I have felt fine all day but tonight my stomach hurts like crazy. I ate a little bread and pb to try and get something in my stomach but I attempted to eat some dinner...huge mistake. It was gross to begin with but the taste just isn't sitting well for me.
I'm super behind on my homework for Duane's class. I mean I feel a little guilty about it but I don't have the motivation to sit in my room and work on it all hours. I mean I know I should since I am paying for this education and experience but it's such an after thought to me when it comes to my days here. I feel like such a little brat because I'm tired, ill, and cranky at the moment. And my parents NEVER answer the phone. It is the most annoying thing trying to get ahold of them. My Britrail pass has yet to show up and if it isn't here by tomorrow I'm going to have to end up spending X amount of dollars to buy tickets to the places we are going on top of my wasted $273 for that thing. It should have been here literally days ago now.
It's been super rainy here for a week straight. No real break until today. I guess that could be negatively affecting my mood right now too. Yesterday we headed south to Brighton. It reminds me a lot of a beach city in California but much more classic than that. Unfortunately, it rained the entire day we were there. We went and saw King George IV (I think the IV)'s 'pleasure palace.' It is a giant mansion/pavilion that was built first as a farm house. Fucking gorgeous! I loved every moment in that place. Afterwards we took shelter in a local pub, the Sussex to drink a fabulous amount of Pimm's and Lemonade. Best drink ever. It is Pimms alcohol with lemonade, tonic, mint leaves, and fresh berries. SO good.
Other than being behind in homework life is still the same here. Going to Paris on Saturday with Liz. Well be an adventure for sure. Hopefully an upload of pics will be soon too.
xoxo,
britt
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
Free Writing
I was having trouble trying to concentrate enough to start on my final draft of this english paper. I mean it's pretty much written...needs to edited quite a bit, though but still should be easy but I couldn't concentrate or get myself to do it. Instead my time has been spent talking to Sean on the phone for almost 2 hours if not 2 hours, facebooking an incredible amount, and going on a candy run. I had an intense craving for some sour patch kids but I have not seen any whatsoever since being here. I am an intense sour patch kidaholic. It's kind of ridiculous that it got to a point freshman year my lovely Sarah made a food guide pyramid for me and my bottom was not my complex carbs but was made mostly of sour patch kids a simple sugar. Needless to say I've learned since taken a nutrition class or two and quit that dirty habit like a Will Miller..hehe. (That should make sense to the Johnstown people and my family.) So I just went on a candy run to Somerfield, which is a 5 minute walk or so to get some candy. I set out to just get one thing but walking into a grocery store I cannot be stopped. I think I'm addicted to grocery shopping. I love reading labels and checking prices and what not. I mean that's not weird is it? But in the candy isle I found some starbursts buy 1 get 1 free and some sour looking candies called Tangfastics. They are super tangfastic and hard to chew but pretty delicious. The Starbursts are super bizarre because they taste like juice and the flavors are made up of orange, lime, strawberry, and blackcurrant (a favorite here in Britian). The orange ones taste like fucking orange juice. It blows my mind. I'm bringing home a bag to do some cross testing.
A side note to this random entry is that I forgot to write about seeing my first theatre production here. It was a musical...and it was the Lord of the Rings. I mean come on, of course it is going to be bad. I didn't expect anything else...but what I did expect was a fucking good laugh. But it was basically a condensed 2.5 hour version of all 3 movies with some thrown in acrobatic tricks alongside dancing hobbits and super metal ballads. Ok no metal ballads, that would've ruled, though, but still the songs were long and whiney. If you youtube Lord of the Rings Musical London you'll get some slideshows with the music. Here is one for your pleasure:
So great, right?
And on an end note here is a fantastic performance from So You Think You Can Dance:
I think that dance gives me chills.
By far my favorite couple!
Now that I've successfully avoided homework for another half hour or so I guess I'll get to it.
xoxo,
Brittface
A side note to this random entry is that I forgot to write about seeing my first theatre production here. It was a musical...and it was the Lord of the Rings. I mean come on, of course it is going to be bad. I didn't expect anything else...but what I did expect was a fucking good laugh. But it was basically a condensed 2.5 hour version of all 3 movies with some thrown in acrobatic tricks alongside dancing hobbits and super metal ballads. Ok no metal ballads, that would've ruled, though, but still the songs were long and whiney. If you youtube Lord of the Rings Musical London you'll get some slideshows with the music. Here is one for your pleasure:
So great, right?
And on an end note here is a fantastic performance from So You Think You Can Dance:
I think that dance gives me chills.
