BUUUUUSY!!!!!
Right right, first off- if I misspell words that I normally don't, or you see strange spaces, it is because I am either typing this in a hurry because of the unsecure wireless networks, or that I'm in a ghetto internet cafe and the keyboards here are weird.
THAT said, it's been QUITE busy these past few days.
THURSDSAY:
My music business class took a field trip to the city of Liverpool, which will apparently be the culture centre of the world in 2008. Groovy, although why will that happen in 2008? Why not 2007??
The train ride was fun- Virgin makes records, planes, phones, and now trains.
So for the first two hours, we were free to roam around the city. I liked this place alot! Elizabeth and I went shopping- or rather, she bought some pretty cool stuff on sale, but I didn't find anything I fancied. They had an FCUK, and I know Bonnie wants a shirt from them, but I couldn't find a decent one...sorry sis!
We then met up with my class aaaaand embarked on our freaking awesome Beatles tour! Mr Nichols (my Ringo-obsessed teacher at FBA) would be jealous.
First we went to Casbah Coffee Club, which is where the Beatles first played together (as the Quarrymen, and then as the beatles with Pete Best on drums). This little club was in the basement of Best's house, and it was still decorated the same way! And who gave us the tour? None other than Pete Best's brother Rory. It was so surreal going inside and see where Paul and Lennon had painted the ceiling, or where Lennon had etched his name ( I did a paper shading thing of that). There was SO MUCH history behind it- I took alot of notes to write down in my paper journal, so if anyone ever wants to find out more, I can type it out.
Since we're mostly crazy Belmont kids, everyone wanted their picture with Rory. After that was finished, we then drove to Penny Lane where our tour guide let us out and explained how the verses of the song relate to the actual street. It was really awesome- for example, the precense of "It's very strange" is becasue of a firm called "Strange and Strange" that is on the Lane.
After that (and more photos!), we saw the childhood houses of the lads (except George's) and drove by the former Strawberry Field(s). I think that's all we saw, but it was quite a long bus ride but REALLY fun, since I sat in the back with Liz, Tam, and Paul the entire time.
Once back in London the previously mentioned people wanted to go to the Flask (pub that we tried to go to before but got lost. It had a pretty sweet interior, I enjoyed just sitting there listening to everyone's conversations.
FRIDAY:
This was our "strongly encouraged to attend" trip to Stonehenge and Salisbury. We had the same tour guide on my bus as I had had during the London tour, which was great because he was really funny!
Stonehenge was really neat (not cold, like everyone said it would be), but kind of crowded and I wish we could've gone closer to the stones. It was beautiful out there, but we really didn't have alot of time to wander around. There were quite alot of sheep farms and I took a photo because I know Bonnie still maintains that dream of a sheep farm (dude, we should totally still do it).
Next was Salibury, and with that was the Cathedral there. THAT was BEAUTIFUL. I took several photos (to be uploaded tomorrow maybe) and saw the Magna Carta and stuff like that. Then a group of us got lunch and explored a little bit before the bus ride home.
AAAAND what did I do last night? Go to Waterstones to buy the new Harry Potter book at midnight! (Don't think I'm a nerd, but how many times is one IN England when the new HP book comes out???). There was quite a line, but we got there about 30 minutes early and had a decent spot. We met some nice people there, including this lady frmo the Czech Republic who was working in London now, plus a couple (who had had a bit too much wine) who were standard business-class London but fantastic to talk to.
The book is pretty good so far!
SATURDAY (today):
Got up this morning, and a big group of us headed to the British Museum. We were there about 1.5 hours, and I spent practically all of it in the Egyptian section. What can I say, I really do like the "Mummy Returns" more than just Brendan Fraiser. ;-)
Seriously though. I'm gonna go back there maybe 2 more times before goign back home. It was so awesome.
So the rest of the weekend will probably be homework and studying. Monday evening I'm goign to meet my friend Liam for dinner and stuff (Finchley Road Tube, 6.30 PM, right?). I think Elizabeth is going to come with me because she wants to meet "british blokes". hahaha.
I'll try and get the photos up tomorrow. good day!
Field trip #1
Yesterday my Life in London class took a field trip to Greenwich. If you didn't know, like me, Greenwich (pronounced "Gren-itch") is where they measurethe world's time, so it's kind of a big deal.
First we visited the Royal Observatory, where I learned that that big line on the ground that everyone was straddling to get photos ofis like, the time line. So that was a shocker, but once I got over that, I had a grand old time watching people in variousgrotesque poses over it.
Inside had nifty things like old clocks, how time is measured based on the sun, and other historic artifacts. They had a telescopewhere if you looked up, you could see Pluto. I am not lying, go look for yourself.
Apparently at 1PM, this ball on a weather-vane would drop, because that's how maritime people would know the correct time it was, butI missed that. Anyway, right next to the observatory (after you come back down the really steep hill that counts as about an hour's worthof exercise because I thought I was going to die going up it) is this amazing large park that I got to lie down on for a few minutes. It was gorgeous outside, with lots of kids taking field trips (I guess some of them are still in school).
