Summer job hunting...

...already.

Saturday was spent inside all day, so I could finish my cover letter, for a job.

I woke up at my usual time to eat some breakfast.  When I got back to the room all the girls were getting ready to go out and be touristy all day.  I stayed in my pajamas for quite a long time today.  I wrote my blog, and started my cover letter.  Around 1, or there after, I went and made myself some mac and cheese.  I used less cheese, parents suggestion, so it was much better.  It was a good lunch.  I finished my cover letter and then sent it off to my dad so he could look it over.  I spent the afternoon watching The Invention of Lying, which was a cute movie.  I enjoyed that Edward Norton was in it for a while, as a cop, with a mustache.  I spent the rest of my night in my room.  I e-mailed someone my resume and cover letter for a summer job.  Fingers crossed I'll get it, otherwise I may be making coffee for people this summer.  The girls got back sometime after 6, probably a little later than that; they were planning on going out again.  They got ready for that and around 10 Kiley said they would leave around 10:45/11.  I was looking forward to that so I could watch another movie and go make supper.  I would have made supper earlier, but their conversations are fun to listen to.  Most of the girls are in volleyball, so they started going off on that.  Another girl there and myself didn't really talk that entire time.  (We knew nothing of volleyball, I also knew no one they were talking about)  They finally left around 11:50 so I headed downstairs to make myself a peanut butter sandwich.  I went back to my room and started playing, dare I say, Hannah Montana: The Movie.  I won't tell you what I thought in case of losing friends in the process.  I ate my last no bake cookie, too.  Sad day, now I have chocolate, kit kat and snickers.  I hope they last me a week and a half, otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do next Tuesday, the day before I head home for two days.  The girls finally got back, oh, I don't know, I'll say around 3 or a little before.  They were all wet since it decided to pour tonight.  I only heard it, thank goodness.  We didn't get to bed until at least 3:45, and they were getting up at 4:15 to head out....I'll continue since I was still semi awake.  I woke up a few times when they were all getting ready after four, said our goodbyes, it was nice to meet you bit and they were on their way.  I was back to bed, after I turned the hall light off.  I like sleeping when it's completely dark, and when there is light flowing in through all around the doorway, that's not a joy, also when the bathroom door is open at night, light comes through that too. 

I realized today that I need to start portioning out my food for the next week and a half.  I don't want to go to the grocery store and buy a ton of food.  Though, I do really want to go to Strutton Ground for some grapes and apples, delicious.  I don't think I'll have enough peanut butter though, that's not good.  I'll see how Sunday goes.  I still have noodles and the beef, and bread.  Plus a box of mac and cheese still which can last me 2 meals, I could even try to make it into three meals.  I am running out of money though, and I still want to go on at least another trip, maybe two.  Stupid, not saving money for this, bad on my part. 

Well, that was my Saturday, I am thinking that my Sunday won't be much better either.  I need to read, so I think I may try and do that most of the day, again, wish me luck with that.  Cheers

I was productive on this day

Friday was another good day for me and my productivity.  I got up at nine, I'm starting to like that little tradition of mine - getting up at nine, putting on sweatpants and getting breakfast - then I came back and waited for all the girls in my room to finish getting ready and leave for the day.  After they left, sometime after 10, I showered and got ready for my day.  When I was all ready I headed out the door.  I first headed to STA Travel, at first I wasn't sure if I would find it, but I just had to keep walking down Victoria Street.  I went in and waited for someone to help me out.  A few minutes later one of their travel consultant people came to find me so we went to talk about my trip I want help planning.  Now, I am going on a trip next Thursday, March 4th, to Scotland!   I am doing a three day trip through STA and then staying another night in Edinburgh before heading back to London on Monday afternoon.  I get to go to Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, and on Monday I think I will do some exploring in Edinburgh before I head out.  I am very excited.  I wanted to do a trip before I came back to Iowa, and now I am!  I just wanted something else to talk about besides me sitting in my room in London and sometimes going out and about.  I am very excited.  I won't be spending the weekend by myself either.  There will be other people there, people I don't know, but I will make the best of it!
I got a 16-25 railcard today.  The railcard will make some travels cheaper for me.  I've heard from people that they had to go different places and farther away to get their railcards, but I got mine at Victoria Station, and really glad I didn't have to travel on the tube a long time.  I got it on the spot too, which was very nice.  I'm sure the long line behind me did not appreciate that, but oh well. 
I hunted down some places for my parents to stay if they come as well.  Belgrave Road has a ton of hotels/motels and B&B's.  It is also pretty close to where I am living here which is extra nice.  I checked out a couple places there, one smelled like smoke and the other was just too much money.  I then head back to Victoria Station to get myself some Burger King.  Even though I spent a ton of money the night before I have been wanting BK since I got back from Liverpool (I had some on the way back from Liverpool, that is why).  I grabbed my double hamburger (with nothing on it), fries and drink and went speed walking back to VH, just so my food wouldn't get cold.  I looked up some places for my parents to stay, and I came upon Belgrave House Hotel, it didn't look too bad and the prices were pretty decent.  I told my dad to look it up and I started watching Valentine's Day.  It was the movie that Joe and I were watching the night before, this time I left my computer on while I left so it could load.  It worked.  Well, most of it was loaded and I think I only had to stop it a couple times.  It wasn't until later that night Joe said we were going to finish it together.  It would be me to end up doing something like that, since I do it all the time.  Well, I ended up forgetting and finished it by myself.  The girls got back and some took a nap, which was probably a good idea, and I wrote my blog.  I finally finished The Crying Lot of 49!!!  I'm so happy!  I finished a book for a literature class.  Not like I haven't done that before, but in my Brit. Lit. classes it was hard to keep up.  After a while they slowly headed down to eat, I followed shortly after when I was done writing.  I made tortellini again.  For a while it's going to be peanut butter sandwiches, and for a few meals I can make the beef and noodles.  Also some mac and cheese.  I'm hoping it lasts for a while.  Mostly I hope it lasts until I get home, then I can buy some lipton noodle soup and more mac and cheese at home and bring it back.  It will then last me and save me some money. 
After supper I cam back up to the girls getting ready, they were all heading to see Wicked for the night.  While they were away I started reading and got to talk with my parents.  My dad got a room reserved at the Belgrave House Hotel, it all depends on plane tickets, now.  We will have to wait and see. 
When everyone came back they said they loved the show and they loved Elphaba.  Pretty much as soon as they got back they got onto Youtube to check her out.  Listening to the music makes me want to go back very much.  I think I may take Rachel to it, instead of seeing Matthew McFayden, that's a toughy.  Who could resist the man who played Mr. Darcy?
Anyway, they were planning on going out again, but instead the room was packed with nine of us, talking and such.  They went down to make some grilled cheese sandwiches around 1am sometime so I hopped into the bathroom to get ready for bed.  Shortly after they came back and all got ready for bed.  Off to bed it was for us.  After a long day, well, they probably had a longer day, but I think we were all exhausted.  Now, as for tomorrow, I may be spending it inside.  I have to write my cover letter so I can apply for a summer job.  Wish me luck!  Cheers