By far my favorite couple!
Now that I've successfully avoided homework for another half hour or so I guess I'll get to it.
xoxo,
Brittface
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Elodie's Mother is Adorable
Dear Brittany,
I hope you are enjoying yourself in London. Here are a few suggestions for your week-end in Paris.
If you want to go to a museum I recommend Le Musée d'Orsay
If you want to go shopping I recommend Le Printemps. I believe that there is a nice H&M next to it or really close. (Don't eat in that area, food and drinks are very expensive).
If you want to go to a park I recommend Le Jardin du Luxembourg. Go to the park and then walk down the Boulevard St Michel all the way to the river. From there, you can walk to Notre Dame.
Of course another must see is the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre is a fun but touristy spot to walk around at night. You also get a very nice view of Paris from the steps of the Sacré-Coeur.
You HAVE to walk into a pastry shop "Boulangerie, Patisserie" and try at least a couple of pastries. I will be mad at you if you don't! You can also get some bread (they sell half loaves) and then get some cheese (camembert) for a tasty sandwich- Really good especially if you have a glass of red wine with it. Sorry, that's the French coming out of me.
The cheapest, quickest and easiest way to get around Paris is the Metro. They sell books of 10 tickets. That will probably be what you and your friend will want to get. You can start by splitting one. I believe the trains run until 1 or 2 am.
I am not sure were you are staying but make sure you find out if they have a curfew. If you get locked out of your dorm you can always sleep under a bridge, that's the popular place for most bums- you will have to make sure you have a cheap litter of wine with you to share. Another alternative place to sleep is the Metro benches- again, wine is a must- a gun wouldn't hurt either :~)
Let me know if you have any questions. Expect to do a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes. Keep your money in a safe place and yes, the water is safe to drink.
C'est tout!
Liliane AKA Elodie's mom.
I hope you are enjoying yourself in London. Here are a few suggestions for your week-end in Paris.
If you want to go to a museum I recommend Le Musée d'Orsay
If you want to go shopping I recommend Le Printemps. I believe that there is a nice H&M next to it or really close. (Don't eat in that area, food and drinks are very expensive).
If you want to go to a park I recommend Le Jardin du Luxembourg. Go to the park and then walk down the Boulevard St Michel all the way to the river. From there, you can walk to Notre Dame.
Of course another must see is the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre is a fun but touristy spot to walk around at night. You also get a very nice view of Paris from the steps of the Sacré-Coeur.
You HAVE to walk into a pastry shop "Boulangerie, Patisserie" and try at least a couple of pastries. I will be mad at you if you don't! You can also get some bread (they sell half loaves) and then get some cheese (camembert) for a tasty sandwich- Really good especially if you have a glass of red wine with it. Sorry, that's the French coming out of me.
The cheapest, quickest and easiest way to get around Paris is the Metro. They sell books of 10 tickets. That will probably be what you and your friend will want to get. You can start by splitting one. I believe the trains run until 1 or 2 am.
I am not sure were you are staying but make sure you find out if they have a curfew. If you get locked out of your dorm you can always sleep under a bridge, that's the popular place for most bums- you will have to make sure you have a cheap litter of wine with you to share. Another alternative place to sleep is the Metro benches- again, wine is a must- a gun wouldn't hurt either :~)
Let me know if you have any questions. Expect to do a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes. Keep your money in a safe place and yes, the water is safe to drink.
C'est tout!
Liliane AKA Elodie's mom.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
I'm Not Gonna Teach Him How to Dance With You
The new Black Kids album is being advertised all over this city. They are also playing a boat load of shows around these here parts too..thus the song being stuck in my head.
I've been super lazy on the updates, my apologies. Things are just hectic around here. On the go most of the day and trying to rest or soak up the awesomeness of some of these people at all other times. I'm also very behind on my homework. I have to do a couple of journal entries for my Asian Art History course but they will consist of things that I liked and disliked about each class day. Easy as pie. I also am only 1 sketchbook behind as opposed to 3, which I was about an hour ago.
The last few days have been filled with class and such. A lot of not much else has been happening. Friday after my studio class at the National Portrait Gallery Els and I had lunch with a couple classmates and our professor in front of the National Gallery. It was the first moment that I realized I love this city. I know that sounds silly but it was just the perfect day and moment all wrapped up. I was eating some cutsie yogurt from Pret a Manger and sitting in the grass, watching all the people go by and I just had a revelation of how much I appreciate being here. It is not that I hadn't had those moments before it was just the first time I felt in my element. I think I am finally comfortable here. Getting over the homesickness is the hardest part but that usually only bothers me at night when I have down time to talk to people at home. Kisses to you all!
