Valentine's week

Just a heads up: this is about to look like a post completely about food.  Since it's Valentine's week, I guess it's expected though, right?

This has been such a crazy busy week!  Tuesday was Shrove Tuesday here, so everyone eats pancakes.   Naturally, they are more like crepes with lemon juice, sugar and nutella on them (ew) but we opted for the traditional fluffy American pancake, purchased pre-made at Asda :)  We had a pancake party with a flat near here, just in time for me to get back to my hall to my flat mates setting off the fire alarm burning their pancakes!  It was wonderful to have actual pancakes again, all that was missing was the bacon and grits!

Wednesday night, I went into central to see Hamlet.  A few of my friends are in a Shakespeare class here, and one of them couldn't go, so I bought her ticket from her!  It was performed at the Rose Theatre, the first theatre Hamlet was performed at.  Of course, it wasn't in the same condition and was completely inclosed (as opposed to the open, 3 tier stage that the theatre originally was)  The theatre is actually doing a huge fundraiser (4 million pounds) to recreate the open stage on the same ground, after they do an archeological dig.  It was really confusing as they were explaining it, but I know that the floor boards we were standing on were from the original theatre, which was cool.  I guess since it's protected under law, they can't do much to the part of the structure still standing (the part that the performance was in) so there was no heating and it was freezing!  But the performance was really good!

Before the performance, we went to a cafe and got Nutella filled crepes, which were amazing, obviously.  The waitress gave us plastic silverware, and as Caitlin was cutting into hers, the fork broke and flew across the restaurant, so obviously we were dying laughing as all the Brits stared at us.  Well less that 2 minutes later, mine snapped off, so we completely lost it.  Nonetheless, the crepe was worth the humiliation!  We walked around before we could be seated at the theatre and caught some good pictures of St. Pauls at night, until it started to snow, then we high-tailed it into the theatre and waited.

Thursday was VALENTINE'S DAY!  It is one of my favorite holidays and I knew it was going to be fun spending it with friends.  After class, two of my friends and I went searching for cupcakes, and when we didn't find any, we ended up going to the Railway and getting cake, what's new!  We ended up talking there for about 2 hours, and finally decided to catch a bus during rush hour, not our best idea.  But it was a great day spent with new friends!  Since USPS is not on their game, I'll be getting my present from my Valentine today, so yay for 2 days of love!!

Side note: we officially booked spring break in ITALY!  We will be visiting Florence, Rome, Naples and Capri for 10 days of fun and (hopefully) sun!  Tonight we are going into central for a friends birthday and tomorrow we are doing proper tea at Kensington Palace! xoxoxo

Nutella filled crepe, amazing

My London Valentine!

had to share this, skyping my sweet baby!

BAFTAs

Friday night was BOP, and they last minute changed the theme... to 'nothing but clothes'  We didn't participate in the dressing up.. or down, but we did have a great time!

Last night we decided to go see the celebrities arrive on the red carpet at the BAFTA's, basically, the Oscars for Britain.  We read they would be giving out wristbands to the public at 7am, so we all got up at 5 and met up at 6 to head into central.  The line was wrapped around 3 blocks and we waited for 3 hours (with a quick run to McDonalds while some of the others saved our place in line) before they told us to come back at 12 to line up for the red carpet.  We went and got some lunch and shopped around Piccadilly Market until we had to get in, wait for it... another line.  We waited there until 1:00 when we were finally let on the red carpet!  And once we get settled (standing up, third row from the front, not too shabby) we got to wait for another 5 hours until the actual red carpet started.  Mind you, it rained all day and was about 32 degrees, so by the time people started walking the red carpet, I was about to die, as was the rest of my group!  The first celeb we saw was Alicia Vikander (from Anna Karenina) then the some famous Brits that we didn't know.  Then the good people came!  We first saw Hugh Jackman, then Jennifer Lawrence, then Colin Firth!  We saw other famous people, but those were the only ones that came close to us.  Everyone went through the carpet really fast so they could get out of the freezing rain, resulting in my lack of pictures.  But I'm pretty proud of the ones I did capture, despite the frostbite forming on my fingers!  Well, it got so cold that we left early and went to the pub.. but we had fun while we were there :)

Going to sleep now- this has been the LONGEST DAY EVER. xoxo!!

caitlin and I at bop

inside Piccadilly Market

just in time for vday [those are locks in the love]

this was hour 1 of waiting.. our faces drastically changed after hour 3

so close!

the beautiful back to Alicia Vikander's dress 

anonymous british star #1

anonymous british star #2

HUGH JACKMAN [half of his face, at least]

so close to Jennifer Lawrence..