Now I can start running

Thursday was a somewhat productive day for me.  Kiley and I left after 8:30 to make our 9:15 class.  When we got to class it was us two and then two other girls.  Slowly everyone dwindled in.
In BES we got a new assignment, it is to go to the Holborn area. There is a museum there and then also a church that was in the Da Vinci Code, the Knights Temple.  That should be very neat to see.  I may do that on Monday, as our journals are due next week, actually I think mine are due on the 8th of March, or maybe the 5th.  Yay, having my last name start in "R".  Some good news, I get to go tour Parliament, now!!!  We are unable to go on the 12th of March, because of upcoming election this, but we get to go on the 7th of May now.  Most likely the day after the election, so that is going to be really exciting.  I'm just glad I get to go, I'm missing the Indian meal, but that's ok!  After BES we had contemporary Britain, where a man from Northern Ireland came and spoke with us about the British constitution.  He said most people from Northern Ireland don't consider themselves British, they say they're from Ireland or are Irish, they don't specify where they live.  After that class was over we broke into our seminar groups.  The group/my group that goes at midday went to a room and sat around.  I wrote about my morning in my little notebook and then read some more in The Crying of Lot 49, so close!  Finally it was time for class to start.  One of the students in my seminar group talked about the British constitution and kind of how there government is run over here.  We discussed it for a little bit and got out maybe 10-15 minutes early.  I came back and went to the travel shop on my way back.  I bought a bookmark that has Greek phrases and words on it.  For when I spend about 6 days in Greece, or something like that.  Also an Athens map and pocket guide, so that should be very handy.  I am getting very excited for Greece and Rome!  I got a little something for my dad and sister too. 
I came back and finished up my blog for Tuesday and Wednesday.  After that I sat around for a while.  Knowing I should get up and actually do something.  I made lunch instead.  I made some mac and cheese that Joe had sent me.  Then I came back and decided I would go and try to find the sports clothing store on Oxford Street.  It was raining most of the day, so that is the main reason I didn't leave, also because I don't have my hat.  Well, I have my hat but it is dry puddle water so I need to wash it.  I found the sports store just fine, after thinking to myself 'I hope I am going in the right direction'.  I got a pair of pants, capri pants, a puma shirt (on sale) and then a sweatshirt (also on sale).  Now, the sweatshirt is a hooded sweatshirt, but it's more fitted and a lighter material.  I can now go running since I have some pants to wear.  I spent way too much, but now I won't have to buy things later, since I have enough shirts to run in this summer.  I'm all set!  After I got back I relaxed for a little while after speed walking back and then I made some tortellini.  When I was done eating I got back to my room, which was filled with a bunch of girls.  Kiley is having some friends stay this weekend.  They seem like a lot of fun, which is good.  They were all getting settled in and then getting ready for the night.  They were heading out to Tiger Tiger, which is a bar/club in town. 
Now, I don't know a lot of people on this program, but I do hear stories, and personally I'm glad I'm not friends with some of these people.  They talk behind other peoples backs and well, seem to flirt a lot with others while they have someone back home.  A couple of the people who are on this program came to our room before they all headed out.  That was interesting...
Anyway, after they left I talked to Joe and we watched Valentine's Day on the computer, kind of at the same time.  I had to pause mine at times since it takes longer here to download it.  One time when I stopped it to load it I got ready for bed, put my contacts in and brushed my teeth.  I started it again and of course after a couple minutes it stopped again.  This time Joe and I turned our microphones back on so we could talk.  I was extremely tired since it was at least after one.  I ended up falling asleep.  I felt bad but I was very tired.  Joe said I was asleep for at least 20 minutes.  We decided to part ways so I could go to bed.  Of course, I wasn't that tired once we got offline and so I tried to watch the movie a little more.  Finally it stopped again.  So I was about to try and sleep again when the girls got back, so perfect timing.  They all had their stories to tell, which I loved hearing and they got ready for bed.  Finally it was lights out at about 3 something.  It was a good day, though.  I'm glad I got out for a little bit and met Kiley's friends.  As for now, cheers

V&A Museum, I could buy the rest of my jewelry from there :)

Wednesday is the same old story, pretty much.  I got up for the day around 8:00, got ready and made myself some toast; I also made myself a pb&jam for my supper.  I left after 9:00 this time since last time I still go there early.  Well, I again got there about 15 minutes early.  Which isn't too bad, I like being able to find a seat.  People do come into class late here, no one makes a fuss about it though, not like in the states.  I hadn't finished the book, which didn't really matter.  Don't worry though, I will still finish it.  I'm almost done, I might as well finish it.  There is another book that we have to read for next Wednesday.  It is about 170 pages but a little bigger print.  Hopefully it is easier to read, we'll see about that.  Crazy American authors writing stories that don't make sense.  Give me a British author, just to read, and I'll be fine.  For any author I don't like reading to interpret, which that is what I am doing.  After class I headed back to VH.  I took a different way back.  I took the Piccadilly line straight to South Kensington and then took the Circle/District line to St. James' Station.  I think it took a bit longer.  I made a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, and sat around for a little bit.  I left with Carissa around 1:30 to head to the Victoria and Albert museum.  We had a little mix up when we got there.  We were supposed to meet the teacher at the tube station but we went into the museum, where it says we should meet on the paper.  I believe she might have told us last week to meet at the tube station, since Carissa wrote it on her paper.  Oh well, we were found and class began.  Not on time, but I'm ok with that, except for standing around so long.  When we all got together we went to the Renaissance period of the museum.  We saw amazing ivory carvings and other beautiful statues and even a giant hunting tapestry.  It was huge!  :o)  We finished at a well and it was only just 4:00.  I love not having to be at that class for the full three hours.  And where my post title comes from, we walked through the gift shop of the museum and there are cases of jewelry!  Amazing jewelry; I don't know how much it costs and frankly I don't want to know right now, so I just admired it coming and going.  I am excited to see the rest of the museum, they have a ton of clothes from years past and people have said this is a really nice museum.  I will need to check out the rest of it very soon.
  I headed straight to LMU, I again went to the dining area and ate my peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich.  Two pb sandwiches in a day is going to start to be too much.  I should invest in some lunch meat!  I read some more in The Crying of Lot 49, getting closer to being done :)  I headed to class where I read some more until the teacher came in.  Tonight we learned about the economy and employment of Victorian London.  The east end was in really bad shape with most of the poverty being in that area.  You only went to that area if you worked or lived there, and most of the people who lived and worked there were poor.  The middle/upper class never went there.  Another interesting class.  We were done around 8:00 and I headed back to VH; where I spent the rest of the evening catching up with my friends and family and relaxed.  I was tired during the day and during classes but once I got back at night I wasn't that tired.  Not good for someone who's been up and about all day.  Thursday should be better.  Not as much to do!  Then my 5 day "weekend" starts :)  Cheers

