For a good part of the weekend and up until yesterday, I was beginning to imagine myself becoming a UK citizen. When I first heard news of the Icelandic volcano, it wasn't anymore than a topic of conversation. As flight cancellations moved from Thursday to Friday and then through Saturday and Sunday, my interest in the random eruption of a volcano turned into serious panic. Don't get me wrong, I love London, but it has served its purpose, and now I'm ready to go home.
I've been checking airport updates religiously and was so relieved to read about the first flight since the disaster to land in Heathrow last night! Things are slowly getting back to normal, and (knock on wood) my arrival in the USA will be Saturday after all!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
They Say Time Flies When You're Having Fun...
With only 9 days, yes I repeat, only 9 days left in the UK, I got to thinking...
WHAT I'LL MISS ABOUT LONDON:
- Being in a HUGE city. The ridiculous size of London means all your desires are right at your fingertips.
- The fabulous shopping. Oxford and Bond Streets, Harrods, and beyond- anything you could ever want is here.
- The tube!! After mastering how to transfer from one line to another, I started to love the tube. It's SO easy to use and can take you anywhere in London.
- My friends :(. One of the coolest things about my program is people came from literally all over the States -- Chicago, L.A., St. Louis, DC, Seattle, and more, so coordinating a reunion somewhere in the middle will be a must!
- The rich history. It seems like there's a story here for every building and every street. Since the USA is so young compared to England, we don't have as much history.
- The fun markets. I loved being able to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning and explore Portobello or Spitafields, and I still have yet to hit Brick Lane. The markets have such unique things I'll never be able to find anywhere else.
- The ease of traveling to the rest of Europe. Ryan Air, EasyJet, EuroStar-- amazing! To be able to go to Italy, Spain, France, or anywhere in Europe for the weekend in no more than 3 hours for a really cheap price is unbelievable.
- Incredible Nightlife. I wish I had a few months just to dedicate to this! There is something for every mood and event. Want a relaxing night?--Go to one of the million pubs. Want a fist-pumping night?--Go to a Euro-style club like Ministry of Sound or Fabric. Feeling homesick and want to surround yourself with American people/music?--Go to a place like Sports Cafe. Want a place with great music and no cover charge where you can dance the night away?--Go somewhere like the Rocket. You get the idea. I could go on forever!
- How easy it is to hail a taxi in under 5 minutes. Besides the fact that this form of transportation can clear out your wallet in 15 minutes, it was so nice to never have to wait to get home whenever I wanted.
-The impossibility of running out of things to do. I think Bethlehem should be re-named on the map as Boredom, PA. It's going to be a real shock to return from having endless options on any given day to having to search for ways to be entertained.
- Walking EVERYWHERE. Even though public transportation here is awesome, it was also great to walk around and enjoy the sites when I had the time. At home, the only place I'll be able to walk is to the 7-Eleven 5 minutes away from my house.
- The easiest semester I've ever had (up until the end, that is). I did have to commit to waking up early to intern and going to class, but the workload was very light along the way. Since the education system here is different, they don't really ever have homework. I have to say though, I prefer the American system to this one because your final grade depends on your performance all semester rather than one big final project.
- Being able to jump on a red double-decker bus and sitting on the top level :)
It's just fun!
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT LEAVING IN LONDON:
- The food. Bland and boring I would say is an accurate description. Aside from cultural restaurants like Hi Sushi and Aladin, cuisine is definitely not Britain's forte.
- Bad customer service. Someone please refill my water and bring the check without my having to ask.
- The slow speed...of everything. I didn't realize how quickly I walk until I got here. There's nothing like being stuck behind a slow-walking person, and they all seem to be in London. Also, lines at the grocery store, at an ATM, to get a cup of coffee, etc. move at the speed of the slowest snail on Earth.
- The stupid exchange rate. Wow. This one explains itself, or possibly my bank statement would provide a better description. I'm so over the pound and ready for some dollars!
- All of the obnoxious coins I've accumulated. Give me some $1 bills! The lowest note here is £5, so there are coins for both £1 and £2. This starts to get annoying when I hold up a line because I'm digging around trying to find the right currency!
- My Thoresby House bed. I think everyone in the house would agree with this one! I'm sending Arcadia bills from my massage therapist and chiropractor.
- The lack of sunshine. I never want to see a rain drop or carry an umbrella ever again. Constant overcast, move over! It's time for REAL spring/summer in the U.S. of A.
- Being surrounded by British accents. I know, I know--I couldn't stop saying how I wanted to return home with an accent before I left to come to London. Now that I've been surrounded, it lost its appeal. I'll take good old American Taylor Lautner over Mr. Pattinson any day :)
WHAT I'LL MISS ABOUT LONDON:
- Being in a HUGE city. The ridiculous size of London means all your desires are right at your fingertips.
- The fabulous shopping. Oxford and Bond Streets, Harrods, and beyond- anything you could ever want is here.
- The tube!! After mastering how to transfer from one line to another, I started to love the tube. It's SO easy to use and can take you anywhere in London.
- My friends :(. One of the coolest things about my program is people came from literally all over the States -- Chicago, L.A., St. Louis, DC, Seattle, and more, so coordinating a reunion somewhere in the middle will be a must!
- The rich history. It seems like there's a story here for every building and every street. Since the USA is so young compared to England, we don't have as much history.
- The fun markets. I loved being able to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning and explore Portobello or Spitafields, and I still have yet to hit Brick Lane. The markets have such unique things I'll never be able to find anywhere else.
- The ease of traveling to the rest of Europe. Ryan Air, EasyJet, EuroStar-- amazing! To be able to go to Italy, Spain, France, or anywhere in Europe for the weekend in no more than 3 hours for a really cheap price is unbelievable.
- Incredible Nightlife. I wish I had a few months just to dedicate to this! There is something for every mood and event. Want a relaxing night?--Go to one of the million pubs. Want a fist-pumping night?--Go to a Euro-style club like Ministry of Sound or Fabric. Feeling homesick and want to surround yourself with American people/music?--Go to a place like Sports Cafe. Want a place with great music and no cover charge where you can dance the night away?--Go somewhere like the Rocket. You get the idea. I could go on forever!
