Right now my priorities seem to be as follows...
1- Enjoy the day and everything we do. I'm only on study abroad once so I need to make the most of it.
2- Sleep. I am so dead tired at the end of everyday I feel like I could sleep for 10-12 hours no problem. Sadly that isn't possible.
3- Emailing my family. Those first few emails home were at least half a page, now they are lucky if they get full sentences. They standard email usually goes as follows, "Today was awesome we did this, tomorrow doing this, so tired need to do homework, love prayers Chloe". Not the best emails in the world.
4- Journaling. Train rides are my favorite for journaling since I usually am sitting for at least an hour. Because of this our day trips seem to have received the best journal coverage since it is fresh in my mind.
5- Art History Homework. Um yeah homework at 2 in the morning isn't that fun.
6- Photo- um yeah as fun as doing art history homework is at 2 in the morning editing photos is worse because you end up doing stuff and then looking at it in the morning and wondering what you were thinking.
Do you see what's not on this list? Blogging. Because I would feel silly writing a blog post about a photo/art history study abroad with no photos I don't post until I edit photos. Since editing photos is the least of my priorities I get farther and farther behind everyday. Maybe when I get home I will do a day by day recap using my photos and notes from my journal. For now I've given up on blogging.
Good bye.
Cheers
Au Revoir (since I'm in Belgium now)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
lessons from the laundermat
1. Make sure you have change. One would think that a coin operated launder mat would have a place where you could change your notes for coins. Nope. In the end you do a lot of math and counting out coins praying you have enough to wash and dry.
2. Remember the detergent. Sometimes you get so excited that you shut the door before you put in the laundry detergent. That is an expensive mistake. It's 3 pounds to wash. Luckily the Metrogate night manager is super nice and gave me a magic coin that will let me rewash everything for free! Thank you nice employee.
3. Bring your own detergent because they don't sell and you will have to walk 3 blocks to tesco and buy some. Shout out to mom for making sure I had stuff for laundry.
4. Hauling clothes in a suitcase is much easier than hauling them in a bag.
5. don't go at 11 o'clock at night because it is a 2 hour ordeal and so you won't get home until late.
6. Bring a snack. The time is much more enjoyable when you have a Bueno bar.
So glad I packed enough clothes so I only have to do laundry once because this is a mess.
2. Remember the detergent. Sometimes you get so excited that you shut the door before you put in the laundry detergent. That is an expensive mistake. It's 3 pounds to wash. Luckily the Metrogate night manager is super nice and gave me a magic coin that will let me rewash everything for free! Thank you nice employee.
3. Bring your own detergent because they don't sell and you will have to walk 3 blocks to tesco and buy some. Shout out to mom for making sure I had stuff for laundry.
4. Hauling clothes in a suitcase is much easier than hauling them in a bag.
5. don't go at 11 o'clock at night because it is a 2 hour ordeal and so you won't get home until late.
6. Bring a snack. The time is much more enjoyable when you have a Bueno bar.
So glad I packed enough clothes so I only have to do laundry once because this is a mess.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
day 4 in london: city adventures
Our first weekend in London we had Saturday and Sunday to do whatever we wanted. A lot of our group ended up taking the opportunity and going to Ireland or Scotland. I had thought about joining them for half a minute but decided that since we are really spending so little time in London that I would stay in the city.
In the morning we all spent a little more time waking up and getting going for the day since we didn't have to worry about meeting at Gloucester at a specific time. We hadn't really set a plan for the day besides going to Portobello Road (Portobello Road, street where the riches of ages are stowed). I thought it was going to be more like the street fairs that they have back in the states. Wow I was wrong. So many people all weaving their way through the shops and stalls.
If you like antiques this place would be heaven. I don't even have that many photos because I was sort of afraid to try to shop and photograph at the same time while in the swarm. I did get a really touristy union jack sweater that I love but refuse to wear while I'm out here because I don't want to seem like an obnoxious tourist. I found some other things that I might just have to go back and see if they are still there.
After Portobello Road I went back to the flat to rest a bit and grab some food. Niki, Sharee, and Kimber were going to to Picadilly Circus and to explore the city so I went with them figuring we could have an adventure. We explored the theater district, stumbled upon China Town, ended up in M&M world where Sharee found crispy m&ms which they don't sell in the states. She filled up a bag not realizing how expensive they were and the worker had to explain to her how much they were a kilo. Needless to say she didn't end up buying any of the super overpriced treat. We ended up at Kings Cross Station, more specifically platform 9 3/4. Cheesy photo op? You bet.
It was like Disneyland where they have a photographer their with your choice of house scarf. Gryffindor obviously. The ride home was crazy. We kept getting mixed up and jumping on and off the circle line. We finally made it home though. Before we leave I'm going to be pro at this public transportation thing.
