SO I know I promised to tell about my classes, but that will happen tomorrow .... you know, things happen.
I'm seriously going to pee my pants.
Had my theater class today and we're going to see a bunch of plays, and one musical. The musical is We Will Rock You, the Queen musical.
We're also going to see Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Spacey (http://www.oldvictheatre.com/whatson.php?id=38) in a play called 'Speed the Plow'.
But the most amazing thing? Brit and I just booked our tickets to see JOSH GROBAN, IDINA MENZEL, and ADAM PASCAL in Chess In Concert!!!!!!!! Read about it here, it's interesting, introduced by Tim Rice, lyrics by him, music by some guy from ABBA ... http://tickets.royalalberthall.com/season/production.aspx?id=10741&src=t&monthyear=5-2008. For those of you who are not aware, Idina Menzel played Maureen in Rent (both original broadway cast and movie), and also Elphaba (main character) in Wicked. Adam Pascal played Roger in Rent (both). What an amazing cast!!
I AM SO EXCITED!
It's 3:23 am ...
peace out.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Your city will NOT burn down ...
Yesterday (Monday) I got woken up by a lovely 5 minute fire alarm testing. And by 5 minutes I mean 5 minutes of it being on, then 5 minutes of silence, the 20 MINUTES of it going off again! And I am seriously not exaggerating. I think I just spelled that wrong. I don't care. And then after that the halls were all dark and the fire doors in the halls were closed. They are so paranoid about fire here, I guess. If there were to be a fire, it definitely would not spread, that's for sure. Plus, anywhere there are stairs, it's marked as a fire exit ... which to us in America means 'do not use' but here they just like to point out they have a fire plan or something.
We went to Primark on Saturday, and I got some clothes, and had a really long conversation with the cashier; therefore holding up the really long line. He recognized my credit card was from the US. He didn't know where Wisconsin was, though. He told me he was going to go to Miami and then asked if I watched NBA. I told him I liked European football and he asked me which team I supported. I told him I lived near where Arsenal plays to which I got a response of "Yeah Arsenal!!!" And then I left because other people wanted to leave the store as well.
After that we went to the British Museum for an hour and a half, saw the Rosetta Stone and all that jazz. After that we went to this little restaurant near Nido called Eddie's. Later that night we went to Guanabara (http://www.guanabara.co.uk/), a Brazilian club. A big carnival is going on in Brazil right now, so they have all sorts of parties. It was cool to go to the club with actual Brazilians. They taught us how to samba. There was a DJ half time and a live band the other half. It was really expensive to get in, but really worth it. We also had to wait at least an hour in the cold to get in (luckily we had cut in line - the Brazilians had some friends that were already there). I would highly recommend looking at the website, they have pictures posted from last year's carnival, so you can kind of get an idea. I think we're going back there this Sunday, because it will be free.
On Sunday, I basically slept alllll day, but later we went to Tesco and picked up a few things. Later at about 10, we left to go to the International Student's House (ISH) for a superbowl party. The Superbowl was on here at 11:30 pm, so it was kind of late and we left at halftime. I met Erin there, the girl that worked with Dad. We just recognized each other from pictures, even though we had never met before. She will probably come to Guanabara with us on Sunday.
On Monday Louise (our 'main' brazilian - lol), Zoe (Jamaican), and I went to the city campus to find our class buildings. We met up with Daniel (Louise's boyfriend) and ate at McDonald's, then we went shopping on Oxford Street. Then we met up with some of his friends at the Austrailian pub, Walkabout, except it was a different one, and a lot cooler. It had a big open room with a dome ceiling and two levels. It also had a giantic screen and tons of plasmas, that played music videos to the songs they were playing. Zoe and I left because we really wanted food, and they had cleared away all the tables to make a dance floor, so we figured food there would just take too long. So we met up with Brit (my roomie, from La Crosse) and Tianda (from Tennessee) and ate at a Burger King. (This is the same day as the fire alarms, I jumped around a bit, sorry, just follow along the best you can. :)
Today was my first day of class. I will tell about all my classes tomorrow, because right now I really need to go to bed, but I will finish telling about everything else that happened besides classes today. Basically we walked down to Angel looking for a place to eat, and we found this Mexican place called 'Tortilla' (http://www.tortilla.co.uk/), and I was so excited to have Mexican food!! It was good, too. Similar to what Qdoba/Chipotle would be. On our way back to Nido we stopped in a little convenience store and I bought tons of Hobnobs (yummy cookies) because they are delicious. Then we stopped in Louise's room and chatted with her and Daniel. And then I came and wrote this blog.
