So if I am being honest, I haven't been updating this thing not because I haven't had a spare 10 minutes to do so, but because facebook and napping have been more appealing. Yup. I'm turning over a new leaf though and going to try and update at least twice a week at the request of Devin (I guess people actually do ready this thing).
Here's the update... we started class this week. I was more than a little disappointed to realize that I would in fact have to do some work this semester. Apparently even when you're abroad you have to take midterms and write papers. Go figure. Apart from discovering that my time here would still be an academic experience, I am not too bummed by it because I only have 2 days of lectures (Monday and Tuesday) and one day of field classes (Wednesday). Since we all know I am not about to stop global warming or join the FFA you are probably confused as to how on Earth I would have "field classes". For my "Art in Context" class, field classes involve going to museums and looking at art (this week it was at the Tate Modern)- doable. For "History of London" it means going wherever our professor tells us to go so that we can wander aimlessly and he can tell us random, little known facts about the exact place where we're standing- apart from him occasionally belting out a relevant song or poem and completely mortifying me as passerbys stare, this is more than doable. In fact, being embarrassed happens a lot to me in this class since I am the only person whose name the professor can remember. Doesn't sound that bad, but it means he always calls on me unless I catch on quickly enough and manage to duck out of sight. I am going to introduce him to Kate this week ;)
I am also starting to get more acquainted with the city and it's geography. Despite the streets (and rivers for that matter) that are pronounced entirely differently than they're spelled, I haven't had too many problems. I have also become a pro at the tube (a skill that I am sure will at some point bankrupt me), which has come in handy as I have become more confident about exploring/being able to find my way home. I have even become more skillful at crossing the streets but I am still careful to avoid oncoming traffic- just for you, Dad!
Doing homework in Hyde Park has become one of my new favorite activities. I sit by the lake or in front of Kensington Palace and do my reading or write in my journal. It's not a super time consuming hobby as I can usually only manage to stay until my entire body becomes numb (it's still in the high 30's during the day here). On Thursday, Brittany accompanied me and we ended up having a photo shoot in the park and meeting one its many characters (I have fondly dubbed him "the bird whisperer").
Thursday night our program had it's start of the term party at an "exclusive" club in central London called 24. The venue was supposed to be incredible but it ended up being kind of small and claustrophobic. I got over it and went to hang out with the DJ. We ended up bonding and I think I made my first British friend. He told us he would get us a table there on Friday nights but honestly, I am not too sure any of us are anxious to go back. Apart from his overwhelmingly tooly Ed Hardy trucker hat though, I thought he was cool and he gave me some good insight into the London mindset.
Friday morning (I don't have class Friday either), I decided that it was time to live out my childhood fantasies and explore Portobello Road (of Bedknobs and Broomsticks fame- unfortunately I am quite possibly the only person on this whole island who has seen the movie). Although it was dumping rain, getting out of Kensington and into Notting Hill was really nice. Notting Hill is a less "posh" area, and considered a little less safe, but I really liked it. It has a much more relaxed and artsy vibe and the multi-colored houses are just as beautiful as the victorian ones on my block. The Portobello Road market, as much as it is shameful to admit, was without a doubt in my top 5 favorite places on the planet. In my mind it was like Pike's, Eastern Market, and Disneyland combined into one (if that's not magic, I don't know what is). You can literally buy anything you want there. I had use all of my energy not to buy every random object that caught my eye and still made it out with a much lighter wallet. My purchases were: a tiny victorian ring, a 1950's crystal cocktail necklace, and postcard from 1909 with fun image of a goofy looking lady. I only left when I was completely drenched from the rain and fearful I would turn into an icicle at any second. Even my walk back to the underground wasn't that bad though- I found George Orwell's house!
That's all for now. About to grab burgers with Kate and Ibby and then a Hawaiian club tonight. Love and miss you all.
My usual spot in Hyde Park
...right by Kensington Palace
Pictures of Portobello Road coming soon! In the meantime...
