Oxford Street and Salsa

Pictures: 1) me in Russell Square, 2) the fountain I drew today

Yesterday after I did laundry, Ashley and I headed for Oxford street with a detour to stop by the Graphic Center store. Going to Camden Art Centre inspired me and I really wanted to take art classes, but the ones they offer there are 160 pounds for a 12 week session, and they already started earlier this month. I looked online and found many similar programs (none of which I could afford) then, I stumbled across a figure drawing class offered through London School of Economics. There isn't a teacher and you have to bring your own materials, but they have the room and the model and two hours of studio time for 4 pounds. Not a bad deal. While instruction would be nice, I don't really need it since I've taken art my whole life - I feel confident I can improve on my own, albeit at a slower pace. So, those classes start Thursday evening and I needed to buy some materials.

Once we found the Graphic Center I bought charcoals, drawing pencils + eraser/sharpener, a sketch book, a larger sketch book with pull out pages for the figure drawing, and some wax paper to put in between pages so they don't smudge each other. I spent about 24 pounds, which wasn't terrible. After all these things were purchased, Ashley and I went to Oxford Street.

Oxford Street is the premier shopping district of central London. The sheer number of stores lining that street are overwhelming, not to mention that all the department stores are about 7 stories high. There were literally 2 Benetton's and 2 H&M stores within 5 blocks of each other on the same street. It was crazy! All I bought was a nightshirt on sale for 8 pounds at Marks and Spencer's, but I'm glad we went and got to finally see it. But oh the chaos! We were also there during the evening rush hour so I guess that didn't help.

We took the bus home (I seriously thought said bus was going to kill someone because people kept running across the street in front of it). The bus is nice though because you can see things - people, stores, buildings - as opposed to the tube where you don't know where the heck you're going. I then went to Salsa class at 7:30 in case the teacher didn't show up again and I was needed to teach. He did finally show at 8:00 and I helped him teach. Jess, Carly, and Rob were back again, but Andy didn't come because he's in a fight with Carly who chastised him earlier in the day about being selfish for taking the fish tank back that he told Jess she could borrow for the whole school year. Oh the drama. However, once they make up we'll probably all get together during the week and practice some Greek dancing.

After the class Jess and all them were going to a pirate party (i.e. - dress up as pirates and go to this club that plays rock music, drink and dance). They invited me to come, but the instructor (Ephrine) was going to a local salsa club called Cubana and asked if I wanted to come, so I decided to do that instead. I was tired so I only stayed until 11:20 - it was cool though, so I'll have to go back.

Today I took my pencils and sketch pad to Russell Square park to draw some of the things I took pictures of the other day. It is sunny out today, but SO cold. I sat there drawing with my gloves on (not ideal) for a little under an hour before I was so cold my hands felt like they were going to get frostbite and my legs were numb. Finally I walked (a little awkwardly) back to my flat. It has been an hour and my hands still feel a bit off. However, I have part of the fountain drawn and a man sitting on one of the benches. I will make this an ongoing project since it is clear I will not be able to sit out there and finish my drawing in one sitting.

There is a chance of snow tomorrow and Monday, and sleet on Tuesday. I'm pretty excited since I haven't seen snow in ages - I hope their weather predictions aren't as bad as they are in the Charlotte area. The highs are going to be 1 degree Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius. This is 33 and 35 in Fahrenheit. The lows are going to be in the upper 20s (F). This means I will probably not be walking very much in the next few days; however, this also means I can probably get some homework done - yay!

Speaking of homework, off to read some Dorian Gray now.

Camden Arts Center/Freud Museum/Russell Square

Photos: 1) cool bike thing with child inside looking at fountain, 2) me looking at the fountain, 3) squirrel eating a nut right by me, 4) Russell Sq. fountain, 5) Freud's house




Today we met our art appreciation teacher at the Camden Arts Center. This was in the Camden
borough and the Hampstead suburb. Hampstead is a very wealthy area north of central London.
The gallery was very small with only 2 exhibitions but it was free so yay! We saw works by Daan
van Golden and Andro Wekua. I still feel as though my art appreciation is growing by leaps and
bounds every time we have this class. However, there was a screen print of Mick Jagger taken
from a stock photo and probably not physically screen printed with the artist's own hand and I
just don't understand how that can be considered art and hung on a wall. Kathy (the teacher)
said art has become more of an idea that one puts on a wall - it's "finding" something and hanging it. Call me old-fashioned, but I like the art that actually takes talent - or (in the case of Pollock) at least a little effort and creative insight. However, apart from that, I liked the exhibitions. You can check out a few of the pieces at www.camdenartscentre.org if you wish.





