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.