- How easy it is to hail a taxi in under 5 minutes. Besides the fact that this form of transportation can clear out your wallet in 15 minutes, it was so nice to never have to wait to get home whenever I wanted.
-The impossibility of running out of things to do. I think Bethlehem should be re-named on the map as Boredom, PA. It's going to be a real shock to return from having endless options on any given day to having to search for ways to be entertained.
- Walking EVERYWHERE. Even though public transportation here is awesome, it was also great to walk around and enjoy the sites when I had the time. At home, the only place I'll be able to walk is to the 7-Eleven 5 minutes away from my house.
- The easiest semester I've ever had (up until the end, that is). I did have to commit to waking up early to intern and going to class, but the workload was very light along the way. Since the education system here is different, they don't really ever have homework. I have to say though, I prefer the American system to this one because your final grade depends on your performance all semester rather than one big final project.
- Being able to jump on a red double-decker bus and sitting on the top level :)
It's just fun!
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT LEAVING IN LONDON:
- The food. Bland and boring I would say is an accurate description. Aside from cultural restaurants like Hi Sushi and Aladin, cuisine is definitely not Britain's forte.
- Bad customer service. Someone please refill my water and bring the check without my having to ask.
- The slow speed...of everything. I didn't realize how quickly I walk until I got here. There's nothing like being stuck behind a slow-walking person, and they all seem to be in London. Also, lines at the grocery store, at an ATM, to get a cup of coffee, etc. move at the speed of the slowest snail on Earth.
- The stupid exchange rate. Wow. This one explains itself, or possibly my bank statement would provide a better description. I'm so over the pound and ready for some dollars!
- All of the obnoxious coins I've accumulated. Give me some $1 bills! The lowest note here is £5, so there are coins for both £1 and £2. This starts to get annoying when I hold up a line because I'm digging around trying to find the right currency!
- My Thoresby House bed. I think everyone in the house would agree with this one! I'm sending Arcadia bills from my massage therapist and chiropractor.
- The lack of sunshine. I never want to see a rain drop or carry an umbrella ever again. Constant overcast, move over! It's time for REAL spring/summer in the U.S. of A.
- Being surrounded by British accents. I know, I know--I couldn't stop saying how I wanted to return home with an accent before I left to come to London. Now that I've been surrounded, it lost its appeal. I'll take good old American Taylor Lautner over Mr. Pattinson any day :)
Monday, April 12, 2010
8 Reasons Barcelona is the Perfect Spring Getaway:
1. The weather is absolutely gorgeous (it was around 75 degrees--maybe even higher--the whole time we were there).
2. The beach is very easily accessible and is on the Mediterranean Sea, which is very blue and beautiful. :)
3. There are loads of restaurants that have outside seating, making a delicious meal of tappas and endless pitchers of Sangria even more amazing.
4. The city center is an easy-to-get-to locale, so no matter where you stay (even if, like us, it's in a hostel at the complete edge of the city), a much needed vacation of relaxation is not altered by inconvenient travel.
5. You can return from the trip with a healthy looking summer glow before everyone else :) (or like me, with a nice reddish tint and awkward tan lines).
6. You can visit the Dow Jones bar, where the prices of drinks fluctuate just like the stock market. When it crashes, everything gets really cheap, so run to the bar and order as many drinks in as little time as possible before the market begins to redeem itself!
7. See a view of the whole city in all its glory from the top of a huge hill. The climb for us was really enjoyable due to the great weather/need to work off the calories from stopping at countless eateries all weekend.
8. Experience the height of football season (a.k.a. soccer if you're from America!). We happened to be there for the game of age-old rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid. Barca won, and the city went crazy!!
2. The beach is very easily accessible and is on the Mediterranean Sea, which is very blue and beautiful. :)
3. There are loads of restaurants that have outside seating, making a delicious meal of tappas and endless pitchers of Sangria even more amazing.
4. The city center is an easy-to-get-to locale, so no matter where you stay (even if, like us, it's in a hostel at the complete edge of the city), a much needed vacation of relaxation is not altered by inconvenient travel.
5. You can return from the trip with a healthy looking summer glow before everyone else :) (or like me, with a nice reddish tint and awkward tan lines).
6. You can visit the Dow Jones bar, where the prices of drinks fluctuate just like the stock market. When it crashes, everything gets really cheap, so run to the bar and order as many drinks in as little time as possible before the market begins to redeem itself!
7. See a view of the whole city in all its glory from the top of a huge hill. The climb for us was really enjoyable due to the great weather/need to work off the calories from stopping at countless eateries all weekend.
8. Experience the height of football season (a.k.a. soccer if you're from America!). We happened to be there for the game of age-old rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid. Barca won, and the city went crazy!!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Detour in Priorities
In an effort to take a break and do something more interesting than writing my 15-page research paper, I decided to turn to my never-ending summer internship search. These are the times when I wish I were a business major, so I would have had a secured position before I left to go across the world in January(except not really, because I might consider dropping out of college altogether if I ever had to take another accounting class).
Optimism, a quality I'd like to think is woven into my biology, is slowly declining. The downer is, I've lost count of how many resumes, cover letters, and writing samples I've sent and can very easily come up with a number for how many responses I've received in return. Everyone knows the job/internship market is tougher than ever, but I didn't think it would be this impossible!
Hoping to eventually hear some good news, I've been trying to stay on top of my game through updating my social media websites and reading about the latest trends in PR.
Become a follower on Twitter!
Become a connnection on LinkedIn!
I started the semester with the thought that by this point, I would already know where I would be for the summer. Now I'm just hoping to hear back by the beginning of June! Although it's SO frustrating, I can't give up yet; I just have to figure a way to make myself stand out!
Optimism, a quality I'd like to think is woven into my biology, is slowly declining. The downer is, I've lost count of how many resumes, cover letters, and writing samples I've sent and can very easily come up with a number for how many responses I've received in return. Everyone knows the job/internship market is tougher than ever, but I didn't think it would be this impossible!
Hoping to eventually hear some good news, I've been trying to stay on top of my game through updating my social media websites and reading about the latest trends in PR.
Become a follower on Twitter!
Become a connnection on LinkedIn!