From there we went to Pizza Express for lunch. It was so good too! Ashley and I split cheese pizza (margahrita pizza here) and garlic bread for 4.50 pounds per person including tip. The pizza was also quite large and plenty big enough to share. Our waiter was also authentically Italian and very attentive - for which (along with his rather rugged handsomeness) Ashley left him a hefty tip.


After that Travis and I went to the Freud Museum while everyone else went back. We thought it was free, but it turned out to be 3 pounds. The museum was in the house where he lived the last year of his life after he and his family fled Vienna from the Nazis. It had all the stuff from his Vienna home - books, psycho-analysis couch, antique figurines, etc. Pretty cool I suppose.


After I got back I put my stuff down and walked over to Russell Square garden and just walked
around observing the people and sights and sounds. I took some pictures of the fountain, the
people, the animals (ok, well, pigeons and squirrels). It was a lovely afternoon. While it was cold
all day, the sun was out, the skies were blue, and I was happy to be alive and outdoors.

Bargain Hunting

Pictures: Ashley and me at the Indian Restaurant, the coat I got at Rokit

While everyone was in class yesterday I found a great consignment shop called Rokit. From the outside it looks just like a boutique, but the prices were amazing. I ended up only buying a knee length wool coat for 16 pounds (about $22), but I'm so glad to know about the store since most clothes in London are so overpriced.

It was a gorgeous day again and I walked around the Covent Garden area enjoying the sunshine. I stopped in a few other stores like Urban Outfitters and H&M, but didn't buy anything. I had a pleasant walk home and then finished reading "As You Like It" which, by the end, made me tired so I took a nap. At 7 pm I rolled out of bed and everyone was going to get Indian food for dinner, so I decided to come. I was not looking my finest as I'm sure you'll notice from the picture Katie K. took of Ashley and me. I only got garlic nan (flat bread) at the restaurant because everything was pretty spicy, but the bread was quite good.

Today was just class. Nothing too exciting.

Buckingham Palace/Victoria Park and Billy Elliot

1) Me on the Monument in front of Buckingham Palace, 2) Me in front of the Billy Elliot theater, 3) Me in front of palace, 4) and 5) doing cartwheels and poses in Victoria Park




Today Ashley and I went to the Victoria Palace theater to see if I could get a cheap ticket to go see Billy Elliot. I am in the very top of the theater the very last row, but it was 17.50 pounds as opposed to 38, so that's what I'm going to do tonight. The girl said it wasn't really that far away, just high - so I guess I'll see! Everyone else except Ashley is going to see Phantom of the Opera tonight, but I want to see so many shows (Wicked, Dirty Dancing, Sound of Music, Lion King, Gone With the Wind) that I can't afford to see Phantom as well. I've seen the movie - that's good enough. lol

Anyway, after I bought that ticket, Ashley and walked to Buckingham Palace and took lots of pictures, then walked to Victoria Park next door and enjoyed the beautiful day. It really was lovely today - blue blue skies and sun.

I stopped by the Waitrose on the way home to get some groceries and that was about it. I'll update about the show later!

OK, it is now later and I am back from Billy Elliot. It was SOOOO amazing!!!! The seat was really not too bad - had a full view of the stage and the audio was perfect. The 2 people next to me were American and they were talking about how they thought they got a pretty good deal on the seats - well, I talked to them a bit later and it turns out they paid 35 pounds a piece for theirs! I was thinking "sweet - I got a deal!" Anyway, the kid in the play was a phenomenal dancer - he could tap at least as well as I can (probably better) and his ballet was out of this world. I am so glad I went even if I did go alone.

Harrods and St. Paul's Evensong

Yesterday I met Andy at Harrods. Two others were supposed to meet us as well, but bailed out for different reasons. Anyway, I don't know if it's a Greek thing or just an Andy thing, but he loves to shop so he showed me all around the five floors of that MONSTROUS store. It is literally a maze inside and god forbid there should be a fire, everyone would die. They have a pet store, furniture store, electronics, music, toys, china, crystal, restaurants, clothes, shoes, perfume, makeup, a food market, a huge room of just chocolate, candy store, fish market...I mean, it was completely overwhelming. Not to mention that it was the last day of a big sale so it was absolute insanity. However, it was interesting to see everything. I didn't shop at all - shopping like that gives me a headache - but I did buy some very overpriced gelato. lol

Everything except the DVDs was so expensive I don't know how anyone could afford to shop there! We saw this pool table that was commissioned for Queen Victoria in 1887 (or something like that) and it was hand carved all around and simply beautiful. It was 1,000,000 pounds. You could buy three good houses for that in the US. Andy said you could buy one good one here. lol Also, everyone here seems to dress so high fashion - I mean, it's bad when you feel like the men dress better than you do. lol However, I don't really mind - high fashion is way too uncomfortable to be my calling. You should've seen the shoe department - all the heels were at least three inches high!

