Its always sunny when I'm working

Hello all! Week 2: 6/14-6/17

It's been a while I know, but I've been burning the candle on both ends. Lots of stuff to see and do!

On Monday we had class. In the room we start every week by him answering our random tourist like questions. For example "Why does my internship offer me tea like 5 times a day?" and we talk about them in class. Then we actually get to the meat of the subject and he begins to lecture on London history. This last week we talked about medevial times and such. As usual the time went by quickly in class. After an hour lunch we meet up at a different spot in the city and start up a walking lecture around town. This week we focused on the east end of the city. We started in the banking district and saw the Royal Exchange building, the Bank of England and all the different stages of British banking history was at that point. We walked through the Royal Exchange building. It was like a fancy mall center surrounded by super expensive and fancy shops that you hear celebrities talking about, but the average person never even thinks about buying things from there....thus my Tiffany & Co. picture. Probably the closest I'm going to get to ever getting Tiffany in my life. Which was exciting! I'm girly what can I say. There was also a Cartier and Louis Vuitton. Such expensive things and only because its the name....makes one think. We just walked through this building and this is all that was going through my head. From there we discovered parts of London I probably never would have if it wasn't for the class...like the history of the shopwindow (all within an alleyway) and the world's oldest coffee shop in London. We ended class across the street from Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Learned alot. From there most people went home to MTH but I decided it would be wise to find my internship since I was starting the next day. So took the tube to the Notthing Hill area and successfully found my internship. However, it had been raining on and off all day and I looked like poo so I didn't go in to find them specifically/personally. I then topped up my phone and talked with the boy for an hour and a half. That was nice. I decided to get a good nights rest and went to bed "early".

The first day of work was a learning day. I have decided not to put too much detail about it in here, so here are the gerenals. I have my own mac, I'm the first station on the left (right next to the tea station), our one big window overlooks the highway since we are on the 3rd floor, and I have a skylight! I did little administrative work...my main task was revising a spread sheet of information for them. So everyday I came to work, did my daily taks, and then worked on other random assignments for 8 hours a day. Things that are weird, from an American perspective. I get asked for tea at least 3 times a day, usually more. I take my tea green with a little bit of sugar. Yum. I look at it as good my for immune system, it has good antioxidants and such. To our pandora is their Spotify...that really helps me jam through the day. Ok finally I have to explain the situation first. I work in an office/studio complex of about 100 offices. None of the offices are the same. So some people who may own their company...bring their dogs to work. The first day I noticed this I was eating lunch down in the main big lobby and a little dashound trotted by me. The first thing I thought was "weird" followed by "is it bring your dog to work day today?' Following up those thoughts were 3 other dogs being brought in. Not used to it. by Wednesday I knew it was not a work holiday, and that these people actually just bring their dogs into work. This brings me to a point that I need to thank the people of London about. YOUR DOGS ARE WONDERFULLY TRAINED. Working a vet clinic for 4 years....it is a nice change.

After work on Tuesday I needed a walk, and a long one. I wondered around Regents Park for about an hour and when I got back the roomies were just about to go down to Trafalgar's...another favorite place of mine, so I joined them. Lovely clear night and we walked to Big Ben. I got so excited I really wanted to run up to it and kiss it. As I looked over to plan out my attempt, their was a guard there...bugga. It was beautiful though just as the sun was setting. That to me is London. End of sentence. We walked home through Piccadilly Circus (like a mini Time Square of London) and got home and then I was exhausted. A good 3 hour outing. Off to bed I went.

On Wednesday, went to work from 9-5. Got a twing of homesickness because as I was searching for things for my spreadsheet I came across Wisconsin news stations. I never thought I would be happy to see WTMJ on a computer screen. My after work activities were attending Billy Elliot the musical. I took the tube to Victoria Station and there was the theater. So I look a long dinner a the Pret A Manger and people watched. I think I saw a celebrity...he may have sat next to me at Pret. Thing is I can't think of his name, so not a real big name. I cant even think of a movie he's been in, so maybe I was just wanting to see a celebrity...? Anyways, the musical was FANTASTIC! I laughed, I teared up, and it had a deep, multi-faceted plot that was interesting to anyone. Music was done by Elton John...didn't know that. The kid who played Billy....AMAZING! Holy man...words can't describe how cool it was to see such young kids be so talented. We got home around 1130 and I went straight to bed.