And Brit and I spent a really long time trying to figure everything out (when we did what) so you BETTER enjoy it, or I will pillage your hometown.
Also, I almost got ran over by a bicyclist today and it was totally my fault.
We went to Primark on Saturday, and I got some clothes, and had a really long conversation with the cashier; therefore holding up the really long line. He recognized my credit card was from the US. He didn't know where Wisconsin was, though. He told me he was going to go to Miami and then asked if I watched NBA. I told him I liked European football and he asked me which team I supported. I told him I lived near where Arsenal plays to which I got a response of "Yeah Arsenal!!!" And then I left because other people wanted to leave the store as well.
After that we went to the British Museum for an hour and a half, saw the Rosetta Stone and all that jazz. After that we went to this little restaurant near Nido called Eddie's. Later that night we went to Guanabara (http://www.guanabara.co.uk/), a Brazilian club. A big carnival is going on in Brazil right now, so they have all sorts of parties. It was cool to go to the club with actual Brazilians. They taught us how to samba. There was a DJ half time and a live band the other half. It was really expensive to get in, but really worth it. We also had to wait at least an hour in the cold to get in (luckily we had cut in line - the Brazilians had some friends that were already there). I would highly recommend looking at the website, they have pictures posted from last year's carnival, so you can kind of get an idea. I think we're going back there this Sunday, because it will be free.
On Sunday, I basically slept alllll day, but later we went to Tesco and picked up a few things. Later at about 10, we left to go to the International Student's House (ISH) for a superbowl party. The Superbowl was on here at 11:30 pm, so it was kind of late and we left at halftime. I met Erin there, the girl that worked with Dad. We just recognized each other from pictures, even though we had never met before. She will probably come to Guanabara with us on Sunday.
On Monday Louise (our 'main' brazilian - lol), Zoe (Jamaican), and I went to the city campus to find our class buildings. We met up with Daniel (Louise's boyfriend) and ate at McDonald's, then we went shopping on Oxford Street. Then we met up with some of his friends at the Austrailian pub, Walkabout, except it was a different one, and a lot cooler. It had a big open room with a dome ceiling and two levels. It also had a giantic screen and tons of plasmas, that played music videos to the songs they were playing. Zoe and I left because we really wanted food, and they had cleared away all the tables to make a dance floor, so we figured food there would just take too long. So we met up with Brit (my roomie, from La Crosse) and Tianda (from Tennessee) and ate at a Burger King. (This is the same day as the fire alarms, I jumped around a bit, sorry, just follow along the best you can. :)
Today was my first day of class. I will tell about all my classes tomorrow, because right now I really need to go to bed, but I will finish telling about everything else that happened besides classes today. Basically we walked down to Angel looking for a place to eat, and we found this Mexican place called 'Tortilla' (http://www.tortilla.co.uk/), and I was so excited to have Mexican food!! It was good, too. Similar to what Qdoba/Chipotle would be. On our way back to Nido we stopped in a little convenience store and I bought tons of Hobnobs (yummy cookies) because they are delicious. Then we stopped in Louise's room and chatted with her and Daniel. And then I came and wrote this blog.
And Brit and I spent a really long time trying to figure everything out (when we did what) so you BETTER enjoy it, or I will pillage your hometown.
Also, I almost got ran over by a bicyclist today and it was totally my fault.
Friday, February 1, 2008
A real update from real internet
MY INTERNET WORKS IN MY ROOM!
By some miracle, Nido finally loves me.
Let me explain about Nido. It is similar to a dorm, only we have kitchenettes and and bathrooms in each room. It is all students, going to different colleges, (not necessarily London Met), and they are not all international. It is crawling with security guards (I actually haven't seen them as much lately), and you need to scan your ID every time you enter or leave the building. We were promised awesome things on the website, a screening room to watch free movies on a big screen, a cafe, fitness center, etc. There's not a lot finished in reality, and the internet didn't work until just today. (Here's the site http://www.nidolondon.com/ ) Yes, it's a brand spanking new place, so it could be expected that not everything would be up to par. However, it did open back in September or so, so they've housed students and have been open for months with half the features non-existant. I'm not really complaining that much, it's a great place to live to meet great people, I just wish everything was completed.
The unfinished stuff has no date that it will be ready by, either, there's always construction guys all over the place.