Hello Everybody!

Hi Dr. Nick!

If you've seen The Simpsons you will know what I am talking about.

 

Me, Carissa, Allison, and Kiley

At the Charlton vs. Brighton match

Tuesday was pretty productive, for my time in London.  I had a lot of the things I wanted to do, such as get contact solution, apply for a railcard, and talk to STA travel.  I got contact solution and headed to the House of Fraser (I think it's spelling like that) and looked around for some tights.  I found some, haven't bought any yet though.  I also found a skirt I liked that is 15 pounds, I don't know if I'll get it either.  We will see, maybe next week or the week after before I head out.  Which, I leave very soon! :o)  Two weeks before I head home, then two and a half days in Iowa.  After I got back from my errands I got my books and computer and headed to the lounge.  I finished a journal for class and then made my lunch; leftovers and some hard bread.  I then went back to read, a girl who is sick came down and asked me to get some Sprite for her and her boyfriend and I gladly obliged.  I felt extremely horrible and got into that motherly stage, asking if they needed glasses when i brought the Sprite.  When other people are sick I sometimes feel horrible and helpless, and at the same time hope that I do not get sick.  I went off to get the Sprite, came back and headed up to my room to read some more.  After reading a couple more pages of art, I thought to myself, my book for fictions of the U.S.A. is much more important, so I read some of that.  Supper for the night was the rest of my leftovers.  No hard bread this time.  Then at 6:15 we left for Charlton! :D

 

Stadium

I had my first taste of British football, or what us Americans call soccer.  It was pretty fantastic.  On the train over some Brighton hooligans got on, singing really loudly.  It was awesome.  When we got to the match we had very nice seats.  My seat would have been in the third row, but a lot of people didn't come so I sat in the front with a whole bunch of people.  A nice view of all those football players.  The Charlton Bear came our way, Carissa got a picture with it then he stole our hats, and then threw them.  It had been raining most of the day so the ground was wet, mine fell into a puddle.  Yeah, not so happy with the bear.

 

Charlton Bear

Threw Carissa and my hat in the water

Football is the big sport over in Europe.  While Americans get excited over American football and baseball, they get excited over football.  Much more excited than we do, I believe.  I was thinking of getting a video of them, but I didn't want to miss out on the rest of the match.  

 

The guy stretching, he got hit a few times in a not so good area

Poor guy

 

Kind of cool action shot

With all the Brighton fans

Some brought balloons

Charlton didn't play the best, as we did end up losing.  At half it was 2-0, I believe it was the second goal that Brighton shot, the fans went fanatic!  It was great to watch.  Charlton scored 93 minutes in.  A little too late to come off with a tie or win.  After the game, I thought that was crazy too.  We were heading back towards London, where a whole bunch of Brighton fans were headed too.  They were yelling across to the people on the other platform, I won't repeat what they said, but again they were ridiculous.  I love football hooligans.  I would really like to go to a Manchester United match to see their hooligans, of course if they're not like in Eurotrip I would be greatly disappointed.  Maybe it's best I don't go.  The train was mostly quiet on the way back, we had to wait for a second train since we didn't make the first.  Most of the football fans were on the first train.

Once we got back to VH I read some, messed around on the internet and then went to bad, ready for my "big" Wednesday!  Over all, it was a pretty good day.  I'm glad I chose to go to the football match and glad I picked reading over doing other things that I wanted done.  Cheers

 

Why, hello there #5!

 

That was the final score

The Crying of Lot 49

Haven't finished reading it yet, but I did read the sparknotes on it.  The woman in it kind of becomes crazy.  I can't explain.

