12 Days Later

Okay, so I wrote this 3 days ago:

I'm sorry I've been so lazy with this blog of late! The past twelve days have been crazy, and I honestly can't believe it was just twelve days ago that I was posting about Leah being here... it really feels like a month ago. Things feel like they're moving quickly enough, which I am thankful for. I'm on my lunch break right now at work, and I thought I'd squeeze an update in before I head back upstairs.

Work last week went well, I've been doing a lot of errand running and website updating... which while not entirely exciting, has its benefits.  Just this morning I've already managed to learn a lot more about website source data and how to manipulate it to fix html, etc.  Which, will always be a useful tool no matter what I end up doing.  And the errand running is nice because it helps me learn more about London and the area.  Remind me to hire free intern labor when I start a company - totally eliminates any need for postage.

Last Thursday, just as I was getting a list put together for errands, I was asked to attend the Charlie St. Cloud Premiere!  It was AWESOME.  We were given media passes, and walked through the carpet to the media side where cameras are set up to interview the talent that walk by when they arrive.  I learned what shots were important to capture, and how they go about getting the information they need to send out to others once they're done.  I managed to keep my composure, while pretty much freaking out with excitement on the inside.  I (met/stood really close to) Zac Efron! I don't know if you can say met, because he doesn't know my name - but still we made eye contact!! (AHH).  My job was to take pictures with my phone that could be used on facebook, and man did I deliver... 80 some pictures later, I was one happy camper.  Afterwards, one of my employers asked me if I enjoyed myself- which means I did a good job hiding my want to totally lose it.  I replied that I was secretly flipping out inside, and they seemed pretty happy with that answer. Zac was very quiet and looked totally embarrassed, and he was just really really nice - which didn't help the me wanting to melt into a puddle ordeal.  The director, and his fellow actors just had really wonderful things to say about him, which was cool to hear.

Classes went well last week too.  I went to see The Merry Wives of Windsor at The Globe theatre - it was phenomenal! Minus the rain... we had lawn seats, which means you have to stand the entire performance, and the building is open to the sky... and umbrellas are not allowed.  So, you can imagine my discomfort as it down-poured for the first half hour of the show.  I was drenched, but after a Cider at the interval (intermission) I felt much better, and really enjoyed the second half! This performance was part of my Shakespeare class, so I also read this play last week.  This week I'm reading Henry IV Part 1, and next week Part 2.  We go see those two performances in two weeks time at the Globe again! 

Economics went well too - though I'm beginning to have some anxiety about the tests in the class. I'm going to ask my Professor more about it today... the classes have been really great, and are very conceptual based (which I love).  I've been keeping up with the reading, which is very graph-orientated, and scares me.  I'm going to ask which to worry more about - because the Professor doesn't address any of the book content in class - oye. 

This past weekend was on the lame side as the majority of our flat was feeling ill.  Alison has been really sick, and Dawn and I had sore throats and headaches all weekend. meh.  Though, we did manage to get out to see a comedy show, which was really spectacular. We also did a bit of shopping for some essentials.  I had my first indian food experience with a friend from UR who is studying in Brussels.  It was SO GOOD. I love love love spicy food, and the Indian food was fabulous!! Not enough green for me to eat every day, but still delicious!! 

Wrote this today: 

It's now Wednesday and I'm back at work on my lunch break again.  Monday was terribly long - work until 4pm, class until 8:30pm.  I was able to speak with my economics professor and it turns out that testing will be similar to lectures and the exercises we do in class, which is fabulous new!  I'm excited to have an econ class be conceptually based.  Tuesday was Shakespeare - I finished Henry IV part 1 just in time for class!  This week we're reading part 2, and then in two weeks we will attend the performance at the Globe again. Today is going well so far, just been running a few errands here and there.  

I've been planning out the rest of my time here - Colby and I have decided to fly into Pisa, and stay in Florence! He comes in 43 days!! AHH. Apart from Dublin, and Edinburgh, I'm also thinking of trying to take two other trips.  Right now I'm thinking either Barcelona and Amsterdam, or Athens and Amsterdam - we'll see! 

I'll try to post before another 12 days go by!  I love and miss you all so much - it was so hard to be here when The Big Cook was going on at home!  I fly home in 87 days! 

Until next time.  

I Totally Forgot

Leah and I went to the Orangery! (In Kensington Gardens) Leah treated me to what she called High Tea which I'm pretty sure is just another phrase for Afternoon Tea.  Our lunch involved a three tiered tray that was brought out and a pot of Tea each! I had earl gray, and Leah had a lovely cinnamon blend.  The tiered tray's bottom level had finger sandwiches - cucumber, salmon, ham - all delicious.  The middle tier had a scone, and the top tier had a puffed pastry filled with creme and a citrus tart.  The tea pot came with a strainer and sugar cubes! It was so exquisite and I really enjoyed it.  Certainly a ritual I would like to bring back with me.  

Leah Barish

Oh my lanta.  It really has been just non stop here! (Thank god).  My week seems to be finishing off rather nicely.  I had my second day of work - the morning started with a lot of grunt work, but I had a nice surprise in the afternoon! I was asked to help out a junket.  Which, is a series of interviews that take place and are filmed for other media use.  I sat in and helped set up the interview of Paul Franklin, the head of Visual Effects for the movie Inception!! It was very very interesting! It was very enthralling to just sit there and absorb all of his enthusiasm about the film and his work.