February

HAPPY FEBRUARY! I still can't believe I am well into my second month here, where is time going?  I wish I had some cool sight to share with everyone this week, but I've been so busy with school!

I really think I underestimated how much I would have to do for each class here based on the number of grades I get.  Basically, there are only two assignments that determine your final grade here, and in all of my classes, these assignments are papers.  Luckily, I would rather write a paper over taking an exam any day.  In my Writing for Children's class (my class with the most work) a children's book publisher came in and talked to us, which was pretty cool.  

I have a few papers due within the next two weeks, and since we are leaving for Scotland (!!!) the 20th, I figured I should go ahead and get them done so I don't have to do them when I get back!  So, I have been barricading myself in my room so I can focus, which is not easy over here, at all.

My language in the media class is really interesting, but the professor is a little off his rocker.  On class Tuesday, my friend Caitlin and I died over the handout he gave us (will include picture!)  They definitely have no problems talking about American politics here, and boy, do they speak about it often! My eyes have definitely been opened by how others view our political system and fundamental structure of our nation, even if I don't agree :)

The highlight of my week was receiving my package from my wonderful parents!!  I think they realized my increasing chocolate/candy/any food group addiction since I have been here, so they stocked me up with Valentine's Day treats!  I also got a a sweet card, shirt, and NC State t-shirt (GO PACK!) and a super excited feeling knowing that they loved me enough to send me something across the ocean :)  love you, people!

Last night, I met a few girls at our traditional Thursday night hangout, The Railway.  This pub has the BEST chocolate fudge cake, and they even have southern fried chicken tenders (bojangles could teach them a thing or two, but not too shabby) we all got some pitchers (8 pounds, can't beat that) and last night we tried some new ones!  We had purple rain and blue lagoon, and yes, we sang Prince the whole time we drank the purple rain!

Tonight is American High School themed BOP.  Most common misconception here: that American high school is like it is portrayed in movies.  They may be disappointed when I show up in a t-shirt and shorts, my typical high school look!

Happy Friday, Americans! Miss you all!

My handout from class.. [insert mouth drop]

Valentine's Day goodies from my parents

Blue Lagoon

One Month!

I can't believe I have been in London for a month today!  It feels like just yesterday I was so jet-lagged I couldn't function, having minor breakdowns with my tiny prison-like room, malfunctioning electrical issues, and NO WI-FI.  Thankfully, I got some rest, made my room my own and have successfully gotten the hang of different electrical sockets and the wi-fi :)

I have learned and experienced so many things in my short time here, that I am amazed with my personal growth each day.  In the past month I have learned that:

- I am more independent that I ever imagined I could be
- Just because people are different, doesn't necessarily mean I should write them off so quickly (talking to you, flatmates!)
- GBP does not equate to the American dollar
- Unlikely friends are the best kind to make
- Doing something new every day in London will make me the happiest
- I have an amazing support system, specifically my wonderful parents who are funding this wonderful trip! (I already knew this, but being out of the states only reinforces it)
- Jif peanut butter, sadly, does not exist here
- I will never take advantage of amenities I have back in the states, ever again
- Drink beer, it's way cheaper

Although it has only been a month, I have learned so much about this amazing city and myself, and I can't wait to see what the next 4 bring!

Abbey Road

Yesterday, we finally went to Abbey Road!!  This was definitely one of the biggest spots I wanted to go to during my time here.  

We started at the famous crosswalk that The Beatles walked through.  There is a live webcam of the cross that you can look at; so we decided mid-morning would be the least crowded time to go.  We went through the crosswalk 2 at a time to try to dodge traffic and all of the other tourists trying to make the walk, and it took us FOREVER.  Everyone came out in one piece, with only 2 cars and 1 bus honking at us, but we finally got our pictures, which is all that matters!

Right near the crosswalk is Abbey Road Studios, which was beautiful!  Outside, visitors had signed bricks and walls with Beatles lyrics, which was really cool to see.  Unfortunately, we didn't have any pens or markers, or we would have put our American stamp on the wall :)

It’s really crazy how iconic everything is in that area, and how many people across the world know that crosswalk to be a place of such cross-cultural significance.  It puts into perspective how large the "Beatlemania" effect was on the world as a whole.