The 29th - 31st we had orientation from 10:30 til about 3:00, with lunch breaks. It really wasn't that bad. Afterwards we (the people I've met and I) would always go do something. I've barely been in my room until tonight. We went to Covent Garden and walked to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Standard-Tube-map.gif), they are areas well-known for their nightlife. We ate at an Italian Place where I had really crappy spaghtetti (no flavor, um, flavour). We went to Camden Market, which was really sweet, a huge market with cheap stuff. (http://www.camdenlockmarket.com/flash_main.htm)
Yesterday we (all the study abroad students at London Met) went on a bus tour of London and a boat tour on the Thames. Neither was super amazing, it was raining and there was lots of traffic. Afterwards we went to an Austrailian pub called Walkabout. There was live music there. Then we went to a club/pub called O'Neills (http://www.oneills.co.uk/home.php) which was really fun, with good music. We were out late, so the tube stopped running when we wanted to go home, so we had to take a bus which was really confusing, but we figured it out and made it back. I like the tube a lot better, it's so easy and convenient.
Today we went to both campuses (London Met has 2), North and City. I have classes at both, and North Campus buildings are pretty close together, but City Campus is much more confusing. We probably wandered around for 3 hours trying to find everything. We ate dinner by King's Cross (my neighborhood) at a pub called the Rocket. 2 meals for 6.50 pounds, and there were 4 of us, so it worked out really well. Afterwards we went to Tesco (cheap grocery store) because we needed a few items. Then we came back to Nido and were just chilling, and I figured out my internet worked, so I've been on it ever since.
Tomorrow we are planning on going to buy hangers, going to Primark (really cheap clothes), and then doing something really fun, like going to the British Library to check out this exhibition (http://www.bl.uk/breakingtherules), or maybe going general sight seeing or to the British Museum. At night, we are going to some Brazilian event thing. I really don't know what it is, but we are friends with some Brazilians, and at the time I am typing this, we're still not really sure what it is. But it will be cool, I'm sure.
Some things may be repeated from the last post, but I wanted to give a little more details. If you guys have specific questions about anything I've talked about or whatever, just ask me in the comments.
I'm tired, it's after 1 in the morning.
Cheers!
By some miracle, Nido finally loves me.
Let me explain about Nido. It is similar to a dorm, only we have kitchenettes and and bathrooms in each room. It is all students, going to different colleges, (not necessarily London Met), and they are not all international. It is crawling with security guards (I actually haven't seen them as much lately), and you need to scan your ID every time you enter or leave the building. We were promised awesome things on the website, a screening room to watch free movies on a big screen, a cafe, fitness center, etc. There's not a lot finished in reality, and the internet didn't work until just today. (Here's the site http://www.nidolondon.com/ ) Yes, it's a brand spanking new place, so it could be expected that not everything would be up to par. However, it did open back in September or so, so they've housed students and have been open for months with half the features non-existant. I'm not really complaining that much, it's a great place to live to meet great people, I just wish everything was completed.
The unfinished stuff has no date that it will be ready by, either, there's always construction guys all over the place.
The 29th - 31st we had orientation from 10:30 til about 3:00, with lunch breaks. It really wasn't that bad. Afterwards we (the people I've met and I) would always go do something. I've barely been in my room until tonight. We went to Covent Garden and walked to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Standard-Tube-map.gif), they are areas well-known for their nightlife. We ate at an Italian Place where I had really crappy spaghtetti (no flavor, um, flavour). We went to Camden Market, which was really sweet, a huge market with cheap stuff. (http://www.camdenlockmarket.com/flash_main.htm)
Yesterday we (all the study abroad students at London Met) went on a bus tour of London and a boat tour on the Thames. Neither was super amazing, it was raining and there was lots of traffic. Afterwards we went to an Austrailian pub called Walkabout. There was live music there. Then we went to a club/pub called O'Neills (http://www.oneills.co.uk/home.php) which was really fun, with good music. We were out late, so the tube stopped running when we wanted to go home, so we had to take a bus which was really confusing, but we figured it out and made it back. I like the tube a lot better, it's so easy and convenient.
Today we went to both campuses (London Met has 2), North and City. I have classes at both, and North Campus buildings are pretty close together, but City Campus is much more confusing. We probably wandered around for 3 hours trying to find everything. We ate dinner by King's Cross (my neighborhood) at a pub called the Rocket. 2 meals for 6.50 pounds, and there were 4 of us, so it worked out really well. Afterwards we went to Tesco (cheap grocery store) because we needed a few items. Then we came back to Nido and were just chilling, and I figured out my internet worked, so I've been on it ever since.
