up in the warehouse district. Not very fun. But we did eventually get back safe, and therefor it was a successful night.

Then next morning, we got up a little later, walked to the market again, and bought some food for lunch and dinner. Then we found the store to rent bikes and decided to go on our own bike tour. It was very scary. We had to ride through tons of people to find the bike lanes, and even then, some were on the street on main roads. We eventually got to the Gaudi Catherdral and ate our lunch.

Then we took a few pictures

and got back on the bikes of death and headed back to return them.

After we did a little bit of shopping and then headed back to the hostel to sleep. That night we went to look for the Picaso museum. Which is hidden away in the Gothic Quarter and really really hard to find.

But we did find it. No pictures were allowed inside, but there were some of the outside.

The next morning we checked out of our hostel and walked around in this beautiful park. There was a fountain

An elephant

And lots of other things, including parrots!

Then we got on the plane and headed to Roma! (Which I will write about in the next post, so people will actually read them...maybe)

I'm really bad at writing every night. And I don't have any pictures.

2009-10-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

One thing. This week HAS been good good. thought I would clear that up.

On thursday, Cate and I went to class, then went shopping!! I got some ked-ish shoes for £2. Yay. Then Cate and I went to TK Max (which is the british version of TJ max) I was walking around the store while I was waiting. And I found a beautiful orange coat. for £30. So I bought it. oops. Then we went to a department store where they have a whole section of American Food! So we bought some cornbread mix! and reeses. I miss American food. Rush's Cheeseburgers and Chickfila the most. Random.

So that night, Cate and I went to a school production of "Dead Man Walking". It is important to note that this is a southern american show. Put on by british people. The accents were not good....there was something intense and emotional about it though. I pulled some emotion out of me so...

All in all it was an American day.

Yesterday, I slept nice and late, washed some clothes. Then Cate, Raquel, Dan and I went to the London Wetland Conservation thing. It apparently is a hidden gem of London. It was actually pretty cool. We got to see ton's of different birds and it was nice to just hang out. I honestly feel like I am doing alot in London. Like I feel like I am really getting the experience. Its very cool. I don't have pictures because my camera died. Sadness. Then we went back to their place in Clapham and hung out and had chicken parm and watched the office. It was so nice to see it actually on a TV (we plugged the computer into the TV) and not on a baby screen.

Today, I haven't done much. We are planning to go on a Jack the Ripper tour of london, hoping its not full, and then go and watch scary movies at Raquel's. We'll see what happens, and I'll take pictures.

This week marks the half way point. Its very weird.

Happy Happy Happy Happy

2009-10-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Tom said I should do this. I love that kid.

So this week hasn't been good good good good.

On Sunday, I went to the grocery store with Cate, then Kim and I went to church. We turned the clocks back, so it was dark when I got there. It was weird.

On Monday, I had class until 6 then Cate and I had dinner and didn't do much, then I went to bed at like 1 which is something big for me. I'm usually up until 3.

On Tuesday, I went to class, then after, our class planned to go see a play. So, after the second class, we all met at a pub and had drinks with each other and our professor. It was really fun. Then we saw Miss Julie, which contained actual cooking on stage and a super awkward sex scene.

Today, I slept in and worked a little on my script, then went to class, where my tues prof was our guest lecturer. We talked about theatre, and the ignorant and loud people in my class were extra frustrating. Then Kim and I went to a Chelsea Game!!! It was so much fun! I seriously loved it. I got a sweet scarf AND Chelsea won 4-0. GOOOD DAY!

Now I'm talking to Tom. I love him very much.

Second Half of the Week, and alot more pictures.

2009-10-24T12:16:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I'm not really improving.

So here's my week from Thurs.

On Thurs I had my script writing class, which was good. Then Kim came over, and she, Cate, and I booked a tour in Paris!! We are going the first weekend in December! I am excited!! (!)

Then Cate and I took the train to Clapham and had dinner with Raquel and Megan and others. We made some awesome stir fry, and watched this thing called question time. This one was really controversial because the guy who was on it is completely racist, and they have 2 seats on the European Parliament. Then we went home, and the creepy bus driver dropped us off at our door.