In the morning we all spent a little more time waking up and getting going for the day since we didn't have to worry about meeting at Gloucester at a specific time. We hadn't really set a plan for the day besides going to Portobello Road (Portobello Road, street where the riches of ages are stowed). I thought it was going to be more like the street fairs that they have back in the states. Wow I was wrong. So many people all weaving their way through the shops and stalls.
If you like antiques this place would be heaven. I don't even have that many photos because I was sort of afraid to try to shop and photograph at the same time while in the swarm. I did get a really touristy union jack sweater that I love but refuse to wear while I'm out here because I don't want to seem like an obnoxious tourist. I found some other things that I might just have to go back and see if they are still there.
After Portobello Road I went back to the flat to rest a bit and grab some food. Niki, Sharee, and Kimber were going to to Picadilly Circus and to explore the city so I went with them figuring we could have an adventure. We explored the theater district, stumbled upon China Town, ended up in M&M world where Sharee found crispy m&ms which they don't sell in the states. She filled up a bag not realizing how expensive they were and the worker had to explain to her how much they were a kilo. Needless to say she didn't end up buying any of the super overpriced treat. We ended up at Kings Cross Station, more specifically platform 9 3/4. Cheesy photo op? You bet.
It was like Disneyland where they have a photographer their with your choice of house scarf. Gryffindor obviously. The ride home was crazy. We kept getting mixed up and jumping on and off the circle line. We finally made it home though. Before we leave I'm going to be pro at this public transportation thing.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
day 3 in london: greenwich
The first lesson for today was the proper way to say Greenwich. If you say it how it looks Green Wich, you will look like an dumb tourist. The correct pronunciation in gren itch. The English just seem to slur their syllables together and/or have a lot of silent letters.
The first thing we did was head over to the Painted Hall and the Chapel. These two rooms are the only public rooms in the old navel college. The ceiling was an ornate scene will a bunch of symbolism. I bought a phamplet that explained it all so I'll have to dig that out to remember who each character was. This was the dining hall for the men who lived there. Can you imagine eating everyday is such a magnificent building?
Inside the chapel they had a pianist who was constantly playing. It wasn't as cool as the Painted hall but it was still beautiful.
It was about a 20 minute tube ride out to Greenwich. I had no idea what was out there because I didn't do a very good job before hand researching it because wasn't one of the things I was super excited about. It turned out to be a pretty fun little side trip. Not something that I would probably go back and see next time I come to London, but fun all the same. It's claim to fame is the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian. We made the climb up to the observatory but didn't pay the fee to go stand by the monument that marks 0.0.
The Queen's House was lovely. It was sort of a last minute should we or shouldn't we since we still wanted to get a bite of lunch before catching the train back. We ended up going and I'm glad I did. It now acts as an art gallery. The tulip staircase was lovely and had this hanging art piece that was all string. There was a sign that said they had a Turner painting and so the fan girl that I walked through every room looking for that one painting and ignoring most of them. We came across this painting that the sign seemed to be saying was the painting but it didn't look right. Not in a very important spot, nothing really special making it stick out, and no name plate that said Turner. The sign pointing to the painting was really pointing down the stairs. Silly us. When we finally found it I was so excited. It was a piece that I hadn't seen before, one of his earlier painting.
After the Queens House we went back to the market and found food. I got tomato soup. It was alright, my mothers is better. We met up with the group and headed back to London.
Cheers.
The first thing we did was head over to the Painted Hall and the Chapel. These two rooms are the only public rooms in the old navel college. The ceiling was an ornate scene will a bunch of symbolism. I bought a phamplet that explained it all so I'll have to dig that out to remember who each character was. This was the dining hall for the men who lived there. Can you imagine eating everyday is such a magnificent building?
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| this is the first photo I have of myself from the trip. |
It was about a 20 minute tube ride out to Greenwich. I had no idea what was out there because I didn't do a very good job before hand researching it because wasn't one of the things I was super excited about. It turned out to be a pretty fun little side trip. Not something that I would probably go back and see next time I come to London, but fun all the same. It's claim to fame is the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian. We made the climb up to the observatory but didn't pay the fee to go stand by the monument that marks 0.0.
The Queen's House was lovely. It was sort of a last minute should we or shouldn't we since we still wanted to get a bite of lunch before catching the train back. We ended up going and I'm glad I did. It now acts as an art gallery. The tulip staircase was lovely and had this hanging art piece that was all string. There was a sign that said they had a Turner painting and so the fan girl that I walked through every room looking for that one painting and ignoring most of them. We came across this painting that the sign seemed to be saying was the painting but it didn't look right. Not in a very important spot, nothing really special making it stick out, and no name plate that said Turner. The sign pointing to the painting was really pointing down the stairs. Silly us. When we finally found it I was so excited. It was a piece that I hadn't seen before, one of his earlier painting.