Tomorrow we are planning on going to buy hangers, going to Primark (really cheap clothes), and then doing something really fun, like going to the British Library to check out this exhibition (http://www.bl.uk/breakingtherules), or maybe going general sight seeing or to the British Museum. At night, we are going to some Brazilian event thing. I really don't know what it is, but we are friends with some Brazilians, and at the time I am typing this, we're still not really sure what it is. But it will be cool, I'm sure.
Some things may be repeated from the last post, but I wanted to give a little more details. If you guys have specific questions about anything I've talked about or whatever, just ask me in the comments.
I'm tired, it's after 1 in the morning.
Cheers!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Short but Sweet
This post will be short but sweet.
My interet doesn't work in my room, so I'm using one of three computers available in the Nido lobby (where I live). Someone is waiting to use one, so this is just a quick recap of what I've done already. Also, my wireless won't work in the lobby where there is supposed to be wireless.
So here it is:
waited 4 1\2 hours in Heathrow for a girl's flight to come in
Nido has lots of construction still
Security guards constantly patrol Nido
room is small
I got the classes I wanted
only have class 2 DAYS A WEEK!
orientation for next three days
already rode the tube a bunch
found £1 pizza that was actually quite good
went to Covent Garden, then walked to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
Met some really cool people
Bathroom floor floods every time we talk showers.
Went grocery shopping
tired
can't think of anything else, but I really wish my internet was working (it should be soon) so I could write more.
It's 11:15 PM right now and I'm sleepy - orientation tomorrow again at 10:30!
Love and miss you all!!!
Cheers!
My interet doesn't work in my room, so I'm using one of three computers available in the Nido lobby (where I live). Someone is waiting to use one, so this is just a quick recap of what I've done already. Also, my wireless won't work in the lobby where there is supposed to be wireless.
So here it is:
waited 4 1\2 hours in Heathrow for a girl's flight to come in
Nido has lots of construction still
Security guards constantly patrol Nido
room is small
I got the classes I wanted
only have class 2 DAYS A WEEK!
orientation for next three days
already rode the tube a bunch
found £1 pizza that was actually quite good
went to Covent Garden, then walked to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
Met some really cool people
Bathroom floor floods every time we talk showers.
Went grocery shopping
tired
can't think of anything else, but I really wish my internet was working (it should be soon) so I could write more.
It's 11:15 PM right now and I'm sleepy - orientation tomorrow again at 10:30!
Love and miss you all!!!
Cheers!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Pre-trip thoughts
I'm very anxious. Tomorrow I'm going to be going to London. And then I will be actually living there. There are many things to be nervous about. I feel like I've packed too much but at the same time didn't bring enough. I'm going to be living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and I don't really have much money. Only two of four classes are confirmed. I'll have to ride the tube everyday. I've never flown by myself.
Of course, the excitement outweighs the nervousness. I'm not totally alone in travelling. My soon-to-be roommate is on the same flight as me, in the seat next to me. I met her in my study abroad class. We get along really well, and I'm glad to have her to travel with. I already love England, so living there is going to be really great. There are so many great galleries and museums there to see fantastic art; as well as theaters! I'm so excited for all the shows I am going to see.
I think if anyone wants to comment on my posts, they should be able to, you might need a blogger or google account (which are free to create one and you don't have to do anything with it if you don't want to except be able to comment). Eventually I will put pictures on Picasa, probably a few on Facebook.
Well, that's all for now. I have to go to bed so I am well rested for my day of travel.
And if anyone is curious, I am bringing three pieces of luggage, and I could've fit everything in two bags, but the weight limit on the checked baggage got me, so I decided to go for three. At least now I can bring my travel scrabble. :) Adios all!
Of course, the excitement outweighs the nervousness. I'm not totally alone in travelling. My soon-to-be roommate is on the same flight as me, in the seat next to me. I met her in my study abroad class. We get along really well, and I'm glad to have her to travel with. I already love England, so living there is going to be really great. There are so many great galleries and museums there to see fantastic art; as well as theaters! I'm so excited for all the shows I am going to see.
I think if anyone wants to comment on my posts, they should be able to, you might need a blogger or google account (which are free to create one and you don't have to do anything with it if you don't want to except be able to comment). Eventually I will put pictures on Picasa, probably a few on Facebook.
Well, that's all for now. I have to go to bed so I am well rested for my day of travel.
And if anyone is curious, I am bringing three pieces of luggage, and I could've fit everything in two bags, but the weight limit on the checked baggage got me, so I decided to go for three. At least now I can bring my travel scrabble. :) Adios all!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Welcome
Welcome all. This will be my easy way to communicate with everyone back home. I'll try to update it once a week at least, and I hope that you'll all be checking it regularly if you want updates!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
