I'm sick :(

Being sick while abroad SUCKS. I am in London, but am miserable due to illness. It's way worse than being sick while home because there is nothing to do there anyway. But here there is a ton to do, and today was a wasted day. Sad.

But this last week/weekend was far from wasted! Classes went well. I'm actually staying on top of my reading which is a nice change (mostly due to being sick today haha nature's way of telling me to do hw? probably.) Thursday I was sick too so I stayed in bed most of the day, but I went out that night. Me and a big group of my friends went to an Irish pub in Chinatown called O'Neill's. It was excellent. We got there before you had to pay cover so WIN and it was three stories. The top story had a really awesome dance floor. The band they had playing for most of the night was really good as well. It's so funny, because clubs here play american music. I love it! haha! There were a lot of really drunk people there. Kind of annoying, but overall a lot of fun. I also had my first night bus experience that night. It's a totally different crowd haha!

Friday was pretty chill. We went grocery shopping, and that was about it. That night we baked a chocolate cake though. I BAKED! I got to wear my apron and everything. It turned out really good, and I was very proud! haha! We had a lot of fun.

Saturday we went to Portobello Market and Notting Hill. It was really cute. I met a french guy and spoke some french to him. I didn't sound like an idiot either! I was proud of myself! haha! We also went shopping at Top Shop and Primark. That was an ordeal. Public transportation was ridiculously crowded because there were several lines shut down, so the tube and buses were PACKED. AND I had to pay 100 pounds for a monthly transport card. I was not very happy. The buses were also very late. It was really frustrating. Also, when we tried to go to Primark the first time, they were kicking people out so we thought it was closed. But then we walked by it later and it was open. Turns out their generator blew up or something so most of the lights were out and the escalators were broken but they still re-opened! lol! So I got a ring, dress socks, pillows, red bowed leather gloves, and black lacy leather gloves all for about 20 pounds. It was quite productive all and all. And then at Top Shop I got a red bowed matching hat to go with my red gloves. I didn't do anything that night, but when everyone got back in we sat out in the hall and talked until really late. It was FREEZING in my dorm, but we finally figured out how to turn on the heat thank goodness.

Today has been boring. I've been sick so all I have done is reading. But tomorrow is my first day at my internship! I'm really excited! I hope my cold goes away though. Less than a week until I go to Ireland! YAY!
With Love From London,
Rachel

My NEW JOB!

SO, I GOT MY NEW JOB!!! YAY! I will be working for the Conservative Party in Parliament!!! I switch back and forth between the campaign headquarters and Parliament. Also, I get to switch between all the branches. I will work in the press office, with international relations, business relations, and so much more! AND I get to attend their party convention which is like our party conventions! I get a security clearance pass too! How awesome is all this?! I am beyond thrilled! I will get so much hand-on experience it is ridiculous.

In other news, obviously my interview went well! haha! I've also gotten to do some more exploring. I visited the National Gallery and looked at some Van Gough's, DaVinci's, and Monet's. You know, a typical day haha! I also walked around Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Oh and Trafalgar square! Then, last night we went to the Absolute Vodka Ice Bar! It was AWESOME! We got parkas and everything. Plus my drink, called a Sea Cow, GLOWED IN THE DARK!!! How cool is that?! I won a free drink, because I held my hand on the bar made of solid ice the longest. I am pretty much a beast. Or I will do anything for a free drink. One of the two! Haha! Afterwards, we went to TigerTiger again! It was really fun. But very hot and sweaty!

This last weekend was pretty chill other than all that. We went on a market tour sunday morning. It was wonderful. I got a white chocolate and strawberry crepe that was to die for! Probably the best thing I have eaten this whole semester. The markets were really cool too. I bought a bunch of scarves that were just a pound each! Oh and Saturday we went to Camden, and saw the markets there. It was way interesting. Very hipster. That night we went to Chinatown and ate some chinese food. It was pretty good, but I miss the chinese place in town! haha!

Welp that's about it here in London! I miss everyone so much! Much love!
Rach

English Tid Bits

I have been doing so much stuff! This weekend was so busy! We hit up a traditional english pub. It was fun to just sit around and chat while ordering drinks. Sex On the Beach is always so satisfying haha! We also went down to the Thames Festival and watched fireworks over the water. It was amazing.