I started the semester with the thought that by this point, I would already know where I would be for the summer. Now I'm just hoping to hear back by the beginning of June! Although it's SO frustrating, I can't give up yet; I just have to figure a way to make myself stand out!
Forgot the "Study" part of Study Abroad
I have been attending my classes and internship on a regular basis and completing weekly assignments for my online class, but I didn't expect all these final project deadlines to creep up so quickly. In a scramble to complete as much work as possible before leaving for Barcelona, I am wishing I would have worked ahead just a little. My justification: almost 3 months of purely enjoying London is worth 2 weeks of torture...let's see if I'm right.
More Visitors!!
All semester, I had been looking forward to a visit from my family. Both my Mom and Aunt Kara had a planned visit for the last weekend in March and for all the waiting I did, their visit flew by in what felt like no time!
While I relied on the Easy Bus to meet my friends at Stansted and Gatwick, I breathed a sigh of relief that I could just hop on the tube to meet my fam at Heathrow. I guess I should have left earlier because there were delays on the Piccadilly line, which caused my mother to panic and send a page over the intercom throughout the entire airport--good start right?
We had so much fun for the four days they were here. We hit all the same spots as when Marie, Kenny, and Jen were in London and added a few extras along the way. One of my favorites was going to see Abbey Road and reenacting The Beatles' famous album cover (the pictures turned out to be pretty entertaining, if I do say so myself).
With the age gaps between the three of us (we're each 13 years apart), the choice of what to do at night was...interesting. We ended up taking a taxi to Leicester Square after dinner to find a place suitable for all of us. This was harder than it sounds, but the bouncers ouside one place insisted inside was a decent mix of people, so we settled (and mostly did a lot of convincing of my mom). It actually ended up to be a lot of fun!
The last night of their visit, we went to Aladin, an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane. The atmosphere was very cool, and the food was really good too! In celebration of Mom's birthday (which is actually today :]), we asked the waiter if they had a typical birthday dessert. When the lights in the restaurant turned off, we expected a cake, but they instead brought out this crazy contraption with candles that opened and closed and sang Happy Birthday--different but definitely cool, and my mom even got to take it home with her!
The visit was much needed, and I never stopped laughing the whole time they were here. It made me miss the rest of my family. I don't want to wish away the rest of my time in Europe, but it's a good thing home isn't too far away.
While I relied on the Easy Bus to meet my friends at Stansted and Gatwick, I breathed a sigh of relief that I could just hop on the tube to meet my fam at Heathrow. I guess I should have left earlier because there were delays on the Piccadilly line, which caused my mother to panic and send a page over the intercom throughout the entire airport--good start right?
We had so much fun for the four days they were here. We hit all the same spots as when Marie, Kenny, and Jen were in London and added a few extras along the way. One of my favorites was going to see Abbey Road and reenacting The Beatles' famous album cover (the pictures turned out to be pretty entertaining, if I do say so myself).
With the age gaps between the three of us (we're each 13 years apart), the choice of what to do at night was...interesting. We ended up taking a taxi to Leicester Square after dinner to find a place suitable for all of us. This was harder than it sounds, but the bouncers ouside one place insisted inside was a decent mix of people, so we settled (and mostly did a lot of convincing of my mom). It actually ended up to be a lot of fun!
The last night of their visit, we went to Aladin, an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane. The atmosphere was very cool, and the food was really good too! In celebration of Mom's birthday (which is actually today :]), we asked the waiter if they had a typical birthday dessert. When the lights in the restaurant turned off, we expected a cake, but they instead brought out this crazy contraption with candles that opened and closed and sang Happy Birthday--different but definitely cool, and my mom even got to take it home with her!
The visit was much needed, and I never stopped laughing the whole time they were here. It made me miss the rest of my family. I don't want to wish away the rest of my time in Europe, but it's a good thing home isn't too far away.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tea Time!
Before I left for London, my family and friends joked about how I would drink tons and tons of tea once I got to England. While some things definitely are just stereotypes, this is not one of them. Everyone drinks tea, and it's sold everywhere.
One of the perks of this is a little something called "afternoon tea," which sounds really proper and kind of reminds me of a certain scene from Titanic. Afternoon tea is served in hotels (some have ridiculously expensive menus complete with champangne like the Ritz), restaurants, and little cafes. Nebi, Jess, and I opted for one of the less classy venues but still had a lot of fun.
There are a few different tea options, and the server brings each person an individual kettle, so everyone has the type they want. Then, they bring a centerpiece-looking thing to the table filled with little smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches and mini pastries.
It was so cute! And it was very British--a very cultured experience :)
One of the perks of this is a little something called "afternoon tea," which sounds really proper and kind of reminds me of a certain scene from Titanic. Afternoon tea is served in hotels (some have ridiculously expensive menus complete with champangne like the Ritz), restaurants, and little cafes. Nebi, Jess, and I opted for one of the less classy venues but still had a lot of fun.
There are a few different tea options, and the server brings each person an individual kettle, so everyone has the type they want. Then, they bring a centerpiece-looking thing to the table filled with little smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches and mini pastries.
It was so cute! And it was very British--a very cultured experience :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tour Guide in Training
I could not wait for Jen, Kenny, and Marie to visit London! My goal for the weekend was to show them the coolest parts of the city, which is quite the task in only 48 hours. The trips to and from the airport were adventures in themselves, but once we were finally all together, it was a weekend of tube/red double decker bus rides and sightseeing galore. I actually impressed myself with my ability to navigate around the huge city, and we had sooo much fun! Here's what we did:
==> Buckingham Palace (Apparently the guards don't care about securing the palace on a 24 hour basis because they were MIA when we were there)
==> Fish & Chips! (I've been in London for 2 months, but it was actually my first time eating this too)
==> Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the London Eye (It was getting dark by the time we were walking over the bridge, so we saw the whole city lit up--perfect timing!)
==> Hi Sushi in Covent Garden (Unlimited sushi for 14.80!)
==> Absolut Ice Bar (Everything is made out of ice--the bar itself, the cups, the walls--, and they give you a parka and gloves to stay for a 40 minute session. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen!) Here's a pic!
==> Piccadilly Circus (Tip: don't ever fall for the smooth talking of a club promoter, like we did)
==> Harrods (I think to make it through every part of this amazing department store would take days) Here's a pic!