On Friday, I didn't have class, so I slept in, then met Cate in Kingston and took the train into London. We went to the National Theater's Bookshop, and spent too much money on scripts, but it was awesome!

Then we met Dan and Raquel and two of their friends from home

and went to the Tate Modern museum. It was very inspiring, and I saw some incredible photography.

After we were tired of being inspired, we walked around in borough market, and had some food in this cool Catherdral next to it.

Then we went back to Raquel's house and had some homemade burgers and fries and hung out. It was a really great day.

Then, today, Dan came over(he is a friend of Raquel from back home, and is living with them this semester) because Raquel and her friends from home went to Cambridge. We went to the park and walked around and looked at deer and climbed trees and played disc golf.

Then we came home and made some yummy dinner and hung out.

It was a wonderful last few days. I love it here.

Only minimally improving.

2009-10-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

I didn't post yesterday, mostly because nothing worthy of a post really happened. All I did was go to class, which was really great because I am starting to feel like I am fitting in to their little club of year 2 students. It was nice. Then I came home for a while, and then went to Raquel's in Clapham to write my paper. Not very much paper writing actually went down, but I did get some new music, and discover my harddrive on my computer is full. I am in need of an external, which I refuse to buy while I'm here, considering everything is so much more expensive. If anyone would like to donate to this fund, please make queries in a comment, email, twitter post, or on facebook.

Today was a day of culture. Cate and I got up and left for London at about 11. We headed to the London Film Festival, with tickets to 2 movies, and 6 hours in between to kill.

The first movie was called Bright Star

It was about the love affair between the British Poet Keats and another girl he knew. It was absolutely beautiful. The costumes were stunning, the shots were amazing, and the acting, especially that of Keat's lover, was amazing. The plot lacked a little character development, but that was made up for in its artful use of the authors actual poems. My favorite part was actually the credits, where Keat's poem Bright Star was read over stringed music. Everyone in the theatre stayed for all of them.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art---

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors---

No---yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever---or else swoon in death.

Then Cate and I decided to head to the national gallery, since it was relatively close to the second showing on the southbank. We sat outside and ate and talked about politics for a while, then went in and spent about 3 hours there. It might have been less. There were tons of amazing works there. Lots of Monet and Manet and Renior and ect ect ect. There is something about standing in front of a 100, 200 year old painting by one of these masters that makes you feel so small in the grand scheme of life. It was completely humbling. I'm pretty sure we also scared a security guard. He walked around us suspiciously. Because we look totally menacing and sketchy. I feel like I am constantly a target for things like that. especially at the airport. Its very weird, because I don't think that I look in any way threatening....

Then we went and had something to eat and drink while we continued to wait for the movie, which wasn't until 9.

It was called The Ape.

This movie was so weird. It is about a guy who wakes up with blood all over him, and tries to go about his daily life and pretend like nothing is happening, when clearly it is. **spoiler** We eventually fined out that he has some issues with rage, and that he has killed his wife, and badly injured his child, whom he takes to the hospital when he realizes he is still alive. He also kills his mom in the film. He tried to commit suicide, but can't go through with it. In the end he is arrested. The thing is, there is no music in the film except when he goes into a church and the choir is singing, and rarely does anyone speak. Its mostly just him walking around, trying to be normal, and freaking out. The acting is stunning. It is amazing how the actor can say nothing, and still affect an audience so much. I feel like it was a good movie, but it was so intense and creepy, I will not say that I, in any way, liked it.

Then we came home, and I am very sleepy.

Day full of culture while skipping my culture class-success.

addendum

2009-10-19T18:38:00.001-07:00

I now longer have dreads. it was too yucky for me to deal with. looked really cool, but alas I am not hardcore enough to live with them. It made me appreciate my curls.

My life in Arms

2009-10-19T12:51:00.001-07:00

I don't know why thats the title.

So I know its been a few days...sorry:-)...

So since the 15...thursday...

So on Thursday. I had my playwriting class, which was good, and my teacher enjoyed some of the stuff me and another girl wrote, which was encouraging.