My dad finally got a web cam and figured out skype for the first time the other day. It's cute because for some reason my mom can't pronounce it and my dad always calls it sky p-e. It's silly. I miss all my animals and I got to see them all on camera. So cute! Poor Arthur is a sick boy, though.
To celebrate my great country of Amerricah the ladies plus Matt had a little fest in Els room filled with funny conversations and Peach Schnapps, which as on sale for 5 pounds 53 at Somerfield last night. Holler! I mean that's still like a little more than $10 but hey that's a deal in this city! After our little get together Matt led us to a pub that was having a 4th of July party with sparklers and Budweiser. The Bud was expensive as hell, the sparklers were only given out at dinner, and pubs close at 11 pm here. So basically we were there for a little less than an hour before heading back to drink more at our dorm. It was an alright time filled with dancing to Bruce Springsteen in the dark...bah dom cha! But I did the silly dance for everyone. I did get some decorations of the American style, though to add to my shrine of postcards and all things British. I needed a little America in my life. When I get home the first thing I am doing is lighting a sparkler to post-celebrate the 4th since I didn't get to do that here. I'm not a big fan of fireworks but I missed them so badly yesterday. I didn't realize how much I love the states and the 4th till being here. But it was still a good time.
Today I felt super ill after waking up and eating breakfast so I napped till 11 or so then got ready to go with Els to Trafalgar Square to see the Pride Parade. By far the best part was the dragqueen Amy Winehouses. They were all different sizes and totally hilarious. We came back here to have some dinner, which was pizza! But weird tasting pizza. Then I napped for 3 hours and have just been bumming on the inets and catching up on my sketchbooks. Life isn't always that exciting here...
I miss you all and only 26 days till I get back to rage with you. Postcards will be sent out soon soon too!
xoxo,
brittface
I've been super lazy on the updates, my apologies. Things are just hectic around here. On the go most of the day and trying to rest or soak up the awesomeness of some of these people at all other times. I'm also very behind on my homework. I have to do a couple of journal entries for my Asian Art History course but they will consist of things that I liked and disliked about each class day. Easy as pie. I also am only 1 sketchbook behind as opposed to 3, which I was about an hour ago.
The last few days have been filled with class and such. A lot of not much else has been happening. Friday after my studio class at the National Portrait Gallery Els and I had lunch with a couple classmates and our professor in front of the National Gallery. It was the first moment that I realized I love this city. I know that sounds silly but it was just the perfect day and moment all wrapped up. I was eating some cutsie yogurt from Pret a Manger and sitting in the grass, watching all the people go by and I just had a revelation of how much I appreciate being here. It is not that I hadn't had those moments before it was just the first time I felt in my element. I think I am finally comfortable here. Getting over the homesickness is the hardest part but that usually only bothers me at night when I have down time to talk to people at home. Kisses to you all!
My dad finally got a web cam and figured out skype for the first time the other day. It's cute because for some reason my mom can't pronounce it and my dad always calls it sky p-e. It's silly. I miss all my animals and I got to see them all on camera. So cute! Poor Arthur is a sick boy, though.
To celebrate my great country of Amerricah the ladies plus Matt had a little fest in Els room filled with funny conversations and Peach Schnapps, which as on sale for 5 pounds 53 at Somerfield last night. Holler! I mean that's still like a little more than $10 but hey that's a deal in this city! After our little get together Matt led us to a pub that was having a 4th of July party with sparklers and Budweiser. The Bud was expensive as hell, the sparklers were only given out at dinner, and pubs close at 11 pm here. So basically we were there for a little less than an hour before heading back to drink more at our dorm. It was an alright time filled with dancing to Bruce Springsteen in the dark...bah dom cha! But I did the silly dance for everyone. I did get some decorations of the American style, though to add to my shrine of postcards and all things British. I needed a little America in my life. When I get home the first thing I am doing is lighting a sparkler to post-celebrate the 4th since I didn't get to do that here. I'm not a big fan of fireworks but I missed them so badly yesterday. I didn't realize how much I love the states and the 4th till being here. But it was still a good time.
Today I felt super ill after waking up and eating breakfast so I napped till 11 or so then got ready to go with Els to Trafalgar Square to see the Pride Parade. By far the best part was the dragqueen Amy Winehouses. They were all different sizes and totally hilarious. We came back here to have some dinner, which was pizza! But weird tasting pizza. Then I napped for 3 hours and have just been bumming on the inets and catching up on my sketchbooks. Life isn't always that exciting here...
