Making London our own...

Cheers from cold-weathered windy London!

Seriously - cheers- everyone says it all the time. Time for a blog update - my favourite part of the day most days. I'm sitting here in the hallway with my scone and raspberry jam (one morning I'll sacrifice and just eat yogurt) and I'm ready to write for you guys.

Let's start of with the weather. Definitely fall and it's only supposed to get worse from here. I wore my peacoat this evening because well, it was cold. Anywho I will go back to the beginning of the day. Did I mention that Kemper and I sat down and planned out our weekend on Thursday? I know it sounds great - but four day weekends can be a mess. You really don't know what to do with yourself if you don't tell yourself what to do - if that makes sense.

Anyway I slept late this morning (you're allowed to do that on Saturdays...) and I woke up around eleven thirty. I was the only one in the kitchen so I blasted the Beatles off of my computer and cleaned up the sink. (I'm pretty sure there was some awkward dancing and singing.) Then I made myself an egg sandwich and hopped on over to Kemper's flat. She and I had planned to go pick out our artists for our Art and Architecture presentation on Wednesday. We had to go to Tate Britain, one of the many London art museums. So - that was our cultural thing for the day. :)

Of course, we get out of the flat and realize we have no idea where we're going. Neither of us had a map either of course, so we called Mandi and asked for directions. We ended up walking along the Thames because from the directions she gave us we understood that the museum was near Parliament on the path on the North side. Well...today there just happened to be an international rowing regatta going on. So...we had to look at that.

There were definitely people from different countries, and uhm...different levels of skill all over the place. There was this one boat of elves. Not kidding. I took a picture you'll see what I mean. Anyway, we enjoyed watching the mess of boats glide down the river as we searched for our quarry. We finally found the museum and walked in.

We have to pick an artist from the time period spanning the 1500s to the 1900s. I picked John Martin, who is famous for his series of biblical paintings entitled "The Last Judgement" and so on. I meant to take a picture of his paintings. There are two in the museum and they are huge - which is partly why I picked him. I love huge paintings - mostly because I feel that I would never have the patience to paint something huge. Anyway, the colours in the paintings are AMAZING!

We hopped a ride back on the tube from Pimlico station (no idea how to pronounce that one). And when we got back we headed to the Senate House Library (UL's library) and all I can say is that that library has it out for me! Sheesh. I couldn't figure out how to access the online scholarly journals. It was so frustrating. I was going to get enough information on John Martin the English Painter today and then I wouldn't have to worry about that homework anymore. WELL...I will just go back on Monday afternoon and use a couple of the reference books. The library closes at five something on Saturdays.

After that escapade of frustrating unfruitful searching, we came back to the flat. I made some really good vegetable stir fry. I liked it a lot man. (Probably I was just hungry. I don't know. Haha.) Anywho, after that we both (Kemper and I) wanted to go chill at a nice little coffe cafe place. WELL...the thing about London is that things close down really early. Even their student union thing closes down at seven thirty. I wanted some coffee and she wanted some food - so...we had to consult google.

It was about six or something like that. We found this place online called Candid Cafe that is open until ten. WELL it was also within walking distance of the flat. TEN is totally late over here. I can only figure that things close even earlier on the weekend because most of the city is full of commuters? I don't know, but I know it's frustrating because I don't want to sit in my flat all the time. No - especially because the walls are bright white and I don't have my infamous wall of Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, and Beatles posters...

Anywho, so we made our way to the cafe. It was little sketchtastic...but not really. Let me explain - we got there early enough to where there was still light outside, but we had to go to the second floor to get to the cafe. The cafe is literally located on a little cobblestone alley right off of a busy main street. There was a hopping bar not fifteen feet from the sketchy door. Anyway - we walked up the really spindly stairs and we opened this door that led to a darkened hallway. We were both about to turn around when I just decided to open the other door.

I could hear music on the other side and there was a definite warm light glowing through the fuzzy windowpane. Anyway, we opened up and walked into a lovely little cafe. It was decorated with a definite eclectic style and had red walls. The people were really nice and they had an even better Mocha than Grace does near St. Pauls. Anyway we got a nice little chair and a couch to sit down at, and we had a little chair. There were candles all round and weird art things. I haven't felt some comfortable in an establishment here yet. We didn't feel rushed or like we were being stared at or anything and we were definitely in a local place. I didn't hear a single American accent.

Anywho - we spent our evening there trying out annotating different sections of Shakespeare. We have a commentary like thing due in two weeks and we want to get a head start. We also read bits of the guardian and such (quickly and quite obviously my new favourite news publication)...anyway. It was a good time. Yes, we did walk back in the dark, but we were safe. We were two, not one, and we walked quickly.

