"Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." -Pooh Bear

Some highlights of London since the last post

• Saw Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre with Jenna and Zana. The show was some of the best professional theatre I have seen. Billy really blew me away. He was flawless - his performance came from his vulnerability, fearlessness and boldness. His dancing was not just a memorized routine, but a real, lived-through expression of the pain and confusion this boy was going through. Other notable performances were Billy's father, Michael (Billy's friend) and the grandmother. The dance teacher was also great, but her dialect went in and out, which could be distracting. In terms of the show itself I was surprised how light-hearted it could be at times. The movie is much darker, but the musical did a nice job of combining the playfulness and joy of youth with the under-toning sadness.  It never felt too over the top. I highly recommend it! 
• Visited the Museum of London with my GST class. The museum was set up as a timeline of London from the earliest settlers through today. I was really impressed with the organization and content the museum covered. Unlike the British Museum with simple display cases, it was much more of an experience to walk through the exhibits with unique ways to introduce and involve the viewer with the topic. I especially loved the St Paul's exhibit, World War II exhibit and the fashion of London in the 1950's-60's. 
• A trip to the National Gallery with my art class. I'm starting to like this stuff! I have decided what I love most about art is finding my own story in the picture - whether it directly relates to my life or something I have imagined. 
• Found a coffee shop off of Baker Street tube stop to do homework in! Following Zana to her internship on Mondays has been a blessing to make sure I get through all of my London homework and make-up work from home while still feeling like I am soaking up this city. The shop is cozy and quiet in the morning, but bustling by lunch time. I love to be around people while I do work so the shop is the perfect combination of people-interaction without distraction. Sometimes I sit downstairs, but sometimes I come upstairs to sit in the big front window and watch London bustle by. 
• Going to the British Museum to see the Living and Dying exhibit. The past few months had hit me with a realness I hadn't felt yet the night before. But I went into this exhibit and read about the ways people all around the world deal with tragedy and loss and it was really enlightening and just what I needed. This world shares in common that we will all go through pain and suffering, but as my history teacher insightfully pointed out - we are the one species that can adapt to even the worst situations. This can be both frightening and in a way wonderful - we suffer, but we do not forget what we lost, instead we carry it with us. 
• And finally...feeling like London is home! While visiting Venice, thinking and speaking of London felt like a second home and when I got back it felt like crawling into a familiar, comfy place. The language barrier was new for me and challenging in Venice - I've learned if we're going to a country with a different language to come more prepared with key phrases, maps and other visual aids to communicate with the people. Most spoke at least a few words of English, but comprehension on both sides could be difficult. Of course the second I stepped off the plane in London every person around me was speaking Italian, Spanish and Russian. 
• Other small things: when the sun pokes through the clouds at Trafalgar Square, coffee, eating dinner with my flatmates every night, finding a seat on the Tube, reading the newspaper every day, going for long walks in the parks, stopping by the British Museum for a quick peak, Hyde and Regent's park with lots of birds, horses, walkers and runners, peanut butter despite warnings there would be none, Tesco next door and yes, even typical rainy, cloudy days. 

Arriverderci! 

Treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey not a destination -Souza (a birthday card from Elise Delmerico)

Gnocchi and lots of it

Venice canals

From Thursday-Sunday I joined Elise in Venice! It was beyond my expectations. It was on a whim to even go, but Elise needed some company for her trip to Italy and I just had to oblige. We could not have lucked out more with BEAUTIFUL sun and warm weather in addition to all of the wonderful scenery, food and genuinely nice people (a nice change from the usual Don't You Dare Make Eye Contact with Me and I'll Shoot Laser Rays in Your Eyes if You Smile Londoners). The weather had to be in the 60's each day and Elise and I were more than thrilled to finally shed our winter jackets.

Favorite Things about Venice:
-Gnocchi with bolognese  -- I ate it at least twice a day
-Gelato/Sorbet (particularly strawberry) -- (See Above)
-The green, Caribbean-like water
-The canal-style streets
-Colors of the buildings
-NO CARS

The kick-off to Carnevale with red wine from the fountain
for Everyone!!! 