I went home and worked on my script that may turn into my final. It is turning out better that I expected, so hopefully it will make me famous. heh

On Friday, I didn't really do anything during the day. I slept till 12, then had some lunch. Then Cate and I went to the park, and (I feel like) I got some pretty awesome shots:

Then Kim and I went to our very first rugby game. It was a fundraiser for Hillsong. It was between the Unders(under 27) and the Overs(over 27), and for the first time the unders won! We met some girls from our small group, who are really awesome, and just hung out and enjoyed each other. I found out that I really like Rugby. It goes much faster and smoother than football, and is much more actually physical.

On Saturday, my British class went to Oxford. It was so weird to be a uni student visiting there. It made me feel not as smart. heh. Also it was their version of Convocation, called Metriculation. It was so picturesque. The students have to wear these strange robe things, and go and bow before the head master and promise to be good students. We took a walking tour around the town, which is so old and beautiful. We had lunch at this Moes type place, which made me miss home a little, then I bought a scarf from this little street vendor(surprisingly my first while I've been here). Then we took a tour of Christ Church College, which is a part of Oxford. It was stunning. I cannot imagine being a student there.

Then we came home and spent 6 hours putting dreadlocks in my hair.

On Sunday, we went to Hillsong. Trains were not running from the station we usually use, and we missed our train. We decided to take a bus/tube to get in, which ended up taking like 2 hours, so we missed the service we usually go to. We met some friends and had a meeting/lunch, then went to the next service. It was so meant for me to be there. The message was on prayer, and trusting God to use you to make a difference. He had us each stand as he called out things we were doing (i.e. teachers, politicians, artist, family, ect) and prayed for us. I am so sure that God is going to use me as a teacher and artist, and this just helped to confirm it. God is also calling my to trust Him and His timing in other parts of my life. It was very cool

Today, again, I didn't do much. I had Devising, which was ok, a little frustrating because i couldn't get my creative brain working, but still fine. I then to the grocery store, and then came home and had crock madams and cheese cake and white wine for dinner. very good.

Sorry that was so long, I'm going to be better this week!

1 Month In

2009-10-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

So I've been here a month. Its so crazy to think that. I can't believe I'm almost half way done with this experience. It been so slow, yet so fast. I don't even know what to think about it.

I do know that I've learned some stuff though, so, another list could be interesting.

What I've learned thus far:

1. Pasta gets really boring after a while.

2. Cooking isn't that hard. Doing it well might be, but making edible food is totally possible

3. Climbing trees is funny, and a little scary. There's no ropes to catch you if you fall.

4. I can stand up for 4 hours straight, and have an awesome time!

5. Public Transportation is pretty simple if you just pay attention.

6. London is expensive

7. I am capable of saving money

8. I am redeemed. I am forgiven, and my sins are as far away as the east is from the west.

9. I was not given a spirit of timidity (these 2 are still a work in progress, and I feel that may never change)

10. I can take good pictures sometimes.

11. I can make friends and meet new people and not be afraid.

12. I can keep in touch with people.

13. Sometimes, I write plays. and it actually works

14. The fact that I enjoy hardcore is surprising.

15. I like red wine more than other alcohol

16. An ipod is something precious, but I can survive without it

17. USPS sometime ruins things. FYI

18.I have an amazing boyfriend (not that I didn't know this before. This semester is just solidifying the fact in my mind)

19. I am American, and sometimes I have to be okay with that, because its the truth

20. I don't know if I could live in a city like London. The number of people overwhelm me. I always thought I was a big city type person. I'm not so sure thats true.

2 more months, and I'll be home. So weird, but this is turning out to be exactly what I needed.

A day in the life

2009-10-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

So today was normal. Its weird to say that, considering the fact that i'm in a foreign country. Got up around 11 after a really odd dream involving 5th grade and a large rock. it was so weird. had pre-made "fresh" chicken curry from asda (walmart in England), then went to class. I am doing a scene from A Doll's House with a girl named Jessica. I'm kinda bummed because the scene I wanted to do from the play is with a guy, but because I don't know anyone, and there are more girls than guys, I'm doing a scene with a girl. I'm sure it will be fine though, and good.