Monday morning consisted of me getting up for breakfast, making toast with some strawberry jam and then heading back to bed.  Going to bed around 2 something AM is not something I recommend, I wasn't even doing a whole lot.  I slept until Kiley got up around 11, I thought I should then get up and do something productive for the day.  Which I did!  (for parts of it)  I got dressed, headed downstairs with my computer and some papers and wrote my blog.  Then thinking that I should go out for the day, after my blog was done I headed back up to my room.  I bought stamps for some postcards and a note I had written.  I won't say for who, but if you get one in the near future, you're on my mind.  And, if you don't receive one I am sure you are still on my mind!  I took my coat and handbag (American purse) down to the dining room.  I made a peanut butter sandwich and was looking outside.  Thinking I would head to a sports store earlier to see what they have to offer me in sports clothes, for jogging, I decided against it.  It was cold looking, and sad, and wet outside.  I decided to head for the post office instead.  I dropped off my letters and decided instead of heading straight back to VH I would stop at the travel book shop on the corner.  I was confused at first because all I saw were maps for the UK, and walking/cycling trails you could go on.  I then saw the sign for the downstairs.  I am pretty sure this place has any map possible, and any atlas/globe.  I did some wandering downstairs, looking at maps of Athens and other things.  I then headed to the Asia section, scrounging around for a little something I could buy Gretchen and my dad.  I didn't buy anything today though, they're have a 25 percent off purchase on Thursday, I am definitely coming back.  I finally leave and head back to VH which is literally about a 30 second walk, depending on how fast/slow you walk.  I grabbed my art book and headed to the lounge to read some.  Reading didn't go over very well, there were a couple girls in the lounge and Gilmore Girls was on.  But I got some pages read.  After they left I decided to head back upstairs, I probably could have muted the television or shut it off, but I didn't.  I did go and read some in my room though.  I finished chapter 11.  Now I have three more to go!  Woo-Hoo!  When I was done reading that chapter I went and made some supper.  I bought some cut up beef, so I cooked that and noodles.  Not too bad, I didn't have pepper :( so I used salt and butter to cook it in.  It was a little tough but not too bad.  I do have left overs, which I had to finish my ice cream so I could clean out the container and put it in that.  Now I have lunch or supper for Tuesday.  I like not cooking. 
After supper I came back to my room where I decided to look at the day trips I wanted to take and weekend trips.  Well, I'm going to Wales for a day, but as for Scotland and other places, STA here I come!  The trips are on weekends I'm not around or am busy.  That's kind of sad.  So, I will just be traveling by myself.  Oh well.  I talked to Joe for a while at night and then got ready for bed and then read into chapter 12.  I have made a list of things I want to do on Tuesday, go to a sports store to buy some running pants, go to STA, apply for a railcard, get to Boots so I can buy contact solution.  Which, I looked into, they have about the same type of contact solution...it costs 9.99 pounds :o)  Hmmm...Should I just go for a cheaper one?  All right, now I don't know if I'll get any.  I don't even know if I'll get that all done.  I still need to come back and read, so maybe just Boots :s  Tuesday night we are going to a Charlton vs. Brighton football game.  That should be fun, I don't know how well known those two teams are, but I get the football experience!  Hopefully I figure it out soon in the morning on what I'm going to do for the day.  I hope everyone is enjoying their semester or their time wherever they may be.  I'm greatly appreciating being here.  I'm so glad that I got up the guts to come!  It's a once in a lifetime experience and it's fantastic :)  Cheers

Maybe moved from my bed thrice

Sunday was another day of not doing much.  I got up at nine for breakfast, I had cereal.  After breakfast I went back to my room to work on my blog.  That took me some time since I had to upload and add photos.  I have to remember that I need to add more photos, since my parents can't see the ones I add to facebook.  I add the best of my photos to my blog though.  Sometime after I finished my blog and probably did something online I went and made myself a grilled cheese.  I got new bread, a little more expensive than my 69 pence one, but this is bigger and I really like this bread.  I used up the rest of my cheese which was kind of a lot of cheese and I made my sandwich.  It actually came out perfect this time.  The last couple times I've made grilled cheese part of the bread got burnt, not this time!  I was pretty excited.  I don't think I finished the last triangle, there was a lot of cheese (mature cheddar has nothing on colby jack cheese).  I then went up to my room, left my computer shut and read some of my book.  I was a little confused.  Part of the pages I read while I was half listening to someone else, so I didn't really know what was going on.  Oh well.  I then took a little nap.  It's cold in our room for some reason and I wish I knew why.  When I was reading I had the over head light on (which isn't very bright) and then my lamp, while my covers went up over my head to try and keep me warm.  It didn't work very well.  After waking up I grabbed my computer and working on one of my journal entries.  I sometimes have the feeling that I'm not explaining exactly what they want.  I'll find out in March when we have to turn them in.  I do have to write some more journals, it's hard when I have some reading and I write this blog everyday.  I'll figure it out. 
It's hard to believe that I've only had two weeks of full classes.  It doesn't really seem like that, especially since I have each class once a week.  Much different than the American way, or BV way, where I would have a full week of classes.  I think I like it better this way.  The weeks are going to fly by so fast though.  It's been about a month since I've gotten here.  I love it so much.  I still have a lot to see, and since time is flying by I suppose I should probably get out there and do things (after I finish my book).  I still wish I had some more people to walk around with, but Rachel will be here soon enough and I can't wait to do touristy things with her!  And Morgan gets here the next week for a couple days.  I'm really excited for that too!  Then I have the next week and I am off to Greece and Rome!  Which reminds me.
This weekend Kelsey and I were to buy our tickets and get things ready for spring break; well we did.  I have a ticket to Athens, and then Athens to Rome.  We are spending a day and a half (about) in Santorini.  The hostel we booked does some day trips, so we may be going to see Poseidons temple, and then go to Delphi and the temple of Apollo :D  Ah, it's kind of hard to hide my excitement, but oh my goodness I am crazy excited.  I can't wait to see some sun!  It is supposed to rain all week here, the forecast said heavy rain, bleh.  Museums are a perfect place to venture to when it's raining, but I'd rather stay in.  We'll see.  Monday I might do homework for a while, then maybe venture out somewhere.  The rest of the night was spent on my computer and hanging out in my room.  Perhaps, I'll move to the lounge sometime.  I think my bed is starting to make a permanent form of me sitting and lying in it; that is never a good thing.  Well off to bed really late for me, not good.  I need to work on that.  Hope everyone has a good part of whatever day it is.  Cheers

P.S. - I did get up off my bed for breakfast, to shower, for lunch, and for supper.  I think shower and lunch go as one since I didn't get in my bed after the shower.  Yep, three times.  I keep saying this, but I'll work on it!

Taken over guards and not seeing what I wanted to

On this morning I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do.  I was thinking of going to the Tower of London, but I may wait on a day that I can actually not worry whether the Tube will make it there.  On weekends they close fully or partially some of the lines.  I didn't feel like finding out where the circle and district line tubes were partially closed.  Instead, I got up this morning, again in time for breakfast, then came back to my room to write my blog for the day before.  Finally I decided I should change and figure out where I'm going to go.  The weather didn't look too bad so I thought I would take the chance and go outside.  In the midst of uploading pictures to my blog I slowly got ready.  Of course, I don't understand why, firefox tends to not like me at times when writing my blog, which reminds me I should save just this section just in case.  Hah, it read my mind, weird.  Firefox must have gotten too busy so it decided to tell me it wasn't working properly.  I was getting to a good section in my blog as well.  I can only hope that it was saved.  I close firefox and restart it, long behold some of the new written part is saved, but not the part that I had "just" written (grrrrrr).  I start typing some, then get tired of it so I save and close my laptop and head out for the day.  Of course it is about midday by this point.  I didn't eat lunch.  Oh well.  I head out in search of St. James Palace, and Burlington Arcade.  The Palace is on the other side of St. James Park and was built by Henry VIII, it isn't open to the public but I at least thought I could see the outside of it.  Burlington Arcade I found out was a walk way full of shops, I wanted to get some more souvenirs.  I head through the park and look on a map just to make sure I know where it is.  I keep walking and head down a side street.  It is supposed to be on this street.  I still don't know if I found it, but I got a couple pictures.

