The Zoo!

Taking advantage of the unseasonably nice weather, we decided to take a trip to the London Zoo and spend the day with the animals. We couldn't have asked for a sunnier, nicer day - especially this late in September. The leaves are changing over here already, which makes me a little sad. It seems too soon! The leaves, though, do put on a good show.

On an academic note, I will finally start classes this Tuesday, over a month later than I normally begin my Fall semester. I have to admit, I'm quite anxious to begin. It's been lovely being over here, but my poor little structured soul needs some direction and schedule applied to my daily life. I've already started my reading lists, concentrating on the Reformation since that will be the topic of my first paper. Also, as it happens, BBC is airing the second season of The Tudors, so my mind has been completely entrenched in the early 16th century. (Wycliffe, Erasmus, and More, Oh My!) Not much else has happened - perhaps next week will be more interesting!

In Which I Succumb to Freshers Flu

Ok, more of a cold than the full-out flu, but my throat feels scratchy enough. Everyone here has warned us newbies about "Freshers Flu", a diabolical virus that strikes down 1st year university students during their first month or so of school. Even speaking to my dear British friend Beth back at IUP, she remarked "*Shudder* I hate freshers - they bring the flu". It really isn't fair, considering I'm in my third year and I haven't even taken place in the marathon clubbing and drinking that makes up Freshers Week. *Sigh*

Although I am now dependent on my Kleenex box and mug of tea, this past week has been fairly enjoyable. Last Friday my flatmates Ces, Laura, and I went to see The Lion King, as our student discount got as 53 pound tickets for 20. The show was really great, especially the costumes that the musical won so many awards for. It was also nice go out and experience a bit of the theater culture of London. I think our next target will be to see Wicked, and (if I have my way) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

On Saturday my flatmate Ces and I spent the early afternoon at the British Museum, exploring the Egyptians, Assyrians, and various other cultures that liked to morph animals with humans. After expanding our cultural horizons we spent three hours on Oxford street expanding our fashion horizons. Shopping on Oxford street is akin to going to battle: one must be outfitted in the proper armor (fashionable, but comfortable - this is serious shopping here folks), portray an aggressive stance (it's either run people over or be run over yourself), and display an impressive amount of stamina and endurance (of the silent and stoic variety especially - lines for dressing rooms can be soooo long). In the end, our purpose for shopping (find me an outfit for the Ministry of Sound party), was satisfied after 5 minutes in Ces's closet back at the apartment. After we discovered we're the same size in both cloths and shoes I believe she exclaimed "Oh good, now I have a doll to dress up!" As her wardrobe is much more fashionable than mine, I won't complain :D

Monday night was the Ministry of Sound (a club in London famous for its DJs and music) Freshers Party. A good time was had by all, even if it was a little on the crowded side. Nightlife here in London is considered by some to be the best in the world, but you have to be willing to pay for it as well. For those of us on a stricter budget, I think we'll just head to the pub this weekend...

As for this week, well, I've been holed up with this cold. London has decided to turn rainy on us, so motivation to go out and explore has been very little. This weekend the sun is due out again, with a high of 70! Until then, I will continue on conquering my reading lists (or at least finish one book).

In Which a Junior attends Freshers Week

Here at King’s College London the first week of orientation for freshmen is called Freshers Week. A term, I have discovered, which is generally the acceptable method of describing freshmen, however awkward it sounds rolling off my tongue. So far, they’ve thrown parties, had a comedy night, and thrown more parties. Not bad work if you can get it. Enrollment and registration for the entire university is about a weeklong process. I don’t register until Friday, so I am left to my own devices until then. That said, the activites of Freshers Week take on a new appeal. It is slightly intimidating to go through the whole process of being a freshman again – meeting new people, making friends, the whole bit. I am lucky enough to have a very solid group of friends back at IUP who are all very familiar with my little quirks and oddities, and love me in spite of (or perhaps because of) them.

My flatmates all seem very nice so far. Francesca, Laura, and Mathew are all freshmen, while Mae, a Parisian, is an exchange student like me. She is in her fourth year of college, which for her is her first year of graduate school. She is studying theater and English literature, and has an 80 page dissertation due by the end of the year. (eek!) Perhaps I can get her to help me with my French…

In Which I Wear the Worst Shoes for Cross-Atlantic Travel

My first bit of wisdom garnered from my year abroad experience – wear well worn, broken-in shoes for travel. I oh so foolishly decided to wear a new pair of ballet flats that, although comfortable when I tried them on at the store, were a nightmare on my feet. The blisters on my heels are currently doused in Neosporin and band-aids, but still twinge. I am glad to say, though, that my shoe choice was the worst bit of the trip. Everything else went very well, from the lovely 7 hour flight to navigating my way from the airport to the university housing. I believe that part of this is due to my size and 12-year-old-esque face. People are so much more willing to be helpful and kind to children, and I received my fair share of “huns” & “loves”.

The Great Dover Street Apartments is where I will call home for the next 9 months. My room is tiny tiny tiny, and the walls are the most interesting shade of yellow-green, but I’m making do. Least to say, I need to come up with something that will cover the walls. I can only stand mental hospital décor for so long.

My Bathroom


My Room, as viewd from the bed

My Room, as viewed from the doorway

And so, after a little over five weeks of being home, I am officially back in London. It is a weird mixture of comfort and nerves – comfort because the city that I called home for two months this summer still feels like a place I belong, and nerves because this time around everything is different. New people to meet, new areas of London to become acquainted with, and oh yeah, the whole reason I’m over here, a new university to attend!