Then I came home and chatted with ANNA! and the cate and I made dinner! Homemade Burgers and Homemade fries. SO GOOD. well, I've had better burgers, but they were not bad for the first time ever making them!

Then Cate and I watched a movie called Sunshine Cleaning, at which I cried. alot. But it was REALLY good. Funny too. worth renting and watching. I'll probably buy it when I get home.

Then I sorta talked to Tom. technical difficulties made it a little hard. And now I am totally exhausted and going to bed.

End of a normal day abroad.

video Blog 2

2009-10-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

I am so excited this worked. Blogger is becoming more efficient. thank you.

The ecclesiastical purple and the pagan orange symbolizing the mystical symbiosis in marriage between the heathen and Christian traditions

2009-10-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

So its been a while since my last post. I've actually been busy! Classes went well this week, starting to get a work load. On Wed, I went shopping! Then Kim and I went to London, and served with Hillsong at their Europe Conference. It was an awesome experience, and I am starting to fee like that is my church. It was totally exhausting, standing up for 4 hours patroling the line and pointing people in the right direction, but so much fun! And I got a cool teeshirt. This is Kim and me on the tube.

So that was basically the end of my week. Today, we had a field trip to Stonehenge and Bath. It was very fun. I was exhausted. It was fun. Stonehenge was cool. I've seen 2 wonders of the world now. only 6 more.

Then we went to a place called Bath (pronounced Both...if you say if wrong people correct you. it's quite funny) We had pizza for lunch. Pretty center pieces.

While waiting for our walking tour, we found a big floor map that you could take off your shoes and walk around on. So basically I went to America today.

but I had to come back. sorry guys, I love it too much!

Then we took a walking tour of the city. Everything i required to be built of this sandstone so the city maintains its coherance. The stone is mined just outside the city. During WWII, paintings and priceless furniture from the palace and national galleries and museum were taken to those rock quaries to protect them. Alot of Bath was bombed during the war. Acording to our tour guide, this was because it was one of the most beautiful cities in the country, so Hilter chose it in retaliation for the allies(?) bombing his beautiful cities. Its rebuilt now obviously. These are private town-homes. Nicholas Cage just sold his here for something like £4 mil. He bought a castle outside the city instead.

The city is called Bath because its built around an ancient (like 45bc) roman bath that made use of the only natural hot spring in Britian. So these are from inside it. Its really amazing. Too bad my camera died before I could actually take some good pictures of it.

You can see the spring coming up in the top right corner of the water. It looks like its boiling, but actually, its from the pressure of the water rising to the surface of the earth. the hot springs "pump" something like 1 mil liters of hot water a day out and into these baths. Very cool...well hot(120 f) I thought.

On the way home we watched 4 weddings and a funeral. very funny. thats where the title of this post comes from. The speaker is talking about a dress. i found it appropriate.

Tomorrow Hillsong, then back to class for another week! I can't believe I've been here for a month. Its so strange. 1/3 of my time here is over. I don't quite know how to feel about that.

Continue to pray for boldness and that I love people. Some days with some people its hard, and I don't want to be that person.

Cheers!

Mexican, Essays, and Rain

2009-10-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was great fun, but also really relaxing. I hung out at home all day saturday, in hopes of getting my reading done for the next week. This was successful on the most part, which was nice. I also got started a little on a paper that's due tomorrow, which I just finished.