I miss you all and only 26 days till I get back to rage with you. Postcards will be sent out soon soon too!
xoxo,
brittface
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
A few days behind
I haven't updated about my life in this here city for a couple days so I'll just do a quick recap of my life.
I hope you enjoyed that!
Today was Stonehenge. The only two things that keep coming to mind for me are a couple movies: National Lampoons European Vacation and Spinaltap. Let's youtube those too!
God I love those movies.
After Stonehenge we headed over to Avebury. Unfortunately, it was raining and we were unable to walk around and see the little village but we spent our time in the pub having drinks, good food, and good conversation. It was quite the lovely time. Bought myself a mood ring and Ashleysexface a present. So many more gifts to buy for people.
xoxo,
britt
Things are starting to become routine with going to class and riding the tube. The tube is 100% easy to navigate. The only downsides to this form of public transportation are the heat and stuffiness when you are down there. It's unreal the temperature! I sweat just standing there waiting. I've been doing a lot of walking and wandering by myself since I haven't had class in the mornings and Elodie did. But now she is free and I think tomorrow we are going to spend some time shopping since all the sales have now started in London. I guess July is sale month for all clothing stores. Holler at that, right?
Monday morning when I didn't have class I walked around Hyde Park trying to find some people to sketch. I found a lovely couple but they were sitting right next to me on the park bench and that would just be too awkward. I tried to draw this little boy scaring away pigeons but he was too fast! He's the fastest kid alive. After that I headed over to the National Gallery to have a look see but only had 20 minutes or so to run around before I headed to the British Museum. During AH in Asia we focused on Asian sculptures. It was quite the boring class but Gary always has the most interesting stories to tell about sculptures. After class we all had to hurry back to the dorms to get ready for dinner and then run over to the London Eye afterwards. The group of ladies I was with ended up being about 45 minutes late because of the damn circle line aka tourist line. But we got to go with the professors and that was kind of fantastic since we got to have them take as many pictures of us as we want. I haven't uploaded them yet but soon soon. The night ended with ice cream and full tummies.
Tuesday for studio we had our class in the Tate Modern. I wasn't very excited about a lot of the pieces I saw just more the names than anything. I'm pumped about going back to explore on my own time. We saw a Paul McCarthy piece of naked men and manginas and I really couldn't get past that mangina. I mean google him...it's weird stuff. English class was spent in a couple of galleries on the East End. Again, nothing too exciting but I wrote a ton of notes on the painting I picked for my paper so that'll be easy to write. I mean I should probably do that now but I'm a graduate and homework doesn't really make sense to me anymore.
Tuesday night (last night) was spent napping and then watching youtube videos in Dawn's room. Here are a couple for your enjoyment.
I hope you enjoyed that!
Today was Stonehenge. The only two things that keep coming to mind for me are a couple movies: National Lampoons European Vacation and Spinaltap. Let's youtube those too!
God I love those movies.
After Stonehenge we headed over to Avebury. Unfortunately, it was raining and we were unable to walk around and see the little village but we spent our time in the pub having drinks, good food, and good conversation. It was quite the lovely time. Bought myself a mood ring and Ashleysexface a present. So many more gifts to buy for people.
xoxo,
britt
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Me and Benny boy!
Bung Hole Winery.
Guiness Stache.
My professor loves liberty. He also feels we should change our national emblem to the skunk. This is him at Speaker's Corner this morning.
Mrs Jones!
Peter our tour guide. He's an old english theatre chap.
Me and St. Paul's.
The hot, muggy, sketchy tube.
Melted cannon lions at Trafalgar Square.
Mount Gay Rum! This makes me incredibly immature. hehe
My lovely little room.
My lovely little room.
My lovely dorm the Nutford House. My room is on the fourth floor, second from the left.
The ladies and I at the Duke of York for Dawn's birthday, which was also our first night there.
View from the right of my room towards Edgeware. Take Edgeware South for a few blocks and you'll hit Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park.
The ladies and I at the Duke of York for Dawn's birthday, which was also our first night there.
Speaker's Corner
My first Sunday in London was a very lazy one. I spent a good two hours over at Speaker's Corner watching my studio art professor, Duane, dressed as an S & M skunk speak about foreign policy. It was odd to see a professor do something like this because all of my professors in the Health and Human Services would actually be offended by his act. They are all just too conservative for my taste, ha. But apparently Duane stayed till around 3 pm speaking with people. I walked around to a couple of other speakers, one reminding me of the character Mrs. Jones from The Happening. She was super frightening and was screaming at the homeless man heckling her. She just kept telling him to not get 'friendly' with her.