 Monday was a touristy day. Me and my friend Melinda wandered the pure touristy parts of London. We took pictures at Platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station, took pictures at Piccadilly Circus (their version of Times Square), walked Covent Garden Market, had tea at Charles Dickens Coffee Shop (where the server LOVED americans and said he thought our accents were beautiful haha), and we shopped at Harrod's and Top Shop. We bought amazing cupcakes at Harrod's. Mine was oreo cookies and cream. YUM! We also mastered the public transportation system. It was a great day.

Then that night, we went to a pub for happy hour. I tried their British drink Pimm's which is good. I also had fuzzy navels and green apple smirnoff vodka with lemonade. DELISH! Haha! After that, we headed to Club TigerTiger. We got to cut the entire line because one of our student assistants worked there, and we were VIP so we got to go into the VIP section. It was a ton of fun. It was two stories, and it played American music including Spice Girls haha!

Today was the first day of classes. I only have two on tuesdays, but I go from 10-4. Kind of a long day when you add in the commute. I have to leave by 9am to get to the center. I already got assigned a ton of reading. Apparently british schools have less graded work and more reading. Odd. Anyway, that's what I have been up to! I got to really missing home today. Love you all!

Goodnight from London!

American Stereotype I Fit

So, I have figured out a common American stereotype that I most definitely fit to the T. I drive EVERYWHERE. If it's raining, I drive to upper campus and it's only a ten minute walk. I love my car, and I love convenience. In London however, like most of Europe, no one really drives. Instead everyone walks and uses public transportation. Well, the public transportation system is phenomenal here. It really is, but let me tell you. MY FEET HURT SO BAD! I am not used to walking 20 miles a day. Even if I take the tube, it's a 10-15 minute walk there, and then another 10 minute walk to my campus. WTF?! So long story short, my feet perpetually hurt really bad. Haha! I will apparently get used to it.

Well, that was my one complaint. Now for fun stuff! Last night me and the group went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and saw The Merry Wives of Windsor. It was really funny. BUT we were on the floor and had to stand for three hours after walking for one. A little uncomfortable. Haha! All of us thought we were going to die. Glad to know I'm not the only lazy American who isn't used to all this walking!

Today we had a bus tour of all London. It was great. I saw EVERYTHING! I forget all the stuff I need to visit and really see while I am here. The London Bridge was pretty anti-climactic, but all the other stuff was great. I even saw the bank they use as Gringots in Harry Potter! I'm putting pictures on facebook of all this stuff so you NEED to go check them out!

Anyway, tonight me and the girls are going out to a good ol' London pub called The Pitcher and the Piano. It should be really great, and I will have more stories soon because of it I'm sure!

Until next time!
Much love from London!

First Few Days in London!

London is SO amazing! I can't even begin to describe how much I love it here. I have done so much already! I have successfully navigated the underground (Tube) and the bus systems to and from the place where I have class and the grocery store. So plus! I have also gotten rained on in true London fashion. Lesson learned: carry an umbrella at ALL times! The weather has ben really nice though for the most part. I picked all my classes today, and so I only have class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays! Plus a late night french class Monday night and my internship. It's pretty awesome :D

Let's see.... well I bought a bottle of wine just because I could. OH and I bought a drink with dinner called a Screaming Orgasm. It was awful, but whatever! haha! My dorm is on the 10th floor so I have an amazing view of Chelsea. And my IES center is close to King's Cross and Piccadily Circus! Yay! They are great locations. 

Umm... well I got yelled at today for being too American haha! It happens. I've also almost gotten taken out by a bicycle and a car, because you have to look the opposite way before you cross the street than you do in the States. That's something I really need to work on. Uhh... the food has been good. The grocery store is really different though. That's been the biggest culture shock thus far. 

I have a roommate from Madrid, Spain and she is great. I feel really fortunate for getting to live with her. The classes i'm taking are: The History of London, The Architecture of London, Intermediate French, an Internship Seminar, UK Media and Politics, and The Government and Politics of the UK. I'm very happy with that. 

Well, I think that just about covers the last couple days! My flight went well and I'm making friends! It couldn't get any better than this!

Goodnight from London, with love!