Worked on Thursday from 10-6. After work we went out for drinks at the Met. It was alot of fun. It was nice to get to know the people I work with. Everyone in the office is so work orientated (which is awesome) but we don't chat that often, and if they do its work centered. Our topic of discussion was Wisconsin and drinking games. I represented Stevens Point proudly and wowed them with Ella's game of Nails. Needless to say, I now think that everyone in my office thinks we (from Wisconsin) are crazy. Also talked about the hobbies of hunting and fishing that people in Wisconsin do...they are amazed by the idea of these. Its kinda funny to see their reaction to hunting things. It was fun overall. I left there around 8 and then chilled at home for a bit and then attended kareoke. Jake, Layla, Lauren, Carrie, and Jayson and I were all hanging out and picking out our song selections. I sang a Kelly Clarkson song, it was a good time. Shortly after that I had to get back for a skype date. Was up until 130 or so. The next day I slept in until 11....I was sleepy.

On Friday I slept alot and then decided to not be a lazy pile and walked to the Victoria & Albert Museum my class assignment. It was in the Kensington area to get there I wandered through Hyde park. When I got back to the city I passed by Harrods, very ritzy. The museum was fun. They had a history of fashion part and I saw the development of women's shoes from 1720-1996. Also I saw a dress that was made for and worn by Princess Diana. It was white and full of pearls. Very pretty. On the way home I again appreciated the parks of London. It is a cool place for a person to collect their thoughts or for groups of people to hang out and play around. I am a fan. I have to go back when I get a camera to visit the Princess Diana memorial and the Peter Pan statue.

I will write about my weekend tomorrow! I'm off the bed though since my laundry got locked away, silly rules. Night all! Cheers!

Heidi

Bath...like a sheep with a lisp

First weekend in England had ups and (a) down, but I got alot accomplished! Weekend 1: 6/11-6/13
On Saturday morning roomie Lindsey and I went to explore Camden Market (which I found out in class today that it is the most popular tourist place in all of London...boggles my mind. Yes, even compared to all the cool places like Big Ben, Tower of London, and British Museum). Anyways, we wanted to explore and doing some shopping. There are multiple alleys and blocks that are FILLED with shopping. Souveniers, shoes, clothing, food, tattoo/piercings are just a few things that lined the streets. We got there early in the morning right when shops were opening and I'm glad we did. The first alley we stopped by was a block away from the actual "Camden Market" sign. Camden shopping you can find some really good deals, persistent flatterers, and weird punk style everywhere (on people and for sale) First thing I needed to buy was a watch. Luckily the first place we stopped had a large array of watches. I bought a necklace watch. No worries, it's nothing like Flava-Flav...much smaller more pretty, classy, and sophisicated. It's on a long gold chain so I just wear it everywhere but under my clothing. I am a big fan of it. The cover on it pops open like a man's pocket watch. Good investment. As I moved on through different areas I soon figured out the lingo of market shopping.
1) If you look and dont touch, vendors dont bother you. If I came within a centimeter of touching a dress to get a feel of the fabric or something, an alarm goes off in the vendors head followed by directly in my face questions. "Do you like? Very pretty? Would you like to try on? Did you know it comes in other colors?" etc etc. It's kinda scary.
2) Apparently my lack of buying on inpulse is interpreted in the market as me bartering with them. I tend to think about my possible purchases (less than Lizzie, but still :P) and my himming-and-hawing attitude is translated in my bartering technique. Not the case...I'm really just not sure. They followed me calling out prices that were lower and lower in hopes of making a sale. "this is the best price just for you...my first customer of the day"
3) If you try to bargin, some vendors will not want to make a deal. Found that out the hard way. The dress I debated over and brought up multiple times during the day after passing it up the first time I ended up going back for. The reason I passed it up was because the woman did not even care that I was trying to bargin....15 pounds is 15 pounds. Take it or leave it. Worth it. I really LOVED it.
Ups of this day: weather was lovely, alot of vendors were playing beyonce, and bought 3 dresses and my watch.
Down: my allergies caught up with me and kicked me in the rear, hard core.
When we got back from the market aroun 130 I slept for 2 hours because that is how hard they kicked me. Now I am fully medicated and feeling great.
Saturday evening was the futbol match between England and US. Went to watch it at the pub and met my first British friend. The game was a fun atmosphere to experience. He could not understand why futbol (soccer) was not that big in the states. He only asked this because I could not name one player on our team, and he could name at least four...and he was cheering for England. Simple, "because WE play real football." Game ended up tied and was fun to watch.