 

Statue in front of what may be St. James Palace

 

That may be St. James Palace

I wish I knew

 

This is St. James Chapel (I believe)

Inigo Jones designed this as well

I then walked down a different street, I believe it was called Pall Mall Street, it takes you towards Trafalgar Square.  While on that street I was trying to find Burlington Arcade, I did find some statues on the way though.

 

I didn't get close enough to see what it was for.

After that picture I head towards Trafalgar Square, trying to figure out where this place is I want to go.  I don't find it, so I cross the street and turn around.  I head up another street, the road that actually has Her Majesty's Royal Theatre, it is playing Phantom of the Opera right now, and right across the street is a play that Ian McKellen is acting ing.  I kind of want to see it too.  I don't know what it is about, though (oh well).  I then run into a store called Cool Britannia, a souvenir shop filled with, well, a ton of souvenirs.  I stopped in for a little bit, wondering what I should get the people I haven't bought anything for yet, and then head out.  I'll maybe take Rachel there, but I am sure there are cheaper places around, especially since I saw a Central of London store around, another big souvenir shop.  I decide to head back towards St. James Park, to do some more wandering. 

 

London Eye

 

Statue by park and building, I want to know what it is

 

I don't know who is at the top

As I continue to walk around the park, I head towards the same place we had walked before, the Guards House (something or other).  On the way I see a statue dedicated to soldiers.

 

Memorial of some sort

 

I have a picture of this already, but this will help you understand the next couple photos

 

An archway through the middle

 

Forbidden

Once you go through the archway you see a mass of tourists, for this is one of the places people come to get pictures with the guards.  Seeing the guards unable to do anything while tourists gawk at them makes me feel bad for them.  I finally made my way through the throng of people and headed down the street.  Of course, headed towards Downing Street.  Maybe Gordon Brown will be there, or possibly the Prime Minister from Little Britain and his gay secretary, we'll see.  I also took some pictures along the way.

 

Women of the War sculpture and Big Ben

 

  

10 Downing Street, anyone, anyone

 

Another memorial

After walking down that street a while, I made my way back towards St. James Park.  I went by the Imperial War Museum (?) and headed in just to check it out, I made it to the entrance to see the prices and I left.  It's 12 pounds, I'll wait a while.  Maybe if dad comes and visits ;)  I head back towards Downing Street, I don't know what is with that place that I keep going back, but I kind of really wanted a picture of the PM house. 

 

A statue and 10 Downing Street in the back

The Black house

After trying to be "sneaky" I cross the street to St. James Park.  I see a few people huddled around four pelicans that decided to hang out by the fence.  I try to find a way over there but I don't want to get in trouble by walking on the mud/grass so instead I head around the patch of mud and back to the pelicans.  Some of them were shivering, I don't exactly know why, it wasn't as cold as it had been so I don't know if they were cold or something else.

 

Pelicans

After taking a few pictures of them I thought that an hour outside was good enough for me.  I headed back to VH, going through Queen Anne's Gate, a street we walked through one of the times we did a London walk.  And took some more pictures a long the way.  I decided to be a tourist for a little while.

 

Interesting structure by the Tube station

 

A building close to where I live

I finally got back and went straight under my covers so I could warm up.  Again no homework for me :s  Sunday, though!
  I spent most of the afternoon just online (seriously repetitive).  Later, mid evening, I decided to head to Sainsburys for some food.  I did take my new bag along, it can fit a lot.  I had a head a little before, during and after my grocery shopping so I decided not cook any supper.  I grabbed my last sprite and took some tylenol.  Finally I went and grabbed some bread, put some butter on it, and had some grapes.  Pretty delicious, even though it wasn't a lot.  The rest of the evening was spent hanging around my room doing non-productive things.  And, of course, I finally headed to bed.  It was a good day, and I'm glad I made it outside for longer than an hour by myself.  Hopefully it warms up soon so I can go on more walks and explore some of the other parks besides St. James Park.  I think I'm a little scared, but hey, it's London!  You're supposed to get lost!  Cheers

St. James and animals (mostly birds)

 

In St. James Park

One of the entrances to Buckingham Palace

I woke up on Friday, not know what I would be doing for the day except reading for class.  I got up for breakfast, I'm getting better at that, and I had myself a bowl of frosted flakes.  I then came back to my room deciding I should start reading.  I actually don't (common occurrence) and write my blog for the day before instead.  I eventually see that the sun is shining, so I decide I should maybe change out of my pajamas and go outside for a little bit.  Before I head out I go and make myself some lunch, since it is around 1:30 at this time.  Down stairs in the dining room it doesn't look that nice outside, so I ask a couple people if they've been outside and what it's like.  One guy says it's really nice.  I know I shouldn't ask other people about how they feel on the weather, because it's almost always cold to me.  I eat my half peanut butter sandwich and head out for a little bit.  I took a book with me in case it were nice and there were an empty bench.  I head out towards St. James Park, it's an OK day out, still a little windy and chilly, and the clouds are enjoying playing hide and seek with the sun.  I walk a little bit in the park and the sun comes out, so I sit on the bench this is near by and read, oh for maybe 5-10 minutes before it gets a little cold again.  Plus, a swan came and swam near by so I wanted to take a picture before it went away.

 

Swan

After reading I got up and decided to take some pictures around the park, be touristy for the day.  It's OK though, there were a lot of other people taking pictures too.  I saw a squirrel perched on the fence that I really wanted to take a picture, but right before I could, some person tried to touch it, so it ran away.  Dumb person, I wanted a picture of it.  Oh well.  I got on later of this squirrel...

  

Squirrel

rare in London

There are a ton of birds in St. James Park, another place I would like to take my parents.  Maybe if I keep talking about how I want to show them everything they'll have a change of mind and come.  It's all right to splurge once in a while.  Who knows if you'll ever be here, with me, so...you should come! :D  Anyway, there was an interesting bird I saw, all black with a white thing on it's head.