After that I made myself a little lunch and attempted to watch Boys Don't Cry on the web. I fell asleep and ended up taking a 3 or 4 hour nap. I'm partially upset with myself for doing so but I needed to. The other night we didn't get back till at least 3:30 am and toured the hell out of London yesterday. I needed that rest otherwise my body may have just pooped out this week.
After dinner Elodie and I walked around to the souvenir shops, bought some awesome post cards, grabbed an ice cream cone, and headed to Hyde Park to listen to The Police. We heard the very last song of KT Tunstall's concert but heard a great deal of the Police's set. If we walked over to the front gate we could even see the stage and the screens a bit. It was so unreal. I still can't believe that I saw/listened to Eric Clapton and The Police in the past couple days and only a few blocks from my dorm.
I still felt dreadfully homesick today. I'm not homesick for America or Ohio, just for the people. Everyone here is friendly, awesome, and a blast to hang out with but it's so much different to share this experience with a stranger than with my closest friends. Elodie is here but I want everyone else here too. I want to go to pubs with my favorites and I want to listen to Eric Clapton with my dad by my side, I want to tour the galleries with my mom and Mindy, I want to share this with all of them. It breaks my heart that I've made it to Europe before my parents but I have my grandmother to thank for that. I don't think I would be here if I didn't have the inheritance money from her and my grandfather. I wouldn't of let my parents pay for this trip. It's mine because I paid for it. I am still dependent upon them for living expenses while here but I've already decided to pay them back for every cent spent. It's not their job to pay for me anymore. I want to be independent from them. I'm 23 I have to be.
I am also struggling with this figure drawing class. I don't have much faith in what I do. I like some of the stuff I draw but I'll get half way through drawing someone outside or on the tube and give up. I am just losing faith in my abilities to do anything creative. My major never really allowed me to think out of the box. Only counseling did. I hope tomorrow's drawings are better. Elodie likes them, though. But she's not my professor.
I posted pictures on Facebook but they are a bit tiny. I'm not sure why my pictures came out so small on my computer. That's not cool. But they are fun to look at!
Goodnight from Londontown....well Westminster really.
Britt
After that I made myself a little lunch and attempted to watch Boys Don't Cry on the web. I fell asleep and ended up taking a 3 or 4 hour nap. I'm partially upset with myself for doing so but I needed to. The other night we didn't get back till at least 3:30 am and toured the hell out of London yesterday. I needed that rest otherwise my body may have just pooped out this week.
After dinner Elodie and I walked around to the souvenir shops, bought some awesome post cards, grabbed an ice cream cone, and headed to Hyde Park to listen to The Police. We heard the very last song of KT Tunstall's concert but heard a great deal of the Police's set. If we walked over to the front gate we could even see the stage and the screens a bit. It was so unreal. I still can't believe that I saw/listened to Eric Clapton and The Police in the past couple days and only a few blocks from my dorm.
I still felt dreadfully homesick today. I'm not homesick for America or Ohio, just for the people. Everyone here is friendly, awesome, and a blast to hang out with but it's so much different to share this experience with a stranger than with my closest friends. Elodie is here but I want everyone else here too. I want to go to pubs with my favorites and I want to listen to Eric Clapton with my dad by my side, I want to tour the galleries with my mom and Mindy, I want to share this with all of them. It breaks my heart that I've made it to Europe before my parents but I have my grandmother to thank for that. I don't think I would be here if I didn't have the inheritance money from her and my grandfather. I wouldn't of let my parents pay for this trip. It's mine because I paid for it. I am still dependent upon them for living expenses while here but I've already decided to pay them back for every cent spent. It's not their job to pay for me anymore. I want to be independent from them. I'm 23 I have to be.
I am also struggling with this figure drawing class. I don't have much faith in what I do. I like some of the stuff I draw but I'll get half way through drawing someone outside or on the tube and give up. I am just losing faith in my abilities to do anything creative. My major never really allowed me to think out of the box. Only counseling did. I hope tomorrow's drawings are better. Elodie likes them, though. But she's not my professor.
I posted pictures on Facebook but they are a bit tiny. I'm not sure why my pictures came out so small on my computer. That's not cool. But they are fun to look at!
Goodnight from Londontown....well Westminster really.
Britt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