==> Dave Matthews Band Concert at the O2 Arena! (I went home and downloaded tons of Dave after this!! It was so good! The O2 Arena itself is amazing with tons of restaurants, bars, and clubs inside the venue)
Crunching a healthy dose of London into 2 days while having an amazing time with my best friends= success! May seems so far away :(
I can't wait for more visitors...I might have to start charging :)
==> Buckingham Palace (Apparently the guards don't care about securing the palace on a 24 hour basis because they were MIA when we were there)
==> Fish & Chips! (I've been in London for 2 months, but it was actually my first time eating this too)
==> Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the London Eye (It was getting dark by the time we were walking over the bridge, so we saw the whole city lit up--perfect timing!)
==> Hi Sushi in Covent Garden (Unlimited sushi for 14.80!)
==> Absolut Ice Bar (Everything is made out of ice--the bar itself, the cups, the walls--, and they give you a parka and gloves to stay for a 40 minute session. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen!) Here's a pic!
==> Piccadilly Circus (Tip: don't ever fall for the smooth talking of a club promoter, like we did)
==> Harrods (I think to make it through every part of this amazing department store would take days) Here's a pic!
==> Dave Matthews Band Concert at the O2 Arena! (I went home and downloaded tons of Dave after this!! It was so good! The O2 Arena itself is amazing with tons of restaurants, bars, and clubs inside the venue)
Crunching a healthy dose of London into 2 days while having an amazing time with my best friends= success! May seems so far away :(
I can't wait for more visitors...I might have to start charging :)
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Trip to the Homeland
I was SO excited to go to Italy last weekend!! The trip even surpassed my expectations, and spending the whole time with Marie and Kenny made it ten times better. Florence (or Firenze if I wanted to sound more cultured)is such a cool city. The food and wine are unbeatable, and the city itself is so beautiful. Making it to the top of the Duomo was for sure a highlight. After struggling up the 463 stairs to get there, we could see the whole town --it was a surreal.
Although most of my time in Italy was very...Italian, we brought some PSU culture to Florence. Saturday of my visit was Penn State's legendary State Patty's Day, so we bought green shirts and participated in our own festivities. The atmosphere wasn't exactly the same, but the celebrations were definitely up to par.
I really wish I had more time to explore the rest of Italy. I had so much fun with Marie and Kenny, and I don't think I would have been able to leave without knowing their scheduled trip to London was only 4 days away!
Although most of my time in Italy was very...Italian, we brought some PSU culture to Florence. Saturday of my visit was Penn State's legendary State Patty's Day, so we bought green shirts and participated in our own festivities. The atmosphere wasn't exactly the same, but the celebrations were definitely up to par.
I really wish I had more time to explore the rest of Italy. I had so much fun with Marie and Kenny, and I don't think I would have been able to leave without knowing their scheduled trip to London was only 4 days away!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Broadcast: The Most Amazing Weekend of the Year Live from the BJC
"MORALE CAPTAINS, TO THE STAGE!" I learned (or at least attempted) the line dance lyrics, cried during family hour, and got sooo pumped up during the last few seconds before the THON 2010 total was revealed--all from just watching the live broadcast on my laptop. I was so upset when I knew studying abroad would also mean missing THON, but surprisingly watching it online evoked just as many chills as standing in the crowd--it proved how powerful THON really is. And $7.83 million--so amazing!! I was glued to my computer for the last four hours and had it playing everytime I was at home. I absolutely loved seeing people post pictures all weekend long and could not get over this Little Rockstar :) So adorable!! Brit and Alex, I was looking for both of you all weekend, but all the colors started to mix together--so proud of you two!! 46 hours FTK! I'm already excited for THON 2011 :)
But How Did They Get There?
In the spirit of soaking up the culture of England, a few of my friends and I decided it was necessary to make a trip to Stonehenge. When my bosses asked me what my plans were for the weekend, and I told them where I was going, they said they couldn't wait for me to come back to work on Monday to report to them that it was just a pile of rocks. Apparently that's the review they've gotten from every American intern they've had so far, and it's not hard to see why.
Really, that's what it is--a formation of rocks placed in a circle. But the burning question, and I guess what's supposed to be amazing about it, is "how did they get there?" According to my audiotour, it could have been aliens...go figure. I'm making it sound like we had a really bad time, but it was definitely worth it for the experience--we had a lot of fun (mostly we made our own)! We took a lot of fun pictures jumping and posing in front of the rocks and after completing our walk around the circular path, we got back on the bus and headed to Bath.
Bath was unlike anything I've ever seen. It's required that every building there be made out of bath stone, so everything is really uniform looking, but it has this quaint little feel that was so amazing. We went to see the Roman Baths, which was really cool and ate at Sally Lunn's Buns, the oldest restaurant in the town.
I love sightseeing, and I love looking back at pictures even more. Jess tagged me on Facebook in some really awesome pics from our Stonhenge trip, so you can check them out if you want!
Really, that's what it is--a formation of rocks placed in a circle. But the burning question, and I guess what's supposed to be amazing about it, is "how did they get there?" According to my audiotour, it could have been aliens...go figure. I'm making it sound like we had a really bad time, but it was definitely worth it for the experience--we had a lot of fun (mostly we made our own)! We took a lot of fun pictures jumping and posing in front of the rocks and after completing our walk around the circular path, we got back on the bus and headed to Bath.
Bath was unlike anything I've ever seen. It's required that every building there be made out of bath stone, so everything is really uniform looking, but it has this quaint little feel that was so amazing. We went to see the Roman Baths, which was really cool and ate at Sally Lunn's Buns, the oldest restaurant in the town.
I love sightseeing, and I love looking back at pictures even more. Jess tagged me on Facebook in some really awesome pics from our Stonhenge trip, so you can check them out if you want!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Jeter and A-Rod: London Idols?