The back, it decided to turn at last minute

 

Here's one swimming, and the front

Ok, most of the first part of the blog is going to be pictures.  So here goes...

 

Lake

Swan in the back left

More of the park

 

If you look closely, it's looking at me :s

But, it was adorable, non-the-less!

The other view

 

I love the background in this picture

 

Line of Seagulls

 

Buckingham Palace

In front of the Palace

  

This is what I call the Buckingham Palace Moat

After getting back to VH and trying to write a postcard, unsuccessful (hands too cold), I decide to read some, get on the computer and watch the telly.  I'm an excellent multi-tasker; except it was more internet and telly.  

I am beginning to feel somewhat guilty for being able to hear peoples conversations in the hallway.  If they're talking to loud though, like our neighbors that's their fault.  I now know that I am not the only one who is having a hard time here.  As this person did say she doesn't have any other friends than her roommate, whom she has known for a while, I felt bad for being able to hear.  She should be so lucky that she has someone really close with her here.  She can go exploring with that person, while I tend to go exploring by myself.  I am OK with it though, I'm getting more used to it.  The whole time she was talking though I just wanted to go out into the hall and tell her that I am more then happy to do something, I know we're only connected through friends, but I'm alone just the same.  I didn't, instead I shut off the telly, got off my computer and tried to read (it was a little difficult).  

A little after six, when she had left, I went down and made myself some noodles and grapes.  I love the green, seedless grapes here.  After supper, I got myself a bowl of ice cream, almost done with it.  Then I have a heap of chocolate and candy to eat.  haha  I then brought my computer to the lounge, as to not be too unsocial for a bit.  At nine I talked to Joe for a bit and then I finally skyped with Gretchen!  After that I again looked at things online.  I think we can all see a pattern here!  Then finally I was getting extremely tired and headed off to bed, well into my bed.  It was a good day, relaxing yet I went outside. (yay)  Cheers

Mmmm trips

Today I was going to get up early and shower, about 7:15 am early.  When that time rolled around I changed my alarm because I didn't want to get up yet.  When my alarm finally went up a little after 7:30 I got up, just so I won't be late to leave for class.  I get out out of the bathroom and I wake Kiley up, who informs me BES is canceled because Mark isn't feeling well.  Since I'm dressed and ready I go downstairs for a muffin and a glass of apple juice.  When I'm done with breakfast I get back in bed and sleep/lay there until we're ready to leave around 9:30.  We had contemporary Britain today.  The original teacher was gone so we had the guy Dolan, he usually does one of the seminars.  We learned about more of Britain's politics and elections.  they will be having an election very soon, most think it will be held May 6th, it will be interesting if an election happens while we're here.  It's different than in the states, and they only campaign for about six weeks before the election, and no annoying commercials!!!  I am not one for politics, but I am also not a huge fan of American history, so learning new things I enjoy doing (at times).  They don't have a set date of when they hold elections, they just have to hold them about every five years, but they can hold them earlier.  When Gordon Brown took over after Tony Blair, he should have held an election.  Gordon Brown decided to wait and now the time is coming; the Labour party is not in trouble, but they're not looking too good.  So it seems like the Conservatives will take over this year, and David Cameron will win.  We then split into our seminar groups.  Some of the people who have seminar at noon went to a room across the hall to work on journals eat their lunch and sit around until our turn.  I joined and wrote a couple postcards to people and then read a short story I thought I read to read for class.  Of course, when I got back to VH I didn't have to read the short story, instead I have to read a 127 page book, with the tiniest print ever, literally the tiniest!  Finally it was out turn for seminar, so we go back to the room and kind of have a discussion.  Two people talked about the British government system and about the upcoming election.  The last seminar it seemed had a good discussion because Dolan brought up some of the ideas that they had.  No one in my seminar group really knew anything about the government here and how they run things.  Our seminar ended up being about 30 minutes which was nice.  Most of us headed back to VH, at least the ones who didn't have classes later on.  I just came to my room and relaxed for most of the day.  Had some chips and salsa for lunch.  Changed the water in my roses, which are slowly dying :s and received my package from Rachel!  Thanks (even though you're probably not reading this).  Later in the afternoon I talked to Kelsey Baye, who is one of my friends from school, she is going to be in Austria soon, after her stint in Germany.  We are planning our spring break together.  First stop Athens for about four days, then Santorini for a few days and then off to Rome to see Morgan!!!  I'm so excited, it's not going to be very hot, but it's going to be a lot nicer than here and I am very ready for some sun right now. 
I also looked up day trips and some weekend trips I would like to see as well.  I found a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath that goes everyday (which is very nice).  So I think when Rachel gets here we will do that.  I found a day trip to Wales as well.  Pretty excited for that, we make a stop at Tintern Abbey, and I really want to see it.  It looks beautiful.  I found weekend trips to Amsterdam & Bruge, the stop at Bruge is just a day thing, then another weekend trip to Scotland, which I can see the highlands and Loch Ness, and also to the Rossalyn Chapel, which is where part of The Da Vinci Code took place, awesome!  There is also one to Paris I would like to do, mostly so I can go see Versailles.  I really want to see Versailles.  I doubt I will do that one though.  I want to see Rebekka Riek as well, who had stayed with my family for a semester and a half a few years ago.  I want to go to Ireland, but I think I may wait for when Rachel and I go, and possibly my mom after I graduate next year ;) 
The rest of the night was just spent hanging out in my room.  Now I actually have to read that book, since it needs to be read by next Wednesday.  I hope everyone has a good day/evening/night.  Cheers

