All things London

Today was a fantastically British day. Going to France was exactly the refresher I needed to enjoy all things London. I went to the National Gallery (again), went shopping on Oxford street( bought a pair of Clarks), walked down the South Bank at sunset, ate fish and chips washed down by a pint, and finished off with a fabulous NEW play at the Royal Court. Pretty perfect if I do say so my self. Because of this marvelously British day, I am devoting this blog to my every day life here in Kingston, starting with my top ten favorite new phrases that I have learned living here (The main contributors are Louis and friends). Be prepared to here this a lot upon my return. It's already started. I call my rain-boots, wellies and have a cuppa nightly. Here goes:

10. I'm knackered.

9. We got smashed.

8. Pardon? (this one more has to do with inflection)

7. Hiya. (again, it's the way they say it. it's adorable)

6. In America, things are so big!

5. Off to Uni today?

4. Mind the gap.

3. It was shocking, mate!

2. That's the badness.

1. All my days!

I am so lucky to be living with such a great family, a little wacky at times, last night I walked in on Nathan, the youngest son painting himself green to go out, I asked if it was for Halloween, and it wasn't. Obviously, he was dressing as a frog to go to a club. I don't think his mom was too excited about all the green body paint in the bathroom. They are great though. Louis, my age although he's already graduated, has a two friends that practically live here, Ben and Rich. They are as much a part of this family as anyone. Rich even buys milk and sugar because he drinks tea here so often. And it wouldn't be complete without Oliver, the cat. He's ornery and fat, but I like him. He's my buddy even though he knows I won't feed him, he never gives up. I'm the last one to leave in the morning, if he's not outside sunbathing on his favorite plank of wood, he's outside my door meowing. He doesn't really do this with anyone else that I've noticed. Maybe it's because I talk to him.

I really love getting a cup of coffee and just sitting on the Thames in Kingston. I like to watch the people feeding the swans, I haven't yet. I have an irrational fear of large birds, and you can't feed the ducks without getting the bully swans involved. They are beautiful to watch even though they beat up on the other birds. As you can see, I do this quite a lot.

Embarrassingly, one of my favorite things about Britain is the TV. It's awful, I know!! But look, they've got great television. Don't despair, I don't plan my nights around my television schedule. I have internet catchup and I don't spend hours just watching anything, cause they have weird TV as well. I am loyal to X-Factor, Law and Order UK, the Inbetweeners, and Downtown Abbey. I'm learning a lot from them. X-Factor here is bigger than American Idol back home. It's everywhere, and it's brilliant! This probably isn't the best clip to show off the X-Factor but it's been my favorite performance so far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4mfUyjfuA0

It's great because the judge also count as mentors for the contestants so they have a battle going as well. No, this is NOT the show that Susan Boyle was on. Law and Order UK teaches me loads about the British government system...sort of. Give me a break, it's good writing and the younger detective r is cute. The Inbetweeners is about a group of guys in sixth form that aren't jocks, they aren't popular, but they aren't outcasts or geeks, they are just "inbetween" It's hilarious, but the language is vile. In England they have the watershed, so after 9pm you can say and do pretty much whatever you want. They are flabbergasted that Americans don't have that. "What about comics?" they ask.

"They bleep certain words out, sometimes they dub."

"Right mate, so when you are watching Chris Rock on the tele, every other word is BEEP BEEP."

"Basically, unless it's on HBO. Premium channels you pay extra for."

"So you are telling me, you pay to get the cursing channels."

I had never quite thought of it that way...

Paris J'Taime

I still have a tummy ache from all the rich food, sweets, and alcohol! I had my first Opera cake...OH MY WORD! It was fabulous. I ate more chocolate than I thought I could. It's so good. I can't even explain. Also, Elizabethmentioned that before we left we had to try this trendy little cookies called macrons. I know they've been around forever, but they have littleshops all over Paris dedicated to these amazing little treats, kind of like the cupcake craze in the states. I tried rose, coffee, salted caramel is the best, and I still have a few left! Also I had onion soup (they don't have to add the french part, its a given), baguettes, the best ice cream I've ever tasted, croissants, 4 Lactaid pills and a tiny tummy ache.