Now I'm sitting in my flat all warm wondering if it's going to snow whilst I'm here? I can't wait till Mom and Dad get their butts over here there's so much to see. I like when Kemper and I can make London our own by finding little fun cafes like that. Who wants to sit in a dingy cold flat all the time? I feel like London (the city) and I could maybe be getting closer to being friendly with one another. I miss you guys so much.

These are pictures from the past couple of posts - so read the captions! Enjoy!

Cheers!

From your younger sister Jess...

Hello there. It's two something in the morning over here but I'm not quite ready for bed. Instead of doing one huge post tomorrow (tomorrow is Homework day) I thought I'd go ahead and let you guys know about what went down today.

I didn't get up early and it was a nice change. I managed to sleep until around eleven thirty. :) However I was up until about five last night talking to Mom and Dad and Jess and Johnny on skype. Then I had to shower and then I looked up at the clock and decided that I was due in bed.

When I did finally get up though guess what? I HAD A LETTER FROM MY SISTER! Jess - what's up with this "From your young sister Jess?" Am I like, OLD now or something? Sheesh. :) MIss you crazy girl.

Anywho I got up and went over to Kemper's flat. She graciously shared her lovely pasta with me for lunch today and then we went off in search of shopping destinations. Now, let me explain. I have a small amount of money set aside for one nice thing from here. I've already decided that I want to buy a nice bag to replace the black and white newspaper one I have because it's falling apart. :( So Kemper, who is in somewhat of a desperate need for shoes, and I, went to go shop-seeing in a way. We wanted to scope out the field really before we buy something to be sure we get the best thing out there.

Well, we got lost and we couldn't find the stores we wanted to find. We did end up on this nice little alley off of Oxford Street called Christopher's way or something like that. I took some pictures because I thought it was pretty quaint. Anywho - after we finally gave up on all hope of finding our vintage stores, we hopped on the tube and headed back to the flat. I ate some of the pringles that gramner sent me - well Kemper and I shared them. I also had some cheese and crackers - woot.

Haha. I have this weird need to tell you exactly what I eat all the time - except for maybe my incessant intake of cookies...:) Anyway - after that we decided that since we weren't going to spend money anyways we would just go to Harrod's for fun. Well...we got out in the Kensington neighborhood - which is where Harrod's is located and we made our way all the way round the building before we went in.

Oh my goodness. I have never felt quite so many emotions at once whilst in a huge, um, is department store the correct terminology here? That place was like a heaven and a hell all at once. A heaven because there was a tea and chocolate shop and a really cool christmas section and toy section. However, there were all the other lah-ti-dah sections and I felt completely out of place. I mean yes, I think a Burberry peacoat is beautiful, but I don't have £850 to spend on it...

Sheesh. After my eyes adjusted to the dazzling lights and the crazy elevators and the crazy design, Kemper and I found the pet section. Did you know that Harrod's sells three specially breeded dogs. Did you know that all three breeds are worth £1500 at the leats...and £2500 at the most. How lovely...anyone want a French Bulldog? They're cute...Haha. Sheesh. I do plan on going back to get some tea. The tea is actually reasonable...and well...you HAVE to buy tea from Harrods. Anyway it was interesting. I actually took some pictures inside - when I felt like I could get away with it - so I'll post those tomorrow.

Kemper and I finally got out of the building and we walked off in this random direction in Kensington to sort of just look around, because we've never been in that neighborhood. Well Mom and Dad, hope ya'll are ready for some high-end...um...neighbours...Haha. Kemper and I walked down a little street circle and we were looking at all the expensive cars - well most of the expensive cars.

Anywho - we ended up at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is mostly free. We were sad because we thought it might be closed because most of the free museums close over here at five and it was well past five. However, on Fridays the Victoria and Albert Museum is open until ten or something like that (I'm so tired of reading Military time - it's like the THING over here for businesses have their hours in that confusing language of time...). So we trapezed on in there and woa man.

We noticed the museum for it's lovely mixture of gothic and neoclassical architectural elements. Well then we went and looked at a few exhibits for early and mid medieval and renaissance Europe. I'm telling you, all the stained glass windows that they have in there are amazing. For some reason I'm drawn to them more than the statues and paintings. I really have always liked Stained Glass. The ones I stared at for what seemed like forever are from two different Parisian churches. I will upload the pictures that I took of them so you can stare in wonder as well.