After that I took the tube back to my flat and just read some Shakespeare and whatnot here. Some of the flatmates went to a pub, but I was too tired. I'm pretty sure I walked several miles inside Harrods alone.

Today Katie B., Bridgette, Lennon, Olivia and I went to St. Paul's Cathedral for the Evensong service at 3:15. It was so beautiful. The atmosphere alone of a place like that is so august that one can't help feeling like he/she is in a place of God. Also, because today is the 2,000th anniversary of the birthday of St. Paul, the Church of England invited a guest preacher today from a Methodist church (since St. Paul represents a non-Jew who came to punish the Jews and then converted - so he was essentially and outsider). Anyway, this minister was so cool! Most services like that are beautiful but the actual sermons are quite dull and hard to understand. This guy spoke about how the Church of England should be more accepting of women in positions of power within the church and how they need to stop worrying about same sex marriage and worry about loving others and overcoming adversity. I was rather shocked the church let him speak! lol Maybe they didn't know what he was going to say. Either way, I think I'm going to go to his home church next Sunday.

It is very cold out now but I'm out of groceries so I should probably go to the Waitrose before it closes. Everything closes early on Sundays.

Covent Garden and New Friends

Pictures: 1) the quintet in Covent Garden - they were amazing!!, 2) Greek perfume bottles from 400 or so BC (double click on the pictures to blow them up - look at the detail!), 3) This is a statue of Kate Moss made by sculptor Marc Quinn out of pure gold. It is called Siren and is presenting Moss as a modern-day Aphrodite - a goddess of our own time. It reminds us of how we have mythologized Moss; how her likeness has become as iconic as the goddesses of the ancient world.


Yesterday (Friday) I didn't wake up until about 12:30, and everyone had left for Borough Market already. That is an outdoor food market under London Bridge (not to be confused with Tower Bridge which is the pretty one). After reading some As You Like It for Shakespeare, I got ready and walked to Covent Garden Market. It was better than the last time I passed through since it was a Friday. There were some wonderful street performers including a quintet and a couple contortionists. The skies had become blue and lovely (after a gray morning), and it was all around a pleasant afternoon. I bought 3 pashminas (scarves) for only 6 pounds which was quite a bargain, but otherwise I just looked.

After that I went to the ULU for lunch and found out that there was salsa class that night so I could hopefully go and meet people in the club. From there I went to the British Museum on the way home and walked through all the Greek and Roman rooms. I saw all the pieces of the Parthenon that the British Museum has somehow gotten a hold of. It's a shame so many of the statues' heads have fallen off over the years.

Anyway, I went back to the ULU at 8:30 for the "intermediate salsa" lesson. I was a few minutes early so I changed my shoes and watched all the beginners and then the Asian guy who was teaching asked if I wanted to join in. I told him that I was just waiting for the upper level class since I actually taught salsa in the US, and he was like "Oh you teach?? Because the teacher didn't show up tonight and I've done this some so I'm just trying to teach them stuff." Well, I ended up teaching with him for the next hour. Everyone else was a brand new beginner, and everyone was British. It was really great to teach again!

I made friends with four of the students particularly: Jess, Carly, Andy, and Rob. They are all in the Vet School (part of the University of London) which is about a 30 minute walk from my area. They are all 19 except for Andy who is 21. Jess is from Blackpool, Carly and Andy (who is originally from Cyprus) are from up around Nottingham (about 1.5 hrs North of London), and Rob is from Ipswich to the West. Anyway, after the salsa lesson, Andy taught me some Greek dances and next week he'll bring some of his other friends who do it with him and music in case the salsa instructor doesn't show up again. Jess already knew some of the dances so she joined us and we were dancing around the room. It was so much fun! I think we may start a Greek dancing club!