The Paris Monmatre Pub Crawl did not compare with Valencia's Pub Crawl, but it was good company! We had a great time and met some fun people: a guy from South Africa who is commuting to Paris from London for work, a Danish guy who was really cute, 1 American claiming to be from Tennessee, but had the faux Euro accent from his study abroad, as well as lots of Australians, Canadians, and Spaniards. It was a good time in that regard, but sort of a rip off. However, we were a block away from the hostel which was a plus wondering home(crepe in hand) at 2 AM.

For the record and all the worrywarts reading this blog, I felt really safe in Paris. We are on the same level of terrorists alert in London, but in France there were more police and the airport security was INTENSE! They checked our document 3x more than any other country. I didn't see a single protest, and my friend ELizabeth who has been living there for a month said she hasn't seen any either. I felt more welcomed by Parisians then the last time I was there and was pleasantly surprised at how nice everyone was. Don't get me wrong, they were nice based on my expectations and I'm sure having Elizabeth there to translate and help us order really helped the situation.

It was the breath of fresh air I needed though. I was getting a little frustrated in London and it was fantastic to get away but even better to want to come back. France is so opulent while London is cozy. Even the fancy palaces and big buildings have a classic cozy feeling, in France I feel like I am defacing all the beauty around me just by standing on the street. We went to the National Opera House (the one in Phantom of the Opera) which was fantastic! I've never seen anything quite like it. It was fancier than any of the palaces here. So detailed! Everything was crystal, gold, and marble. We got to go inside the auditorium which was surprisingly intimate feeling for such a large house. Chandeliers lined every hall, statues everywhere I just couldn't get over it! I was so glad we went because it wasn't on the itinerary, but after searching for Sarah Bernhart's grave for an hour and a half, it was exciting to be swept away!

We did however see Oscar Wilde's grave, Moliere's final resting place, Jim Morrison's shrine and Isadora Duncan's ashes. It was 10:30 AM and people were taking shots in honor of Morrison. It was a spectacular cemetery, and of course reminded me a lot of New Orleans. It was strange how it's customary to put on red lipstick and kiss people's tombstones. Oscar Wilde's was covered in kiss marks and interesting remarks...

not all of them were thankful or respectful though. There's a small plaque asking people not to deface his grave, but since he wasn't French, they didn't put a fence around it like some of the others. It was a maze, oddly marked, not well planned, but really breathtakingly eerie. I'm really lucky to be doing so much traveling in the fall while the leaves are changing, it makes everything more beautiful.

It was funny because Catherine and I have been staying in budget hostels and flying cheap airlines so we felt like we were living in the lap of luxury on Air France and in a room with only two others that included breakfast and a private bathroom. On our 40 minute flight we got drinks AND snacks, in our room we got blankets (not just sheets) and a HAIR DRYER!! It was worth the price! The hostel was a block away from the Moulin Rouge so we passed it constantly, we did not however pay the 150 Euro to see the show, a tad out of our price range, but the thought of scantly clad women and unlimited champagne is intriguing....

We did a bit of shopping at the outdoor markets took a complete 180 and window shopped at the designer and jewelry stores including Cartier and Louis Vuitton. More excitedly we stopped into Repetto, the company that both Catherine and I got our first pair of pointe shoes from. They had really cute, but expensive shoes and frankly I'd rather spend my money on chocolate.

We also visited the Arc d' Triumph, what I kept calling Triumph Arch. It was incredible. Again all the sculptures were so detailed. No offense America, but it kind of puts our memorials to shame. It's so big and extravagant...we have the Washington Monument...a building shaped like a pencil.

I had a fantastic trip and have realized I need to purchase more comfortable shoes for Prague and Austria next week, my feet still hurt because Europeans still love cobblestones.

Helloagaingaten

So I'm thinking about forcingmyself to be moredisciplined aboutthe blogging by making in a weekly blog, picking one day that it'll come out so I can stay on top of it better. I let you know if that actually happens. I'm already debating scratching the idea because I'm a week behind and hardly have time to catch up so whatever.