Maybe not...but the amount of people I see here with Yankees hats is unbelievable. It's something I hadn't originally noticed when I got here, but as I've been traveling and walking around London, I see at least a handful of people a day sporting their Bronx Bomber gear. It's definitely cool, as I'm a fan of the World Series champs myself :). But it's surprising because they don't even play baseball here. Oddly enough, I have yet to see a Phillies hat, or for that matter any other team's--these Londoners have some good taste! Who knows, maybe it's customary for any Brit who visits the US to come back with a baseball cap--sort of like a generic souvenir. It would be like roaming around New York and seeing people walk around with cricket team hats on--you just don't expect it! I'm not complaining though. Every time I look up and see that N-Y on someone's hat, it brings a little bit of the kind of warm, comforting feeling that only comes from home :)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Google vs. Doritos vs. Letterman
Since I usually have no idea what's going on during the actual Superbowl games, I always look so forward to watching the commercials and the halftime show (but ever since Justin and Janet ruined it with their "wardrobe malfunction", not so much the halftime show). Anyway, none of the ads aired here, so I went on You Tube because I just had to see them! These are my favorites...I can't choose which one I like best!
1. So Adorable!
2. Love the ending!
3. Short & Sweet, but Funny!
Just thought I'd share :)
1. So Adorable!
2. Love the ending!
3. Short & Sweet, but Funny!
Just thought I'd share :)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Mind the Gap
After venturing around London and Paris for my first two weeks in Europe, it was time to snap (somewhat) back into reality. My classes and internship started two weeks ago and sans the lengthy trip I have to take back and forth to work (a.k.a. I have to wake up at 6 a.m.), everything is great!
The two classes I'm taking are called World Media Industry & Society and Gender. They both seem pretty interesting, and I'm loving the fact that there seems to be no such thing as homework here, only week-to-week reading assignments.
My internship is working with the media team at the headquarters of an organization, which is sort of like Boy Scouts of America at home, except the members can be boys and girls. I really like it so far, and I was pleasantly surprised to to find out on my first day that Bear Grylls (the really intense host of "Man vs. Wild" on the Discovery channel who eats bugs/crawls around ridiculous places all over the world) has an office in the building because he's the "Chief Scout"! This, of course, would be much cooler if he ever showed up. My main job is doing public relations-ish stuff, and last week, I went to an event where we had to media train members to talk to journalists as Scouts spokespeople. It was a lot of fun, and if you've ever heard a kid with a British accent, you know that it's probably the cutest thing ever.
Since it takes me so long to get to work, I've been spending a lot of time on the tube. If I had a dollar for every time I heard the automated Underground voice say "mind the gap" (that is, the one between the train and the platform), I'm pretty sure I would be well on my way to becoming a millionaire. The tube and all of London's transportation really is awesome though, and it's great on the weekends too.
Last night, we went to a club called Ministry of Sound, which is the #6 rated club in the world. Ministry Website : There's a link on the left if you want to check out some pics :) If I had to sum it up in one word, I think I might go with "intense"--maybe not the same type of intense as Bear Grylls, but still. There were so many different rooms and floors, and Fedde Le Grand was one of the DJs on board last night, so it was really exciting. We somehow managed to not have to wait in the insanely long line to get in and stayed until about 3 a.m. It was very Euro-club style, and totally worth it for dancing and the whole experience. Here's some Fedde Le Grand stuff if you're interested!: Fedde Music Vids
Also, I mentioned in a previous post that I was walking a lot around London and, therefore, would be okay with not joining a gym. As it turns out, all the walking wasn't balancing out my diet consisting of Nutella and Uncle Ben's microwaveable rice, so I caved in and bought a membership to City University's gym. Now it's just a matter of finding time to go!
The two classes I'm taking are called World Media Industry & Society and Gender. They both seem pretty interesting, and I'm loving the fact that there seems to be no such thing as homework here, only week-to-week reading assignments.
My internship is working with the media team at the headquarters of an organization, which is sort of like Boy Scouts of America at home, except the members can be boys and girls. I really like it so far, and I was pleasantly surprised to to find out on my first day that Bear Grylls (the really intense host of "Man vs. Wild" on the Discovery channel who eats bugs/crawls around ridiculous places all over the world) has an office in the building because he's the "Chief Scout"! This, of course, would be much cooler if he ever showed up. My main job is doing public relations-ish stuff, and last week, I went to an event where we had to media train members to talk to journalists as Scouts spokespeople. It was a lot of fun, and if you've ever heard a kid with a British accent, you know that it's probably the cutest thing ever.
Since it takes me so long to get to work, I've been spending a lot of time on the tube. If I had a dollar for every time I heard the automated Underground voice say "mind the gap" (that is, the one between the train and the platform), I'm pretty sure I would be well on my way to becoming a millionaire. The tube and all of London's transportation really is awesome though, and it's great on the weekends too.
Last night, we went to a club called Ministry of Sound, which is the #6 rated club in the world. Ministry Website : There's a link on the left if you want to check out some pics :) If I had to sum it up in one word, I think I might go with "intense"--maybe not the same type of intense as Bear Grylls, but still. There were so many different rooms and floors, and Fedde Le Grand was one of the DJs on board last night, so it was really exciting. We somehow managed to not have to wait in the insanely long line to get in and stayed until about 3 a.m. It was very Euro-club style, and totally worth it for dancing and the whole experience. Here's some Fedde Le Grand stuff if you're interested!: Fedde Music Vids
Also, I mentioned in a previous post that I was walking a lot around London and, therefore, would be okay with not joining a gym. As it turns out, all the walking wasn't balancing out my diet consisting of Nutella and Uncle Ben's microwaveable rice, so I caved in and bought a membership to City University's gym. Now it's just a matter of finding time to go!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Parlez vous francais?
Do you speak French? Well for me, the answer is certainly not, but while in Paris, it didn't really matter. Everywhere we went, since from the second any of us opened our mouth it was blatantly obvious we were Americans, we were immediately catered to by being waited on in English. While it was really nice to not have to worry about speaking another language, it was so interesting to me that nearly everyone we met in France spoke our language, yet the majority of Americans are fluent in only one--our own. It made our weekend-long stay in The City of Light very easy, and we had a fabulous time! Since we were there for only a little under 3 days, it was essential to make the most of our time, so we planned carefully and this is what we accomplished...
Thursday, January 21, 2010:
-Departed from London @ 2:04 p.m.
-Arrived in Paris @ 5:26 p.m.
-Hotel check-in
-Went to dinner where I had the best French onion soup I've ever had in my life
Friday, January 22, 2010:
-Visited the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa, among many other famous works of art
-Went to see the opera house
-Took the streets of Paris for some shopping!
