Getting Settled

I apologize for the delay.. I've been meaning to find a way to get my pictures up (left that little thing at home) and wanted to wait so I could post some pictures, but you'll just have to keep checking back! Crazy, it has almost been two weeks! Things are going pretty well.. I cooked my first successful meal EVER tonight (obviously had mom on the phone the whole time..), but I made my self a delicious salmon, and could not be more excited. Don't forget I'm straight out of the sorority house, so this is new to me..:) I've been meeting people here and there that go to my school through orientation and classes too, so that has been nice. For the international students' first big welcome we had a 'cheese and wine' party, not to be confused with wine and cheese. They claim we say it in the wrong order. Anywayyy. free wine and cheese while meeting people, so it was fun!

Classes started this week and although  I was very sick on Monday ( I'm allergic to gluten AND the water here apparently..very exciting) I jumped right into things on Tuesday. Now you must understand classes work a little differently here. In the US there are 2-3 lectures plus a discussion each week for a class. Here..there is one lecture and sometimes a 'tutorial'. Therefore, I have class Monday-Wednesday and am already enjoying my four day weekend, so that is pretty great to say the least. I'm taking a class called 'Performing Arts in London' in which we are going to see about 10 different shows..mostly plays but one ballet and an opera as well so that will be amazing. I am also take 'Historic London'...might as well take the cultural classes while I'm here right?...in which we don't even have class but instead go on field trips once a week. I'm very excited to start learning about this massive city, I haven't had very much chance to explore yet!

Last week I saw Avenue Q which was absolutely hilarious, didn't expect it to be so funny, but I laughed the entire time. If you haven't heard of it, it more or less makes fun of Sesame Street the entire show. So I really enjoyed that. I think the next show on my list has to be either Jersey Boys or Dirty Dancing..or Billy Elliot..and obviously Wicked for a third time. Hey, for the student price of 20 pounds a show you can see like 7 for the price of one Broadway show! 

On the day of the inauguration the wax museum let Americans in free which was very cool and extremely impressive. People LOVE Barak here, it's great. It is extremely easy to keep myself updated on American news/celebrities..they loveee it here. Anyway, last weekend I went with Michael to the Portobello Market in Notting Hill which was really neat. Lots of antiques, clothes and jewelry, and we both picked up some delicious fresh fruit. I think I decided I want to move to Notting Hill when I retire.. it really is the nicest cutest little area. This weekend we are going to the famous Bourough Market, which I think is primarily food so that should be good. We are also going to Bath which is supposed to be beautiful so hopefully I will have pictures up by then! Check back in soon!

Cheers :)

Neili

I MADE IT!

I'm here! Bags and everything!! I am very grateful to have had the wonderful Libby (one of my best friends from high school who is also studying abroad) and Michael drag my giant bags across London, there is absolutely no way I could have done it myself. It really is a beautiful city, and in three days I've only gotten poured on once. I've  seen the sun twice now  which is good news to me! The people here are SO nice..and more then willing to help with directions which is great.

I met up with the nine other kids in my program in Notting Hill which is where we stayed for two nights. Notting Hill is the cutest little area, and I even passed by Stella McCartney's new billion dollar home...which happens to be about half the size of our house. Last night we saw the show Complicit...if you've heard of it I would be very impressed. Richard Dreyfuss played the main character, so that's kind of cool but I honestly could not tell you what it was about (something about after 9/11...and bashing on the American media for being one sided....maybe?) Of course I would prefer a good musical over a play any day, which I will not be passing up with the amazing student prices they have! Anyway.. that was weird. Then, I went over to where Michael is living which is an absolutely beautiful area a half block away from the London Eye (the big ferris wheel, Big Ben and everything!) They have a market over in that area every day where he found me a delicious gluten-free brownie! 

I moved into my room today which is close to an area called Islington. It's extremely old and has lots of neat artsy shops and stores.. very different from the two other parts I've been in. However, there is STILL at least one Starbucks every two blocks...no exaggeration there. It's a little sad, ha. Me and a couple kids from my program spent the entire day today figuring out the bus system, which is wonderful now that I know how to use it!  And my room.. I'll just say it will be very very cosy. There are about ten other kids on my flat and I am hoping to meet them tomorrow!

That's all for now!

Love, Neili