Anyway - we didn't stay too long because today was Hillary's (one of my flatmates) birthday. Kemper bought some cake material and so we ended up baking a chocolate cake and then decorating it with chocolate frosting, blue icing, and sprinkles. AND Gramner we heated up some of the caramel that you sent me and drizzled it over the cake. The cake was absolutely gorgeous. The only thing I really helped do was melt the caramel and write "Happy Birthday Hillary" on it - but still. We offered the cake to everyone and we all got pieces. I took some pictures.

It was nice that we did this cake celebration thing. I know that we are all a diverse group of college students in some ways - but it's nice that we can come together. Maybe the best thing to do to solve world peace would be just to bake one huge chocolate cake drizzled with caramel over the top of it. Everyone would have a warm full tummy and we could all be friends right? Well my idealism is one of my better qualities...

So anyway. After that, because Kemper and I hadn't eaten, we went to her flat and made some soft tacos. MAN. It was so nice to have British attempted Tex-Mex. Let me explain, haha. I am not sure that the British know what sour cream is, or even taco meat mix...Haha. The sour cream we got had some weird chives in it and we couldn't find any just plain sour cream. Also - their idea of cheese dip is a joke. I didn't do it this time, but next time I promised Kemper that I would make my mom's famour guacamole recipe. :)

Anyway - I miss taco nights at home. So, getting our tortilla chips and an interesting version of cheese dip for dinner with our soft tacos was amazing. I don't care who you are man, it was amazing.

After that we were supposed to meet the group at a pub for Hillary's birthday pub deal. However, we couldn't ever get a straight answer as to where they were...so...we watched a movie. I would tell you the movie - but - in risk of being judged I think I'll keep it to myself. Plus - Mom and Jess will be jealous.

We originally wanted to go see that free outdoor screening of Pretty Woman - but it's actually been rainy London here today so that was kind of a no. Also, we didn't plan our time all that well and we had to do cake and participate in Birthday Festivities. It was a nice evening all in all. A nice day actually.

Tomorrow we may just go see Chicago the Musical. I'm excited, the tickets aren't too bad and it's something that I would love love love to see in real life. It's open for a while though, so we may end up doing something else. Either way, I'll keep you posted.I'm really tired right now though so I think I'm out.

Cheers!

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich!!!

Alright.

I've mentioned before that Thursday is my Friday right? Well...Thursday is also the day that we get our stipend. AND...Since I realized that I'm going to be here for a little while I figured I might as well learn how to cook. So...I made an intense shopping list and today after my politics class I went for it. Went for it, as in, I went and bought some serious stuff.

Kemper and I are going to have a taco night even though she is a vegetarian. I will make the meat and all that, don't worry I found some seasoning, and I am so excited. We used to eat amazing tacos all the time at home. What is it that I HAVE to eat food all the time? Anyways...So...

Tonight I made a wonderful grilled portobello mushroom sandwich. I wish I had taken a picture of it. But, well, I got too excited and I ate it. It was lovely. ALSO - I got GRAMNER'S package today. I shan't go hungry for the rest of the trip because I am well thought of.

Thank you so much Gramner you absolutely made my day. I will be knitting you wonders. I can't even express in words how amazing you made me feel. I miss our Fridays and our adventures. You make me still feel like I'm a part of your day-to-day activities. I liked the fudgies "oreo fudge things" that you sent me. They were amazing. I shared them already, don't worry - you taught me well. I can't wait till I can come home and cook christmas cookies at your house. Miss you more than you know. Thank you for making me feel like a special princess.

Hmmm...Class was nice today...except that there was a bit of tension in class today when we talked about the religious versus politic element in Huxley's 'Brave New World.' After that intense three hour class Kemper and I were going to part and I was going to go running - however - it was really rainy today. I didn't like it, but I guess I've been pampered because it's been sunny and un-London like lately since I've been here.

Anyway - we went to this place called Munchkins for lunch. It was alright, it was really cheap. I don't think I'll be taking Mom and Dad there, it's across from the British Museum. My roommate Laura says it's good, but she just tried tea there and I tried a hamburger there. It wasn't bad, maybe because it was nice to have some protein, but still. I think the service sucked (along with London's standard of service) but anyways. Oh well.

After that we went to the grocery store and I bought my week's groceries. I was so flustered at the check-out center because I got a week's worth of groceries and it was a lot to fit in that tiny little basket they give you. You don't get baskets there. Anyway, I didn't spend too much and I got a nice different variety of things. I'm learning how to cook, you'll see. :) I'm kind of proud of myself on that aspect - especially my delicious portobello mushroom sandwich this evening.

