So, guys... I'm going to go slink in my corner now, because I know I haven't updated in forever (I'm thinking about a week or so, right). Well, here's your update finally. Sorry about the delay and join the queue, haha.
Last week, after the Jack the Ripper tour, that Saturday, we went to the Tower of London and had breakfast at the Cafe Zazza near the tube stop, which has the most delicious hot chocolate. The place is huge- we were there for at least 6 hours. It was so filled with history and it was amazing. I took loads of pictures, just haven't uploaded much yet. Afterwards, we had dinner at Nando's in the O2 Centre. We were worn out, so we went back to dorms and relaxed.
Sunday was interesting. We went to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Even though it was really annoying to have to fight past all the *other* tourists, it was really cool to see some of my favorite actors placed into wax figurines (such as Orlando Bloom, Emma Watson, Bruce Willis). It was annoying because these tourists were taking a picture with like every figure and I'm like it's just a figure!!! After that,we had lunch across the street at a cafe near it and the fish and chips were pretty good. We did some shopping afterwards at Camden Market and i got a really pretty red dressy dress. We came back to the dorms, relaxed, then had dinner at Byron's (a "proper" burger place in O2 centre) and some drinks at Wetherspoon's. It was an interesting weekend.
Monday was relaxing, except for class. I made plans to go to Edinburgh that weekend, but decided not to go, since it was further away and I didn't exactly have the "back-up" funds. In class, we discussed Snape for 30 minutes straight, discussing whether someone can have morals and still be a bad person. Afterward, Aj and I talked on the phone and worked some stuff out together that the distance had provided. People can say not to let it get you down, but you have to maintain important relationships even while you're gone. You can't just tell the person they are less important than your travels. Anyways, afterwards, I had dinner. I got cheered up by going to Kati's room with Evan and Kristina to do some homework, but ended up doing Harry Potter-Disney songs video sing alongs as well as Youtube. It was nice to just relax with the girls for a while.
Tuesday, we didn't have anything. I slept in, skipped breakfast, and had my own little breakfast at that cafe by the tube station I talked about earlier. I read, had tea, and a croissant. After that, I walked around lower Finchley Road area, went shopping on Bond street (found some great items at H & M), and came back to campus and did my homework and had dinner. It was nice to kinda have a day to explore by myself.
Wednesday, we had class early (9-12). Our papers were due so I was concerned but I ended up getting a B +, so nothing bad. We talked about the parallels and juxtapositions in the novels, which was really interesting. After lunch, Sam, Kati, and I discussed psychology and it's entailing stuff for about an hour, then some of us went and got crepes from the crepe place and a drink or two at Wetherspoons (was not a fan of some of them!).
Thursday, we had a fun field trip. We went to Alnwick castle, where they filmed scenes from the first two Harry Potter films. It was a small, still inhabited castle that was really interesting. We did archery (I had fun, but didn't do so great. 56 points, lol), walked around, and watched broomstick training. IT was very interesting and I had a blast with Kati. Afterwards, we caught the semi-early train back and ate at Giraffe, where we got hot dogs. Not nearly as good as the US, haha. I got a shower when I came back because I felt gross and Sam and I made plans, but we ended up just having snacks and watching Sister Act. Still a fun day in all!
Friday, Katie and I went to the Doctor Who experience. It was awesome. It took a while to get there, but totally was worth it. The experience was amazing! I loved it even though I don't know much about Dr. Who yet! I loved all the history behind it and the actors... and well, everything. Sorry, I'm gushing. We also explored the area and it was really pretty and in a port area. It was beautiful and cool, which was really nice. After that, we planned to go to dinner, but some stuff happened for Katie, so only Cat, Sam, and I went to dinner. We went to Tuttobenne, a really nice italian place, and had some wine there. It was really good and it was a nice night out.
Saturday, we were going to Portobello Market, but ended up going to Bath instead. The train took a bit to get there, but was totally worth it. The shops were really pretty and there was this amazing tea shop that you can order online stuff from to be sent to the US, so I plan to do that once I get home. I got a new bag for a "personal item" so i could carry my souvenirs on the plane if I don't have room in my bag. It's big but it's really pretty, so I guess I have an official girl tote now, haha. Afterwards, we just grabbed dinner at a Pub called the Mad Bishop and Bear at Paddington station, which was pretty good. It was a bit more expensive, but worth it. I had a great time with the girls that day, with exception of the rain!
Sunday, I stayed in, although I bought some food at Tesco since all the pubs were closed for lunch. I worked on my homework, slept in, relaxed. And it was so nice.
Monday was the start of the countdown for the week back to the US. After breakfast, I headed up to the computer lab to work on my homework that was due today. After lunch, we headed back and I finished Deathly Hallows right before we had our last class quiz. I think I did pretty well, and then we had class. We discussed Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, which I enjoyed, because I saw some interesting viewpoints on certain types of themes that I'd never really payed attention to. I'm also seeing my writing developing a lot more from writing all the papers I have had to write here. After class, we went to dinner, then headed to Midsummer's Night Dream at The Globe. It was much more enjoyable this time. We got there about an hour early, shopped at the store (I got my t-shirt!), and got near the front for the play. It was amazing- I laughed so hard and I really enjoyed it. It rained a bit so I have a poncho for a souvenir now, too. All in all, the Globe was much better this time and the play was hilarious and well acted out!
Tuesday was our last class field trip. We went to Oxford, which was not too far away (I loved that the train ride was only an hour!). First, we went to Christ Church College, which was the filming location for the entrance hall staircase and the Great Hall in the first two films. It was so beautiful and I definitely had a nerd moment with Becky when I saw the staircase. It was really neat as well. Then, we went to the Bodleian Library, where they filmed the library scenes and the Divinity classroom, used for the infirmary and McGonagall's classroom. It was amazing to see the area that they had shot as well as the history behind it. You can't borrow books from this library as they have very ancient books there- think of Latin inscripted books with Illumination and you have it right. They have chained libraries and you have to request to come there to do research. It was so amazing- it had that old book smell that is so great. I would have been content to simply sit in there all day looking at all the books they had. Afterwards, I went to the Magical Books exhibition (no photos of any of this stuff unfortunately :() which had handdrawings by Lewis and Tolkien themselves of Narnia and Middle-Earth. It was so beautiful and I definitely had another nerd moment. I would probably say it was the best field trip out of them all. Even better, I got back on campus within an hour (so we got back at 6), had dinner, and started finishing up my paper. Also, it was my friend Kati's birthday! So we didn't do much, but we're celebrating this weekend.
Today (Wednesday), we had class early, so I was up to get a shower, get my paper printed, and having breakfast. It was our last day of class with exception of our "final" on Friday. It was very cool and they said if we wanted to discuss anything we could call a class, which was neat. We should be getting those damned term papers back on Saturday... I'm not even sure I want to see it, to be honest.
Tomorrow, I'll be doing some sightseeing again (mostly for Mom). Friday, I'll probably do sighseeing then turning my paper in at our "final" and heading back out for the London Eye and a night out. I'm not sure what's planned for the weekend, but I plan to leave London with a bang (and not handcuffs).
While I am starting to get homesick, I have had an amazing time here and learned even more about myself and my tolerance for other people. I have learned that I need to have patience (so I'm guessing that makes me a Brit, haha). Also, new band for any of you Americans! I found them here and they just came out with a new album. I don't know what genre you would call them and I don't normally buy stuff on Itunes, but I'm about to spend $25 to buy their past and new albums. They are called the Civil Wars. Definitely a great band!
With much patience and counting down to the States and Love mostly,
Renee.
I promise to update more often!