Thursday I had my first International Economics class.  I was really nervous that this class would be horribly scary and very math intensive, but day one was fantastic.  The professor is young, engaging, and seems very knowledgeable.  He gave us a series of exercises throughout the three hour class to gage what we already knew, and next week we start exploring the world and its economic and financial transactions! Right away it was easy to tell that this class would be a refreshing history lesson, which I'm eager to utilize, as I'm pretty sure the last piece of history I absorbed about the world was in the 9th grade. My brain is racked with all these American based facts, and is completely ready to spit out our economic history.  I think this class will be really helpful and the small eye opener most American Economic students really need.  Don't worry though, after just one class I was already consumed with a great deal of identity and pride for America.  I know a lot of people travel abroad and just wish to death they weren't American and are embarrassed of their accent and our nations follies.  I can say with certainty I will play the oppostite part here - every moment I'm more proud to be from America, and I've never felt more grateful and fortunate in my life - for my health, loved ones, and upbringing.

On a lighter note - Thursday night, Leah arrived from Bath!! We had an awesome two days together and I'm so happy she could visit! Thursday night, we went to a local pub just a few blocks away called The Albany.  We both decided we could use a beer and wanted to catch up.  I wanted something light, and Leah recommended I have a hard cider.  Immediately repulsed by the idea (for no good reason) I agreed I would try a sample and see if it was of my liking.  IT WAS.  I promptly bought a whole pint, Leah bought a dark local beer, and we sat down for a good hour in the dimly light bubbling pub.  We enjoyed the atmosphere (as we should! Our drinks were a whopping 4 pounds).  The cider was so fabulous, and I  already have another waiting for me in the fridge for tomorrow night!  I have a feeling it's definitely going to be my thing here - it reminds me so much of beer, but is just delicious!

Friday we went to Tate Modern, and I managed to thoroughly enjoy it despite it being my second visit.  We then bought tickets to Design for Living at the Old Vic theatre (really beautiful) and had dinner and saw the show.  It was really great - totally original, I've never seen anything quite like it.  The acting was superb - I'm so glad to have gone, Leah tends to gravitate to the theatres (one of the perks of being her good friend).

Today we toured Buckingham Palace! The queen is away on holiday in Scotland and the palace is open until October 1st for touring! I'm really glad we went because who knows when I'll ever have that opportunity again.  It was really impressive, and the Queen is the most adorable person in the world and she wears the cutest hats (Leah and I have decided).

Now I'm back at the flat, enjoying some hummus and carrots and reading the insane amounts of shakespeare I need to complete before class on tuesday.  Very glad tomorrow is Sunday - grocery shopping, hitting the gym, and reading reading reading.

Being busy has been great, and next week will only be worse! (better?!) Colby and I are finalizing our fall break plans tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited.  We've decided to spend two nights in Amsterdam and two nights in Tuscany!! (We might even take a cooking class ahhhh!!)

Shout out to my kid brother Benjamin who just moved his butt to Boston for a year of grand exploration and learning (of the film variety)!  I am so very very proud of him, and can't wait to see him in Boston in all his glory.  Watch out world, great things a coming.

Thanks to Leah for the visit - so good to see your face!

I love you all so much.

Until next time.

Hampden House

Oh my gosh what a week.  I must apologize for how long it's taken me to get this post up! It's just been non stop here since mom left thursday morning.  I moved in on Wednesday morning to the Hampden House at 2 Weymouth St.  Two of my four other flat mates are from the U of R, they are pictured together wearing the purple - that's Alison and my roommate, Dawn.  Also pictured in our kitchen is Frances, and her boyfriend Reg.  We've had a few orientation events - book shopping, a tour of london, a free dinner, and a few meetings.  All of the events ended friday though, and I was able to sleep in today for the first time since arriving! I slept until 12:30, it was glorious.  

I bought a gym membership at the location I am taking classes.  Everyone calls in ULU, and I went for the first time this morning.  It was great! Minus the fact that the distance was measured in kilometers, so that took some thinking about... and the weights were not pounds... which was also weird.  Regardless, I was so so happy to have some gym time, and now I plan on going 5-6 days a week! 

Yesterday I had my interview with Rain Dance TV which is where I'm going to be working.  I have a marketing internship for their company.  My two superiors were very awesome - said I could wear jeans, and even dropped the f bomb several times in our conversation (holy culture shock).  They were very relaxed and actually very hysterical - I'm excited to work in such an upbeat fast paced office.  From what I've gathered, they deal with clients who wish to have their advertisements, films, and or interviews streamed online.  I'm going to be learning a lot about all of the regulations and rights that go a long with that - and help them write a blog about daily news events in the film industry.  ALSO - they attend all movie premieres in London, and red carpet events! They deal with and interview movie stars on a regular basis, and they said they always need a hand from the interns, be it holding equipment - or doing the actual interviewing! (AHHH).  I'm very very excited.  They know I can write well, and plan to utilize me that way - but I also explained how I would like to better understand how their business operates successfully, so I should get some experience that way as well.  I'm going to be working Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-6:00! 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have class. Tuesdays is Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Stage - with an included weekly theater visit! (I bought 10 books for this class eeeeek).  Then, Thursday is International Economics - the books look challenging, but it sounds like an extension of my Macro class, which, though difficult material, I fully enjoyed.  

I'm eager to get through next week and get rid of some of my anxiety for the newness of work and classes.  I'm really looking forward to my school work.  London is feeling less and less scary - I walked all the way to the gym (15 min walk) by myself without a map! Do I miss the cows and wide open green spaces? Yes.  Do I plan on ever living in a city this big ever again? No.  Am I glad to have the experience, and am I going to do my best to enjoy it to the fullest while I'm here? Yes.  

Being here just makes me really thankful for everything I have at home.  I had no idea so many things in my daily life were small luxuries elsewhere.  I'm really missing the family feel of the Rochester community, among many other little things - but I'm really happy to have the chance to get to know my flat mates, we're all getting along splendidly.  

Until next time.