Anyways...Let's see. After the flutsteredness at the store Kemper and I went to the Union to plan our ideas for the weekend and also for Northern Ireland which is next weekend. It's not too expensive to get to the coast from Belfast, so that is on our agenda. I'm really, really excited. I can't wait to see the scenic-ness of the region. If you want an idea google the Gian'ts Causweay - which is something that I have on our to-do list.

Also, we planned to spend a whole day Saturday doing homework. We're going to finish our Art and Architecture project and we're going to work on our huge project for British Life and Culture (for me that's the Beatles project). Also - we're going to get a jumpstart on our Shakespeare commentaries. So...just for Diddy, yes I'm doing homework somewhere in all this craziness, loveliness of the city life.

Interesting fact, I'll let you know if we actually go through with this, but we are going to try to go to a choral production at St. Paul's on Thursday. I'm really excited, because it's free and I really want to get inside of that Cathedral. Sheesh, I'm not even Catholic, I don't know!!

Who knows what else our plans are this weekend. We have planned all sorts of tentative things. I'll be sure to take my camera everywhere. I miss you guys! I hope everything is going well..and I hope you guys aren't cold and damp ...Ugh like it kind of was today.

I also felt a little bad because I picked a pub to go to tonight called "The Angel" which I will take Mom and Dad to..however..it was so busy tonight that it was uncomfortable. I felt bad because I got a group of us together. I was just excited because they have a lager that I really like and it is pretty cheap...But oh well. You can't please everybody.

Miss you guy!! I'll keep you updated this weekend with pictures! Have a great weekend, I miss you! Cheers! Gramner thank you thank you thank you!

:)

Birthday Presents!!!

So as you know from the title...

Today is Johnny Gately's birthday! I sent him a package two and a half weeks ago? I don't remember the actual date that I sent it, but he got it on the tenth. I'm sad that today is his twentieth birthday and I don't get to be there to celebrate with him. SO I thought I would open this post by talking about his gift!

He and I finally got to skype with the video on. It was great to see him - he's still as cute as ever if not more so. ;) Anyways, he had his box-gift (which was a huge, but surprisingly light box.) He waited patiently all day for us to skype so we could open it. AND...drum roll please...what did he get when he opened it? He got a Led Zeppelin II album and a Stones compilation album. :)

Haha. His facial expression was great - I think I generally surprised him. It was worth the hassle at the post office and the postage and the customs claiming form. It was a mess, but I'm glad that I could send Johnny a little piece of England that I know he'll enjoy. Two of the best British Bands ever - just saying. :) Happy Birthday Johnny Gately!

Ok. Let me get on to telling you what happened today - Wednesday is my busy day! I have art and architecture in the morning and then shakespeare all afternoon. No matter how you look at it, two three hour back to back lessons (with a short interval in between for lunch) is kinda intense.

Today in Art and Architecture we to the Soane Museum and the Sir Richard Wallace Private Collection. Each of the buildings are museums with different private collections. I got to look at some art by Rembrandt today, no big deal. But more importantly than the art by the famous people, in my opinion, was the Soane Museum. The building is just a little eccentric looking from the outside and it's on a residential street.

It;s an architecture wonder. Barnaby described it as "picturesque" which apparently is supposed to awaken elements in your imagination. Well...it was amazing. I think it's something Mom and Dad and I will have to go see it together. It's got so many secret passage ways and surprises in the way of architectural design. Sir Soane was an architect himself and apparently "an eccentric man." I. LOVED. THAT. BUILDING. I don't think we got to spend enough time there.

The Wallace Collection was nice - there were so many paintings and Rembrandt along with Velasquez and the other big dudes were in there. I was duly impressed, but I was also duly tired because we walked for three straight hours again.

After that I came back to the flat after I topped up my oyster card and made a sandwich. I am thinking about buying some portobello mushrooms and grilling those and having those on a sandwich...If I'm going to eat sandwiches all the time I might as well eat fun ones. :)

Anywho - after that it was time for Shakespeare already. SO...I made some tea put it in my mug and went on my way. It was in the seventies today and I was prepared because I finally realized that I can get up in the morning and check the weather so that I'll be armed and know what the temperature is going to be. It was beautifully sunny all day too, so it was kind of hard to focus in Shakespeare.

However - this is about to be really nerdy - I really like Shakespeare. I really appreciate his verse and talent and even his cursed iambic pentameter. We were given our choices for our commentaries that are due in two weeks. Jean wants us to use the pronoun "I" in our papers...I'm excited about that...Most English majors would probably be appalled but I'm a secret creative writer on the side of my English major-ness. ;)

Anyway - I participated in class and I have that feeling that I had in my stomach like I did senior year of High School when we annotated Othello. I just get excited - which is uber nerdy - but hey. Sometimes you just can't help it.