Sunday a group of us went to Bath Spa. Our professor informed us that the proper way to say is like a sheep with a lisp. We left the Paddington station at 8 and got to Bath Spa at 930. I fell asleep on the train, I have a habit of doing that. We had a nice full day there. Bath is a lovely town that is a larger city, but nothing compared to London. When we first arrived we just wandered the streets that were pretty much empty on a Sunday morning. We reached a little square-ish area with little bistros, shops, the Roman Baths, and Bath Abbey. At that time in the morning it was practically deserted as the sun rose higher in the blue sky. (oh yes, the sun does exist here too...when it feels like showing up) We got some coffee and pastries and made plans for the day. As we sat there the church bells started to ring. Something I never appreciated or heard much or back home...but these went on for a while. It really finished the setting of the town. All through this pretty architecture, setting, and natural sounds...what pops into my head? Beauty and the Beast. Dang Disney invading my special moments in Bath. "little town, full of little people" Needless to say that song was in my head for the rest of the day....and the sad part was I wasn't even in France. So when I got to the part in my head when they yell "Bon jour!" it didn't feel right.
The Roman baths were awesome. The museum had alot of information and history presented in a very cool way. The water of the bath was a lovely seafoam green...it reminded me of the color of pistachio pudding almost. Interesting/funny stories of my people watching that bath.
1) There are signs talking about how the water is not treated so its probably not safe to touch, let alone drink. However we saw a lady not only put her hand in the water, but then lick her hand afterward. The odd part after that was that she looked around all paniced as if she was worried that someone saw her. If you are ashamed....ya shouldn't have done it, because its plain gross.
2) A lady was up on the edge of the bath and accidently threw her sweater not next to the bath, but in the bath. Yummy. To have to carry that around for the rest of the day must have smelled great. ooooh my sassy side is coming off in my writing.
After visiting the baths, we visited a park that was on the River Avon. When the Celtic people told the English what the name of the river was....they thought they were asking for what it was. Silly English thought it was the name of the river, so it's really River River (Avon is the Celtic word for river). From there we explored Bath Abbey. It was beautiful. Walking around these large abbeys it really puts into perspective how much the architect must have really loved Christ, had a strong faith, and wanted to make some beautiful for all worshipers (or visitors) to enjoy. While walking, every floor tile was a tomb marker. The ceiling was sculpted stone and in complete gothic style. The stained glass windows were breathtaking. As I wandered, they began to play the organ and it really was the cherry on top to frame up the scene. We wrapped up our day in Bath by taking a siteseeing tour (where I got smacked in the back of the head by a branch) dinner, and ice cream.
On the way home I slept. When I did wake up the stranger I was sitting next to I wanted to smack. She was on her phone about the jewelry she bought. "This bracelet I couldn't say no to. It was only 195 pounds" I was shocked and started to do the math in my head for american dollars. Then, "I don't really wear rings that often but it was priced right at 65 pounds." Still to me, alot of money. Later in the conversation "I'm traveling abroad soon, and I'm alittle worried about the money" I wanted to smack a silly girl. Seriously! You are worried about money for your trip but you can drop around 250 pounds on jewelry? I don't like spending money on food but here I am....call me frugal, not cheap.
Up of Sunday: Bath overall was goregous
Down of Sunday: Dropped my camera about three feet--in its case--and now its broken. boo. Figuring out something to fix the problem.

Gotta take the good with the bad, that goes when at home or abroad.

Well, I start my internship tomorrow. So wish me luck!
Cheers! Heidi

My first week in London....