Last weekend, the girls and I were in Stockholm and let me tell you it was great. I didn't have the same connection with it as I did with Valencia. I don't know what it was about Valencia, but I got off the train and felt an ease, a comfort that I can really explain. Even though I was lost and my spanish was abominable, I felt like I fit in that place. Sweden and I didn't have that connection, but my mate Lea said she had a similar experience with Stockholm. However, it was the most expensive place I've ever been, plus it was really hard to figure how much I was actually paying for things because dividing by 7.5 isn't easy. 1 USD=7.5 SEK roughly. I know yall are all saying that isn't too hard, well it is. Trust me.

Stockholm is a major capital for design both interior design and fashion so you can imag

ine we went shopping! We went to Sofo(that's not a typo) the vintage and indie side of town. We also ran into a fresh market on the way there, where we tried local delicacies like...moose, ostrich, elk, reindeer, and other various weird meats, also some local honeys, jams, and marmalades, and of course chocolate! Swedes are very serious about their chocolate. I drank tons of coffee it was so strong, they have excellent pastries, but most exciting of all BAGELS! Good bagels with cream cheese and chives and locks. I did buy two beautiful vintage dresses, one I've already broke the belt on. I shouldn't get delicate things, but as the English would say they are quite posh. After shopping we learned a harsh reality, everything in Stockholm except for bar and restaurants closes at 4. The original plan was to take a bus or boat tour, both we sold out. So we stumbled into the only open museum where we saw the Imperial Terracotta Army, which was expensive, but massively cool. Who would have thought I'd learn so much about China in Sweden. After a much needed nap in our boat hostel, we took an adventure into some parks a

nd to find food and beer. Well, I know where the Swedes go after 4, to bars! For good reason too, not only is the Stockholm the birthplace of Absolut Vodka, they have some lovely beers and the best cider I've ever had, Somersby. We all insisted on only drinking local whilst we were there and we were extremely successful.

Then we paid money for the strangest thing I've ever paid money and waited in a ma

ssive

queue for...the ICEBAR. Just so you

know, I am aware that there are a few of these, but the Absolut Icebar is Stockholm is the original and local because as previously mentioned Absolut is Swedish. So the money was well spent. Everything, EVERYTHING except the floor and ceilings was made of Nordic ice, even the cups. Catherine put her glass on the bar and it slid off! It was hilarious. For 25$ you get a parka, gloves, and a free drink! It was cold, but I'm in IL, Lea is from Nebraska

, Catherine might just be thick skinned, cause we lasted longer than the average 20 minutes. The drinks were tasty too. Lea was the only one brave enough to get the classic Swedish drink 100 proof vodka and lingonberry juice. If the vodka were weaker, I would have tried it also, but its no secret I'm a cheap date, it doesn't take much. Then we went to the best bar ever, really it was a great bar! The perfect blend between tourist friendly and local, the perfect combo of music, talking, dancing, and lights. It was just great. It was called the KGB and decorated with old school Russian propaganda. They played Russian pop music. They drinks were good, the bartenders friendly, just great! We even limboed with what I think was some guys tie, it was bizarre and fabulous.

In true Swedish fashion, we got 2am hotdogs at the 711. Strange, yes, but there are more 711s in Stockholm, than Starbucks in Manhattan. It was unexpected, but oddly comforting. But they didn't have Slurpees which is kind of the whole point of 711s, but they were open at 2am with hotdogs. What more could I ask for at that moment? Chocolate, cinnamon rolls,water? They had that too, and not crap chocolate or bagged cinnamon rolls, we're talking fresh artisan shit. Perfection.

The next few days in Stockholm were much more educational, we went to museums, took the boat tour, and the epitome of Swedish culture IKEA. All fun. All interesting. My feet were killing me though. All the roads are cobblestones and my black boots were sacrificed in honor of travel. The heel on them is basically worn off because of the cobblestones. My feet HURT and you know it had to be bad for me to even say that because I was a pointe dancer. I got a killer blister on my toe, but I made it through! Ikea is giant, which is implied, but its the worlds largest Ikea so think about that. Double each section in your average Ikea and that's the Stockholm Ikea Experience, but it was worth it and it was meal we could actually afford. Swedish meatballs and lingonberries. I'm glad I'm not still practicing vegetarianism.