After that Kemper and I were going to go back to Green Park - but I didn't have enough £ on my oyster card. We get our stipend tomorrow, so I asked if we could go to the graveyard park that we sometimes go to. There's this beautiful lab that we think people are training in this park. We see the doggy every time and it makes me miss Simba. Silly old cat that I'm allergic to!

Well, we were reading for a good time when who walks by but Jean! She said, "Well hello. Why exactly are you guys reading in this graveyard?" Both Kemper and I laughed. I answered, "Well I'm from the South in the States and this is one of the parks that is a bit more quiet and in a residential area. Also, there's this dog that we're trying to befriend..." She just smiled at us and laughed a bit and then walked off. She must think we're crazy. No worries - we probably are.

It got really cold, however, so we went to the student union cafe area. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to use their hot chocolate machine. Hmmm...and they close down at like...seven pm! I miss the Burrow - you could be in there at least until two or something. You gotta love the small campus!

Anyways, so we went back and I made dinner. Eggs and sandwich and an apple. (I do try to balance my constant diet of chocolate. Ugh. My comfort food!) I forgot to go check to see if I had my package GRAMNER! I'll go tomorrow - even though I probably already have it today. Wednesdays just get so busy!

I forgot to tell you guys that I have an art and architecture project that I also need to do. We present a painting from a certain time period that's located at the Tate Modern next Wednesday. It's a ten minute presentation and I'm kind of excited. It can be fun learning about things like that - I just need to be sure to pick an eccentric artist...Or at least an interesting one!

Then I got to talk to Johnny on skype and kind of celebrate his 20th birthday in the best way that we can, you know? Even though I'm a full ocean away, I have to try my best to make birthdays important. I am my mother's daughter. :)

I miss you guys!!!

Here are a few - ahhh - very few pictures. I'll take more when I do something fun and interesting. Cheers!

Our new Aunties!!

Hey familial unit!

Sorry I didn't update yesterday but I got a little tired and grumpy at the end of my day (even though it wasn't a bad day) so I decided to wait to update for today! It's Tuesday (it was in the seventies today) and I just got back from running and making a pretty good dinner for someone who can't cook...

Let's see yesterday was Monday, and we were SUPPOSED to go to Hastings. Well I got up all ready to go do that and of course, (and this is like...eight in the morning?) I'm eating my strawberries and cereal and no one else is up. It didn't start to phase me until about eight forty five because we were supposed to leave at nine.

Well I finally weirdly asked Claire (rousing her out of her sleep I felt bad about that one) if we were still going. She looked at me groggily and said I guess not. I was kind of upset because I would have slept later if I'd known we weren't going on a day trip - so I was a little upset to say the least.

AND - I remembered that we'd invited Kemper and Mandi and they live in a flat down the street (well two flats over really) and they would be outside waiting at nine. I went outside to catch them on the stoop (well only Kemper was up there) and I told her. We were both a little grumpy together but we decided to make the best of our day. This way that we were up early we could be productive.

So...Kemper waited for me to finish getting ready and then we went to the Tea and Tattle and I got an espresso to go - it was delicious. Then I mailed Johnny a letter. :) AND THEN ... yes can you believe it ... we went to the Union at ULU to do some homework. If you have a library card you can assess their wifi so we sat in the place and typed up some guidelines for our presentation on the guardian. I must say I highly enjoyed reading that paper.

Anyway - by the time we finished our presentation guidelines it was about lunchtime. Kemper wasn't hungry because she'd gotten some sort of sketchy looking sandwich at the union cafe - so I asked her to come chill with me whilst I made lunch. Surprise Surprise - I had grilled cheese. I finally broke down and bought some crisps (chips) the other day to eat with my lunches. I think it can't be too unhealthy because they come in little snack sized pre-packaged bags so if I only eat one per meal I should be ok. I also had some grapes so I'm getting some balance somewhere...(AHEM but then I had like four cookies - FAIL.)

I told Kemper that I had found a cool park when she was gone on her trip this past weekend. And it's true - I found that park next to Buckingham palace. It's called Green Park, although originally I think I called it St. James Park, but St. James Park is kind of more posh and garden oriented and it was really busy when we finally got to it yesterday.

I say FINALLY because somehow I managed to get us incredibly lost and a walk that should have taken thirty minutes at the most turned into a two hour trek. I don't know what it is. I don't have these problems when I'm walking along by myself - I manage. But somehow, when I have to find a place with other people it gets incredibly complicated.