Anyway, after we left the dance room the five of us went down to the Duck and Dive bar in the ULU and talked for a while. They were all such wonderful people and so happy to make friends with me. They all live in the same flat complex since they are all in the vet school and it is fairly small. Anyway, they are all very close and it is such a wonderful friendship they have and the way they just invited me into it made me so happy! We wanted to dance at the Duck and Dive, but no one else was dancing, so we all walked to this other pub that Jess thought would have a live DJ, but when we got there, there was no dancing and no DJ. They said it was probably because some guy got stabbed there a few weeks ago in a drunken brawl. But, we will probably go out tonight. Anyway, Andy and Rob walked me home because Carly wasn't feeling well so Jess took her home. It was very kind since I live quite out of the way. Once we got to Russell Square I was like "I can go from here, it's right around the corner," and they were like "No, we're going to walk you to the door, this is London." haha

I'm going to meet a few of them at Harrods in a few hours to do some shopping (or looking lol). I can't even express how happy I am that I have new friends who are so nice and so down to earth. I feel like I finally have a "group" as it were.

Anyway, sorry for this rant, but I am so happy that I just had to gush a bit.

Tate Modern

Pictures: 1) On the Millennium Bridge, 2) view from the 7th floor of the Tate Modern, 3) Matta's "Black Virtue"


Yesterday was rather uneventful which is why I don't have a post for it. Was woken up at 11 by housekeeping and then went to class at 3 until 8. Shakespeare was pretty good, and I got to read two of my favorite sonnets aloud (which I'm a total dork and love to do), but the actual content of the discussions about them made me miss my Shakespeare class last semester soooo much. Professor Gless was just so amazing and our teacher this semester is a lovely woman, and clearly very intelligent, but I just miss the way he taught Shakespeare. It is a subject so close to my heart now, I realize I am quite picky about who teaches it. However, WWII class was brilliant (I speak British now ;)), and while the professor tends to ramble a bit, everything he says is enthralling and I took notes furiously the entire time.

Today we met our art professor at the Tate Modern which is on the south bank of the Thames directly in front of the Millennium bridge and across the river from St. Paul's. It used to be a power station, but was converted into an art gallery in 2000. The Tate Modern (as opposed to the Tate Briton) is all modern and contemporary art (so early 1900s to today). The facility is simply enormous with the entry way about 7 stories high. It still looks/feels like an old warehouse in the main section with its concrete floors, rafters with chains hanging from above, and a ramp leading into the building (which was for the machines).

The view from the 7th floor to St. Paul's is really quite stunning, even on a gross rainy day like today. St. Paul's was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, but amazingly survived the Blitz during WWII when all the buildings around it were destroyed.

We focused on the surrealist movement (1924 and into the 1950s). This is a movement that is about going beyond dreams. In a dream, very odd things make perfect sense, but when you wake up, they don't seem to make sense at all. This type of art tries to explore that concept. Salvador Dali is a surrealist painter that most people have heard of, as well as Picasso obviously.


Usually I find modern art a bit unsophisticated, but today, my horizons broadened. I can't really explain it, but as I listened to Kathy (the professor) explain the pieces and I really looked at them, I could understand why they were appreciated as art. Aesthetically speaking, I prefer still lifes, but when you really look at something like Picasso's "The Three Dancers," you feel the unbelievable energy and excitement expressed in the dancers. Each one is expressing his/her joy in his/her own way, and as an expression of emotion, it is quite a stunning piece. There was another piece that also struck me quite forcefully called "Black Virtue" by Matta. Something about the abyss like quality of the piece and the unbelievable colors moved me beyond words. Somehow in the two hours we spent there, I felt my former judgements pass away and my mind expand. All of a sudden I thought "wow, this is what college is really all about." I didn't even seriously contemplate it until today, but I have grown so much over the past four years. My views used to be very narrow-minded, but now, even when I don't particularly like something, I can appreciate it for what it is. So in that sense, it was a very fruitful day.

However, all this enlightenment made the rest of the day seem rather boring and I felt quite bad sitting in my room watching Desperate Housewives and Brother's and Sisters. The word "quite" also gives me pause because we learned today that in Britain if you say "I quite like that" you mean "I think that's bloody awful." In America, clearly, it means "I like that very much." I probably need to be careful about that word since I do use it often.

Tonight all the flatmates had a Mexican party and we had tacos and tortilla chips together. I also watched "The Queen" with Ashley on DVD. It was about the royal family and Tony Blair's response to the death of Princess Diana. Very good and interesting - sort of a cross between a documentary and a movie.