Those days

Another Wednesday, another busy day.
My day started off with me getting up and getting ready, of course.  Had a bowl of cereal and left for LMU around 9am.  Last week I got there extremely early (good reason though), but this week I knew where I was going so I didn't want to get there early.  I don't want to get there late to class either though because then I won't have a good seat.  For fictions of the U.S.A. we had to read a short story by Flannery O'Connor, interesting writer.  She died very young due to a disease and she wrote in Southern Gothic style.  The piece we read was about a family heading to Florida, the grandmother just loves to talk, talk, talk and finally because of her pretty much, they end up in the ditch.  When I car passes by, the people stop, but it's The Misfit and two other "bad" people.  The Misfit broke out of prison.  He ends up killing the whole family.  Yeah, great story, don't read it.  I like some American writers, but I have a feeling that the writers our teacher picked out are going to be very interesting reads.  She wanted us to find some humor in this story, we broke into groups and one girl was finding some of the humor.  I just sat there listening, thinking to myself how I don't find anything this is story humorous, literally.  I don't think it's funny that the cat jumped onto Bailey (the one driving, who's a guy by the way) and it's not funny how he ends up throwing the cat into a pine tree.  Not funny at all.  It is dark humor of course, but this was messed up. After class a couple other study abroad students asked her about what we should do for our final, I tagged along as well and had her sign my paper that I need to turn in for that.  I then headed back to VH where I made myself some tortellini for a "quick" lunch.
As I had been lazy in the morning and took the tube from St. James Station to Holloway Road and Back, I decided to walk with Carissa to The National Gallery for our Art in London class.  The afternoon was surprisingly nice, the sun was shining!  Also, a little bit warmer than usual.  We made it to class on time, for we had stood outside for a bit not knowing where anyone else was.  We then decided to look at our syllabus and voila (spelling?) we knew where to go. Class was long as usual, but I got secretly excited when we sat down near Jan Van Eyck's painting "Arnolfini and Wife".  I had learned about it a few semesters back in that one art class I took.  He has so much detail in the painting, it's amazing.  We walked around and looked at some other art pieces, talked about them, learned more about them.  Around 4:30 or maybe a little before class got done.  Yay!  I enjoy looking at art and it's nice to learn about it, but the Gallery was ridiculously crowded and so much walking.  I headed straight to LMU where I sat in the cafeteria and ate my peanut butter sandwich I made.  Saving money, eh.  Except I need to go grocery shopping soon!  (Yikes!)
Ok, my Firefox has been going mentally challenged for a while.  Firefox quite on me a few times and then froze, I don't exactly know what I was going to put so I'll just go somewhere with this.
After eating my supper I headed to class, around 5:30 or maybe a little before.  So early, there were only two other people in the classroom when I arrived.  I sat down, really wishing I had brought a book with me.  I drew some on my notebook, nothing fancy, kind of weird.  Whatever I made I added three eyes to it, don't question.  Finally people showed up and finally the teacher showed up, right on time.  the first hour was lecture, talking about the growth of Victorian London, we read an article from The Times, from 1867 (?), the day after the tube opened, for our seminar we talked about how The Times depicted the Tube.  The Tube was a lot different then, it actually had class seating.  The article didn't talk about third class at all, but second class had leather seats supposedly, I should probably make my way to the London Transport Museum.  After class two students from my program and myself talked to the teacher about our final.  We're pretty much doing the same thing as my other class, turning our final essays in early.  After class we headed to the tube.  They got off at Green park and walked back and I hopped onto the Victorian Line.  The car that I was in seemed new, or just very clean.  I enjoyed the noise it made when first leaving.  Do you know the sound the space shot ride makes?  Well, if you do, that is what it sounded like.  Kind of amusing.  I decided I would walk back to VH from Victoria Station, just so I could get some exercise. 
When I got back I finally finished watching Percy Jackson, yes, the movie I started about two days ago.  It wasn't too bad.  I then helped Joe with some paperwork so he could sign me up for some summer courses.  He just needs signatures from my adviser and then the dean of my school.  I finally got to bed around 1 am-ish, I had to finish my blog, and I doubt anyone knows, but I start to write these and something always comes up.  I'll right about my Thursday soon.  Not too exciting but I'll still inform you all!  Cheers

Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday)

Now, you're all probably thinking "what is pancake day"?  Only the greatest day in London ever!  haha  Close, but it is really the day before Ash Wednesday.  When  most people gave things up for lent it was usually fatty foods and foods with a lot of sugar (fatty), so the Tuesday before would be pancake day so everyone could eat up all the fatty foods they want before not eating them for a while.  British pancakes are just like crepes though!  Delicious! 
I got up for the morning, and finally got out of my room after finding out that I am able to double lock my door.  Who knew?!  Double lock, how dare they.  I missed breakfast because of that little ordeal so I took a shower and just got ready for the day.  I made a couple pieces of toast and then headed out for, well the late morning/early afternoon.  I headed down to the shopping area, sort of.  I got off at Bond Street Station and headed towards Adidas, the last I was there they had bags for one pound.  I wanted to get a bag so I could put my groceries in it.  Supposedly Sainsburys charges for bags, they're worthless anyway.  If you put too many things in the bag it starts to tear, and just bad news then.  The bag I wanted at Adidas ended getting its prize raised to 2.50, so I left right away.  I was not going to pay that much for a bag.  I headed to Primark, which is a very popular store here in London, full of cheap things, a lot of things.  I don't really know how to describe it though.  I've been in there before but never really looked around.  This time I did some looking.  I just think this store is always packed.  You are practically running into people wherever you walk. I look around for some tights that I can wear with my dress and shoes I got a couple weeks ago, no luck really.  I then head upstairs to the second floor.  I know that have some cheap bags here that I could put my books in.  They have a couple bags, but I know that a lot of people are going to have the same bag if I get one.  I wander through the shoe section, past the jewelry and long behold I run into towels and bedding!  Crazy, this store has everything, ok not everything.  I went back to look at the bags.  Knowing that a lot of people in London will probably have this bag I get, I got it anyways.  It was only 6 pounds, so really not that bad.  When I got to the check out line they had cotton bags, good for my groceries, and it was only 1.30 so I bought it as well.  After my small shopping journey I headed back to the tube.  I took the tube to Westminster Station; the night before I found a pancake stand and I wanted to try out their British pancakes, which I am sure I mentioned are just like crepes.  As it was raining slightly most of the morning, as soon as I got to Westminster it was raining a lot harder.  I then her thunder, I don't think I have heard thunder since I got here, and in Iowa it's been a while since there's been a thunderstorm.  The thunder scared some people, kind of humorous, but it was out of the blue.  I waited in line for my delicious pancake.  The original way to eat them is with lemon juice and sugar.  So many different ways to eat it though.  I stuck with my original nutella.  Yummmmy!  I was also debating whether to get one with butter and sugar, but I refrained.  Knowing I should not spend 6 pounds on two pancakes.  I then juggled my umbrella, shopping bag and styrofoam cup with my pancake in back to the tube station and then all the way back to VH.  I took my things up to my room and since my room hadn't been cleaned yet I headed down to the lounge with my computer and papers I needed to journal on.  While enjoying my pancake and blogging the power shut off.  Someone, I believe, is trying to fix whatever problems we have in this place.  Which is nothing bad, but I do enjoy the lights not shutting off and on all the time.  All right, all right, it's not all the time :)  Just being 'dramatic'.  I see the lady from reception go back and forth from the reception room to the board, knowing that I am getting a package soon I get excited.  I go to throw my cup away (wishing I had another pancake) and see my name on the board!  Well, it was spelled wrong (rabecca?) and know that it's mine.  I go get my box, open it and then haul all of my things back to my clean room.  I put everything on my bed and open up my valentine's package from Joe.  I got a stuffed dog, I can now cuddle with something other than a pillow or my first class plane blanket (that I borrowed about 5 years ago ;) long term borrow, yes Morgan?).  I got two different kinds of chocolate, a card, three American Sprites, and a container full of no bake cookies!!! Those will go fast, so good.Also, two boxes of deluxe mac and cheese.  I will probably have to starve myself for a day or so just to eat the box by myself ;)  four servings.  I talked to Joe for a bit, he had gone to my schools registrar to ask about online courses during the summer.  I then talked to my mom about taking summer courses during the summer, she thinks it's a good idea.  So, that is good news for me.  I don't think I'll have to take 18 credits both semesters my senior year!  (sorry Morgan)  After that it was downhill until bed.  I got to talk to Morgan which is always nice and I started writing another journal entry for BES.  I have all weekend to finish them, plus they're not due for a while, but I just need to keep ahead.  Now, you'll hear about my Wednesday tomorrow, when I have more time, and when it's not 1 AM my time!  Cheers