-A pleasantly clean hostel with very nice hosts
-Every time we were lost someone offered to help, even if no one in Venice has any idea where their train station is
-The glass jewelry
-The water taxi ride to Murano Island
-Sitting by the water, in the sun, with a cone of gelato and good company
-Unexpectedly seeing the kick-off of Carnevale with gorgeous, elaborate costumes and a fountain spewing wine
-Dancing through a Russian parade
-The sunset on our last day was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen
-Excellent, excellent conversation, laughs, food and small bouts of extreme lostness with Elise Delmerico

Sunset over Venice from the water taxi

A best friend sitting by the water on Murano Island

"But I learned a lesson long ago, old friends can't be replaced" -The Lost Trailers

Tower Bridge with SUN!

Ann with the London Eye 

I had my very first visitor in London and it was an excellent one!ANNIE LEE came to London with her 3 roommates from Florence. It was so so so good to see her. Besides spending elementary, middle and high school together, we also spent every summer together since 6th grade until last summer and many jokes with Mrs. Lee. It was the perfect dose of home. I haven't gotten homesick (or Elonsick) at all but I always miss DS and the people that come with it.

Cleo!

I met up with them outside of Buckingham and then visited a bunch of sites I had yet to do. We started with adouble-decker bus tour all around the city of Westminster and London followed by a 3 pound lunch of fish n chips at the Sherlock Holmes pub. The fish n chips weren't as good as my first go-round, but the company was terrific. My favorite part of the day was when we crossed the Tower Bridge just as the sun came out!

Following the late lunch we went to the British Museum to look through theAmericas and Ancient Egypt exhibit. I finally found Cleopatra and the Rosetta Stone! I've unknowingly passed Cleo a couple times now (I always end up in the mummies) but never stopped to read her caption because her glass case is always surrounded byChinese tourists. Actually most things in London are surrounded byChinese tourists. 

Annie and me at Harrods

We got back on the tube to go toHyde Park and wander around for a bit in the dark. We looked for Peter Pan and the Diana Memorial, but it was so dark for all we know we walked right by it. Or they were surrounded by Chinese tourists.

The next stop was Harrods. I'm still overwhelmed. I thought it was a glorified Walmart minus the usual crowd (refer to People of Walmart) I do my Saturday grocery shopping with in Burlington, NC.  I had no idea that I was going to see an Egyptian themed escalator, decorated with glitter and gold. And the BAGS. And the PERFUME. And the CHOCOLATE. When I go back with my little fashionista (aka roommate who triple checks my outfit before leaving the flat to make sure the people of London won't hang, draw and quarter me for fashion crimes)*** we'll be going to visit the wedding dresses. Too many hours ofSay Yes to the Dress have procrastinated my homework not to. A hidden gem is the Diana and Dodi Memorial on the ground floor. It is a glass of wine, smudged by Diana and an engagement ring reportedly bought by Dodi. The memorial was erected by Dodi's father, Mohammed Fayed, who once owned Harrods.

On a whim I decided to join the girls at Dirty Dancing and found an "obstructed view" ticket for 15 pounds. Wasn't obstructed and with a 1-pound purchase of binoculars (to see some acting) I saw the whole show flawlessly. Unfortunately I would need a microscope to find the acting in the show (remind me when the father of Baby became John Wayne and Baby's heart must have been relying on the same beat she used the entire time) but the dancing was incredible and worth it. Overall the show was a fun time and if you love the movie, you'll love the show. Interestingly neither Johnny nor Baby sing the entire show, but the two actors who sang all the familiars song stole the show (actually Johnny's abs stole the show, but I'll leave myself some artistic credibility).


***Coming from Elon I should be used to pearls at the gym, sundresses at the football game and 7:30 a.m. wake up calls to look flawless for 10:30 a.m. class HOWEVER the people of London have taken it the next level...they're not walking the platform of the Tube, they're walking the runway. And of course in Tyra-fashion there is no smiling. More on this to follow.  I've discovered their secret.

I love every thing that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines. - Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer

Wednesday was my first art class. Zana and I spent the morning in Regent’s Park, visiting with the camels and hundreds of dogs.

Dogs in Regent’s Park are just like their human counterparts. Well-groomed, well-behaved and running around like they have to pee really badly. Except Londoners have to pay for toilets, which must be why I’ve never seen a relieved-looking one.