Also, the exchange rates have been doing so well lately! Today it was 1.37 to 1. I hope it stays the same or better tomorrow so I can get some money from the ATM.

It's Good to be an American...

Pictures: 1) Bridgette, me, Lennon at The Shakespeare's Head, 2) Orlando Bloom, 3) the King and me, 4) me with the coolest two people ever

Especially on Inauguration day - why?? Because you get into Madame Tussuad's for free!! lol (Normally 25 pounds!). Everyone else had class today, and I'd heard a rumor about the free entrance for US citizens, so equipped with my passport I set out for the wax museum. It took me about 45 minutes to walk there because I got a bit lost, but it was a beautiful walk in the area of Regent's Park. A middle school girl helped me out (since google maps failed me!). The line for the museum was a bit long, but almost everyone in line was American and everyone was chatting. The guy next to me was a dual citizen who is thinking about moving to CA soon. lol Everyone was saying stuff like "We feel like secret agents whipping out our badges (passports) and getting in for free."

The wax figures were quite impressive. My favorites were Leonardo DiCaprio (yes, you can marry me), and Orlando Bloom (go away on a pirate ship with you? I'll think about it...). Actually, my very favorites were Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh - I had another American take a picture of me with them. I also saw Obama, the Beatles, Brad and Angelina, Indiana Jones ;), Lance Armstrong, the royal family, and many more. It was pretty cool, but certainly not worth 25 pounds! However I did have to pay six pounds for 4 double A batteries when my batteries died.

Last night a bunch of us went to "The Shakespeare's Head" pub. It wasn't too exciting - just a few middle aged people and no music :( But, we sat around and talked a bit which was nice.

Tonight we are going with our professor to an Obama inauguration party a couple tube stops away. We were invited by one of the professor's friends who is also a professor. Should be fun. Anyway, better go watch the speech - I think it should be on TV here in about 15 minutes.

Hammersmith Apollo

Photos: 1 & 2) the Hammersmith Apollo, 3) Ashley and me in our seats

Starting with Saturday night - I went salsa dancing on Charing Cross Road. The club's name was creatively called "SALSA!" and it was a lot of fun. I danced with people from Columbia, Brazil, England, Turkey, and Satellite Beach! lol London is such a melting pot of cultures and it was a great experience and the dancers were quite good (not as good as my partners back home, but then again, I'm a bit biased). I went alone so I didn't get any photos, but the place was very big with a really nice dance floor and a restaurant. I look forward to going back!

On Sunday, Katie, Bridgette, Lennon, Travis and I went to Hillsong Church. This is a very famous church based out of Sydney and the bands that perform the worship songs are renowned for their abilities. The service was held in the Old Dominion Theater- so basically it was like going to see a rock concert. lol The message was good, but the preacher seemed a bit distracted - went off on a couple tangents and didn't stay on track quite as well as he could have. I will try it again to see if he was just having an off week. The music, of course, was amazing. There were thousands of people at our service and they have three services every Sunday and are about to add a fourth. However, the service was 2 hours long so by the time we got out at 2:45, we had less than 2 hours of daylight left. Next time we'll go to the 10:30 service.

About six o'clock Ashley was asking me about how to take the tube to get to Hammersmith because she wanted to go see this comedian (Jimmy Carr) at the Hammersmith Apollo theater. We worked out the route, but she called to see if she could buy last minute tickets and the line was constantly busy. She didn't really want to go alone, especially since she wasn't sure if she could get tickets once she took the tube 30 minutes to get there, so she offered to buy me a ticket if I came with her and there were still seats available. I felt sort of bad about that, but she said her mom would love me for it and she'd rather have someone to go with so I agreed.

The theater was crazy busy when we got there - a scalper out front offered us 2 tickets for 30 pounds, but you never know if scalped tickets are legit, so we just went inside to check at the box office. They did still have some seats and we couldn't believe how good they were. 13 rows from the stage with no one on either side of us! I'd never heard of Jimmy Carr, but it was amazingly funny (though a bit vulgar at times).

On our way home we stopped at a pub near our flat and split a pizza on me and got back at 11:45 only to be told that we had to meet with our professor at 10 am. Ick. I didn't get enough sleep so after the complete waste of our time which was the meeting about what we will be doing for our "London experience" class in the future but don't have set plans for yet, I came back and took a nap. I'm about to go do some reading now, but hopefully we'll go out tonight.