-Made our way to Arc de Triomphe
-Finished the day with dinner (apparently Italians aren't the only ones who are good at cooking pasta)
Saturday, January 23, 2010:
-Took the metro to the Eiffel Tower, which is just as cool in the freezing cold rain
-Toured Musee d'Orsay, where I saw pieces by Van Gough, Monet, and sooo many more...I have to say, it's a lot better in person than on a slide in art history class
-Visited Notre Dame and although we missed out on Quasimodo, there were actually gypsies outside the cathedral
-Took a nighttime boat tour and saw the whole city in lights--it was so pretty!
-Finished our trip with a fantastic dinner at the River Cafe. If you're ever in Paris, go there!! It might have been the best food I've ever eaten.
Sunday, January 24, 2010:
-Said goodbye to Paris and boarded the Eurostar at 8:55 a.m.
The city just had so much to offer. The shopping, sites, and food were amazing, so if you go, do as much as you possibly can, and make sure you don't leave without eating a croissant :)
Thursday, January 21, 2010:
-Departed from London @ 2:04 p.m.
-Arrived in Paris @ 5:26 p.m.
-Hotel check-in
-Went to dinner where I had the best French onion soup I've ever had in my life
Friday, January 22, 2010:
-Visited the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa, among many other famous works of art
-Went to see the opera house
-Took the streets of Paris for some shopping!
-Made our way to Arc de Triomphe
-Finished the day with dinner (apparently Italians aren't the only ones who are good at cooking pasta)
Saturday, January 23, 2010:
-Took the metro to the Eiffel Tower, which is just as cool in the freezing cold rain
-Toured Musee d'Orsay, where I saw pieces by Van Gough, Monet, and sooo many more...I have to say, it's a lot better in person than on a slide in art history class
-Visited Notre Dame and although we missed out on Quasimodo, there were actually gypsies outside the cathedral
-Took a nighttime boat tour and saw the whole city in lights--it was so pretty!
-Finished our trip with a fantastic dinner at the River Cafe. If you're ever in Paris, go there!! It might have been the best food I've ever eaten.
Sunday, January 24, 2010:
-Said goodbye to Paris and boarded the Eurostar at 8:55 a.m.
The city just had so much to offer. The shopping, sites, and food were amazing, so if you go, do as much as you possibly can, and make sure you don't leave without eating a croissant :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
So Much Catching Up To Do!
It's been about two weeks since my last post, and that's because believe it or not, I've been crazy busy, even without having started my classes or internship.
I spent the last couple weeks getting accustomed to London, and it's been fantastic. I finally know how to use the tube, which is a good feeling! There's too much to talk about in just one blog entry, so in order to avoid a ridiculous amount of potential rambling, I've composed a list of some highlights :)
1. Registered for courses with hopes of having off on Fridays (I think it was a success!)
2. Participated in a home stay weekend in Woking, a town about 20 miles outside London, where I stayed with a cute British woman who cooked us homemade dinners (totally cool because my cooking skills are limited)
3. Visited Windsor Castle! But missed out on the Queen and those 2 cute grandsons of hers :)...maybe next time
4. Went to a club called 333 and had a great time! The DJ played a perfect mix of stuff I could recognize and easy-to-dance-to techno/dance music. Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" is even better when it comes on outside the U.S.
5. Walked and walked and walked around London, which really, I've grown to love and makes me feel better about not joining a gym while I'm here
6. Made a trip to Piccadilly Circus, where a student ID gets you in for free at the Sports Club on Tuesday nights (good deal, right?). The music was seriously awesome, and it was fun, but it was entirely too American for me. I'm here to experience London, and although the Sports Club was a good time, it wasn't anything I couldn't find back at home.
7. Went to the theatre but couldn't appreciate it as much as I would have liked because I was still majorly jet lagged. I can't wait to go back!
8. Planned and made a weekend trip to Paris, which deserves its own post, so stay tuned!
I spent the last couple weeks getting accustomed to London, and it's been fantastic. I finally know how to use the tube, which is a good feeling! There's too much to talk about in just one blog entry, so in order to avoid a ridiculous amount of potential rambling, I've composed a list of some highlights :)
1. Registered for courses with hopes of having off on Fridays (I think it was a success!)
2. Participated in a home stay weekend in Woking, a town about 20 miles outside London, where I stayed with a cute British woman who cooked us homemade dinners (totally cool because my cooking skills are limited)
3. Visited Windsor Castle! But missed out on the Queen and those 2 cute grandsons of hers :)...maybe next time
4. Went to a club called 333 and had a great time! The DJ played a perfect mix of stuff I could recognize and easy-to-dance-to techno/dance music. Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" is even better when it comes on outside the U.S.
5. Walked and walked and walked around London, which really, I've grown to love and makes me feel better about not joining a gym while I'm here
6. Made a trip to Piccadilly Circus, where a student ID gets you in for free at the Sports Club on Tuesday nights (good deal, right?). The music was seriously awesome, and it was fun, but it was entirely too American for me. I'm here to experience London, and although the Sports Club was a good time, it wasn't anything I couldn't find back at home.
7. Went to the theatre but couldn't appreciate it as much as I would have liked because I was still majorly jet lagged. I can't wait to go back!
8. Planned and made a weekend trip to Paris, which deserves its own post, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Definitely Not the City That Never Sleeps
Choose the answer that best fits:
_______ is the city that attracts the most visitors/tourists every year.
a. Las Vegas
b. London
c. Sydney
d. New York
If you guessed B, you're right! This was a little fact in a video shown on my flight to London with Virgin Atlantic (which, by the way, is super nice and my new favorite airline). London receives more visitors annually than Las Vegas, Sydney, and New York combined, and now I know why.
I am absolutely loving everything about London so far! It really is an amazing (not to mention enormous) city. Yesterday, my first day here, I ate Dominos pizza, which was followed by Starbucks coffee--not so much a dive into UK culture. But after today, I want to experience everything I possibly can while I'm here. There is an unbelievable amount of stuff to do, and 4 months doesn't seem like enough time to even make a dent in it.