Then off to our four-hour Art class. Excuse me what? More on this later, but the professor (or rather tutor) is from Ohio, spent the first ten minutes of class on a beer lesson and the middle ten minutes of class on a cigarette break. She seems delightful and the class will be worth sticking out, if for nothing else than to recommend the best London beers and to sound ridiculously New England School Prep when I say “in this Art History class I took once…”

Then off to the Warwick Castle pub for a quick glass of wine, a chat with the bartender and some infidelity in the corner. I love Europe.

Thursday was wet. Very wet. So wet in fact that of course it was the one day we spent splashing in puddles and standing perfectly still in a downpour listening to our tour guide. No overcrowded, toasty, nap-worthy dim classroom today. But we did learn that St Paul’s has a pineapple on one of its steeples, which Christopher Wren tried to replace the cross with. And that during WWII had it not been for volunteers literally pushing Nazi bombs off the dome, it would have been destroyed. Or that the Millennium Bridge (see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie) was so wobbly the first time it opened people were holding onto the sides for dear life. It was a gift from the Queen.

Millennium Bridge, with plenty of umbrellas

The pineapple on top of St Pauls! 

But out of rain, comes rainbows and we found our leprechaun at the end of the rainbow with his pot of gold. The leprechaun was a 65ish year-old Irishman from Cork and the gold was his freshly baked bread. I got two loaves and Jenna, Alice and I found a new friend. He was so pleased to find we were friendly and within 10 minutes we were his American granddaughters. The best part about him, besides his declaration that we are soul mates (or more likely descended from the same family tree) for our shared love of wine, for a hobby he traces Irish family heritage!!!

I can’t remember all of the facts (please remember by feet were drenched), but the Walls were into horses and sports and the Clancys were THESPIANS! Yes we were a traveling group of actors who even performed Shakespeare. It was honestly one of the best moments of my life and I can’t wait to go visit with our friend many, many more times to hear more stories. 

"Get your ass to class" - Sean Pigott, History Teacher Extraordinaire

“Oh my days that’s a wicked crown. I’m buying that on e-Bay bruv.” - a dashing young fella in a sweater vest with collared white shirt and pressed blue pants referring to the Ancient Egyptian gold-plated leaf crown

Who said I wasn’t dealing with a foreign language? This charmer was one of about 200 school-age children spending their Tuesday afternoon in the British Museum with yours truly. 

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES! After an introduction to my “Along the Thames” class and theatre class, I ate my sandwich and then ventured to the British Museum just two blocks from the school. Rough Life.

The GST class will be interesting. The theatre class will be perfect. I'll do a post on each class: art, theatre, history and general studies.

It was then back to class from 3:00-5:00 for what will be one of the more entertaining two hours of history. Ever.

Some memorable quotes:

“Rambo is delivering my milk”

“Old men start wars, young men fight them”

“Our ancestors were nasty, brutal and brief. I think I’d rather be soft, lovable and cuddly”

All courtesy of my cockney History teacher. I’ve got plenty more quotes including: “He was a fucking facist and I don’t use that word often.” 

Put it this way: there were the fucking Germans and the fucking Russians. I’ll let you decide which word he chooses selectively.

His stories from his grandfather, family and his own experiences are too wonderful and his insight is so fascinating that many, many more will be shared here for me to remember!

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe

Ladies and Gentlemen (Mom and Dad): This a.m. I saw a camel, turkey vulture, sheep and a kangaroo! And I’m still in London…the London Zoo of course! Hardly worth the 19 pounds to get in, but definitely worth getting lost in Regents Park for 2 hours to the worry of my suitemates (I spend at least half of my life a little bit lost) who very sweetly called my mobile, which I also spend at least half of my life not answering.

TODAY WAS MY FIRST RUN IN THREE MONTHS! On November 12^th (two days before Elise’s 21^st) I took a nice 7:30 a.m. spill onto the pavement and knocked myself up with a HAPPY FRIDAY concussion and two boo-boos. Just one week later I was back in the health center with pneumonia. And three weeks later I was home on the couch missing the last half of the semester.

Needless to say running (never mind stairs, walking or long phone conversations) was out of the question. At first I was horrified…

The first thing Mom told me on the phone when I broke the pneumonia news was NO RUNNING. I don’t think she realized I needed Stephanie’s help to open the Gatorade bottle without reaching for the cough meds.