Oh the Craziness ;)

Pictures: 1) Me, Ashley, Bridgette in the ULU, 2) Everyone at the ULU, 3) Nick, Me, Nat at Troy's Pub, 4) Me at the Notting Hill tube stop

Well...let's see. I guess I'll start at Thursday night. All of us went to the club at the ULU at about 10:30 (apparently a lot of bars/clubs close at midnight here - in the states things don't get going until about 11). Anyway, it was Guitar Hero night at the ULU and the people who got up and played were just terrible and besides those few people, it was pretty dead. We were a bit shocked because Thursday nights are big going out nights in Chapel Hill. There were 2 British blokes sitting at the end of our table and one of the girls started talking to them and they offered to walk us to another pub that might be more happening. The 2 guys (Nick and Nat) were about to start film school and law school respectively and both went to Eton for undergrad (which is quite a good school in London).

The pub we went to had 2 floors, but the upstairs was too crowded for all 10 of us, so we went downstairs where there was a live Turkish or Brazilian band playing drums and such. It was a really neat cultural experience, but some of the group were a bit weirded out by the pub (it was hundreds of years old and quite cramped and authentic - we were the only Americans), so everyone except Olivia and I left. I was having a good time just knowing I was experiencing something really authentic - last time I was here I felt like I only did touristy stuff, so this time I want immersion.

After a while the live band stopped and then some salsa/bachata music came on which was cool, except I had no one to dance with :( However, I chatted with the bartender woman who was Brazilian and very nice and Olivia and I talked with the two British guys and learned about British law schools (quite bad - not at all like America) and British music and all sorts of random cultural things. When that part of the bar closed we went upstairs where they played 50s and 60s music - apparently that was/is really big here. I thought it was quite amusing because while I knew these songs (thanks to my parents) most people my age from America would not know/like those types of songs - yet these two guys were rocking out to them. It's really amazing how much of our music they listen to. Anyway, it was a good time and Olivia and I didn't get home till about 1:40.

Yesterday (Friday) I went to the ULU again, but this time for lunch (their food is subsidized so it's cheaper than other places) and read Picture of Dorian Gray for a while. Then I came back to the flat and watched back episodes of my shows (Brothers and Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate) - eventful, I know, but it was a lazy day because the weather was YUCK. Last night everyone went back to the ULU because it is supposed to be happening on Fridays - but I didn't go because I can't really go out 2 nights in a row and still be coherent. I think I'll go salsa dancing tonight - I'm so excited! :)

Today I went to Notting Hill with Ashley - everyone else went earlier (though I don't know how they got up so early after being out so late. lol I just need too much sleep!). The two of us walked all the way up and down Portobello Road where they have a huge outdoor flea market. I bought blueberries and raspberries since the prices are so much better than at the grocery store. Other than that we just browsed all the stalls - Ashley and I decided if we have money left at the end we'll go back and buy things lol. They have everything from clothes, accessories, antiques, coasters, etc. etc.

It was BEAUTIFUL weather today - sunny, blue skies, fluffy white clouds. It was such a wonderful day to go to Portobello Market. Not until our way back to the flat did it start really getting chilly and grayer. Of course since it gets dark at 4:15...I guess it makes sense that it starts getting colder and such at 3:30.

National Portrait Gallery etc.

Pictures: 1) the street where we live (our flat down on the right)
2) Picture Katie K. took of me looking at St. Pauls - this is in the last blog, but I edited it
3) Ashley and me in Piccadilly Circus
4) I forgot where this was...it was on my way home as I was lost



Today we all met our London Art teacher - she also seems very nice and the most down-to-earth as it were. After a brief intro (we're going to get to go to so many cool exhibitions with that class), we all walked to the National Portrait Gallery (which is connected to the National Gallery). We saw some beautiful photography exhibits. One exhibit were pictures taken by Annie Leibovitz of the Queen in a way that tried to get beneath the face she is always putting on for audiences. The photos were really masterfully shot and quite lovely. We also looked at an exhibition of photos that were submitted for a 2008 photo contest - some were absolutely amazing. Another room had black and white photos of many famous athletes in the nude as a testament to their strength and similar body form as that of ancient Greek athletes. They were tastefully shot so as to cover most sensitive areas, and their poses were lovely. I look forward to going back and seeing the whole gallery.