We ended up walking along Regent Street, which has some incredibly expensive stores including Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. We window shopped and wished we were rich and then we found Green Park. It was so nice! We layed in the grass like real Londoner's and stared at the incredibly nice blue and sunny sky! The clouds were even fluffy it was so nice.

We chilled like that chatting and reading some free papers that we'd picked up along the way highlighting up and coming music events around the city when Madi texted Kemper about a sushi deal. Apparently there's a restaurant near the flat that has a deal on sushi on Mondays. So I begged and we got to go even though Kemper doesn't really like Sushi and she didn't get anything but water.

They had this conveyer belt thing that brought around all these different looking sushis and I tried a bunch of them. It was great, actually, because I had been talking about sushi all day long. Lovely. :)

After that we went to Sainsbury's for different reasons - I needed some breakfast stuff and Kemper and Mandi needed other assorted groceries. After the grocery shopping Kemper and I picked out our article that we would have to present to the class the next day and then I went back over to my flat.

I talked to Johnny after that and then I went to sleep to prepare for the next day - the only problem was I couldn't sleep. I tried
and I tried but I couldn't get to a good night's sleep for some reason.

Today was a great day in many ways but I was a little depressed.

Let me explain. We started off the day with my favourite class - British LIfe and Culture. Everyone had to give a presentation on a different UK news publication and I found the presentations very enlightening and fun. Just to clue everyone in - the paper that Kemper and I did - was described with a stereotypical reader who is a leftist feminist vegetarian. Needless to say, our presentation wne pretty smoothly.

Actually, let me back track. I walked to class by myself this morning because I was having a hard time waking up. Well, there's nothing like the incessant honking of car horns and groaning of standard car engines to jump you awake. So I managed to wake up on the walk over there, but unfortunately, the lady who is in charge of our building forgot her keys so we were locked out. Kemper was the first one there and I found her leaning against a lamp post with a Cafe Nero coffee.

I was prepared...I had my starbucks mug with lovely beautiful warm white tea inside! So we stood chatting with each other until our prof Susie showed up. I am so excited (this probably sounds silly) but she remembered both of our names. :) Once we got inside she proceeded to tell us that she and Jean (our Shakespeare Prof) really like this year's Hendrix group and that they wouldn't mind being our adoptive Aunties! Haha. I know that sounds silly and maybe they say it to every Hendrix group but it totally warmed my heart.

Anyway - we spent the whole class discussing the media and we also got directions for our play that we had to see today. It was titled "Earthquakes in London" and it was showing at the National Theatre. I was excited when she said that because I knew where the theatre was because I found it on accident the day I went to Church. :)

So...we got out of class and went to make lunch and then we left about one thirty for a two thirty show. We found the theatre no problem (although it was a bit confusing seeing as how the national theatre is comprised of three small different theatres in one huge ugly building...) Anywho my biggest complaint about the theatre was that the show was so depressing. Maybe it is supposed to get me all riled up about the environment (it was all about global warming) but it was also about the relationships of this one family.

All the relationships were fettered with so many problems it was just upsetting to me. Kemper and I had a discussion about the point of art...we were a bit confused. I don't know. It was also three hours long and that's a long time for me to sit still! BUT, the theatre itself was neat. I would have taken my camera but I didn't feel like carrying stuff today so I only took my keys and wallet. If you can try to picture this I will describe it the best I can: there is a runway like fashion stage that snakes across the floor. There are chairs at the runway floor a bit like high stools at a bar that swivel. We were sitting in those chairs and a very much part of the action. There were also two opposite sides of the rooms that had a little inlet of space that acted as two different stages of sorts: so there were three distinct places for the action to occur.

Most of the time there were three different things going on at once, which was nice, because at least I was always occupied. Also, the two walls which did not have the inlet stages had balcony seating, so there were a bunch of different angles to view the action depending on your seat. Apparently the famous director of Slumdog Millionaire (which is a movie that mom and I watched together this summer and it was pretty good) was present at this production of "Earthquakes in London."

It was kind of exciting to be near a 'famous person.' There was also supposedly a famous actress, but you guys know that I can't keep up with that stuff unless it was someone like Julia Roberts. :)

Let's see, onwards with the posting. I went running right after the play because there wasn't really an ending, a nice closing to the upsetting feelings that the play induced in my tummy. SO...I went running round Big Ben and came home. I went about four miles. It felt really nice to get out and just run off my global warming frustrated feelings. :) Whoot. Then I made some dinner - sauteed sausage and vegetables and corn. Then I was supposed to go to a cafe with Kemper to plan our wanderings in Northern Ireland which is coming up pretty quickly (in about two weekends...)