I thought I’d be bitter and depressed and manic. I thought I’d lace up my sneakers two weeks too early. I thought I’d lay in bed strategizing how to sneak out the door without Mom noticing. Or just how to open the door without losing my breath.

But I needed the recovery and fully embraced it. My muscle (this should be in quotations) got softer. My Irish cheeks got fuller and redder. My stories got a little shorter. But I recovered. 

I ran for fifteen minutes through the park. Just fifteen. But after not being able to get out of bed for more than 3 hours a day, fifteen felt like a marathon. It felt like an accomplishment.  

Where’s Scholastic at…I’m getting this story published. 

"Those that suspect treason in others, should first look into their own hearts for loyalty" -Queen at the Tower of London

We were ambitious and got up early to go see the Tower of London. Woof if you think you’re having a bad day, go listen to the “beefeaters” tell their “favorite stories.” The theme of the day was murder, torture and execution. Including Lady Jane Grey...nothing like a history lesson when you’re standing where she watched her headless husband wheeled off while watching the scaffold for her own beheading being built outside her window. Her crime? Being born.

We opted to do all of the gory towers first so the royal jewels and chapel would be a welcome reprieve. The chapel was my favorite part of the day. Despite the horribleness of the executions (many of the 46 victims were buried under the chapel until recently and the three Queens beheaded there are still under the altar), the chapel was peaceful and teeming with history.

 So far many of my favorite places to visit have been the chapels. It’s a welcome surprise – in the last few years I’ve struggled to find where religion fits into my life. Of course hearing stories of Catholics harboring away and risking their lives to celebrate their beliefs reminds me my ancestors were badasses. Everyone has their moment in history, but for a lot of British history while everyone else was in class, the Catholic kids were smoking in the bathroom.

 St Paul’s, by suggestion of Miss Kellye Coleman, is on the agenda soon! 

Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" - Dumbledore in the Great Hall, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

For our group trip we went to Warwick Castle and Oxford. Warwick had a long history, but had been commercialized so not as authentic as I would’ve liked. The resident peacocks kept us entertained for hours.

Oxford had the hustle and bustle of a college community (packed with tourists…Elon doesn’t seem to have the same tourism industry…). Zana and I split a fish dish in the White Horse pub and then walked around the covered market. A sweater may have been bought. On sale.

We did see the entrance to the Great Hall where Harry Potter was shot, but the “queue” and “price” kept us from going in. Buggah.

Spotted 1 of 3 “gingers”…where are these people? I thought the UK was littered with them… 

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~ Albert Einstein

Our tour guide (sean, the jolliest british man with a plaid cap and a purple scarf) told us today was putting the pins on the map for us to string together. 

We took a bus tour of some of the biggest sights of London. Big Ben, Tower of London, a quick glimpse of Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, wall from the Roman period, Parliament, the West End and the harbor (see Facebook for photos and First London Video! ) 

After we had our first fish and chips experience at a pub. This dish could be an issue...And then shopping at the craziest, busiest, hottest cheap store: Primark. Also could be an issue...

 the London Eye from the bus

Fish n chips 

"The British Museum is filled with everything we stole from other countries and then let you in for free!" - Tour Guide

1. Walked down towards "the city" part of London this morning 
2. Took the Tube to our school location, went to the Hummus Co for lunch (piles of hummus with guac and pita...yum) 
3. Just casually bopped into the British Museum and walked around the Egyptian exhibit before orientation #3 (will be back many more times - Mom you'll loveeee this) 
4. Went shopping at TopShop 
5. Had dinner near the museum 
6. A couple drinks at our very first pub! 

You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you. ~Sri Ram

I have arrived! Flight was smooth sailing! 

The flat is wonderful, the neighborhood is lovely and all of my suitemates are great! We took a small tour around our immediate neighborhood, visited the local deli for sandwiches and had brief orientation sessions regarding the flats.

Very bizarre thinking that it’s 4:00 pm here and 11:00 am in America. Have not slept more than two hours in the past 36 hours so it will be a very good night sleep tonight! 

Tomorrow is the walking tour around our part of London including Regents Park and the canal.

Highlight of the day: After many warnings about how dim the flats would be and hardly “Ritz Hotel” quality, instead walking in to find clean, bright and newly furnished flats!


New lesson: Hoover = vacuum (the cleaning service will "hoover" your flat)