After orientation at City University, we visited St. Paul's cathedral, which is incredible and completely breathtaking. After this, on our way to Tate Museum of Modern Art, we crossed Millennium Bridge, which is surrounded by an amazing view of the city including an all-you-ever-imagined-it-to-be view Tower Bridge. On the way to dinner, we walked along the river, passing The London Eye and Big Ben, and I couldn't believe what I had before only seen through Google images was right in front of me.
While I'm quickly falling in love with London, there are some things that will undoubtedly take some adjustment. So far, what has had the biggest effect on me is how early stores close. By the time I got a chance to go to the store to get sheets, an alarm clock, and towels at 6:30 last night, the store was closed, and I was shocked. Instead of waking up with an alarm this morning, I had my mom call me on Skype (pathetic, I know). I dried off in the shower using a t-shirt and slept on a mattress and comforter without sheets or a duvet cover.
Besides this, there are so many other subtle differences between here and the U.S. that are going to be so much fun to discover. As my program (or programme, I guess it would be here) adviser said today: it's not better, it's not worse, it's just different. Here are some of the things in comparing cities I found so far:
1.
New York:
Drive like maniacs on the right side of the road.
London:
Drive like maniacs on the left side of the road (Trying to not get hit by a car/huge red bus while crossing is a lot harder than you'd think)
2.
New York:
A Milky Way=A Milky Way
A Mars Bar=A Mars Bar
An Almond Joy=An Almond Joy
London:
A Milky Way=A 3 Musketeers
A Mars Bar=A Milky Way
A Bounty=An Almond Joy
3.
New York:
Diet Coke is 0 calories
London:
Diet coke is 40 calories
4.
New York:
Cut food with a knife using your right hand, then proceed to put the knife down and eat with a fork using your right hand(or opposite for lefties)
London:
Eat while never putting your knife or fork down,cutting with your right and eating with a fork in your left
5.
New York:
Ridiculously expensive
London:
Ridiculously, crazily expensive
6.
New York:
Call a room with toilets a bathroom
London:
Call a room with toilets a loo
7.
New York:
Drinking age is 21
London:
Drinking age is 18
8.
New York:
Beer is served in moderately sized glasses
London:
Beer is served by the pint
9.
New York:
Public train service is called the Subway
London:
Public train service is called the Underground or the tube
10.
New York:
We never, ever see movies released in theaters that were made in other countries
London:
90% of movies in theaters are made in Hollywood. So far, I've seen promo ads for It's Complicated, Avatar, Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel,and so many more posted everywhere
11.
New York:
There are no British fast food chains taking over our country
London:
McDonalds restaurants are on every block and Starbucks is on every corner
I can't wait to look out for more! I'm having so much fun already, I'm almost forgetting I'm here to STUDY abroad :)
_______ is the city that attracts the most visitors/tourists every year.
a. Las Vegas
b. London
c. Sydney
d. New York
If you guessed B, you're right! This was a little fact in a video shown on my flight to London with Virgin Atlantic (which, by the way, is super nice and my new favorite airline). London receives more visitors annually than Las Vegas, Sydney, and New York combined, and now I know why.
I am absolutely loving everything about London so far! It really is an amazing (not to mention enormous) city. Yesterday, my first day here, I ate Dominos pizza, which was followed by Starbucks coffee--not so much a dive into UK culture. But after today, I want to experience everything I possibly can while I'm here. There is an unbelievable amount of stuff to do, and 4 months doesn't seem like enough time to even make a dent in it.
After orientation at City University, we visited St. Paul's cathedral, which is incredible and completely breathtaking. After this, on our way to Tate Museum of Modern Art, we crossed Millennium Bridge, which is surrounded by an amazing view of the city including an all-you-ever-imagined-it-to-be view Tower Bridge. On the way to dinner, we walked along the river, passing The London Eye and Big Ben, and I couldn't believe what I had before only seen through Google images was right in front of me.
While I'm quickly falling in love with London, there are some things that will undoubtedly take some adjustment. So far, what has had the biggest effect on me is how early stores close. By the time I got a chance to go to the store to get sheets, an alarm clock, and towels at 6:30 last night, the store was closed, and I was shocked. Instead of waking up with an alarm this morning, I had my mom call me on Skype (pathetic, I know). I dried off in the shower using a t-shirt and slept on a mattress and comforter without sheets or a duvet cover.
Besides this, there are so many other subtle differences between here and the U.S. that are going to be so much fun to discover. As my program (or programme, I guess it would be here) adviser said today: it's not better, it's not worse, it's just different. Here are some of the things in comparing cities I found so far:
1.
New York:
Drive like maniacs on the right side of the road.
London:
Drive like maniacs on the left side of the road (Trying to not get hit by a car/huge red bus while crossing is a lot harder than you'd think)
2.
New York:
A Milky Way=A Milky Way
A Mars Bar=A Mars Bar
An Almond Joy=An Almond Joy
London:
A Milky Way=A 3 Musketeers
A Mars Bar=A Milky Way
A Bounty=An Almond Joy
3.
New York:
Diet Coke is 0 calories
London:
Diet coke is 40 calories
4.
New York:
Cut food with a knife using your right hand, then proceed to put the knife down and eat with a fork using your right hand(or opposite for lefties)
London:
Eat while never putting your knife or fork down,cutting with your right and eating with a fork in your left
5.
New York:
Ridiculously expensive
London:
Ridiculously, crazily expensive
6.
New York:
Call a room with toilets a bathroom
London:
Call a room with toilets a loo
7.
New York:
Drinking age is 21
London:
Drinking age is 18
8.
New York:
Beer is served in moderately sized glasses
London:
Beer is served by the pint
9.
New York:
Public train service is called the Subway
London:
Public train service is called the Underground or the tube
10.
New York:
We never, ever see movies released in theaters that were made in other countries
London:
90% of movies in theaters are made in Hollywood. So far, I've seen promo ads for It's Complicated, Avatar, Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel,and so many more posted everywhere
11.
New York:
There are no British fast food chains taking over our country
London:
McDonalds restaurants are on every block and Starbucks is on every corner
I can't wait to look out for more! I'm having so much fun already, I'm almost forgetting I'm here to STUDY abroad :)
Friday, January 8, 2010
It Just Hit Me
It's the final countdown. I'm leaving for a little under four months to live in another country in 2 days, 17 hours, and 34 minutes.