I went with some people in my class to get food, and had a fish pie (a glorified fish stick, so it was pretty light). Whilst at the placethis really loud british couple was in there and it was fun to listen to them talk....although I bet they were talking that loud on purpose.
Our proffesor gave us a walking tour of Greenwich then (as listed in the book CCSA gave us about London.). We walked by the National MaritimeMuseum, as saw some cool exhibits there, as well as a school group dressed up as pirates getting a tour by a really loud lady. Next was walkingaround tow by Greenwich Market, Cutty Sark ship, Old Royal Navy College, the Queen's House, and St. Alfege Church where the Archbishop of Canterburywas killed....although I think that's a different bishop from the "Murder in the Cathedral".
Finally, we (or at least, some of us) ended the day by walking in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel which goes under the Thames to the other side. By then my feetwere falling off, so we took the Tube back here, where I hung out a little before promptly taking a nap. Remind me to procure a phone card, because I need to checkmy voicemail on my cellular. oh, and I guess call my family at some point before August 8th. Haha.
A few photos:
That's in the park, with the huge winding hill that leads to the observatory.
It was worth the hike, as the view was amazing! This is my entire class minus one person, I think. fun times.
I know, I'm so unique with MY pose over the GMT line.
Ye Ole Pie Shoppe
Royal Navel College
The view from across the Thames of Greenwich.
Anyway, so today's Music Biz class was pretty cool, we had a guest speaker guy. He's worked in the industry here for awhile, and playedus 8 song clips from various European countries. We had to guess which ones they were from, and most of us failed miserably. Highlights includethe Icelandic "hard rawk" (terrible!), Croatian hip-hop (laughable!), Uzbekistan (sp?) pop (actually decent). I have a test in there on Monday aboutwhere all the European countries are and who their leaders are, etc, so I guess I'll study for that at some point this weekend. Tomorrow is Liverpool, and we haveto get up at 6 AM. Lovely. I hear it's an awesome tour though, so several photos will be here.
It was wicked hot in my EU classroom so we had class in a small park near campus (where the Jester Festival was). We were temporarily kicked out bceause some guyhad to mow the place, but then again, there were alot of sunbathers and all of them ahd to move too. It's so nice outside, but apparently it's slated torain tomorrow...oh well.
Now I'm just being lazy and such. Tonight is my friend Lindsey's birthdayand we're going to an Australian bar or something. Should be interesting.
As for internet, not sure when I'll update next. Liverpool is tomorrow, and the next day we're going to Stonehinge. Henge. Um, whatever. I hope the hurricaines aren't washingtoo many of y'all away!
Photos and more!
Name this movie:
"Excuse me, but could you tell me what country we're in?"
"Why, you're in Great Britain!"
"Oh no! Now we'll never get to England."
"You are in England, my furry friend."
(I think I saw the pond this took place in yesterday).
Last night the four of us were coming back from getting Chinese food, when a white limo full of kids around 13 years drove by,and a boy (who still had a high-pitched voice) yelled out the window, "HEY SEXY, DO YOU LIKE MY CAR???"
As Morgan (the girl) would say, "Oh that's special."
I promised alot of photos, so HERE they are! Be warned there's tons. Sorry if this kills anyone's dial up internet connection!
The British's kitkat bars (amazing!) had that message for me on it. Oh, and by the way, Diane, I found Lion bars in the vending
machine at school! I plan on procuring one this week. Yay.
These next photos are from the bus tour, so sorry if they may seem a little blurry. Bear in mind I have SO MANY but obviously
cannot post all of them at once.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum, with a british policeman waiting for Holmes to return. Hmmmm...where is he?
Surely not at Baskin Robbins, the "AMERICAN" ice cream shop....or did we miss him walking away, perchance?
THERE HE GOES! I bet he got rainbow sherbet.
Or maybe he's off to visit HG Wells' house to lament the new Tom Cruise movie.
The British Central Market.
Yeah, I think it is owned by THAT Garfunkel...although I may be mistaken, I didn't contemplate it long because of what is next door to it...
I SO WANT TO SEE THE JERRY SPRINGER OPERA!
Black and white photos always are more profound. this one came out nicely.
Looks like the queen approves of my burberry jacket. Okay, Mom, maybe you were right about me buying it.
Just for that, I know you'd like this one. (The whole Stubbs exhibit. No, I am not going ot it because I've already SEEN it in Ft Worth!)
I like the street chalk art.
As my tour guide called it, the London Skyline is an innuendo.
I thought this was good since it got three major landmarks crammed into one frame.
The view of St Paul's from across the river.
The Globe theatre
That's for my sister, Bonnie.
I thought that gate was pretty.
My delish fish n chips lunch.
headstone from a graveyard on church st.
a small part of hampstead heath. no idea whose house that is.
elizabeth, me, cassie, lindsey, and two faculty on the heath.
a "clue" in the mary poppins game!