Monday, my day of no class (again)

I got Monday morning in time for breakfast.  Of course by the time I got downstairs all the food was running low, but there were just enough frosted flakes for me.  No apple juice though, sad.  I then got ready for the day and headed out to the Museum of London.  It was the museum I'd been wanting to get too, and now I had a reason.  For one of our BES assignments we have to go there and then journal on it.  Parts of the museum was closed for refurbishment but the parts that were open were the London before London, the Roman period, Medieval period and the Great Fire.  Parts of the museum were really interesting, but I think the crowd did it in for me.  They ruined the whole experience.  There were so many kids around, but I think no matter when you go to that museum it will always be busy, maybe.  I started off walking through London before London, it was kind of interesting.  Finding out how some of them lived, they even had built a bridge across the Thames as well, actually the bridge went to some island that isn't here anymore.  There were a lot of artifacts and skulls in this section.  After that there were a couple things at the entrance I wanted to check out, since I didn't exactly know at the time where I would be exiting. 
In 2005 there were three underground bombings and a bus bombing, a believe it was three underground ones.  A total of about 51 (:s) people were killed.  In memory of them all they had a book published with a section for each of them.  In each section it talked about the person, when they were born where they lived, when they moved to London or got a job here that required them to take the tube.  After those biographies they had things written from families, talking about the person and how they'll be missed.  A very touching book.  I didn't get past maybe 10 people but still a great book.  And such a way to remember them.  For a bit there was a man who was standing behind me and I looked back at him a couple times because I didn't want to hog the book to myself but as soon as I turned the page to a new person he came up to me, took his headphones out and said I just turned the man he had wanted to see.  Most of the people who were killed were maybe in there upper 20s or early 30s, this man I believe was born in the early 1980s.  The man who was beside me said that they had worked together for a bit in a post office.  Just thinking about these people makes me sad to think about how they were killed just like that.  I read that one boy had just gotten a job at a newspaper and was called to do a big story in London that day, July 7th.  His mother or father said that the night before the planned out the route of the tube he would take, just to think if he had planned another route he would still be working for that newspaper.  After I looked at a couple more people in the book I decided I should let it be for someone else and headed on my way to the Roman times.  I only took one picture while I was int he museum...it was this one.

 

This was a model of a little Roman village.

So cute

In the Roman period of London, Caesar had taken over so it showed the buildings he had built, and also how some of the rooms in houses looked back then.  Mostly the more wealthy households, with tile mosaics and nice furniture.  After the Roman period it was off to the Medieval section.  I didn't stay too long there, though.  They had a model of the old St. Paul's Cathedral before it was destroyed in, I believe, 1637.  They had a video on the black plague, which I listened to for about 30 seconds before it was over.  Then off to the Great Fire of 1666 it was, now this place was ridiculously busy!  Most of the exhibit is one short hall way and to leave you have to go out the way you came in, so packed.  I saw a guy with a giant suitcase as well, he was about to go in when I was leaving.  I was wondering to myself how in the world he was going to go through all that.  I finally made my way back out to the entrance.  I stopped at the gift shop just to see if they would have anything I would like to buy, they didn't really so I headed back to VH.  For most of the afternoon I sat around in my room, on the internet.  I started to watch Percy Jackson, but it was taking too long to load so I went and warmed up my chicken and noodles from the night before.  I decided to eat in the dining room to give my movie more time to load.  I grabbed a bowl of my delicious ice cream and headed back up.  I played the movie and it went for a couple minutes before stopping to load again.  I started Valentine's Day as well, which was also on the site.  It was a little better than Percy Jackson, but it finally stopped about 30 minutes in.  

I finally got out at night and went to see the "sights".  Mostly the big ones like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.  They are very pretty at night.

 

Westminster Abbey

 

Big Ben

 

Bridge by Parliament

 

London Eye & Aqarium

 

Oh look, a statue of Oliver Cromwell

Scum

 

Other part of Westminster Abbey

Beautiful sights, looking at the buildings up close as so fascinating.  All the intricacy of the buildings is genius.  So amazing to look at, that's pretty much all I can say.  I don't know how to explain how great it is to be up close to these works of art.  No one makes buildings like this anymore so it's rare to see a building with so much detail.

When I got back I wrote my blog for the day before and just hung around until my parents got on skype.  It's always nice to talk and catch up with them.  Watched the telly for a while and then headed off to bed.  Not too bad of a day, still rainy and chilly out.  I heard it is supposed to rain all week, most of it at least.  Tuesday is Pancake day too!  :)  Shrove Tuesday, before Ash Wednesday.  I'll explain later ;)  Cheers