Overall, Stockholm was fantastic. It's been really interesting learning about all the different culture in Europe. Everything is so close and accessible, but obviously so diverse! Everyone is Stockholm spoke perfect English, but they don't have the British accent! IT WAS AWESOME! Everyone was really helpful, multiple times people would stop us on the street and ask if we needed help, at the market other customers took the opportunity to explain all the different foods were trying on their own accord. It was great.

We made it back safe and on time! Ryan Air even played a recording of a trumpet exclaiming "CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE ARRIVED ON TIME!" We died laughing.

Getting back was difficult, I do love England I do, but it seems that this week was the I miss America week. It just had no luck with public transportation, sales people, night clubs, ect. Because of this I knew I needed some theatre. I saw the 3 hour Birdsong, and missed class the next morning because I overslept. Then I saw an Off West End show called Lower Ninth about a father and son on a roof in New Orleans during Katrina. That was an eerie experience, but they did a great job, the script wasn't well structured, but captured the emotions and the feeling of the city perfectly. The accents weren't quite there, but only a local could tell that. Most importantly an audience who knows very little of what was actually happening got a much better idea.

But its a new weeks, I saw two shows this weekend, caught up on Project Runway and X-Factor(goodbye Diva Fever you are missed) and I'm refreshed. Plus, because I missed class I spent Friday getting 98.8% of my homework done because I needed to redeem myself.

Drama Free

As you can tell from the infrequent posts, my life is getting busier and homework has to be put ahead of blogging. Sorry cyberspace.

Week Two of classes is pretty much over, and I am so lucky to be here learning. Really I am. For once there is no sarcasm in my voice. Honestly I thought it would be harder academically and that everyone would be light years ahead of me, but I'm where I need to be apparently. I fit in nicely. Playwriting is funny though, I know all the American classic plays they don't (ie Raisin in the Sun) They know modern British classics I don't. This sounds self important but now I realize why Kingston has us at all; I'm learning from them, but they are learning from me as well. It's win win.

I'm starting to think and read in my head British accents. Never thought that would happen.

I just saw Henry IV Part 2. A little bit longer, ok much longer, but still great. At first I didn't think its Shakespeare's finest, then we got to Act II. Sigh. Act II. It was brilliant. I love the GLobe because they end every show in a dance. I think every show should always end in dancing.

I am leaving for Sweden tomorrow. Must get back to Waiting for Godot before class tomorrow.

Short and sweet is better than nothing I guess.

Cheers

Hello Again

Hello again. This dedicated to my Aunt Donna who misses my updates! :)

The reason I have not blogged in a while is my utter frustration with technology! I made this awesome vlog (video blog) of my time in Valencia, but

I can't get it uploaded in full. So I refuse to say anything about Valencia in detail so you can see the fruits of my labor! For those of you who are dying to know about Spain, here's a few pictures.

Classes started this week, and I'm really excited. My first day did not go so smoothly. My timetable had to the wrong rooms for all of my classes for I was late to my first class and the lecturer wasn't pleased. In my defense, I was EARLY in the wrong room with 6 other students. Other than that hiccup, the classes are great. I am glad to be around my people, theatre people. At first they were skeptical, but I think I have eased my way in with my loud mouth. I'm not shy, and I have opinions that they aren't used to. (That's me tooting my own horn! Toot toot) Don't worry adults and parental figures, I know when to keep my mouth shout and I always raise my hand (which a few teachers weren't used to) Here's the kicker! They assign tons of homework and attendance is required, but the only grade that counts is my final! All my classes are 100% on the final assessment. So yeah, I miss American schools, a point for smiling, a point for showing up, a point for commenting, points EVERYWHERE! But I was warned, I just didn't believe them. It's loads of homework and reading, but at least its plays and children's books! Now that classes have started, the rain has come, my friendships are more stable, I feel better in my house, I have found my grocery store, and the pasty...I feel a hell of a lot more comfortable. Also, my friends and I found a place. The Berry. Its a pub. I'm glad to have a place, and we go on Wednesdays went they have 2 pound mixers and wine. I always find the bar specials. It's funny how comforting routine is, but I guess it should be expected.

Today, I am going to Paddington Station to see Paddington Bear! I can't wait.