Saturday night, Kim and Cate and I went out for dinner, just to have something nice to do. We went to this tiny mexican place by the river. In American, Mexican food is awesome and cheap. Not so much here. It cost about £15 for dinner, plus we got drinks, so it was about £20 for all of us. So much money, but it was fun. The food was not so good, it made my tummy hurt, but I still had a great time.

this is the thames river at night in Kingston

Sunday, Kim and Adria and I went to Hillsong, and it was fantastic. I'm starting to get to know people and see familiar faces and such, which is quite cool. The sermon was on what it means to be forgiven. I have been struggling with guilt of just being a sinful person for a while now, and not realizing it I guess. I thought it was my fault, and good to be guilty. It was my punishment. But actually, I am redeemed. I am free of my sin. I am clean. My guilt has not place because Christ died to cover them. Its heartbreaking to know that it was my sin that put him there, but comforting to know that all is forgiven. I am his. Its funny how that fact is tattooed on my wrist, yet I still have trouble grasping it. This all fit into the fact that building community is about over looking sin and loving past it, just like Christ does for us. here's the link to the podcasts. Its from October 4

http://www.hillsongmychurch.co.uk/index.php/podcasts-and-media/

Then a group of us went to lunch at this great little pub, then Kim and I headed home. Cate and I watched Hotel Rwanda, which is SO intense, but amazing. watch it.

Yesterday was the first rainy day I've experienced since being here. It was fine though. Went shopping for food then to class. Then Cate and Lauren and Megan and I went to a pub down by the river and shot some pool. I'm not as bad at English Pool as I thought. I was the favorite teammate thanks to my skills heh.

Today, it rained again. I had class, and Kim came over tonight cause her power was out.

Thats all. Hillsong Conferance Europe starts tomorrow. I'm on team, so it should be awesome fun! I'm sure I'll have tons to say about it.

picture from the end of the week

2009-10-03T03:44:00.000-07:00

this is my class. the only boring one.

this is my small group. it was really good!!

these are the buns I made, don't they look professional??

Before the party last night, Kim and I walked around in Knotting Hill. There's alot of Cool vintage shope (some are REALLY expensive) and these outlet stores where everything is £5. It was fun, but we got there as soon as they were all closing, so we didn't get to see much.

Then we went to a party with Hillsong young adults in this really trendy bar. It was so nice to be there and not have to worry about getting hit on by drunk guys, and to just hang out. We met some girls from the US who were here for grad school (one was even from NC), some other uni students from singapore, and two people from Latvia. Also some sweet brits. It was a really fun night, and not super crazy which was nice. I had a really great red wine (well I thought it was great) and we just hung out and met some new people.

As to my tweet last night:

So then we came home from the party. It was about 11, and the buses that late only run about every 30 min, so I was hurrying to the bus stop to try and catch one in less than 30 min. Well I did, only it was going the wrong way. I wasn't too worried at first, because I thought I was already close to the end of the route and I could just stay while it turned around. I wasn't. I rode it for like 20 min in the wrong direction till it got to the end of the route, then had to wait like 20 min for it to get back on schedule, then finally got back on going in the right direction and had to ride for like 45 min to the complete other end. The whole time I'm waiting it was sketchy and there were drunk people walking around, and I had no idea where I was, and it was all very stressful. But I did get home safely, and got to see another part of the area that I hadn't yet. It also took me like an hour and a half to get home. I realized this morning that I made it sound like I was totally wasted and met some strange man and almost got killed or something on my tweet last night. no, I was just lost and a little dumb.

Perhaps Catching Up.

2009-10-02T05:27:00.000-07:00

This is also really long, however, the part about wed is sorta funny, mostly because I got lost.

Currently, I am sitting in my kitchen, drinking Earl Grey, eating freshly made apple buns, and watching "Sideways". It is 55 degrees outside and 1:30. This is a beautiful day.

This week has been fantastic. Well, most of it. I did have on fantastically boring class. British culture is intersting, however, I'd rather learn about it by watching then listening to a lecture.

So, Wed

I had British Life and Culture, the aforementioned class. It was SO bad. Literally 2 hours of lecture on the national identity of Britain. Pretty much all of which I knew already. Then, however, the night got good. Haha. We took the train to Clapham, where a friend of our's is staying with her boyfriend for the semester. We had wonderfully cooked chicken parm, and some whine. I felt european. although everyone there was american. heh.