IS THAT NOT AWESOME/SCARY OR WHAT?
I met Mary Poppins. You didn't. as my more l337 literate friends would say, "pwn3d!"
As for today, we had classes begin. This involved all of the "A" classes meeting in the "courtyard" between the dorms, and thenour teachers leading us to class. My A class was my Life in London: Living in the EU (it's a political science class).
I think it'll be pretty fun. We're going to take alot of field trips and such, and I just have to write journal entries and two short papers, so it won't be difficult at all, which is nice. Alot of the kids taking it are polysci majors, so I'm goingto feel pretty stupid since I don't understand alot of the political and economic rhetoric. Ah well. Tomorrow we're goingon a field trip to Greenwich....I guess that's another city in England.
Ummm at lunch I was eating by myself at first but then a nice girl named Tara sat down, and then Paul and Lindsey and Elizabeth and Cassie all showed up so that was fun in the end, and the food was still decent!
My music business class is SO crowded; I think there's about 40 people in it. We started off with a quiz, however, of all the countriesin Europe and world leaders, and everyone failed miserable. I don't think the quiz counts, but we do have a test on it Monday. thursday we're taking a field trip to Liverpool....yes, it is a Beatles tour! Exciting!
So now I'm in this cafe that gives you wireless if you buy something. I probably should get off and let Elizabeth check her email and such... I hope everyone is doing well, and I'll try and call home today or tomorrow.
Much love.
A Spoon Full of Sugar
Well, no photos right now. I didn't get to edit them, and really can't. And for once, I'm not hijacking the "3COM" wireless and opted to pay for Starbucks T-Mobile wireless. Grand.
Anyway, so what's been going on? I'm trying to remember.
Yesterday I ate some fish and chips that were freshly made, and I must say, they were quite scrumptious! If I even spelled that correctly. Seriously though, I was afraid they would make me ill, but that didn't happen at all, thank the Lord. We also ran into a street fair of sorts called the "Jester Festival", which was pretty neat to walk around. Although alot of people were "selling stuff that they found in their attics", as my friends just said. Haha.
Did I mention the "No-sugar added" Dr Pepper I bought yesterday? I realized it's their version of Diet Dr Pepper, but this is SO MUCH MORE TASTY than the US'. Seriously, I might have to illegally import some of this stuff.
Okay, so last night we (being myself, Elizabeth, and Lindsey, who goes to a smaller college in who-knows-where) were going to meet up with another big group of friends at a pub called "The Flask". The three of us had to wait behind at the college because Liz's luggage got lost and she had to call up the airlines and demand where it was. So when we embarked on trying to find the place, we ended up taking the wrong bus and having no idea where we were. Fortunately, someone pointed us in the right direction, and we walked walked walked for a millions miles (2.5 hours I think) until we found Finchley Road Tube, where we ran into a Belmont proff. who didn't have a clue where the place was, so we gave up and took the 82 bus back to Kidderpore and hit up the Black Lion instead.
I really like the insides of pubs, and you can find all sorts of interesting things inside of them. The bartender ID'ed us, can you believe it? I guess I really do look under 18. But that's alright. We had some nice time talking, and then Justin Tam and some of his friends showed up so we sat with them in the "Beer Garden" outside, which was fairly pleasant until they kicked us out of there.....at 11.15! See, everything closes around 11 or 11.30, whereas in America, you have bars staying open forever.
We walked back to the dorm, and on the way, we realized we never had dinner, so this pizza place was still open and we each got a slice for 1 pound. Quite delish.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for today, I had breakfast in the caf again, and it was up to par thankfully. Then at noon, the three of us plus Lindsey's friend, Cassie, went with the director of the CCSA trip (she's a proffesor from Belmont, Maggie Monterverde) for a walking tour of the Hampstead Village area. It's quite beautiful, she showed us how to get to this street that has lots of food and shopping areas (including this Starbucks!). After some Bailys ice cream, we walked to the Heath and saw some excellent fields and views of London. I think Elizabeth and I are going to start jogging soon, but we've been walking so much that it's really uneccessary.
On the way back, we walked where all the fancy old houses of London are. One of them was the Fenton House, and they were having a FREE Mary Poppins garden party! (I think this is due to the West End musical going on- we're going to try and see it). The party included a "Song-trail" and a woman dressed up as Mary Poppins was walking around, so we got a photo with her! Teehee. Nerdy.
Trapsed back to the street area and ate at a place with good sandwiches, went to the British version of Borders and I reserved a copy of the new Harry Potter book, went to a cell phone place and looked at "pay as you go" phones (Dad, my cell phone still isn't working), and now am at Starbucks.
Classes start tomorrow; I'm so thankful! After the mishap from our attempt at mastering the bus system, I'd rather have my first Tube experience be with someone who knows what they're doing, because none of us are! Sorry that this is long and rambling, I promise the next one won't be as long-winded, and maybe it'll have photos! Good day!