Anywho I sent her a message telling her that I didn't have the energy...but we settled for going on a walk anyways. I was just still unshowered (actually as I am now - stinky) from my run...Haha. We went to Tesco so that she could get some dinner because she hadn't eaten yet. First however she gave me my birthday present.

Haha - no worries my birthday is not for about 22 days (actually Johnny's birthday is tomorrow the 22nd of September!) BUT Kemper is amazing and wanted to be sure that we got to do something neat for my birthday. Originally I wanted to go to a funky rooftop dining restaurant, but all the available ones are too expensive and posh like. SO...Kemper got us tickets to a wine tasting! I'm really excited - it's next Thursday - so we're celebrating early. This is neat and something that I've never done before and it's kind of elegant. I'll dress up. :)

Let's see...I got some really good grapes - they're purple. Let's see what else...I miss you guys so much. I'm learning that one of the basic values that I uphold more than anything is family. You are all so great to have in your own way as part of my family. I realize that more and more each day as I realize that I can be an independent sort of grown up individual. I'm learning a lot about myself...like...maybe I can cook after all. ;)

I ALMOST FORGOT!!! I got a letter today! It contains a lovely brightly colored yellow poem! I love getting mail. :) I will definitely be sending a poem back to none other than Uncle Bubber! Poetry is so fun. :) It made my day. Gramner - I haven't gotten my box yet. :( I'll keep you posted!

Anywho - no pictures this time but I promise that I'll put some more on here soon. Tomorrow I have art and architecture and I'll take my camera to be sure to get some good pictures. :)

Cheers!

Loop the Yarn Shop

I am Becca and I like to knit. This is a fact.

Well I decided early on that this cold weather calls for a knitting creation! I got up this morning at ten and decided to find a yarn shop in which I could purchase some needles and some yarn!

So I found this place called "Loop" that is open Sundays and was within walking distance of the flat. I asked if anyone wanted to accompany me and Claire said she was game. So...

I memorized the directions and we were off to find the yarn shop. Well...we got lost. Or rather, I got us lost. The problem was that the store had recently moved, and thus we went to the old address. However, we did stumble upon the new address of the store by sheer accident. We found a neat backshop of antique stores and strange nick nack shops. We quite literally ran into Loop!

I was taken aback by the beautiful yarns (just like at the yarn mart in Little Rock, however, I really couldn't afford most of them.) I did find some that I could afford so I got two skeins of a silk/cashmere combination. I'm going to knit myself a scarf - which probably means that someone else will end up with it as a gift. :) I can't help myself.

Anyway - after that Claire and I hopped in the tube to make it back home because it had been a long walk. I must have not felt like I'd gotten enough exercise though, because then I decided to go on a run. It was amazing. Yes, I ran all by myself and loved it. It's so neat to actually run in the city by Big Ben and Trafalgar Square like I live here. I guess in a way, I do.

Some tourists (who had a British accent) asked me where Buckingham Palace was whilst I was running. I kindly pointed them in the right direction (finally) because I'd found it the other day by sheer accident!

I think I may have a spider bite on my leg...which could possibly be a bad thing. I'm looking into it so no worries - however, suggestions would be nice. I guess I'll do what they taught me to do at camp and draw a circle around it to see if it gets bigger. Hmmm...

What else? Oh yes I got lost on my running expedition so I ended up running five miles instead of my intended four. I did really well today. I think I have just been craving to run. My endorphins are definitely flowing right now AND I'm doing laundry which is a complete plus!!!

I didn't really do much today - it was a mixture of complete laziness and productivity. I am almost finished with Huxley's book...I spent some time reading today whilst I was cuddled up in my blanket in the flat. Sometimes it's nice to pretend like it's home. I made myself some tea. :)

I miss TV actually. Well Spongebob really, haha. I've been trying to get into this BBC thing and for the most part - I kinda can't. I do like the humour though, it's pretty funny and different.

Let's see...I got lost whilst I was running and ended up in Waterloo Place. I'm not sure what that is even, but I plan on going back because there seemed to be a lot of monuments and statues and important looking buildings. I probably ran by something important and was just like, "Hmmm, that's nice." Who knows.

Not much else to update. I did buy some cookies today (and I've already had four!) I miss you guys a lot. I am in a great mood though, because I feel like my study abroad experience is finally just clicking. I think I am somewhat adjusted now. I love being able to be 'lost' in the city because I'm really not lost. I can locate the flat from any monument or landmark so I'm good! I feel like I've accomplished something. In a way - a city is like a big campus - you just have to know where all the important buildings are! Sort of. Haha.