Then Kim and I headed out to go to a small group meeting with Hillsong. We had to go about 2 stops on the train. Well, what should have been like 30 min for a trip to the leader, Venessa's, house turned into like an hour trip. We got off at the right stop (small victories!) and started looking for a bus stop. Well, we were walking the wrong way, but the bus stop was closed (JESUS!) and so we called venessa and asked her what to do. She gave us directions to the bus stop, so we caught the right bus, going the right way (SMALL!). Sometimes, however, the bus doesn't have the sign that let's you know what stop it is. So Kim was awesome and asked the bus driver to turn it on (crisis averted.) then we got off at the right stop! But we were coming from the oppisite direction, because our directions were from kingston. So we walked the wrong way. for a long time. Once we realized this, we crossed the street, and found the road, but were on the wrong side again. We did, however, finally find the house. heh.

Small group ended up being fantastic. We had some dinner and met some new people, then talked about purity of heart, and how it comes before purity of the "hands". A pure heart is reflected in everything that is done. it was really great. then we prayed. (by the way, people either here, or just at hillsong, pray in such a worshipful way. its the most beautiful thing I've ever been a part of.) We headed home, and I planned to stay up and talk to Tom, well more wake up and talk to him. So i set my alarm, but didn't turn it on. whoops. So I woke up around 4:30am here (which is 11:30 in SC) and we talked. It was a sort of worthless conversation though, because I was so tired....yeah.

yesterday.

I had my early class. it started at 12. It was wonderful though. Its playwriting, and we talked for a bit about what the class was about and such, then we did some creative writing. I've never taken a creative writing class before, and it was fantastic. Like it was SO good. We did some exercises and talked about what makes a good scene, and how to make it interesting. And also what sells as far as a play goes. I loved it.

Then I went to the store for a bit then came home and had lunch, then Kim and Adria and I went to volunteer training for Hillsong Conferane Europe, which is next week. It was really great to be around people who love Jesus here. I know I keep saying that, but I don't yet have a core group of Jesus friends, so its SO refreshing to be around that. We talked overall about conference, then broke up into groups. I didn't know exactly where I was supposed to be, so I ended up talking to one of the leaders and asking him, and somehow I mentioned that I do some lighting, and he was like (suprised)"You do Lighting? You need to meet some people! Here's my email." So that was really cool. Then we had our smaller meeting (i'm on one of the welcome groups) and then headed home.

This morning.

I don't have class on friday, so I slept in a little then decided to try and make some muffins. heh. I didn't have close to all the ingredients, so I improvised a little, and ended up with some dry, but not bad, apple buns. the end.

I'll post some pictures tonight.

Falling Behind Again

2009-10-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry It's been so long. I will do an overview of awesome classes and God's provision for my spiritual life tomorrow. And perhaps take some artsy shots of Central London. We'll see if I have the guts to go alone.

Cheers

the poem I forgot to attach.

2009-09-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-29T14:23:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-29T03:32:00.000-07:00

2009-09-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

I tried to do a video post. it failed.

See, I'm keeping up

2009-09-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-14T19:57:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-09-01T21:34:00.001-07:00

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

Preparations

2009-08-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Slowly but surely I am getting everything in order to roll out. Also, that will happen in 17 days. I have almost all of my letters, too bad I'm not sure who to get the last one from, so that might just have to get left off. I have a SWEET new pack to travel with, here's to hoping I actually can check it. Hannah and I looked at apartments, well an apartment, today (thanks caitlin), and we know what we want, I just have to call the landlady on monday, and continue in securing the deal! I have what seems to be a great landlady over there, and that whole housing situation sounds awesome. Its my own bed room in the landlady's house, about 2 miles from the school. should be awesome!

There are also some things that still desperately need to get done. As far as books or class, I have no earthly idea about any of it, and I'm just going to kinda role with it, and see what happens. According to Kingston's version of wingspan, i'm not enrolled in any classes, but I could be reading it wrong. Also, I'm missing $2,000 in fin aid. that was my fault, but its still missing. Then there is the fact that I just need to continue shopping, and thats not really that big of a deal.

So preparations over all are going really well. Funds are in place for those of you that have been praying for that, letters are almost there (THANKS! for the prayers, everything has worked out SO well). I almost have an apartment for the spring, and i am slowly starting to move from scared and apprehensive to excited!

now its 16 days!!