We all wanted to head to Oxford Street, and on our way, we saw a CHIPOTLE!  I was so excited to see one of my favorite restaurants, so we got off at the nearest stop and backtracked to an amazing lunch.  For the rest of the day, we spent some time shopping and looking around Oxford St, which is always amazing.

We took the night off last night and looked up information on our trip to Italy for spring break!  I could not be more excited to spend 10 days in such an amazing, beautiful place!

Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend!

Walking the crosswalk (the wrong way)

Finally walking the right way, and stopping traffic!

Abbey Road Studios

"you may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"

Brick outside of Abbey Road Studios

Kensington

The weather has officially taken a turn for the better- for the most part!  It's slowly getting hotter (was 55 yesterday!) but the dreaded rain I heard so much about has started.  It rained all day Monday and yesterday and is supposed to be pretty rainy all week.  Luckily, today has been sunny and beautiful!

One thing about the weather that I'm not too fond of.. the wind.  It feels like you are in a wind tunnel at all times and does horrible things for my hair.

Monday, we finally went to Kensington!  I heard so much about Kensington High Street, which is right in front of Kensington Palace, so we really wanted to visit.  Kensington Palace was home to Diana when she died (the place where everyone left the flowers) and will be the new home to Wills, Kate and the royal baby!  Harry is also supposed to be moving to a cottage on the property, although we didn't see it (unfortunately) It was so windy and rainy on Monday that we didn't do much exploring on High Street, but we did get our share of Kensington Palace!

The palace was beautiful and the grounds were even more awesome.  Tours of part of the palace were available, however, the exhibit they were offering that day didn't sound too exciting (think we are going to go back for the young royals exhibit)  We even saw the apartment they are renovating for Wills & Kate!  I think they use the term "apartment" loosely here, considering their 4 story, 20 room apartment doesn't resemble mine back in Wilmington, at all!  

The gardens beside the palace were beautiful, but I think we will go back in the spring when everything is in full bloom.  I can only imagine how breathtaking everything is then.  There is a restaurant behind the palace, The Orangery, that offers proper tea.  We are still on the hunt for the best place to do a proper tea, so that one might be the winner!  

It was so unbearably windy and rainy that we ran into a Starbucks to hide out until we had enough feeling in our toes to walk back to the underground.  But overall, a great day!  

This week is all about school for me, I have had so much due and so much to read!  Thankfully, tomorrow is my last day of class, so weekend, here I come :)

xoxo

Kensington Palace

Will & Kate's apartment is to the left!

Arch to the Orangery

Kensington Gardens

Queen Victoria statue.. I think

Hillsong

Another weekend down!  Yesterday, I recovered from BOP by making a red velvet cake with a friend.  Let me tell you, it was such a solid decision.  After that, we met up with another friend in Putney to go to The Railway, an awesome pub.  We got some dinner and hung out there for a bit, then got the bus back to campus.  Actually, we waited 30 minutes in the rain for a bus, then were laughing and talking so much that we missed our stop, and then had to backtrack (in the rain) to campus, but never the less, made it back!

I FINALLY got the college gameday pass so I could watch the Wolfpack put a beating on the Tar Heels last night!  I stayed up until 3AM watching the game, and I'm sure my neighbors thought I was crazy with how loud I was yelling!  But it was an awesome game, and I'm so happy I got to see it rather than read about it the next day.

Today, we decided to go to a church called Hillsong (started in Australia, now they are all over the world, 3 being in London) for the 6 pm service.  We went into central at 2 to look around and possibly go to some markets, unfortunately, they were all closed! So we walked around some cute piazzas near the London Bridge and got some lunch before church.  Hillsong was in central located at the Dominion Theatre, which is actually the same theatre that Rock of Ages is performed in (I know, two completely different things in one place!) Being raised a Catholic (obviously very structured mass) it was so incredible to see a new environment for a church service.  It was very crowded, and felt like a concert environment.  The music was amazing and I think we are going to go back when the record their album at a service in a few weeks!  I am planning on going to a Catholic mass in the church beside Westminster Abbey soon, so I'll let you know how that goes :)

Miss everyone!!

Umbrella art inside the Piazza

Cathedral near London Bridge

Hillsong

Hillsong service