From there we were set free and walked through Leicester Square and Picadilly Circus, stopping at Pizza Hut for lunch. lol Pizza Hut is quite different here though - it's a sit-down restaurant. The price of food isn't quite as bad as it was last time I was here. The economy is hitting Londoners hard as well and the restaurants are desperate for business. After that some of the girls and I went to Topshop (a trendy London clothing store). I left after a bit (being rather exhausted and not in the mood for shopping) and walked to Covent Garden. I browsed some of the outdoor stands and watched a juggler and gymnast performing in the street for a few minutes. Then I thought I would be able to figure out my way back to our area of town without a map...well, I almost made it. I was going in the right direction when I finally stopped to buy a map (our art teacher wanted us to buy a "London A to Z" map anyway, so it wasn't a waste of money). As it turns out I would have hit a street I knew in about 50 feet from where I stopped. lol Luckily, all the areas within walking distance from our area are safe - most "dodgy" areas of town are on the outskirts. Plus, I like walking alone - no one to catch up to or wait up for.

Now I'm back in the flat and quite tired so I think I'll take a nap before we go out tonight. I think we're going to go to the ULU (Univ of London Student Union) and try to meet some British people.

First day of Class and Walk to the Thames

Pictures: 1) Lion at Trafalgar Sq.
2) overlooking the Thames (I'm on left)
3) National Gallery
4) Looking up at St. Pauls
5) all the girls in front of St. Paul's


Well today was quite a day! First of all, everyone except Ashley got up at 9 am and left the flat at 10 to walk to the river Thames (pronounced Tims). On the way we went through Covent Garden (where, once it is a bit later, there are street performers, outdoor markets, lots of restaurants etc). We then stopped at Trafalgar Square which is directly in front of the National Gallery. A few of us girls climbed up to the lion statues and tried to get on top, but we didn't want to fall and make a fool of ourselves, so we just stood by its backside. One day I'll climb up there, but that metal is COLD especially when its about freezing outside. After that we wanted to warm up so we all went to the Nat'l Gallery for an hour (which is pretty much my favorite place in London). From there we finished out walk down to the river and crossed over. From the bridge were were on, we overlooked Big Ben, Parliament and the London Eye which were all obscured in slowly lifting fog.

After we crossed over and started walking up river toward the National Gallery and Tate Modern, we stopped to eat at a restaurant called EAT. Inventive, I know. I had a toasted tuna and cheese panini. Yum. From there we walked up to the Globe (the new one, the old one burnt down) and took some pics in front of it, then crossed the Millennium Bridge back to the other side of the river which deposited us right in front of St. Paul's. We took some pics in front of the building then got in the tube to get back to the flat before classes at 3.

It was Ashley's b-day today so we left her a card and a cake since she didn't want to get up and go with us. Tonight we got her a cheesecake and we had a little party.

We had Shakespeare class at 3 and our teacher (Ruth) is this amazing old British lady who is just adorable and talks a lot but is quite amusing and interesting. Then we had WWII History class at 6 and the professor (Chris Mann) is amazing - he's very chill and we don't even have a text book but he's a WWII genius so we'll just listen to his lectures and such. I also love his accent...it reminds me of someone I've either met or seen on TV. On a side note, every British accent is slightly different, so you find ones you like better than others etc.

We came back to the flat after that class and ate random stuff until the cake time. Now everyone is sitting around playing cards as I type this blog and listen to their conversation. It is 11:14 here, so will probably go to bed soon. Tomorrow we have London Art class at 10:30 am.

British Museum and ULU

Everyone except me had class today =) so I went to the British Museum. I covered galleries 1-6 today: the Enlightenment, the Sami Magic Drum (features a drum made in Scandinavia in the 1600s by the Sámi people - they have lived there for 3,000 years), Egyptian sculpture, Assyrian sculpture and the Balawat Gates.

The Enlightenment gallery used to be the King George III's library that is now in the British Library - now the gallery is some of King George's collection and many of the 80,000 pieces once owned by Sir Hans Sloane (he was a voyager and collector and after he died his possessions were sold to the Brit Museum and his books to the Brit Library). This is also the man who discovered the cocoa bean which was used in Jamaica - he thought the drink they made out of it was very bitter but when he got back to England he experimented with it and found that when you added hot milk and sugar, you got something delightful - hot chocolate. He sold the rights to his discovery to Cadbury. Anyway, Sloane is a really big deal here in London.


Later, I met the rest of the group in front of Winston House (where they all had class) and we walked to the University of London's Student Union (ULU). We were given a tour of the facilities - they are quite nice (full gym with heated indoor pool, a restaurant, cheap shops for students, a club, a couple bars, and a STA travel agency all inside). I am going to join the Salsa club and maybe the Drama or Harry Potter club (I know, I'm a dork)...I really wanted to join the art club, but they have drawing class during the time when I'll be in class on Wednesday evenings. :( To have gym access it costs 35 pounds a month, so I might hold off on that unless I feel like I really need it - we walk so much I don't see how I could get too out of shape!

