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

Jan 11th - First Day in London

So I woke up at 9 because the heat in my room was making be both stuffy and dried out at the same time (don't ask...) but apparently our room is lucky b/c at least our heat works. Anyway, I ate some good British cereal (called Fruit and Fiber or something) and then Lennon, Katie B., Katie K., Bridgette, and I all went out to shop. We stopped by Starbucks on the way so Katie B. (my roomie) could get some coffee. The first picture is Lennon, Katie K., and me waiting in Starbucks. When we got to Toddenham Court Rd. we realized none of the shops opened until noon since it's Sunday, so we looked around for 20 or so minutes, then we went to buy phones (and I returned my UK to US outlet adapter). All of us now have Virgin mobile phones - it cost 22 pounds for the phone which included 250 free texts, 10 pounds worth of calling money, the phone and the charger. All incoming calls and texts are free within the UK (I'm going to check and see how much rates are for incoming US calls and texts). It costs us 15 pence per minute for outgoing UK calls, and 20 pence per minute for outgoing calls to the US. So really not bad - though I prob. won't use it to call the US unless there is an emergency since I have that skype number. But, if you want it, my UK mobile number is 0791-0917-691.

After we got phones we walked back to the flat but on the way passed Winston House (the UNC owned building on Bedford Square where we will have classes and where UNC Alum and important people get to stay - it is quite nice!). You can see the sign in the second picture (Lennon, Bridgette, Me, Katie K.).

The day was amazingly beautiful, though short. It was blue skies with white puffy clouds and a high of about 50 (though with windchill it was colder). Clearly, we brought the Carolina blue skies with us because London never looks like that in winter lol. We walked through Russell Square (the 4th picture below with Bridgette, Lennon, Katie B., and Katie K.) and enjoyed a bit of the beauty before we had to meet back at Winston House for a walking tour of Bloomsbury (our area). The next picture of the building is this beautiful hotel next to the square called "Hotel Russell."


The walking tour was all right - the British woman who gave it was really nice, had a lovely accent, and had a
wealth of knowledge; however, she tended to go off on tangents about former writers/poets/kings etc. while we stood in a single spot freezing. We walked around about a 4 block radius and didn't see a whole lot, but learned a lot about random things we've already forgotten (but it was interesting at the time). We did get to see a house where Virgina Woolfe lived and another where Gertrude Stein lived and an old pub (the Queen's Larder), the cellar of which was used by Queen Charlotte to store food for King George III when he was staying next door in a mental institution. However, they stored stuff like lemonade and sourkraut in pewter though - which means that the king was slowly being poisoned despite Charlotte's good intensions (which sucks since he already had a disease that made him crazy). And btw - Larder means storage closet for food (like a pantry or fridge). Also, we live across the street from where T.S. Eliot lived. Also, J. M. Kaynes lived nearby us too...and a lot of other famous people.


At one point when we were standing around listening to the tour guide this British guy walked up and just stood there (smoking) and the woman said "can I help you" and he said "no, I just wanted to listen to your interesting stories." She was clearly not happy and sort of moved away and then asked him to please stop infecting the lungs of "her babies." He made some smartass comment "you look good for having 10 kids" - but she ignored him. Then he interuppted her again in the middle of a story and she acted like she didn't hear him then said "I'll take questions at the end." But as soon as she finished that story she started walking away swiftly until the guy was left behind with his friends. She kept mumbling stuff about the flypaper effect and kept looking over her shoulder to make she he was gone. It was pretty funny how disturbed she was.

By the time she was done it was almost dark (sunset 4:15pm) and everyone was so cold we couldn't feel our extremities. (If it had been more of a walking tour and less of a standing tour, it probably wouldn't have been so bad). One of the girls from the room next to me (Ashley) and I walked over to the area where I lived last time (a couple blocks from our current flats) and we found a full sized grocery store (as opposed to the small Tesco). It was called Waitrose. I bought tissues, dish soap, sponges, and more food - then we found a shop that sold stick on wall hooks and hangers and a bunch of other random stuff, then on the way back to the flat I found a shop that had one of those hats with ear flaps and umbrellas (both of which I bought because 1) it's freezing here, and 2) it's supposed to rain tomorrow).

We also briefly went through the British museum on our tour - and I'm so excited that we live 5 minutes from it. I think I'll pick a different section to conquer each different day I go so I don't get overwhelmed. They have a few new exibits that are modern sculptures and one of them is a sculpture of this guy's huge head (the artist I believe). It was incredible - each hair and pore on his face was visible. I really wanted to touch it - but the sign read very clearly "Do Not Touch"...I have no idea what it was made out of but it was incredible - I think Heather would appreciate the art (see picture). We also saw these fake skulls that were painted awesome psychadellic colors. I forgot to take a picture though.

Anyway now we're all in the top flat's living room and I'm using the internet I'm scamming off a neighbor since mine (and only 1 other girl's) won't work yet. We're going to see management tomorrow.

Orientation starts at 9 am tomorrow until 4 pm with a 1.5 hr lunch break...should be a long day. Hopefully they'll tell us if they are going to replace our toilet paper and trash bags when they clean once a week or not. One of the guys can actually cook amazingly and made us all pasta last night and pizza tonight. I bought bag of cookie mix and Katie K. is making those now. We are all getting along fabulously and everyone is so nice!

Sorry this is so long...you don't have to read it all. ;)

Arrived in London

Flight was 1.5 hrs delayed on the tarmac, but the flight to Heathrow was pretty good overall. Not very much turbulence and the nice flight attendant gave me an eye mask even though no one else got one ;) Also, I was in the window seat and there was one seat to my left and no one sat there which meant that I could use both seats - this def. helped with sleeping!

Oh, this was funny - there were two British guys in front of me reading a British paper, and when I looked at their paper between the seats, I noticed the article they were reading was about that man who wants his kidney back from his wife. I think it's pretty funny that the British paper picks up this one crazy, rather humiliating American story for their trashy paper (in case anyone doesn't know, British tv news is really good and their papers are really sucky - opposite of here).

I took the tube all the way from Heathrow to Russell Sq. (like 50 minute ride) with my duffel, 2 rolly suitcases, and a book bag. I took of 2 seats and a lot of aisle. I tried to ignore the dirty looks thrown my way as more and more ppl crowded onto the car. Once the tube (subway) leaves Heathrow it goes above ground for a while and I could see frost/lightly snow covered fields and trees and cars (see pictures on right). There was a golf course that looked like it was something out of a fairy tale. When I finally got to my stop I tried to get off with all my bags and literally tripped out of the train car b/c my bag was so heavy - a lot of people saw me. How embarrassing.

On the plus side, I knew my way around the area from last time and made it to my flat without even looking at a map. I LOVE my flat btw - I have a double room with a girl named Katie and there is a triple room next door but they only have 2 girls in it. There is a living room, kitchen (equipped), TV, 2 bathrooms. If you go up the stairs there is a duplicate flat where the rest of our program participants live (2 boys and 3 girls).

We went out and got some groceries/toiletries in the 24 degree weather tonight. It got dark at 4:15. Yeah...and I bought a plug adapter for America instead of the UK. However, at least I have milk and cereal for breakfast. Food is cheaper here, but once you factor in the exchange rate, its the same if not more.

Tomorrow we have a walking tour of our neighborhood (Bloomsbury) at 2 pm - considering its almost 10pm now, I'll need to sleep in. I got about 5 hrs on the plane (maybe). Well, thanks for reading the rambling - will post pictures soon!