After the Queens House we went back to the market and found food. I got tomato soup. It was alright, my mothers is better. We met up with the group and headed back to London.
Cheers.
day 3 in london: st. paul's
One of my favorite things about London so far is all of the amazing buildings. They aren't like Americans who just build new building when they need something so older buildings are abandoned or ripped down.
Our tube station didn't have a direct line, but instead of transferring we got out at the closed stop and walked. The different areas of London are so cool, they all feel very London but with their own personality.
After we arrived at the Cathedral Courtney gave us a quick lesson on the significance of the building. The original St. Paul's dates back to 604 ad. After the great fire of London it was rebuilt. Christoper Wren who is probably the most famous British architect designed the building.
The building was done in the English Baroque style. Sadly no picture were allowed inside you you will just have to use google to aid your imaginations. Once inside we made our way directly to the staircase that took you up to the whispering gallery and then to the top of the dome. 1,161 steps, that's how many I climbed to reach the top. I'm glad i'm tiny because there were points along the way where the staircase was barely wider than my shoulders. The climb was extremely rewarding. You could see all of London! I took a panorama and hopefully I'll have some down time soon (not likely) and be able to splice it together.
The climb took up most of the time we had in the cathedral so I only was able to briefly explore the crypt. The crypt is where the great hero Lord Nelson is buried. There were also some tombs that survived the great fire, but they were greatly damaged. We were suppose to meet on the front steps, but only Rick and I were there. We sat there for 15 minutes waiting for the rest of the group but no one else came. I dropped one of my peanut butter crackers and it rolled down the stairs to where a bunch of pigeons were. I thought that the pigeons would go for it. Nope. They walked over to it looked at it and then ignored it. I guess that British pigeons only eat organic food.
Courtney's brother finally came looking for us, everyone was up listening to the choir or down in the cafe getting a bit for lunch. I love the little moments when we all are just sitting down talking about what we've just seen or done. A. I get to rest my tired feet. B. It seems to help solidify my memory. Some days it still feels like it's just a dream that I'm here.
Cheers
Our tube station didn't have a direct line, but instead of transferring we got out at the closed stop and walked. The different areas of London are so cool, they all feel very London but with their own personality.
After we arrived at the Cathedral Courtney gave us a quick lesson on the significance of the building. The original St. Paul's dates back to 604 ad. After the great fire of London it was rebuilt. Christoper Wren who is probably the most famous British architect designed the building.
The building was done in the English Baroque style. Sadly no picture were allowed inside you you will just have to use google to aid your imaginations. Once inside we made our way directly to the staircase that took you up to the whispering gallery and then to the top of the dome. 1,161 steps, that's how many I climbed to reach the top. I'm glad i'm tiny because there were points along the way where the staircase was barely wider than my shoulders. The climb was extremely rewarding. You could see all of London! I took a panorama and hopefully I'll have some down time soon (not likely) and be able to splice it together.
The climb took up most of the time we had in the cathedral so I only was able to briefly explore the crypt. The crypt is where the great hero Lord Nelson is buried. There were also some tombs that survived the great fire, but they were greatly damaged. We were suppose to meet on the front steps, but only Rick and I were there. We sat there for 15 minutes waiting for the rest of the group but no one else came. I dropped one of my peanut butter crackers and it rolled down the stairs to where a bunch of pigeons were. I thought that the pigeons would go for it. Nope. They walked over to it looked at it and then ignored it. I guess that British pigeons only eat organic food.
Courtney's brother finally came looking for us, everyone was up listening to the choir or down in the cafe getting a bit for lunch. I love the little moments when we all are just sitting down talking about what we've just seen or done. A. I get to rest my tired feet. B. It seems to help solidify my memory. Some days it still feels like it's just a dream that I'm here.
Cheers
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Tempest
I don't know if I'm ever going to catch up on recording the days I've been here. It's a rush to get ready in the mornings and when we get back all I want to do is take a shower and go to bed.
Today was the best day yet. I say that everyday. Whenever I get asked what's my favorite thing we've done it's always what we've done most recently.
Tonight we went to the Globe Theater and saw The Tempest! Little did we know Colin Morgan was staring as Ariel. Um it was amazing, beyond words, an experience. This is how one should see Shakespeare, in The Globe standing right up against the stage. It poured rain the entire time and I was chilled to the bone. Standing for 3 hours in the pouring rain was miserable but I couldn't leave. I've never been so close to the action, an actor totally landed on me as he jumped off the stage. When it ended I was running on pure adrenaline.
I didn't take my camera but hopefully I can scrounge up some photos from the other people.
Today was the best day yet. I say that everyday. Whenever I get asked what's my favorite thing we've done it's always what we've done most recently.
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| Taken from Lyni's instagram |
I didn't take my camera but hopefully I can scrounge up some photos from the other people.
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