Week 1: 6/6-6/10
...has been a wonderful blur of exciting adventures, breath-taking moments, and cherished moments!
I arrived here last Sunday and was completely overwhelmed by the city. The flight was the smoothest I could have asked for since I was deathly afraid to even be in the airport when I got to Chicago. I only got a few hours of sleep on the flight, so my rule was not to sleep unless it was night time here in London. It was 830am here and 230am back home. So I was up for over 24 hours. We arrived at MTH around 1130 and weren't unable to unpack right way, so we went down to a market. The first British food I had was a onion, cheese, pesto, and potato pie. It was natural and delicious. We then got to move in where I live with three other lovely ladies: Lindsey, Ashley, and Heidi. (I've never been in close living quarters with another Heidi before in my life...we are working on how to between the two of us) We unpacked and then had orientation at 3. I nodded off about 4 times when sitting there. I was a little embarrassed. After that my roommates and I picked up some groceries, and decided to explore to find a place for dinner. We (the roommates along with Elizabeth and Margret) ended up in the Soho area and went to Nando's (a spicy chicken place). After that we split. The whole day I didn't feel like I was in London. Driving in from the airport you don't see any of the main sights, so for me it didn't feel real yet. Yes, there was alot of buildings, double decker buses, and people talking with an accent...but didn't feel like I was out of Chicago. My roommates went back to the room and Elizabeth (who has been here before), Margret and I went to "make it real". We walked to Trafalgar's Square and we arrived I gasped because my idea of London..hit me in the face. The hundreds of people of all different nationalities were around the square and enjoying the evening. My heart was pounding in excitement. My dream since I was 10 was FINALLY here! Elizabeth then took me to another look out place at the top of the square and there was BIG BEN! I may have gotten alittle misty because I was SO HAPPY...and I had definately made it. I had to get back to our room by 9 for a skype date, but we made the most of that hour. After going gaga for Big Ben (sorry Carrie) we walked down to Buckingham Palace. The entire street was closed off for some reason but we did get some good pictures and got some rain. Ah the first London rain....

Day 2 we had our first class. First we walked over to our internship agency. From there we went to our college to get orientation on the internship and had our first in class session. Cool thing about our class: our professor is histarical. He studied history, so extra interesting for me, and he is the Larry Ball of London no joke. All the UWSP people know what I'm talking about. So we have class on Mondays in room from 11-1230 and then we get a break for lunch and meet up at wherever we are discovering out of the classroom that week from 2-4ish. Alot of the places we are going to visit in/out of class are places I wanted to go anyway so that will help me conquer this big list of "to-do" that is infront of me.This week we met up at St. Paul's Cathedral and continued our walking lecture. We walked by alot of churches and the Guildhall. We ended up at the Museum of London and were lectured through the Roman exhibit. We were done by 4 and we all traveled back to MTH. Margret, Hailey and I went to Oxford street to check out the shopping and pick up a mobile. Walking down there I realized that Baker Street changes to ORCHARD STREET :)

This is a picture of ritzy Orchard Court. When we returned, we went ISH bar to relax, and it was a nice time.

On day 3, Linsey, Heidi and myself went to Morrisons in Camden. It is a farther walk but MUCH cheaper groceries. At least the walk is pretty, its through Regents Park. However on our way there it was pouring, and I was not prepared. I did have an umbrella, but my flats were filling with water and I was having to dump them our every 10 minutes or so. Not because of the puddles, but my jeans were dripping into them. The umbrella that Grandma Violet is letting use has been getting ALOT of compliments. What can I say, my grandma has good taste. Our walk there was really pretty, after Regents Park there was a lovely river walk to Camden. When we got back we ate some food and then wandered down to Oxford Street to attempt shopping again. Primark is known for its cheapness of clothes but I honestly cannot do it! It is absolutely and utterly crazy. Everyone shops there and its shopping on a new level. It feels like Black Friday everyday. People wait for hours in line to get into dressing rooms, so most people TRY THINGS ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORE! It is so nuts there that I wasn't in there more than a half hour. There were so many people every where doing all different types of things that I could not enjoy my shopping experience, I was on edge the whole time. I always felt like I was always in someone elses way. One of the workers said their "slow" time was Monday mornings when they first open. We shall see. Another shop that Erica and I discovered was Accessories. Cute stuff that I might so splurge in at the end of the trip. I'm trying to be a money savvy as I can, and I think I am doing really well...granted its only week one. We got back to ISH around 6 and then Hailey, Jake and I went to a great little Indian resturant, Shikara (made me think of Shakira) and had a great dish called Lamb Rogen Josh. YUM! After a quick pint at the bar, I returned to the room to plan out my trip to Hertford to see the Enlgish relatives the next day.