I can remember working crazily on my study abroad application that was due last April, when the actual experience seemed like it would never arrive. And now here it is, less than a week away. The preparations for my venture to London have been so hectic, I never really stopped to think about what I was leaving--until now.
-Passport (with the most unattractive picture ever taken of me)--Check!
-Student Visa--Got it!
-Subleasing my apartment in Happy Valley--Finally done :)
-Shopping for clothes/shoes that won't make me a dead giveaway of a tourist (a.k.a. no Uggs, flip-flops, or those big, comfy sweats we Americans love!)--Let's hope so
-Successfully packing my 2 suitcases and 1 carry-on--Ehh not quite
In the midst of snapping out of holiday mode and all the running around, it wasn't until earlier, when my dad gave me a going away present that my emotions got the best of me. Later today, I'll have a farewell lunch with 2 of my best friends who will be studying abroad in Italy and Spain. As my high school friends leave one-by-one to go back to school, I can't help but to feel a little bit of sadness for what I'm leaving behind.
While it seems like I'm leaving so much, what I've realized is that there's an incredible world of excitement only a few days away, and I can share it with everyone I'm missing at home through Skype (which will probably become my parents' best friend). And although leaving my parents before going through customs at JFK on Sunday will probably turn into waterworks central, I can't wait to begin the experience of a lifetime.
I can remember working crazily on my study abroad application that was due last April, when the actual experience seemed like it would never arrive. And now here it is, less than a week away. The preparations for my venture to London have been so hectic, I never really stopped to think about what I was leaving--until now.
-Passport (with the most unattractive picture ever taken of me)--Check!
-Student Visa--Got it!
-Subleasing my apartment in Happy Valley--Finally done :)
-Shopping for clothes/shoes that won't make me a dead giveaway of a tourist (a.k.a. no Uggs, flip-flops, or those big, comfy sweats we Americans love!)--Let's hope so
-Successfully packing my 2 suitcases and 1 carry-on--Ehh not quite
In the midst of snapping out of holiday mode and all the running around, it wasn't until earlier, when my dad gave me a going away present that my emotions got the best of me. Later today, I'll have a farewell lunch with 2 of my best friends who will be studying abroad in Italy and Spain. As my high school friends leave one-by-one to go back to school, I can't help but to feel a little bit of sadness for what I'm leaving behind.
While it seems like I'm leaving so much, what I've realized is that there's an incredible world of excitement only a few days away, and I can share it with everyone I'm missing at home through Skype (which will probably become my parents' best friend). And although leaving my parents before going through customs at JFK on Sunday will probably turn into waterworks central, I can't wait to begin the experience of a lifetime.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Can you define pop culture?
As I prepare to study abroad in London, I can't wait to experience a whole new way of life. In Comm 420, a class called International Mass Communications, we discuss issues that are intriguing in that they make me want to learn as much as I possibly can about other parts of the world. What might be even more interesting is comparing what's out there in the rest of the world to what we know about our own country.
Part of the definition of popular culture is the fact that it can be easily mass produced and as a result, it is relatively cheap. In class yesterday, we talked about how some people have a problem with the idea of popular culture because not only is it taking over culture here in the United States, it also has expanded into foreign countries through ever expanding globalization. Watching Disney movies and MTV are no longer pastimes unique to American culture. A little girl across the world in India can enjoy playing with a Barbie just as a little girl here does. The United States has such tremendous influence on the rest of the world that our culture is being mass produced to countries that are still developing.
Whenever popular culture crosses my mind, negative thoughts don't usually follow. I think of the latest trends, music, movies, and various forms of entertainment that are an integral part of my life. I have never, before this class, associated pop culture with being responsible for the downward spiral of culture as we know it. The question seems to be whether this seemingly evolutionizing force called popular culture has the power to homogenize the world in such a way that the previously existing unique characteristics of some inimitable countries become lost, and everything is one in the same. The bottom line and worry of some is that our culture here in the U.S.A. will make its way around the world, and people will not think for themselves but instead become wrapped up in keeping up with the easily attainable trends of what's hot in the United States.
While I understand the concern, I can't say I regret becoming caught up myself. Popular culture for me is entertainment, and I love to watch it change. As I venture off to study abroad in London next semester, I will be particularly observant of American trends that show up while I'm there. While I couldn't see our country without imagining stages with fads like Twilight, the Jonas Brothers, Facebook, and Uggs, my hope is that pop culture as we know it doesn't spread to an extent where the world is taken over by what we think is cool here in the U.S. As much as I love immersing myself in our own culture, I can't get enough of learning about others.
Part of the definition of popular culture is the fact that it can be easily mass produced and as a result, it is relatively cheap. In class yesterday, we talked about how some people have a problem with the idea of popular culture because not only is it taking over culture here in the United States, it also has expanded into foreign countries through ever expanding globalization. Watching Disney movies and MTV are no longer pastimes unique to American culture. A little girl across the world in India can enjoy playing with a Barbie just as a little girl here does. The United States has such tremendous influence on the rest of the world that our culture is being mass produced to countries that are still developing.
Whenever popular culture crosses my mind, negative thoughts don't usually follow. I think of the latest trends, music, movies, and various forms of entertainment that are an integral part of my life. I have never, before this class, associated pop culture with being responsible for the downward spiral of culture as we know it. The question seems to be whether this seemingly evolutionizing force called popular culture has the power to homogenize the world in such a way that the previously existing unique characteristics of some inimitable countries become lost, and everything is one in the same. The bottom line and worry of some is that our culture here in the U.S.A. will make its way around the world, and people will not think for themselves but instead become wrapped up in keeping up with the easily attainable trends of what's hot in the United States.
While I understand the concern, I can't say I regret becoming caught up myself. Popular culture for me is entertainment, and I love to watch it change. As I venture off to study abroad in London next semester, I will be particularly observant of American trends that show up while I'm there. While I couldn't see our country without imagining stages with fads like Twilight, the Jonas Brothers, Facebook, and Uggs, my hope is that pop culture as we know it doesn't spread to an extent where the world is taken over by what we think is cool here in the U.S. As much as I love immersing myself in our own culture, I can't get enough of learning about others.
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