Some of us are going to an Indian restaurant for dinner tonight, but I think I'll stay in because I'm not much on Indian food. Perhaps I'll start acting like a student and reading one of the many books I need to get through. Tomorrow I have class from 3pm to 8:30 with 30 minute break in between. I am quite excited as they are the Shakespeare class and WWII history class.

PICTURES:
1) Bedford Square (near my flat)
2) a sculpture of metal covered rocks (this is for you Heather!)
3) Felix Hall Vase, 2nd cen. AD, Roman
4) Bust of Sir Hans Sloane
5) Part of the Enlightenment Gallery

Texting/Calling my new cell and Packages

You can call or text my new cell - the rates for you will be determined by your phone companies, but the incoming calls and texts to me will be free. Therefore, if you have international calling/texting or a calling card you're dying to use, feel free to use it! Again, my cell here is 0791-0917-691.

If you wish to send me a package, it would be best to send it to the UNC Winston House. Address as follows:
Lauren Bailey (flat 18 D)
c/o Acorn Management

19 Bedford Pl

Camden, London WC1B, UK

Orientation and British Library

So I fell asleep last night about midnight, woke up at about 1:20 and I could not fall back asleep until about 4 am, and when I did, it was fitful. We all had to get up at 8 for a day of “orientation.” Needless to say, I’m exhausted. It also did not help that my mattress springs were digging into my ribs. Thankfully tonight should be better because 1, I’m exhausted, and 2, my flatmate Ashley has a 3rd unused bed in her room so I took the duvet off that and put it over my mattress to add an extra layer of padding.

The UNC professor who came over with us (professor Salasi) is a very smart man, but he’s never done this trip before and doesn’t seem to really know all the ins and outs of the program. For example, we are supposed to get library cards for somewhere, and he doesn’t know where or how. *sighs*

They finally fixed my internet so I am now writing from my room which is much more convenient. All of us bought OYSTER cards today (these are swipeable tube passes that get you almost 50% off buying individual fares – you simply put x amount of money on them and then swipe into the turnstile and out of the turnstile).

This afternoon we had a tour of the British Library – it was AMAZING!!! I saw ORIGINAL copies of the Magna Carta (btw, all 4 copies are in England), Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Shakespeare’s first folio, Beowulf, DiVinci’s journals, and so much more! I didn’t take pictures in there because it was probably illegal and I was afraid if I even took out the camera (even without the flash) I might be jumped by a security guard.

They also have the biggest book in the world at the British Library – a world atlas from the 1600s I think. They also have the smallest book – 1mm squared – it can’t be read unless under super strong magnifiers. It is a children’s nursery rhyme – humpty dumpty or something like that. Cool facts: the British Library is required by law to receive a copy of every single published work in the UK – they have over 200 MILLION books in that location alone. Other storage locations are all over England. The stacks of books go under the library for 22 meters (about six stories or so I think). They also have an amazing six story glass structure in the center of the library which contains the entire library collection of King George III (the crazy one from the last blog). Anyway, his library was given to the British Library after he died with the stipulation that all his books could be seen by the naked eye and accessible to the people – thus they are all there behind the glass and if you are a “reader card” carrying person you may ask to read any that you like. However, to get a “reader card” you have to show prove of address in London and a signature ID and you have to prove that you need access to the library because you can’t get the books you need anywhere else. They favor people who need certain books for research, dissertations etc.

Anyway, the tour was enthralling and I hope I can get a reader card, though I don’t know how I could show proof of London address since I don’t get any bills here. Will work on that…however, after we left there, Ashley and I went to Kings Cross station next door and took the tube with our OYSTERs for the first time the one stop to Russell Square by our flat. It was disgusting weather and I did not feel like walking the whole 20 minutes back. It was warmer today but rained off and on and the sun never came out once.

Tomorrow should be good because it’ll be the first day of classes but I don’t actually have any classes tomorrow so I think I’ll go to the British Museum and start with a particular gallery. Greece? Babylon? Africa? Oh the possibilities…

The Brit Library (notice King's collection on left)




















Me, Ashley, Olivia, Katie B. at these weird standing chairs in the library















the King's collection















Katie B., Lennon, Oliva, Me on this cool book statue at entry