Day 4 I attempted successfully a trip to Hertford by myself. I switched from underground to overground train with some help (I wasn't sure what overground train to get on) from a nice older man. The whole trip was about an hour one way which I didn't mind. The farther I got, the more farm fields and blue skies I saw. That is what I'm used to. Not to say that I dont like the city, but it is nice to get away back to the country side that I'm used to. So anyways, I got there around 1030am and was picked up by Maribel. It was so nice to finally meet this person that I've been writing back and forth with for a while before arriving there. She took me on a ride through Hertford. It was a nice town, not too big and not too small. We arrived at her and Graham's cottage and it was like something out of a movie! I fell in love with it. They did alot of great work with it and made it wonderful. It was what anyone would positively stereotype as a typical English country cottage. Not only does it look the same from the outside as it did since it was built, but the gardens are LOVELY! I fell in love with them. It was layered garden with a fountain in the middle and tall hedges surrounding it. Very picturesque...thus why there are so many pictures of it on facebook. Maribel started lunch and Vanessa and her sister-in-law Wendy (who is married to my father's long lost twin) came so we could all visit. The last time I saw Vanessa, I was about 10 years old. It was soooooooo lovely to see her again and get to know the rest of the family. Oh family ties. My great great grandfather (and theirs) were cousins....that is how we are related. Very distance but it is SO nice to have connections that I know I can count on and visit while I'm here. Maribel made a wonderful homemade lansagna and salad with strawberries and cream for desert. YUM YUM :) At lunch we had a good conversation. Graham came home from work to join us and one of the first questions he asked me was "are all men in America like Homer Simpson?" I hesitated and was taken aback from the question. It made me laugh actually. I think it is possible that this is how British stereotype all Americans, which is unfortunate. I'm not going to say that any country is better than another, but all countries have the good and bad people that represent them. After lunch the ladies of the group took me out for proper tea at a beautiful old farm/stable that has been converted (on the inside) to conference areas, rooms, and resturant. I had coffee and a scone with cream and jam. Delicious! After our coffee, Maribel and I went to go pick up the girls from school. I got educated about the English schooling system....so different from ours. The girls are darling Isabelle is 7 and Clarabelle is 5. We played a few games of Guess Who. Little Clarabelle wanted to play chess and when I informed her that I didnt know how she said she would teach me. Very bright for a 5 year old. I got back to London around 6, so I nice full day in the country. Had a chill night and planned out my Thursday (lots of exploring on my own).

Day 5 was my busiest day. For class we have to write a journal answering some specific questions regaurding our exploring of certain exhibits at museums. This week it was Museum of London and British Museum. I decided to make a day of it since my roommates were either working or off doing other things. I arrived to the British Museum at 1030 and didn't leave until almost 245. On my to the museum I got asked for directions! That was a highlight of my day...it made me feel like I must be looking like a natural. The museum was a great thing to explore by myself. I went to the exhibits that we needed to for class, had my packed lunch, and circled all the other exhibits that I wanted to visit. It was lovely. I love being surrounded by old historical objects. After that, since I stayed longer than anticipated, I took the tube to St. Pauls to go back to the Museum of London to finish the second half of my homework. By 330 I was exhausted and ready to go home. Then St. Paul's caught my eye. Do I save the tube fee and just go explore it by myself....answer is YES! So I had limited time there so I made sure I got to the top first then explore the wonderful ceiling (the two things I wanted to see the most). So I achieved that on my own! Woo hoo! I felt very independent. Then I had a skype date with mom at 6pm my time and surprised the boy with a phone call. After that Heidi, Ashley and I went to Pizza Express for dinner followed by ISH kareoke. Fun night, but all my runnings and exploring hit me around midnight. As we were walking home last night there was a fox on our road! Apparently they are causing quite a bit of trouble lately (two babies were malled at a park last week by a fox). Talk about habitat encroachment and nature fighting back.

Day 6 I had a very relaxed day. I slept until 10 and then spent the day organizing my things more. I got my pictures up finally and made a list of things I need but didn't bring. Around 330 I got to raid the Wisconsin room and made my list shorter. I picked up silverware, lotion, shower gel, baby powder (for my soaked shoes), toothpaste, two mugs, a bag and three pairs of flats. Good day indeed. The group of interns went to dinner with our group leader, who leaves tomorrow morning back for the states, at a pub caled The Globe. I ate ALOT. Had garlic mushroom toast (delicious!!!), chicken tikka masala (and indian type of dish), and chocolate ice cream for desert! It was nice to catch up with the other interns, who have been working this week. After ward we watched the Uraguay v. France game. It is alot more fun to watch futbol here than in the states. Tomorrow should be interesting...England v. US. Going to enjoy it! To end the day Elizabeth, Lindsey, Jake and I went for a walk in Regents Park as the sun was setting. It was SO beautiful, like something out of a fairytale. Queen Anne's Gardens are filled with multiple types of roses. I would have taken more pictures but I forgot my card. Lack of room on the internal hard drive.