Ok well I guess I'm going to go find a cool knitting pattern and sit about and knit for a while. Boy. I sure am a bit of an old lady. I'm going to Hastings tomorrow for real so I'll have fun pictures and stories to entertain you with.

Cheers!

The Tower Bridge

Today was lovely. So far, anyway.

Let me start from the beginning...we didn't end up going to Hastings today - we will be going on Monday because more people can go then. I'm still rather excited.

So I finally got to sleep in. i didn't wake up this morning until eleven thirty! YES! Anyway, I got up and I made some instant coffee. I really miss my coffee pot! I asked Claire who had just gotten up if she wanted to go to the Tea and Tattle. Let me explain - the first week we were here Claire and I saw a sign that said, "Tea and Tattle - now open for business."

The only problem was that we couldn't find the store front. Well, yesterday after I finished walking through Chinatown, I saw that the Tea and Tattle was open underneath a bookshop. There was a sign that pointed down a spindly staircase. I have decided to eat out maybe every other week, and then for day trips because I'm trying to not spend oodles of money.

Well, so this morning I was like let's go eat lunch at the Tea and Tattle. Erin, Claire, and I went. The service was great and the people were really nice which is a plus. I really want to take Mom and Dad here to 'dine in' because they bring you tea on very nice fine china. Anyway I ordered a smoked salmon sandwich with cream fraiche. It was amazing! I also got with my peppermint tea which was very comforting, a raspberry scone and a coffee and walnut cake. Don't worry - I walked it all off today for sure.

We also discovered that they are open at eight every weekday. Since our classes do not start until nine thirty, we could maybe afford their coffee some mornings - which will probably be just as good as everything else. Anyway - after that I had originally planned to walk to a yarn shop called "loop" by myself today. They are having a sale and I thought I could get some cheaper yarn and some needles and knit a scarf. That sounds Becca-ish doesn't it?

Well, Erin got a text from Kate saying that the Tower of London had free admission today. I then remembered that it's Open House London weekend so a lot of buildings are open free to the public. BUT of course, you have to read the fine print. I didn't read the fine print. I just decided I wanted to go but when we got back the group had already left. I still thought this was a great opportunity so I headed off to river. I knew I'd seen the tower bridge from the river and so the tower of london must be close by.

I mean. I'm surprising myself by not using my map - you know how spastic I am about that kind of thing. But I had a nice peaceful walk on the Thames path and it was gorgeously sunny. I was hot of course, because I dressed for the weather we had yesterday when I was freezing and I didn't have enough clothes on. Sheesh I can't get it right. So anyway I made it to the Tower Bridge (you know - the one in the new Sherlock Holmes movie?) and I had to wait. It's a drawbridge you see, so they were, drawing the bridge. I took a bunch of pictures because I think it's gorgeous. Since I was by myself I felt stupid taking pictures of myself...so you'll just have to bear with me.

Anyway - I walked across it and saw the Tower of London. I didn't realize that it was like...a castle museum. Anyway, apparently you had to reserve a place to get in free for the Open House London weekend. I did not reserve a place. I would have gone ahead and paid to go in anyway, but I think Dad will definitely want to go see this. And mom too, you can't go wrong. I figure I'll wait on them.

Now. I did decide that I didn't want to use the tube today so I decided I would walk back to the flat and see St. Paul's again. On the way I ran into the Monument. The monument was built after the great fire of London in the 1600s to remember the event. It has 319 stairs. I climbed all of them and took pictures from the top. Now, before I climbed all the stairs I thought I'd go running - but nope. Not going to happen. I'm sitting here a good hour and a half later and my legs are still shaking. Anywho...

It was neat. I took a picture of the stairs - don't worry Gramner I'm still in one piece. After that I saw St. Paul's off in the distance and I decided to go inside. It cost money to tour it, but I stood in the front entry way probably for fifteen minutes just gawking at the hallway. I will go in there at least once for Church. The weird thing was that I walked in this twisty door and the windows said, "This is a House of God and therefore a Gate to Heaven."

After that, I ended up walking home. It was an uneventful walk but I spent the whole afternoon walking. I left at one and got back at five thirty. I'm exhausted. I'm going to sit here and read some more of Aldous Huxley's book for politics for a little bit. Tonight we are celebrating someone's birthday (can't remember whose at the moment) and so I might go out to one of the pubs on the pub list with the group. I had fun last time.

I'll be safe. I miss you guys!!!